Location based user aware video on demand sessions

A cable backend and a method are described herein for enabling a user with a location-aware mobile device to have at least partial control of a closest cable device (e.g., set top box, cable application) associated with a closest television. The closest cable device does not need to be associated with the user's home television but instead can be any cable device that is associated with a television located for instance at a stranger's house, an airport, a bar, or wherever.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cable backend and a method for enabling a user with a location-aware mobile device to have at least partial control of a closest cable device (e.g., set top box, cable application) associated with a closest television. In addition, the present invention relates to the location-aware mobile device which enables the user to have at least partial control of the closest cable device associated with the closest television. The closest cable device does not need to be associated with the user's home television but instead can be any cable device that is associated with a television located for instance at a stranger's house, an airport, a bar, or wherever.

BACKGROUND

Traditional set top boxes (STBs) only allow a single user to be associated with them. The single user may have one or more set top boxes with which they can interact, typically those set top boxes are all located within the same household. Each home set top box has information (stored in a single household account) on rentals, premium content and similar, regardless of which home set top box was used to actually make the purchase for the rentals, premium content and similar. Increasingly, users expect their cable television to fit their “on the go lifestyle”, with popular innovations such as multi-screen television where content (television programs, rental movies, premium content etc. . . . ) can be displayed on the user's television, computer or mobile device. While multi-screen television helps users consume content when they are away from their home, traditional set top boxes remain the most efficient method of delivering high quality video content to the user's television. However, the traditional set top box requires that the user be confined to their home to view the content on their television. Should the user leave their home, even if the user is near another set top box and television, that set top box will not be configured to access their account, reinforcing the perception that traditional television is a “at home” experience, only. The same problem occurs when there is no set top box but instead the hardware and software associated with the set top box forms a cable application which is located within the television. Thus, there has been and still is a need to address at least this shortcoming and other shortcomings which are satisfied by the present invention.

SUMMARY

A cable backend, a method, and a location-aware mobile device that address the shortcomings of the prior art are described in the independent claims of the present application. Advantageous embodiments of the cable backend, the method, and the location-aware mobile device have been described in the dependent claims of the present application.

In an aspect, the present invention provides a cable backend for enabling a user with a location-aware mobile device to have at least partial control of a closest cable device associated with a closest television. The cable backend comprises a login server, a location system (which stores fixed locations of a plurality of cable devices), and an accounting system (which maintains account details of the user). The login server is configured to receive a login command from the location-aware mobile device, the login command includes at least account information associated with the user and a current location of the user. The login server is configured to send the current location of the user to the location system. The location system is configured to store the current location of the user. The login server is configured to send a query to the location system to determine which one of the cable devices is located closest to the current location of the user. The location system is configured to determine which one of the cable devices is located closest to the current location of the user. The location system is configured to send information identifying the closest cable device to the login server. The login server is configured to send the information identifying the closest cable device to the location-aware mobile device. The login server is configured to send a request to the accounting system for at least a portion of the account details of the user stored therein. The accounting system is configured to send the at least a portion of the account details of the user to the login server. The login server is configured to send the at least a portion of the account details of the user to the closest cable device. The login server is configured to send a login confirmation to the location-aware mobile device to indicate to the user that they now have at least partial control of the closest cable device to control content displayed on the closest television. The cable backend has an advantage in that it enables the user to at least partially control the closest cable device which may be located outside of their home but can function in an identical manner as the cable devices located in their home.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method for enabling a user with a location-aware mobile device to have at least partial control of a closest cable device associated with a closest television. The method is implemented by a cable backend comprising a login server, a location system, and an accounting system. The method comprises the steps of: (a) storing, at the location system, fixed locations of a plurality of cable devices; (b) maintaining, at the accounting system, account details of the user, (c) receiving, at the login server, a login command from the location-aware mobile device, the login command includes at least account information associated with the user and a current location of the user; (d) sending, from the login server, the current location of the user to the location system; (e) storing, at the location system, the current location of the user; (f) sending, from the login server, a query to the location system to determine which one of the plurality of cable devices is located closest to the current location of the user; (g) determining, at the location system, which one of the plurality of cable devices is located closest to the current location of the user; (h) sending, from the location system, information identifying the closest cable device to the login server; (i) sending, from the login server, the information identifying the closest cable device to the location-aware mobile device; (j) sending, from the login server, a request to the accounting system for at least a portion of the account details of the user stored therein; (k) sending, from the accounting system, the at least a portion of the account details of the user to the login server; (l) sending, from the login server, the at least a portion of the account details of the user to the closest cable device; and (m) sending, from the login server, a login confirmation to the location-aware mobile device to indicate to the user that they now have at least partial control of the closest cable device to control content displayed on the closest television. The method has an advantage in that it enables the user to at least partially control the closest cable device which may be located outside of their home but can function in an identical manner as the cable devices located in their home.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a location-aware mobile device configured to interact with a cable backend to enable a user of the location-aware mobile device to have at least partial control of a closest cable device associated with a closest television. The location-aware mobile device comprises: (a) a positioning system configured to determine a current location of the user; (b) processor; and (c) a memory that stores processor-executable instructions therein where the processor interfaces with the memory and executes the processor-executable instructions to: (i) send a login command to the cable backend, where the login command includes at least account information associated with the user and the current location of the user; and (ii) receive a login confirmation from the cable backend, where the login confirmation indicates to the user that they now have at least partial control of the closest cable device to control content displayed on the closest television. The location-aware mobile device has an advantage in that it enables the user to at least partially control the closest cable device which may be located outside of their home but can function in an identical manner as the cable devices located in their home.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method implemented by a location-aware mobile device for enabling a user to interact with a cable backend to have at least partial control of a closest cable device associated with a closest television. The method comprising the steps of (a) determining a current location of the user; (b) sending a login command to the cable backend, where the login command includes at least account information associated with the user and the current location of the user; and (c) receiving a login confirmation from the cable backend, where the login confirmation indicates to the user that they now have at least partial control of the closest cable device to control content displayed on the closest television. The method has an advantage in that it enables the user to at least partially control the closest cable device which may be located outside of their home but can function in an identical manner as the cable devices located in the user's home.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, there is a block diagram of an exemplary cable backend100configured to enable a user102(only one shown) with a location-aware mobile device104(e.g., smart mobile phone, laptop computer, personal digital assistant, Ipad®) to have at least partial control of a closest cable device105(e.g., closest set top box105) associated with a closest television107in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The cable backend100includes a login server108(check-in server108), a location system110, an accounting system112(billing system112), and an advertising system114(demographic system114).

