Abstract:
Caller Control of Internet Call Waiting (ICW) Services are provided to disconnect an active ICW session and data connection and to prevent establishment of a subsequent data connection. In an exemplary embodiment, a calling party places an incoming call to a called telephone number having the active ICW session and data connection. The calling party may enter an authorized code that authorizes disabling of ICW and the data connection. The interrupt code entered by the calling party is received in a telecommunications network, such as, for example the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or a mobile switching network. The telecommunications network verifies that the interrupt code to enable caller control, and, thereafter, disables the ICW session and data connection.
Abstract:
A method for voice-activated tuning of broadcast programs. A system architecture of an embodiment of the present invention comprises a microphone, a signal converter, a digital signal processor (DSP), a memory, a tuner, and an output device. A method for implementing an embodiment of the present invention comprises the following steps. First, the relationships between voice commands and channels are created. The relationships are preferably stored in the memory. Second, when a speech segment (comprising one or more words) is spoken by a user, the speech segment is captured by the microphone. Third, the microphone transforms the speech segment into an analog signal. Fourth, the signal converter converts the analog signal to a digital signal. Fifth, the DSP receives the digital signal and determines whether the speech segments matches one of the voice commands. Sixth, if the speech segment is determined to comprise a voice command, the DSP instructs the tuner to tune in to the channel or channels that have been previously associated with the voice command.
Abstract:
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to offer for sale an avatar engine that generates a visual representation of an interactive avatar capable of engaging in a verbal communication exchange by way of an audio system of a computing device from which the avatar engine is adapted to operate, receive a purchase request from a communication device, transmit to the communication device a usage policy and a copy of the avatar engine responsive to determining that the purchase request involves a request for a reproduction of at least a portion of the avatar engine, and enable the communication device to access services of the avatar engine responsive to determining that the purchase request involves the request for services of the avatar engine. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to collect one or more user-generated comments from each of a plurality of computing devices, detect a correlation in the one or more user-generated comments collected from the plurality of computing devices, and establish a social network between the plurality of computing devices according to the detected correlation. The one or more user-generated comments can be temporally associated with media content presented at the plurality of computing devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device operative in an interactive television (iTV) network, including a controller to: receive a signal from a first communication device to start a first media evaluation session of media content and associate a first user-generated comment with the media content; receive, at a different time, a signal from at least a second communication device to start a second media evaluation session of the media content and associate a second user-generated comment with the media content; synchronize the first user-generated comment and the second user-generated comment into a single commentary timeline; and insert the synchronized user-generated comments in a temporal vicinity of the media content as an overlay for playback by a media device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to present a user an avatar correlated to a profile of the user, detect a communication exchange between the user and the avatar, identify from the communication exchange a directive from the user to share the avatar with an other user, and submit to an other avatar engine associated with the other user a shared avatar comprising a usage policy and at least one of a replica in whole or in part of the avatar engine or in whole or in part of characteristics of the avatar. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for providing an automatic synthetically generated voice describing media content, the method comprising receiving one or more pieces of metadata for a primary media content, selecting at least one piece of metadata for output, and outputting the at least one piece of metadata as synthetically generated speech with the primary media content. Other aspects of the invention involve alternative output, output speech simultaneously with the primary media content, output speech during gaps in the primary media content, translate metadata in foreign language, tailor voice, accent, and language to match the metadata and/or primary media content. A user may control output via a user interface or output may be customized based on preferences in a user profile.
Abstract:
A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, the steps of transmitting media content to a group of set top boxes for presentation with an overlay superimposed onto the media content, receiving a first comment from a first set top box of the group of set top boxes where the first comment is presentable with the overlay and the media content by the group of set top boxes, determining a first advertisement based on the first comment, and transmitting the first advertisement to the first set top box for presentation with the overlay and the media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
Methods, systems, and media for determining a response to be generated in an environment are provided. The methods, systems, and media monitor the environment for a voice activity of an individual. The voice activity of the individual is detected and analyzed. A content descriptor of the voice activity is determined based on the voice activity of the individual. A demographic descriptor of the individual is determined based on the voice activity of the individual. The content descriptor, the demographic descriptor, and known information are correlated to determine the response to be generated in the environment.
Abstract:
A computer implemented method includes initiating a call from an interactive voice response (IVR) system to a first device associated with a user in response to a user request. The computer implemented method includes receiving voice input data at the IVR system via the call. The computer implemented method also includes performing a search of a media content database based at least partially on the voice input data. The computer implemented method further includes sending search results identifying media content items based on the search of the media content database to a second device associated with the user.