Systems and methods for integrating a set-top box with internet content
Methods, systems and computer readable media for controlling a set-top box includes receiving at processor a request from a user to access a web page. The content of the web page is scanned at the processor for items relating to content that may be available through the set-top box. The processor then provides a web page to the user with an embedded widget which the user can use to select commands to be executed by the set-top box. The processor receives the widget command and sends the widget command to the set-top box for implementation.
1. A method for controlling a set-top box comprising:
registering the set-top box as an internet controllable set-top box in a registration server;
storing registration information in a storage device that includes a secure database for a plurality of additional set-top boxes;
specifying a first URL and a second URL, wherein the first URL provides private data to a provider of set-top box content to the set-top box and affords access to the set-top box via a secure connection, and the second URL is a web surfing URL;
delivering the second URL to a user;
searching a network with a web browser using the second URL;
identifying a web page to be retrieved wherein the web page has a content associated therewith;
scanning the content in a processor to identify content of interest accessible through the set-top box;
embedding a widget on the web page wherein the widget includes a plurality of instructions to be effected by the set-top box;
sending a selection of one of the plurality of instructions to the processor; and
sending a command associated with the selection to the set-top box.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the processor is the set-top box.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the processor is a proxy server.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the network is the internet.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein delivering the second URL comprises delivering the second URL to the set-top box, via email as a link, or as a script which when run in the web browser would configure settings of the web browser.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein delivering the second URL comprises embedding the second URL in a browser plugin for which a link is sent to the user.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the widget is an application that can display information, display commands and interact with the user.
8. A system for controlling a set-top box comprising:
a registration server;
a processor;
memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:
registering the set-top box as an internet controllable set-top box in the registration server;
storing registration information in the memory that includes a secure database for a plurality of additional set-top boxes;
specifying a first URL and a second URL, wherein the first URL provides private data to a provider of set-top box content to the set-top box and affords access to the set-top box via a secure connection, and the second URL is a web surfing URL;
delivering the second URL to a user;
searching a network with a web browser using the second URL;
identifying a web page to be retrieved wherein the web page has a content associated therewith;
scanning the content in the processor to identify content of interest accessible through the set-top box;
embedding a widget on the web page wherein the widget includes a plurality of instructions to be effected by the set-top box;
sending a selection of one of the plurality of instructions to the processor; and
sending a command associated with the selection to the set-top box.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the processor is the set-top box.
10. The system of claim 8 wherein the processor is a proxy server.
11. The system of claim 8 wherein the network is the internet.
12. The system of claim 8 wherein delivering the second URL comprises delivering the second URL to the set-top box, via email as a link, or as a script which when run in the web browser would configure settings of the web browser.
13. The system of claim 8 wherein delivering the second URL comprises embedding the second URL in a browser plugin for which a link is sent to the user.
14. The system of claim 8 wherein the widget is an application that can display information, display commands and interact with the user.
15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer effectuate operations comprising:
registering a set-top box as an internet controllable set-top box in a registration server;
storing registration information in a storage device that includes a secure database for a plurality of additional set-top boxes;
specifying a first URL and a second URL, wherein the first URL provides private data to a provider of set-top box content to the set-top box and affords access to the set-top box via a secure connection, and the second URL is a web surfing URL;
delivering the second URL to a user;
searching a network with a web browser using the second URL;
identifying a web page to be retrieved wherein the web page has a content associated therewith;
scanning the content in a processor to identify content of interest accessible through the set-top box;
embedding a widget on the web page wherein the widget includes a plurality of instructions to be effected by the set-top box;
sending a selection of one of the plurality of instructions to the processor; and
sending a command associated with the selection to the set-top box.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the processor is the set-top box.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the processor is a proxy server.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the network is the internet.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 wherein delivering the second URL comprises delivering the second URL to the set-top box, via email as a link, or as a script which when run in the web browser would configure settings of the web browser.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 wherein delivering the second URL comprises embedding the second URL in a browser plugin for which a link is sent to the user.