Methods, computer program products, and virtual servers for a virtual collaborative environment

• US 9,113,216 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2014
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: DeLorme, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Ricky
• Application Number:
  US14/259,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20140237530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 725/43, 725/97, 725/131
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21805 enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/242 Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References] arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4437 Implementing a Virtual Machine [VM] virtual machines in general G06F9/45533
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/141 between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

Implementation of a virtual service includes connecting a set top box (STB) of a first user to a STB of a second user and a STB of a third user, providing a first video of the first and second users to corresponding STBs, and providing a second video of the first and third users to corresponding STBs. The virtual service also includes displaying the first video on a device of the first user and a device of the second user simultaneously with broadcast content. The virtual service further includes displaying the second video on the device of the first user and on a device of the third user simultaneously with the broadcast content. The displaying is implemented such that the second user and the third user are unaware of the mutual connection to the set top box of the first user.

Claims

1. A method for providing a virtual service, comprising:

receiving input from a first user of the virtual service, the input identifying a second user and a third user in which to operatively connect for the virtual service;

operatively connecting a set top box of the first user to a set top box of the second user and a set top box of the third user;

transmitting and receiving first multimedia video of the first user and the second user between the set top box of the first user and the set top box of the second user;

transmitting and receiving second multimedia video of the first user and the third user between the set top box of the first user and the set top box of the third user, the first multimedia video and the second multimedia video transmitted and received while common broadcast content is displayed at the set top box of the first user, the set top box of the second user, and the set top box of the third user;

causing a multiple viewport application executable on each of the set top box of the first user and the set top box of the second user to display the first multimedia video simultaneously with the common broadcast content on a first device communicatively coupled to the set top box of the first user and on a second device communicatively coupled to the set top box of the second user; and

causing the multiple viewport application of the set top box of the first user and a multiple viewport application executable on the set top box of the third user to display the second video simultaneously with the common broadcast content on the first device and on a third device that is communicatively coupled to the set top box of the third user, the first multimedia video and the second multimedia video displayed such that the second user and the third user are unaware of the mutual connection to the set top box of the first user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an option via the multiple viewport application to adjust a format of the first multimedia video by the first user, the format subject to adjustment including arrangement, size, and superposition.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising mapping to the second user and the third user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to a selection from a list stored on the set top box of the first user, the set top box of the first user maps to the set top box of the second user, such that the first multimedia video can be transmitted and received.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a virtual server maps the set top box of the first user to the set top box of the second user and the set top box of the third user, such that first multimedia video and the second multimedia video can be transmitted and received.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

authenticating the first user for the virtual service; and

requesting permission to operatively connect the set top box of the first user to the set top box of the second user and the set top box of the third user;

wherein the operatively connecting the set top box of the first user to the set top box of the second user and the set top box of the third user is implemented in response to receiving an acceptance, by the set top box of the second user and the set top box of the third user, to operatively connect.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the receiving input identifying the second user in which to operatively connect comprises receiving a unique identification address of the second user.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the receiving input identifying the second user in which to operatively connect comprises:

receiving a telephone number of the second user;

correlating the telephone number to determine a unique address of the second user; and

mapping to the second user based on the unique address.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the requesting permission to operatively connect to the second user allows the second user to accept or decline the request to operatively connect for the virtual service.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the operatively connecting the set top box of the first user to the set top box of the second user establishes a communications connection such that the first multimedia video is transmitted, at the same time the common broadcast content is transmitted, to the first device communicatively coupled to the set top box of the first user and to the second device communicatively coupled to the set top box of the second user.

11. A virtual server for providing a virtual service, comprising:

a processor; and

memory comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving input from a first user of the virtual service, the input identifying a second user and a third user in which to operatively connect for the virtual service;

operatively connecting a set top box of the first user to a set top box of the second user and a set top box of the third user;

transmitting and receiving first multimedia video of the first user and the second user between the set top box of the first user and the set top box of the second user;

transmitting and receiving second multimedia video of the first user and the third user between the set top box of the first user and the set top box of the third user, the first multimedia video and the second multimedia video transmitted and received while common broadcast content is displayed at the set top box of the first user, the set top box of the second user, and the set top box of the third user;

causing a multiple viewport application executable on each of the set top box of the first user and the set top box of the second user to display the first multimedia video simultaneously with the common broadcast content on a first device communicatively coupled to the set top box of the first user and on a second device communicatively coupled to the set top box of the second user; and

causing the multiple viewport application of the set top box of the first user and a multiple viewport application executable on the set top box of the third user to display the second video simultaneously with the common broadcast content on the first device and on a third device that is communicatively coupled to the set top box of the third user, the first multimedia video and the second multimedia video displayed such that the second user and the third user are unaware of the mutual connection to the set top box of the first user.

12. The virtual server of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise providing an option via the multiple viewport application to adjust a format of the first multimedia video by the first user, the format subject to adjustment including arrangement, size, and superposition.

13. The virtual server of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise mapping to the second user and the third user.

14. The virtual server of claim 11, wherein in response to a selection from a list stored on the set top box of the first user, the set top box of the first user maps to the set top box of the second user, such that the first multimedia video can be transmitted and received.

15. The virtual server of claim 11, wherein a virtual server maps the set top box of the first user to the set top box of the second user and the set top box of the third user, such that first multimedia video and the second multimedia video can be transmitted and received.

16. The virtual server of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise:

authenticating the first user for the virtual service; and

requesting permission to operatively connect the set top box of the first user to the set top box of the second user and the set top box of the third user;

wherein the operatively connecting the set top box of the first user to the set top box of the second user and the set top box of the third user is implemented in response to receiving an acceptance, by the set top box of the second user and the set top box of the third user, to operatively connect.

17. The virtual server of claim 16, wherein the receiving input identifying the second user in which to operatively connect comprises receiving a unique identification address of the second user.

18. The virtual server of claim 16, wherein the receiving input identifying the second user in which to operatively connect comprises:

receiving a telephone number of the second user;

correlating the telephone number to determine a unique address of the second user; and

mapping to the second user based on the unique address.

19. A non-transitory computer readable medium for providing a virtual service, the non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations comprising:

receiving input from a first user of the virtual service, the input identifying a second user and a third user in which to operatively connect for the virtual service;

operatively connecting a set top box of the first user to a set top box of the second user and a set top box of the third user;

transmitting and receiving first multimedia video of the first user and the second user between the set top box of the first user and the set top box of the second user;

transmitting and receiving second multimedia video of the first user and the third user between the set top box of the first user and the set top box of the third user, the first multimedia video and the second multimedia video transmitted and received while common broadcast content is displayed at the set top box of the first user, the set top box of the second user, and the set top box of the third user;

causing a multiple viewport application executable on each of the set top box of the first user and the set top box of the second user to display the first multimedia video simultaneously with the common broadcast content on a first device communicatively coupled to the set top box of the first user and on a second device communicatively coupled to the set top box of the second user; and

causing the multiple viewport application of the set top box of the first user and a multiple viewport application executable on the set top box of the third user to display the second video simultaneously with the common broadcast content on the first device and on a third device that is communicatively coupled to the set top box of the third user, the first multimedia video and the second multimedia video displayed such that the second user and the third user are unaware of the mutual connection to the set top box of the first user.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the operations further comprise:

authenticating the first user for the virtual service; and

requesting permission to operatively connect the set top box of the first user to the set top box of the second user and the set top box of the third user;

wherein the operatively connecting the set top box of the first user to the set top box of the second user and the set top box of the third user is implemented in response to receiving an acceptance, by the set top box of the second user and the set top box of the third user, to operatively connect.