(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0172757 A1
`Aldrey et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jul. 2, 2009
`
`US 20090172757A1
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE
`SET TOP BOX MANAGEMENT
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`Verizon Data Services Inc.,
`Temple Terrace, FL (US)
`
`(75) Inventors:
`
`Raul Aldrey, Dallas, TX (US);
`Abhishek Gupta, Dallas, TX (US);
`Anil Solleti, Irving, TX (US);
`Enrique Ruiz Velasco Fonseca,
`Flower Mound, TX (US); Laxmi
`s
`6.
`Patel. Irving, TX (US); Pericharla
`Anjaneya, Irving, TX (US);
`Sudeep Dasgupta, Irving, TX (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`VERZON
`PATENT MANAGEMENT GROUP
`1320 North Court House Road, 9th Floor
`ARLINGTON, VA 22201-2909 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`(22) Filed:
`
`11/966,652
`Dec. 28, 2007
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`HO)4N 7/173
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................................ 725/110
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`An approach is provided for remotely controlling set-top
`boxes. A command is received from a computing device for
`controlling a plurality of set-top boxes. The set-top boxes are
`configured according to the received command.
`
`A USER SUBSCRIBES
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`THE INTERFACE CONFIGURES
`THE SERS ACCOUNT
`BASED ON THE SIGNA
`
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`
`

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`

`US 2009/0172757 A1
`
`Jul. 2, 2009
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE
`SET TOP BOX MANAGEMENT
`
`BACKGROUND INFORMATION
`0001. With the advent of computers, interactive electronic
`communications, and the Internet, as well as advances in the
`digital realm of consumer information, has come a reinven
`tion of conventional entertainment and communication ser
`vices to enhance programming, recording, and viewing of
`multimedia, Such as broadcast television programs. In this
`manner, service providers are increasing the wealth of avail
`able features, not to mention creating endless opportunities
`for personalized configurations. However, developments in
`user interface technology have not kept pace with the explo
`sion of digital entertainment, nor have they remained in har
`mony with the itinerant nature of modern lifestyles. As such,
`the entertainment value of television is being greatly dimin
`ished by antiquated control techniques (namely panel con
`trols or handheld remote controllers), neither satisfying in
`their design, nor efficient in their implementation.
`0002 Therefore, there is a need for an approach that seam
`lessly provides efficient, convenient access to system controls
`and configurations.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0003 Various exemplary embodiments are illustrated by
`way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of
`the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals
`refer to similar elements and in which:
`0004 FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of providing
`remote set-top box management, according to an exemplary
`embodiment;
`0005 FIG. 2 is a diagram of a set-top box capable of being
`remotely managed in real-time, according to an exemplary
`embodiment;
`0006 FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for remote man
`agement of Subscription service settings and configurations,
`according to an exemplary embodiment;
`0007 FIG. 4 is a diagram of a user interface utilized in the
`process of FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment;
`0008 FIGS. 5a and 5b are flowcharts of processes for
`remote management of one or more set-top boxes of FIG. 2,
`according to exemplary embodiments;
`0009 FIG. 6 is a diagram of a user interface utilized in the
`processes of FIGS. 5a and 5b, according to an exemplary
`embodiment; and
`0010 FIG. 7 is a diagram of a computer system that can be
`used to implement various exemplary embodiments.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`0011 A preferred apparatus, method, and software for
`remote services management are described. In the following
`description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous spe
`cific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough under
`standing of the preferred embodiments of the invention. It is
`apparent, however, that the preferred embodiments may be
`practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent
`arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and
`devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid
`unnecessarily obscuring the preferred embodiments of the
`invention.
`
`0012. Although various exemplary embodiments are
`described with respect to a set-top box (STB), it is contem
`plated that these embodiments have applicability to any
`device capable of processing audio-video (AV) signals for
`presentation to a user, such as a home communication termi
`nal (HCT), a digital home communication terminal (DHCT),
`a stand-alone personal video recorder (PVR), a television set,
`a digital video disc (DVD) player, a video-enabled phone, an
`AV-enabled personal digital assistant (PDA), and/or a per
`Sonal computer (PC), as well as other like technologies and
`customer premises equipment (CPE).
