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Automated channel detection with one-way control of a channel source

  • US 9,832,413 B2
  • Filed: 11/25/2013
  • Issued: 11/28/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method of determining a channel line-up available through a primary TV receiver, comprising:

  • at an electronic device configured to receive media programs, the electronic device including one or more processors and memory;

    identifying a plurality of candidate channels from a list;

    for each of the plurality of candidate channels;

    sending a respective control command to the primary TV receiver that tunes the primary TV receiver to the respective candidate channel;

    capturing respective display data provided by the primary TV receiver in response to the primary TV receiver receiving the respective control command;

    analyzing the respective display data to determine whether or not the respective candidate channel is delivering television content associated with a subscription corresponding to the electronic device, including analyzing signal strength of the respective candidate channel;

    when the respective channel is delivering television content associated with a subscription;

    transmitting a first respective code to the primary TV receiver to initiate display of a respective text overlay corresponding to the respective candidate channel;

    extracting respective text from the text overlay, wherein the respective text is associated with a respective media program delivered on the respective channel;

    transmitting a second respective code to the primary TV receiver to end display of the respective text overlay; and

    adding the respective channel and at least a portion of the corresponding respective text to the channel line-up;

    when the respective channel is delivering television content not associated with a subscription;

    not adding the respective channel to the channel line-up; and

    displaying the channel line-up to a user of the electronic device.

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