Network-based control of a media device

1. A method implemented by a proxy device communicatively coupled to a media device, comprising:

communicating, by the proxy device, with the media device to determine a first operating protocol that is utilized by the media device;

transmitting, by the proxy device, a message identifying the determined first operating protocol to a network-based device configured to associate the determined first operating protocol to the media device via a data structure accessible by the network-based device;

receiving, by the proxy device, a first command that identifies an item of media content to be played back via the media device, the first command being in accordance with a second operating protocol that is incompatible with the media device;

transmitting, by the proxy device, the first command to the network-based device, the network-based device being further configured to access the data structure to determine that the media device utilizes the first operating protocol and translate the first command into a second command that is in accordance with the first operating protocol;

receiving, by the proxy device, the second command from the network-based device, the second command configured to cause the media device to play back the item of media content via a display device, the proxy device being coupled between the media device and the display device; and

transmitting, by the proxy device, the second command to the media device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the media device is an Internet streaming device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the proxy device and the media device are connected to a first network.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first command is initiated from a device that is not connected to the first network.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the proxy device is configured to receive the first command via at least one of:

an infrared (IR)-based communication protocol; or

a radio frequency (RF)-based communication protocol.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the first command is based on a voice-based command.

7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first command is initiated from a device that is connected to the first network.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first command comprises an IP-based command.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, by the proxy device, the item of media content from the media device; and

providing, by the proxy device, the item of media content to the display device for playback thereby.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first command further comprises a second identifier that identifies a content-providing service from which the media device provides the item of media content.

11. A proxy device, comprising:

one or more processors; and

one or more memory devices connected to the one or more processors, the one or more memory devices storing computer program logic that is executable by the one or more processors, the computer program logic comprising:

control logic configured to:

communicate with the media device to determine a first operating protocol that is utilized by a media device communicatively coupled to the proxy device;

transmit, by the proxy device, a message identifying the determined first operating protocol to a network-based device configured to associate the determined first operating protocol to the media device via a data structure accessible by the network-based device;

receive a first command that identifies an item of media content to be played back via a media device, the first command being in accordance with a second operating protocol that is incompatible with the media device;

transmit the first command to the network-based device, the network-based device being further configured to access the data structure to determine that the media device utilizes the first operating protocol and translate the first command into a second command that is in accordance with the first operating protocol;

receive the second command from the network-based device, the second command configured to cause the media device to play back the item of media content via a display device, the proxy device being coupled between the media device and the display device; and

transmit the second command to the media device.

12. The proxy device of claim 11 , wherein the media device is an Internet streaming device.

13. The proxy device of claim 11 , wherein the proxy device and the media device are connected to a first network.

14. The proxy device of claim 13 , wherein the control logic is configured to receive the first command from a device that is not connected to the first network.

15. The proxy device of claim 14 , wherein the control logic is configured to receive the first command via at least one of:

an infrared (IR)-based communication protocol; or

a radio frequency (RF)-based communication protocol.

16. The proxy device of claim 14 , wherein the first command is based on a voice-based command.

17. The proxy device of claim 13 , wherein the control logic is configured to receive the first command from a device that is connected to the first network.

18. The proxy device of claim 17 , wherein the first command comprises an IP-based command.

19. The proxy device of claim 11 , wherein the control logic is further configured to:

receive the item of media content from the media device; and

provide the item of media content to the display device for playback thereby.

20. A computer-readable storage medium having program instructions recorded thereon that, when executed by at least one processor, perform a method implemented by a proxy device for controlling a media device, the method comprising:

communicating, by the proxy device, with the media device to determine a first operating protocol that is utilized by the media device;

transmitting, by the proxy device, a message identifying the determined first operating protocol to a network-based device configured to associate the determined first operating protocol to the media device via a data structure accessible by the network-based device;

receiving, by the proxy device, a first command that identifies an item of media content to be played back via a media device, the first command being in accordance with a second operating protocol that is incompatible with the media device;

transmitting, by the proxy device, the first command to the network-based device, the network-based device being further configured to access the data structure to determine that the media device utilizes the first operating protocol and translate the first command into a second command that is in accordance with the first operating protocol;

receiving, by the proxy device, the second command from the network-based device, the second command configured to cause the media device to play back the item of media content via a display device, the proxy device being coupled between the media device and the display device; and

transmitting, by the proxy device, the second command to the media device.