Television System Having Digital Buffers for Programming

• US 20110252444A1
• Filed: 06/21/2011
• Published: 10/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Advanced Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: TI Law Group
• Inventors: Thomas, C. Douglass, Nguyen, Joseph A., Penilla, Albert S.
• Application Number:
  US13/165,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20110252444A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/38
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/02 using automatic reactions or user delegation, e.g. automatic replies or chatbot-generated messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services

Abstract

A television is provided. The television includes an interface for connecting the television to a network, such as the Internet. The television also includes digital buffers internal to the television for digitally storing digital programming data obtained from a digital provider. The television being accessible through a graphical user interface over the Internet from a remote computing device. The graphical user interface providing a control panel for displaying status and at least one control including a control for playing or recording of certain channels at least partially to the digital buffers that are internal to the television.

Claims

1. A television, comprising:

an interface for connecting the television to a network, the network including the Internet;

digital buffers internal to the television for digitally storing digital programming data obtained from a digital provider; and

the television being accessible through a graphical user interface over the Internet from a remote computing device, the graphical user interface providing a control panel for displaying status and at least one control including a control for playing or recording of certain channels at least partially to the digital buffers that are internal to the television.

2. The television of claim 1, wherein the remote computing device displays features of the graphical user interface upon accessing of the television over the Internet.

3. The television of claim 2, wherein the remote computing device is a portable computer that can travel with the user and connects via a wireless link or a cellular link to communicate with the Internet.

4. The television of claim 2, wherein the remote computing device is a computer that connects via one of a wired link, a wireless link or a cellular link to communicate with the Internet.

5. The television of claim 1, wherein the digital programming data includes one or more of shows, movies, and video clips.

6. The television of claim 1, wherein the graphical control screen provides an indication of television broadcasts that are available to be recorded to or played through the digital buffers, when obtained from the digital provider.

7. The television of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface provides a request for a user name and password for a user to provide access over the Internet to the television or server connected to the television from the remote computing device.

8. The television of claim 7, wherein the user name and password provides access to home entertainment options that are specific for an account of the user.

9. The television of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface is provided in part by a web browser.

10. The television of claim 2, wherein images, videos or broadcasts provided to the television are viewable from the remote computing device.

11. The television of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface provides access to one or more of video, still images, and controls including start, play, stop, fast forward, rewind, and pause.

12. The television of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface is provided with data for populating features of the graphical user interface from a server connected to the network, and the server provides an indication of television broadcasts that are available to be recorded or played to the digital buffers.

13. A television, the television comprising:

a connection for connecting to a network;

digital buffers internal to the television for digitally storing digital media obtained from a digital provider; and

the television being accessible through a graphical user interface, at least part of the graphical user interface or program associated with the graphical user interface being accessible over the network from a remote device, the graphical user interface providing a control panel for displaying status and at least one control including a control for recording or playing the digital media at the television.

14. The television of claim 13, wherein the remote device is a computer, the computer of the remote device displays data associated with features of the graphical user interface upon accessing of the television system over the Internet.

15. The television of claim 14, wherein the computer of the remote device is a portable computer that can travel with the user and connects via a wireless link or a cellular link to communicate with the network or the Internet.

16. The television of claim 14, wherein the computer of the remote device is a computer that connects via one of a wired link, a wireless link or a cellular link to communicate with the network or the Internet.

17. The television of claim 13, wherein the digital media includes one or more of shows, movies, and video clips.

18. A television, the television comprising:

a connection for interfacing the television to a network, the network including the Internet; and

digital buffers internal to the television for digitally storing digital data obtained from a digital provider over the Internet;

wherein the digital buffers are accessible to enable playing of any stored or partially recorded digital data present in or transferred to the digital buffers of the television.

19. The television system of claim 18, wherein the digital data includes broadcast television.

20. The television system of claim 18, wherein the digital data includes one or more of shows, movies and video clips.