US-12627776-B2 - Methods and systems for communications management

Abstract

A media device, such as a set-top-box, may receive an indication that a video doorbell on the premises has been activated. The indication may activate an application associated with the video doorbell within the set-top-box. While the application is in use, a communication pathway may be created between the set-top-box and the video doorbell. For example, audio and/or video detected by the video doorbell may be sent, directly or indirectly, via the application, to the set-top-box for display on a television or other display. Furthermore, while the application is in use, user voice data for a user associated with the media device may be captured by a voice-enabled remote control and routed to the set-top-box or smart television and then to the video doorbell for output at the video doorbell.

Inventors

• Ramasamy Thalavay Pillai

Assignees

• COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20221104

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A method comprising: receiving, by a media device configured to cause output of video content and audio content and from a video doorbell, an activation signal; initiating, at the media device and based on the activation signal, a communications application associated with the video doorbell; establishing, via the communications application, a communication session between the media device and the video doorbell; receiving, by the media device and from a user device, user audio data; and sending, based on the user audio data being associated with the communications application, the user audio data from the media device to the video doorbell.
2. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein establishing the communication session comprises: causing, based on the initiation of the communications application, to be displayed a notification of a request for the communication session; and receiving, from the user device, an indication of an acceptance of the request for the communication session.
3. 3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving, from the video doorbell, at least one of audio data or video data; and causing the at least one of the audio data or the video data to be output at a display device associated with the media device.
4. 4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining that the user audio data is associated with the communications application.
5. 5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the user device comprises at least one of: a voice-enabled remote control, a smartphone, a smart speaker, or a headset.
6. 6 . A method comprising: receiving, by a media device configured to cause output of video content and audio and from a security camera, an activation signal; initiating, at the media device and based on the activation signal, a communications application associated with the security camera; establishing, via the communications application, a communication session between the media device and the security camera; receiving, by the media device and from a user device, user audio data; and sending, based on the user audio data being associated with the communications application, the user audio data from the media device to the security camera.
7. 7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein establishing the communication session comprises: causing, based on the initiation of the communications application, to be displayed a notification of a request for the communication session; and receiving, from the user device, an indication of an acceptance of the request for the communication session.
8. 8 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising: receiving, from the security camera, at least one of audio data or video data; and causing the at least one of the audio data or the video data to be output at a display device associated with the media device.
9. 9 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising determining that the user audio data is associated with the communications application.
10. 10 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the user device comprises at least one of: a voice-enabled remote control, a smartphone, a smart speaker, or a headset.
11. 11 . One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing processor-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: receive, by the at least one processor on a media device configured to cause output of video content and audio and from a video doorbell, an activation signal; initiate, at the media device and based on the activation signal, a communications application associated with the video doorbell; establish, via the communications application, a communication session between a device associated with the at least one processor and the video doorbell; receive, from a user device, user audio data; and send, based on the user audio data being associated with the communications application, the user audio data from the media device to the video doorbell.
12. 12 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to establish the communication session, cause the at least one processor to: cause, based on the initiation of the communications application, to be displayed a notification of a request for the communication session; and receive, from the user device, an indication of an acceptance of the request for the communication session.
13. 13 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to: receive, from the video doorbell, at least one of audio data or video data; and cause the at least one of the audio data or the video data to be output at a display device associated with the at least one processor.
14. 14 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to determine that the user audio data is associated with the communications application.
15. 15 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the user device comprises at least one of: a voice-enabled remote control, a smartphone, a smart speaker, or a headset.
16. 16 . One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing processor-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: receive, by the at least one processor on a media device configured to cause output of video content and audio and from a security camera, an activation signal; initiate, at the media device and based on the activation signal, a communications application associated with the security camera; establish, via the communications application, a communication session between a device associated with the at least one processor and the security camera; receive, from a user device, user audio data; and send, based on the user audio data being associated with the communications application, the user audio data from the media device to the security camera.
17. 17 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16 , wherein the processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to establish the communication session, cause the at least one processor to: cause, based on the initiation of the communications application, to be displayed a notification of a request for the communication session; and receive, from the user device, an indication of an acceptance of the request for the communication session.
18. 18 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16 , wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to: receive, from the security camera, at least one of audio data or video data; and cause the at least one of the audio data or the video data to be output at a display device associated with the media device.
19. 19 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16 , wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to determine that the user audio data is associated with the communications application.
20. 20 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16 , wherein the user device comprises at least one of: a voice-enabled remote control, a smartphone, a smart speaker, or a headset.

Description

BACKGROUND Certain conventional media devices that are capable of providing audio/visual content to its users lack microphone inputs for receiving user audio data from users positioned near the media device. This can prevent the nearby user from providing audio data (e.g., voice input) and the media devices from receiving the user audio data from users located in proximity to the media device. This can also prevent users from providing voice communication to other users in another location (e.g., in another room, outside a residence, at another building or residence) via the media device. SUMMARY It is to be understood that both the following general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive. Methods and systems for communications management are described. A user may receive an indication that a video doorbell or other similar security device on the premises has been activated. The indication may be received by a set-top-box, smart television or other media device. The indication may include a notification that may be displayed on the television or other display associated with the media device that the doorbell or other security device has been activated and may provide an opportunity for the user to select to engage with the video doorbell. For example, the indication may activate a module or application associated with the video doorbell within the set-top-box or smart television. While the module or application associated with the video doorbell is in use, a communication pathway may be created between the set-top-box or smart television and the video doorbell or other security device. For example, audio and/or video detected by the video doorbell may be sent, directly or indirectly, via the module or application, to the set-top-box or smart television. Furthermore, while the application associated with the video doorbell is in use, user voice data for a user associated with the media device or display may be captured by a user device, such as a voice-enabled remote control, and routed to the set-top-box or smart television and then to the video doorbell for output at the video doorbell. This summary is not intended to identify critical or essential features of the disclosure, but merely to summarize certain features and variations thereof. Other details and features will be described in the sections that follow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the present description serve to explain the principles of the apparatuses and systems described herein: FIG. 1 shows an example system for communications management; FIG. 2 shows an example media device architecture for the management of communications; FIG. 3 shows a portion of an example media device architecture for the management of communications; FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an example method for managing communications; FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of an example method for managing communications; FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an example method for managing communications; FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an example method of managing communications; and FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of an example computing device for managing communications. DETAILED DESCRIPTION As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another configuration includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. When values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another configuration. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes cases where said event or circumstance occurs and cases where it does not. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude other components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal configuration. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes. It is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of components are described that, while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutations of these may not be explicitly described, each is specifically contemplated and descri