Method and apparatus for group media consumption

• US 9,276,761 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2009
• Issued: 03/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Scott, Charles, White, Scott, Mukerji, Ankur III
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): DU, HUNG K
• Application Number:
  US12/397,929
• Publication Number:
  US 20100226288A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,554 Days
• Field of Search: 725/9, 725/10, 725/37, 725/39, 725/40, 725/56, 379/207.02, 704/231, 704/235, 704/246, 348/14.01, 348/14.08, 348/14.09, 479/157, 479/158, 479/201.01, 479/202.01
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2898 Subscriber equipments DSL modems H04M11/062; cable modems H04L12/2801
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234318 by decomposing into objects, e.g. MPEG-4 objects
• 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 21/8545 for generating interactive applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box comprising a controller to send an invite for participation in a media conference to at least one media device, the media conference comprising a presentation of a media program supplied by an interactive television (iTV) network, receive an acceptance of the invite from at least one accepting media device of the at least one media device, connect the at least one accepting media device to a communications bridge operably coupled to the STB, wherein the communications bridge enables the STB and the at least one accepting media device to engage in one of voice, video, and synthesized speech to text communications, and present the media program with at least a portion of the communications between the STB and the at least one accepting media device during the media conference. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A set-top box comprising:

a memory that stores instructions; and

a controller coupled to the memory, wherein the controller, responsive to executing the instructions, performs operations comprising;

receiving, from a first source, a pre-recorded media program cataloged in a personal electronic programming guide;

sending an invite for participation in a media conference to a first media device of a first user, the media conference comprising a presentation of the pre-recorded media program;

receiving an acceptance of the invite from the first media device;

facilitating establishing a connection of the first media device to a communications bridge of a second source operably coupled to the set-top box, wherein the communications bridge enables the set-top box and the first media device to engage in synthesized speech-to-text communications;

receiving, from the communications bridge, mixed audio voice communications, wherein the mixed audio voice communications comprise a combination of first audio voice communications from the first media device and second audio voice communications from a second media device of a second user, wherein the mixed audio voice communications are received synchronously with the presentation of the pre-recorded media program, wherein the first and second media devices are part of a group of media devices associated with the media conference, wherein personal electronic programming guide is associated with one of the first user or the second user, and wherein the pre-recorded media program is obtained from a recording device of the one of the first user, the second user, or both;

receiving, in association with the mixed audio voice communications, user identifiers that each correspond to one of the group of media devices to enable association of portions of the mixed audio voice communications with the one of the group of media devices that captured the portions of the mixed audio voice communications;

converting the mixed audio voice communications to text communications;

presenting the pre-recorded media program, the user identifiers and a portion of the text communications during the media conference, wherein the presenting of the pre-recorded media program with the portion of the text communications during the media conference includes presenting non-real time video of the first and second users synchronously with the presentation of the pre-recorded media program, wherein first text from the portion of the text communications that corresponds to the first user is presented in a first text window adjacent to the non-real time video of the first user, and wherein second text from the portion of the text communications that corresponds to the second user is presented in a second text window adjacent to the non-real time video of the second user; and

sending the invite to the first media device based on a selection in an electronic programming guide, wherein the electronic programming guide comprises a lobby area that displays a user of another media device that has accepted the invite.

2. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the pre-recorded media program is provided by an interactive television network.

3. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the pre-recorded media program comprises content from a group consisting of:

audio content, video content, image content, text content, and combinations thereof wherein the first media device is selected from a group consisting of;

another set-top box, a computer, a mobile phone, a landline phone, and combinations thereof.

4. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein executing the instructions causes the controller to perform the operations comprising:

obtaining a first avatar associated with the first user of the first media device and a second avatar associated with the second user of the second media device;

monitoring pitch, volume and stress associated with the first and second users for the first and second audio voice communications, respectively; and

adjusting physical movements of the first and second avatars based on the monitoring and based on subject matter of the first and second audio voice communications, respectively, wherein the first and second avatars are presented with the presentation of the pre-recorded media program.

5. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the pre-recorded media program is selected from recorded media content, wherein the communications bridge is a separate device that is connected with a group of set top boxes of a premises through a wired connection, and wherein the group of set top boxes includes the set top box.

6. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the controller is operative to control the communications from the communications bridge independently from the presentation of the pre-recorded media program.

7. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein executing the instructions causes the controller to perform the operations comprising receiving and utilizing a vote from the first media device to perform selecting a time for the pre-recorded media program to be presented.

8. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the voice communications of the first media device are inputted by a microphone operably connected to a remote controller.

9. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein executing the instructions causes the controller to perform the operations comprising utilizing one from a group consisting of:

media program ratings, the communications, user preferences, demographics, psychographics, user profiles associated with users of the set-top box, and combinations thereof and the first media device to create a buddy list, wherein the buddy list comprises a group of users with similar viewing interests.