`0013 FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of providing
`remote set-top box management, according to an exemplary
`embodiment. For the purposes of illustration, a system 100
`for configuring multiple media-based devices 101a-101 n,
`e.g., STBs, is described with respect to a service provider
`network 103. As used herein, the terms media-based device,
`STB, and user equipment are interchangeable. It is recog
`nized that service providers need to be mindful of consumer
`demand for omnipresent control over the entertainment expe
`rience. Accordingly, system 100 introduces a remote access
`management capability for these STBs 101a-101 n, thereby
`affording substantial convenience and flexibility in experi
`encing content by consumers. In other words, the remote
`access management service of system 100, according to cer
`tain embodiments, stems from the recognition that consumers
`can benefit from more flexible methods of accessing and
`controlling one or more media-based devices. However, little
`attention has been afforded to extending and enhancing user
`interface technology within the entertainment arena, as well
`as among other communication mediums. Thus, it is apparent
`that improvements are needed to provide individuals with the
`dynamic ability to manage their media experience with easy
`to-use tools, but without geographic or time limitations.
`(0014 Service provider network 103 includes a server 105
`that implements a real-time, remote management service,
`whereby users can remotely access and configure one or more
`STBs 101a-101 in and/or manipulate account settings.
`Namely, the remote management service provides Subscrib
`ers ubiquitous control over Subscription service parameters
`(e.g., packages, channels, personal information, available
`equipment, etc.) and STB configurations (e.g., parental con
`trols, available channels, favorite channels, DVR settings,
`viewing history, loaded software, etc.) at Substantially any
`moment in time, from various locations. In this manner, a
`remotely located Subscriber. Such as an individual at work,
`can monitor and control content availability, create channel
`offerings, manipulate recording features, order"on-demand”
`content, and/or modify personalization options, as well as
`influence other suitably controllable features of one or more
`STBs 101a-101 in located at, for instance, another location,
`such as their home. It is contemplated that system 100 may
`embody many forms and include multiple and/or alternative
`components and facilities.
`0015. It is observed that television remains the prevalent
`global medium for entertainment and information as indi
`viduals spend a great deal of time tuning into televised media.
`As such, television services provided over a dedicated net
`work, such as an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) network,
`cable network, or satellite network, extend to subscribers an
`overwhelming choice of programming options and configu
`rations. For example, IPTV service providers offer consum
`ers various AV services ranging from multi-channel AV pro
`gramming that mimics traditional broadcast media, to true
`
`9
`
`

`

`US 2009/0172757 A1
`
`Jul. 2, 2009
`
`“on-demand programming. These services are further
`supplemented with interactive AV applications that enable
`robust programming information, selection and navigation
`functionality, as well as integrated digital AV recording, and
`other data services to enhance the AV experience. As such,
`television is no longer a passive medium; it is an interactive
`entertainment encounter capable of endless configuration and
`personalization.
`0016 Traditionally, in order to set-up a media-based
`device. Such as an STB, consumers have been generally lim
`ited to directly programming the apparatus using an on-board
`control panel or manipulating a short-range remote controller
`in communication with the device. While these conventional
`techniques may, at times, be suitable for those situations when
`the user is physically located within the vicinity of the device
`(e.g., within the same room), they do not address situations
`when a user is remotely located beyond the short distance
`confines of the controller's communicative medium, i.e.,
`infrared or radio signal. Furthermore, beyond basic channel
`Surfing and standardized viewing functionality, conventional
`input methodology does not scale well to the increasing com
`plexity of input commands.
`0017. As mentioned, the consumer segment is driven, at
`least in part, by a pervasive desire for real-time, remote man
`agement services extended through easily manipulated, intui
`tive interfaces. In part, this is a consequence of consumers
`becoming accustomed to the user friendliness and remote
`access ubiquity of the Internet made possible through a com
`bination of wired and wireless infrastructures. Advances in
`connectivity (e.g., broadband access) and dynamic Software
`have stimulated the growing complexity of Services capable
`of being offered without geographic or time constraints.
