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`US 2[}[]2008(}166Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0080166 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jun. 27, 2002
`Sweatt, III et al.
`
`(54) Ml*l'['H()l) AND SYSTICM FOR RI'1M0'l'liI
`T[*‘.LE\«’ISION REPLAY CONTROL
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Millard E. Sweatt Ill, Menlo Park, CA
`(US); Don Wtiodaltl. Lot»; Altos, CA
`(US); Chris E. Matichuk, San Jose,
`CA (US); Alain Rt.-gnier, Sunnyvale,
`CA (US); Mark Nudelntan, Ilall‘ Moon
`Bay, (‘A (US); Philippe Pignon, Palo
`Alto, CA (US); F. Andrew Voltmer,
`Palo Alto, CA (US); Dave Westerliofi’,
`Fremont. CA (US); Matthew Self,
`Redwood City, CA (US); Sunil Mohan,
`l.{)S Gatos, (IA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`FENWICK & WEST Ll.l’
`TWO l‘Al..() ALTO SQUARE
`PAID ALTO, CA 94306 (US)
`
`(21) Appl.No.:
`
`09f925, 121
`
`(22)
`
`l"iie(l:
`
`Aug. 8, 2001
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`application No.
`(63) Non-provisional of provisional
`60..-"223,8Sf:, filecl on Aug. 8, 2000. Non—provisional of
`
`provisional application No. tJ'0;‘?/-l8,3l3, filed on Nov.
`14, 2000. Nomprovisional of provisional application
`No. 60,958,937, filed on Dec. 29, 2000. Non-provi-
`sional of provisional application No. 60.r'258,94(I,
`filed on Dec. 29, 2000.
`
`I’ttl1lleation Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ........................... .. Gllfilt‘ ISII6; G090 5,300
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`.......................................... .. 345K738; 't'09.!'217'
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method. systeni, computer medium, and other embodi-
`ments for integrating unrelated web hosted services with
`stand-alone niedia-based devices are provided. Users can
`access and control
`the mec|ia—|):tsed cleviee conveniently
`with a web-browser through various portals on the Internet.
`in one embodiment, users access the rnedia—baserl 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-
`lmsed device and originating from third-party onlinc sources
`of information and services in 3 single integrated presenta-
`1101'].
`
`/1we535:4,#?.
`
`
`
`APPLE 1016
`
`APPLE 1016
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`1
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`

