Remotely accessing and programming a set top box

• US 20030005446A1
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Junod, David N., Jaff, Kosar
• Granted Patent: US 7,281,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• 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 21/47214 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 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Systems and methods for remotely programming a set top box and for remotely scheduling an event on a set top box. A set top box includes a server that allows an access device to access the set top box over an always on connection between the set top box and a network such as the Internet. The access device retrieves program guide data that is locally stored on the set top box and, using the program guide data, selects and schedules events. The events are sent back to the set top box over the connection where they are implemented by the set top box.

Claims

1. In a system that is comprised of an access device, a programmable client system and a provider, all of which are logically interconnectable through a network such as the Internet, wherein the client system stores program guide data that is used by a user to schedule events, a method for remotely scheduling events at the client system with an access device, comprising steps for:

accessing the client system through the network with the remotely located access device, wherein the client system has a bi-directional connection with the network;

once the access device is connected to the client system, retrieving current program guide data from the client system with the remotely located access device, wherein the current program guide data is displayed on the remotely located access device;

selecting an event using the retrieved program guide data displayed at the remotely located access device;

sending the selected event to the client system; and

scheduling the selected event at the client system.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step for accessing the client system with the remotely located access device further comprises a step for authenticating a user of the remotely located access device.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the step for authenticating a user of the remotely located access device further comprises a step for authenticating the user at the client system with an authentication service.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein step for retrieving the current program guide data from the client system further comprises steps for:

displaying a schedule of programming content that is scheduled to be sent to the client system on the access device; and

displaying previously scheduled events on the access device.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises a step for selecting one or more of the programs identified in the current program guide data to be associated with an event.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises a step for unselecting one or more of the programs previously selected and associated with an event, wherein the associated event is removed from the unselected programs.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises one or more of:

a step for setting preferences in the current program guide data;

a step for selecting a record event;

a step for selecting a delete event; and

a step for selecting a lock or unlock event.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step for accessing the client system further comprises a step for connecting the access device to a device service.

9. A method as defined in claim 8, further comprising:

a step for authenticating the access device at the device service with an authentication service; and

a step for formatting, by the device service, the retrieved current program guide data for the access device.

10. In a system that is comprised of an access device, a programmable client system and a provider, all of which are logically interconnectable through a network such as the Internet, wherein the client system stores program guide data that is updated periodically from the provider and the program guide data stored on the client system is used by a user to schedule events, a computer program product for implementing a method for remotely scheduling events at the client system with an access device, comprising:

a computer readable medium for carrying computer executable instructions for implementing said method, and wherein the method comprises steps for;

accessing the client system through the network with the remotely located access device, wherein the client system has a bi-directional connection with the network;

once the access device is connected to the client system, retrieving current program guide data from the client system with the remotely located access device, wherein the retrieved program guide data is displayed on the remotely located access device;

selecting an event using the current program guide data displayed at the remotely located access device;

sending the selected event to the client system; and

scheduling the selected event at the client system.

11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the step for accessing the client system with the remotely located access device further comprises a step for authenticating a user of the remotely located access device.

12. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein the step for authenticating a user of the remotely located access device further comprises a step for authenticating the user at the client system with an authentication service.

13. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein step for retrieving the current program guide data from the client system further comprises steps for:

displaying a schedule of programming content that is scheduled to be sent to the client system on the access device; and

displaying previously scheduled events on the access device.

14. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises a step for selecting one or more of the programs identified in the current program guide data to be associated with an event.

15. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises a step for unselecting one or more of the programs previously selected and associated with an event, wherein the associated event is removed from the unselected programs.

16. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises one or more of:

a step for setting preferences in the current program guide data;

a step for selecting a record event;

a step for selecting a delete event; and

a step for selecting a lock or unlock event.

17. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the step for accessing the client system further comprises a step for connecting the access device to a device service.

18. A method as defined in claim 17, further comprising:

a step for authenticating the access device at the device service with an authentication service; and

a step for formatting, by the device service, the retrieved current program guide data for the access device.

20. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein the act of connecting the access device through the network and over the bi-directional connection to the set top box further comprises a step for authenticating a user with an authentication service.

21. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein the act of connecting the access device through the network and over the bi-directional connection to the set top box further comprises a step for connecting the access device to a device service, wherein the device service formats the retrieved program guide data for the access device.

22. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein the current programming information retrieved from the client system further comprises program guide data representing programming content that is scheduled to be sent to the client system.

23. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises a step for selecting one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs will be recorded.

24. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises a step for unselecting one or more programs previously selected to be recorded, wherein the unselected one or more programs will not be recorded.

25. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises a step for changing the configuration of the program guide data.

26. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises an act of setting an event to lock or unlock one or more channels available to the set top box.

27. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises a step for deleting previously recorded programming content.

29. A method as defined in claim 28, wherein the act of retrieving current program guide data retrieved from the set top box further comprises acts of:

displaying programming content that is scheduled to be sent to the client system from; and

displaying scheduled events.

30. A method as defined in claim 28, wherein the access device is one of a cell phone, lap top computer, desktop computer, handheld computer, or internet appliance.

31. A method as defined in claim 30, wherein the act of retrieving the current program guide data further comprises an act of automatically formatting the current program guide data retrieved from the set top box at the device service to a format appropriate for display by the cell phone, lap top computer, desktop computer, handheld computer, or internet appliance.

32. A method as defined in claim 28, wherein the step for connecting the access device to the set top box further comprises an act of the authentication service authenticating the user to the set top box.

33. A method as defined in claim 32, further comprising an act of the device service authenticating the user with authentication service.

