Setting events for a set-top box using a browser-enabled device

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to electronic entertainment systems, and more particularly but not exclusively, relates to television networks and setting events for a set-top box of an interactive television system using a browser-enabled device.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, television has become the predominant entertainment medium. People with widely varied interests find television to be an indispensable source of information and entertainment. Recent technologies and systems such as cable, satellite, and the Internet, have dramatically expanded television viewing options, but the great proliferation of available channels is confusing and somewhat daunting for many viewers. As a result, many viewers do not watch programming they might like to see, simply because they are unaware of it. Others may set their video cassette recorders to record a specified program, only to find that a mistake in the recorder settings, or a change in programming, resulted in the wrong program being recorded.

[0003] Programming guides are a widely-used way of informing television viewers of the available programming, but known programming guides are deficient in many areas. Written programming guides, for example, require significant lead time to print and distribute. Consequently, programming changes that occur after printing do not appear in the written programming guides. Additionally, a viewer must obtain a new programming guide periodically (e.g., weekly) in order to keep the written information current.

[0004] An alternative to written programming guides is the electronic programming guide (EPG), which provides an on-screen listing of all programming and content available to television service subscribers. Although they are an improvement over written programming guides, existing EPGs also have a number of disadvantages. For example, many such EPGs tend to occupy most or all of the television screen, so that a viewer cannot simultaneously view programs and the EPG. The viewer, therefore, is unable to determine what is showing on other channels without interrupting the viewing of the current channel. This is especially problematic when there is a group of viewers, some of whom are intensely interested in the programming currently on the television, while others wish to see what other programs are available.

[0005] An additional and substantial disadvantage of current EPGs is that they can only be viewed at one physical location, usually on the consumer's own television. Consequently, the EPG cannot be viewed and interacted with at a different location. For example, if a consumer needs to work late but would like to record a program, he would be out of luck unless he could go home, view the EPG to obtain the program's start time and channel, and then program his recording device before the start of the program.

[0006] Therefore, improvements are needed in the remote accessibility of programming information to viewers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

[0008]FIG. 1 is a schematic of an embodiment of a television network.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of end-user equipment for an interactive television system.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a set top box.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a drawing of an embodiment of an electronic programming guide (EPG).

[0012]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for using an apparatus of FIG. 1 to remotely program a set-top box or a recording device attached thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Embodiments of a system and method for remotely scheduling events on a set-top box that forms part of an interactive television network are described herein. In the following description, numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0014] References throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention offer benefits not available in conventional approaches. By allowing consumers to remotely access and program their set-top box (STB), a consumer may conveniently check television program listings from any location and instruct a set-top box to carry out some action, such as programming a recording device. Use of a database having the electronic programming guide (EPG) information ensures that the consumer has access to the most complete and current programming information. Moreover, use of the EPG ensures that the consumer can quickly and accurately command their STB to take an action.

[0016]FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a television network <b>100</b>, such as a cable television (CATV) network. Of course, the illustrated network topology is provided for example purposes only, and other networks and network configurations may be used within the scope of the invention. The television network <b>100</b> generally includes a network center <b>106</b> connected to one or more headends <b>104</b>, with each headend <b>104</b> in turn connected to one or more STBs <b>102</b>. STBs connect televisions <b>202</b> to the network <b>100</b>, and are typically located in the homes of consumers registered to receive content from the network. As shown, both the network center <b>106</b> and headends <b>104</b> can be connected to an external network, such as an Internet <b>108</b>, using a variety of well-known network communication interfaces, such as a modem, cable modem, wireless modem, Ethernet, and the like. A variety of browser-enabled devices such as personal computer (PC) <b>114</b> and a wireless device <b>116</b> can also communicate with the network <b>100</b> and its various components by virtue of a connection to the Internet <b>108</b>. In the television network <b>100</b>, content can originate at the network center <b>106</b> and is transmitted from the network center <b>106</b> to the headends <b>104</b>. Each headend <b>104</b> then transmits content to each STB <b>102</b> connected to it. The STB <b>102</b>, among other things, tunes to and displays the selected channel on the television <b>202</b>.

[0017] A function of the network center <b>106</b> is to gather television content, such as broadcast signals from content providers, and transmit it throughout the system <b>100</b>. The network center <b>106</b> includes a server <b>112</b> that communicates with the Internet <b>108</b>, and includes a database <b>109</b> containing programming information for all the broadcast signals transmitted through the network <b>100</b>. The database <b>109</b> may include, for example, program channels, dates, times, critical reviews, content ratings, VCRPlus® codes, and the like. In various embodiments, copies of the database <b>109</b> are periodically transmitted from the headends <b>104</b> or network center <b>106</b> to the STBs <b>102</b> for local storage and use by the consumer. For example, using a “carousel” technique, a headend <b>104</b> may be configured to automatically send updated programming information to the STBs <b>102</b>. In the carousel technique, a headend <b>104</b> sends a certain number of data packets including, for example, television program schedule information, in a particular sequence and then repeats the sequence at regular intervals. Programming information from the database <b>109</b> can also be downloaded on demand to the PC <b>114</b> or wireless device <b>116</b> via the Internet <b>108</b>. The network <b>106</b> center also includes a database <b>110</b> containing subscriber information, such as names, passwords, and addresses of each subscriber's STB <b>102</b>. This information allows a consumer using the PC <b>114</b> or wireless device <b>116</b> to log into the network <b>100</b> via the Internet <b>108</b> and interact with the STB <b>102</b> located in their home. In another embodiment, a consumer may have more than one STB; in such a case the database <b>110</b> can contain multiple STB addresses usermame/password combination, allowing the consumer to select one or more of their STBs to which to send a command.

[0018] In the context of a cable TV network, a headend <b>104</b> is a central facility where CATV transmissions can be received from a local CATV satellite downlink and packaged together for transmission to customer homes. Headends <b>104</b> are coupled to one another, either directly or through the network center <b>106</b>. In some cases, headends <b>104</b> may be connected via a separate network, one particular example of which is an Internet <b>108</b>. Although described above as located in the network center <b>106</b>, the server <b>112</b>, the database <b>109</b> containing television programming information, and the database <b>110</b> containing consumer information can also be stored within one or more of the headends <b>104</b>, the Internet <b>108</b>, or a third party system coupled in one way or another to the headends <b>104</b>.

[0019] Each STB <b>102</b> is typically located on or near the television <b>202</b>, and serves as a gateway between the television and a broadband communication network, such as a cable network. Each STB <b>102</b> is connected to a headend <b>104</b>, through which it receives encoded television signals from the network <b>100</b> and decodes the signals for display on the television. The STB <b>102</b> generally operates in conjunction with data streams encoded using the MPEG standard, although it can be made to operate with other encoding standards as well. Each STB <b>102</b> is also capable of two-way data streams, allowing consumers to access services such as electronic shopping and video-on-demand using their televisions. Additionally, the STB <b>102</b> can receive commands from, and send commands to, the PC <b>114</b> or wireless device <b>116</b> via the network <b>100</b> and the Internet <b>108</b>.

[0020] The PC <b>114</b> or wireless device <b>116</b> can be connected to the external network, such as the Internet <b>108</b>, using a variety of well-known network communication interfaces, such as a modem, cable modem, wireless modem, Ethernet, and the like. Although examples shown include a personal computer and wireless device, any browser-enabled device can be used, including laptops, cellular telephones or personal digital assistants (PDAs). This connection allows the browser-enabled device to communicate with the network center <b>106</b>, the headends <b>104</b> and, ultimately, with the STBs <b>102</b>. Since the Internet <b>108</b> can be accessed virtually anywhere in the world, the PC <b>114</b> or wireless device <b>116</b> can thus be used by consumers to communicate with their own STB from wherever they happen to be. This overcomes one of the major disadvantages of the prior art—that the programming information could only be seen, and the STB could only be interacted with, wherever the consumer's television and STB were located.

