Doc Code: TR.PROV
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`Document Description: Provisional Cover Sheet (SB16)
`
`PTO/SB/16 (4-07)
`Approved for use through 06/30/2010 OMB 0651-0032
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`Provisional Application for Patent Cover Sheet
`This is a request forfiling a PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENTunder 37 CFR 1.53(c)
`
`Inventor(s)
`
`Inventor 1
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`© Yes, the nameof the U.S. Government agency and the Government contract numberare:
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`eeemm
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`generated within this form by selecting the Add button.
`
`Title of Invention
`NETWORK-BASED REMOTE CONTROL
`
`Attorney Docket Number (if applicable)
`1133-051USP1
`
`
`
`Correspondence Address
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`Direct all correspondenceto (select one):
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`() The address corresponding to Customer Number
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`©) Firm orIndividual Name
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`The invention was made by an agency of the United States Government or under a contract with an agency of the United
`States Government.
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`@ No.
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`Comcast, Ex. 1113
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`

`

`Doc Code: TR.PROV
`
`Document Description: Provisional Cover Sheet (SB16)
`
`PTO/SB/16 (4-07)
`Approved for use through 06/30/2010 OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respondto a collection of information unlessit displays a valid OMB control number
`
`
`Entity Status
`Applicant claims small entity status under 37 CFR 1.27
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`© Yes, applicant qualifies for small entity status under 37 CFR 1.27
`@ No
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`Signature
`
`Please see 37 CFR 1.4(d} for the form of the signature.
`
`
`Signature
`
`/RaymondR.Berdie/
`
`Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
`
`2010-11-08
`
`First Name
`
`Raymond R.
`
`Last Name
`
`Berdie
`
`Registration Number
`(If appropriate}
`
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`Docket No. 1133-051USP1
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`NETWORK-BASED REMOTE CONTROL
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001] The disclosure relates to techniques for controlling networked devices, such as
`
`personal computers, tablet computers, cellular telephones, televisions, and gaming consoles.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] Various computing devices may be used to control a homeelectronic device such as a
`
`television, personal computer, tablet computer, stereo, or other computing device capable of
`
`outputting audio and/or video content. Remote controls typically communicate directly with
`
`the device being controlled. For example, a user may actuate buttons on the remote control,
`
`which causes the remote control to transmit a signal directly to the device being controlled.
`
`The device interprets the received signal and performs a corresponding action(e.g., altering
`
`the content being played on the device). For instance, a user may use a remote control to
`
`change the channelof a television.
`
`[0003] In one conventional solution, a user may control the playback of video on a television
`
`via a web application displayed on the television using a keyboard and mouse. In another
`
`conventional solution, the user may pair a device that acts as a remote control directly with
`
`the device outputting the audio and video(e.g., a television or stereo), such that the device
`
`outputting the audio and videoacts as a server to the remote control by, for example,
`
`communicating directly with the remote control and accepting incoming connections from
`
`the remote control.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0004] In general, this disclosure is directed to techniques for exchanging information
`
`between a networked device, such as a network-enabled television, and web-enabled device,
`
`such as a remote control, via a network service(e.g., a “cloud service”). In an example, the
`
`web-enabled device can transmit control information via the network service to the
`
`networked device to control playback of media content (e.g., audio and/or video content) on
`
`the networked device. In another example, the networked device can transmit information
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`Docket No. 1133-051USP1
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`via the network service to the web-enabled device, such as status information conceming the
`
`networked device.
