(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`Allen et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Feb. 27, 2003
`
`US 20030041333A1
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`AUTOMATICALLY ANSWERING AND
`
`RECORDING VIDEO CALLS
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Paul G. Allen, Mercer Island, WA
`(US); Michael E. Sears, Bellevue, WA
`(US); John M. Kellum, Seattle, WA
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`DIGEO, INC (3/0 STOEL RIVES LLP
`201 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUITE 1100
`ONE UTAH CENTER
`SALT LAKE CITY, UT 34111 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. N0;
`
`09/940,181
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 27, 2001
`
`Publication Classification
`
`
`............ H04N 7/173
`Int. Cl.7 ..
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`............................................ 725/106; 725/122
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`.
`.
`.
`.
`Arequest to establish vrdeo communicatlon between a caller
`and a user of an 1nteract1ve telev1s10n system 1s detected. The
`caller is identified using information contained Within the
`request. The user is prompted to accept or reject the request.
`In response to the user rejecting the request or not accepting
`the request Within an established time interval, a pre-re-
`corded video greeting is sent to the caller. Thereafter, a video
`message is recorded including a video signal received from
`the caller. While the video message is being recorded, the
`user may interrupt the recording to establish two-way video
`communication With the caller.
`
`100
`
`
`
`Television
`
`Source
`114
`
`
`
`Television
`
`Source
`
`1 14
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Broadcast
`Center
`1 10
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Broadcast
`Center
`1 10
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 27, 2003 Sheet 1 0f 11
`
`US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`100
`
`Television
`
`Source
`
`
`
`Television
`Source
`
`
`
` Broadcast
`Broadcast
`
`
`Center
`Center
`
`
`110
`110
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 27, 2003 Sheet 2 0f 11
`
`US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`T0110 T0120
`\
`\1
`
`STE 102
`
`203
`
`205
`
`00
`
`246
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`El DUDE! DUDE] DEIDJLLJD
`
`
`DDEDEIDEIl—H—H—DWU FFH—I H II U
`
`
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`
`
`
`
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`D EDI:
`CIDU:JEIEIDD El
`
`
`
`
`248
`
`242
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 27, 2003 Sheet 3 0f 11
`
`US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`Microphone
`242
`
`To
`
`STE 102
`
`
`
`Bus 314
`
`Wireless
`Transmitter
`205
`
`Wireless
`Receiver
`203
`
`
`
`Network
`Interface
`302
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 27, 2003 Sheet 4 0f 11
`
`US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`406
`
`246
`
`fig
`
`
`
`
`Source
`
`114
`
`Request
`408
`
`Television
`
`STB 1028
`
`
`
`
`
`
`||l|||||||Hilllllllllllllllllllllllll|||l
`
`|l|l||lllll|ll||||||||||IIIIHHIIlllHlI
`Accept V-Call
`
`from Joe?
`
`
`410
`
`104
`
`402
`
`FIG. 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 27, 2003 Sheet 5 0f 11
`
`US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`406 $1245 242
`
`STB '
`
`102b
`
`Request
`408
`
`Greeting
`502
`
`
`
`_
`_
`Televnsmn
`Source
`114
`
`404
`
`246Q.
`
`AudioNideo
`Signal
`
`503
`
`I
`
`8TB 102a
`
`
`
`Storage
`Device
`
`310
`
`
`g 508
`____
`104
`
`e 2232
`
`
`
`504
`
`402
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 27, 2003 Sheet 6 of 11
`
`US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`406
`
`/ 246
`£;2<\
`
`STB 102b
`
`602
`
`Request
`408
`
`404
`
`Television
`
`114
`
`Source
`
`STB 102a
`
`l||||l|l|||llllllllll||||l||ll|||l||||l|||
`
`104
`
`Remote
`
`Local
`
`EEEEEEEE
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 27, 2003 Sheet 7 0f 11
`
`US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`406
`
`N246
`QE\
`
`8TB
`
`102b
`
`Request
`408
`
`Greeting
`502
`
`.
`.
`TeleVISIon
`Source
`
`
`
`
`
`Storage
`Device
`
`310
`
`STB 102a
`
`404
`
`Auto-Answer
`
`702
`
`List
`
`
`|ll|l|l|||||||||Illillill|||||||||l||l|l||
`
`
`
`
`
`104
`
`402
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 27, 2003 Sheet 8 0f 11
`
`US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`406
`
`246
`
`Q?
