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`
`
`
`
`
`US 20070139514Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Marley
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0139514 Al
`Jun. 21, 2007
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) TELEVISION SET-TOP VIDEO PHONE
`SYSTEM
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Robert P. Marley, North Wales, PA
`(US)
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04N
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`
`7114
`(2006.01)
`.......................................................... 348/14.01
`
`Correspondence Address:
`GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATION
`DBA THE CONNECTED
`HOME SOLUTIONS BUSINESS OF
`MOTOROLA, INC.
`101 TOURNAMENT DRIVE
`HORSHAM, PA 19044 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/311,075
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 19, 2005
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system for initiating, receiving, and storing video tele(cid:173)
`phony calls via a broadband television network. The system
`provides for the integration of all video telephony functions
`into the user-friendly platform of a residential set-top box
`which also provides standard cable television and digital
`video recorder functions.
`
`104
`
`102
`
`100
`~ 11 0
`~
`
`'----------+--+1
`
`~---+--+1
`
`Video
`Telephone
`Processor
`
`Primary
`AN
`Processor
`
`Video Tuner(s)
`
`106
`
`122
`
`112
`
`114
`
`118
`
`• •
`••• •••
`••• •••
`
`124
`
`126 f
`
`120 D
`
`• ••
`
`IPR2020-00200
`Apple Inc. EX1006 Page 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 21, 2007 Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 2007/0139514 Al
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`IPR2020-00200
`Apple Inc. EX1006 Page 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 21, 2007 Sheet 2 of 8
`
`US 2007/0139514 Al
`
`co
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`IPR2020-00200
`Apple Inc. EX1006 Page 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 21, 2007 Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 2007/0139514 Al
`
`104
`
`102
`
`108
`
`100
`
`116
`
`106
`
`122
`
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`
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`\
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`
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`
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`
`D
`
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`
`300
`
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`
`316
`
`110
`
`302
`
`308
`
`Video
`Telephone
`~-----<f---WProcessor
`
`Processor
`
`312
`
`~
`~
`~
`~
`
`\ 314
`
`326.f
`
`320
`
`324
`
`D
`
`...
`
`FIG. 3
`
`IPR2020-00200
`Apple Inc. EX1006 Page 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 21, 2007 Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 2007/0139514 Al
`
`401
`
`403
`
`405
`
`407
`
`409
`
`Calling Party
`dials Called Party
`
`Pause programming presently
`being viewed at calling location
`
`Store paused
`programming in DVR
`
`Transmit request to MSO to establish
`connection to Called Party and activate
`calling location camera and microphone
`
`Display Self-Image of Calling
`Party at calling location
`
`411
`
`Upon connection to Called Party, transmit
`Calling Party image and audio to Called Party
`
`413~
`
`417
`
`421
`
`425
`
`~No
`
`No
`
`Continue with
`Step 801 (FIG. 8)
`
`415
`~
`
`Continue with
`Step 501 (FIG. 5)
`
`Yes
`
`Called Party
`accepts and diverts
`call to DVR
`
`419
`~
`Continue with
`Step 601 (FIG. 6)
`
`Yes
`
`423
`\
`Continue with
`Step 701 (FIG. 7)
`
`FIG. 4
`
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 21, 2007 Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 2007/0139514 Al
`
`501
`
`503
`
`Call accepted by
`Calling Party in real time
`
`Pause programming presently
`being viewed at called location
`
`505
`
`Store paused
`programming in DVR
`
`509
`
`507
`
`Activate called location camera and microphone
`and transmit Called Party audio to Calling Party
`
`513
`
`Called Party images
`are displayed called
`
`Calling Party images and
`audio are displayed and
`played at called location
`
`Called Party images and
`audio are displayed and
`played at calling location
`
`511
`
`515
`
`Proceed with video call
`
`517
`
`519
`
`No
`
`Terminate call and
`restore normal
`television viewing
`
`FIG. 5
`
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 21, 2007 Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 2007/0139514 Al
`
`601
`
`603
`
`605
`
`607
`
`609
`
`611
`
`613
`
`Called Party accepts call
`And diverts to DVR
`
`Recall stored greeting from DVR
`
`Transmit greeting to MSO for
`Direction to calling location
`
`Greeting is displayed and
`Played at calling location
`
`Receive Calling Party's message
`
`Store received Calling Party
`Message in DVR
`
`Generate on-screen notification
`For viewing by Called Party
`
`FIG. 6
`
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 21, 2007 Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 2007/0139514 Al
`
`701--
`
`703
`
`Called Party refuses to
`accept call
`
`Normal television viewing
`continues uninterrupted
`
`FIG. 7
`
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`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 21, 2007 Sheet 8 of 8
`
`US 2007/0139514 Al
`
`No
`
`803
`
`Call is
`diverted to DVR
`
`Recall stored greeting from DVR
`
`Transmit greeting to MSO for
`Direction to calling location
`
`Greeting is displayed and
`Played at calling location
`
`Receive Calling Party's message
`
`805
`
`807
`
`809
`
`811
`
`813
`
`Store received Calling Party
`Message in DVR
`
`817
`
`815
`
`Generate on-screen
`notification for viewing ----<
`by Called Party
`Yes
`
`Has Called
`Location set-top box
`been activated?