`0018. As seen in FIG. 1, service provider network 103
`integrates the television medium with that of the telecommu
`nications, computing, and media environments, thereby
`broadening the scope of devices available to consumers for
`remote interaction with STBs 101a-101m. In this manner,
`system 100 relieves STBs users from having to be physically
`located at (or near) the media-based devices to configure
`them, by enabling those (or other) users via one or more end
`terminals (e.g., end terminal 107) or with an STB (e.g., STB
`101 n), to remotely access and control STBs 101a-101 in over,
`for instance, one or more data networks (e.g., packet-based
`network 109 and/or telephony network 111). Further, system
`100 relieves network operators from the burden and expense
`of providing parallel avenues to control user equipment (e.g.,
`STBs 101a-101 n) from remote locations.
`0019. In a typical scenario, an individual (e.g., subscriber
`of the remote management service) may, via a client-user
`interface (such as a web-based application 113a implemented
`on server 105, a computing application 113b executed on, for
`instance, a PC, or a media based application 113c operating
`on, for example, STB 101 n), access one or more media based
`devices (e.g., STBs 101a-101 m) logically associated with one
`another in, for example, a workgroup 115. So as to control,
`configure, or otherwise program STBs 101a-101n in real
`time from an “online' or “networked session. Namely, sub
`scribers are presented with an integrated presentation that
`includes controllable parameters governing information
`stored on STBs 101a-101n, media content originating from a
`media service provider (MSP) 117 or a third-party source, as
`well as options relating to Subscription services. In other
`words, an individual may generate a command for controlling
`a plurality of STBs 101a-101n, and transmit that command to
`
`the STBs 101a-101n to configure the devices 101a-101m. As
`Such, Subscribers are no longer limited to configuring an STB
`"from the same room.” but instead may access the media
`based device, and associated Subscription service, from a
`remote location. In particular embodiments, STBs 101a
`101 in may be associated with one or more subscribers, may be
`located in one or more user premises (e.g., user premise 119),
`and/or may be situated in different physical locations, but
`nevertheless, can be configured at once, from Substantially
`anywhere, utilizing one or more end terminals 107 (or STBs)
`having connectivity to system 100.
`0020. A remote application (e.g., remote application
`113a) permits users to easily, effectively, and intuitively con
`vey control commands for configuring a plurality of STBs
`101a-101n, wherein the control commands affect configura
`tion data relating to Such parameters as parental controls,
`available channel information, favorite channels specified by
`the user, program recording settings, viewing history, and/or
`software loaded in the respective STBs 101a-101 m, as well as
`other suitable control parameters. In certain embodiments,
`one or more remote applications 113a-113c may enable sub
`scribers to manipulate recording functions of one or more
`STBs 101a-101n, wherein a control command specifies a list
`of content to be recorded by one or more of the devices
`101a-101m. In other embodiments, a control command can
`specify an on-demand content selection, such as a video-on
`demand (VOD) or audio-on-demand (AOD) selection. In
`addition, the remote applications 113a-113.n may enable
`users to manage subscription services or personalized set
`tings for the STBs 101a-101m. Furthermore, the remote appli
`cations 113a-113c may enable users to make content avail
`able at one or more STBs 101a-101 m, such as content
`retrieved over a data network, e.g., Stored at content reposi
`tory 121. As such, embodiments of service provider network
`103 may also enable individuals utilizing STBs 101a-101n
`(or end terminal(s) 107) to interact with one another, through
`personalized communications channels, to further facilitate
`the processes described herein.
`0021 Media content can include any AV content (e.g.,
`broadcast television programs, VOD programs, AOD pro
`grams, pay-per-view programs, IPTV feeds, DVD related
`content, etc.), pre-recorded media content, data communica
`tion services content (e.g., commercials, advertisements, vid
`eos, movies, songs, images, Sounds, etc.), Internet services
`content (streamed audio, video, or pictographic media), and/
`or any other equivalent media form. In this manner, an MSP
`117 may provide (in addition to their own media content)
`content obtained from Sources, such as one or more television
`broadcast systems 123, one or more third-party content pro
`vider systems 125, content residing in a repository 121,
`accessible via server 105, or otherwise available via one or
`more packet-based networks 109 or telephony networks 111,
`etc.
`0022. In particular embodiments, MSP 117 may comprise
`an IPTV system configured to support the transmission of
`television video programs from the broadcast systems 123 as
`well as other content, Such as media content from the various
`third-party sources (e.g., 101a-101 m, 107,121, 125) utilizing
`Internet Protocol (IP). That is, the IPTV system 117 may
`deliver signals and/or streams, including media content and
`control commands, in the form of IP packets. Further, the
`transmission network (e.g., service provider network 103)
`may optionally Support end-to-end data encryption in con
`
`10
`
`

`

`US 2009/0172757 A1
`
`Jul. 2, 2009
`
`junction with the streaming and remote management Ser
`vices, as previously mentioned.
