Remote TV control system

• US 6,889,382 B1
• Filed: 07/27/1999
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MediaOne Group Inc. (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Anderson, Ken T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, Chris
• Assistant Examiner(s): NALEVANKO, CHRISTOPHER R
• Application Number:
  US09/362,003
• Time in Patent Office: 2,107 Days
• Field of Search: 725/12, 725/11, 725/10, 725/110, 725/136, 725/114, 725/121, 725/9, 725 25- 31, 348/730, 348/553, 348/155, 348162-164, 340/686.1, 340/686.6, 340552-567
• US Class Current: 725/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4333 Processing operations in response to a pause request
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6168 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A system and method for controlling the operation of a television using a cable broadcasting network is disclosed. The presence of a viewer in front of the television is sensed, presence information is then transmitted to a cable broadcasting service center via the cable broadcasting network, a control signal is sent to the television adapted to receive same, and regular cable programming is suspended. The present invention allows the cable broadcasting company to provided additional services to the cable subscriber to retain and attract additional customers. These additional services may be tailored to the specific needs of the cable subscriber, thus a higher quality cable service is provided.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the operation of a television using a cable network, the method comprising:

sensing a presence of a user in proximity to the television;

transmitting a first signal indicating the presence of the user to the cable network;

receiving an input from a user indicating a mode selection for operating the television when the user is not in proximity to the television, the mode selection chosen from a plurality of different operation modes of the television;

transmitting a second signal indicating the mode selection to the cable network; and

if the user is not in proximity to the television, receiving a control signal from the cable network suspending regular cable programming and operating the television according to the mode selection.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein operating the television according to the mode selection includes powering down the television.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein operating the television according to the mode selection includes recording a television program.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein operating the television according to the mode selection includes displaying alternate programming on the television.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein sensing includes using an infrared sensor for detecting the presence of a user in proximity to the television.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein sensing includes using an ultrasonic sensor for detecting the presence of a user in proximity to the television.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein sensing includes using an optical sensor for detecting the presence of a user in proximity to the television.

14. The method of claim 4 wherein displaying alternate programming includes displaying scenery.

15. The method of claim 4 wherein displaying alternate programming includes displaying an advertisement.

16. The method of claim 4 wherein displaying alternate programming includes displaying messages associated with the user.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying regular cable programming if the user is in proximity to the television.

8. A system for controlling the operation of a television using a cable network, the system comprising:

a sensor for sensing a presence of a user in proximity to the television;

a user input apparatus for receiving an input from the user indicating a mode selection for operating the television when the user is not in proximity to the television, the mode selection chosen from a plurality of different operation modes of the television; and

a control circuit in communication with the sensor, the user input apparatus, and the cable network for transmitting a first signal indicating the presence of the user to the cable network, for transmitting a second signal indicating the mode selection to the cable network and, if the user is not in proximity to the television, receiving a control signal from the cable network suspending regular cable programming and operating the television according to the mode selection.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the control circuit includes a powering down circuit for powering down the television.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising a recording device for recording a television program when regular programming is suspended.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the sensor includes an infrared sensor.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the sensor includes an ultrasonic sensor.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the sensor includes an optical sensor.

18. The system of claim 8 further comprising a set-top box in communication with the control circuit.

19. The system of claim 8 wherein the user input apparatus includes a remote controller.

20. A method for controlling the operation of a television using a cable network, the method comprising:

sensing a presence of a user in proximity to the television;

transmitting a first signal indicating the presence of the user to the cable network;

receiving an input from a user indicating a mode selection for operating the television when the user is not in proximity to the television, the mode selection chosen from a plurality of different operation modes of the television;

transmitting a second signal indicating the mode selection to the cable network;

if the user is not in proximity to the television, receiving a control signal from the cable network suspending regular cable programming and operating the television according to the mode selection; and

if the user returns to proximity of the television, re-establishing regular cable programming.