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`Jun. 27, 2002 Sheet 1 of 37
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`US 2002/0080166 A1
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`Jun. 27, 2002 Sheet 30 of 37
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2002/0080166 A1
`
`Jun. 27, 2002
`
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REMOTE
`TELEVISION REPLAY CONTROL
`
`CROSS—REFERENCE'. TO RELATED
`APPLICKIIONS
`
`[(I001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §
`119(e) from copending and commonly assigned U.S. Pro-
`visional Application No. t'i0,t’223.8S6, filed on Aug. 8, 2000
`by Jeff Hastings, et al., entitled "Method and System for
`Remote Television Replay Control" the subject matter of
`which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
`
`[0002] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.(.T. §
`1l9{e} from copending and commonly assigned U,S. Pro-
`visional Application No. 6(tr'248,313, liled on Nov. 14, 2000,
`by Jefi" Hastings, et al., entitled "Method and System for
`Remote Television Replay Control" the subject matter of
`which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
`
`[0003] This application claims priority under 35 US. C. §
`1l9(e) from copending and commonly assigned U.S. Pro-
`visional Application No. 60i’258,937, filed on Dec. 2‘), 2000,
`by Philippe Pignort, entitled "Method and System for
`Remote Television Replay Control" the subject matter of
`which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
`
`[0004] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §
`1l9(e} from copcnding and commonly assigned U.S. Pro-
`visional Application No.
`(i(t;’258,940, Docket No. JC804,
`filed on Dec. 29, 2000, by Millard E. Sweatt, lll, entitled
`“Recording Television Programming via Remote Control
`the subject matter of which is herein incorporated by refer-
`ence in its entirety.
`
`[0005] The subject matter of this application is related to
`commonly-owned U.S.
`patent
`application
`Ser. No.
`X)Cr'XXX,XXX, Attorney Docket No. 5390, by Millard E.
`Sweatt, III, et al., entitled "Method and System for Remote
`Television Replay Control,” and which is being filed con-
`currently with the present application on Aug. 8, 2001, the
`content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
`entirety.
`
`[0006] The subject matter of this application is related to
`commonly—c-wned U.S.
`patent
`application
`Ser. No.
`XX{XXX,XXX, Attorney Docket No. 5391, by Millard E.
`Sweatt, III, ct al., entitled “Method and System for Remote
`Television Replay Control,” and which is being filed con-
`currently with the present application on Aug. 8, 2001, the
`content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
`entirety.
`
`'I'l:lCHNI CAL FIELD
`
`[0007] The present invention relates generally to enabling
`web users easy access and control of media-based devices
`and appliances over computer networks, and more specifi-
`cally, to a method, system and computer medium for remote
`control of a digital video recorder from a client user interface
`both in communication with the Internet.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0008] Conventional techniques provide for control input
`of a media-based device either directly or with a short-
`ranged remote controller. That is, typically the media-based
`device may be directly programmed using the control panel
`
`disposed on the device itself or with a remote controller (i.e..
`typically handheld) in communication with the media-based
`device. The hand—held remote controller provided control
`input from short-ranged distances about the device usually
`by direct hardwired extension cable, or by some wireless
`medium,
`like for example,
`infrared and radio frequency.
`While these conventional
`techniques work well for those
`situations where the user is physically located within the
`vicinity (e.g., typically in the same room as the media-based)
`of the device, they do not address the situation where the
`user is at a different physical iocation and is thereby unable
`to access the device at such short—ranges. Although there
`exists numerous reasons and situations as to why the user
`would be physically away from the device, the details of
`such are less important as opposed to the overriding draw-
`back that
`the user is unable to control
`the media-based
`device from a location remote to the physical location of the
`media—based device. It will be apparent to those skilled in
`the art that the handheld remote controller may be designed
`to accommodate an increased range of hardwired and,-‘or
`wireless transmission; however, this alternative is still unsat-
`isfactory as it is cost prohibitive in proportion to an increase
`in the transmission distance.
`
`is needed is a solution to
`[0009] Consequently, what
`enable user control and programming of media-based
`devices and appliances from remote locations. It wouid be
`desirable if the device could be accessed and controlled from
`anywhere in the world, like from a web browser in a manner
`that
`is convenient, familiar, and relatively simple to use.
`Furthermore,
`it would be advantageous if a web-based
`solution could be provided in a manner that seamlessly
`integrates information from multiple sources,
`like for
`example, from the media—based device and various media
`content providers as well as other online service providers so
`that the combination of information is available to a user in
`a single web session. It would be beneficial if the devices
`and appliances could communicate with such providers of
`information and content, so as to automatically receive and
`send information there between. Finally, the method, sys-
`tem, and computer medium that
`is needed, for enabling
`remote control of a media—based device and for accessing
`related information, should also be available to various web
`servers including portals in a uniform manner such as
`through an application program interface.
`
`SUMMARY OF DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0010] The described embodiments of the present inven-
`tion utilize the world wide web to overcome the limitations
`of the current state of the art concerning access and control
`of stand-alone media—based devices. Web users, content
`providers of the subject-matter being utilized with the
`media-based device, and web-hosted service providers who
`typically provide ancillary services. system administration
`and system maintenance of the media-based devices may
`benefit
`from the described embodiments of the present
`invention, which enable the integration of stand-alone appli-
`cations for media-based devices and appliances with web-
`hosted services that by themselves do not necessarily work
`well with each other. To this end, the described embodiments
`of the present
`invention are beneficial in creating a web
`application, which may be offered as a web-hosted service,
`for enabling existing stand-alone media-based devices to be
`more effective to a user.
`
`39
`
`39
`
`