`0023. In this manner, the use of IP permits television ser
`vices to be integrated with broadband Internet services, and
`thus, share common connections to a user site. Also, IP pack
`ets can be more readily manipulated, and therefore, provide
`users with greater flexibility in terms of control, as well as
`offer superior methods for increasing the availability of
`media content. Delivery of AV content and/or control com
`mands, by way of example, may be through a multicast from
`the IPTV system 117 to the STBs 101a-101m. Any individual
`STB may tune to a particular source by simply joining a
`multicast (or unicast) of the media content or control com
`mand, utilizing an IP group membership protocol (IGMP).
`For instance, the IGMP V2 protocol may be employed for
`joining STBs to new multicast (or unicast) groups. Such a
`manner of delivery avoids the need for expensive tuners to
`view media content, such as television broadcasts; however,
`other delivery methods, such as directly modulated carriers
`(e.g., national television systems committee (NTSC),
`advanced television systems committee (ATSC), quadrature
`amplitude modulation (QAM)), may still be utilized. Further,
`this delivery method also enables varied levels of control, i.e.,
`control over single STBs or broadcast control commands
`affecting multiple STBs. It is noted that conventional delivery
`methods may also be implemented and combined with the
`advanced methods of system 100. Further, the media content
`(and Subsequently the control commands) may be provided to
`various IP-enabled devices, such as the computing, tele
`phony, and mobile apparatuses delineated below.
`0024. An STB (e.g., STB 101a) may integrate all the func
`tions of an IPTV system, as well as combine the media con
`tent and control functions of the various online or off-line
`environments, in a manner that seamlessly toggles among the
`various system 100 resources. It is contemplated that the
`remote service may be extended to users with a presence on
`the Internet. In alternative embodiments, the services of sys
`tem 100 could be extended to users having an end terminal
`(not illustrated), such as a plain old telephone service (POTS)
`device, connected to the telephony network 111.
`0025. Accordingly, MSP 117 can provide media content
`that is retrieved over a data network, as well as provide con
`ventional media streams. For instance, MSP 117 provides
`STBs 101a-101 in access to content traditionally limited to
`host sites, such as end user originated content uploaded to
`audio, video, and/or pictographic sharing sites. The media
`content may also be shared between STBs 101a-101n, as well
`as between STBs 101a-101n and end terminal(s) 107. It is
`generally noted that media content can be any type of infor
`mation provided from any source having connectivity to sys
`tem 100.
`0026. In this manner, remote applications 113b and 113c
`may be executable, for example, as a user interface capable of
`local implementation on an STB (e.g., STB 101a-101 n) or on
`an end terminal 107. Such as a computer, telephony device,
`mobile device, or other like mechanism. Thus, exemplary
`embodiments of remote applications 113a and 113b may be
`provided through navigation shell applications, e.g., menu
`applications having options corresponding to different func
`tions. Accordingly, computer devices may include desktop
`computers, notebook computers, servers, terminal worksta
`tions, gaming systems, customized hardware, or other
`equivalent apparatus. Telephony devices may comprise plain
`old-telephones, wireless telephones, cellular telephones, sat
`
`ellite telephones, Voice over internet protocol telephones, and
`the like. Mobile devices may include personal digital assis
`tants (PDA), pocket personal computers, Smartphones, tab
`lets, handsets, portable gaming systems, and customized
`hardware, as well as other mobile technologies capable trans
`mitting data. Moreover, STBs 101a-101 in may be used alone
`or in combination with one or more end terminal(s) 107 to
`implement various exemplary embodiments.