`
`No
`
`FIG. 8
`
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`

`US 2007/0139514 Al
`
`Jun. 21, 2007
`
`1
`
`TELEVISION SET-TOP VIDEO PHONE SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] This invention relates to the field of video tele(cid:173)
`phony, and in particular to video telephony implemented via
`a broadband connection provided by a pre-existing cable
`television infrastructure.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The quest for a practical video telephone for the
`consumer market has been on going for many decades.
`Prototype videophones were under development by AT&T
`Bell Laboratories in the late 1950's, and a Bell System
`videophone (PicturePhone™) was marketed by AT&T and
`Western Electric from the early 1960's through the early
`1970's. AT&T also marketed a consumer videophone, the
`VideoPhone 2500™, in 1992. However, these and other
`early videophones met with limited commercial success due
`in part to the high cost of the devices ( each Video Phone
`2500™ sold for $1500.00 in 1992), and the high cost of
`utilizing the needed communication channels (21 dollars for
`a one minute videophone call in 1964). These impediments
`gave rise to a third barrier to the acceptance of video
`communication technology-The
`lack of a significant base
`of consumers
`likely to quickly adopt videophones as a
`means of conducting day-to-day communications. Without
`the likelihood of this base coming into being, there is little
`incentive for any one consumer to make a large initial
`investment in video telephony technology. The wisdom of
`purchasing an expensive videophone and/or the associated
`premium telecommunication services isn't readily evident if
`you can only contact a very limited group of other video(cid:173)
`phone owners.
`
`[0003] More recent videophone offerings have overcome,
`to a certain extent, the first two hurdles that the earlier
`videophone products met. Broadband videophones, such as
`the Packet8™. DSL videophone, Motorola's Ojo™ video(cid:173)
`phone, and VoIP videophone services such as those offered
`by Skype™, arguably provide users with acceptable video
`quality at a cost that many consumers might find attractive.
`However, wide consumer acceptance of videophones is still
`not a reality. One reason is the previously mentioned third
`barrier; there is still a lack of confidence that a significant
`base of consumers will quickly adopt videophones as a
`means for conducting day-to-day communications. All
`present videophone systems require consumers to purchase
`some additional appliance (i.e., stand-alone videophone), or
`modify/augment an existing appliance (VoIP, personal com(cid:173)
`puter-based video telephony) in order to enable the service,
`and then hope that a significant number of other consumers
`make similar purchases and/or compatible modifications.
`
`[0004]
`It would be advantageous, therefore, to provide
`video telephony functionality and services to a consumer via
`an information appliance and telecommunication infrastruc(cid:173)
`ture that is preexisting
`in a large number of residential
`environments.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0005] The aforementioned limitations and drawbacks of
`previous video telephony systems are overcome in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the principles of this invention by an improved
`system and method for providing for the incorporation of
`
`video telephone functionality into existing cable television
`set-top box/Digital Video Recorder ("DVR") technology.
