MXPA99005540A - Television receiver having a user-editable telephone system caller-id feature - Google Patents

Abstract

A television receiver includes telephone network interface circuitry which allows the receiver to receive and process Caller-ID signals for display during the ringing period of the telephone set. The television receiver also includes circuitry which allows a list of priority callers to be entered. The incoming Caller-ID codes are compared to the telephone numbers of the priority callers. Upon detection, the Caller-ID information of a priority caller is displayed on screen during television viewing. The telephone numbers of those callers not listed as priority callers are not displayed during the ringing period of the telephone. Both displayed and non-displayed telephone numbers which correspond to unanswered telephone calls are stored in a Caller-ID list for display at the user's convenience. Thus, the user is able to enter data to select beforehand which calling telephone numbers are permitted to interrupt his or her television show by displaying Caller-ID information on the screen.

Description

TELEVISION RECEIVER THAT HAS A FUNCTION OF IDENTIFYING THE PART THAT CALLS FROM THE SYSTEM EDITABLE TELEPHONE BY THE USER This invention relates generally to the field of television receivers having an interface to a data network, such as a telephone network. The terms "television set" and "television receiver", as used herein, include television receivers that have a display device (such as, "television sets" and "PC-TV" combination sets). ), and television receivers that do not have a display device, such as video tape recorders, video disc players, DVD players (Digital Video Disc), cable converter boxes, satellite receivers, and the like. Commonly, a "Caller ID" feature is available on telephone equipment in the United States. This function displays, during the call period, the telephone number of the calling party, in a deployment unit associated with a user's telephone. In this way, the called party knows who is calling without having to pick up the phone. The called party can then determine if he wants to answer the telephone (ie, take the call). In a caller identification system, the name of the caller is also displayed. That is, a name associated with the number of the calling telephone is displayed. In the operation, the telephone service provider transmits the identifying information of the calling party between the radio frequency signal and the second call signal sent to the called telephone. The calling party identification circuits in the telephone apparatus receive and decode the calling party identification message for display in its display unit (generally a liquid crystal display). It has been proposed, for example, in U.S. Patent Serial Number 5,343,516 (Cállele, and co-inventors), issued August 30, 1994, and entitled "COMPUTER TELECOMMUNICATION I NTERFACE OF SIGNING, which A telephone network interface unit 126 is equipped with an input terminal for sending identification signals from the calling party to a television receiver for display using the television display display apparatus in order to provide a function of identification of the calling party. Cállele and co-inventors also say that, in the alternative, subtitling display circuits can be used to display the name of the calling party or number data. US Pat. No. 5,550,900 Serial Number (Ensor and co-inventors), issued August 27, 1996, and titled "METHOD AND METHOD FOR ROUTING MESSAGES IN A MESSAGE CENTER IS TELEFÓN ICOS," discloses a device for the deployment of video to display identification information of the calling party during the phone's call period. Ensor and co-inventors also state that the audio portion of the television program is attenuated to assist the user in listening to the incoming telephone call signal. Ensor and co-inventors also describe storage for deployment at a later time, a list of caller identification messages, and discriminate between received caller identification messages to allow certain telephone calls to be directed to telephone units. addressable in a domestic telephone system. It is recognized that the use of the on-screen display apparatus of a television receiver to display identification information of the calling party has its advantages. However, it is further recognized that when a television receiver is operating in an entertainment mode (as opposed to a PC-TV mode of operation) it can be extremely annoying that the continuity of an observer's television programs be interrupted by the On-screen display of identification messages of the party you are calling. In accordance with the present invention, the television apparatus includes means for processing a television signal to produce an output video signal representing a television program during an entertainment operation mode.; means for receiving a television signal including a first message; and control means for processing such a television signal to detect whether said first message corresponds to message data stored in said television set, and to include in said output video signal a signal representing a second message relative to the first message included in such television signal; said output video signal is suitable for coupling to a display device to produce a displayed image having a first portion that represents such a television program and has a second portion representing said second message; said second portion interrupts the viewing of the first portion during such entertainment operation mode; said control means include said signal representative of said second message in said output signal during such entertainment operation mode only in response to detecting that said first message included in the television signal corresponds to the stored message data to avoid That said second portion of said displayed image interrupts the viewing of the first portion of such displayed image, unless said first message included in such a television signal corresponds to such stored code data. Now the television apparatus having telephone message capability will be described with reference to the Figures, wherein: Figure 1 shows a television receiver suitable for use with the invention; Figure 2 shows an on-screen display of a priority party calling party identification list in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 shows an on-screen display of a calling party identification list of calls received in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 shows an active video screen display with an identification message of the calling party superimposed therein in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating a relevant portion of the control program of controller 1 10 of Figure 1. With reference to Figure 1, a television receiver includes a radio frequency input terminal 100 that receives signals radio frequency and applies them to a tuner set 102. The tuner set 102 selects and amplifies a particular radio frequency signal under the control of a tuner controller 104 which provides a tuning voltage via a cable 103, and switches the signals in band via the signal lines represented by the wide double-ended arrow 103 'to the tuner assembly 102. The tuner assembly 102 converts the received radio frequency signal to an intermediate frequency signal and provides an intermediate frequency output signal to the unit intermediate frequency video detector and amplifier (ViF) and intermediate frequency sound (SIF) 130. The uni intermediate frequency and intermediate frequency sound and amplifier video detector 130 amplifies the intermediate frequency signal applied to its input terminal and detects the audio and video information contained