`(0027. The STBs 101a-101n and/or end terminal(s) 107
`can communicate using the packet-based network 109 and/or
`the telephony network 109. These systems can include: a
`public data network (e.g., the Internet), various intranets,
`local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), the
`public switched telephony network (PSTN), integrated ser
`vices digital networks (ISDN), other private packet switched
`networks or telephony networks, as well as any additional
`equivalent system or combination thereof. These networks
`may employ various access technologies including cable net
`works, satellite networks, subscriber television networks,
`digital subscriber line (DSL) networks, optical fiber net
`works, hybrid fiber-coax networks, worldwide interoperabil
`ity for microwave access (WiMAX) networks, wireless fidel
`ity (WiFi) networks, other wireless networks (e.g., 3G
`wireless broadband networks, mobile television networks,
`radio networks, etc.), terrestrial broadcasting networks, pro
`vider specific networks (e.g., a Verizon R. FiOS network, a
`TiVo network, etc), and the like. Such networks may also
`utilize any Suitable protocol Supportive of data communica
`tions, e.g., transmission control protocol (TCP), internet pro
`tocol (IP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext markup
`language (HTML), dynamic HTML (DHTML), file transfer
`protocol (FTP), telnet, hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP),
`asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), wireless application
`protocol (WAP), socket connection (e.g., secure sockets layer
`(SSL)), Ethernet, frame relay, and the like, to connect STBs
`101a-101 in to various sources of media content and devices
`capable of remotely managing STBs 101a-101m.
`0028. Although depicted in FIG. 1 as separate networks,
`packet-based network 109 and/or telephony network 111 may
`be completely or partially contained within service provider
`network 103. For example, service provider network 103 may
`include facilities to provide for transport of packet-based
`and/or telephony communications.
`(0029. By way of example, STB 101a-101n, as well as
`terminal(s) 107, can remotely access, via a communication
`interface (not illustrated), server 105 which is configured to
`execute multiple instances of a remote application 113a uti
`lizing, for instance, one or more processors (not illustrated).
`That is, remote application 113a may be provided in a dis
`tributed fashion using, for instance, client-server architec
`tures, such as implemented by enterprise application service
`providers (ASP). It is noted that ASP models (and other like
`architectures) offer system scalability in terms of administra
`tive Scalability, geographic scalability, and/or load scalability.
`Thus, distributed environments are attractive modes for dis
`seminating system 100 functionality to a broad spectrum of
`users and devices.
`0030. For example, server 105 can be an “online' system
`capable of communicating with one or more third-party web
`servers (not illustrated), content repositories (e.g., repository
`121), or equivalent facilities, to provide users various avenues
`to draw media content from, as well as control and configure
`STBs 101a-101 n (or subscription services) from a remote
`location having connectivity to system 100. More specifi
`
`11
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`

`US 2009/0172757 A1
`
`Jul. 2, 2009
`
`cally, one or more servers 105 may include one or more
`processors configured to receive one or more commands from
`one or more end terminals 107 (e.g., a PC) for controlling one
`or more STBs 101a-101n, wherein the server(s), via the pro
`cessor(s), are capable of configuring the STB(s) 101a-101 in
`according to the received command(s). In particular embodi
`ments, this configuration can be performed in real-time,
`wherein commands transmitted to STBs 101a-101 in directly
`effect configuration data stored in a memory of the respective
`media-based devices 101a-101m. Additionally (or alterna
`tively), server(s) 105 can access a shared memory, such as
`repository 127, wherein STBs 101a-101 in obtain configura
`tion data from the shared memory, either in real-time or
`periodically.
`0031. As such, exemplary embodiments of remote appli
`cation 113a may, for instance, comprise hypertext markup
`language (HTML) user interfaces or JAVATM applets stored
`on server 105 and accessed via world-wide-web pages. Fur
`ther, by enabling access and control of STBs 101a-101 in over
`one or more data networks (e.g., network 103,109, or 111)
`using a “web paradigm server 105 provides users with a
`convenient and efficient manner for configuring the devices
`101a-101m. Further, remote applications 113a-113c may port
`local control interfaces typically utilized on stand-alone
`STBs to enable control input in a context consumers are
`increasing becoming familiar with due to the growing popu
`larity of the Internet. These interlaces are particularly useful
`in extending system 100 functionality to devices having lim
`ited resources (e.g., PDAs, handsets, thin-clients, etc.), as
`well as providing scalable solutions to varied devices without
`necessitating intensive high-end costs associated with inde
`pendent design, tooling, and manufacturing. In alternative
`embodiments, server 105 is collocated with and/or integrated
`into MSP 117. As such, multiple users, interfaces, and
`instances of remote application 113a can be simultaneously
`realized through system 100.