35. A method as defined in claim 34, wherein the act of retrieving current program guide data retrieved from the set top box further comprises acts of:

displaying programming content that is scheduled to be sent to the client system from; and

displaying scheduled events.

36. A method as defined in claim 34, wherein the access device is one of a cell phone, lap top computer, desktop computer, handheld computer, or internet appliance.

37. A method as defined in claim 36, wherein the act of retrieving the current program guide data further comprises an act of automatically formatting the current program guide data retrieved from the set top box at the device service to a format appropriate for display by the cell phone, lap top computer, desktop computer, handheld computer, or internet appliance.

38. A method as defined in claim 34, wherein the step for connecting the access device to the set top box further comprises an act of the authentication service authenticating the user to the set top box.

39. A method as defined in claim 38, further comprising an act of the device service authenticating the user with authentication service.

19. In a system that is comprised of an access device, a set top box and a provider, all of which are logically interconnectable through a network such as the Internet, wherein the set top box stores program guide data that is updated periodically from the provider and the program guide data stored on the set top box is used by a user to schedule events, a method of remotely accessing and programming the set top box with the access device, the method comprising:

an act of connecting the set top box to the network with a bi-directional connection that is always on line with the network;

at a location that is remote from the set top box, an act for connecting the access device through the network and over the bi-directional connection to the set top box, wherein the access device authenticates with the set top box;

once the access device is connected to the set top box, an act of retrieving current program guide data from the client system via the network and over the bi-directional connection, wherein the current program guide data is formatted for the remotely located access device and displayed on the remotely located access device;

an act for using the current program guide data displayed on the access device at the remote location to select an event relating to the current program guide data, wherein the event is communicated to the set top box via the network and over the two-way connection; and

an act of implementing the selected event at the set top box.

28. In a system that is comprised of an access device, a device service, an authentication service, a set top box and a provider that is accessible by the client system, all of which are logically interconnectable through a network such as the Internet, a method of remotely scheduling events at the client system with an access device, comprising acts of:

connecting the set top box to the network with a connection that is always on line with the network;

at a location that is remote from the set top box, logically connecting the access device to the device service;

authenticating the access device at the device service with the authentication service, wherein the authentication service can then automatically authenticate the access device to the set top box;

automatically recognizing the access device at the device service;

logically connecting the access device via the device service and the network to the client system;

once connected, retrieving current program guide data from the set top box with the remotely located access device via the device service, wherein the current program guide data is appropriately formatted by the device service for the access device and the current program guide data displayed on the remotely located access device;

selecting an event from the program guide data displayed at the remotely located access device; and

sending the selected event from the remotely located access device to be executed at the set top box;

wherein a scheduler implements the event at the set top box.

34. In a system that is comprised of an access device, a device service, an authentication service, a programmable client system and a provider that is accessible by the client system, all of which are logically interconnectable through a network such as the Internet, a computer program product for implementing a method of remotely scheduling events at the client system with an access device, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium for carrying computer executable instructions for implementing said method, and wherein the implemented method comprises acts of;

connecting the set top box to the network with a connection that is always on line with the network;

at a location that is remote from the set top box, logically connecting the access device to the device service;

authenticating the access device at the device service with the authentication service, wherein the authentication service can then automatically authenticate the access device to the set top box;

automatically recognizing the access device at the device service;

logically connecting the access device via the device service and the network to the client system;

once connected, retrieving current program guide data from the set top box with the remotely located access device via the device service, wherein the current program guide data is appropriately formatted by the device service for the access device and the current program guide data displayed on the remotely located access device;

selecting an event from the program guide data displayed at the remotely located access device; and

sending the selected event from the remotely located access device to be executed at the set top box;

wherein a scheduler implements the event at the set top box.

40. In a system that is comprised of an access device, a set top box, a provider, all of which are logically interconnectable through a network such as the Internet, and a satellite, which receives data from the provider and sends both program guide data and programming content to the set top box, a method of remotely scheduling events on the set top box with an access device, the method comprising:

a step for logically connecting the access device to a satellite server;

a step for sending instructions from the access device to the satellite server, wherein the satellite server causes the satellite to send the instructions to the set top box in the program guide data or the programming content, wherein the instructions cause the set top box to establish a bi-directional connection between the set top box and the network;

once the bi-directional connection between the set top box and the network is established, a step for connecting the remotely located access device via the network and over the bi-directional connection to the set top box;

once the access device is connected to the client system, a step for retrieving, at the remotely located access device, current program guide data from the set top box, wherein the program guide data is displayed on the remotely located access device; and

a step for using the access device at the remote location to schedule events to be implemented by the set top box.

41. A method as defined in claim 40, wherein the step for retrieving, at the remotely located access device, current program guide data from the set top box e further comprises a step for authenticating the access device with an authentication service.

42. A method as defined in claim 40, wherein the step connecting the remotely located access device via the network and over the bi-directional connection to the set top box further comprises a step for connecting the access device to a device service

43. A method as defined in claim 40, wherein the current program guide data retrieved from the set top box further comprises a programming content scheduled to be sent to the set top box from the satellite, wherein the current program guide data includes previously scheduled events.

44. A method as defined in claim 40, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises an act of selecting one or more programs, wherein the programming content of the selected one or more programs will be recorded.

45. A method as defined in claim 40, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises an act of unselecting one or more programs previously selected to be recorded, wherein the unselected one or more programs will not be recorded.

46. A method as defined in claim 40, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises an act of changing the configuration of the current program guide data.

47. A method as defined in claim 40, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises an act of locking or unlocking one or more channels of programming content available to the set top box from the satellite.

48. A method as defined in claim 40, wherein the step for selecting an event at the remotely located access device further comprises an act of deleting previously recorded programming content.