SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE ON A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE

• US 20100333032A1
• Filed: 06/30/2009
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UV Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Lau, Erwin, Chiu, Kay, Tam, Terry
• Granted Patent: US 9,405,710 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/835
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/10 Program control for peripheral devices G06F13/14 - G06F13/42 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0383 Remote input, i.e. interface arrangements in which the signals generated by a pointing device are transmitted to a PC at a remote location, e.g. to a PC in a LAN
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof
• 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 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• 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 21/4227 Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44227 Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72

Abstract

A wireless communications device provides users with opportunities to access interactive media guidance or other applications and to control interactive media guidance applications running on user equipment. The wireless communications device may have a touch-sensitive screen with controls that are coordinated with the features of the interactive media guidance or other applications. The wireless communications device may function as a remote controller for user equipment.

Claims

1. A method for controlling user equipment using a wireless communications device, comprising:

receiving user input to create at least one media guidance application command on the wireless communications device;

determining if a user equipment device to receive the at least one command is accessible;

in response to determining that the device is not accessible;

saving the at least one command on the wireless communications device; and

transmitting the at least one command to the device after the device becomes accessible.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to determining that the device is accessible, transmitting the at least one command to the device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if the device is accessible comprises establishing a communication session with the device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if the device is accessible comprises pinging the device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one media guidance application command is selected from the group consisting of setting a favorite channel, setting a reminder, setting a parental lock, scheduling a recording, and performing a search for media content.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving user input comprises receiving input via a touch sensitive screen on the wireless communications device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a confirmation screen on the wireless communications device after the at least one command is transmitted to the device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving one or more of an acknowledgement code, display screen, and search results after the device executes the at least one command.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein saving the at least one command comprises saving the at least one command to a command queue.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein transmitting the at least one command comprises transmitting a batch command to the device, wherein the batch command comprises one or more commands saved to the command queue.

11. A system for controlling user equipment using a wireless communications device, comprising:

a wireless communications device; and

user equipment;

wherein the wireless communications device is configured to;

receive user input to create at least one media guidance application command on the wireless communications device;

determine if a user equipment device to receive the at least one command is accessible;

in response to determining that the device is not accessible, the wireless communications device is configured to;

save the at least one command on the wireless communications device; and

transmit the at least one command to the device after the device becomes accessible.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein in response to determining that the device is accessible, the wireless communications device is configured to transmit the at least one command to the device.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein determining if the device is accessible comprises establishing a communication session with the device.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein determining if the device is accessible comprises pinging the device.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one media guidance application command is selected from the group consisting of setting a favorite channel, setting a reminder, setting a parental lock, scheduling a recording, and performing a search for media content.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein receiving user input comprises receiving input via a touch sensitive screen on the wireless communications device.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the wireless communications device is further configured to display a confirmation screen on the wireless communications device after the at least one command is transmitted to the device.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the wireless communications device is further configured to receive one or more of an acknowledgement code, a display screen, and search results after the device executes the at least one command.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein saving the at least one command comprises saving the at least one command to a command queue.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein transmitting the at least one command comprises transmitting a batch command to the device, wherein the batch command comprises one or more commands saved to the command queue.

21-30. -30. (canceled)