Set top box browser control via a wireless handset
AssigneeCenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
InventorsJamie Howarter, Kelsyn Rooks, Douglas Ceballos
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims14
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.