Abstract: SMS messages are conveyed via a TV communication infrastructure for receipt by a TV set-top box having a unique ID. The SMS messages are sent by a cellular telephone to a cellular service provider and are encoded with a unique ID of a destination TV subscriber's TV set-top box so as to be identifiable as destined for the TV communication infrastructure. After identifying that an SMS message is destined for the TV communication infrastructure, the cellular service provider forwards the SMS message to a TV communication gateway, which processes the SMS message, including identifying the unique ID of the TV subscriber's TV set-top box, and forwards data relating to the SMS message to the TV subscriber's TV set-top box.

Abstract: An in-band gateway which enables TV operators having a narrow out-of-band return channel the capability of providing high bandwidth applications including voicemail, voice attachments, music on demand, and picture mail, by using the in-band channel and the out-of-band channel in parallel. The in-band gateway can receive multiple sources of multi-media and manage them, so that when subscribers demand high bandwidth service, the in-band gateway sends the information though the in-band channel and can also handle the streaming of data. The command for sending a high bandwidth content is requested by a client software running on a set-top box application or middleware through the out-of-band channel. The in-band gateway allows the operators to provide multimedia content using both the narrow out-of-band channel and the in-band channel.

Abstract: System for providing CATV subscribers an access to a UMS (Unified Messaging System) and/or VMS (Voice Mail System), wherein each subscriber is provided with a TV set connected to the CATV network directly-or-through a set-top box. The system comprises a connection between subscribers of the CATV network and the UMS and/or VMS and an interface for permitting exchange of information between the subscribers and the UTMS and/or VMS and a client software for the UMS and/or VMS, which when the connection is through the set-top box resides on, or is coupled to, the set-top box. The interface may comprise a UMS and/or VMS handler and a CATV network handler for providing data connection between the UMS and/or VMS and the subscribers. The interface may also comprise a multimedia message management interposed between the UMS and/or VMS handler and the CATV network handler.

Abstract: SMS messages are conveyed via a TV communication infrastructure for receipt by a TV set-top box having a unique ID. The SMS messages are sent by a cellular telephone to a cellular service provider and are encoded with a unique ID of a destination TV subscriber's TV set-top box so as to be identifiable as destined for the TV communication infrastructure. After identifying that an SMS message is destined for the TV communication infrastructure, the cellular service provider forwards the SMS message to a TV communication gateway, which processes the SMS message, including identifying the unique ID of the TV subscriber's TV set-top box, and forwards data relating to the SMS message to the TV subscriber's TV set-top box.

Abstract: A communication system for a digital television system including an interactive response system (20) in communication with a television (10) of the digital television system (40) is described. The interactive response system (20) is arranged to accept an input from a user in response to an output signal produced by the television (10) and to trigger a communication between the user (60) and a remote third party (70). The communication is dependent upon the output signal produced by the television (10).

Abstract: A system and method for providing signals to television receivers (60) of selected users within a television network (30) is disclosed. The system comprises an intercept unit (130) connected to a telephone network (110). The intercept unit (130) is arranged to obtain data on a telephone call being made to a user's telephone number and to communicate the data to the receiver (60) of the user. The receiver (60) is arranged to display the data on an associated television screen (70).