Home Videoconferencing System

Abstract

A home videoconferencing system interfaces with traditional set-top boxes and typical home A/V equipment. The system includes a camera, a microphone, and a codec module. The module can couple to a modem connected to a television network and can couple to a display and a set-top box. Alternatively, the module can connect to a network for exchanging videoconference data and can connect between the set-top box and the display. The set-top box can connect to the television network on its own.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A home videoconferencing apparatus, comprising:
 a plurality interfaces for communicating content; and   one or more processors operatively coupled to the interfaces, the one or more processors operable to:
 selectively output program content to a display component via at least one of the interfaces, the program content received from one or more networks via at least one of the interfaces, 
 selectively output far-end videoconference content to the display component during a video call, the far-end videoconference content received from the one or more networks during the video call via at least one of the interfaces, and 
 selectively output near-end videoconference content over the one or more networks during the video call via at least one of the interfaces.