Media processing system supporting adaptive digital media parameters based on end-user viewing capabilities

• US 8,028,093 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Issued: 09/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bennett, James D., Karaoguz, Jeyhan
• Primary Examiner(s): Vaughn, Jr.; William C
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHRISTENSEN, SCOTT B
• Application Number:
  US10/675,377
• Publication Number:
  US 20040133701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,919 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709/227, 709/228, 709/229, 709230-234, 709/246, 370229-238, 370/395.2, 370/395.21, 725105-142, 348113-115
• US Class Current: 709/246
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/80 characterised by transmission among terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2408 Monitoring of the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. client requests monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/254 Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server arrangements for maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00; network services using third party service providers H04L67/53
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25435 involving characteristics of content or additional data, e.g. video resolution or the amount of advertising
• 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 21/26266 : for determining content or additional data repetition rate, e.g. of a file in a DVB carousel according to its importance arrangements for broadcast or for distribution of identical information repeatedly in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 : Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2743 : Video hosting of uploaded data from client
• 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 21/41422 : located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 : embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 : Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• 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 21/42684 : Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 : Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 : Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/442 : Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk arrangements for monitoring broadcast services or broadcast-related services H04H60/29; arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information H04H60/35; monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; monitoring in wireless networks H04W24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 : Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; 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 21/458 : Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 : Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4668 : for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 : for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 : for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 : for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 : e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4826 : using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 : for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• 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 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6187 : involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/632 : using a connection between clients on a wide area network, e.g. setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet for retrieving video segments from the hard-disk of other client devices broadcast-related systems characterised by transmission among terminal devices H04H60/80; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 : Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• 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 21/6583 : Acknowledgement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/814 : comprising emergency warnings arrangements specially adapted for emergency or urgency in broadcast systems H04H20/59; arrangements for providing alarms, notifications, alerts to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8146 : involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 : Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 : Transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

Systems and methods that adapt media content are described. In one embodiment, a system may include, for example, a first communications device and a second communications device. The first communications device may be disposed in a first location and may be operatively coupled to a network. The second communications device may be disposed in a second location and may be operatively coupled to the network. The second communications device may receive a device profile relating to the first communications device, adapt media content based upon the device profile of the first communications device, and send the adapted media content to the first communications device.

Claims

1. In a media exchange network comprising a media exchange server, a network, a first private home and a second private home, the media exchange server being external to the first private home and to the second private home, a system for adapting media content, comprising:

a first communications device disposed in the first private home, wherein the first communications device is a first media content source, wherein the first communications device is operatively coupled to the network via a first broadband access headend, wherein the first communications device updates a device profile within the first communications device, wherein the device profile includes capabilities of the first communications device, wherein the first communications device automatically sends the updated device profile to a second communications device in a second private home, wherein the first communications device comprises a first media processing system, wherein the first media processing system comprises a first software platform that provides at least the following;

user interface functionality, distributed storage functionality, networking functionality, control over first media peripheral devices in the first private home, status monitoring of the first media peripheral devices, and inter-home routing to other communication devices including the inter-home routing to the second communications device in the second private home; and

the second communications device disposed in the second private home, wherein the second communications device is a second media content source, wherein the second communications device is operatively coupled to the network via a second broadband access headend, wherein the second communications device receives the updated device profile relating to the first communications device, wherein the second communications device adapts media content based upon the updated device profile of the first communications device to form adapted media content, wherein the adapted media content is set to a first quality level that is lower than a second quality level, wherein the first quality level and the second quality level are supported by the first communications device, wherein the second communications device pushes, in a private, non-broadcast channel, the adapted media content with a file associated with the media content to the first communications device, wherein the file comprises information as to where the media content of a highest quality level is stored outside of the first private home and the second private home, wherein the second communications device comprises a second media processing system, wherein the second media processing system comprises a second software platform that provides at least the following;

user interface functionality, distributed storage functionality, networking functionality, control over second media peripheral devices in the second private home, status monitoring of the media peripheral devices, and inter-home routing to other communication devices including the inter-home routing to the first communications device in the first private home,

wherein the first communications device and the second communications device use respective TV channel guide look-and-feel user interfaces to display private, non-broadcast channels and public broadcast channels from the other of the first communications device and the second communications device,

wherein the private, non-broadcast channels displayed in the first private home comprise the private, non-broadcast channel originally constructed, originally sourced, and sent by the second communications device and private, non-broadcast channels originally constructed and originally sourced by the first communications device.