`This provides a new bundled product package to consumers
`(digital TV/DVR/videophone)
`via a
`familiar, widely
`employed platform, and an established broadband residen(cid:173)
`tial network ( cable television), thereby fostering quick adop(cid:173)
`tion and the formation of a significant base of video tele(cid:173)
`phone users. Furthermore,
`the invention allows for pre(cid:173)
`existing DVR features and functions (program record and
`playback) to be utilized for implementing and supporting
`video communications.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0006] For a complete understanding of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to
`the following description taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings, wherein:
`
`[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first preferred
`embodiment of a video telephony system utilizing the inven(cid:173)
`tion;
`
`[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting the networking
`of several residential locations via a Multiple System Opera(cid:173)
`tor;
`
`[0009] FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a Multiple
`System Operator network connection between two residen(cid:173)
`tial locations, each employing a preferred embodiment of
`the invention;
`
`[0010] FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram of the steps for
`initiating a video telephone call employing a preferred
`embodiment of a the invention;
`
`[0011] FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram of the steps for
`accepting a video telephone call in real time employing a
`preferred embodiment of a the invention;
`
`[0012] FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram of the steps for called
`party diversion of a video telephone call to a DVR employ(cid:173)
`ing a preferred embodiment of a the invention;
`
`[0013] FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram of the steps for
`refusing to accept a video telephone call employing a
`preferred embodiment of a the invention; and
`
`[0014] FIG. 8 is a flowchart diagram of the steps for the
`automatic diversion of a video telephone call to a DVR
`employing a preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment the
`system includes DVR-capable set-top box 100. DVR-ca(cid:173)
`pable set-top appliances are well known in the art, and
`widely employed in residential environments for the view(cid:173)
`ing and storage of digital video programming. One example
`of such is the Motorola DCT6208/6412 which employs
`multiple video tuners thereby enabling a user to view one
`video program source, while simultaneously recording a
`second. In this embodiment, additional video processing
`capabilities, specifically directed to controlling and manag(cid:173)
`ing video telephone functions, are provided within video
`telephone set-top box 100 by video telephone processor
`("VTP") 102. VTP 102 is linked to camera 104, microphone
`106, and primary audio/video processor ("PAVP") 108.
`
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`

`US 2007/0139514 Al
`
`Jun. 21, 2007
`
`2
`
`PAVP 108 performs the types of audio and video processing
`typically associated with DVR-capable set-top appliances,
`including: routing incoming signals to/from a Multiple Sys(cid:173)
`tem Operator ("MSO") 110, encoding/decoding video and
`audio, responding to user commands input to remote control
`124 and received via remote control receiver 112, respond(cid:173)
`ing to user commands received via manual input panel 114,
`managing the storage and retrieval of video from DVR
`memory 116, controlling video tuner(s) 118, directing audio
`and video output to monitor 120 and speaker 126, respec(cid:173)
`tively. It should be understood that PAVP 108 may include
`multiple sub-processors and related systems, well-known in
`the art, to perform the listed operations. This is a function of
`the specific set-top appliance architecture and need not be
`addressed here.
`
`In this embodiment of the invention, camera 104
`[0016]
`and microphone 106 are situated in residential location 122
`as set-top box 100 and monitor 120, so that the voice and
`image of an individual viewing monitor 120 and operating
`set-top box 100 could be captured by microphone 106 and
`camera 104, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, residential
`location 122 is networked via the cable television infrastruc(cid:173)
`ture ofMSO 110 to additional residential locations 202, 204,
`and 206. For purposes of this description, each of these
`residential locations is assumed to have a video telephone
`set-top box arrangement similar to that described for resi(cid:173)
`dential location 122.
`
`[0017] A more detailed depiction of residential location
`122 networked via MSO 110 to residential location 202 is
`shown in FIG. 3. The video telephone set-top box arrange(cid:173)
`ment at residential location 202 includes: video telephone
`set-top box 300, VTP 302, camera 304, microphone 306,
`PAVP 308, remote control receiver 312, input panel 314,
`DVR memory 316, video tuner(s) 318, monitor 320, remote
`control 324, and speaker 326.
`
`[0018] With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a calling party
`situated at residential location 122 would initiate a video call
`to a called party at residential location 202 by effecting a
`"dial" command using remote control 124 or manual input
`panel 114 ( 401). For example, after actuating a "dial" button,
`the calling party would then either manually enter the called
`party's video telephone number, or select the called party
`from a previously stored video "phone book" retrieved from
`DVR memory 116 and displayed on at least a portion of
`monitor 120. The receipt of a "dial" command by PAVP 108
`would also initiate the muting and/or pausing of any pro(cid:173)
`gramming presently being viewed on monitor 120 (403).