10. The set-top box of claim 9, wherein executing the instructions causes the controller to perform the operations comprising automatically sending invites to communication devices of users in the buddy list to participate in the media conference.

11. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein executing the instructions causes the controller to perform the operations comprising controlling the media conference.

12. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:

detecting voice communications in a vicinity of the set-top box; and

submitting, to the first media device, one of a group consisting of;

an identifier, the voice communications, synthesized text and a combination thereof derived from the voice communications, wherein the identifier is associated with the voice communications.

13. The set-top box of claim 1, wherein executing the instructions causes the controller to perform the operations comprising:

receiving an identifier and synthesized text derived from the voice communications from the first media device, wherein the identifier is associated with the voice communications detected by the first media device; and

presenting the identifier.

14. A recipient media processor comprising:

a memory to store instructions; and

a controller coupled to the memory, wherein the controller, responsive to executing the instructions, performs operations comprising;

receiving a pre-recorded media program from a first source, wherein the pre-recorded media program is cataloged in a personal electronic programming guide;

receiving an invite from a first media processor of a first user to participate in a media conference, wherein the media conference comprises a presentation of the pre-recorded media program;

sending an acceptance of the invite to the first media processor;

communicating with the first media processor over a communications bridge operably coupled to the first media processor, wherein the communications bridge enables the first media processor and the recipient media processor to engage in synthesized speech-to-text communications;

receiving, from the communications bridge, mixed audio voice communications, wherein the mixed audio voice communications comprise a combination of first audio voice communications from the first media processor and second audio voice communications from a second media processor of a second user, wherein the mixed audio voice communications are received synchronously with the presentation of the pre-recorded media program, wherein the first and second media processors are part of a group of media processors associated with the media conference, wherein the personal electronic programming guide is associated with one of the first user or the second user, and wherein the pre-recorded media program is obtained from a recording device of the one of the first user, the second user, or both;

receiving, in association with the mixed audio voice communications, user identifiers that each correspond to one of the group of media processors to enable association of portions of the mixed audio voice communications with the one of the group of media processors that captured the portions of the mixed audio voice communications;

converting the mixed audio voice communications to text communications, resulting in synthesized text communications; and

presenting the synthesized text communications, the user identifiers and the pre-recorded media program during the media conference, wherein the presenting of the pre-recorded media program with the portion of the text communications during the media conference includes presenting previously recorded video of the first and second users synchronously with the presentation of the pre-recorded media program, wherein first text from the portion of the text communications that corresponds to the first user is presented in a first text window adjacent to the previously recorded video of the first user, and wherein second text from the portion of the text communications that corresponds to the second user is presented in a second text window adjacent to the previously recorded video of the second user, and

wherein the receiving of the invite from the first media processor is based on a selection in an electronic programming guide, wherein the electronic programming guide comprises a lobby area that displays a user of another media processor that has accepted the invite.

15. The recipient media processor of claim 14, wherein executing the instructions causes the controller to perform the operations comprising:

obtaining a first avatar associated with the first user of the first media processor and a second avatar associated with the second user of the second media processor,

wherein physical movements of the first and second avatars are adjusted based on monitoring pitch, volume and stress associated with the first and second users and based on subject matter of the first and second audio voice communications, respectively, wherein the first and second avatars are presented with the presentation of the pre-recorded media program.

16. The recipient media processor of claim 14, wherein executing the instructions causes the controller to perform the operations comprising:

detecting speech communications resulting in detected speech communications; and

transmitting to the first media processor an identifier and the text synthesized from the detected speech communications.

17. The recipient media processor of claim 16, wherein executing the instructions causes the controller to perform the operations comprising presenting text communications synthesized by the controller from the detected speech communications supplied by the first media processor, and wherein the presentation is accompanied by the identifier, wherein each of the recipient media processor and first media processor is selected from a group consisting of a set-top box, a computer, a communications device, and a gaming console.

18. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a system including a processor, a pre-recorded media program from a first source, wherein the pre-recorded media program is cataloged in a personal electronic programming guide;

receiving, by the system, an acceptance from a first media device of a first user in response to an invite to participate in a media conference, wherein the media conference comprises a presentation of the pre-recorded media program;

facilitating a connection, by the system, of the first media device to a communications bridge of a second source, wherein the communications bridge enables multiple parties to engage in synthesized speech-to-text communications;

receiving, by the system, from the communications bridge, mixed audio voice communications, wherein the mixed audio voice communications comprise a combination of first audio voice communications from the first media device and second audio voice communications from a second media device of a second user, wherein the mixed audio voice communications are received synchronously with the presentation of the pre-recorded media program, wherein the first and second media devices are part of a group of media devices associated with the media conference, wherein personal electronic programming guide is associated with one of the first user or the second user, and wherein the pre-recorded media program is obtained from a recording device of the one of the first user, the second user, or both;

receiving, by the system, in association with the mixed audio voice communications, user identifiers that each correspond to one of the group of media devices to enable association of portions of the mixed audio voice communications with the one of the group of media devices that captured the portions of the mixed audio voice communications;

converting, by the system, the mixed audio voice communications to text communications;

presenting, by the system, the pre-recorded media program, the user identifiers and a portion of the text communications during the media conference, wherein the presenting of the pre-recorded media program with the portion of the text communications during the media conference includes presenting non-real time video of the first and second users synchronously with the presentation of the pre-recorded media program, wherein first text from the portion of the text communications that corresponds to the first user is presented in a first text window adjacent to the non-real time video of the first user, and wherein second text from the portion of the text communications that corresponds to the second user is presented in a second text window adjacent to the non-real time video of the second user; and

sending the invite to the first media device based on a selection in an electronic programming guide, wherein the electronic programming guide comprises a lobby area that displays a user of another media device that has accepted the invite.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising:

obtaining a first avatar associated with the first user of the first media device and a second avatar associated with the second user of the second media device,

wherein physical movements of the first and second avatars are adjusted based on monitoring pitch, volume and stress associated with the first and second users and based on subject matter of the first and second audio voice communications, respectively, wherein the first and second avatars are presented with the pre-recorded media program.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising muting, by the system, the mixed audio voice communications when presenting the text communications during the media conference.

21. The method of claim 18, comprising creating, by the system, an avatar associated with a user of the media device and presenting the avatar with the communications, wherein actions associated with the avatar are based on the communications from devices of the user.

22. A non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium, comprising instructions which, responsive to being executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving a video stream from a first media device of a first user, wherein the video stream comprises pre-recorded content cataloged in a personal electronic programming guide of the first user;

receiving by way of an audio bridge, a mixture of audible signals comprising a first audible signal representative of speech communications taking place within a vicinity of the first media device and a second audible signal representative of speech communications taking place within a vicinity of a second media device of a second user, wherein the mixture of audible signals is received synchronously with the video stream, and wherein the first and second media devices are part of a group of media devices;

receiving, in association with the mixture of audible signals, user identifiers that each correspond to one of the group of media devices to enable association of portions of the mixture of audible signals with the one of the group of media devices that captured the portions of the mixture of audible signals;

converting the mixture of audible signals to text communications;

presenting the text communications and the user identifiers with the video stream, wherein the presenting of the video stream with the text communications occurs during a media conference between the first and second media devices includes presenting non-real time video of the first and second users, wherein first text from the portion of the text communications that corresponds to the first user is presented in a first text window adjacent to the non-real time video of the first user, and wherein second text from the portion of the text communications that corresponds to the second user is presented in a second text window adjacent to the non-real time video of the second user; and

sending an invite to the first media device based on a selection in an electronic programming guide, wherein the electronic programming guide comprises a lobby area that displays a user of another media device that has accepted the invite.

23. The non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium of claim 22, comprising instructions which, responsive to being executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving an acceptance to the invite from the first media device; and

connecting the first media device to the audio bridge, wherein the audio bridge enables the first media device to engage in text communications.

24. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 23, comprising instructions to present a scroll bar, wherein the scroll bar enables the first media device to scroll through the text communications.

25. A network element comprising:

a memory to store instructions; and

a controller coupled to the memory, wherein the controller, responsive to executing the instructions, performs operations comprising;

receiving a request from a first media device of a first user to initiate a media conference comprising a pre-recorded media program cataloged in a personal electronic programming guide;

allowing the first media device and a second media device of a second user to participate in the media conference, wherein the first and second media devices are part of a group of media devices associated with the media conference;

transmitting the pre-recorded media program to the first media device;

wherein mixed audio voice communications comprising a first audio voice communications from the first media device and a second audio voice communication from the second media device are received by way of a communications bridge at a receiving one of the first media device and the second media device synchronously with the pre-recorded media program during the media conference, wherein the audio voice communications are converted to text communications at the receiving one of the first media device and the second media device, wherein personal electronic programming guide is associated with one of the first user or the second user, and

wherein user identifiers that each correspond to one of the group of media devices are received in association with the mixed audio voice communications to enable association of portions of the mixed audio voice communications with the one of the group of media devices that captured the portions of the mixed audio voice communications; and

transmitting a first avatar associated with the first user of the first media device,

wherein presentation of the pre-recorded media program at equipment of one of the first or second user, with the portion of the text communications during the media conference includes presenting non-real time video of the first and second users, wherein first text from the portion of the text communications that corresponds to the first user is presented in a first text window adjacent to the non-real time video of the first user, and wherein second text from the portion of the text communications that corresponds to the second user is presented in a second text window adjacent to the non-real time video of the second user, and

wherein the receiving of the request from the first media device is based on a selection in an electronic programming guide, wherein the electronic programming guide comprises a lobby area that displays a user of another media processor that has accepted the invite.