`
`[0005] In one example, the disclosure is directed to an article of manufacture comprising a
`
`computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions for causing one or more
`
`programmable processors of a computing device to receive, by a server, a first message from
`
`a remote control, whercin the first message includcs a remote control identificr that uniqucly
`
`identifies the remote control, and wherein the first message further includes control
`
`information for controlling one or more functions ofat least one device other than the remote
`
`control. The instructions also cause on or more programmable processors of the computing
`
`device to retrieve, by the server, at least onc controlled device identificr from a data
`
`repository based on the remote control identifier, wherein the at least one controlled device
`
`identifier uniquely identifics at least one controlled device thatis distinct from and external
`
`to the server. The instructions also cause on or more programmable processors of the
`
`computing device to send a second message from the serverto the at least one controlled
`
`device identified by the at least one controlled device identifier, wherein the second message
`
`is based on the first message and includes the control information to control an operation of
`
`the at least one controlled device
`
`[0006] In another example, the disclosure is directed to a method that includes receiving a
`
`first message from a remote control, wherein the first message includes a remote control
`
`identifier that uniquely identifies the remote control, and wherein the first message further
`
`includes control information. The method also includes retrieving at least one controlled
`
`device identifier from a data repository based on the remote control identifier, wherein the at
`
`least one controlled device identifier uniquely identifies at least one controlled device. The
`
`methodalso includes sending a second messageto the at least one controlled device
`
`identified by the at least one controlled device identifier, wherein the second messageis
`
`based on the first message and includes the control information to control an operation ofthe
`
`at least one controlled device.
`
`[0007] In another example, a computing device includes one or more processors, a data
`
`repository configured to store data, a means for receiving a first message from a remote
`
`control, and a device management module. The first message received by the means includes
`
`a remote control identifier that uniquely identifies the remote control, and the first message
`
`2
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`Docket No. 1133-051USP1
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`further includes control information. The device management moduleretrieves at least one
`
`controlled device identifier from the data repository based on the remote control identifier,
`
`wherein the at least one controlled device identifier uniquely identifies at least one controlled
`
`device, and sends a second messageto the at least one controlled device identified by theat
`
`least one controlled device identifier, wherein the second messageis based onthefirst
`
`message and includes the control information to control an operation of the at lcast onc
`
`controlled device.
`
`[0008] The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the
`
`accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages
`
`of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example networked environment with a
`
`remote control and controlled device, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.
`
`[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example networked environment having
`
`remote controls and controlled devices, in accordance with one aspect of the present
`
`disclosure.
`
`[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example remote control, which may be an
`
`example of the remote control shown in FIG. | or one of the remote controls shownin FIG.
`
`2, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.
`
`[0012] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example controlled device, which may be an
`
`example of the controlled device shown in FIG. 1 or one of the controlled devices shown in
`
`FIG. 2, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.
`
`[0013] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example server, which may be an example of
`
`the server shownin FIG.1, or included within the network shownin FIG. 2, in accordance
`
`with one aspect of the present disclosure.
`
`[0014] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a remote control
`
`communicating with a network server, in accordance with one aspect of the present
`
`disclosure.
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`Docket No. 1133-051USP1
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`[0015] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a network server
`
`communicating with a remote control, in accordance with one aspect of the present
`
`disclosure.
`
`[0016] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a controlled device
`
`communicating with a network server, in accordance with one aspect of the present
`
`disclosure.
`
`[0017] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a network server
`
`communicating with a controlled device, in accordance with oneaspect of the present
`
`disclosure.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0018] Tcchniqucs of this disclosure relate to a nctwork service or “cloud service”that acts
`
`as an intermediary between a remote control device and a controlled device. For example,
`
`the network service may receive commands from a remote control and transmit the
`
`commands to a controlled device. The network service may also receive commandsor other
`
`information from the controlled device and transmit those commandsor other information to
`
`the remote control. The remote control may include a remote control application executing
`
`on a mobile device, such as a cellular telephone or a tablet computer. The controlled device
`
`may include any Internet-connected device capable of receiving commands, such as an
`
`Internet-connected television, a set top box, a personal video recorder, a gaming console, or
`
`other networked device. In one aspect, the remote control and the controlled device may
`
`operate as simple Hypertext Transfer Protocol HTTP clients of the networkservice. Thatis,
`
`the controlled device does not operate as a server to the remote control. Thus, any HTTP-
`
`enabled device may operate as a remote control or as a controlled device.
