US8473994B2 · Google Patents →
Capture a frame from live TV and use it as your Skype avatar, a one-button profile pic from your telly.
A television-based communication system that enables users to conduct packet-based communications (including voice calls, video calls and instant messaging) directly from their TV or set-top box.
The innovation addresses usability challenges by allowing viewers to capture a frame from a live TV stream and automatically use it as their avatar image to represent themselves to other network users.
Rather than requiring users to navigate complex file systems to select profile pictures, the system streamlines avatar selection by enabling one-button capture of video frames, with automatic cropping and storage, making communication more accessible to non-technical television users.
Cited by
Cited by 25 subsequent patents filed by Skype, Microsoft, Samsung, LG and others, covering smart TV interfaces, video snapshots, remote UI services and full-duplex video communication.