2. The system according to claim 1,

wherein the first communications device is coupled to the network via a satellite headend,

wherein the second communications device is coupled to the network via a DSL headend, and

wherein the satellite headend and the DSL headend are configured to provide distributed network capability, digital media parameter adaption, archival functionality, storage, storage management and digital rights management.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the highest quality level is higher than the first quality level and the second quality level, wherein the media content of the highest level is stored in the media exchange server.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein, after the first communications device receives the adapted media content at the first quality level with the file, the first communications device uses the file to request the media content at the highest quality level from the media exchange server.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein a private, non-broadcast channel displayed in the second private home comprises a private, non-broadcast channel originally constructed, originally sourced, and sent by the first communications device and private, non-broadcast channels originally constructed and originally sourced by the second communications device.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the TV channel guide look-and-feel user interfaces are navigated using corresponding remote controls and displays.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the media exchange server communicates with the first communications device through the first broadband access headend, and wherein the media exchange server communicates with the second communications device though the second broadband access headend.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first media processing system of the first communications device in the first private home and the second media processing system of the second communications device in the second private home each provide media push capability, media access capability, media channel construction, media channel selection, image sequence selection, text and voice overlay, channel and program naming, inter-home routing selection, authorship, media rights management, and shared inter-home media experience.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the private, non-broadcast channel sent by the second communications device comprises second home videos and second personal pictures stored at the second private home, and wherein the private, non-broadcast channels originating from the first communications device comprises first home videos and first personal pictures stored at the first private home.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first communications device and the second communications device each provide respective channel construction capability, networking capability, third party media access, personal media access, sequencing, editing, media overlays, media inserts, billing, scheduling and addressing.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first communications device can select from different delivery options of the media content from the second communications device based on cost.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the media exchange network supports generating personal network associations, personal storage management, media capture device support, security/authentication/authorization support, authorship tracking, billing, and address registration and maintenance.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first media peripheral devices in the first private home and the second media peripheral devices in the second private home comprises digital cameras and digital camcorders.

14. The system according to claim 1, comprising:

a third party media server is coupled to the network,

wherein the first communications device communicates with the third party media server through the first broadband access headend and the network,

wherein the second communications device communicates with the third party media server through the second broadband access headend and the network, and

wherein the first communications device in the first private home uses its TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface to send a request from the first communications device to the third party media server to anonymously send third party media content to the second communications device in the second private home.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the the private, non-broadcast channel originally constructed, originally sourced, and sent by the second communications device is accessible for viewing by the first communications device as per a schedule set up by the second communications device.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first communications device and the second communications device each provide channel creating, storing, indexing and viewing.

17. A system for adapting media content, comprising:

a set-top box system disposed in a private home, wherein the set-top box system is operatively coupled to a network that extends outside the private home, wherein the set-top box system revises a device profile of the set-top box system, wherein the set-top box system stores the revised device profile of the set-top box system, wherein the set-top box system automatically sending the revised device profile to the network, wherein the set-top box system receives a file, pushed from an other set-top box system outside the private home in a non-broadcast channel, associated with media content and the media content that has been adapted based upon the revised device profile, wherein the non-broadcast channels comprise non-broadcast channels originally constructed, originally sourced, and sent by other set-top box systems and non-broadcast channels originally constructed and originally sourced by the set-top box system, wherein the adapted media content is set, by the other set-top box system that sent the adapted media content, to a first quality level that is lower than a second quality level, wherein the first quality level and the second quality level are supported by the set-top box system, wherein the file is associated with the media content and identifies a location where the media content of a highest quality is stored, wherein the location where the media content of the highest quality is stored is not the other set-top box system that sent the adapted media content,

wherein each of the set-top box system and the other set-top box system comprises a media processing system, wherein the media processing system comprises a software platform that provides at least the following;

user interface functionality, distributed storage functionality, networking functionality, control over media peripheral devices in the private home, status monitoring of the media peripheral devices, and inter-home routing to other set-top box systems,

wherein each set-top box system uses a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface to display non-broadcast channels from each other and broadcast channels.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein each set-top box system provides media push capability, media access capability, media channel construction, media channel selection, image sequence selection, text and voice overlay, channel and program naming, inter-home routing selection, authorship, media rights management, and shared inter-home media experience.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein, after the set-top box system receives the adapted media content at the first quality level with the file, the first set-top box uses the file to request the media content at the highest quality level from a source identified in the file, wherein the source is not one of the other set-top box systems.

20. The system according to claim 17, comprising:

a third party media server is coupled to the network,

wherein the set-top box system communicates with the third party media server through a first broadband access headend and the network,

wherein the other set-top box system communicates with the third party media server through a second broadband access headend and the network, and

wherein the set-top box system uses its TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface to generate and to send a request from the set-top box system to the third party media server to anonymously send third party media content to the other set-top box system.

21. A system for adapting media content, comprising:

a communications device disposed in a private home, the communications device being operatively coupled to a network that extends beyond the private home, the communications device receiving, from the network, a revisable device profile of a display that is external to the private home, adapting media content based upon the received device profile from another communications device external to the private home, and sending, in a non-broadcast channel that is displayed on the display in a TV channel guide look-and-feel manner, a file associated with the media content and the adapted media content to the network,

wherein each communications device comprises a media processing system, the media processing system comprising a software platform that provides user interface functionality, distributed storage functionality, networking functionality, control over media peripheral devices in the private home, status monitoring of the media peripheral devices, and inter-home routing to other communications devices,

wherein each communications device uses a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface to display non-broadcast channels from each other and broadcast channels,

wherein the non-broadcast channels comprise non-broadcast channels originally constructed, originally sourced and sent by other communications devices and non-broadcast channels originally constructed and originally sourced by the communication device,

wherein the adapted media content is set to a first quality level that is lower than a second quality level, the first quality level and the second quality level being supported by the display,

wherein the file comprises information as to a location where the media content of a highest quality level resides,

wherein the location is different from a source of the adapted media content, and

wherein each communications device provides media push capability, media access capability, media channel construction, media channel selection, image sequence selection, text and voice overlay, channel and program naming, inter-home routing selection, authorship, media rights management, and shared inter-home media experience.

