System and Method for Using Short Message Service Text Messaging to Schedule a Recording of a Television Program

• US 20100031296A1
• Filed: 07/31/2008
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Elias, Mark A., Soja-Molloy, Sherry
• Application Number:
  US12/183,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20100031296A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• 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 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• 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 21/4334 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 21/47214 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 5/782 on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

A system and method for using short message service text messaging to schedule a recording of a television program. A first short message service text message associated with a request for a list of television programs scheduled to be provided is received. A second short message service text message associated with the list of television programs scheduled to be provided is sent. A third short message service text message associated with a record request for a selected television program in the list of television programs is received. The record request for the selected television program is sent to a digital video recorder device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a first short message service text message associated with a request for a list of television programs scheduled to be provided;

sending a second short message service text message associated with the list of television programs scheduled to be provided;

receiving a third short message service text message associated with a record request for a selected television program in the list of television programs; and

sending the record request for the selected television program to a digital video recorder device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

accessing an electronic program guide information to determine the list of television programs scheduled to be provided.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and third short message service text messages are received at a server of a television program provider.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the record request is a programming code associated with the television program.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the digital video recorder is part of a set-top box device.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

authenticating a telephone number associated with the first short message service text message prior to determining the list of television programs scheduled to be provided.

7. A method comprising:

sending a first short message service text message associated with a request for a list of television programs scheduled to be provided;

receiving a second short message service text message associated with the list of television programs scheduled to be provided;

displaying the list of television programs scheduled to be provided;

receiving a selection of one of the television programs scheduled to be provided; and

sending a third short message service text message associated with a record request for the selection of the television program from the list of television programs.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein receiving the selection of one of the television programs comprises:

receiving an input of a number corresponding to the one of the television programs.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein receiving the selection of one of the television programs comprises:

determining that a portion of a touch screen corresponding to the one of the television programs is activated.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein receiving the selection of one of the television programs comprises:

receiving a request to highlight the one of the television programs; and

receiving an input corresponding to a selection button.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the record request is a programming code associated with the television program.

12. A method comprising:

receiving a first short message service text message associated with a request for a list of television programs scheduled to be recorded;

sending a second short message service text message associated with the list of television programs scheduled to be recorded;

receiving a third short message service text message associated with a delete request for a first selected television program in the list of television programs; and

sending the delete request for the first selected television program to a digital video recorder device.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the first and third short message service text messages are received at a server of a television program provider.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the delete request is a programming code associated with the television program.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the digital video recorder is part of a set-top box device.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

receiving a fourth short message service text message associated with a setting change request for a second selected television program in the list of television programs; and

sending the setting change request for the second selected television program to a digital video recorder device.

17. A device comprising:

a memory configured to store a plurality of instructions; and

a processor in communication with the memory, the processor configured to execute the plurality of instructions comprising;

instructions to send a first short message service text message associated with a request for a list of television programs scheduled to be provided;

instructions to receive a second short message service text message associated with the list of television programs scheduled to be provided;

instructions to provide an interface for displaying the list of television programs scheduled to be provided and allowing a selection of one of the television programs; and

instructions to send a third short message service text message based on the selection of one of the television programs.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein receiving the selection of one of the television programs comprises:

instructions to receive an input of a number corresponding to the one of the television programs.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein receiving the selection of one of the television programs comprises:

instructions to determine that a portion of a touch screen corresponding to the one of the television program is activated.

20. The device of claim 17 wherein receiving the selection of one of the television programs comprises:

instructions to receive a request to highlight the one of the television programs; and

instructions to receive an input corresponding to a selection button.

21. The device of claim 17 wherein the record request is a programming code associated with the television program.

22. A set-top box device comprising:

a memory configured to store a plurality of instructions; and

a processor in communication with the memory, the processor configured to execute the plurality of instructions comprising;

instructions to receive a first short message service text message associated with a request for a list of television programs scheduled to be provided;

instructions to determine the list of television programs scheduled to be provided;

instructions to send a second short message service text message associated with the list of television programs scheduled to be provided;

instructions to receive a third short message service text message associated with a record request for a selected television program in the list of television programs; and

instructions to store the record request for the selected television program.

23. The set-top box device of claim 22 further comprising:

instructions to access an electronic program guide information to determine the list of television programs scheduled to be provided.

24. The set-top box device of claim 22 wherein the record request is a programming code associated with the television program.

25. The set-top box device of claim 22 wherein the instructions to store the record request further comprises instructions to the send the record request to an external digital video recorder.