`Any paused programming would be stored in DVR memory
`116 for viewing after the termination of the video call being
`established (405).
`
`[0019] Once the proper phone number was entered or
`recalled, PAVP 108 would cause a request to connect with
`residential location 202 to be sent to MSO 110 (407). This
`request could be routed by MSO 110 in a manner not unlike
`a standard VoIP voice or video that is regularly handled by
`MSO's today, and a connection would be established with
`video telephone set-top box 300 at residential location 202.
`In response to the "dial" command, PAVP 108 would also
`communicate with VTP 102 to activate camera 104 and
`microphone 106, and provide for the encoding of the audio
`from microphone 106 and images from camera 104 to a
`format compatible with PAVP 108 (407). VTP 102, in
`
`conjunction with PAVP 108, would also provide a real time
`image of camera 104's output on a portion of monitor 120
`for viewing by the calling party (409). This type of "self(cid:173)
`image" feedback is a feature presently found on commer(cid:173)
`cially available video telephones, letting the calling party
`see the image being transmitted to the called party.
`
`[0020] Upon establishment of a connection to video tele(cid:173)
`phone set-top box 300 the video image and audio from
`camera 104 and microphone 106 would be transmitted for
`reception by set-top box 300 (411). PAVP 308 would then
`generate a caller ID message (a window, a crawler, an
`overlay) on monitor 320. The called party would then press
`the appropriate button on remote control 324 or manual
`input panel 314 to either: 1) accept the call in real-time (413,
`415); 2) accept the call but divert it to DVR memory 316 as
`a video answering machine (417,419); or 3) refuse the call
`(421, 423). The fourth option (425) would be the situation
`where the called party was not at home and/or video
`telephone set-top box 300 was not in active use when the
`incoming call arrived. A more detailed discussion of the
`above options is provided below:
`
`[0021] Option 1) As shown in FIG. 5, after calling party
`initiates ("dials") a video call, the call placed to residential
`location 202 is accepted in real-time (501).
`
`[0022] Acceptance of the call causes PAVP 308 to mute
`and/or pause any programming presently being viewed
`on monitor 320 (503), and store the paused program(cid:173)
`ming in DVR memory 316 for viewing after the
`termination of the video call (505). VTP 302 activates
`camera 104 and microphone 106, and in conjunction
`with PAVP 308, transmits the video image and audio
`from camera 304 and microphone 306 for reception by
`set-top box 100 (507), and provides a real time "self(cid:173)
`image" of camera 304' s output on a portion of monitor
`320 for viewing by the called party (509). The received
`image from residential location 122 is displayed on at
`least a portion of monitor 320, and audio received from
`residential location 122 is played on speaker 326 (511).
`Simultaneously, images received by video telephone
`set-top box 100 from the called party is displayed at
`residential location 122 on at least a portion of monitor
`320, and audio received from the called party is played
`on speaker 126 (513). A video phone call is carried out
`between the two parties in a normal fashion (515). The
`call could be terminated by either party actuating a
`button on their remote control 124 or 324, or manual
`input panel 114 or 314 (517). Upon such termination,
`the respective PAVPs (108, 308) at the residential
`locations 122 and 202 restore normal television view(cid:173)
`ing, thereby allowing the calling and called parties to
`resume real time program viewing, or recall the paused
`programming from DVR memory (116, 316) for view(cid:173)
`ing (519).
`
`[0023] Option 2) As shown in FIG. 6, after calling party
`initiates ("dials") a video call, the call placed to residential
`location 202 is accepted and diverted it to DVR memory 316
`(601).
`
`[0024]
`In this case the called party is made aware of the
`incoming call, but chooses to have the call diverted to
`DVR memory 316 for storage and later viewing. This
`diversion could be executed automatically by PAVP
`308 after a predetermined number of "rings" or a fixed
`
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`

`US 2007/0139514 Al
`
`Jun. 21, 2007
`
`3
`
`It could also be executed
`in
`time period elapses.