`
`[0019] In general, the remote control and the controlled device are configured to both listen
`
`for messages from the network service and send messages to the network service. In some
`
`examples, the network service controls pairing one or more remote controls and one or more
`
`controlled devices, receives information or commands from remote controls and controlled
`
`devices, and sends information or commands to remote controls and controlled devices. The
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`network service may direct received information and commandsto the appropriate devices
`
`based on pairing information maintained by the network service. A remote control may be
`
`4
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`Docket No. 1133-051USP1
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`configured to send a messageto a controlled device to perform a task, such as stopping
`
`playback of media content playing on the controlled devices or changing the media content
`
`playing on the controlled devices. To accomplish the task, the remote control first sends a
`
`messageto the network service. The network service then determines the controlled device
`
`that is paired with the remote control and forwards the message to the appropriate controlled
`
`device. The controlled device receives the message from the nctwork service and performs
`
`the task in response to receiving the message.
`
`[0020] In addition, the controlled device may be configured to send a messageto the remote
`
`control to notify the remote control of an event. For example, the controlled device may send
`
`a message to the remote control to notify the remote control device that playback of media
`
`content has completed. In this example, the controlled device sends a messageto the
`
`network service. The network service determines the remote controlthat is paired with the
`
`controlled device and forwards the message to the remote control paired with the sending
`
`controlled device. The remote control receives the message and performs various actions in
`
`response to receiving the message. The remote control may, for example, update a user
`
`interface of the remote control or send a messageto the controlled device to begin playback
`
`of another video.
`
`[0021] According to some examples, the network service may assign each remote control
`
`and each controlled device a unique identifier. When pairing devices, the network service
`
`may utilize the unique identifier associated with each device to route communication signals
`
`properly. For example, the network service mayinitiate a session that includes each unique
`
`identifier of remote controls and controlled devices that are authorized to communicate with
`
`each other. The network service can then route messages to members of the session. Any
`
`numberof remote controls may be paired with a single controlled device and one remote
`
`control may be paired to any numberof controlled devices. When pairing multiple remote
`
`controls and multiple controlled devices associated with a single user, the user may identify a
`
`subset of the remote controls as paired to a subset of the controlled devices, and manage
`
`which remote controls control which controlled devices.
`
`[0022] Remote controls and controlled devices may be paired using any one of several
`
`different techniques. As one example, a user may maintain a user account using the network
`
`service, and the remote controls and controlled devices may be associated with the user
`
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`Docket No. 1133-051USP1
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`account, For example, upon connecting to a network service, the remote controls and
`
`controlled devices may notify the network service that the remote controls and controlled
`
`devices are connected to the network. The network service may, in some examples,
`
`determine whether the remote controls and controlled devices are authorized to be associated
`
`with the user account. If authorized, the network service initiates a session and assigns the
`
`remote controls and controlled deviccs unique identification numbers. The nctwork service
`
`uses the unique identification numbers for pairing during a session. In another example, a
`
`user may be presented with a quick response (“QR”) code via the controlled device that the
`
`user scans with the remote control (e.g., using a camera of the remote control). The QR code
`
`identifics a uscr account or previously initiated scssion maintained by the nctworkservice.
`
`Upon scanning the QR code, the remote control may send a messageto the network service
`
`indicating that the network scrvice should assign a unique identification numberto the
`
`remote control and pair the remote control with the user account or session identified by the
`
`QR code.
`
`[0023] In this manner, one or more remote controls may control one or more controlled
`
`devices via the network service. Using the network service to transmit and receive messages
`
`between a remote control and a controlled device may enable non-traditional devices having
`
`rich input and display capabilities to act as a remote control. In addition, by using the
`
`network service as an intermediary, the remote control and the controlled device, in various
`
`instances, may not need to be connected to the same local area network, nor in physical
`
`proximity to each other. The network service may also enable pairing of a nearly limitless
`
`numberof remote controls and controlled devices.
`
`[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagramillustrating an example networked environment 10 with a
`
`remote control 14 and controlled device 18, in accordance with one aspect of the present
`
`disclosure. The networked environment 10 includes remote control 14 that communicates
`
`with controlled device 18 via network 22 and servers 24A—24N (collectively “servers 24”) in
`
`network 22. According to an aspect of the disclosure, remote control 14 is a web-enabled
`
`cellular phone. Other examples of the remote control 14 include, but are not limited to,
`
`portable or mobile devices such as cellular phones or other wireless communication devices,
`
`personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, portable gaming devices, portable
`
`media players, e-book readers, watches, as well as non-portable devices such as desktop
`
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`Docket No. 1133-051USP1
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`computers. For purposesofillustration only in this disclosure, remote control 14 is described
`
`as a portable or mobile device that a user can carry, but aspects of this disclosure should not
`
`be considered limited to portable or mobile devices.
