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

• US 10,356,464 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2014
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• 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:
  US14/191,276
• Publication Number:
  US 20140189740A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,966 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:

displaying content stored within a video recording device on a display associated with a set top box;

generating a content information request signal at a second screen device requesting data corresponding to the content;

communicating the content information request signal to the set top box;

communicating a sporting event type indicator signal to the second screen device from the set top box comprising a sporting event type indicator;

displaying, during playback from the video recording device, a remote control interface on the second screen device having a first touch screen and a second touch screen button configured based on the sporting event identifier, said first touch screen button changing content playback in a first manner and said second touch screen button changing content playback in a second manner, said first manner different than the second manner wherein changing content playback comprises forwarding playback to a first position of the content, rewinding playback to a second position of the content or slowing playback of the content; and

controlling content displayed at the set top box in the first or second manner based on selecting one of the first touch screen button or the second touch screen button.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein displaying content on a display associated with a set top box comprises displaying content on the display from a digital video recorder.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising selecting the touch screen button, generating a button signal corresponding to the touch screen button, and communicating the button signal to the set top box.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising selecting the touch screen button, generating a button signal corresponding to the touch screen button, and communicating the button signal to the set top box through a local area network.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising selecting the touch screen button, generating a button signal using hypertext transfer protocol corresponding to the touch screen button, and communicating the button signal to the set top box through a local area network and a local area router.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising receiving advertising data at the second screen device and displaying an advertisement data within the touch screen button.

7. A method comprising:

a set top box displaying content stored within a video recording device on a display associated therewith; and

a second screen device generating a content information request signal requesting data corresponding to the content and communicating the content information request signal to the set top box;

said set top box communicating a sporting event type indicator signal to second screen device comprising sporting event type indicator;

said second screen device displaying, during playback from the video recording device, a remote control interface having a first touch screen button and a second touch screen button configured based on the sporting event identifier, said first touch screen button changing content playback in a first manner and said second touch screen button changing content playback in a second manner, said first manner different than the second manner wherein changing content playback comprises forwarding playback to a first position of the content, rewinding playback to a second position of the content or slowing playback of the content;

said first touch screen button controlling the content in the first manner and the second touch screen button controlling the content in the second manner when selected.

8. A system as recited in claim 7 wherein the first manner comprises placing the content in a forward or reverse position.

9. A system as recited in claim 8 wherein the second manner comprises placing the content playback into slow motion.

10. A system as recited in claim 7 wherein the set top box displays content from a digital video recorder within the set top box.

11. A system as recited in claim 7 wherein the second screen generates a button signal corresponding to the touch screen button and communicates the button signal to the set top box through a local area network.

12. A system as recited in claim 7 wherein the second screen device displays advertisement data within the touch screen button.