22. A method for adapting media content, comprising:

updating, by a second communications device, a device profile stored in the second communications device, wherein the device profile includes capabilities of the second communications device, wherein the second communications device is disposed in a second private home;

automatically sending the updated device profile from the second communications device to a first communications device over a network, wherein the first communications device is disposed in a first private home, wherein the network extends outside the first private home and the second private home, wherein each of the first communications device and the second communications device comprises a media processing system, wherein the media processing system comprises a software platform that provides at least the following;

user interface functionality, distributed storage functionality, networking functionality, control over media peripheral devices in the private home corresponding to the respective communications device, status monitoring of the media peripheral devices in the private home corresponding to the respective communications device, and inter-home routing to other communications devices including the first communications device and the second communications device;

receiving, by the first communications device, the updated device profile sent by the second communications device;

adapting, by the first communications device, media content based upon the updated device profile, wherein the adapted media content is set to a first quality level that is lower than a second quality level that is supported by the second communications device, wherein a file comprises information identifying where the media content of a highest quality level is stored, and wherein the information identifies a location that is different from the first communications device;

pushing, in a non-broadcast channel, the file associated with the media content and the adapted media content to the second communications device; and

providing, by the second communications device, a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface to display non-broadcast channels and broadcast channels, wherein the non-broadcast channels displayed in the second private home by the second communications device comprise the non-broadcast channel originally constructed, originally sourced and sent by the first communications device and non-broadcast channels originally constructed and originally sourced by the second communications device.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein, after the second communications device receives the adapted media content at the first quality level with the file, the second communications device uses the file to request the media content at the highest quality level from a source identified in the file, wherein the source is not the first communications device and the second communications device.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the non-broadcast channels displayed in the first home comprise a non-broadcast channel originally constructed, originally sourced, and sent by the second communications device and non-broadcast channels originally constructed and originally sourced by the first communications device.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the non-broadcast channel originally constructed, originally sourced, and sent by the first communications device is accessible for viewing by the second communications device as per a schedule set up by the first communications device.

26. The method according to claim 22, wherein the first communications device communicates with a third party media server through the network, wherein the second communications device communicates with the third party media server through the network, and wherein the first communications device in the first home uses its TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface to send a request from the first communications device to the third party media server to anonymously send third party media content to the second communications device in the second home.

27. A method for adapting media content, comprising:

storing, in a first communications device system in a private home, a revisable device profile of the first communications device system, wherein the first communications device system is coupled to a network that extends beyond the private home, wherein the revisable device profile includes capabilities of the first communications device system;

updating, by the first communications device system, the revisable device profile of the first communications device system;

automatically sending, over the network by the first communications device system, the updated device profile to an other communications device system, wherein each of the first communications device system and the other communications device system comprises a media processing system, wherein the media processing system comprises a software platform that provides at least the following;

user interface functionality, distributed storage functionality, networking functionality, control over media peripheral devices in the private home, status monitoring of the media peripheral devices, and inter-home routing to other communications device systems;

receiving a file, pushed from the other communications device system in a non-broadcast channel, and the media content that has been adapted by the other communications device system that sent the file based upon the revised device profile, wherein the non-broadcast channels comprise non-broadcast channels originally constructed, originally sourced, and sent by the other communications device system and non-broadcast channels originally constructed and originally sourced by the first communications device system, wherein the adapted media content is set, by the other communications device system, to a first quality level that is lower than a second quality level, wherein the first quality level and the second quality level are supported by the first communications device system, wherein the file is associated with the media content and identifies a location where the media content of a highest quality is stored, wherein the location where the media content of the highest quality is stored is not the other communications device system that sent the adapted media content; and

providing, by the first communications device system, a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface to display non-broadcast channels and broadcast channels, wherein the non-broadcast channels displayed in the private home comprise the non-broadcast channel originally constructed by, originally sourced by, and received from the other communications device system and non-broadcast channels originally constructed and originally sourced by the first communications device system.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein non-broadcast channels displayed by the other communications device comprise a non-broadcast channel originally constructed, originally sourced, and sent by the communications device and non-broadcast channels originally constructed and originally sourced by the other communications device.

29. The system according to claim 27, wherein the communications device communicates with a third party media server through the network, wherein the other communications device communicates with the third party media server through the network, and wherein the communications device uses its TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface to send a request from the communications device to the third party media server for the third party media server to anonymously send third party media content to the other communications device.