WO1996019066A1

WO1996019066A1 - Interactive multimedia device including caller identification decoding feature

Info

Publication number: WO1996019066A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/016406
Authority: WO
Inventors: Scott W. Lewis
Original assignee: Multimedia Systems Corporation
Priority date: 1994-12-14
Filing date: 1995-12-14
Publication date: 1996-06-20
Also published as: AU4590196A; EP0797886A1; BR9510019A; JPH098938A; CA2207178A1; JPH10510967A; KR980700764A

Abstract

A system and device provides Caller ID information from a telephone network to a television (106) or the like. The system includes an interactive multimedia device with a Caller ID decoder (102). This system has the advantage of providing the user with more convenience when receiving telephone calls.

Description

INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA DEVICE INCLUDING CALLER IDENTIFICATION DECODING FEATURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and system for the production, transmission and reception of multimedia information over a communication network and more particularly to the production, transmission and reception of multimedia information which includes caller identification information over such a network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Multimedia information can be transmitted in a variety of applications over a network. What is meant by multimedia information is information that has several parameters which can be enhanced or diminished depending upon the importance of the particular information being conveyed. For example, in a video environment there may be foreground and background information that is to be provided to a screen. The screen can typically be a video screen or a computer screen. The most common example of that type of system is an interactive video system such as seen on cable television networks (i.e., QVC or Home Shopping

Network). These types of systems allow for a viewer to look at the screen and pick the type of product that he/she may want based on reviewing the information on the screen and then calling a particular telephone number to purchase the product.

-i- Multimedia information can also be audio information in which news, weather, music and like could be transmitted with the use of background information such as white noise, background music or other information to complete the transmission. Multimedia information can also be a combination of graphics, video and music in an entertainment form such as Karaoke. As has been above mentioned, there are interactive systems presently available that allow for individuals to access certain video, audio and graphics information on a network. All presently known systems have the problem of requiring a significant amount of bandwidth to allow for the quality transmission of the multimedia information.

It is known that multimedia information can require a significant amount of bandwidth. In the case of video information as much as 30 MB/sec. bandwidth is required to send a quality video image along a transmission path. In the case of audio information, as much as 10 MB/sec. bandwidth is required to allow for high quality audio signal to be produced accurately.

What is meant by limited bandwidth can be viewed in two different ways. One way is to view the total available bandwidth at any instant in time. Another way of deciding what the particular bandwidth requirement is by determining the bandwidth that is available over a specified time period. The available bandwidth therefor can be limited in two ways; first, the overall bandwidth of the network is limited such as in telephone networks where the bandwidth is approximately ten (10) kilohertz. However in this example, the available bandwidth over a specified period of time could be very high because a particular telephone set is not utilized constantly.

On the other hand, in looking at a large bandwidth network such as cable television, although the bandwidth is significant, most of the available bandwidth is utilized for providing the network signals. In such an example, the available bandwidth over a specified period of time might be much less than the above- mentioned telephone system.

Telephone networks have traditionally been used to transmit data or voice information. There is provided in such telephone networks, in some areas a feature referred to as caller identification (Caller ID) is provided to allow the user of telephone to know the telephone number of the calling party. In a Caller ID system, a display on the telephone handset provides the user of the telephone an indication of the telephone number. The problems with known Caller ID systems is that unless the user is in close proximity to the telephone. More particularly, if the user of the telephone is engaged in some other activity such as viewing a television or the like, the user must leave the activity (television viewing) and look at the display. Hence, unless there is a telephone in every room in clear view the user of the Caller ID feature must still respond to the telephone by viewing the display on thee telephone. Hence, what is needed is a system that provides high quality information over a telephone network in which Caller ID information is readily determined. What is also required is a system that will allow for the production, transmission, and reception of interactive multimedia information that includes enhanced interactivity with Caller ID information. What is also needed is a device that can be utilized within the home that can receive and transmit enhanced multimedia information including Caller ID information and control a number of other devices for useful purposes. It is important that such a device be inexpensive to install in the home environment. Furthermore, it is important that the interactive multimedia device be one that when installed does not require the modification of the existing network.

The present invention provides such a system and device to be utilized in conjunction with a communication network such as a telephone network or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An interactive multimedia communication device is disclosed that can be utilized with a telephone network, a similar switched network or in combination with a broadcast network such as satellite or cable.

An interactive multimedia device for use in a telephone network comprising: an interface means for receiving interactive multimedia information from the telephone network, the multimedia information including caller identification

(Caller ID) information; decoder means for receiving the interactive multimedia information and for providing decoded Caller ID information; memory means for receiving the decoded Caller ID information from the decoder means; controller means coupled to the interface means and decoder means for providing decoded Caller ID; graphics processor means for receiving the decoded Caller ID from the

memory means and for providing the Caller ID information in graphics form responsive to the controller means; and video control means coupled to the graphics processing means and the controller means for transmitting the Caller ID information to a television. Through such a system and device a system can be utilized with an existing telephone network to produce high quality multimedia information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a prior system for use in identifying Caller ID information.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of a system for identifying Caller ID information.