`STB
`
`102b
`
`Request
`408
`
`Greeting
`502
`
`Television
`
`Source
`
`STB 1023
`
`310
`
`Storage
`Device
`
`404
`
`Auto-An swer
`
`702
`
`List
`
`402
`
`104
`
`Accept V Call
`from Bill?
`
`2
`
`410
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 27, 2003 Sheet 9 0f 11
`
`US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`406
`
`STB
`
`102b
`
`90_
`
`STB 102a
`
`
`Broadcast
`
`
`Center
`
`
`110
`
`
`
`Television
`Source
`114
`
`
`
`Detection
`902
`
`
` ldenfificafion
`
`
`Notification
`904
`906
`
`
` Communication
`Answering
`910
`
`
`
`
`
`________
`
`908
`
`
`
`r
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Storage
`Device
`310
`
`Buffering
`912
`
`Playback
`914
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 27, 2003 Sheet 10 0f 11
`
`US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`
`
`
`Television
`Source
`1 14
`
`
`Network
`
`1 O1
`
`
`
`
`406
`
`Broadcast Center
`1002/110
`
`Request
`408
`
`
`Greeting
`502
`
`
`
`
`Video Message
`1008
`
`Accept/ Reject
`1004
`
`Prompt
`410
`
`
`
`402
`
`FIG. 10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 27, 2003 Sheet 11 0f 11
`
`US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`1100
`——
`
`1118
`
`1102
`
`Detect a request to establish video
`.
`.
`communication between a caller and a user
`
`1104
`
`Identify the caller from information
`contained within the request
`
`.
`.
`Notify the user concerning
`the identity of the caller
`
`1106
`
`1108
`
`1120
`
`Reject
`
`
`Accept or
`
`reject the
`request?
`
`
`Accept
`
`1122
`
`Send a pre-recorded video
`reetin to the caller
`9
`
`g
`
`
`
`
`Record a video message
`.
`.
`.
`
`compnsmg a Video stream
`
`
`received from the caller
`
`
`User
`
`
`subsequently
`accepts the
`
`equest?
`
`11 1
`
`0
`
`.
`.
`Buffer a teleVISIon broadcast currently
`being displayed
`
`Yes
`
`
`
`1112
`
`
`
`Establish two-way video communication
`between the user and the caller
`
`
`
`
`Communication
`terminated?
`
`Play back the buffered television
`broadcast from a point in time at
`which the request was accepted
`
`
`
`FIG. 11
`
`

`

`US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`Feb. 27, 2003
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY
`ANSWERING AND RECORDING VIDEO CALLS
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0001]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field
`of interactive television systems. More specifically,
`the
`present invention relates to a system and method for auto-
`matically answering and recording video calls.
`
`[0003]
`
`2. Description of Related Background Art
`
`[0004] Current systems and devices for answering and
`recording video calls (also known as “video answering
`machines”) have a number of limitations. For example, the
`system disclosed in US. Pat. No. 5,896,165, entitled
`“Method and System for a Video Answering Machine”, may
`be useful where no one is available to answer a call, but it
`is a nuisance where a user may wish to answer some calls
`personally and record others depending on the identity of the
`caller.
`
`a conventional video answering
`[0005] For example,
`machine does not identify the caller when an incoming video
`call is detected. Moreover, a conventional video answering
`machine does not allow a user to watch a video message
`being recorded. As video “telemarketing” becomes more
`prevalent, users will be subjected to numerous intrusive and
`undesirable video calls as a result of these conventional
`systems.
`
`In addition, once a video answering machine has
`[0006]
`started to record a video call, a user may not conventionally
`interrupt
`the recording to speak with the caller. Conse-
`quently, the user must typically wait until after the video
`message is recorded before he or she may identity, and
`communicate with, the caller.
`
`[0007] Even if the user could interrupt the recording of a
`video message to answer a video call, he or she will often be
`forced to miss all or part of a television program or the like
`while communicating with the caller. Thus, unless the user
`is prepared to immediately record the television program
`before answering the call, the user will inevitably miss at
`least a portion of the program.
