Systems and methods for operating a set top box

• US 10,194,201 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2017
• Issued: 01/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Dureau, Vincent, Sandland, Nathan Leslie
• Primary Examiner(s): Flynn, Nathan J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trinh, Tung T
• Application Number:
  US15/835,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20180103290A1
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4227 Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44008 involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in the video stream arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control

Abstract

Features of various implementations are used to control operation of a second electronic device from a first electronic device using indirect control methods and optical character recognition. In some implementations, communication between a primary set-top box and a supplemental set-top box is configured in order to avoid the need for one or more provider-specific APIs. For example, one aspect of the disclosure is a method of identifying commands that can be used to control one or more features of a primary set-top box (e.g., DVR or VOD features) by a supplemental set-top box issuing commands to the primary set-top box via a wireless (e.g., IR) transmitter, and then using optical character recognition to identify the outcomes of those commands as displayed on a primary TV display or secondary display.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at a first electronic device coupled to a display and a second electronic device, the first electronic device including one or more processors and memory;

sending a first command sequence to the second electronic device, wherein the first command sequence is not known to be correct;

in response to the sending, capturing display data provided by the second electronic device;

generating a fingerprint of displayed user interface elements from the captured display data;

obtaining, based on the generated fingerprint, a determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device;

in accordance with a determination that the first command sequence was not performed correctly, sending a second command sequence to the second electronic device, wherein the second command sequence is not known to be correct;

in accordance with a determination that the second command sequence was performed correctly, identifying a command set comprising the second command sequence as a correct command set for the second electronic device;

generating a user interface including selectable user options for interacting with a plurality of features provided by the second electronic device;

providing the user interface for display on the display;

receiving a user selection, via the provided user interface, of an option associated with a feature;

determining that a particular command of the command set corresponds to the feature; and

responsive to the user selection of the option associated with the feature, issuing the particular command to the second electronic device.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein display data is received via a first output connection of the second device, wherein the first output connection is a one-way connection from the second electronic device to the first electronic device.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the first output connection provides video and audio data corresponding to features provided by the second electronic device.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the second electronic device provides a plurality of features;

and

the method further comprises selecting the second command sequence from a database of command sequences based on a device type of the second electronic device and a feature type of the first feature.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the second electronic device comprises a set top box having services that include:

video on demand services, digital video recorder services, EPG services, and set top box services.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the set-top box services include:

checking an on/off state of the set top box;

checking a menu state of the set top box;

checking a provider associated with the set top box;

setting a configuration of the set top box; and

/or

determining the configuration of the set top box.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the digital video recorder services include:

scheduling a recording of a content item provided via the set top box; and

/or

selecting for viewing a previously recording content item.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first electronic device is one of:

a smart phone;

a tablet; and

a laptop computer.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device comprises comparing the generated fingerprint with one or more fingerprints corresponding to a known media program.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device comprises:

sending the generated fingerprint to a server system; and

receiving, from the server system, the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device comprises obtaining the determination as to whether the captured display data corresponds to expected media content.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first electronic device further includes a microphone;

and

the method further comprises;

capturing, via the microphone, outputted audio content provided by the second electronic device; and

generating an audio fingerprint based on the captured audio data;

wherein obtaining the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly includes comparing the generated audio fingerprint to one or more fingerprints for expected content.

13. An electronic device, comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

sending a first command sequence to a second electronic device coupled to a display, wherein the first command sequence is not known to be correct;

in response to the sending, capturing display data provided by the second electronic device;

generating a fingerprint of displayed user interface elements from the captured display data;

obtaining, based on the generated fingerprint, a determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device;

in accordance with a determination that the first command sequence was not performed correctly, sending a second command sequence to the second electronic device, wherein the second command sequence is not known to be correct;

in accordance with a determination that the second command sequence was performed correctly, identifying a command set comprising the second command sequence as a correct command set for the second electronic device;

generating a user interface including selectable user options for interacting with a plurality of features provided by the second electronic device;

providing the user interface for display on the display;

receiving a user selection, via the provided user interface, of an option associated with a feature;

determining that a particular command of the command set corresponds to the feature; and

responsive to the user selection of the option associated with the feature, issuing the particular command to the second electronic device.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the feature comprises a digital video recorder feature or video on demand feature.

15. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the feature comprises an EPG service feature or set top box service feature.

16. The electronic device of claim 13, further comprising a camera;

and

wherein capturing display data provided by the second electronic device comprises capturing the display data via the camera.

17. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein display data is received via a first output connection of the second device, wherein the first output connection is a one-way connection from the second electronic device to the first electronic device.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the first output connection provides video and audio data corresponding to features provided by the second electronic device.

19. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the second electronic device provides a plurality of features;

and

wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for selecting the second command sequence from a database of command sequences based on a device type of the second electronic device and a feature type of the first feature.

20. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the second electronic device comprises a set top box having services that include:

video on demand services, digital video recorder services, EPG services, and set top box services.

21. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein the set-top box services include:

checking an on/off state of the set top box;

checking a menu state of the set top box;

checking a provider associated with the set top box;

setting a configuration of the set top box; and

/or

determining the configuration of the set top box.

22. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein the digital video recorder services include:

scheduling a recording of a content item provided via the set top box; and

/or

selecting for viewing a previously recording content item.

23. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein obtaining the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device comprises comparing the generated fingerprint with one or more fingerprints corresponding to a known media program.

24. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein obtaining the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device comprises:

sending the generated fingerprint to a server system; and

receiving, from the server system, the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device.

25. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein obtaining the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device comprises obtaining the determination as to whether the captured display data corresponds to expected media content.

26. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by an electronic device, cause the electronic device to:

send a first command sequence to a second electronic device coupled to a display, wherein the first command sequence is not known to be correct;

in response to the sending, capture display data provided by the second electronic device;

generate a fingerprint of displayed user interface elements from the captured display data;

obtain, based on the generated fingerprint, a determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device;

in accordance with a determination that the first command sequence was not performed correctly, send a second command sequence to the second electronic device, wherein the second command sequence is not known to be correct;

in accordance with a determination that the second command sequence was performed correctly, identify a command set comprising the second command sequence as a correct command set for the second electronic device;

generate a user interface including selectable user options for interacting with a plurality of features provided by the second electronic device;

provide the user interface for display on the display;

receive a user selection, via the provided user interface, of an option associated with a feature;

determine that a particular command of the command set corresponds to the feature; and

responsive to the user selection of the option associated with the feature, issue the particular command to the second electronic device.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein sending the first command sequence to the second electronic device comprises sending the first command sequence via a wireless connection between the electronic device and the second electronic device.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the second command sequence comprises one or more commands to:

(a) exercise certain services of the second electronic device, (b) access certain features of the second electronic device, and/or (c) access particular content available to the second electronic device.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the generated fingerprint is based on position, size, graphics, and/or content of the displayed user interface elements.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein display data is received via a first output connection of the second device, wherein the first output connection is a one-way connection from the second electronic device to the first electronic device.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the first output connection provides video and audio data corresponding to features provided by the second electronic device.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the second electronic device provides a plurality of features;

and

wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for selecting the second command sequence from a database of command sequences based on a device type of the second electronic device and a feature type of the first feature.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the second electronic device comprises a set top box having services that include:

video on demand services, digital video recorder services, EPG services, and set top box services.

34. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 33, wherein the set-top box services include:

checking an on/off state of the set top box;

checking a menu state of the set top box;

checking a provider associated with the set top box;

setting a configuration of the set top box; and

/or

determining the configuration of the set top box.

35. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 33, wherein the digital video recorder services include:

scheduling a recording of a content item provided via the set top box; and

/or

selecting for viewing a previously recording content item.

36. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein obtaining the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device comprises comparing the generated fingerprint with one or more fingerprints corresponding to a known media program.

37. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein obtaining the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device comprises:

sending the generated fingerprint to a server system; and

receiving, from the server system, the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device.

38. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein obtaining the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device comprises obtaining the determination as to whether the captured display data corresponds to expected media content.