`

`US 2002/0080166 A1
`
`Jun. 27, 2002
`
`[0011] The described embodiments of the present inven-
`tion comprise a method, system, computer medium, and
`other embodiments for integrating unrelated web-hosted
`services with stand—alone media-based devices and appli-
`ances, and for allowing users to access and control
`the
`mediawbased device andlor appliance conveniently with a
`client user interface such as a web-browser through various
`portals on the Internet. One technical aspect of the present
`invention enables users to access the media-based device
`
`and appliance through one or more unrelated web portals, so
`as to control and to program the media-based device in a
`single web session. With this aspect of the present invention,
`users are provided with an integrated presentation that
`includes information both stored on the media-based device
`and appliance and that in one embodiment may originate
`from third-party online sources of inforrnation and services.
`That is, rather than having to be in the same room as the
`media-based device and appliance to provide control input
`thereto, the described embodiments of the present invention
`overcome the limitations associated with conventional pro-
`gramming techniques and enables users to access the media-
`based device from remote locations throughout the world via
`the Internet.
`
`[0012] Another aspect of the present invention simulates
`an operational standalone media-based device and appliance
`over a network, whether the device or appliance is in
`periodic communication or continuous continuation with the
`network. According to one embodiment of the present
`invention, a virtual representation of the media-based device
`and appliance is created over the network and presented to
`the client user interface to simulate the operation of the
`media-based device. In another embodiment of the present
`invention, the media—based device and appliance communiv
`cates over the network in real-time and on—the—fly with the
`client user interface.
`
`[0013] According to yet another aspect of the present
`invention, when the information both stored on the media-
`based device and originating from unrelated online sources
`are combined into an integrated prescntat ion and presented
`to a user through a single web session, users can access and
`view the combined information through one web presenta-
`tion, and select and manipulate particular information of
`interest. These otherwise unrelated and disparatcly~lc-cated
`sources of information include, but are not
`limited to,
`web-hosted and online services concerning television, sat-
`ellite-based, pay-per-view and cable-based television guide
`information. user preferences and authentication informa-
`tion and other related and ancillary services.
`
`[0014] The described embodiments are implemented with
`a clientlscrvcr architecture embodied in a ccmputer—based
`communication system. By enabling access and control of
`the media-based device and appliance over the Internet
`using a “web paradigm,” the described embodiments of the
`present
`invention provide users with a convenient and
`efficient manner for programming the media-based device
`and appliance. In one embodiment, the media—based device
`and appliance comprises an interactive television device in
`the nature of a digital video recorder (DVR), also known as
`a personal video recorder (PVR). By porting the local
`control interface typically utilized on the stand-alone DVR
`to enable control input from a client user interface over a
`network, the described embodiment of the present invention
`provides a context for control
`input
`in which users are
`
`increasing becoming familiar with due to the growing popu-
`larity of the Internet. The world-wide appeal of the Internet
`coupled with the web application to control the DVR allow
`a scalable solution without the intensive high-end costs for
`tooling and manufacturing.
`
`[0015] One technical advantage of the present invention is
`that
`it
`includes a computer-based communication system
`that is enabled to: (1) extract information from the stand-
`alone media-based device and appliance through a back end
`client—scrvcr subsystem; (2) extract information from online
`and unrelated web hosted services through yet another
`server subsystem; (3) combine the extracted information
`from the various sources mentioned; (4) maintain a local
`representation of the combined data on a database; (5) create
`an integrated presentation based on combining the informa-
`tion extracted to simulate the operation of the media-based
`device in either a virtual or real-time manner; (6) allow
`multiple portals to make requests to a front end subsystem
`and to receive the integrated presentation via an API (Appli-
`cation Program Interface); (7) transfer the integrated pre-
`sentation to a client user interface; (8) accept instructions
`from the client user interface in response to receiving the
`presentation in order to update the database and the media-
`based device and appliance; (9) combine the instructions
`received with farther infonnation obtained from the online
`and web-hosted services; and (10) update the media-based
`device and appliance with the instructions and further infor-
`mation combined.
`
`[0016] One aspect of the computer—based communication
`system of the present invention enables the communication
`between a network computing system, a network;'media-
`based data integration system, and a media—based computing
`system.
`In order for
`the network computing system to
`communicate with the media-based computing system
`through the data integration system, a set of processes
`embodied in an API is provided. In one embodiment, the
`network computing system includes web-hosted services
`provided over the Internet, the web-hosted services being
`external to the data integration system. In the same embodi-
`ment, the standalone DVR is connected to a network in the
`media-based computing system. The API provided in the
`data integration system enables a flexible approach to allow
`various external web portals in the network computing
`system to comrnttnicate with the D)/Rs in the media-based
`computing system. Furthermore, the API enables clients on
`the network computing system to request and to obtain the
`integrated presentation at the client user interfaces in unique
`arrangements distinctive to the local environment of the web
`portal. Accordingly, the API exposes the integrated presen-
`tation to be utilized by a wide range of websites for millions
`of users in a simple and easily accessible manner. The API
`encapsulates a variety of functions that facilitate creating a
`user account, user login, user preferences, adding a request,
`obtaining programming guide information, finding televi-
`sion programs of interest, and others to be described more
`specifically herein.
`
`In yet another technical aspect ofthe present inven-
`[0017]
`tion, the media—based computing system enables the com-
`munication of requests, data and other control input infor-
`mation across various networks from a DVR. The DVR is
`also enabled to receive commands and to send out data and
`status information based on commands and data received
`across the various networks.
`In particular.
`the DVR is
`
`40
`
`40
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`

