Set-top box with interactive portal and system and method for use of same

A set-top box comprising:

• a housing securing a signal input, a signal output, a processor, a transceiver, and memory therein;
• a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the signal input, the signal output, the transceiver, the processor, and the memory;
• the signal input configured to receive a source signal from an external source, the source signal including a plurality of channels;
• the signal output configured to forward a tuned signal to a display connected to the signal output, the signal being tuned from the source signal at the set-top box;
• a configuration profile stored in the memory, the configuration profile enables the set-top box to control a plurality of proximate amenities;
• the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
• receive a status signal via the transceiver from an amenity, the amenity being one of the multiple proximate amenities, the status signal being received in response to an occurrence selected from the group consisting of an event at the amenity, a periodic update transmitted by the amenity, and a status inquiry initiated by the set-top box,
• access the configuration profile and determine a status icon relative to the status signal, the status icon provides a description of the state of the amenity,
• access the configuration profile and determine a management icon from a plurality of management icons relative to the status signal, the management icon including a command request and a service request, the command request operates the amenity, the service request solicits an order, and
• generate an interactive portal including the status icon and the plurality of management icons;
• forward the interactive portal to the display via the signal output;
• receive an interactive instruction relative to at least one of the plurality of management icons;
• and
• the housing further comprises storage therein, the storage communicatively interconnected with the busing architecture, the storage storing a database having a plurality of annotated service profiles, each of the plurality of annotated service profiles corresponding to the multiple proximate amenities, the plurality of annotated service profiles including information relative to the service requests.

A set-top box comprising:

• a housing securing a signal input, a signal output, a processor, a transceiver, and memory therein;
• a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the signal input, the signal output, the transceiver, the processor, and the memory;
• the signal input configured to receive a source signal from an external source, the source signal including a plurality of channels;
• the signal output configured to forward a tuned signal to a display connected to the signal output, the signal being tuned from the source signal at the set-top box;
• a configuration profile stored in the memory, the configuration profile enables the set-top box to control a plurality of proximate amenities;
• the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
• receive a status signal via the transceiver from an amenity, the amenity being one of the multiple proximate amenities, the status signal being received in response to an occurrence selected from the group consisting of an event at the amenity, a periodic update transmitted by the amenity, and a status inquiry initiated by the set-top box,
• access the configuration profile and determine a status icon relative to the status signal, the status icon provides a description of the state of the amenity,
• access the configuration profile and determine a management icon from a plurality of management icons relative to the status signal, the management icon including a service request, the service request solicits a third-party order selected from the group consisting of repair, maintenance, and product fulfillment, and
• generate an interactive portal including the status icon and the plurality of management icons;
• forward the interactive portal to the display via the signal output;
• receive an interactive instruction relative to at least one of the plurality of management icons;
• and
• the housing further comprises storage therein, the storage communicatively interconnected with the busing architecture, the storage storing a database having a plurality of annotated service profiles, each of the plurality of annotated service profiles corresponding to the multiple proximate amenities, the plurality of annotated service profiles including information relative to the service requests.