IP Library Granted Patent US 7,796,980
Granted Patent B1
US 7,796,980 · App. 11/464,002 · Granted Sep 14, 2010

Remote mobile voice control of digital/personal video recorder

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,796,980
App. No.
11/464,002
Granted
Sep 14, 2010
Kind
B1
Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for controlling a media host device from a mobile voice device. In accordance with a method of the present invention, a call is received from the mobile voice device. A portion of an electronic programming guide is obtained and verbally provided to the mobile voice device in response to the call. A verbal selection associated with the electronic programming guide is received from the mobile voice device and communicated to the media host device through a command encompassing the verbal selection.

Claims (48)

1. A method for controlling a media host device from a mobile voice device, the method comprising:

receiving a call from the mobile voice device;

determining that a version of the electronic programming guide is stored in cache on the mobile voice device;

determining that the version of the electronic programming guide stored in the cache of the mobile device is outdated;

receiving an updated version of the electronic programming guide;

storing, in the cache, the updated version of the electronic programming guide;

using the electronic programming guide to verbally communicate, through the mobile voice device, one or more titles of one or more television programs being broadcast on a cable station;

using the electronic programming guide to verbally communicate, through the mobile voice device, when the one or more television programs are to be broadcast on the cable station;

receiving a verbal selection associated with the electronic programming guide from the mobile voice device;

communicating a command encompassing the verbal selection to the media host device.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising retrieving a profile associated with the mobile voice device.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the identified electronic programming guide is obtained if the profile supports access thereto.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising verbally providing an initial prompt to receive a verbal request.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising verbally providing a confirmation of receiving the command from the media host device.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating the command.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising authenticating the call.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the media host device comprises a digital video recorder.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile voice device comprises a mobile phone.

10. One or more computer-storage medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method recited in claim 1 .

11. A system for controlling a media host device from a mobile voice device, the system comprising:

a voice command component configured to;

(1) convert a verbal message from the mobile voice device to text, wherein the text indicates a request for recording a television show,

(2) pass the text to a headend, and

(3) receive a confirmatory message that a recording task was scheduled for the television show;

an electronic programming guide interface component configured to obtain a portion of an electronic programming guide when requested by the voice command component for verbal presentation thereof, wherein the electronic programming guide comprises information specifying a plurality of titles of television programs and a plurality of times when the television programs will be broadcast across a plurality of cable stations, and wherein the electronic programming guide interface component determines whether a version of the electronic programming guide has previously been stored in a cache of the mobile device, and if so, determines that the version of the electronic programming guide needs to be updated; and

a media host device interface component configured to communicate a user selection, from the mobile voice device, associated with the responsive portion of the electronic programming guide to the media host device.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the voice command component is further configured to verbally provide the responsive portion of the electronic programming guide to the mobile voice device.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the voice command component is further configured to verbally provide an initial prompt to receive a verbal request from the mobile voice device.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the voice command component is further configured to generate a command encompassing the user selection.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the media host device interface component is further configured to communicate the command to the media host device.

16. The system of claim 11 , further comprising at least one profile database configured to store profile information associated with the mobile voice device.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the voice command component uses the profile information to determine whether the electronic programming guide interface component may obtain the electronic programming guide.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the voice command component is further configured to verbally provide a confirmation of having received the user selection received from the media host device.

19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the electronic programming guide interface component is further configured to cache at least one electronic programming guide.

20. A method for controlling a media host device from a mobile phone, the method comprising:

receiving a call from the mobile phone;

determining that the mobile phone is provisioned for voice command service;

based on how the mobile phone being properly provisioned, determining a cable-television network to which a user subscribes;

determining a profile associated with the mobile phone;

using the profile to identify an electronic programming guide offered to the user by the cable-television network;

obtaining a portion of the electronic programming guide;

using the electronic programming guide to verbally communicate, through the mobile phone, one or more titles of one or more television programs being broadcast on a cable station;

using the electronic programming guide to verbally communicate, through the mobile phone, when the one or more television programs are to be broadcast on the cable station;

receiving a verbal selection from the mobile phone, the verbal selection indicating a request to record a television program;

communicating a command encompassing the verbal selection to the media host device;

receiving, on the mobile phone, a confirmatory message confirming a recording task was initiated;

converting, on the mobile phone, the confirmatory message into a voice message; and

presenting the voice message on the mobile phone.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2022
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: IBSV LLC; LAYER3 TV, LLC; PUSHSPRING, LLC; T-MOBILE CENTRAL LLC; T-MOBILE USA, INC.; ASSURANCE WIRELESS USA, L.P.; BOOST WORLDWIDE, LLC; CLEARWIRE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; CLEARWIRE IP HOLDINGS LLC; SPRINTCOM LLC; SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.; SPRINT INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED; SPRINT SPECTRUM LLC
Reel/Frame 062595/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2021
From: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
To: T-MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 055604/0001 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF FIRST PRIORITY AND JUNIOR PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Apr 2, 2020
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
Reel/Frame 052969/0475 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 2, 2020
From: T-MOBILE USA, INC.; ISBV LLC; T-MOBILE CENTRAL LLC; LAYER3 TV, INC.; PUSHSPRING, INC.; BOOST WORLDWIDE, LLC; CLEARWIRE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; CLEARWIRE IP HOLDINGS LLC; CLEARWIRE LEGACY LLC; SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.; SPRINT INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED; SPRINT SPECTRUM L.P.; ASSURANCE WIRELESS USA, L.P.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 053182/0001 →
GRANT OF FIRST PRIORITY AND JUNIOR PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Mar 6, 2017
From: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 041895/0210 →