therein. The detected video information is applied as an input of a video processing unit 155. The detected audio signal is applied to an audio processor 135 for processing and amplification before being applied to a set of speakers 136. The tuner controller 104 generates the tuning voltage and band switching signal in response to control signals applied from a microcomputer control system (μC) 1 10. The terms "microcomputer", controller, and "microprocessor", as used herein, are equivalent. It is also recognized that the control function of the microcomputer 1 10 can be performed by an integrated circuit manufactured specifically for that specific purpose (ie, a "chip according to the needs of the client"), and the term "controller", as used herein, it is also intended to include such a device. The microcomputer 1 10 receives commands initiated by the user of an infrared receiver 122 and from a local keyboard 120 mounted on the television receiver itself. The infrared receiver 122 receives infrared transmissions from the remote control transmitter 125. The microcomputer 1 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1 12, a program memory (ROM) 1 14, and stores channel related data in a memory random access (RAM) 1 16. The random access memory 1 16 can be internal or external to the microcomputer 1 10 and can be of the volatile type or the non-volatile type. The term "RAM" is also intended to include electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) 1 17. Those skilled in the art will recognize that if volatile memory is used, it may be desirable to use a suitable form of reserve energy ( such as that of YOUR MINERAL ISTRO IN RESERVE ERGIA 180) to conserve its contents when the receiver is turned off. The microcomputer 1 10 also includes a timer 1 18 to provide timing signals as needed. The microcomputer 1 10 (or controller) generates a control signal to cause the control unit of the tuner 104 to control the tuner assembly 102 to select a particular radio frequency signal, in response to control signals recorded by the user from the keyboard local 120 and from the infrared receiver 122. The infrared receiver 122 is energized from the backup power supply 180 to be able to receive a command to turn on the receiver. The tuner assembly 102 produces a signal at an intermediate frequency and applies it to a processing unit 130 comprising a video intermediate frequency amplifier stage (VI F), an AFT circuit, a video detector, and a frequency amplifier stage. intermediate sound (IF F). The processing unit 130 produces a first composite baseband (TV) video signal, and a sound carrier signal. The sound carrier signal is applied to a processing unit of the audio signal 135 that includes an audio detector and may include a stereo decoder. The processing unit of the audio signal 135 produces a first baseband audio signal and applies it to a speaker unit 136. The second composite video signal of baseband (TV) and the second baseband audio signal, can be applied to the VIDEO INPUT and AUDIO INPUT terminals from an external source. The first and second baseband video (TV) signals are coupled to a video signal processing unit 155 (which has a selection circuit not shown). The electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) 1 17 is coupled to the controller 1 10, and serves as a non-volatile storage element for storing auto-programmable channel data and channel data recorded by the user. The video signal processed at the output of the video signal processing unit 155 is applied to a Kine Amplifier Amplifier 156 for amplification and then applied to the barrels of a color image tube assembly 158 for deployment. The video signal processed at the output of the video signal processing unit 155, also applies to a Synchronization Separator unit 160 for the separation of the vertical and horizontal excitation signals, which in turn is applied to a unit deflection 170. The output signals of the deflection unit 170 are applied to deflection coils of the image tube assembly 158 to control the deflection of its electron beam. The television receiver may also include subtitling circuits as indicated below. A data separator 145 receives subtitling data in a first input of the intermediate frequency and intermediate frequency sound and amplifier video unit 130., and in a second input of the VIDEO INPUT terminal via a video switch 137, which selects the appropriate subtitle data source under the control of the controller 1 10. The data splitter 145 supplies subtitling data to the display processor on subtitling screen 140 via lines 142 and 143. Data separator 145 supplies subtitling status data (New Data, Field 1) to controller 1 10. Under control of controller 1 10, via control line 141 , the subtitle display display processor 140 generates character signals, and applies them to an input of the video signal processing unit 155, for inclusion in the processed video signal. Alternatively, the subtitle display display processor 140 and the data splitter 145 may be included in the controller 1 10. As mentioned above although any on-screen display circuit or subtitle display circuit may be used to display data from For the identification of the calling party, the screen display circuit is preferably used, as described below. A telephone network interface unit 126 is coupled to an external telephone network via terminals (T) and Call (R) to receive calling party identification signals transmitted by the telephone service provider. The telephone network interface unit 1 26 is also coupled to the controller 1 1 0 to provide decoded calling party identification signals for display in the picture tube 1 58. The telephone network interface unit 126 and the controller 1 1 0 are coupled to a backup power source (SB) 180 so that the identification signals of the calling party can be processed even when the television receiver is turned off and can not display an image. The telephone network interface unit 126 continuously monitors the incoming telephone calls for caller ID signals transmitted between the first and second calls, and when it detects them, it applies them to the 1 1 0 controller. The television receiver 200 of Figure 2 is shown in a screen display 210 titled List of Parties Calling Priority. Six entry areas of list 220 are shown, five of which contain data inserted by a user. The five entries represent telephone numbers and names of several individuals to which the user wishes to grant a priority status. When any of the five calling party identification codes is detected on an incoming call, the on-screen display is controlled to place a message on the television receiver's on-screen display, if the television receiver is on (it is say, active and able to display an image). Any other identification code of the calling party will not cause the display of an identification message of the calling party on the screen. A message 230, displayed at the bottom of the screen, warns the user to insert the telephone number and the name of any other calling party with a desired priority. The television receiver 300 of Figure 3 is shown on a display screen 310 titled calling party identification list. Six entry areas of the 320 list are shown, five of which contain data that five unanswered telephone calls were received. The four of the five entries represent names and telephone numbers to which the user does not wish to grant a priority status. The fifth (Aunt Martha) is a priority calling party, which called when the user could not answer the call. The calling party identification list and the priority calling party list are displayed when accessing a calling party identification menu, or by pressing a particular key of the remote control unit 125.

