METHODS TO NOTIFY USER OF DEAD REMOTE BATTERIES

• US 20150149366A1
• Filed: 11/26/2013
• Published: 05/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Echostar Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Echostar Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Schafer, Adam, Mickelsen, Jeremy
• Application Number:
  US14/090,645
• Publication Number:
  US 20150149366A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/304
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/016 After-sales
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25833 involving client hardware characteristics, e.g. manufacturer, processing or storage capabilities allocation of resources considering hardware capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5044; allocation of resources considering software capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5055
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• 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 21/4425 Monitoring of client processing errors or hardware failure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence

Abstract

A method for providing technical support to a user of an electronic device includes requesting that the electronic device transmit a status message to a technical support network. The status message indicates that a component of the electronic device needs attention. The status message is automatically sent to the user to quickly resolve the technical support issue.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a request for technical support from a user of a television receiver;

receiving, at a computer, a signal from the television receiver indicative of a state of batteries in a remote control associated with the television receiver;

retrieving from a database an identity of the user;

ascertaining that the user is associated with the television receiver based on the identity; and

generating, at the computer, a notification that the batteries are in a depleted state.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising transmitting the notification to the user.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein transmitting the notification comprises displaying the notification on a display coupled to the television receiver.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein transmitting the notification comprises transmitting the notification to a telephone of the user.

5. The method of claim 2 comprising transmitting the notification to a technical support technician assisting the user.

6. The method of claim 1 comprising retrieving the identity based on a telephone number of a telephone from which the request was received.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the notification is an audio signal, the method comprising transmitting the notification to the telephone.

8. The method of claim 1 comprising transmitting a request to transmit the state of the batteries to the television receiver in response to identifying the user.

9. The method of claim 8 comprising transmitting the state of the batteries from the television receiver in response to receiving, at the television receiver, the request to transmit the state of the batteries.

10. A method comprising:

receiving, at a first location, a request for technical assistance from a user at a second location remote from the first location;

receiving, at the first location, a status message from an electronic device of the user, the status message indicating a status of a component of the electronic device;

generating, in a computer at the first location, a notification indicating a status of the component;

receiving an identification of the user;

ascertaining that the user is associated with the electronic device by referring to a database; and

transmitting the notification to the user.

11. The method of claim 10 comprising transmitting the notification to a telephone of the user.

12. The method of claim 11 comprising displaying the notification on a display screen at the second location.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the electronic device is a remote control.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the component is one or more batteries.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the status message indicates a charge level of the batteries.

16. A system comprising:

a television receiver configured to display television content on a display coupled to the television receiver;

a computer network configured to;

receive a status message from the television receiver;

receive a request for technical support from a user of the television receiver;

receive an identification of the user;

ascertain that the user is associated with the television receiver by referring to a database; and

generate a notification indicating a problem with equipment of the user based on the status message.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the computer network is configured to transmit the notification to a technical support technician.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the computer network is configured to transmit the notification the user.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the notification indicates that batteries of a remote control associated with the television receiver are depleted.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the notification indicates that a signal strength of signals received by the television receiver form a remote control associated with the television receiver are weak.