Methods and apparatus for communicating messages between mobile communications devices and internet enabled devices

摘要

Methods and apparatus for allowing a mobile device user to forward one or more messages which are received on the user's mobile device, to a television or a set top box are described. The user is able to view the forwarded messages on the television and can also reply to such received messages from the television. The methods and apparatus may be implemented using a message forwarding application installed on a user's cell phone and a server responsible for forwarding messages and replies between the user's Internet capable TV or set top box and mobile telephone. To the party sending a message, replies appear to have originated from the user's cell phone making the use of the service transparent to individuals other than the user to which the message is sent. Message received and sent logs are maintained in the user's phone so the message record is complete.

主权项

1. A communications method, comprising:
displaying, content of a first message sent from a first mobile communications device that was received by a second mobile communications device to which the first message was directed, on a television display; receiving, at a television or a set top box, user input via an interface, said user input being a response to said content of said first message which is displayed; generating, at said television or set top box, a first response message from said received user input including response information to be sent to said first mobile communications device; and sending, from said television or set top box, the first response message to said second mobile communications device for use in generating a response to said first message.