The television receiver 400 of Figure 4 shows a display screen 410 of active video 460 with a message identifying the calling party 470 superimposed on the active video. It is recognized herein that the identification message of the calling party could also be displayed in an image-in-picture insert, if desired. It should be noted that the caller's identification message indicates that an incoming call is being received and it is important to note that the incoming call is from a calling party with priority (Grandmother). In accordance with the present invention, calls from parties calling without priority are not displayed in the active video so that the observer is not interrupted by apparently eternal calling party identification messages. The flow chart in Figure 5 shows how discrimination between callers with priority and callers without priority is performed. The routine is started in step 500 with the calling party identification data currently received. In step 510, the controller 1 10 searches for the data stored in memory which represents the data of the calling party with priority. In step 515 a determination of a match is made. If the data received at the time does not match a priority calling party entry, then the NO path is taken to step 530, where a determination is made as to whether or not the call has been answered. Otherwise, the calling party identification data received at the time is stored (Step 535) in a memory portion accessed by the controller 1 10 to generate the display of the calling party identification list of the Figure 3. Then the routine is terminated in step 540. If in step 515, a determination was made that the data received currently coincided with a calling party entry with priority, then the path SI is taken at step 520. In Step 520 is a check to see if the television is on. If the path NO is not taken to step 530 to see if the call is answered. If the call is answered, then there is no need to store the identifying data of the calling party and the program is terminated in step 540. If the call is not answered, then the program proceeds to step 535 for data storage of identification of the calling party, before leaving in step 540. If in step 520, the television was found to be on, then the Y-path is taken to step 525 where the calling party's identification data received currently they are deployed on active video. Then the program proceeds to step 530 to see if the call is answered. If the call is answered, then there is no need to store the identifying data of the calling party and the program is terminated in step 540. If the call is not answered, then the program proceeds to step 535 for data storage of identification of the calling party, before leaving in step 540.

