SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING A MEDIA SERVER VIA A NETWORK
First Claim
1. A method executable by a host communicating via a network with a client and a media server configured to process media content, the method comprising:
- receiving a first message from the client at the host via the network;
in response to the first message, establishing a session between the host and the media server via the network;
receiving information about the media content processed at the media server at the host from the media server via the session;
providing the information about the media content processed at the media server from the host to the client via the network;
receiving an instruction from the client at the host to control the media server; and
directing the media server to execute the instruction via the session.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are described for remotely controlling a personal or digital video recorder (PVR/DVR), a set top box (STB), a placeshifting device, or any other media server. A communications session is established between a server host and the media server in response to a connection request received from the client. Information about the content processed at the media server is received via the session and provided to the client. In response to subsequent instructions received from the client, the media server can be controlled, or other actions can be taken, by providing directions to the media server from the host via the communications session. Additional or alternate features may be provided as desired.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method executable by a host communicating via a network with a client and a media server configured to process media content, the method comprising:
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receiving a first message from the client at the host via the network; in response to the first message, establishing a session between the host and the media server via the network; receiving information about the media content processed at the media server at the host from the media server via the session; providing the information about the media content processed at the media server from the host to the client via the network; receiving an instruction from the client at the host to control the media server; and directing the media server to execute the instruction via the session. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system that communicates via a network with a client and a media server configured to process media content, the system comprising:
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a message server configured to communicate with the media server via the network using a pre-existing connection; and a guide server configured to receive a request for a connection to the media server from the client via the network, to direct the message server to contact the media server via the pre-existing connection in response to the request, to establish a session via the network with the media server, to receive information about the media content via the session, to provide the information about the media content to the client, to receive an instruction from the client to control the media server, and, in response to the instruction received from the client, to direct the media server via the session to execute the instruction. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method executable by a host communicating via a network with a client and with a media recorder having stored media content, the method comprising:
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receiving a first message from the client at the host via the network, wherein the first message identifies the media recorder; in response to the first message, transmitting a second message to a message server having a pre-existing connection with the identified media recorder via the network; in response to a third message received from the media recorder, creating a session between the media recorder and the host via the network; providing program guide information from the host to the client via the network; receiving an instruction to record a program identified in the program guide information from the client at the host; and in response to receiving the instruction at the host, directing the media recorder via the session to record the identified program. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification