Mobile Remote Control for Set Top Box via PVR Proxy Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of interactive programming guides (IPGs) and set top boxes often need to be physically near the television to change or confirm recording settings or access additional options, limiting convenience and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows users to access and control IPGs and set top box functions through mobile communication devices, enabling remote selection, editing of recordings, and parental controls via a mobile communication device, with the PVR proxy server acting as an interface between the mobile device, set top box, and media content servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users access IPG and set top box functions through the television display, then they can control recording settings and browse TV listings, but they must be physically near the television which limits convenience and accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile communication device as an intermediary between the user and the set top box. The mobile device communicates with the set top box via a network, allowing users to access IPG functionality and control recording settings remotely without being physically present near the television. This mediator enables operation from any location with network connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the user interface from a two-dimensional television screen to a portable mobile device that can be accessed from any spatial location. By moving the IPG interface to a mobile communication device, users gain the ability to interact with the system across different dimensions of space and time, not constrained by the fixed location of the television.
2Ease of operation
If users are required to be near the television to change recording settings, then the system maintains simple architecture, but user convenience and remote accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile communication device serves multiple functions: it acts as a remote control, displays the IPG interface, enables recording control, and provides parental controls. By utilizing the existing mobile device's capabilities (processor, display, communication interfaces), the system achieves multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the mobile device's existing self-contained resources (processor, display, communication capabilities) to perform IPG functions. The mobile device independently handles interface display, user input processing, and communication with the set top box, reducing the need for additional dedicated hardware components.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, computer program products, and apparatuses are provided for allowing a user to communicate with a set top box and a media content server through a mobile communication device, such as a cellular phone. The user may be able to request and receive a customer specific interactive programming guide through the mobile communication device. The interactive programming guide may allow the user to search and record media programs, including sending recording commands to a set top box to record a particular media program. The interactive programming guide may also allow the user to order and receive media programs to the mobile communication device. Embodiments may provide a personal video recorder proxy server as an interface between the mobile communication device and the set top box and the media content server.