Method and system for using a second screen device for interacting with a set top box to enhance a user experience

• US 10,341,707 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2014
• Issued: 07/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cansino, Don E., Tsurutani, Brady C., Bonovich, Earl J., Beeson, Charles W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alcon, Fernando
• Application Number:
  US14/191,288
• Publication Number:
  US 20140189741A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,952 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42209 for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42224 Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82

Abstract

A system and method for displaying data related to a content displayed through a set top box includes a second screen device generating a content information request signal requesting data corresponding to the content, communicates the content information request signal to the set top box. The set top box communicates a content information signal to the second screen device comprising a content identifier. The second screen device generates a request for related data signal corresponding to the content using the content identifier, communicates the request for related data signal through a network, receives aggregated related content data corresponding to the content from a data services center and displays the aggregated related content data.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

saving a screen image signal of a display of a second screen device;

communicating the screen image signal to a set top box;

displaying the screen image signal on the display associated with the set top box; and

wherein displaying the screen image signal comprises displaying the screen image signal through a hypertext transfer protocol engine of the set top box.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising communicating content data to the second screen device.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising displaying content on a display associated with the set top box;

and

displaying related content data at the second screen device related to the content.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 further comprising generating a request for related data signal corresponding to the content displayed at second screen device using a content identifier associated with the content;

communicating the request for related data signal from the second screen device;

aggregating related content data corresponding to the content to form a related content data signal; and

communicating the related content data signal to the second screen device.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein communicating the screen image signal comprises communicating the screen image signal to the set top box through a data server external to the set top box and the second screen.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising registering the second screen device with the set top box as a web server, publishing a location identifier for the screen image signal, initiating a viewing application at the set top box and receiving the screen image signal through the viewing application using the location identifier.

7. A system comprising:

a set top box;

a second screen device displaying a screen image signal, capturing the screen image and communicating the screen image signal to the set top box;

said set top box displaying the screen image signal on the display associated therewith; and

wherein displaying the screen image signal comprises displaying the screen image signal through a hypertext transfer protocol engine of the set top box.

8. A system as recited in claim 7 further comprising communicating related content data to the second screen device corresponding to content displayed at the set top box.

9. A system as recited in claim 8 wherein the second screen device displays related content data related to the content.

10. A system as recited in claim 9 wherein the second screen device generates a request for related data signal corresponding to the content using a content identifier associated with the content and communicates the request for related data signal therefrom;

and further comprising a data services center communicating the related content data to the second screen device.

11. A system as recited in claim 7 further comprising a data server external to the set top box and the second screen communicating the screen image signal to the set top box.

12. A system as recited in claim 7 wherein the second screen device registers with the set top box as a web server and publishes a location identifier for the screen image signal;

said set top box receiving the screen image signal through a viewing application using the location identifier.