[0021]FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of end-user equipment <b>200</b> used in connection with an interactive television system. In the embodiment shown, the end-user equipment <b>200</b> includes an STB <b>102</b> and a television <b>202</b>. The STB <b>102</b> is usually controlled with a portable remote control unit (not shown) in the consumer's home. The system <b>200</b> may optionally include a video cassette recorder (VCR) <b>205</b>, digital video recorder (DVR) or some other recording device. Although shown as a VCR <b>205</b> external to the STB <b>102</b>, the recording device may be incorporated inside the STB. For example, the digital storage device <b>304</b> (see e.g., FIG. 3) inside the STB <b>102</b> can be used as a DVR or personal video recorder (PVR), or the STB <b>102</b> may have other recording functionality.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the STB <b>102</b> is equipped with a receiver <b>210</b>, such as an infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) receiver. The receiver <b>210</b> can receive control signals from the remote control for operating the STB <b>102</b> and the television <b>202</b>. The receiver <b>210</b> may also receive other types of data, such as information requests, e-mail, and the like, for transmission to the network <b>100</b>. In one implementation, the STB <b>102</b> also includes a transmitter <b>212</b>, such as an IR or RF transmitter <b>212</b>. The transmitter <b>212</b> is configured, in one embodiment, to broadcast various types of information to the remote control, such as television program schedule information, responses to information requests, e-mail, and the like.

[0023] The television <b>202</b> may be configured to display television signals in a variety of formats, including standard analog or digital television formats or high-definition television (HDTV) formats. The television <b>202</b> may utilize various technologies to display the television signals, such as standard cathode ray tube (CRT) technology, liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, liquid plasma technology, or projection techniques. As illustrated, the television <b>202</b> can be coupled to an STB <b>102</b> to receive and display television signals received from the network <b>100</b>, and more specifically, from a headend <b>104</b>. In one embodiment, the STB <b>102</b> includes a converter <b>206</b> for converting digitally encoded (e.g., MPEG) television signals from the network <b>100</b> into format directly readable by the television <b>202</b>. Additionally, as described in greater detail below, the converter <b>206</b> may decode television program schedule information or other data received from the network <b>100</b>, including commands or other instructions to record a television programs or event, or to perform some other action.

[0024]FIG. 3 shows an expanded block diagram of an embodiment of an STB <b>102</b>. The STB <b>102</b> may include a number of additional components beyond those depicted in FIG. 2. For example, the STB <b>102</b> may include a storage interface <b>302</b>, which provides an interface with a digital storage device <b>304</b>, such as a hard disk drive or other memory device. In one embodiment, the storage interface <b>302</b> receives video/audio information, such as program previews and the like, from the converter <b>206</b> and delivers the same to the digital storage device <b>304</b> for storage. The storage device <b>340</b>, if of sufficient capacity, can also function as a DVR internal to the STB <b>102</b>. In one embodiment, the STB <b>102</b> further includes a controller <b>306</b> that is in communication with the storage interface <b>302</b> and the converter <b>206</b>. The controller <b>306</b> may be embodied as a micro-controller, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP) or other device known in the art. The controller <b>306</b> may manage the operation of the STB <b>102</b>, including, for example, reception of the television program schedule information from the network <b>100</b>, storage and retrieval of supplemental video/audio information, and the like. In one embodiment, the STB <b>102</b> includes a separate network interface <b>308</b> for providing access to the network <b>100</b>. The type of network interface <b>308</b> can vary depending on the underlying network <b>100</b>. In a cable network, for instance, the network interface <b>308</b> may comprise a cable modem or the like. In other embodiments, the functionality of the network interface <b>308</b> can be provided by the converter <b>206</b>. In yet other embodiments, the network interface <b>308</b> can provide access to the Internet <b>108</b> without necessarily having to go through the headend <b>104</b>, such as if the network interface <b>308</b> is connected to a telephone line, digital subscriber line (DSL) network, or other network.

[0025]FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of an electronic program guide (EPG) <b>440</b> which is a user interface for displaying television program schedule information transmitted from database <b>109</b> on the network center <b>106</b> or the headend <b>104</b> to the PC <b>114</b> or wireless device <b>116</b> via the Internet <b>108</b>, thus providing a consumer with the necessary information for programming the STB <b>102</b> or a device connected to it, such as the VCR <b>205</b>. In one embodiment, the EPG <b>440</b> can be provided as a hypertext markup language (HTML) file, using a protocol such as hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). For the sake of simplicity of explanation, the EPG <b>440</b> will be described hereinafter in the context of HTTP and HTML. Other embodiments of the EPG <b>440</b> (and associated television program schedule information) can be provided using other formats and/or protocols, such as file transfer protocol (FTP), transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), user datagram protocol (UDP), extensible markup language (XML) format, and the like. In addition, different embodiments of the EPG <b>440</b> can be provided for each of the different devices upon which the EPG can be displayed. For example, a smaller version of the EPG <b>440</b> can be provided which can be viewed on the small display screen usually found on cellular telephones. In another example, the EPG could comprise a series of pull-down menus better adapted to the small size of a cell phone screen.

[0026] In the EPG <b>440</b>, channel fields <b>442</b> may be vertically arranged as rows, in ascending order, along the left edge of the EPG <b>440</b>. Each of the channel fields <b>442</b> may correspond to a single channel available from the network <b>100</b>. Time slot fields <b>444</b> may be provided in columns to indicate which programs are on a given channel at a given time. In other embodiments, channel fields may be arranged as columns and time slot fields may be arranged as rows. A system for displaying television program schedule information is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,754, entitled “BACKGROUND TELEVISION SCHEDULE SYSTEM,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Several time increments may be simultaneously depicted, so that a viewer can see an overview of television program schedule information corresponding to the present time and for several hours thereafter without having to scroll the EPG <b>440</b> to view additional time increments. Nevertheless, a consumer may scroll the EPG <b>440</b> on the PC <b>114</b> or the wireless device <b>116</b> vertically to see programming for additional channels, or horizontally to see additional time slots. These various modifications are intended herein to be illustrative and non-exhaustive.

[0027] If after reviewing the EPG <b>440</b> the consumer finds a program of interest, he or she enters a command through the browser of the PC <b>114</b> or the wireless device <b>116</b> to request that the program be recorded. The command can be entered manually, for example by typing the channel, start time, stop time, and the like, and is sent to the network center <b>106</b> from the Internet <b>108</b>. Alternatively, or in addition, the EPG <b>440</b> can be configured to have commands embedded in the program indications of the EPG <b>440</b>, such that the command is issued automatically in response to the consumer's selection of an indication of the desired program in the EPG <b>440</b>, instead of requiring manual entry. The embedded commands may include instructions to program the VCR <b>205</b> or other recording device. In one embodiment, an appropriate VCRPlus® code is transmitted from the database <b>109</b> to the VCR <b>205</b> in response to a consumer selection of a program from the EPG <b>440</b>. A viewer may thus rapidly program a VCR <b>205</b> with a much lower probability of error. In another embodiment of the EPG <b>440</b>, JavaScript™ or other suitable code for action control can be added to the HTML file or page to allow the STB <b>102</b> to change channels, schedule recording by the VCR <b>205</b>, or take other actions to control television viewing.

[0028]FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a method for remotely obtaining and viewing television program schedule information in the form of the EPG <b>440</b>, and using the EPG <b>440</b> to program a recording device. Although the embodiment is described in the context of programming a recording device connected to the STB <b>102</b>, the method can also be used to send other types of commands to the STB <b>102</b>, for example commands for control operations, such as volume adjustment, picture/color adjustment, fine tuning, and the like. The method <b>500</b> begins at <b>510</b>, where a consumer uses the PC <b>114</b> or wireless device <b>116</b> and the Internet <b>108</b> to establish a connection to the server <b>112</b> located at the headend <b>104</b> or network center <b>106</b>. Once the connection to the proper site is established, at <b>512</b> the consumer logs into the server <b>112</b> by entering a username and password, which the server <b>112</b> authenticates by accessing the database <b>110</b> to verify if the entered password matches the entered username. If the password matches the username, then the consumer is allowed further interaction with the server <b>112</b>, and the address of the consumer's STB <b>102</b> is retrieved from the database <b>110</b> so that it can be used to direct the consumer's commands to their own STB <b>102</b>. In cases where the consumer has more than one STB, the addresses of all STBs which the consumer can access are retrieved from the database <b>110</b>, and the consumer is given a choice of one or more of the STBs to which they wish to send commands.

