Remote TV control system

• US 20050183110A1
• Filed: 03/09/2005
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MediaOne Group Inc. (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MediaOne Group Inc. (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Anderson, Ken T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,721,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; 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 21/4333 Processing operations in response to a pause request
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6168 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• 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 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A system and method for controlling the operation of a television using a cable broadcasting network is disclosed. The presence of a viewer in front of the television is sensed, presence information is then transmitted to a cable broadcasting service center via the cable broadcasting network, a control signal is sent to the television adapted to receive same, and regular cable programming is suspended. The present invention allows the cable broadcasting company to provided additional services to the cable subscriber to retain and attract additional customers. These additional services may be tailored to the specific needs of the cable subscriber, thus a higher quality cable service is provided.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the operation of a television, the method comprising:

sensing a presence of a user in proximity to the television;

receiving an input from a user indicating a mode selection for operating the television when the user is not in proximity to the television, the mode selection chosen from a plurality of different operation modes of the television; and

if the user is not in proximity to the television, suspending current programming and operating the television according to the mode selection.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein operating the television according to the mode selection includes powering down the television.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein operating the television according to the mode selection includes recording a television program.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein operating the television according to the mode selection includes displaying alternate programming on the television.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein displaying alternate programming includes displaying scenery.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein displaying alternate programming includes displaying an advertisement.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein displaying alternate programming includes displaying messages associated with the user.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein sensing includes using an infrared sensor for detecting the presence of a user in proximity to the television.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein sensing includes using an ultrasonic sensor for detecting the presence of a user in proximity to the television.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein sensing includes using an optical sensor for detecting the presence of a user in proximity to the television.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying current programming if the user is in proximity to the television.

12. A system for controlling the operation of a television, the system comprising:

a sensor for sensing a presence of a user in proximity to the television;

a user input apparatus for receiving an input from the user indicating a mode selection for operating the television when the user is not in proximity to the television, the mode selection chosen from a plurality of different operation modes of the television; and

a control circuit in communication with the sensor and the user input apparatus for processing a first signal indicating the presence of the user and a second signal indicating the mode selection and, if the user is not in proximity to the television, suspending current programming and operating the television according to the mode selection.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the control circuit includes a powering down circuit for powering down the television.

14. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a recording device for recording current programming.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the sensor includes an infrared sensor.

16. The system according to claim 12, wherein the sensor includes an ultrasonic sensor.

17. The system according to claim 12, wherein the sensor includes an optical sensor.

18. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a set-top box in communication with the control circuit.

19. The system according to claim 12, wherein the user input apparatus includes a remote controller.

20. A method for controlling the operation of a television using a network, the method comprising:

sensing a presence of a user in proximity to the television;

transmitting a first signal indicating the presence of the user via the network;

receiving an input from a user indicating a mode selection for operating the television when the user is not in proximity to the television, the mode selection chosen from a plurality of different operation modes of the television;

transmitting a second signal indicating the mode selection via the network; and

if the user is not in proximity to the television, receiving a control signal via the network suspending current programming and operating the television according to the mode selection.