Methods and apparatus for establishing network connections using an inter-mediating device

#The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for establishing connections between devices that are attempting to communicate over a network.

#Many devices commonly found in homes, offices and other settings are able to communicate with other devices over local area, wide area and other networks. In addition to conventional computer systems, many different types of televisions, television receivers, audio/video components, video game players, home appliances and many other devices now communicate using digital networks.

#This connectivity has enabled a new generation of applications and other benefits to consumers. Recently, for example, consumers have expressed significant interest in “place shifting” devices that allow remote viewing of television or other media content at locations other than the viewer's primary television set. Place shifting devices typically packetize and transmit media content over a network to a computer, phone or other remote device that can play back the packetized media stream for the viewer. In addition to placeshifting, many other media, control and other networked applications are enjoying similarly widespread consumer interest.

#Exemplary embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for establishing and supporting communications over a network; and

#FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary process for facilitating communications between a two devices.

#The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.

#According to various exemplary embodiments, systems and methods are provided to facilitate communication between two devices on a network through the use of a remote control or other intermediating device that is capable of communicating with each of the communicating device using radio frequency (RF) or other channels. In some implementations, the channels used to share address information between devices are not necessarily part of the network itself. The intermediating device may communicate, for example, using any ad hoc or other techniques, including ZIGBEE or other personal area network (PAN) techniques, BLUETOOTH, WI-FI, infrared and/or any other wireless connection techniques, as appropriate. The intermediating device is therefore able to obtain address information from a first device and to provide the address information to the second device so that the second device is able to contact the first device via the network.

#As an example, a remote control that is used to control a set-top box or other television receiver could be enhanced to receive, store and transfer network address information. Such a remote may use PAN, WLAN, infrared or other techniques to establish communications with the receiver in a conventional manner. These communications could also be used to query or otherwise obtain the receiver's IP address, port number and/or other address information that the receiver uses to communicate on the network. After the information is stored in the remote control, the information may be transferred to another device. A network-enabled television or other display, for example, may use the address information associated with the television receiver to establish a media placeshifting session, to obtain files or data stored on the receiver, or for any other purpose. Equivalent embodiments may use different types of clients, servers, and intermediating devices other than those described in this example to establish network communications for any purpose.