System for configuring a media processor

• US 8,667,551 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2008
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: White, Scott, Cansler, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Ricky
• Application Number:
  US12/021,737
• Publication Number:
  US 20090193489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,226 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 725/131
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• 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 21/42692 for reading from or writing on a volatile storage medium, e.g. Random Access Memory [RAM]
• 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 21/4432 Powering on the client, e.g. bootstrap loading using setup parameters being stored locally or received from the server resetting in general G06F1/14; program loading or initiating in general G06F9/445; bootstrapping in general G06F9/4401; secure boots of computer platforms G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor communicatively coupled to a remote controller by way of a wireless interface. The media processor can have a controller to wirelessly transmit to the remote controller provisioning information stored in the media processor for restoring at least a portion of the provisioning information stored in the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A remote control device that manages operations of a set-top box, the remote control device comprising:

a transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate directly with the set-top box; and

a controller coupled to a memory comprising computer instructions, which when executed by the controller causes the controller to perform operations comprising;

establishing wireless communications directly with the set-top box;

providing a request for all or part of provisioning information directly to the set-top box using wireless communication, the provisioning information comprising operational settings established by a service provider;

receiving directly from the set-top box the requested provisioning information using the wireless communication;

automatically detecting by the remote control device whether a malfunction of the set-top box has occurred;

recording the requested provisioning information to restore a provisioning state of the set-top box upon detecting a malfunction in the set-top box;

requesting media content stored in the set-top box;

receiving from the set-top box the requested media content; and

recording the requested media content, wherein the media content comprises at least audio content; and

a portable memory for storing the requested provisioning information and the media content, wherein the portable memory when engaged with the remote control device is coupled to the controller, and wherein the operations further comprise;

wirelessly uploading or transmitting the requested provisioning information and the requested media content automatically from the portable memory to the set-top box to restore a provisioning state and requested media content of the set top box responsive to a detected malfunction in the set top box, responsive to when an upgrade for the set top box is detected due to detection of a new set top box, responsive to when an older version of provisioning information is detected at the set top box, and responsive to when an older version of media content is detected at the set top box; and

automatically uploading the provisioning information to the remote control device or the set-top box responsive to detecting engagement of the portable memory with the remote control device or with the set-top box resulting from porting of the portable memory,

wherein subsequent to porting the portable memory from the remote control device to the set-top box, a restoration or upgrade process relating to the provisioning state or the media content of the set-top box is controlled exclusively by the set-top box.

2. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the portable memory is slidably engaged in a media slot of the remote controller, wherein the portable memory can be selectively engaged with the set-top box, and wherein the portable memory is configured for use with other remote controllers, computers, cellular phones, personal digital assistants and telematic systems of automobiles.

3. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to transmit the recorded provisioning information to a second set-top box.

4. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to restore the media content in the set-top box or transmit the recorded media content to a new set-top box.

5. The remote control device of claim 1, comprising a display, wherein the controller is adapted to present a portion of the recorded media content on the display without interrupting a presentation of a media program on a media presentation device managed by the set-top box.

6. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the media content further comprises at least one of still image content or moving image content.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising computer instructions which, when executed by a processor of a remote controller, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

obtaining all or part of provisioning information and media content directly from a media processor via a wireless interface, wherein the remote controller manages operations of the media processor by way of the wireless interface, and the provisioning information comprises operational settings established by a service provider and user preference settings established by a subscriber to the service provider;

recording the provisioning information and the media content stored in the media processor;

presenting the media content on a display of the remote controller utilizing the provisioning information;

automatically detecting by the remote controller whether a malfunction of the media processor has occurred; and

automatically uploading or transmitting the provisioning information and the media content to restore a provisioning state of the media processor and media content of the media processor responsive to a detected malfunction in the media processor and responsive to when an upgrade for the media processor is detected due to detection of a new media processor, wherein the media content comprises at least audio content; and

automatically uploading the provisioning information to the remote controller or the media processor responsive to detecting engagement of a portable memory with the remote controller or with the media processor resulting from porting of the portable memory,

wherein subsequent to porting the portable memory from the remote controller to the media processor, a restoration or upgrade process relating to the provisioning state or the media content of the media processor is controlled exclusively by the media processor.

8. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 7, wherein the media processor comprises a set-top box or a digital video recorder, and wherein the media content further comprises still image content or moving image content.

9. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 8, wherein the provisioning information further comprises user preference settings of the set-top box or the digital video recorder.

10. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 7, wherein the portable memory is engaged with the remote controller and coupled to the processor, and the recording operation further comprises storing the recorded provisioning information and the recorded media content singly or in combination in the portable memory.

11. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 10, wherein the portable memory is slidably engaged in a media slot of the remote controller, and wherein the portable memory is configured for use by other remote controllers, computers, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, and telematic systems of automobiles.

12. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise presenting in a display of the remote controller the recorded media content without interrupting a presentation of a media program on a media presentation device managed by the media processor.

13. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 7, wherein the operations further comprise requesting the recording of the provisioning information and the media content stored in the media processor.

14. A media processor managed by a remote controller communicatively coupled by way of a wireless interface, the media processor comprising:

a memory to store instructions, to store provisioning information associated with operation of the media processor, and to store media content comprising at least audio content, wherein the provisioning information comprises operational settings established by a service provider; and

a controller coupled to the memory, wherein responsive to executing the instructions, the controller performs operations comprising;

wirelessly transmitting directly to the remote controller all or part of the provisioning information and the media content stored in the media processor; and

in accordance with uploading or transmitting of the provisioning information and the media content automatically from a portable memory of the remote controller, restoring a provisioning state of the media processor and restoring a portion of the media content responsive to the remote controller automatically detecting a malfunction in the media processor, responsive to when an upgrade for the media processor is detected due to detection of a new media processor, responsive to when an older version of provisioning information is detected at the media processor, and responsive to when an older version of media content is detected at the media processor; and

automatically uploading the provisioning information to the remote controller or the media processor responsive to detecting engagement of the portable memory with the remote controller or with the media processor resulting from porting of the portable memory,

wherein subsequent to porting the portable memory from the remote controller to the media processor, a restoration or upgrade process relating to the provisioning state or the media content of the media processor is controlled exclusively by the media processor.

15. The media processor of claim 14, wherein the media processor comprises a set-top box, a digital video recorder or a portable media player, wherein the media content further comprises still image content or moving image content, and wherein the media processor operates in a media communication system corresponding to an Internet Protocol Television communication system, a cable television communication system or a satellite television communication system.

16. The media processor of claim 15, wherein the provisioning information further comprises user preference settings or play lists of the set-top box, the digital video recorder or the portable media player.

17. The media processor of claim 14, wherein the wireless interface operates according to one among a Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity or infrared wireless access technology, and wherein the operations further comprise:

detecting a defect in a portion of the provisioning information stored in the media processor;

submitting a request to the remote controller for a copy of a portion of the provisioning information recorded therein;

receiving from the remote controller the requested portion of the provisioning information; and

restoring the defective portion of the provisioning information with the portion of provisioning information received from the remote controller.

18. The media processor of claim 14, wherein the portable memory can removably engage with the remote controller, and wherein the portable memory can removably engage with the media processor to restore the provisioning state of the media processor.

19. A non-transitory storage medium, comprising

a portable memory for selectively engaging with a remote controller and with a media processor,

wherein the remote controller manages operations of the media processor over a wireless interface,

wherein the portable memory stores provisioning information and media content wirelessly retrieved directly from the media processor by the remote controller, the provisioning information comprising operational settings established by a service provider,

wherein a provisioning state of the media processor is wireles sly restored in accordance with wireless uploading of all or part of the provisioning information and wireless uploading of the media content automatically from the portable memory, responsive to the remote controller automatically detecting a malfunction in the media processor, and when the remote controller detects an upgrade for the media processor due to detection of a new media processor,

wherein the provisioning information is uploaded to the remote controller or the media processor responsive to detecting engagement of the portable memory with the remote controller or with the media processor resulting from porting of the portable memory, and

wherein subsequent to porting the portable memory from the remote controller to the media processor, a restoration or upgrade process relating to the provisioning state or the media content of the media processor is controlled exclusively by the media processor.

20. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the provisioning information recorded in the portable memory is used to restore the provisioning information of the media processor, wherein the media processor comprises a Set-Top Box, a Digital Video Recorder or a portable media player, and wherein the provisioning information further comprises user preference settings or play lists of the set-top box, the digital video recorder or the portable media player.

21. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the portable memory is engaged with the media processor.

22. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the portable memory stores media content stored in the media processor while coupled to the remote controller, wherein the remote controller presents the media content in a display of the remote controller, and wherein the media content further comprises still image content or moving image content.