`response
`to a called party command received via
`remote control receiver 312 or manual input panel 314
`(i.e., depressing a "divert call" key). In diverting the
`call, PAVP 308 first recalls a previously stored "greet(cid:173)
`ing" from DVR memory 316 (603) and directs it to
`video telephone set-top box 100 via the MSO connec(cid:173)
`tion (605). The greeting image is then displayed at
`residential location 122 on at least a portion of monitor
`320, and the greeting audio is played on speaker 126
`(607). This greeting could be a system greeting inform(cid:173)
`ing the calling party that the called party cannot take the
`call, and requesting they leave a video message fol(cid:173)
`lowing the termination of the greeting. This stored
`greeting could also be a more personalized message
`that the called party record and stored in DVR memory
`316. In either case, the calling party's message would
`be received (609), and recorded (along with time and
`caller ID information) in DVR 316 for later retrieval
`and viewing by the called party (611). PAVP 308 is also
`adapted to permit the generation of an on-screen mes(cid:173)
`sage (a window, a crawler, an overlay) on monitor 320
`notifying the called party that a new video message was
`indeed recorded (613). This on-screen message could
`include caller ID information and/or a still image
`sampled from the recorded video message. The called
`party could retrieve stored messages using an onscreen
`menu similar to that used to retrieve standard DVR(cid:173)
`recorded TV broadcasts.
`
`[0025] Option 3) FIG. 7 shows the case where the called
`party refuses to accept the incoming calling party a video
`call.
`
`[0026] Called party at residential location 202 is view(cid:173)
`ing TV, and is made aware of the incoming call via
`on-screen message. However, the call is actively dis(cid:173)
`missed by pressing a button on remote control 324 or
`manual input panel 314 (701). No video link is estab(cid:173)
`lished. No option of leaving a message if offered to the
`calling party. Normal TV viewing continues (703).
`
`[0027] Option 4) FIG. 8 shows the case where the called
`party at residential location 202 is not at home, and/or video
`telephone set-top box 300 was not in active use when the
`incoming call arrives.
`
`[0028] After a trigger event (801), such as predeter(cid:173)
`mined number of "rings" or the expiration of a prede(cid:173)
`termined period of time, diversion of the incoming call
`to DVR memory 316 is automatically executed by
`PAVP 308 (803). As in option 2, PAVP 308 first recalls
`a previously stored "greeting" from DVR memory 316
`(805) and directs it to video telephone set-top box 100
`via the MSO connection (807). The greeting image is
`then displayed at residential location 122 on at least a
`portion of monitor 320, and the greeting audio is played
`on speaker 126 (809). The calling party's message
`would then be received (811 ), and recorded ( along with
`time and caller ID information) in DVR 316 for later
`retrieval and viewing by the called party (813). The
`next time video set-top box 300 was activated (815),
`PAVP 308 would generate an on-screen message on
`monitor 320 notifying the called party that a new video
`message was recorded (817). This diversion, although
`automatic, may still be conditional. It may be undesir-
`
`able to have every incoming unanswered call stored in
`DVR memory 316. VTP 302 and/or PAVP 308 could
`maintain a list of all calling parties from whom video
`telephone set-top box 300 is authorized to automati(cid:173)
`cally accept and store messages. If the calling party is
`not on the list, no option to record a message is offered
`to the calling party (this would be an additional require(cid:173)
`ment for the above mentioned "trigger event" (801)).
`
`[0029]
`In the described embodiment, the particular means
`by which the camera and microphone are connected to the
`video telephone set-top box was not specified. It is under(cid:173)
`stood that these connections could be wire line or wireless,
`and that either or both the camera and microphone could be
`implemented in an integrated fashion as components of the
`video telephone set-top box itself (condenser microphone,
`wide-angle camera). Furthermore, although the particular
`described embodiments used the term "video telephone
`set-top box", it is well understood in the art that set-top box
`features and functionality can be integrated into a TV or
`monitor, so that no separate physical box is needed. The
`features and functionality disclosed herein may also inte(cid:173)
`grated into a TV and/or monitor in a similar fashion so that
`there need not be a separate physical set-top box. It should
`also be understood, that although the particular connection
`between residential locations described herein involved only
`one MSO, this invention is also applicable to multiple MSO
`environments, where video calls are being made from one
`MSO's network to another MSO's network. Such inter(cid:173)
`MSO routing is well known in the art.