Claims (8)

1. REVIVAL DIVACTIONS 1. Television apparatus comprising: means for processing a television signal to produce an output video signal representing a television program during an entertainment operation mode; means for receiving a telephone signal including a first message; and control means for processing such a telephone signal to detect whether said first message corresponds to message data stored in such a television set, and to include in said output video signal a signal representing a second message relating to said first message included in the aforementioned telephone signal; said output video signal is suitable for coupling a display device to produce a displayed image having a first portion representing said television program and having a second portion representing said second message; said second portion interrupts the observation of said first portion during said entertainment operation mode; such control means include such a signal representing said second message in the output signal during such entertainment operation mode only in response to the detection of such first message included in said telephone signal corresponds to said stored message data to avoid that such a portion of said displayed image interrupts the observation of said first portion of said displayed image unless said first message included in said telephone signal corresponds to such stored message data.
2. 2. The television set of claim 1, wherein said telephone signal corresponds to a telephone call currently received; said first message included in such telephone signal comprises a message identifying the calling party; such control means comprise data entry means for inserting a plurality of messages, and data storage means for storing said plurality of messages; such control means include such a second message in said output signal during such mode of entertainment operation only in response to detecting that such a call party identification message included in said telephone signal matches one of said plurality of stored messages; said second message comprises identification information of the calling party refers to said currently received telephone call.
3. The television set of claim 2, wherein said stored message signal comprises a plurality of identification messages of the calling party to identify the respective numbers of a plurality of telephone numbers; said second message indicates which one of such plurality of calling party identification messages matches said calling party identification message included in said currently received telephone call.
4. The television set of claim 2, wherein said data input means comprises a remote control signal receiver for receiving remote control signals produced by a remote control transmitter.
5. The television set of claim 3, wherein said control means stores said caller identification message included in said telephone signal in said data storage means in response to such data storage means that they do not contain an identification message of the calling party which coincides with such identification message of the calling party included in such telephone signal, and the said telephone call currently received is not answered.
6. The television set of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said control means includes such a signal of the second message in said output signal to superimpose said second portion of said image displayed in said first portion of said image. unfolded
7. 7. The television set of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said control means include such a signal of the second message in such an output signal to include such a second portion of such an image displayed in an image-in-picture insert in the first portion of the displayed image. A method for producing an output video signal, comprising the steps of processing a television signal to produce an output video signal representing a television program during an entertainment operation mode; receive a telephone signal that includes a first message; and processing the telephone signal to detect whether the first message corresponds to message data stored in the television set, and to include in the output video signal a signal representing a second message relating to the first message included in the telephone signal; the output video signal is suitable for coupling to a display device to produce a displayed image having a first portion representing the television program and having a second portion representing the second message; the second portion interrupts the observation of the first portion during the entertainment operation mode; the control means include the signal representing the second message in the output signal during the entertainment operation mode only in response to detecting that the first message included in the telephone signal corresponds to the stored message data to prevent the second portion of the displayed image interrupts observing the first portion of the displayed image unless the first message included in the telephone signal corresponds to the stored message data. RESU MEN A television receiver includes telephone network interface circuits that allow the receiver to receive and process caller identification signals for display during the call period of the telephone set. The television receiver also includes circuits that allow registering a list of callers that have priority. The incoming caller ID codes are compared to the caller's phone numbers that have priority. When detected, the identification information of the calling party with priority is displayed on the screen during the television observation. The telephone numbers of the parties that call and are not in the list of the parties that call that have priority do not unfold during the period of call of the telephone. Unfolded and unfolded telephone numbers corresponding to unanswered telephone calls are stored in a calling party identification list for deployment at the request of the user. Thus, the user can insert data to select in advance which telephone numbers can interrupt his television program displaying information of the calling party on the screen.