IP Library Granted Patent US 8,789,130
Granted Patent B2
US 8,789,130 · App. 12/499,484 · Granted Jul 22, 2014

Set top box browser control via a wireless handset

Inventors: Jamie Howarter (Overland Park, KS); Kelsyn Rooks (Overland Park, KS); Douglas Ceballos (Olathe, KS)
Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
H04N21/4126H04N21/4122H04N21/42209H04N21/42219H04N21/4222H04N21/4227
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,789,130
App. No.
12/499,484
Granted
Jul 22, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for providing Internet access via a set top box may include operating, on the set top box, a browser configured to display data associated with a website. A command may be received from a wireless communications device via a communications network. The command may include a network address of the website. In response to receiving the command, the website data may be displayed on a television to which the set top box is in communication.

Claims (35)

1. A method for providing Internet access via a set top box, said method comprising:

operating, on the set top box, a browser configured to display data associated with a website;

receiving, at a proxy server and via a communications network, a request from a wireless communications device to communicate with the set top box, the request comprising an identifier of the wireless communications device;

querying, with the proxy server, independent of a user input, a database to identify the set top box as being associated with the wireless communications device;

determining, with the proxy server, independent of a user input, that the wireless communications device is authorized to communicate with the set top box;

establishing a communications link between the wireless communications device and the set top box, in response to determining that the wireless communications device is authorized to communicate with the set top box;

receiving, at the set top box, a command from a wireless communications device via a communications network, the command including a network address of the website;

in response to receiving the command, displaying the website data on a television to which the set top box is in communication; and

enabling a user to control a curser on the television in substantially real time through a touch screen of the wireless communications device.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein receiving the command from a communications device includes receiving the command from a mobile telephone.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein receiving the command includes receiving the command via an Internet protocol (IP) communication.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising downloading an application to the wireless communications device to enable a user to communicate the commands to the set top box.

5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising simultaneously displaying the website data on the television and the wireless communications device.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein displaying the website data on the television includes displaying the website data in a window on the television.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein displaying the website data on the television includes displaying tabs and frames as defined by the website data.

8. A system for providing Internet access while being remotely controlled by a wireless communications device, said system comprising:

a set top box, comprising:

a memory;

an input/output (I/O) unit in communication with a communications network;

a processing unit in communication with said memory and I/O unit, said processing unit configured to:

operate a browser configured to display data associated with a website;

receive a command from a wireless communications device via a communications network, the command including a network address of the website; and

in response to receiving the command, display the website data on a television to which the set top box is in communication; and

a proxy server configured to:

receive a request from the wireless communications device to communicate with the set top box, the request comprising an identifier of the wireless device;

query, independent of a user input, a database to identify set top box as being associated with the wireless communications device;

determine, independent of a user input, that the wireless communications device is authorized to communicate with the set top box;

establish a communications link between the wireless communications device and the set top box, in response to determining that the wireless communications device is authorized to communicate with the set top box; and

enable a user to control a curser on the television in substantially real time through a touch screen of the wireless communications device.

9. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the command is received from a mobile telephone.

10. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the command is received via an Internet protocol (IP) communication.

11. The system according to claim 8 , further comprising a software application downloadable to the wireless communications device to enable a user to communicate the commands to the set top box.

12. The system according to claim 8 , wherein said processing unit is further configured to simultaneously display the website data on the television when the website data is being displayed on the wireless communications device.

13. The system according to claim 8 , wherein said processing unit is configured to display the website data in a window on the television.

14. The system according to claim 8 , wherein said processing unit is configured to display tabs and frames as defined by the website data.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 13, 2014
From: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC
To: CENTURYLINK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LLC
Reel/Frame 033163/0541 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 8, 2009
From: HOWARTER, JAMIE; ROOKS, KELSYN; CEBALLOS, DOUGLAS
To: EMBARQ HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 022929/0488 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110010746A1 · Jan 13, 2011