`
`is needed is a system and
`[0008] Accordingly, what
`method for automatically answering and recording video
`calls in which the caller is identified when an incoming call
`is detected. What is also needed is a system and method for
`automatically answering and recording video calls in which
`a user may interrupt the recording of a video message to
`answer a call. What is also needed is a system and method
`for automatically answering and recording video calls in
`which a television program or other broadcast entertainment
`program is automatically buffered to allow a user to subse-
`quently view the program in its entirety.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0009] Non-exhaustive embodiments of the invention are
`described with reference to the figures, in which:
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication
`
`FIG. 2 is an illustration of an interactive television
`
`[0010]
`system;
`
`[0011]
`system;
`
`[0012] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of physical components
`of a set top box (STB);
`
`[0013] FIG. 4 is a datafiow diagram according to a first
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0014] FIG. 5 is a datafiow diagram according to a second
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0015] FIG. 6 is a datafiow diagram according to a third
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0016] FIG. 7 is a datafiow diagram according to a fourth
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0017] FIG. 8 is a datafiow diagram according to a fifth
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0018] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of logical components of
`a system for automatically answering and recording video
`calls;
`
`[0019] FIG. 10 is a datafiow diagram according to a sixth
`embodiment of the invention; and
`
`[0020] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for automati-
`cally answering and recording video calls.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`invention provides a system and
`[0021] The present
`method for automatically answering and recording video
`calls that eliminates or substantially reduces all of the
`above-identified problems and disadvantages.
`
`to
`In one implementation, an incoming request
`[0022]
`establish video communication between a caller and a user
`
`of an interactive television (ITV) system is detected. The
`request may be sent by another ITV system, a dedicated
`videophone, a personal computer, or another similar device.
`The request may be embodied in any suitable format accord-
`ing to the devices and/or software being used.
`
`In one embodiment, the ITV system identifies the
`[0023]
`caller from information contained within the request. The
`request may contain, for instance, a caller’s name, a network
`address of the caller’s ITV system, an image of the caller, a
`live video signal depicting the caller, or the like.
`
`[0024] The ITV system then notifies the user of the request
`and the identity of the caller. For example, the ITV system
`may display a text identification of the caller, a live video
`signal of the caller, an image of the caller, and so forth.
`Based on the identity of the caller, the user may accept or
`reject the video communication request.
`
`If the user 402 rejects the request or does not
`[0025]
`respond within an established time interval, the ITV system
`automatically answers the request by sending a generic
`pre-recorded video greeting to the caller. Alternatively, a
`caller-specific video greeting may be sent based on the
`caller’s identity. If the caller so desires, the ITV system may
`then record a video message including an audio/video signal
`sent by the caller.
`
`In certain embodiments, a video message is dis-
`[0026]
`played to the user while it is being recorded. For example,
`the video message may be displayed on the user’s television
`in a Picture-in-Picture (PIP) window. In addition, the user
`may interrupt the recording of the video message (or the
`
`

`

`US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`Feb. 27, 2003
`
`transmission of the video greeting) to immediately commu-
`nicate with the caller. Of course, in alternative embodiments,
`recording of the video message may continue while the user
`communicates with the caller.
`
`same for display on the television 104 or other display
`device, such as a computer monitor. As its name implies, an
`STB 102 is typically located on top of, or in close proximity
`to, the television 104.
`
`if the user accepts the
`In certain embodiments,
`[0027]
`request (or later interrupts the recording of a video message
`to communicate with the caller), the ITV system begins to
`buffer a television signal being currently displayed. When
`the video communication is terminated,
`the ITV system
`plays back the television program being buffered from the
`point in time at which the communication commenced.
`
`[0028] The ITV system may also include an auto-answer
`list. In one embodiment, rather than interrupting the user
`with a notification of every incoming video call, the ITV
`system automatically answers and records video calls in
`which the caller is found within the auto-answer list.
`
`this specification to “one
`[0029] Reference throughout
`embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular
`feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection
`with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment
`
`of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases
`“in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various
`
`places throughout this specification are not necessarily all
`referring to the same embodiment.
`
`[0030] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or
`characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in
`one or more embodiments. In the following description,
`numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of
`programming, software modules, user selections, network
`transactions, database queries, database structures, etc., to
`provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the
`invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize,
`however, that the invention can be practiced without one or
`more of the specific details, or with other methods, compo-
`nents, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known struc-
`tures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in
`detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
`
`[0031] The following discussion makes particular refer-
`ence to two-way video communication. However,
`those
`skilled in the art recognize that video communication typi-
`cally includes two-way audio communication. Thus, where
`video communication and corresponding components are
`specifically illustrated, audio communication and corre-
`sponding components may be implied.