`
`[0030] Furthermore, although
`invention has been
`the
`described herein by reference to exemplary embodiments
`thereof, it will be understood that modification and variation
`to such, without departing from the inventive concepts
`disclosed, can be made. All such modifications and varia(cid:173)
`tions, therefore, are intended to be encompassed within the
`spirit and scope of the appended claims.
`
`I claim:
`1. A television set-top box video telephony system com(cid:173)
`prising at least a video signal tuner, a digital video recorder,
`including a memory storage means, a video camera, a
`microphone, a monitor adapted for viewing video program(cid:173)
`ming, an audio system adapted for reproducing audio asso(cid:173)
`ciated with said video programming, a user command inter(cid:173)
`face, a bidirectional connection to a broadband television
`service network system, and a processing means responsive
`to said user command interface and adapted for controlling
`the tuning via said video signal tuner, wherein said process(cid:173)
`ing means is further adapted to:
`
`initiate a video telephone call to at least one specified
`called party;
`
`transmit a request via said broadband television service
`network system to effect a connection to said at least
`one specified called party;
`
`display a real time image of video from said video camera
`on at least a first portion of said monitor;
`
`display on at least a second portion of said monitor a real
`time image of video received from said called party via
`said broadband television network; and
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`Jun. 21, 2007
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`4
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`reproduce on said audio system a real time audio signal
`received from said called party via said broadband
`television network.
`2. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said processing means is further adapted to:
`
`pause and store programming being viewed by said
`calling party on said monitor, and reproduced on said
`audio system in response to said calling party input.
`3. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said processing means is further adapted to
`respond to input received via said user command interface to
`initiate a video telephone call.
`4. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said user command interface includes at
`least one handheld remote control device.
`5. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said monitor and said audio system are
`components of a television.
`6. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said microphone is integral to said televi(cid:173)
`sion set-top box.
`7. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said camera is integral to said to said
`television set-top box.
`8. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said microphone
`is connected to said
`television set-top box by a wireless link.
`9. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said camera is connected to said television
`set-top box by a wireless link.
`10. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said processing means is further adapted to
`transmit a video recalled from said memory storage means
`to said calling party via said broadband television network
`system.
`11. A television set-top box video telephony system
`comprising at least a video signal tuner, a digital video
`recorder, including a memory storage means, a video cam(cid:173)
`era, a microphone, a monitor adapted for viewing video
`programming, an audio system adapted for reproducing
`audio associated with said video programming, a user com(cid:173)
`mand interface, a bidirectional connection to a broadband
`television service network system, and a processing means
`responsive to said user command interface and adapted for
`controlling the tuning via said video signal tuner, wherein
`said processing means is further adapted to:
`
`accept a video telephone call from a calling party in
`response to input received via said user command
`interface;
`
`display a real time image of video from said video camera
`on at least a first portion of said monitor;
`
`display on at least a second portion of said monitor a real
`time image of video received from said calling party
`via said broadband television network; and
`
`reproduce on said audio system a real time audio signal
`received from said calling party via said broadband
`television network.
`12. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said processing means is further adapted to:
`
`pause and store programming being viewed by on said
`monitor, and reproduced on said audio system in
`response to said acceptance of a video telephone call.
`13. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said processing means is further adapted to
`respond to input received via said user command interface to
`accept a video telephone call.
`14. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said user command interface includes at
`least one handheld remote control device.
`15. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said monitor and said audio system are
`components of a television.
`16. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said microphone is integral to said televi(cid:173)
`sion set-top box.
`17. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said camera is integral to said to said
`television set-top box.
`18. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said microphone
`is connected to said
`television set-top box by a wireless link.
`19. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said camera is connected to said television
`set-top box by a wireless link.
`20. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 1, wherein said processing means is further adapted to
`transmit a video message recalled from said memory storage
`means to said calling party via said broadband television
`network system.
`21. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 20, wherein said processing means is further adapted
`to automatically transmit said video message recalled from
`said memory storage means to said calling party when a
`predetermined trigger event has been determined to have
`occurred.
`22. The television set-top box video telephony system of
`claim 20, wherein said processing means is further adapted
`to store in said memory storage means a video message
`received from said calling party via said broadband televi(cid:173)
`sion network system.
`
`* * * * *
`
`IPR2020-00200
`Apple Inc. EX1006 Page 13
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