Method and system for remote television replay control

• US 20020083153A1
• Filed: 08/09/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Regnier, Alain, Mohan, Sunil, Woodward, Don, Sunner, Gurminder, Matichuk, Chris E., Sweatt, Millard E. III
• Granted Patent: US 7,917,602 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/72 using electronic programme guides [EPG] focusing on identifying broadcast space time H04H60/39 ; menu type display of EPG in television receivers H04N21/47
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/82 the transmission system being the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2183 Cache memory caches in web servers or browsers G06F16/9574; intermediate storage and caching in data networks H04L67/568
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/222 Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23109 by placing content in organized collections, e.g. EPG data repository details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26283 for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• 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 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• 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 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• 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 21/4345 Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4431 characterized by the use of Application Program Interface [API] libraries
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• 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 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4825 using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 : involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 : Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/85406 : involving a specific file format, e.g. MP4 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/162 : Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

A method, system, computer medium, and other embodiments for integrating unrelated web hosted services with stand-alone media-based devices are provided. Users can access and control the media-based device conveniently with a web-browser through various portals on the Internet. An application program interface allows the various web servers and portals to take advantage of the system. In one embodiment, users access the media-based device through one or more unrelated web portals, so as to control and to program the media-based device in a single web session, and to see information both stored on the media-based device and originating from third-party online sources of information and services in a single integrated presentation.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for enabling a user to remotely control his media-based device and to access related information, the method comprising:

receiving a user request from the user; and

in response to the user request, initiating at least one application program interface routine to retrieve from at least one database data concerning the media-based device, the at least one database being in communication with the media-based device through a network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting to the user information in accordance with the retrieved data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user request is received at a web server executing a web hosted application.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the information in accordance with the retrieved data is transmitted by a web server executing a web hosted application.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user request is in HTTP command format.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the information in accordance with the retrieved data is transmitted in XML format.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the data concerning the media-based device comprises a channel line up corresponding to the media-based device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the data concerning the media-based device further comprises an electronic program guide based on the media-based device'"'"'s channel line up within a specified period of time.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the data concerning the media-based device further comprises a list of shows within the media-based device'"'"'s channel lineup corresponding to certain value of at least one specified show attribute.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one specified show attribute concerns show titles.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one specified show attribute concerns actors.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one specified show attribute concerns Motion Picture Association'"'"'s movie ratings.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one specified show attribute concerns show descriptions.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the data concerning the media-based device comprises values of show attributes of a specified show within the media-based device'"'"'s channel lineup.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the data concerning the media-based device comprises a list of shows recorded by the media-based device.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the data concerning the media-based device comprises a list of shows scheduled to be recorded by the media-based device.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the data concerning the media-based device comprises a list of requests to the media-based device for recording specified shows.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one database includes a box profile database containing profile of the media-based device, the box profile database being communicatively coupled with the media-based device.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one database includes a electronic program guide database.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one database includes a box transaction database containing information relating to shows recorded or scheduled to be recorded by the media-based device, and relating to requests to the media-based device for recording specified shows, the box transaction database being communicatively coupled with the media-based device.

21. A computer-implemented method for enabling a user to remotely control his media-based device and to access related information, the method comprising:

receiving a user request from the user; and

in response to the user request, initiating at least one application program interface routine to store into at least one database instructions for the media-based device, the at least one database being in communication with the media-based device through a network.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

transmitting to the user information in accordance with the stored instructions.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the user request is received at a web server executing a web hosted application.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the information in accordance with the stored instructions is transmitted by a web server executing a web hosted application.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the user request is in HTTP command format.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the information in accordance with the stored instructions is transmitted in XML format.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the instructions for the media-based device are instructions to record at least one specified show.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one specified show comprises a specified number of episodes of a show.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one specified show comprises a specified number of shows within the media-based device'"'"'s channel lineup corresponding to certain value of at least one specified show attribute.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the instructions for the media-based device are instructions to delete at least one previously recorded show.

31. The method of claim 21, wherein the instructions for the media-based device are instructions to delete at least one entry from a list of shows previously scheduled to be recorded by the media-based device.

32. The method of claim 21, wherein the instructions for the media-based device are instructions to cancel at least one previous request to the media-based device for recording specified shows.

33. A computer-implemented method for enabling a user to remotely control his media-based device and to access related information, the method comprising:

at a pre-determined time, initiating at least one application program interface routine to retrieve from at least one database data concerning the media-based device, the at least one database being in communication with the media-based device through a network;

storing the retrieved data;

after storing the retrieved data, receiving a user request from the user; and

in response to the user request, transmitting to the user information in accordance with the retrieved data.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

transmitting to the first network information in accordance with the retrieved data.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the first network further includes a server for responding to the user request by making the at least one function call.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

transmitting to the first network information in accordance with the retrieved data.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the first network further includes a server for responding to the user request by making the at least one function call.