`
`[0032] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a com-
`munication system 100. In one implementation, the system
`100 relies on a broadband network 101 for communication,
`such as a cable television network or a direct satellite
`
`broadcast (DBS) network, although other networks are pos-
`sible.
`
`[0033] The system 100 may include a plurality of set top
`boxes (STBs) 102 located, for instance, at customer homes
`or oflices. Generally, an STB 102 is a consumer electronics
`device that serves as a gateway between a customer’s
`television 104 and the network 101. In alternative embodi-
`
`ments, an STB 102 may be embodied more generally as a
`personal computer (PC), an advanced television 104 with
`STB functionality, or another type of client terminal.
`
`[0034] An STB 102 receives encoded television signals
`and other information from the network 101 and decodes the
`
`[0035] Each STB 102 may be distinguished from other
`network components by a unique identifier, number, code, or
`address, examples of which include an Internet Protocol (IP)
`address (e.g., an IPv6 address), a Media Access Control
`(MAC) address, or the like. Thus, video signals and other
`information may be transmitted from the network 101 to a
`specific STB 102 by specifying the corresponding address,
`after which the network 101 routes the transmission to its
`
`destination using conventional techniques.
`
`[0036] A remote control 106 is provided, in one configu-
`ration, for convenient remote operation of the STB 102 and
`the television 104. The remote control 106 may use infrared
`(IR), radio frequency (RF), or other wireless technologies to
`transmit control signals to the STB 102 and the television
`104. Other remote control devices are also contemplated,
`such as wired or wireless mice (not shown).
`
`[0037] Additionally, a keyboard 108 (either wireless or
`wired) is provided, in one embodiment, to allow a user to
`rapidly enter text information into the STB 102. Such text
`information may be used for e-mail, instant messaging (e.g.
`text-based chat), or the like. In various embodiments, the
`keyboard 108 may use infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF),
`or other wireless technologies to transmit keystroke data to
`the STB 102.
`
`[0038] Each STB 102 may be coupled to the network 101
`via a broadcast center 110.
`In the context of a cable
`
`television network, a broadcast center 110 may be embodied
`as a “head-end”, which is generally a centrally-located
`facility within a community where television programming
`is received from a local cable TV satellite downlink or other
`
`source and packaged together for transmission to customer
`homes. In one configuration, a head-end also functions as a
`Central Oflice (CO)
`in the telecommunication industry,
`routing video signals and other data to and from the various
`STBs 102 serviced thereby.
`
`[0039] Abroadcast center 110 may also be embodied as a
`satellite broadcast center within a direct broadcast satellite
`
`(DBS) system. A DBS system may utilize a small 18-inch
`satellite dish, which is an antenna for receiving a satellite
`broadcast signal. Each STB 102 may be integrated with a
`digital integrated receiver/decoder (IRD), which separates
`each channel, and decompresses and translates the digital
`signal from the satellite dish to be displayed by the television
`104.
`
`[0040] Programming for a DBS system may be distrib-
`uted,
`for example, by multiple high-power satellites in
`geosynchronous orbit, each with multiple transponders.
`Compression (e.g., MPEG) may be used to increase the
`amount of programming that can be transmitted in the
`available bandwidth.
`
`[0041] The broadcast centers 110 may be used to gather
`programming content, ensure its digital quality, and uplink
`the signal to the satellites. Programming may be received by
`the broadcast centers 110 from content providers (CNN,
`ESPN, HBO, TBS, etc.) via satellite, fiber optic cable and/or
`special digital tape. Satellite-delivered programming is typi-
`cally immediately digitized, encrypted and uplinked to the
`
`

`

`US 2003/0041333 A1
`
`Feb. 27, 2003
`
`orbiting satellites. The satellites retransmit the signal back
`down to every earth-station, e.g., every compatible DBS
`system receiver dish at customers’ homes and businesses.
`
`[0042] Some broadcast programs may be recorded on
`digital videotape in the broadcast center 110 to be broadcast
`later. Before any recorded programs are viewed by custom-
`ers, technicians may use post-production equipment to view
`and analyze each tape to ensure audio and video quality.
`Tapes may then be loaded into a robotic tape handling
`systems, and playback may be triggered by a computerized
`signal sent from a broadcast automation system. Back-up
`videotape playback equipment may ensure uninterrupted
`transmission at all times.
