Set Top Box Browser Control Via a Wireless Handset

• US 20140289786A1
• Filed: 06/13/2014
• Published: 09/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2009
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Howarter, Jamie, Rooks, Kelsyn, Ceballos, Douglas
• Application Number:
  US14/303,912
• Publication Number:
  US 20140289786A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/110
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• 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 21/4222 Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy remote control device for a television receiver integrated into a mobile phone H04M1/72415
• 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 21/443 OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82

Abstract

A system and method for providing Internet access via a set top box may include operating, on the set top box, a browser configured to display data associated with a website. A command may be received from a wireless communications device via a communications network. The command may include a network address of the website. In response to receiving the command, the website data may be displayed on a television to which the set top box is in communication.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

providing, with a set top box, an application programming interface (API) to enable a wireless device to control set-top box functionality;

receiving, with the API, one or more set top box control commands from the wireless device; and

controlling the set top box to change a channel in response to receiving the one or more set top box control commands; and

enabling a user to control, with the wireless device and substantially in real time, a cursor on a television with which the set-top box is in communication.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising controlling the set top box to control playback of a recorded video in response to receiving the one or more set top box control commands.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the one or more control commands comprises receiving the one or more control commands via an Internet protocol (IP) communication.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a proxy server that, in response to receiving a request from the wireless handset, operates as an interface to the set top box to communicate the command from the wireless handset to the set top box.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:

determining, by the proxy server, that the wireless handset is authorized to communicate with the set top box; and

establishing a communications link between the wireless handset and the set top box in response to determining that the wireless communications device is authorized to communicate with the set top box.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing an application to download to the wireless communications device to enable a user to communicate the one or more control commands to the set top box.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

operating, on the set top box, a browser configured to display data associated with a website, wherein the one or more control commands comprise a control command including a network address of the website; and

in response to receiving the command, displaying the website data on the television.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising simultaneously displaying the website data on the television and the wireless communications device.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein displaying the website data on the television includes displaying the website data in a window on the television.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein displaying the website data on the television includes displaying tabs and frames as defined by the website data.

11. A set top box, comprising:

a memory;

an input/output (I/O) unit in communication with a communications network;

a processing unit in communication with said memory and I/O unit, said processing unit configured to;

provide an application programming interface (API) to enable a wireless device to control set-top box functionality;

receive, with the API, one or more set top box control commands from the wireless device; and

control the set top box to change a channel in response to receiving the one or more set top box control commands; and

enable a user to control, with the wireless device and substantially in real time, a cursor on a television with which the set-top box is in communication.

operate a browser configured to display data associated with a website;

receive a command from a wireless communications device via a communications network, the command including a network address of the website; and

in response to receiving the command, display the website data on a television to which the set top box is in communication.

12. The system according to claim 11, further wherein the processing unit is further configured to control the set top box to control playback of a recorded video in response to receiving the one or more set top box control commands.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein receiving the one or more control commands comprises receiving the one or more control commands via an Internet protocol (IP) communication.

14. The system according to claim 11, further comprising a proxy server that, in response to receiving a request from the wireless handset, operates as an interface to the set top box to communicate the command from the wireless handset to the set top box.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the proxy server:

determines that the wireless handset is authorized to communicate with the set top box; and

establishes a communications link between the wireless handset and the set top box in response to determining that the wireless communications device is authorized to communicate with the set top box.

16. The system according to claim 11, further comprising an application to download to the wireless communications device to enable a user to communicate the one or more control commands to the set top box.

17. The system according to claim 11, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

operate, on the set top box, a browser configured to display data associated with a website, wherein the one or more control commands comprise a control command including a network address of the website; and

in response to receiving the command, display the website data on the television.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processing unit is further configured to display the website data on the television simultaneous with a display on the wireless communications device.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein displaying the website data on the television includes displaying the website data in a window on the television.

20. The system according to claim 17, wherein displaying the website data on the television includes displaying tabs and frames as defined by the website data.