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Method, apparatus and system for incorporating voice or video communication into a television or compatible audio capable visual display

  • US 9,615,055 B2
  • Filed: 04/06/2015
  • Issued: 04/04/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A communication interface apparatus comprising:

  • at least one television input for receiving a television signal from a television tuner;

    at least one communication input for receiving a separate communication signal from a communication network;

    at least one output for transmitting an output signal from said communication interface apparatus;

    a controller coupled with said television input, said communication input, said output, anda non-transitory machine readable medium having encoded thereon a set of instructions executable by the controller to perform one or more operations, the set of instructions comprising instructions to;

    monitor the communication input to detect a communication signal and associated data;

    upon detection of a communication signal, combine the data associated with the communication signal with the television signal to produce a notification signal superimposing the associated data over the television signal, wherein said notification signal includes at least an identification of the originator of the communication signal;

    displaying the content of the notification signal on a display in communication with the communications interface apparatus in a first area of the display which is less than the entire area of the display;

    retrieve a call menu from a memory, and display the call menu on the display in a second area of the display which is physically separated from the first area of the display, wherein the call menu includes a plurality of selections including at least an open attachment selection; and

    upon detection of a user input command to answer a communication signal comprising a telephone call, record the television signal on a digital video recorder in communication with the output and broadcast the audio portion of the communication signal from the display.

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