Figure 3 is an interactive multimedia device (IMD) in accordance with the present invention. Figure 4 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the operation of the system of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a representation of a remote control utilized in conjunction with the system in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improvement in the transmission and reception of multimedia information when utilizing existing networks. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles and features described herein.

Referring now to Figure 1, what is shown in simple block diagram form is a prior art caller identification system 10 utilized in a telephone. In such a system 10, a telephone 12 with a display 14 is coupled to the telephone. The telephone user then looks at the display after the telephone begins ringing to determine the telephone number of the caller. As has been described in this system the user must be in close proximity to the telephone 12 to observe the Caller ID information. In addition, if a telephone is not located in the room, then the user must enter a room where a telephone is located to observe the Caller ID information. This would seem to frustrate the purpose of Caller ID, that is the user of the telephone would still have to view a display on the telephone and therefor have to go to the telephone to determine the number. Accordingly, in many instances at that point the user might just as well answer the phone.

The present invention is directed toward a system for allowing the user of a telephone that has the Caller ID feature to determine the caller number and other information without viewing the display on the screen. The system utilizes the television and a Caller ID interactive multimedia decoder in conjunction with an existing telephone network to provide such a system. To more particularly describe such a system, refer now to Figure 2 which is a block diagram of a Caller ID interactive multimedia communication system 100 in accordance with the present invention.

The system includes interactive multimedia device (IMD-CID) 102 which is coupled between a telephone 104 which part of a telephone network and a television 106. Through this system, a user of the telephone 104 can view the Caller ID information by viewing the television screen. Hence, a user through the system can see the Caller ID information flash on the screen for a predetermined period of time when the telephone rings. In so doing, the user can be anywhere in the location and simply view the television in the room to determine the Caller ID information. In one embodiment, only the number may flash. In a second embodiment, if the IMD 102 includes information which as a name, address or the like of the person making the call. In addition the system is updatable to allow the user to input new information with IMD 102.

To more particularly describe the functionality of the IMD 102 refer now to Figure 3 which is a block diagram of IMD 102. The IMD 102 comprises several components. The telephone line is coupled to a interface 202. The interface 202 is coupled to an interactive control device 204 and a Caller ID decode chip 206. The interactive control device 204 receives signals from a standard telephone keypad or a remote control. The interface 202 is coupled to a multimedia memory 208 which can be an expandable dynamic random access memory (DRAM) 208. The Caller ID decode chip 206 provides data representing Caller ID information to the memory 108. The multimedia memory 208 provides data to graphics processor 210.

In addition, the output of the graphics processor 210 is provided to a video control chip 212. Video control 212 provides signals to a standard television display and receives signals from a standard television source. The Caller ID decode chip 206, the multimedia memory 208, the graphics processor 210, the video control 212 are all ultimately controlled by the microprocessor, microcontroller 214 which manages the operation of all of the above elements. The video control 212 is coupled to a standard telephone keypad input or for a television remote-type device or a special IMD remote can be utilized in a variety of ways which will be discussed in detail hereinafter. Personalized and demographic information (such as the age, race, sex and other personal characteristics) of the user along with the technical information associated with the IMD 102 (serial no., number of generators, type etc.).

The function of each of the different components in a preferred embodiment is described in a summary fashion below.

Interface Chip 202 A. Responsible for all communications between standard phone line, optional serial port, interface to multimedia memory, multimedia decode, audio control, and processor control modules.

B. Supports standards protocol for half-duplex, full duplex, and half-duplex high speed operation.

C. On-chip encode/decode capability, D/A A/D for voice, facsimile, and data functions.

D. Dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) detect and generation.

Caller ID Decode Chip 206

A. Responsible for real-time Caller ID information to extract data from processing in subsequent operations.

Multimedia Memory 208 A. Nominal DRAM or VRAM for image mixing/processing, and auxiliary multimedia data store.

B. Nominal ROM for resident IMD control program.

C. Optional co-resident DRAM for multimedia data store and program/data store. D. Optional non-volatile storage (extendible).

E. Memory control unit for VRAM/ROM/DRAM and non-volatile storage. Video Control Chip 212 a. Responsible for all IMD 102 video mixing, enhancements, and display functions.

B. Pixel processor for mix, zoom, pan, chroma key, transform on pixel data, transitions.

C. Graphics processor for figures (e.g., rectangles with color fill) generation, sprites, text with foreign characters, and scrolling.

D. Digital to analog conversion, analog to NTSC, NTSC video plus stereo audio to RF.

Graphics Processor 210

A. Responsible for enhancing received analog/digital audio, music synthesis generation, and overall analog mixing and audio effects.