`
`[0025] Remote control 14 may be configured to transmit signals to and receive signals from
`
`network 22, In some examples, remote control 14 is configured to initiate contact with
`
`servers 24. For cxamplc, remote control 14 may notify servers 24 that remote control 14 is
`
`connected to network 22. Remote control 14 may notify servers 24, for example,
`
`automatically upon being powered on. In another example, a user may log in to a user
`
`account maintained by the servers 24 using remote control 14, thereby notifying servers 24
`
`that remote control 14 is connected to network 22. Remote control 14 may also be
`
`configured to transmit a message to servers 24 of network 22 that identifies remote control
`
`14, which can be used by servers 24 to pair remote control 14 with controlled device 18. The
`
`message may also contain control information for controlling one or more functions of
`
`controlled device 18.
`
`[0026] In the example shown in FIG. 1, remote control 14 includes a user interface 26 that
`
`may be used to present information to a user. For example, user interface 26 may display
`
`controls 30 and information 34 associated with content being played on controlled device 18.
`
`Controls 30 may depend on the capability of remote control 14 or controlled device 18, and
`
`include, for example, fast forward, reverse, skip ahead or back, play, stop, move to new
`
`content, etc. The type and quantity of information 34 may also depend on the capability of
`
`remote control 14 and controlled device 18, and include, for example, playback information
`
`such as time remaining of content, playlist information, content rating information,etc.).
`
`[0027] Controlled device 18 may include a variety of network-enabled devices, such as a
`
`network enabled television, set top box, personal video recorder, or other device capable of
`
`being network-connected and controlled remotely. In an example, controlled device 18 is an
`
`Internet-connected television that is configured to receive signals from and transmit signals
`
`to network 14. For example, controlled device 18 may be configured to initiate contact with
`
`servers 24. For example, controlled device 18 may notify servers 24 that controlled device
`
`18 is connected to network 22. Controlled device 18 may notify servers 24, for example,
`
`automatically upon being powered on. In another example, a user may log in to a user
`
`account maintained by the servers 24 using controlled device 18, thereby notifying servers 24
`
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`Docket No. 1133-051USP1
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`that controlled device 18 is connected to network 22. Controlled device 18 can also be
`
`configured to transmit a messageto servers 24 of network 22 that identifies controlled device
`
`18, which can be used by servers 24 to pair controlled device 18 with remote control 14. The
`
`message mayalso contain notification data for updating a user interface of remote control
`
`(e.g., indicating completion of a task, such as completing playback of content).
`
`[0028] As shownin FIG. 1, controlled device 18 may include a display 38 for displaying
`
`content to a user. In some examples, controlled device 18 receives one or more messages
`
`from remote control 14 via network 22 and servers 24 to alter the content that is rendered on
`
`display 38 of controlled device 18. In another example, controlled device 18 transmits a
`
`message to remote control 14 via nctwork 22 and servers 24 to notify the uscr of remote
`
`control 14 that playback of content has been completed. Other messages can also be
`
`transmitted between controlled device 18 and remote control 14 via network 22 and scrvers
`
`24. For example, controlled device 18 may transmit content information such as a preview
`
`of the content that is being displayed on controlled device 18, a playlist of future content to
`
`be displayed on controlled device 18, rating information associated with the content being
`
`displayed on controlled device 18, or thelike.