`0032. In one embodiment, STBs 101a-101 m, end terminal
`(s) 107, and/or remote applications 113a-113c may periodi
`cally establish a connection with one or more networks (e.g.,
`networks 103, 109, or 111) and/or one or more repositories
`(e.g., repository 127) to “push” and “pull control commands
`and configuration information, Such as in a "batched pro
`cessing mode. That is, a user interface of STBs 101a-101 in
`may be virtualized over a networked connection. In another
`embodiment, these components may initiate peer-to-peer
`communications such that control input and configuration
`updates governing the STBs 101a-101n are executed “on-the
`fly, i.e., in real-time, thus, enabling Substantially instanta
`neous results.
`0033. In the example of FIG. 1, STBs 101a-101n are
`located at one or more user premises (e.g., user premise 119),
`and geospatially associated with one or more regions. Fur
`ther, the STBs 101a-101n are logically associated into one or
`more workgroups (e.g., workgroup 115), wherein a user may
`configure a plurality of STBs 101a-101n arranged into the
`workgroup 115 in one or more sessions, from Substantially
`anywhere, utilizing one or more end terminals 107 or STBs
`(e.g., STB 101m).
`0034) For example, a learning institution (such as a sec
`ondary school) can distribute a plurality of STBs (e.g., STBs
`101a and 101b) throughout various classrooms for extending
`media content to an attending student body. An administrator
`(e.g., a principal) may control and configure the plurality of
`STBs, via an end terminal 107 (e.g., a PC in the principal's
`
`office) or at an associated STB (e.g., STB 101b) executing a
`remote application (e.g., remote applications 113a-113c), so
`as to select and disseminate educational programming (e.g., a
`VOD documentary on social awareness) to the students, in
`real-time. Further, students maybe issued (or personally own)
`an STB at their home, e.g., STB 101n. As such, an authorized
`administrator can logically join STBs 101a-101 in to work
`group 115, wherein the plurality of STBs 101a-101 in may be
`controlled and configured to present the educational pro
`gramming to an entire student body. In other words, if certain
`students were unable to attend School on presentation day, the
`administrator could simultaneously configure STBs 101a
`101 in to present the media content so that no student would be
`deprived of a learning opportunity. If, for instance, the docu
`mentary was a live-broadcast extending beyond an allocated
`time period, the administrator may, via remote application
`(e.g., remote applications 113a-113c), commandone or more
`STBs (e.g., STB 101b) to record the content for later sessions.
`In this manner, the administrator may also provide on-de
`mand access to the programming (or recording), wherein
`certain students may be given authorization to review the
`material later, via STBs 101a-101 m or an end terminal 107
`capable of processing audio and/or video signals. As such,
`STBs 101a-101 in may be associated with one or more sub
`scribers, may be located in one or more user premises 119,
`and/or may be situated in different physical locations, but
`nevertheless, may be configured as an entity, from Substan
`tially anywhere, utilizing one or more end terminals 107 (or
`STBs 101a-101 n) having connectivity to system 100.
`0035. Thus, STBs 101a-101n can be configured to com
`municate with and receive signals and/or data streams from a
`MSP117 (or other transmission facility, such as server 105) in
`response to processes of one or more remote applications
`113a-113c. These signals include media content and conven
`tional AV-broadcast content, as well as control commands
`transmitted over a data network (e.g., service provider net
`work 103, packet-based network 109, and/or telephony net
`work 111). To this effect, MSP 117 can include one or more
`media content servers (not illustrated) and/or data reposito
`ries (not shown). Alternatively, user profile repository 127,
`content repository 121, or server 105 may be accessed via one
`or more service provider networks 103 and/or packet-based
`networks 109. Further, service provider network 103 may
`include a system administrator (not shown) for operational
`and management functions to deploy the remote management
`service using, for instance, an IPTV system. In this manner,
`STBs 101a-101 in can utilize any suitable technology to draw,
`receive, and/or transmit media content and control signals
`from/to an MSP 117 or other source/sink (e.g., server 105). A
`more detailed explanation or an exemplary STB is provided
`with respect to FIG. 2.
`0036. In an exemplary embodiment, STBs 101a-101m can
`draw, receive, and/or transmit content and control comm