`
`[0043] Regardless of the nature of the network 101, the
`broadcast centers 110 may be coupled directly to one
`another or through the network 101. In alternative embodi-
`ments, broadcast centers 110 may be connected via a sepa-
`rate network, one particular example of which is the Internet
`112. The Internet 112 is a “network of networks” and is well
`known to those skilled in the art. Communication over the
`
`Internet 112 is accomplished using standard protocols, such
`as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Proto-
`col) and the like.
`
`[0044] A broadcast center 110 may receive television
`programming for distribution to the STBs 102 from one or
`more television programming sources 114 coupled to the
`network 101. Preferably, television programs are distributed
`in an encoded format, such as MPEG (Moving Picture
`Experts Group). Various MPEG standards are known, such
`as MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MPEG-7, and the like. Thus, the term
`“MPEG,” as used herein, contemplates all MPEG standards.
`Moreover, other video encoding/compression standards
`exist other than MPEG, such as JPEG, JPEG-LS, H.261, and
`H.263. Accordingly, the invention should not be construed
`as being limited only to MPEG.
`
`[0045] Broadcast centers 110 may be used to enable audio
`and video communications between STBs 102. Transmis-
`
`sion between broadcast centers 110 may occur (i) via a direct
`peer-to-peer connection between broadcast centers 110, (ii)
`upstream from a first broadcast center 110 to the network
`101 and then downstream to a second broadcast center 110,
`or (iii) via the Internet 112. For instance, a first STE 102 may
`send a video transmission upstream to a first broadcast
`center 110, then to a second broadcast center 110, and finally
`downstream to a second STE 102.
`
`[0046] Of course, the communication system 100 illus-
`trated in FIG. 1 is merely exemplary, and other types of
`devices and networks may be used within the scope of the
`invention.
`
`[0047] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an inter-
`active television (ITV) system 200 according to an embodi-
`ment of the invention. As depicted, the system 200 may
`include an STE 102, a television 104 (or other display
`device), a remote control 106, and, in certain configurations,
`a keyboard 108.
`
`[0048] The remote control 106 is provided for convenient
`remote operation of the STE 102 and the television 104. In
`one configuration, the remote control 106 includes a wire-
`less transmitter 202 for transmitting control signals (and
`possibly audio/video data) to a wireless receiver 203 within
`the STE 102 and/or the television 104. In certain embodi-
`
`ments, the remote control 106 includes a wireless receiver
`204 for receiving signals from a wireless transmitter 205
`within the STE 102. Operational details regarding the wire-
`less transmitters 202, 205 and wireless receivers 203, 204
`are generally well known to those of skill in the art.
`
`[0049] The remote control 106 preferably includes a num-
`ber of buttons or other similar controls. For instance, the
`remote control 106 may include a power button 206, an up
`arrow button 208, a down arrow button 210, a left arrow
`button 212, a right arrow button 214, a “Select” button 216,
`an “OK” button 218, channel adjustment buttons 220, vol-
`ume adjustment buttons 222, alphanumeric buttons 224, a
`“Help” button 226, and the like.
`
`the remote control 106
`In one embodiment,
`[0050]
`includes a microphone 242 for capturing audio signals. The
`captured audio signals may be transmitted to the STE 102
`via the wireless transmitter 202. In addition,
`the remote
`control 106 may include a speaker 244 for generating
`audible output from audio signals received from the STE
`102 via the wireless receiver 204. In alternative embodi-
`
`the microphone 242 and/or
`ments, as shown in FIG. 3,
`speaker 244 may be integrated with the STE 102.
`
`the remote control 106
`In certain embodiments,
`[0051]
`further includes a video camera 246, such as a CCD (charge-
`coupled device) digital video camera, for capturing video
`signals. In one implementation, the video camera 246 is in
`electrical communication with the wireless transmitter 202
`
`for sending the captured video signals to the STE 102. Like
`the microphone 242 and speaker 244, the video camera 246
`may be integrated with the STE 102, or attached to the STE
`102, as in the depicted embodiment.
`
`[0052] The various components of the remote control 106
`may be positioned in different locations for functionality and
`ergonomics. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the speaker
`244 may be positioned near the “top” of the remote control
`106 (when viewed from the perspective of FIG. 2) and the
`microphone 242 may be positioned at the “bottom” of the
`remote control 106. Thus, in one embodiment, a user may
`conveniently position the speaker 244 near the user’s ear and
`the microphone 242 near the user’s mouth in order to operate
`the remote control 106 in the manner of a telephone.
