Apparatus And Method For Remote Wireless Control Of Digital Video Recorders And The Like

• US 20090052863A1
• Filed: 08/22/2007
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Inc. (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Frey, Michael, Sheikh, Khurram P., Parmar, Vaibhav, Price, Melissa
• Granted Patent: US 9,628,746 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/323
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• 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 21/42221 Transmission circuitry, e.g. infrared [IR] or radio frequency [RF]
• 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 21/4334 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 21/43615 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 21/47 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 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction

Abstract

At least one server is queried from a wireless device to obtain program data, and to obtain DVR data from a digital video recorder. The program data is received from the server and the DVR data is received from the digital video recorder The program data and/or the DVR data are displayed on the wireless device. The at least one digital video recorder is controlled by selecting a user-operable function from the program data and/or the DVR data on the wireless device.

Claims

1. A method for controlling at least one digital video recorder, said method comprising the steps of:

querying at least one server from a wireless device to obtain program data from said server and DVR data from said digital video recorder;

receiving said program data from said server and said DVR data from said digital video recorder;

displaying said program data and/or said DVR data on said wireless device; and

controlling said at least one digital video recorder by selecting a user-operable function from said program data and/or said DVR data on said wireless device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said querying further comprises requesting remote control access to said digital video recorder.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said program data further comprises a program guide.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said program data further comprises a modified representation configured for said wireless device.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the additional step of determining a location of said at least one digital video recorders wherein said modified representation is customized to take into account said location.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said modified representation is customized by presenting a program guide associated with said location

7. The method of claim 4, wherein said modified representation comprises a channel listing for a first predetermined time period configured for said wireless device.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein said modified representation is optimized for display on a screen of said wireless device.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein said querying step further comprises the additional steps of:

monitoring, by said wireless device, an amount of time since last receipt of said program data; and

responsive to said monitoring, facilitating obtaining a refresh of said program data.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein said modified representation is configured for vertical and horizontal navigation on said wireless device

11. The method of claim 4, wherein said modified representation is configured for facilitating search of a program listings.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said search comprises at least one of a genre search, a date-time search, a text search, and a channel search.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said modified representation is configured for at least one of alphabetical and chronological display of results of said search.

14. The method of claim 4, wherein said modified representation is configured to facilitate conflict resolution between conflicting recording requests.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said controlling step further comprises controlling said at least one digital video recorder substantially in real time.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said controlling step comprises controlling said at least one digital video recorder such that an elapsed time between said selection of said user-operable function, and a corresponding response, comprises an interval of no more than about thirty seconds.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said elapsed time comprises an interval of no more than about five seconds.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said digital video recorder is physically located in a location other than a location of said wireless device.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein said remote wireless device comprises a cellular telephone handset.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein said remote wireless device comprises a personal digital assistant.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising the additional step of verifying that a user associated with said remote wireless device and said at least one digital video recorder is a valid user.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said verifying step further comprises verifying that said user associated with said wireless device has authority to control said digital video recorder.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein said DVR data further comprises at least a listing of any recordings stored on said at least one digital video recorder.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein said DVR data further comprises a list of scheduled future recordings to be stored on said at least one digital video recorders.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein said controlling step further comprises an option to select between said at least one digital video recorder and at least a second digital video recorder, further comprising the additional step of obtaining, from said remote wireless device, a representation of a selection of one of said at least one digital video recorder and said at least second digital video recorder.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the additional steps of:

responsive to said selection, obtaining, from said back end, a representation of a listing of selections already programmed on said selected digital video recorder;

translating said representation of said listing of selections configured for said personal computer type browser to a modified representation of said listing of selections configured for said remote wireless device; and

facilitating transmission of said modified representation of said listing of selections to said remote wireless device.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said receiving step is performed by a wireless digital video recorder interface layer; and

said receiving step further comprises said wireless digital video recorder interface layer obtaining said DVR data from a remote digital video recorder application server of said back end.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein said program data comprises at least an electronic program listing, further comprising the additional steps of:

periodically obtaining additional program data from an external source; and

caching said additional program data in a wireless digital video recorder interface layer.

29. The method of claim 1, further comprising the additional step of obtaining, from said wireless device, at least one menu selection.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said at least one menu selection comprises a command to record at least one television program.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said command specifies at least a start time, an end time, and a channel selection.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein at least one of said start time and said end time is specified as a margin from a nominal time slot of said at least one television program.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein said command comprises a command to record substantially all series episodes of said at least one television program.

34. The method of claim 30, further comprising the additional step of storing default selection values to permit said controlling step to be executed by substantially a single action.

