Data sharing and linkage for IP telephony set-top boxes

US7116644B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• SONY GROUP CORPORATION · JP
• SONY ELECTRONICS INC. · US

Inventors

• Mark Eyer · San Diego, US
• Matthew Chang · San Diego, US
• Aditya Krishnan · Cary, US
• Andrew Proehl · New York, US
• David Yang · San Jose, US
• Frederick J. Zustak · Poway, US
• Peter Shintani · San Diego, US
• Nicholas Colsey · Del Mar, US
• Brant Candelore · San Diego, US
• Dayan Golden · San Diego, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 14, 2001
• Grant date: Oct 3, 2006
• Expiry date: Nov 24, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04N21/64322
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A data sharing methodology and structure for communication between users of digital Internet-accessible devices, such as set-top boxes, is described. Users of Internet-accessible devices can establish connections between trusted users of other Internet-accessible devices and transfer personal information using either the Internet or the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Some examples of the type of information that may be transferred include IP addresses, e-mail, multimedia objects, and voice data. Once personal identification information has been exchanged, future communications may be easily re-established and maintained.