Abstract: A request to establish video communication with a recipient associated with multiple communication devices is received. The recipient is identified using information contained within the request. A set of communication devices associated with the recipient is determined. A first communication device with a highest probability of being accessible to the recipient is selected from the set. The video communication request is forwarded to the first selected communication device.

Abstract: Cosmetic enhancement mirror methods and related systems.

Abstract: An object is identified with a camera that is sensitive to both visible and invisible light. An invisible light illuminator attached to the object may project a target of invisible light, which may either be generated by the illuminator or reflected from a separate invisible light source by the illuminator. The system processes the invisible light and identifies the object based on identity characteristics extracted from the invisible component. The system may then adapt its operation to settings associated with the object.

Abstract: A plurality of user-selectable video streams are displayed on a first terminal, each video stream being generated by a video camera associated with a different terminal in a network. By selecting one of the displayed video streams, a user may establish two-way video communication between the first terminal and the terminal associated with the selected video stream.

Abstract: An object is tracked with a plurality of cameras, at least one of which is sensitive to both visible and invisible light. An invisible light illuminator attached to the object reflects a target of invisible light. At least one camera processes the invisible light. A command module then selects and activates one of the cameras based on the satisfaction of a triggering condition, which may be based upon appearance, proximity, orientation, position, or any other characteristic of the illuminator with respect to the cameras.

Abstract: A remote control for an interactive television system includes an integrated microphone and a wireless transmitter for transmitting audio information generated by the microphone to the interactive television system. A set top box for the interactive television system includes a wireless receiver for receiving the audio information and a converter for transforming the audio information into a network-compatible audio stream for transmission to a network.

Abstract: A plurality of live video streams are generated by video cameras associated with terminals in a network. In one embodiment, the live video streams are received and cached by a first terminal. In addition, the live video streams are simultaneously displayed on the first terminal in one of various formats, such as a grid format or a ticker format. In response to a user selecting one of the live video streams being displayed, an earlier-in-time cached segment of the selected live video stream is retrieved and displayed to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to process music files is described. In particular, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium comprises an import module configured to determine whether a candidate music file corresponds to any of a plurality of music files that are incorporated in a database by comparing a digital signature of the candidate music file with digital signatures of the plurality of music files. The import module is configured to incorporate the candidate music file in the database based on determining that the candidate music file does not correspond to any of the plurality of music files.

Abstract: An object may be identified with a camera that is sensitive to both visible and invisible light. The camera receives a target of invisible light, either from an invisible light illuminator attached to the object, or via radiation from the object itself. The system processes the invisible light to position and size a halo with respect to the location of the object. The type of halo used may be determined by user selection. The system then modifies the visible component of the video signal from the camera to obscure the portion that lies outside the halo, thereby concealing the surroundings of the object.

Abstract: A module-based ticker for an interactive television system comprises one or more modules of content that the user can select for presentation. Separate modules of the ticker are selected for sports, news, weather, email, traffic, interactive applications, movies, and so forth. A viewer or user can also customize the ticker by choosing the shape, location, size, appearance, and content of the modules. Three-dimensional modules can scroll ticker information on its surfaces by rotating in the ticker. The content from each of the modules concurrently scroll in the ticker, thereby giving somewhat of an appearance of “a ticker having many tickers.” The modules can be “skins” that have preset or customizable layouts, colors, fonts, borders, shapes, etc. An interactive television service provider or other party can build the skins, and then via upload, make the skins accessible to and selectable by viewers for customization and inclusion into their ticker.

Abstract: An object is tracked with a camera that is sensitive to both visible and invisible light. An invisible light reflector attached to the object may reflect a target of invisible light, which is provided by an invisible light emitter. The camera processes the invisible light and moves the field of view of the camera so that the object is centered within the field of view. The camera may also zoom the field of view to a desired magnification level.

Abstract: The ticker for an interactive television system has user-customizable features, including a feature to exclude ticker topics dynamically from the display screen while the ticker is being presented and without the need to navigate to a static preferences screen. This allows the user to view only ticker items of interest. Excluded ticker topics are readily re-included without the use of a static preferences screen. Navigation and scrolling controls are used to customize the ticker presentation for the non-excluded ticker topics. Finer granularity of user customization within a topic itself is provided, including an ability to change modes or add content to a ticker. Implicit profiling is used in one implementation to customize the ticker by collecting viewer behavior data.

Abstract: Improved systems, devices, and methods for switching viewing between multiple video cameras. In one embodiment, switching between cameras is accomplished at lower cost and higher reliability by providing a system, devices and methods that utilize power switches, instead of high bandwidth switches. Embodiments provide local and remote access control installations to monitor multiple camera locations. Select specific embodiments verify user and/or monitoring site identity and/or authorization prior to permitting monitoring. In some specific embodiments, still picture monitoring may be utilized to decrease bandwidth requirements.

Abstract: A remote control for an interactive television system includes an integrated camera, a specifically-designated button for activating the camera, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting video information captured by the camera to the interactive television system. The remote control also includes an activity indicator for visually indicating when the camera is active. A set top box for the interactive television system includes a wireless receiver for receiving the video information and a converter for transforming the video information into a network-compatible video stream for transmission to a network.

Abstract: In response to an incoming communication request or other interruption, a television signal being currently displayed by an interactive television system is buffered for subsequent playback. In one embodiment, the television signal is automatically buffered immediately upon detection of the request. Alternatively, buffering begins when the request is accepted. Playback of the television signal being buffered may commence, for example, when the request is rejected or after communication with a remote device is terminated.

Abstract: A request to establish video communication between a caller and a user of an interactive television system is 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-recorded 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.

Abstract: In response to an incoming communication request or other interruption, a television signal being currently displayed by an interactive television system is buffered for subsequent playback. In one embodiment, the television signal is automatically buffered immediately upon detection of the request. Alternatively, buffering begins when the request is accepted. Playback of the television signal being buffered may commence, for example, when the request is rejected or after communication with a remote device is terminated.

Abstract: A plurality of video streams are simultaneously displayed on a terminal coupled to a network. The video streams are ranked according to a set of ranking criteria and displayed in accordance with the ranking. Highly ranked video streams may be displayed in prominent positions or emphasized in order to quickly draw the user's attention to the video streams.

Abstract: A system for providing two-way communication using an interactive television system includes a remote control and a set top box. The remote control is configured to control operation of the interactive television system. In addition, the set top box is configured to establish two-way communication with a far-end user via the interactive television system. In one configuration, the set top box includes a noise cancellation module for canceling estimated TV sound from an audio signal captured by the remote control. In another configuration, the set top box includes an output suppression module for suppressing TV sound while an audio signal is being captured.