`
`[0053] The optional keyboard 108 facilitates rapid com-
`position of text messages. The keyboard 108 includes a
`plurality of standard alphanumeric keys 236. In one con-
`figuration, the keyboard 108 includes a wireless transmitter
`(not shown), similar or identical to the wireless transmitter
`202 of the remote control 106. The wireless transmitter
`
`transmits keystroke data from the keyboard 108 to the STE
`102. Additionally,
`the keyboard 108 may include one or
`more of the buttons illustrated on the remote control 106.
`
`[0054] Alternatively, or in addition, a hands-free headset
`248 may be coupled to the remote control 106 or the
`keyboard 108. The headset 248 may be coupled using a
`standard headset jack 250. The headset 248 may include a
`microphone 242 and/or speaker 244. Such a headset 248
`may be used to reduce audio interference from the television
`104 (improving audio quality) and to provide the conve-
`nience of hands-free operation.
`
`[0055] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a block
`diagram of physical components of an STE 102 according to
`an embodiment of the invention. As noted above, the STB
`
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`102 includes a wireless receiver 203 for receiving control
`signals sent by the wireless transmitter 202 in the remote
`control 106 and a wireless transmitter 205 for transmitting
`signals (such as audio/video signals) to the wireless receiver
`204 in the remote control 106.
`
`[0056] The STE 102 also includes, in one implementation,
`a network interface 302 for communicating with the network
`101 via the broadcast center 110. The interface 302 may
`include conventional circuitry for receiving, demodulating,
`and demultiplexing MPEG packets. The interface 302 may
`also include conventional modem circuitry for sending or
`receiving data. For example, the interface 302 may conform
`to the DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Speci-
`fication) or DAVIC (Digital Audio-Visual Council) cable
`modern standards.
`
`In one configuration, one or more frequency bands
`[0057]
`(for example, from 5 to 30 MHZ) may be reserved for
`upstream transmission. Digital modulation (for example,
`quadrature amplitude modulation or vestigial sideband
`modulation) may be used to send digital signals in the
`upstream transmission. Of course, upstream transmission
`may be accomplished differently for different networks 101.
`Alternative ways to accomplish upstream transmission
`include using a back channel transmission, which is typi-
`cally sent via an analog telephone line, ISDN, DSL, or other
`techniques.
`
`[0058] The STE 102 also preferably includes a codec
`(encoder/decoder) 304, which serves to encode audio/video
`signals into a network-compatible data stream for transmis-
`sion over the network 101. The codec 304 also serves to
`
`decode a network-compatible data stream received from the
`network 101. The codec 304 may be implemented in hard-
`ware and/or software. Moreover, the codec 304 may use
`various algorithms, such as MPEG or Voice over IP (VoIP),
`for encoding and decoding.
`
`[0059] The STE 102 further includes a memory device
`306, such as a random access memory (RAM), for storing
`temporary data. Similarly, a read-only memory (ROM) may
`be provided for storing more permanent data, such as fixed
`code and configuration information.
`
`In one embodiment, an audio/video (A/V) control-
`[0060]
`ler 308 is provided for converting digital audio/video signals
`into analog signals for playback/display on the television
`104. The AV controller 308 may be implemented using one
`or more physical devices, such as separate graphics and
`sound controllers. The AN controller 308 may include
`graphics hardware for performing bit-block transfers (bit-
`blits) and other graphical operations for displaying a graphi-
`cal user interface (GUI) on the television 104.
`
`the STE 102 may
`In some implementations,
`[0061]
`include a storage device 310, such as a hard disk drive or the
`like. The storage device 310 may be configured to store
`encoded incoming and outgoing video signals as well as
`television broadcasts and retrieve the same at a later time for
`
`display. The storage device 310 may be configured, in one
`embodiment, as a digital video recorder (DVR), enabling
`scheduled recording of television programs, pausing (buff-
`ering) live video, etc. The storage device 310 may also be
`used in various embodiments to store viewer preferences,
`parental lock settings, electronic program guide (EPG) data,
`passwords, e-mail messages, video messages, video greet-
`
`ings, and the like. In one implementation, the storage device
`310 also stores an operating system (OS) for the STE 102,
`such as Windows CE® or Linux®.
