Automatic answering for video calls on television
AssigneeOnScreen Inc.
InventorsCostin Tuculescu, Gerald Norton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The Automatic Answering for Video Calls on Television invention provides a user-friendly system for automatically answering incoming video calls on televisions, specifically designed for older adults, disabled individuals, and others with limited technical capabilities. The system ensures privacy by allowing only connected family members and friends to call the user. Upon answering the call, the system can turn on the television, switch inputs, and return to the previous input once the call has ended. This invention simplifies the video call experience and promotes accessibility using existing household technology.
Claims20
A system for automatic answering of video calls using a television, the system comprising:
- a video calling device, comprising
- a computing device, comprising a processor, memory, and software for controlling the television using a communications channel, a connected camera and a connected microphone;
- the communications channel for passing television operation instructions to control operation of the television;
- the connected camera for capturing images from an area near the television;
- the connected microphone for capturing audio from the area near the television;
- the video calling device connected to the television using the communication channel, the video calling device automatically answering incoming video calls without user intervention and customized based on user preferences with set preferences for call answering, including the option to have calls answered automatically or after a delay during which a visual or auditory alert is presented to allow time to prepare for the call, and settings for specific callers, times of day, and days of the week, wherein the device controls the television's power state and input selection to turn on the television and switch to a selected input when a call is incoming and after a call has concluded, automatically returns the television to a previous state;
- a remote server for storing settings for the operation of the system, the remote server accessible by the video calling device to obtain settings instructions related to the operation of the video calling device;
- and
- wherein the computing device controls operation of the video calling device and the television to automatically answer a video call upon receipt.
A video calling device for automatic answering of video calls using a television, the device comprising:
- a computing device, comprising a processor, memory, and software for controlling the television using a communications channel, a connected camera and a connected microphone;
- the communications channel for passing television operation instructions from the video calling device to the television to control operation of the television;
- the connected camera for capturing images from an area near the television;
- the connected microphone for capturing audio from the area near the television;
- the video calling device storing settings instructions to control operation of the video calling device;
- and wherein the computing device controls operation of the video calling device and the television to automatically answer a video call upon receipt with set preferences for call answering, including the option to have calls answered automatically or after a delay during which a visual or auditory alert is presented to allow time to prepare for the call, and settings for specific callers, times of day, and days of the week.
A video calling device for automatic answering of video calls using a television, the device comprising:
- a processor, a memory, and software for controlling the television using the according to settings instructions stored within the memory;
- a connected camera for capturing images from an area near the television;
- a connected microphone for capturing audio from the area near the television;
- a communications channel for passing television operation instructions to the television control operation of the television;
- and the video calling device storing settings instructions to control operation of the video calling device to cause the video calling device to automatically answer a video call upon receipt;
- when a call is incoming, a cloud-based system verifies the caller against a user's list of authorized contacts, wherein:
- if the caller is authorized, the device powers on the television if the television is off and switches to a television port connected to the device;
- if the television is on, the device automatically switches the television's input from a source to the television port connected to the device for the video call;
- upon call termination, the device automatically switches the television back to the previous input source, commands or direct input toggling through the television ports.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.