B. Incorporates decoding burden. C. Sampled instrument synthesis from compressed MIDI input.

D. Built-in micro-controller for multi-task generation.

E. Dual analog source mix, digital audio and synthesizer mix, analog audio control (volume, bass, treble, balance) for output to analog left/right audio.

Microprocessor Microcontroller 214

A. Responsible for multi-task execution of resident and downloaded IMD code for operation in conjunction or independently of the MCPS. B. Master/slave microcontroller architecture for multi-task control of communications, multimedia memory, multimedia decode, digital video control, digital audio/synthesis, and interface management.

Referring now to the flow chart Figure 4 the Caller ID system 100 operates in the following manner. Initially, the phone rings, via step 302. The

Caller ID decoder 206, decodes the Caller ID information and provides it to memory 208, via step 304. The memory 208 under control of controller 212 cross references the number information to name information within the memory 208, via step 306. If the number is cross-referenced to a name, then the name and telephone numbers are displayed, via step 308 on the television screen. -f n the other hand, the number is not cross-referenced only the number will be displayed, via step 310. The display will end after the phone stops ringing with step 312.

Through this system, the Caller ID information is displayed directly on a television screen. Therefore, the user need not go directly to the telephone to observe the display on the telephone.

The caller name information is updatable through the use of a keypad or remote control of the TV or the remote control of the device.

Accordingly, through this system a name could be added through a voice response system activated through the interactive control system, through the use of the keypad of the telephone itself and/or through a remote control or the like the name information can be added to the memory. This system also allows for choosing a letter or number by utilizing a keypad on the telephone or a remote control. A user can visually ascertain the choice on television such that errors can be immediately eliminated by utilizing a specialized key on the telephone or remote control as a erase, delete or backspace key.

Another critical feature of the IMD 102 is to have a remote control that will work in conjunction with the TV or other display or the like to provide enhanced multimedia information. To more fully explain this feature refer now to Figure 5. The remote control 900 looks much like a telephone keypad. It has the numerals (0-9) and symbols (*-#) that are part of an ordinary telephone keypad. It includes an enter key 902 that is typically utilized to change information or change channels in the case of a television set. The control 900 would also include a volume key 904 and a channel or memory select key 906, a connect key 908 and a multimedia toggle button 910. It could also include a credit card slot 912. This credit card slot 912 would be utilized by the viewer to allow for the purchase of certain items directly while viewing the television screen. Finally, the control 900 includes special effect keys 916, for example, for allowing for the browsing of a multimedia directory while simultaneously displaying a picture in the picture of the current broadcast TV channel.

The remote control 900 could utilize a radio frequency signal or audio signal to interact with the receiver and/or IMD 102 for the control of the IMD, control the selection of multimedia information, and for the control of other household devices. It is also known that a more conventional remote control could be utilized such as one that controls a VCR or a television and its use would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown in the figures, one of ordinary skill in the art recognizes there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of present invention, the scope of which is defined solely by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An interactive multimedia device for use in a telephone network comprising: an interface means for receiving interactive multimedia information from the telephone network, the multimedia information including caller identification

(Caller ID) information; decoder means for receiving the interactive multimedia information and for providing decoded Caller ID information; memory means for receiving the decoded Caller ID information from the decoder means; controller means coupled to the interface means and decoder means for providing decoded Caller ID; graphics processor means for receiving the decoded Caller ID from the memory means and for providing the Caller ID information in graphics form responsive to the controller means; and video control means coupled to the graphics processing means and the controller means for transmitting the Caller ID information to a television.

2. The device of Claim 1 in which the interactive controller means comprises a microprocessor.

3. The device of claim 1 in which the memory comprises a multimedia

memory means.

4. The device of claim 1 in which the Caller ID information comprises number and name information.

5. The device of claim 4 in which the name information is updatable.

6. The device of claim 1 in which the updatable name information can be erased on a letter by letter basis.

7. The device of claim 6 in which the updatable name information can be erased or added by keys on a remote control.

8. The device of claim 6 in which the updatable name information can be erased and added by keys on a keypad on a telephone.

9. A method for providing caller identification information from a telephone signal to a television comprising the steps of:

(a) detecting a ringing from the telephone;

(b) decoding the Caller ID information from the telephone signal; and

(c) providing the decoded Caller ID information to the telephone; and (d) displaying the decoded Caller ID information on the television.

10. The method of claim 9 in which the Caller ID information includes a telephone number.

11. The method of claim 10 in which the Caller ID information includes a name associated with the telephone number.

12. The method of claim 11 in which the providing step (c) further comprises:

(cl) determining if there is cross referencing of the telephone number to the name; if there is a cross referenced name,

(c2) display the telephone number and the cross referenced name; and if there is not a cross referenced name,

(c3) display the telephone number.