`
`in
`the STE 102 may include,
`[0062] As noted above,
`certain embodiments, a microphone 242 and a speaker 244
`for capturing and reproducing audio signals, respectively.
`The STE 102 may also include or be coupled to a video
`camera 246 for capturing video signals. These components
`may be included in lieu of or in addition to similar compo-
`nents in the remote control 106, keyboard 108, and/or
`television 104.
`
`[0063] A CPU 312 controls the operation of the STE 102,
`including the other components thereof, which are coupled
`to the CPU 312 in one embodiment via a bus 314. The CPU
`
`312 may be embodied as a microprocessor, a microcontrol-
`ler, a digital signal processor (DSP) or other device known
`in the art. For instance, the CPU 312 may be embodied as an
`Intel® x86 processor. As noted above, the CPU 312 may
`perform logical and arithmetic operations based on program
`code stored within the memory 306 or the storage device
`310.
`
`[0064] Of course, FIG. 3 illustrates only one possible
`configuration of an STE 102. Those skilled in the art will
`recognize that various other architectures and components
`may be provided within the scope of the invention. In
`addition, various standard components are not illustrated in
`order to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
`
`[0065] FIGS. 4-8 are high-level datafiow diagrams illus-
`trating various operations and transactions according to
`embodiments of the invention. Of course,
`the illustrated
`embodiment may be modified in various ways without
`departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
`
`[0066] As shown in FIG. 4, a user 402 may be viewing a
`television broadcast on a television 104 coupled to a first
`STB 102a. In one embodiment, the STB 102a decodes a
`video signal 404 received, for example, from a television
`source 114.
`
`[0067] Auser of a second STB 102b, hereinafter referred
`to as a caller 406, may then attempt to establish two-way
`video communication with the user 402 of the first STB
`
`102a. Of course, the caller 406 may use other types of video
`communication devices, such as a personal computer (PC),
`a personal digital assistant (PDA), a dedicated videophone,
`or the like.
`
`In one embodiment, the second STB 102b (or other
`[0068]
`remote device) sends a video communication request 408 to
`the first STB 102a. As previously noted, the request 408 may
`be embodied in various forms, depending on the hardware
`and software being used.
`
`[0069] Upon detecting the request 408, the first STB 102a
`identifies the caller 406 from information contained within
`
`the request 408. In one embodiment, the first STB 102a
`extracts an identifier from the request 408 that uniquely
`identifies the caller or the caller’s STB 102b. The identifier
`
`the caller’s name, the caller’s
`may include, for instance,
`personal network address, the network address of the caller’s
`STB 102b, an image of the caller 406, a live video signal
`depicting the caller 406, or the like.
`
`[0070] The STB 102a then notifies the user 402 concern-
`ing the request 408 and identifies the caller 406. This may be
`
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`
`accomplished, in one embodiment, by displaying a prompt
`410 on the television 104. The prompt 410 may include one
`or more of the identifiers noted above, and may also include
`a notice for the user 402 to accept or reject the request 408.
`
`the prompt 410 is
`In the depicted embodiment,
`[0071]
`embodied as a pop-up window, including, for example, the
`name of the caller 406, e.g. “Joe.” Preferably, the prompt
`410 is sized and positioned to minimize disruption of
`television viewing and the like. For example, the prompt 410
`may be displayed near the top or bottom of the television
`screen. Moreover, the prompt 410 may be semitransparent,
`allowing the underlying television signal 404 being dis-
`played to remain substantially visible.
`
`Identification of the caller 406 allows the user 402
`[0072]
`to quickly decide whether to answer the video call or to
`allow the call to be automatically answered and recorded by
`the STB 102a. For instance, if the user 402 accepts the
`request 408, a two-way video communication channel is
`established between the STB 102a and the STB 102b using
`standard protocols.
`In one embodiment,
`the STB 102a
`launches a videoconferencing client, such as Microsoft
`NetMeeting® or CuSeeMe®, to establish a communication
`channel and manage two-way video communication.
`
`If, however, the user 402 rejects the request 408 (or
`[0073]
`if the request 408 is not accepted within an established time
`interval), the prompt 410 is removed and the STB 102a
`automatically answers the call. In one embodiment, the STB
`102a sends a pre-recorded video greeting 502 to the caller
`406. The video greeting 502 may invite the caller 406 to
`leave a video message, which may be stored for subsequent
`view