Video caller identification systems and methods
Methods for displaying caller identification information on an integrated display/telephone system capable of displaying images generated with a remote video camera are disclosed. One or more signals are received and one or more images are displayed on a display of the integrated display/telephone system. An incoming telephone call is received with the integrated display/telephone system, and data corresponding to the incoming telephone call is received by the integrated display/telephone system. A caller identification display signal is generated, and the caller identification display signal is based on the one or more received signals and the data corresponding to the incoming telephone call received by the integrated display/telephone system. The caller identification display signal includes the one or more received signals and signals from a generator that generates character signals and background display signals. The character signals are generated responsive to the data received with the incoming call, and in response to an incoming telephone call, caller identification information is displayed on the display along with the displayed one or more images.
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/872,439, filed Jun. 1, 2001, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/565,331, filed May 5, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,448, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/696,554, filed Aug. 14, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,434.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to caller identification and telephone/video systems and methods, and more particularly to caller identification and telephone/video systems and methods in which caller identification information for an incoming call is displayed on a television screen and in which a user may select or answer, forward or otherwise process the incoming call.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCaller identification for incoming telephone calls is known in the art. As part of many advanced telephone systems, an identification by telephone number and/or name of the calling party may be displayed at a receiving telephone station, which may include the date and time of call, etc. A person at the receiving telephone station may view such caller identification information and, for example, decide whether to answer the incoming call.
Various telephones and ancillary devices have been developed to process such caller identification information. Principally, such devices display the incoming caller's telephone number and/or name, etc., such as with a stand-alone display or with a display integrated into the telephone. With such a device, a person watching television must be near (or move to be near) the display in order to view such displayed information, and such a person must be near (or move to be near) the telephone in order to answer or otherwise process such an incoming call.
Such devices in such circumstances are limited in their utility and provide an undesirable level of inconvenience for many users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides circuits and methods for determining the caller identification for an incoming call and for displaying such caller identification information on a video display device such as a television. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a caller identification line modem for determining the caller identification information, a control processor for translating and/or inputting such caller identification information to a video circuit for displaying the caller identification information. The present invention also provides various methods for so displaying caller identification information, including overlaying such information on an input video signal, generating a separate caller identification video signal, which may be placed, for example, on an unused television channel, etc.
Additionally, the caller identification circuits and methods of the present invention also may be integrated or combined with various advanced television, video and/or telephony functions. For example, in certain embodiments an advanced remote control unit is provided so that the user may determine from the video/television screen the identity of the caller, and then forward the call to a voice messaging system, forward the call to another line, answer the call on a video phone, answer the call on a separate telephone, etc. Still additionally, in other embodiments of the present invention the caller identification circuit is provided with programmable intelligence so that incoming calls may not only be displayed on the video/television screen, but also may be desirably processed depending on the identity of the particular caller.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide video caller identification systems and methods for displaying caller identification information on a video screen such as a television.
It is another object of the present invention to provide advanced video caller identification systems and methods that enable the user to desirably process an incoming call depending upon the identity of the incoming caller, which may include answering the call with a video phone or a separate telephone, forwarding the call to another line or to a voice messaging system, etc.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide advanced video caller identification systems and methods that enable the user via remote control to desirably process an incoming call or to otherwise desirably process input video sources or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present invention will be described by way of various preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures, in which:
The present invention will now be described by way of various preferred embodiments. It should be noted that, with the present invention, caller identification information for an incoming call may be determined and processed in a manner suitable for display on a video screen such as a television. The present invention, as more fully described herein, provides systems and methods in which such caller identification information may be displayed and/or processed in a desirable manner in connection with such a television or more advanced video and/or telephony systems.
As more fully described elsewhere herein, video caller ID circuit 10 determines caller identification information for incoming calls, and outputs signals in a manner such that caller identification information may be displayed on a video screen, such as television 12. Video caller ID circuit 10 may, depending on the application and desire of the user/system developer, display the name, nickname, telephone number, date, time and/or other information regarding an incoming call on the video screen. Such caller identification information may be displayed as an overlay over an incoming video signal, or alternatively may be displayed on a separate video signal generated by video caller ID circuit 10. Additionally, video caller ID circuit 10 may momentarily display such caller identification information (e.g., for 5 or 10 seconds) and then automatically remove such information. Alternatively, such caller identification information may be continuously displayed (such as on an unused video channel), or, in particular embodiments, until removed by subsequent incoming calls, user command, etc.
In the embodiment of
With the embodiment of
With the embodiment of
In alternative embodiments, multi-channel RF box 20 distributes separate video signals to the various televisions and contains circuitry to insert the caller identification information into the video signals of one or more of the distributed video signals such as in an overlay manner. With such alternative embodiments, caller identification information may be automatically displayed on one or more of the televisions for a predetermined interval of time, thereby alerting the television viewers to the presence of the call as well as the caller identification information.
