Centralized communication hub for displaying calls and messages on a display

#This disclosure presents methods and systems directed to providing caller ID information to a display. Aspects of the disclosure provide for a centralized communication hub to direct incoming phone calls, SMS/MMS messages, video conferencing requests, or other signals to a gateway so that caller ID/SMS/MMS message information may be displayed on a display.

#Currently, there are various communication systems that interface with customers at home. One type are phone systems that handle signaling and audio information on a twisted pair network, for example. Another type are television content delivery systems that deliver signals from a provider to a user.

#Several providers have implemented first generation systems that provide features such as caller ID to the TV screen. Such features allow consumers to efficiently interface with both telephone and television systems from the same terminal, if only partly. For example, satellite TV provides caller ID to the TV by transmitting video and audio signals from geostationary satellites to satellite dishes on the Earth's surface. In a satellite TV caller ID system, a phone modem that is part of the satellite TV system located at the home monitors phone calls off of a twisted pair connection and overlays caller ID information onto the TV screen when the phone modem detects a call. However, the phone modem used in this implementation cannot perform other enhanced communication services (e.g., SMS/MMS messaging to TV, video conferencing to TV, etc.); the phone modem is simply a monitoring device that feeds the caller ID information to the TV.

#A more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a related art system.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a network with a data processing device that may be used to implement one or more illustrative aspects described herein.

#In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which aspects may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

#Aspects described herein provide systems and methods for providing telephone call/SMS/MMS message information on a display screen. The disclosed aspects may be employed in various networks and systems, such as HFC, cable, fiber, or other hybrid systems, including IP and wireless systems. For the sake of brevity, the description may refer to components typically used in HFC-type systems, but it is to be understood that all such references are made for illustrative purposes only, and the inventive embodiments described herein may be contemplated over other types of networks and systems. In one embodiment, residential network gateway (RNG) and/or Tru2way™ protocols may be used in combination with a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) compatible media terminal adapter (MTA) to provide a user of a device, such as a set top box, the ability to send/receive phone calls/SMS/MMS messages. In general, as used in this disclosure, an MTA refers to a hardware device that interfaces with an IP network and that uses internet connectivity deployed through a modem such as a DSL modem, cable modem, and/or other Ethernet connection hardware. A MTA is used for delivery of VoIP services, and can be implemented either as an embedded MTA (eMTA) within a DOCSIS cable modem or as a standalone MTA device that connects to a cable modem. MTAs operate in compliance with IETF RFCs 4682 and 5098.

#FIG. 2 shows an exemplary network 201 (e.g., wide area network (WAN)) and data processing device 203 with media terminal adapter and/or set top box type functionality that may be used to implement one or more illustrative aspects described herein. Device 203 may be any type of computer, server, decoder, gateway, set top box, router, switch, or other data processing device. Device 203 may also include a processor 211 for controlling overall operation of device 203. Device 203 may further include RAM 213, ROM 215, network interface 217, input/output interfaces 219 (e.g., keyboard, mouse, display, printer, etc.), and memory 221. I/O 219 may include a variety of interface units and drives for reading, writing, displaying, and/or printing data or files, as well as a camera (e.g., webcam), speaker, and/or microphone. Device 203 may use I/O 219 to communicate with peripherals including a television 207, laptop 209, desktop 205, and/or game console 240. Television 207 may include a remote control 208 for communicating with television 207. Communication with desktop 205 may occur via local access network (LAN) 204.