`

`US 2002/0080166 A1
`
`Jun. 27, 2002
`
`L»)
`
`enabled to be programmed from an external source (eg,
`preferably through a computer-based communication sys-
`tem having multiple web servers} in a uniform manner. That
`is, instead of a conventional hand—held remote controller and
`the oontrol panel disposed on the DVR being the mecha-
`nisms used to program the DVR, an external source may be
`used to facilitate the programming.
`
`[0018] The features and advantages described in this sum-
`mary and the following detailed description are not all-
`inclusive, and particularly, many additional features and
`advantages will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art
`in view of the drawings, specification and claims hereof.
`Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the
`specification has been principally selected for readability
`and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected
`to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.
`resort
`to the claims being necessary to determine such
`inventive subject matter.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`invention can be
`[0019] The teachings of the present
`readily understood by considering the following detailed
`description in oonjunction with the accompanying drawings.
`
`[0020] FIG. IA is a high-level block diagram of a com-
`puter-based communications system that enables the remote
`control of media-based devices and appliances over a com-
`munication network in accordance with the present inven-
`tion.
`
`[0021] FIG. 1B is a high-level block diagram of an
`alternate embodiment of the eomputer—baser| communica-
`tions system of FIG. IA.
`
`[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a first embodi-
`ment of the computer-based communications system of
`FIG. 1A in accordance with the present invention.
`
`[0023] FIG. 3 is block diagram of an embodiment of
`hardware for the client—based computer, servers, and media-
`based devices in accordance with the present invention.
`
`[0024] FIG. 4A is a block diagram of the main memory
`unit of a client computer.
`
`[0025] FIG. 4B is a block diagram of the main memory
`unit of a server.
`
`[0026] FIG. 4C is a block diagram of the main memory
`unit of the middle tier server.
`
`[0027] FIG. 4|) is a block diagram of the main memory
`unit of a media—based device and appliance.
`
`[0028] FIG. 5 is an alternate embodiment of the computer-
`based communication system of FIG. IA.
`
`[0029] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the main memory unit
`of the batch request server.
`
`[0030] FIG. 7 is an exemplary class diagram of related
`information pertaining to a client user and a DVR.
`
`[0031] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the main memory unit
`of the RNS server.
`
`[0032] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of one embodi.ment of
`the back end enabling the RNS servers to receive EPG data
`from an online source in accordance with the present inven-
`tion.
`
`[0033] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an exemplary
`embodiment for an interactive television sub-system having
`a digital video recorder in accordance with the present
`invention.
`
`[0034] FIG. 11 is an exemplary graphical representation
`of a user
`interface for logging into and accessing the
`computer-based communications system of
`the present
`invention.
`
`[0035] FIG. 12A is an exemplary graphical representation
`of a user interface for indicating the channel guide infor-
`mation.
`
`[0036] FIG. 12B is an exemplary graphical representation
`of drop-down menus for the user interface of FIG. 12A.
`
`[0037] FIG. 13A is a block diagram showing the data flow
`throughout the computer-based communications system of
`FIG. IA.
`
`[0038] FIG. 13B is a sequence diagram of one implemen-
`tation for login to the front end and for “batched” commu-
`nication at the back end of the computer—baser| communi-
`cations systems of FIGS. 2 and 5.
`
`listing the functions imple-
`[0039] FIG. 14 is a chart
`mented on one embodiment of the API and the correspond-
`ing functions in accordance with the present invention.
`
`listing the functions imple-
`[0040] FIG. 15 is a chart
`mented on one embodiment of the API and the correspond-
`ing input parameters and output files.
`
`[0041] FIG. 16A is a high level illustration of one embodi-
`ment of the front end implementation in accordance with the
`present invention.
`
`[0042] FIG. 16]} is a data [low block diagram showing
`further details of AP] in the front end of FIG. 16A.
`
`[0043] FIG. 17 is a chart illustrating the multiple requests
`handled by the Addkequest routine implemented as part of
`an embodiment of the API.
`
`[0044] FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment
`of a method of implementing the mechanism to respond to
`user requests based on the user interface of FIG. 12A.
`
`[0045] FIG. 19A is an exemplary graphical representation
`ofa user interface for indicating the Replay Guide informa-
`tion organized by Replay Channels.
`
`[0046] FIG. 19]! is an exemplary graphical representation
`of a user interface for indicating the Replay Guide informa-
`tion organized by Recorded Shows.
`
`[0047] FIG. 20 is a tlow chart illustrating one method of
`implementing the mechanism to respond to user requests
`based on the user interface illustrated in FIG. 19/\.
`
`[0048] FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating one method of
`implementing the mechanism to respond to user requests
`based on the user interface illustrated in FIG. 19B.
`
`[0049] FIG. 22 is an exemplary graphical representation
`of a user interface for performing a search on the Find
`Shows page.
`
`[0050] FIG. 23 is a flow chart illustrating one method for
`implementing the mechanism to respond to user requests
`based on the user interface illustrated in FIG. 22.
`
`41
`
`41
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`

`

`US 2002/0080166 A1
`
`Jun. 27, 2002
`
`[0051] FIG. 24A is an exemplary graphical representation
`of a user interface for indicating a single recording on the
`manual record page.
`
`[0052] FIG. 24B is an exemplary graphical representation
`of a user interface for repealed manual recording.
`
`[0053] FIG. 25 is a flow chart illustrating one method for
`implementing the