Patent ID: 8910218
Filing Date: 2014-12-09
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: establishing communications among a plurality of set-top boxes with a configuration platform, wherein the configuration platform is a server, designating, via a control message from the configuration platform, one of the set-top boxes as a master set-top box that is configured to control one or more of remaining ones of the set-top boxes; generating, at the configuration platform, another control message to configure the remaining ones of the set-top boxes as child set-top boxes; receiving, at the master set-top box, a programming request from one of the child set-top boxes to view content; generating a response to the request to view content automatically, without a user input at the master set-top box, to grant permission for viewing by the one child set-top box in response to the programming request, wherein the response to the request to view content is automatically generated based, at least in part, on predetermined content filtering parameters specified within the master set-top box, wherein the received programming request is automatically generated when one of the child set-top boxes is configured to deny access to view the content, wherein the request from one of the child set-top boxes to view content is sent to the configuration platform and then sent from the configuration platform to the master set-top box, wherein the configuration platform is positioned remote from a user premise and the plurality of set-top boxes, and the plurality of set-top boxes communicate with the configuration platform via a service provider network and the Internet, wherein the configuration platform includes a portal that provides a web-based user interface to permit access to users to specify the relationship among the plurality of set-top boxes, and wherein the control message from the configuration platform designating the one of the set-top boxes as a master set-top box is in response to specifying a relationship among set-top boxes at the web-based user interface of the portal included in the configuration platform; generating a prompt to the user for setting a configuration parameter, wherein the configuration parameter relates to content scheduling, user preference information for the set-top box, user preference information for a digital video recorder, or a combination thereof; receiving an input value of the configuration parameter from the user, wherein the input value further defines the configuration parameter; selecting, at the master set-top box, one or more of the child set-top boxes to receive the configuration parameter value; generating a control command specifying the configuration parameter value for transmission to the selected one or more of the child set-top boxes; receiving an input signal, at the master set-top box, for monitoring one or more of the child set-top boxes; prompting the user for determination of the one or more of the child set-top boxes to be monitored; receiving currently viewed programming information of the selected child set-top box; providing viewing areas on a GUI which display the currently viewed programming, from the one or more child set-top boxes; presenting one or more command options, at the master set-top box, for selection by the user, wherein the command options are related to the treatment of the currently viewed programming information of the one or more monitored child set-top boxes; and determining the selected one of the command options for execution by the master set-top box in response to the received currently viewed programming information.