`
`[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, network 22 and servers 24 are connected to remote control 14
`
`and controlled device 18. Network 22 may be connected to remote control 14 and controlled
`
`device 18 via wired and/or wireless links. For example, remote control 14 and controlled
`
`device 18 may be coupled to network 22 via a combination of any wireless or wired
`
`communication medium, such as a radio frequency (RF) spectrum or one or more physical
`
`transmission lines, or any combination of wireless and wired media. The links may form part
`
`of a packet-based network, such as a local area network, a wide-area network, or a global
`
`network suchas the Internet. The links generally represent any suitable communication
`
`medium,or collection of different communication media, for transmitting signals from
`
`remote control 14 to network 22 and from controlled device 18 to network 22, including any
`
`suitable combination of wired or wireless media. The links may include routers, switches,
`
`basestations, or any other equipment that may be useful to facilitate communication from
`
`remote control 14 and controlled device 18 to network 22.
`
`[0030] Network 22 may include a wide-area network such as the Internet, a local-area
`
`network (LAN), an enterprise network, or one or more other types of networks. Servers 24
`
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`Docket No. 1133-051USP1
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`may be any of several different types of network devices. For instance, servers 24 may be
`
`conventional web servers, specialized media servers, personal computers operating in a peer-
`
`to-peer fashion, or other types of network devices. As described in greater detail with respect
`
`to FIG. 5, in some examples, servers 24 include one or more data repositories or databases
`
`for storing information, such as identification numbers, session identifiers, and any other
`
`information required to carry out data transfer between remote control 14 and controlled
`
`device 18. In some examples, the data repositories of servers 24 may be structured as one or
`
`moretables, databases, linked lists, radix trees, Google File Systems, Google BigTable
`
`database systems, or other suitable data structure.
`
`[0031] According to an aspect of the disclosure, network 22 and servers 24 facilitate an
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`exchange of data between remote control 14 and controlled device 18. For example, servers
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`24 associated with network 22 may operate as an intermediary between remote control 14
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`and controlled device 18 to relay data between remote control 14 and controlled device 18.
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`In some examples, servers 24 “pair” remote control 14 and controlled device 18 such that
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`information and commands from remote control 14 can be transmitted to controlled device
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`18, and information and commandscan be transmitted from controlled device 18 to remote
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`control 14. For example, remote control 14 and controlled device 18 mayinitially notify
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`servers 24 that remote control 14 and controlled device 18 are connected to network 22 and
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`available for pairing. In some examples, servers 24 authenticate that remote control 14 and
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`controlled device 18 are permitted to be paired. For example, servers 24 may maintain a user
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`accountthat includes permissions for remote control 14 and controlled device 18, which
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`allows remote control 14 and controlled device 18 to be paired. In some examples, the
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`authorization of remote control 14 and controlled device 18 utilizes HTTP header
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`information to identify remote control 14 and controlled device 18 as being associated with
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`the user account. Servers 24 may assign unique identification numbers to each authorized
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`remote control 14 and controlled device 18 connected to network 22. To pair remote control
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`14 and controlled device 18, servers 24 may create a session that includesall of the issued
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`unique identification numbers.
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`[0032] After adding remote control 14 and controlled device 18 to the session, messages
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`generated by remote control 14 and controlled device 18 include their unique identification
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`numbers, so that the servers 24 recognize remote control 14 and controlled device 18 as
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`Docket No. 1133-051USP1
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`being includedin the session. Servers 24 receive messages from remote control 14 and
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`controlled device 18 and route the messages to other members of the session. For example, a
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`user may actuate one of controls 30 of remote control 14 to alter the content displayed on
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`display 38 of controlled device 18. Remote control 14 transmits a control message that
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`includes the unique identifier of remote control 14 to servers 24 via network 22. Servers 24
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`identify that remote control 14 1s a memberofa scssion based on the unique identification
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`numberof remote control 14. Servers 24 then routes the control message to controlled
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`device 18, which 1s also a memberof the session. Controlled device 18 receives the control
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`message and performs the appropriate action.
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`[0033] Altcrnativcly or additionally, controlled device 18 transmits information (c.g., data
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`for updating content information 34 displayed on remote control 14) that includes the unique
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`identifier of controlled device 18 to servers 24 via network 22. Servers 24 identify that
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`controlled device 18 is a memberof the session based on the unique identification number of
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`controlled device 18. Server then routes the information to remote control 14, which is also a
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`memberof the session. Remote control 14 then r