Method and system for remote television replay control

• US 20020038358A1
• Filed: 08/08/2001
• Published: 03/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: King, Edward, Hastings, Jeff, Pignon, Philippe, Matichuk, Chris E., Kianersi, Shahriar, Sweatt, Millard E. III, Cooney, Hugh E., Regnier, Alain, Mohan, Sunil, Woodward, Don, Sunner, Gurminder, Nudelman, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,949,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/72 using electronic programme guides [EPG] focusing on identifying broadcast space time H04H60/39 ; menu type display of EPG in television receivers H04N21/47
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/82 the transmission system being the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2183 Cache memory caches in web servers or browsers G06F16/9574; intermediate storage and caching in data networks H04L67/568
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/222 Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23109 by placing content in organized collections, e.g. EPG data repository details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26283 for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• 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 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• 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 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• 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 21/4345 Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4431 characterized by the use of Application Program Interface [API] libraries
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• 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 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4825 using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• 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 21/6581 : Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/85406 : involving a specific file format, e.g. MP4 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/162 : Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

A method, system, computer medium, and other embodiments for integrating unrelated web hosted services with stand-alone media-based devices are provided. Users can access and control the media-based device conveniently with a web-browser through various portals on the Internet. In one embodiment, users access the media-based device through one or more unrelated web portals, so as to control and to program the media-based device in a single web session, and to see information both stored on the media-based device and originating from third-party online sources of information and services in a single integrated presentation.

Claims

1. A method of simulating operation of a media device over a network, comprising:

extracting data from one or more data sources in response to receiving commands from a first server, the first server communicatively coupled to the network;

combining the commands with the data extracted to form an integrated presentation corresponding to an interface for the operation of the media device; and

transferring the integrated presentation to the first server for display on a client coupled to the network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a second server receives the commands, the second server being web-hosted by the first server.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the second server instantiates a plurality of objects for encapsulating functions associated with the operation of the media device, the objects comprising programmable interfaces for operating the media device.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the operation of the media device is simulated using the programmable interfaces.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein one of the commands causes the first server to access the second server for receiving the commands.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the integrated presentation is transferred in XML format.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data sources comprise databases, the media device, and online services.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data sources comprise broadcast programming guides in an electronic format.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network comprises the Internet.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the media device is a digital video recorder.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the interface is selected from a group of interfaces consisting of a login interface, a Channel Guide, a Replay Guide, Replay Shows, Replay Channels, Find Shows, and Manual Record.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the client comprises a browser.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

the web-hosted application transmitting the commands received to the media device for operating the media device.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the web-hosted application instantiates a plurality of objects for encapsulating functions associated with operating the media device, wherein the objects comprise programmable interfaces for operating the media device.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising operating the media device using the programmable interfaces.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein one of the commands causes the first server to access a second server, the web-hosted application running on the second server.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the integrated presentation is transferred in XML format.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the integrated presentations are formed by combining the data extracted with additional data received by the web-hosted application from one or more sources of data.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the sources of data comprise databases and online services.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the sources of data comprise broadcast programming guides in an electronic format.

22. The method according to claim 13, wherein accessing the first server comprises sending an http request over the Internet to the first server.

23. The method according to claim 13, wherein the media device is selected from a group consisting of a digital video recorder, a personal digital assistant, a mobile telephone, and a pager.

24. The method according to claim 13, wherein the interface is selected from a group of interfaces consisting of a login interface, a Channel Guide, a Replay Guide, Replay Shows, Replay Channels, Find Shows, and Manual Record.

25. The method according to claim 13, wherein the data is extracted periodically.

26. The method according to claim 13, wherein the data is extracted on-the-fly.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the network computing system comprises at least one web server communicatively coupled to a network, the web server receiving and forwarding the integrated presentation to the client over the network.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the network comprises the Internet.

30. The method according to claim 27, wherein the data sources are selected from a group consisting of databases and online websites.

31. The method according to claim 27, wherein the integrated presentation comprises a virtual representation of a user interface associated with the media device.

32. The method according to claim 27, wherein maintaining the local representation comprises storing the pre-existing information and the data on a database.

33. The method according to claim 27, further comprising:

instantiating a plurality of objects for encapsulating functions associated with the operation of the media device, wherein the objects comprise programmable interfaces for invoking the operation on the media device.

34. The method according to claim 33, further comprising sending the command to the media device using the programmable interfaces.

35. The method according to claim 27, wherein the integrated presentation is transferred in XML format.

36. The method according to claim 27, wherein the data sources comprise broadcast programming guides in an electronic format.