35. The method of claim 1, further comprising the additional steps of:

registering a user of said at least one digital video recorder with a wireless access to said digital video recorder; and

downloading a digital video recorder remote control application to said wireless device.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the additional step of labeling said at least one digital video recorder and at least a second digital video recorder to first and second given names.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising the additional step of storing said first and second given names.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein said registration comprises at least:

allocation of a user name and password; and

storage of said user name and password for ease in verifying that said user is valid.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein said user comprises a first user and is associated with an account, and wherein said wireless device comprises a first wireless device, further comprising the additional steps of:

facilitating registration of a second user of said at least one digital video recorder with said wireless service for said digital video recorder, said second user also being associated with said account; and

facilitating said second user downloading said digital video recorder wireless application to a second wireless device.

40. A method for a content service provider to offer a consumer a service of controlling at least one digital video recorder operated by said content service provider, said method comprising the steps of:

facilitating querying at least one server from a wireless device of said consumer to obtain program data from said server and DVR data from said digital video recorder, said at least one server being under control of said content service provider;

transmitting, by said content service provider, said program data from said server and said DVR data from said digital video recorder in a format for display of said program data and/or said DVR data on said wireless device; and

controlling said at least one digital video recorder by receiving, by said content service provider, a selection of a user-operable function from said program data and/or said DVR data on said wireless device.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said wireless device operates over a wireless network operated by said content service provider.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein said wireless device operates over a wireless network operated by a partner of said content service provider

43. The method of claim 40, wherein said content service provider is a cable service provider, a direct broadcast satellite service provider, or a telephone service provider offering video content services.

44. A system for controlling at least one digital video recorder with a wireless device, said system comprising:

at least one server;

means for facilitating querying of said at least one sever from the wireless device to obtain program data from said server and DVR data from the digital video recorder;

means for receiving said program data from said server and said DVR data from the digital video recorder;

means for facilitating display of said program data and/or said DVR data on the wireless device; and

means for controlling the at least one digital video recorder by selecting a user-operable function from said program data and/or said DVR data on the wireless device.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein said means for facilitating said querying further comprises means for requesting remote control access to the digital video recorder, and means for forming a modified representation of said program data configured for said wireless device.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein said means for facilitating display further comprises means for personalizing display of said program data and/or said DVR data on the wireless device.

47. A system for controlling at least one digital video recorder with a wireless device, said system comprising:

a DVR control module;

a video content network coupled to said DVR control module and the at least one digital video recorder; and

a wireless DVR interface module coupled to said DVR control module and configured to;

receive a query, intended for said DVR control module, from the wireless device to obtain program data from said server and DVR data from the digital video recorder;

receive said program data from said DVR control module and receive said DVR data from the digital video recorder;

transmit said program data and/or said DVR data for display on the wireless device; and

receive, from the wireless device, a selection of a user-operable function from said program data and/or said DVR data on said wireless device, for controlling the at least one digital video recorder.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein said wireless DVR interface module is further configured to translate said program data received from said DVR control module to a modified representation configured for the wireless device, and wherein said program data transmitted for display on the wireless device comprises said modified representation.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein said DVR control module comprises billing and authentication data and is configured to verify that a user associated with the remote wireless device and the at least one digital video recorder is a valid user, based on said billing and authentication data.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein said DVR control module is further configured to verify that said user associated with the wireless device has authority to control the digital video recorder.

51. The system of claim 47, wherein said DVR data further comprises at least a listing of any recordings stored on the at least one digital video recorder.

52. The system of claim 47, wherein said DVR data further comprises a list of scheduled future recordings to be stored on the at least one digital video recorder.

53. The system of claim 47, wherein said DVR data is obtained from the digital video recorder through said video content network and said DVR control module.

54. The system of claim 47, for controlling at least a second digital video recorder, wherein said wireless DVR interface module is further configured to obtain, from the wireless device, a representation of a selection of one of the at least one digital video recorder and the at least second digital video recorder.

55. The system of claim 47, wherein said program data comprises at least an electronic program listing, and wherein said wireless DVR interface module is further configured to:

periodically obtain additional program data from said DVR control module; and

cache said additional program data.

56. A method fox controlling at least one digital video recorder, said method comprising the steps of:

querying at least one server from a wireless device to obtain a DVR identifier and DVR control preference information;

receiving said DVR identifier and DVR control preference information from said server;

displaying said DVR identifier on said wireless device; and

controlling said at least one digital video recorder based on said DVR control preference information by selecting said DVR identifier displayed on said wireless device.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein said DVR identifier is a MAC address, a personalized label, and/or a graphical representation

58. The method of claim 56, wherein said DVR control preference information is selected from the group consisting of:

default setting storage requirements, color information, recording parameters, conflict resolution parameters, parental control settings, reminder information, and alert information.