Method and system for using a second screen device to tune a set top box to display content playing on the second screen device

1. A method comprising:

displaying streamed content with a channel identifier of a selected channel on a screen device, wherein the screen device has a touch screen, and wherein the streamed content has a content identifier;

recognizing a first gesture performed within outer boundaries of a media player window while the screen device is displaying the streamed content of the selected channel in the media player window when the first gesture is performed for a predetermined amount of time followed by a second gesture in a particular direction, wherein the media player window is displayed on the touch screen;

forming a tune command comprising the channel identifier, content identifier, and a receiving device identifier comprising an Internet-Protocol (IP) address of the receiving device in response to the first gesture followed by the second gesture;

communicating the tune command to a receiving device from the screen device;

tuning the receiving device to receive a channel signal corresponding to the streamed content in response to the tune command;

comparing content data to parental controls associated with the screen device; and

displaying the channel signal on a display of the receiving device when the parental controls correspond to the content data.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising generating a gesture indicator on the touch screen in response to the first gesture.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising generating a gesture indicator on the touch screen in response to the first gesture performed for at least the predetermined amount of time.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the forming the tune command comprises forming the tune command to include the identifier associated with the streamed content and an address of a set top box.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the forming of the tune command comprises forming the tune command to include a channel identifier and an address of a satellite television set top box.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the communicating of the tune command comprises communicating the tune command from the screen device to the receiving device through a local area network.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the communicating of the tune command comprises communicating the tune command to the receiving device through a local area network and a router.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the parental controls comprise at least one of a rating, a channel identifier and a time restriction.

9. A system comprising:

a receiving device; and

a screen device in communication with the receiving device and having a touch screen, wherein the screen device displays video images of streamed content and a channel identifier for a selected channel in a media player window having outer boundaries on the touch screen, said streamed content having a content identifier, wherein said screen device recognizes a first gesture in the media player window within the outer boundaries while the screen device is displaying the streamed content of the selected channel in the media player window, said first gesture being performed for a predetermined amount of time followed by a second gesture in a particular direction, wherein the screen device forms a tune command comprising the content identifier, the channel identifier and a receiving device identifier comprising an Internet-Protocol (IP) address of the receiving device in response to the first gesture followed by the second gesture, and communicates the tune command to the receiving device from the screen device to tune the receiving device to the selected channel;

wherein said receiving device is configured to compare content data to parental controls associated with the screen device, tune to the selected channel in response to the tune command, and to display the streamed content of the channel when the parental controls correspond to the content data.

10. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein:

the receiving device comprises a set top box;

the screen device comprises a mobile touch screen device; and

the screen device communicates the tune command through a local area network.

11. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the screen device displays a gesture indictor on the touch screen in response to the first gesture.

12. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the screen device displays a gesture indictor on the touch screen in response to the first gesture performed for at least the predetermined amount of time.

13. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the first gesture is formed using a tune selection box of the media player.