Media appliance

1. A media appliance comprising:

video apparatus for outputting signals to a screen;

a memory storing a communication client application;

a control device allowing a user to control the output of signals from the video apparatus to the screen, thereby selecting a program, the control device configured to receive audio from the user and to communicate audio received from the user to the communication client application;

a network interface for accessing a packet-based network; and

processing apparatus, coupled to the memory, network interface and video apparatus, and arranged to execute the communication client application; that when executed performs operations including:

enabling the user to conduct bidirectional communications with other users via the packet-based network, the audio reception and communication capabilities of the control device to be utilized by the user in conducting the bidirectional communications;

receiving one or more incoming communication events during playback of the program;

deferring a notification of the one or more incoming communication events until a break in the program;

calculating an expected end time for the program based on a program schedule; and

automatically sending, responsive to the one or more incoming communication events, before the break in the program, without requiring an input from the user viewing the program, automated messages to one or more originators of the one or more incoming communication events received during the program, the automated messages configured to indicate unavailability of the user to the one or more originators and a prediction of the user's expected availability based on the expected end time.

2. The media appliance of claim 1 , wherein the client application is further configured to:

identify the selected program; and

include information about the identified program in said automated message.

3. The media appliance of claim 1 , wherein:

the media appliance comprises a television receiver for receiving television signals representing television programs via a television network; and

the video apparatus is coupled to the television receiver, and operable to output the television signals of the selected program from the television receiver to the screen.

4. The media appliance of claim 3 , being one of: a television set comprising said screen, and a set-top box for plugging into a television set.

5. The media appliance of claim 1 , wherein:

the video apparatus comprises an input from an external source of video signals, and is operable to output the video signals to the screen; and

the control device allows a user to control the output of video signals to the screen, and to thereby select the external source for said program.

6. The media appliance of claim 1 , wherein the communication client comprises a user-setting arranged to toggle between a first mode of operation in which said automated messages are sent in response to incoming communication events received during the program, and a second mode of operation in which such automated messages are not sent in response to incoming communication events received during the program.

7. The media appliance of claim 1 , wherein the client application is further configured to:

receive data indicating timing information associated with the program;

determine that the timing information indicates a beginning of a commercial break in the program; and

in response to determining that the timing information indicates the beginning of the commercial break, identify the break in the program as the beginning of the commercial break.

8. A method of operating a media appliance having video apparatus for outputting signals to a screen, a network interface for accessing a packet-based network, and a processing apparatus for executing a communication client application; the method comprising:

receiving an input from a control device allowing a user to control the output of signals from the video apparatus to the screen, thereby selecting a program, the control device configured to receive voice signals from the user and communicate voice signals received from the user to the communication client application;

executing the communication client application on the processing apparatus of the media appliance operable to enable bidirectional communications with other users via the packet-based network, the control device to be utilized by the user in conducting the bidirectional communications;

receiving one or more incoming communication events during the program;

deferring a notification of the one or more incoming communication events until a break in the program;

calculating an expected end time for the program based on a program schedule; and

automatically sending, responsive to said incoming communication events, before the break in the program, without requiring an input from the user viewing the program, automated messages to one or more originators of the one or more incoming communication events to indicate unavailability of the user to the one more originators and a prediction of the user's expected availability based on the expected end time.

9. The method of operating a media appliance of claim 8 , further comprising:

identifying the selected program; and

including information about the identified program in said automated message.

10. The method of operating a media appliance of claim 8 , wherein:

the media appliance comprises a television receiver for receiving television signals representing television programs via a television network;

the video apparatus is coupled to the television receiver, and operable to output the television signals of the selected program from the television receiver to the screen.

11. The method of operating a media appliance of claim 10 , wherein the media appliance is one of a television set comprising said screen, and a set-top box for plugging into a television set.

12. The method of operating a media appliance of claim 8 , wherein:

the video apparatus comprises an input from an external source of video signals operable for outputting the video signals to the screen; and

the control device allows a user to control the output of video signals to the screen, and selecting the external source for said program.

13. The method of operating a media appliance of claim 8 , further comprising:

presenting the user with an option for toggling between a first and a second mode of operation;

in response to a user selection of the first mode of operation, sending automated messages in response to incoming communications events received during the program; and

in response to a user selection of the second mode of operation, not sending automated messages in response to incoming communications events received during the program.

14. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

receiving data indicating timing information associated with the program;

determining that the timing information indicates a beginning of a commercial break in the program; and

in response to determining that the timing information indicates the beginning of the commercial break, identifying the break in the program as the beginning of the commercial break.