# US 2019/0174182 A1 · Systems and Methods for Operating a Set Top Box > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0174182 A1 - Document ID: US20190174182A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/257,013 - Filed: 2019-01-24 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-09-19 - Assignees: Google Inc. - Applicants: Google LLC - Inventors: Vincent Dureau; Nathan Leslie Sandland - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190174182A1 ## CPC - H04N 21/44008: {involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in the video stream (arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59)} - H04N 5/50: Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control - H04N 21/41407: {embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop (constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57)} - H04N 21/4227: {Providing} Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work - H04N 21/4325: {by playing back content from the storage medium (reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79)} - H04N 21/4334: {Recording operations (recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27)} - H04N 21/4532: {involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences (monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18)} - H04N 21/47202: {for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand} - H04N 21/47214: {for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market (stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224)} - H04N 21/482: End-user interface for programme selection - H04N 21/6582: {Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number (arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38)} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract Features of various implementations are used to control operation of a second electronic device from a first electronic device using indirect control methods and optical character recognition. In some implementations, communication between a primary set-top box and a supplemental set-top box is configured in order to avoid the need for one or more provider-specific APIs. For example, one aspect of the disclosure is a method of identifying commands that can be used to control one or more features of a primary set-top box (e.g., DVR or VOD features) by a supplemental set-top box issuing commands to the primary set-top box via a wireless (e.g., IR) transmitter, and then using optical character recognition to identify the outcomes of those commands as displayed on a primary TV display or secondary display. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer-implemented method, comprising: at a first electronic device coupled to a display and a second electronic device, the first electronic device including one or more processors and memory: sending a first command sequence to the second electronic device, wherein the first command sequence is not known to be correct; in response to the sending, capturing display data provided by the second electronic device; generating a fingerprint of displayed user interface elements from the captured display data; comparing the generated fingerprint with one or more fingerprints corresponding to a known media program; determining, based on the comparing, whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device; in accordance with a determination that the first command sequence was not performed correctly, sending a second command sequence to the second electronic device, wherein the second command sequence is not known to be correct; and in accordance with a determination that the second command sequence was performed correctly, identifying a command set comprising the second command sequence as a correct command set for the second electronic device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: generating a user interface including selectable user options for interacting with a plurality of features provided by the second electronic device; providing the user interface for display on the display; receiving a user selection, via the provided user interface, of an option associated with a feature; determining that a particular command of the command set corresponds to the feature; and responsive to the user selection of the option associated with the feature, issuing the particular command to the second electronic device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein display data is received via a first output connection of the second device, wherein the first output connection is a one-way connection from the second electronic device to the first electronic device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the first output connection provides video and audio data corresponding to features provided by the second electronic device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the second electronic device provides a plurality of features; and the method further comprises selecting the second command sequence from a database of command sequences based on a device type of the second electronic device and a feature type of the first feature. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the second electronic device comprises a set top box having services that include: video on demand services, digital video recorder services, EPG services, and set top box services. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the set-top box services include: checking an on/off state of the set top box; checking a menu state of the set top box; checking a provider associated with the set top box; setting a configuration of the set top box; and/or determining the configuration of the set top box. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The computer-implemented method of claim 6 wherein the digital video recorder services include: scheduling a recording of a content item provided via the set top box; and/or selecting for viewing a previously recording content item. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first electronic device is one of: a smart phone; a tablet; and a laptop computer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device comprises: sending the generated fingerprint to a server system; and receiving, from the server system, the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device comprises obtaining the determination as to whether the captured display data corresponds to expected media content. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first electronic device further includes a microphone; and the method further comprises: capturing, via the microphone, outputted audio content provided by the second electronic device; and generating an audio fingerprint based on the captured audio data; wherein obtaining the determination as to whether the first command sequence was performed correctly includes comparing the generated audio fingerprint to one or more fingerprints for expected content. ### Claim 13 An electronic device, comprising: one or more processors; and memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for: sending a first command sequence to a second electronic device coupled to a display, wherein the first command sequence is not known to be correct; in response to the sending, capturing display data provided by the second electronic device; generating a fingerprint of displayed user interface elements from the captured display data; comparing the generated fingerprint with one or more fingerprints corresponding to a known media program; determining, based on the comparing, whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device; in accordance with a determination that the first command sequence was not performed correctly, sending a second command sequence to the second electronic device, wherein the second command sequence is not known to be correct; and in accordance with a determination that the second command sequence was performed correctly, identifying a command set comprising the second command sequence as a correct command set for the second electronic device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the feature comprises a digital video recorder feature or video on demand feature. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the feature comprises an EPG service feature or set top box service feature. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The electronic device of claim 13, further comprising a camera; and wherein capturing display data provided by the second electronic device comprises capturing the display data via the camera. ### Claim 17 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by an electronic device, cause the electronic device to: send a first command sequence to a second electronic device coupled to a display, wherein the first command sequence is not known to be correct; in response to the sending, capture display data provided by the second electronic device; generate a fingerprint of displayed user interface elements from the captured display data; compare the generated fingerprint with one or more fingerprints corresponding to a known media program; determine, based on the comparing, whether the first command sequence was performed correctly by the second electronic device; in accordance with a determination that the first command sequence was not performed correctly, send a second command sequence to the second electronic device, wherein the second command sequence is not known to be correct; and in accordance with a determination that the second command sequence was performed correctly, identify a command set comprising the second command sequence as a correct command set for the second electronic device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein sending the first command sequence to the second electronic device comprises sending the first command sequence via a wireless connection between the electronic device and the second electronic device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the second command sequence comprises one or more commands to: (a) exercise certain services of the second electronic device, (b) access certain features of the second electronic device, and/or (c) access particular content available to the second electronic device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the generated fingerprint is based on position, size, graphics, and/or content of the displayed user interface elements.