Method and apparatus for controlling a media device

A method, comprising:

• transmitting, by a system comprising a processor, a query message to identify devices communicatively coupled to a communication network;
• receiving, by the system, a response message by way of the communication network;
• detecting, by the system, according to the response message, that a media device is communicatively coupled to the communication network;
• submitting, by the system, to a remote server a request for a key to enable communications with the media device;
• receiving, by the system, the key from the remote server;
• detecting, by the system, an event associated with use of the media device;
• generating, by the system, a command responsive to detecting the event;
• transmitting , by the system, to the media device the command, wherein the command directs the media device to request web page information from a web server executed by the system;
• receiving, by the system, a request for the web page information from the media device;
• and
• transmitting, by the system, the web page information to the media device by way of the web server.

A computer-readable storage device, comprising computer instructions which when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

• detecting a communication network;
• broadcasting a query message by way of the communication network;
• receiving a response message from the communication network;
• detecting from the response message that a media device is communicatively coupled to the communication network;
• receiving a key from a remote server to enable communications with the media device;
• detecting an event requiring use of the media device;
• generating a command responsive to the event;
• transmitting to the media device the command to direct the media device to request information from a web server executed by the processor;
• receiving from the media device a request for information to be provided by the web server;
• and
• transmitting to the media device by way of the web server the information requested.