In one particular aspect of such embodiments, television 12 is equipped with “picture-in-picture” capability. A channel or video signal being viewed may serve as the main picture signal, while the input from video caller ID circuit 10 may serve as the sub-picture signal. With such embodiments, a viewer may quickly and conveniently display such caller identification information in the sub-picture window. Still alternatively, in integrated embodiments such as described elsewhere herein, video caller ID circuit 10 and the picture-in-picture functionality may be integrated into the same device (e.g., television or VCR, etc.), with the caller identification information automatically displayed in a sub-picture window upon receipt of an incoming call.
Caller ID line modem 26 in the preferred embodiments provides ring detect, carrier detect and data signals to control processor 28. In the preferred embodiments, the data are provided by way of a serial data stream to control processor 28, which contains the caller identification information. Control processor 28 recognizes the ring detect and carrier detect signals and decodes the incoming data stream to extract the caller identification information, which is stored in memory contained in control processor 28. Control processor 28 also receives in certain embodiments inputs from switches 29A and 29B, which may provide hard switches or software control switches by which, for example, the system, system developer or user may select internal video signal generation by video caller ID circuit 10 or an external video signal such as through input 38A (see, e.g., camera 16 of
To the extent required, control processor 28 translates and/or converts the stored caller identification data to be a format desirable for video generator 31. Control processor 28 outputs data, clock and reset signals, which may be coupled to inputs of video generator 31. In certain embodiments, control processor 28 also outputs and/or receives other control signals, such as in embodiments where video caller ID circuit 10 is integrated or more tightly coupled with systems components such as a television, VCR, cable box, set-top box, satellite receiver, etc. As particular examples of integrated embodiments, caller ID circuit 10 is integrated with a television or VCR, etc., with the caller identification information automatically inserted into the video path such as for a predetermined time internal upon receipt of an incoming call, etc. The data, clock and reset signal signals input to video generator 31 are coupled to synchronizer circuits 30, character generator 32 and internal background video generator 34, the outputs of which are coupled to multiplexer 36. Synchronizer circuits 30 are coupled to character generator 32 and multiplexer 36 as illustrated, and serve to control the timing of video generator 31.
Video generator 31 serves to overlay textual or other information over a video signal provided by the external source coupled to input 38A (which is amplified by amplifier 38, the output of which is coupled to an input of multiplexer 36), or video generator 31 can generate an internal background video signal and overlay textual or other information over the internal background video signal. Synchronizer circuits 30 synchronize character generator 32 to the internal or external selected video source. Multiplexer 36 selects, under control of control processor 28 and synchronizer circuits 30, which video source is output to amplifier 40, the output of which is coupled to output 42. Multiplexer 36 thus may select the internal or external video source and also may overlay textual or other information such as for displaying caller identification information on the selected video signal. Multiplexer 36 thus may select a video source and superimpose pixel data over the selected video signal in order to display the desired caller identification information.
Video generator 31 in certain preferred embodiments is implemented with an NEC μPD6454 integrated circuit, the user's manual(s) and related documentation for which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Under control of control processor 28, video generator 31 desirably displays caller identification information over an internally or externally generated video signal in a selected location and with selected textual and background colors or the like, retains the displayed caller identification information for a desired duration (such as may be selected through switch input
With such embodiments, in response to an incoming call, video caller ID circuit 10 displays caller identification information on television 12. In response to viewing the displayed caller identification information, the television viewer could answer the incoming call manually with an external telephone (not shown), or alternatively such as by remote control answer the incoming call through video phone 44, which may be a regular voice only call or a video call. Still alternatively, the television viewer has the ability to direct the incoming call to voice messaging system 48, which plays one of a variety of outgoing messages, which may be selected depending upon the particular caller identification information. For example, a different message may be played to a telephone solicitor than would be played to a friend or family member, etc. The incoming call also may be forwarded to another line by voice messaging system 48, which again may be under control of remote control 54.
For video calls, remote control 54 and/or video phone 44 includes a microphone. Sound for the telephone call may be provided through speaker integral to television 12 or through a speaker integral or coupled to video phone 44. In operation, if receipt of a call through video phone 44 is selected, remote control 54, for example, may automatically mute the audio from television 12 as appropriate to have a more desirable telephone call. Similar to previously described embodiments, whether or not there is an incoming call, an input from a video source such as camera 50 (which may be a door security camera, baby monitor, etc.) may be coupled to television 12 through video caller ID circuit 10, which in the illustrated embodiments may be under control of remote control 54.
