Patent ID: 8407749

Claim:
A television receiver system comprising: a television receiver configured to receive multiplexed broadcast television signals corresponding to a plurality of respective concurrent programs; signal processing apparatus, coupled to the television receiver, configured to process signals including at least said received television signals for output to a television screen, the signal processing apparatus comprising a demultiplexer configured to separate out the signal of a selected one of the programs for output to the television screen; a control device communicable with the signal processing apparatus, configured to enable a user to select a viewing activity by controlling the output to the television screen, the control device being configured to enable the user to select said viewing activity by selecting the selected program for output to the television screen; a memory storing a communication client application; a communications processing apparatus, coupled to said memory, configured to execute the communication client application; the client application configured to enable the user to establish bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network, and to provide notifications to the user of incoming communication events from other users; the client application further configured to control said notifications of incoming communication events based on the selected program; and the signal processing apparatus configured to process an alternative video signal from a source other than television broadcast, the control device configured to enable the user to select said viewing activity by selecting between a received television signal and the alternative video signal for output to the television screen, and the client application configured to is detect whether the alternative video signal is selected for output to the television screen and control said notifications by suppressing or reducing an interruption level of said notifications if the alternative video signal is selected.