System for managing media services

• US 9,912,999 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2016
• Issued: 03/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chang, Hisao, Cox, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Chenea
• Application Number:
  US15/093,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20160227293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• 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 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• 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 21/4627 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 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6181 involving transmission via a mobile phone network arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6334 for authorisation, e.g. by transmitting a key wireless communications network key management H04W12/04; wireless communications network access security H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/162 Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that includes a processor and a memory that stores executable instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including detecting an indication that a first device that has established wireless communications with a second device by way a personal area network. The first device is authenticated based on the indication and according to a predetermined association between the first device and the second device. Information is provided to the second device to facilitate management of operations of the second device by the first device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a processing system including a processor; and

a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system facilitate performance of operations comprising;

facilitating network communications between a mobile device and a backend system in response to acceptance of an offer to establish communications between the mobile device and a media processor, wherein the backend system is remote from the media processor, wherein the offer is exchanged wirelessly between the mobile device and the media processor by way of a personal area network, wherein the network communications between the mobile device and the backend system comprise a browsing session whereby the mobile device is enabled to manage operations of the media processor, wherein the network communications are separate from the personal area network;

authenticating the mobile device, responsive to the acceptance of the offer and according to a predetermined association between the mobile device and the media processor stored in the backend system, wherein the authenticating comprises submission of an identifier for the mobile device from the mobile device directly to the backend system via the network communications; and

providing information to the media processor to facilitate management by the mobile device of the operations of the media processor.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the management of the operations of the media processor comprises management of digital video recorder services, and wherein the facilitating of the network communications between the mobile device and the backend system comprises one of establishing a cellular communication session by way of a base station or submitting a request to the media processor over a personal area network to establish communications between the mobile device and the backend system over an Internet service provider network.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise responsive to the authenticating of the mobile device, submitting a notice to the mobile device that the mobile device has been authorized to manage the operations of the media processor, wherein the notice is provided to a user by way of one of an audible notice at a wireless headset, a visual notice by way of a display of the mobile device or a combination thereof.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the information to facilitate management of operations of the media processor comprises a media catalog accessible by the mobile device to facilitate management of media services of the media processor.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the personal area network operates according to a protocol selected from a group consisting of a Bluetooth protocol, a wireless fidelity protocol, an ultra-wideband protocol, a Zigbee protocol, an 802 wireless access protocol define by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and a digital enhanced cordless telecommunications protocol.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations of the media processor comprises management of media services provided to the media processor by way of a multimedia communication system selected from a group consisting of an interactive television communication system, a satellite television communication system, and a cable television communication system, and wherein the media processor utilizes a profile of a user to tailor a presentation of media content for the user.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise notifying the media processor that a user has been authenticated, wherein the media processor facilitates management of operations of the media processor by the mobile device as a remote controller responsive to the notifying, and wherein the exchange of the offer comprises an exchange of communications with an interactive voice response system.

8. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:

facilitating extension of an offer to a mobile device to access operations of a media processing device responsive to the mobile device roaming into a personal area network of the media processing device, wherein the offer is exchanged wirelessly between the mobile device and the media processing device by way of a personal area network;

determining an identifier of the mobile device, wherein the identifier is provided directly to a backend system by way of network communications between the mobile device and the backend system responsive to an acceptance of the offer, allowing the backend system to authorize the mobile device to obtain an authorization according to a predetermined association between the mobile device and the media processing device, wherein the backend system is remote from the media processing device, wherein the network communications between the mobile device and the backend system comprise a browsing session whereby the mobile device is enabled to manage operations of the media processing device;

determining that the mobile device is authorized to access the operations of the media processing device based on the authorization; and

facilitating management of the operations of the media processing device by the mobile device responsive to the determining that the mobile device is authorized to access the operations of the media processing device.

9. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the identifier comprises a communication identifier, and wherein the operations further comprise:

facilitating communications with a network element of a multimedia communication system; and

providing the communication identifier to the network element to authenticate the mobile device.

10. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise retrieving a profile according to the identifier.

11. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the mobile device comprises a communication device, and wherein the identifier comprises a mobile identification number of the mobile device.

12. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving an authentication message; and

authenticating a subscriber of media services according to the authentication message, wherein the media services are accessible by way of the media processing device.

13. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the mobile device comprises a headset wirelessly coupled to the media processing device by way of the personal area network.

14. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the personal area network operates according to one of a Bluetooth protocol, a wireless fidelity protocol, an ultra-wideband protocol, a Zigbee protocol, a digital enhanced cordless telecommunications protocol, or combinations thereof.

15. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the media processing device comprises a media content processor operating in one of an interactive television communication system, a satellite television communication system, or a cable television communication system, and wherein the processor is adapted to present media content.

16. A device, comprising:

a processing system including a processor; and

a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations comprising;

facilitating communications between a media processing device and a backend system in response to acceptance of an offer to establish communications between a first device and the media processing device by way of a wireless local area network, wherein the backend system is remote from the media processing device;

identifying a first notification that an offer has been extended to the first device by way of the wireless local area network to access operations of the media processing device; and

identifying a second notification that access to management of the operations of the media processing device have been provided to the first device, wherein the first device is enabled to manage the operations of the media processing device in a browsing session between the first device and the backend system, wherein the access to management of the operations of the media processing device has been authorized according to a predetermined association between the first device and the media processing device responsive to a submission of an identifier for the first device from the first device to the backend system.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise accessing media content, wherein one of the first device or a network element of a multimedia communication system from which the media processing device operates, associates a communication identifier with the media processing device, and directs the media processing device to present media content to equipment of a subscriber responsive to the communication being recognized by way of the communication identifier.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the accessing of the media content comprises accessing recorded media content by way of a digital video recorder.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the media processing device comprises a media content processor, wherein the management of the operations of the media processing device comprise management of media services, wherein the wireless local area network operates according to one of a group consisting of a Bluetooth protocol, a wireless fidelity protocol, an ultra-wideband protocol, a Zigbee protocol, and a digital enhanced cordless telecommunications protocol, and wherein the media content processor corresponds to a set-top box receiver operating in a system selected from a group consisting of an interactive television communication system, a satellite television communication system, and a cable television communication system.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting to the media processing device a profile of a subscriber of services by way of the first device to facilitate management of operations of the media processing device, comprising management of media services.