As will be appreciated, the disclosed preferred embodiments provide a variety of ways for caller identification information to be desirably displayed on a video screen such as a television, which may be coupled with other video sources and the like and also with advanced telephony functions, such as a video phone, voice messaging system, etc. Embodiments of the present invention may be combined and/or integrated, such as to provide an advanced television/telephony system, with speaker/video phone capability integrated with the television and/or other video source. In one particular integrated embodiment, the television includes video caller identification capability (such as a circuit such as video caller ID circuit 10) as well as a speaker phone or video phone capability, and in such embodiments the caller identification information may be automatically inserted into the video signal path (such as in a bar at the top of the screen or a picture-in-picture window, etc.), with the user answering the call by remote control (via speaker phone or video phone, etc.), with the television automatically muted, etc., in response to answering of the call (in such embodiments, the television may include computer hardware also to serve as a personal computer, with remote control keyboard, etc., with the displayed video signal being computer-generated graphics or text or a more typical video signal through a video card coupled to the computer hardware, etc.). Video caller ID circuit 10 also may include memory and processing capability to retain a log of incoming calls (number, name, nickname, etc.) as well as associated data (time, duration, etc.), which may be displayed, retained, output in some form (such as over a computer interface, printed or the like) or deleted as directed by the user (such as by way of remote control, etc.). Additionally, video caller ID circuit 10 may be intelligently programmed to recognize certain callers from the caller identification information and automatically take appropriate action, such as directing the call to a voice messaging system, forwarding the call, etc. Such refinements are within the scope of the present invention.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and/or substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as disclosed in the claims.
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A method for displaying caller identification information on an integrated display/telephone system capable of displaying images generated with a video camera remote from the integrated display/telephone system, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving one or more signals and displaying one or more images on a display of the integrated display/telephone system, wherein the display displays images based on the one or more received signals;
- detecting an incoming telephone call with the integrated display/telephone system, wherein data corresponding to the incoming telephone call is received by the integrated display/telephone system; and
- generating a caller identification display signal, wherein the caller identification display signal is based on the one or more received signals and the data corresponding to the incoming telephone call received by the integrated display/telephone system, wherein the caller identification display signal comprises the one or more received signals and signals from a generator that generates character signals and background display signals, wherein the character signals are generated responsive to the data corresponding to the incoming telephone call received by the integrated display/telephone system, wherein in response to an incoming telephone call, caller identification information is displayed on the display along with the displayed one or more images.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the integrated display/telephone system comprises a telephone system that includes the display for displaying the one or more images based on the one or more received signals.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the display of caller identification information is selectively operative in response to user input.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein sound from a speaker associated with the integrated display/telephone device is muted in response to user input to answer the incoming telephone call.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein a voice messaging system is integrated with the integrated display/telephone system.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein the caller identification information is displayed on the display for a predetermined interval of time and then the display of the caller identification information is automatically terminated.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the predetermined interval of time is selectable by a user.
9. The method of claim 2, wherein the integrated display/telephone system is programmable to recognize one or more particular callers based on the caller ID data.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the integrated display/telephone system automatically initiates action to respond to the received telephone call based on the recognition of the one or more particular callers.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the automatically initiated action includes displaying a name or nickname based on the recognition of the one or more particular callers.
12. The method of claim 2, wherein a speaker is provided with the integrated display/telephone system, wherein a telephone call is initiated in response to a user input.
13. The method of claim 2, wherein the integrated display/telephone system is adapted to be coupled to a personal computer and for communication of commands between the integrated display/telephone system and the personal computer.
14. The method of claim 2, wherein the displayed caller identification information comprises computer-generated graphics or text.
15. The method of claim 2, wherein the integrated display/telephone system includes a memory coupled to a processor, wherein the integrate display/telephone system retains a log of incoming received telephone calls.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the log includes information selected from the group consisting of telephone number of the caller, name of the caller, nickname of the caller, time of receipt of a call, and duration of a call.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein information in the log may be deleted by a user in response to an input from a remote control.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein information in the log is output over a computer interface or printed.
19. The method of claim 2, wherein the integrated display/telephone system includes a multiplexer that operates responsive to the one or more received signals and the character signals and the background display signals, wherein the multiplexer operates synchronized with the one or more received signals.
20. The method of claim 2, wherein a control processor provides control signals for controlling the generator.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the control processor also provides control signals for an amplifier for providing output signals coupled to the display.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 24, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 27, 2007
Inventors: Joseph Corbett (Millville, UT), William Fletcher (Mendon, UT), Alan Loudermilk (Chicago, IL)
Application Number: 11/339,237
International Classification: H04M 11/00 (20060101);