[0029] Once the consumer successfully logs in at <b>512</b>, the method proceeds to <b>514</b>, where the browser running on the consumer's browser-enabled device (e.g., the PC <b>114</b> or the wireless devices <b>116</b>) sends a request to the server <b>112</b> asking that the server <b>112</b> transmit the relevant programming information. In one embodiment, such a request may be an HTTP request to access and view the EPG <b>440</b>. At <b>516</b>, the programming information is transmitted to the browser-enabled device in the form of an electronic programming guide (EPG), such as EPG <b>440</b> described above. At <b>518</b>, the consumer views the EPG <b>440</b> to see if there is a program desired for recording. This viewing can include activities such as scrolling, enlarging, and the like. If there is a program the consumer wishes to record, then at <b>520</b> the consumer enters a command to be sent to the proper STB <b>102</b> requesting that it set the recording device to record the given program on the given channel at the given time. As explained above in connection with the EPG <b>440</b>, the consumer may either enter these commands into their browser manually (e.g., type them in) after reviewing the programming information, or, if the EPG <b>440</b> is enabled with commands embedded in the EPG entries, simply select the program from the EPG <b>440</b>, whereupon the EPG <b>440</b> automatically sends the appropriate command to the STB <b>102</b> over the Internet <b>108</b>.

[0030] Once the consumer's command is entered, at <b>522</b> the command is transmitted via the Internet <b>108</b> to the server <b>112</b>, which, having discerned the address of the consumer's STB <b>102</b> from the database <b>110</b>, routes the command to the proper STB <b>102</b>. At <b>524</b>, the STB <b>102</b> routes the command to the appropriate device, such as the VCR <b>205</b>, for execution. Upon receiving the command, the STB <b>102</b> or the VCR <b>205</b> checks at <b>526</b> to see if the received command can be executed. For example, if the VCR <b>205</b> is already set to record another program at the time being requested, then the command cannot be executed. Alternatively, or in addition, if the VCR <b>205</b> or other recording device indicates that there is not sufficient storage left to record the requested program, the command cannot be carried out.

[0031] If the command sent to the recording device via the STB <b>102</b> can be executed, then at <b>528</b> the STB <b>102</b> generates a status report, and at <b>530</b> transmits the report to the consumer via the server <b>112</b> and the Internet <b>108</b>, to inform the consumer of the status of their command. If the consumer's command cannot be executed, then at <b>532</b> the STB <b>102</b> generates a status report and transmits the report to the browser-enabled device at <b>534</b>. The status report can optionally give the consumer a choice of, for example, overriding a previous command in case of conflicting requests, or requesting that the device erase or overwrite existing recorded programs in case of insufficient storage space. At <b>536</b>, the method checks to see if the consumer is given this override option; if there is an override option, then the method returns to <b>520</b> and awaits entry of an appropriate command. In cases where the consumer has multiple STBs, the status report can also give him the option of sending a command to another of his STBs.

[0032] The above description of illustrated embodiments of the invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. These modifications can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. For instance, while various embodiments have been described above as using a PC <b>114</b> to directly obtain the EPG <b>440</b>, other devices can obtain the EPG <b>440</b> instead of, or in addition to, the remote control <b>204</b>. A PC connected to the Internet <b>108</b> can be used by the consumer to obtain the EPG <b>440</b>, and invoke action controls of the EPG to control recording devices attached to the STB from the PC. Furthermore, multiple browser-enabled devices (such as PCs) can be used in parallel to allow multiple consumers to independently view the EPG <b>440</b> and correspondingly send commands to their STB <b>102</b>.

[0033] The terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined entirely by the following claims, which are to be construed in accordance with established doctrines of claim interpretation.