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Dynamically determining and utilizing an application programming interface of an electronic device

  • US 9,374,441 B2
  • Filed: 10/08/2010
  • Issued: 06/21/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of dynamically determining and utilizing an application programming interface within a television set-top box, the method comprising:

  • determining, at execution time, specific requirements and capabilities of the television set-top box that are embodied in the application programming interface;

    receiving, from the application programming interface within the television set-top box, a data structure definition based on the specific requirements and capabilities, wherein the data structure definition describes types and forms of data required for accessing one or more applications of the television set-top box using the application programming interface;

    transmitting, via an external communications link of the television set-top box, the data structure definition to a web browser application executing on a remote electronic device, wherein receiving the data structure definition at the web browser application allows the web browser application to generate data structures that conform to the specific requirements and capabilities of the television set-top box, thereby facilitating access to the application programming interface by the remote electronic device without the web browser application being revised, recompiled, or reloaded;

    generating, within the television set-top box, a digital video recorder (DVR) data structure for accessing a DVR application of the television set-top box based on the definition;

    receiving data at the external communications link of the television set-top box, wherein receiving the data includes receiving a first JavaScript Object Notation object, wherein the data has a type and form suitable for accessing the DVR application of the television set-top box, wherein the data is received from the web browser application of the remote electronic device, and wherein the web browser application of the remote electronic device includes a DVR component that generates the data based on input provided by an end-user of the web browser application for controlling the DVR application of the television set-top box;

    updating the DVR data structure with the received data; and

    transferring the updated DVR data structure to the application programming interface by transferring a second JavaScript Object Notation object, wherein receiving the updated DVR data structure at the application programming interface causes the television set-top box to control the DVR application according to the input provided by the end-user to the web browser application of the remote electronic device.

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