37. The method according to claim 27, wherein the media device comprises a digital video recorder.

38. The method according to claim 27, wherein the integrated presentation is selected from a group of interfaces consisting of a login interface, a Channel Guide, a Replay Guide, Replay Shows, Replay Channels, Find Shows, and Manual Record.

39. The method according to claim 27, wherein the client comprises a browser.

40. The method according to claim 27, wherein the local representation is maintained on a periodic basis.

41. The method according to claim 27, wherein the local representation is maintained on-the-fly.

13. A method of operating a media device through a web-hosted application, comprising:

accessing a first server to launch the web-hosted application, the web-hosted application being capable of communicating with the media device to extract data therefrom;

receiving one or more integrated presentations formed by the web-hosted application and sent by the first server in response to accessing the first server, each of the integrated presentations including the data extracted to replicate a corresponding interface of the media device;

selecting portions of the interface to initiate one or more commands to operate the media device; and

transmitting the commands to the web-hosted application via the first server.

27. A method of remote control of at least one media device, comprising:

maintaining a local representation of pre-existing information and data extracted from a plurality of data sources including the media device;

forming an integrated presentation by combining the pre-existing information with the data extracted;

transferring the integrated presentation to a network computing system for display on a client in response to receiving an instruction from the client;

receiving a command from the client in response to portions of the integrated presentation being selected, the command representing an operation to be performed on the media device;

updating the local representation with the command; and

sending the command to the media device to perform the operation on the media device.

42. A system, comprising:

a first subsystem having one or more media devices distributed in a load-balanced configuration;

coupled to the first subsystem, a second subsystem maintaining a virtual representation of one or more user interfaces replicated from each of the media devices; and

coupled to the second subsystem, a third subsystem displaying the virtual representation and simulating operation of the media devices based on portions of the user interfaces being selected.

43. The system according to claim 42, wherein the user interfaces are replicated periodically.

44. The system according to claim 42, wherein the third subsystem comprises at least one web server communicatively coupled to a network, the web server receiving and forwarding the virtual representation to a client for display over the network.

45. The system according to claim 44, wherein the network comprises the Internet.

46. The system according to claim 44, wherein the second subsystem comprises at least one database, said database storing the virtual representation.

47. The system according to claim 46, wherein the second subsystem comprises a first server and a second server, the first server communicating with the media devices periodically, and the second server forwarding the virtual representation to the client via the a corresponding web server.

48. The method according to claim 44, wherein the client comprises a browser.

49. The method according to claim 42, wherein the media devices each comprises a digital video recorder.

50. The method according to claim 42, wherein the interfaces are selected from a group of interfaces consisting of a login interface, a Channel Guide, a Replay Guide, Replay Shows, Replay Channels, Find Shows, and Manual Record.

51. A computer program product for simulating operation of a media device over a network, the computer program product stored on a computer readable medium, and adapted to perform operations, comprising:

extracting data from one or more data sources in response to receiving commands from a first server, the first server communicatively coupled to the network;

combining the commands with the data extracted to form an integrated presentation corresponding to an interface for the operation of the media device; and

transferring the integrated presentation to the first server for display on a client coupled to the network.

52. A computer program product for operating a media device through a web-hosted application, the computer program product stored on a computer readable medium, and adapted to perform operations, comprising:

accessing a first server to launch the web-hosted application, the web-hosted application being capable of communicating with the media device to extract data therefrom;

receiving one or more integrated presentations formed by the web-hosted application and sent by the first server in response to accessing the first server, each of the integrated presentations including the data extracted to replicate a corresponding interface of the media device;

selecting portions of the interface to initiate one or more commands to operate the media device; and

transmitting the commands to the web-hosted application via the first server.

53. A computer program product for remote control of at least one media device, the computer program product stored on a computer readable medium, and adapted to perform operations, comprising:

maintaining a local representation of pre-existing information and data extracted from a plurality of data sources including the media device;

forming an integrated presentation by combining the pre-existing information with the data extracted;

transferring the integrated presentation to a network computing system for display on a client in response to receiving an instruction from the client;

receiving a command from the client in response to portions of the integrated presentation being selected, the command representing an operation to be performed on the media device;

updating the local representation with the command; and

sending the command to the media device for performing the operation on the media device.

54. A computer-implemented method for providing control input to a media-based device through a web hosted application, comprising:

accessing a first server from at least one client browser, the first server executing the web hosted application;

the web hosted application accessing a database to display on the browser user interface information received from the media-based device;

receiving a user instruction to change the user interface information; and

the first server sending the user instruction to the web hosted application database for archival and transfer to the media-based device.