34. A computer-implemented method for enabling a user to remotely control his media-based device and to access related information, the method comprising:

receiving a user request from the user;

storing the user request; and

at a pre-determined time, initiating at least one application program interface routine based on the stored user request to store into at least one database instructions for the media-based device, the at least one database being in communication with the media-based device through a network.

35. A computer-implemented method for enabling a user to remotely control his media-based device and to access related information, the method comprising:

receiving at least one function call from a first network including a client device for receiving a user request from the user; and

in response to the at least one function call, executing at least one application program interface routine to retrieve from at least one database data concerning the media-based device, the at least one database being in communication with the media-based device through a second network.

38. A computer-implemented method for enabling a user to remotely control his media-based device and to access related information, the method comprising:

receiving at least one function call from a first network including a client device for receiving a user request from the user; and

in response to the at least one function call, executing at least one application program interface routine to store into at least one database data concerning the media-based device, the at least one database being in communication with the media-based device through a second network.

41. A computer network system for enabling a user to remotely control his media-based device and to access related information, the system comprising:

at least one database for storing data concerning the media-based device obtained through a first network;

an application program interface including at least one application program interface routine for retrieving from the at least one database data concerning the media-based device; and

a triggering module for initiating the at least one application program interface routine to retrieve data concerning the media-based device from the at least one database in response to a function call received through a second network.

42. The computer network system of claim 41, further comprising:

an output module for transmitting to the second network information in accordance with the retrieved data.

43. The computer network system of claim 41, wherein the at least one application program interface routine includes a get channel lineup routine for retrieving from the at least one database a channel lineup corresponding to the media-based device.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one application program interface routine includes a get electronic program guide routine for retrieving from the at least one database an electronic program guide corresponding to a specified period of time.

45. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one application program interface routine includes a show guide routine for retrieving from the at least one database a list of shows corresponding to at least one specified show attribute value.

46. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one application program interface routine includes a show guide routine for retrieving from the at least one database values of show attributes of a specified show.

47. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one application program interface routine includes a get replay guide routine for retrieving from the at least one database a list of shows recorded by the media-based device.

48. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one application program interface routine includes a get replay guide routine for retrieving from the at least one database a list of shows scheduled to be recorded by the media-based device.

49. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one application program interface routine includes a get replay guide routine for retrieving from the at least one database a list of requests to the media-based device for recording specified shows.

50. A computer network system for enabling a user to remotely control his media-based device and to access related information, the system comprising:

at least one database for storing instructions for the media-based device retrievable by the media-based device through a first network;

an application program interface including at least one application program interface routine for storing into the at least one database instructions for the media-based device; and

a triggering module for initiating the at least one application program interface routine to store instructions for the media-based device into the at least one database in response to a function call received through a second network.

51. The system of claim 50, further comprising:

an output module for transmitting to the second network information in accordance with the stored instructions.

52. The system of claim 50, wherein the at least one application program interface routine includes an add request routine for storing into the at least one database instructions to record at least one specified show.

53. The system of claim 50, wherein the at least one application program interface routine includes an add request routine for storing into the at least one database instructions to delete at least one specified show.

54. The system of claim 50, wherein the at least one application program interface routine includes an add request routine for storing into the at least one database instructions to delete at least one entry from a list of shows previously scheduled to be recorded by the media-based device.

55. The system of claim 50, wherein the at least one application program interface routine includes a delete request routine for storing into the at least one database instructions to cancel at least one previous request to the media-based device for recording specified shows.

56. A system for enabling a user to remotely control his media-based device and to access related information, the system comprising:

database means for storing data concerning the media-based device obtained through a first network;

retrieving means for retrieving from the database means data concerning the media-based device; and

means for triggering the retrieving means to retrieve data concerning the media-based device from the database means in response to a function call received through a second network.

57. A system for enabling a user to remotely control his media-based device and to access related information, the system comprising:

database means for storing instructions for the media-based device retrievable by the media-based device through a first network;

storing means for storing into the database means instructions for the media-based device; and

means for triggering the storing means to store instructions for the media-based device into the database means in response to a function call received through a second network.

58. A computer program product for enabling a user to remotely control his media-based device and to access related information, comprising:

program code for retrieving from at least one database data concerning the media-based device, in response to a function call received through a network; and

program code for transmitting to the network information in accordance with the retrieved data.

59. A computer program product for enabling a user to remotely control his media-based device and to access related information, comprising:

program code for storing into the at least one database instructions for the media-based device, in response to a function call received through a network; and

program code for transmitting to the network information in accordance with the stored instruction.