Integrated devices for multimedia content delivery and video conferencing
View Patent ↗A receiver device for use in conjunction with an MCDN includes a computer readable storage resource, a controller to execute stored instructions, a network interface coupling the device to the MCDN, and a decoder to decode streaming multimedia content received via the network interface. The receiver includes a remote control interface to detect a remote control command from a remote control device and a handset interface to communicate audio data with a handset device. A local video interface receives video data from a camera or other local video resource. The stored instructions include, a remote control application to execute remote control commands, a handset module to communicate audio date with the handset device, and a session initiation module to establish a video conferencing session. A video conferencing module integrates the audio data and the video data and communicates the integrated data via the video conferencing session.
1. A receiver device for use in conjunction with a multimedia content distribution network, the receiver device comprising:
a computer readable storage resource;
a controller operable to execute instructions stored in the storage resource;
a network interface to couple the receiver device to the multimedia content distribution network;
a decoder to decode streaming multimedia content via the network interface;
a remote control interface to detect a remote control command from a remote control device;
a handset interface to communicate audio data with a handset device;
a local video interface to receive video data from a local video resource;
wherein the instructions stored in the storage resource include:
a remote control application to execute remote control commands received via the remote control interface;
a handset module operable to support a telephony connection using the handset interface;
a session initiation module operable to establish a video conferencing session; and
a video conferencing module operable to generate integrated data by integrating the audio data and the video data and communicate the integrated data via the video conferencing session;
wherein the handset module supports digital enhanced cordless telecommunication compliant communication with the handset device.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the handset module is operable to communicate digital audio data with the handset device.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the session initiation module comprises a session initiation protocol compliant client.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the receiver device comprises a set top box.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the set top box is to communicate with a residential gateway via a local area network connection.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the remote control interface includes an infrared interface to detect infrared signals from the remote control device.
7. A portable communication device suitable for use in conjunction with a set top box operably coupled to a multimedia content distribution network, the communication device comprising:
a plurality of remote control buttons;
a button interface to generate a remote control command responsive to assertion of a selected remote control button;
a remote control interface to transmit the remote control command to the set top box;
a handset interface to communicate audio data with the set top box, wherein the handset interface supports digital enhanced cordless telecommunication compliant communication with the set top box;
a microphone to convert sound to audio data and to provide the audio data to the handset interface; and
a speaker to convert audio data from the handset interface to sound.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the handset interface communicates the audio data and the remote control command wirelessly.
9. The device of claim 7 , wherein the handset interface communicates digital audio data with the set top box.
10. The device of claim 7 , further comprising a display operable to display information communicated via a digital enhanced cordless telecommunication compliant connection with the set top box.
11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the information includes CallerID information associated with a video call.
12. The device of claim 7 , wherein the remote control interface comprises an infrared interface.
13. A multimedia service comprising:
providing a subscriber with a set top box to receive multimedia content;
providing the subscriber with a remote control to transmit remote control commands to the set top box;
wherein the remote control includes a speaker to generate sound and a microphone to receive sound;
wherein the set top box and the remote control communicates audio data;
wherein the set top box establishes a multimedia conferencing session and further operable to transmit and receive multimedia conference content via the established session; and
wherein the set top box and the remote control communicate via a digital enhanced cordless telecommunications compliant connection.
14. The service of claim 13 , wherein the set top box and the remote control communicate audio data with each other digitally.
15. The service of claim 13 , wherein the remote control device includes a liquid crystal display and displays digital enhanced cordless telecommunication information in the display.
16. The service of claim 13 , wherein the set top box comprises a session initiation protocol client to establish the multimedia conference session.
17. The service of claim 13 , further comprising providing the subscriber with a second set top box and a second remote control wherein the second remote control communicates remote control commands to the second set top box and wherein the second remote control communicates audio data to the first set top box.