The login server108interfaces with and controls a number of set top boxes105,105′ and105″ (cable devices105,105′ and105″) which are respectively connected to televisions107,107′ and107″. In this example, the set top boxes105′ and corresponding televisions107′ are located in a home116of the user102, and the set top boxes105and105″ and corresponding televisions107and107″ are located outside of the home116of the user102. In this scenario, the user102is currently located next to set top box105and television107and hence this particular set top box105and television107are referred to herein as being the closest set top box105and the closest television107.

In addition, the login server108can interface with and control a number of cable applications106′ and106″ (cable devices106′ and106″) which are respectively located within the televisions109′ and109″. In this example, the connected television109′ including the cable application106′ is located in the home116of the user102, and the connected televisions109″ including the cable applications106″ are located outside of the home116of the user102. Each cable device105,105′,105″,106′ and106″ can be controlled by a corresponding remote control118,118′,118″,119′ and119″ to determine the content displayed on the corresponding televisions107,107′,107′,109′ and109″.

The login server108also interfaces and communicates with the location-aware mobile device104. The location system110stores fixed locations120(geographical locations120) of the cable device105,105′,105″,106′ and106″. The accounting system112stores and maintains account details122(billing and subscription details122) of the user102.

An exemplary scenario is discussed in next were the cable backend100enables the user102with the location-aware mobile device104to have at least partial control of the closest set top box105to control the content displayed on the closest television107as follows:

1. The login server108is configured to receive a login command124from the location-aware mobile device104. Typically, the user102when located next to a set top box105(for example) would interact with an application123stored within their location-aware mobile device104to send the login command124to the login server108. The login command124includes at least account information125(e.g., account number and password) associated with the user102and a current location128of the user102. To accomplish this, the location-aware mobile device104includes a positioning system126(e.g., global positioning system126) configured to determine the current location128of the user102.

2. The login server108is configured to send the current location128of the user102to the location system110.

3. The location system110is configured to store the current location128of the user102.

4. The login server108is configured to send a query130to the location system110to determine which one of the cable devices105,105′,105″,106′ and106″ is located closest to the current location128of the user102. If desired, the login server108can be configured to send the user's current location128and the query130at same time to the location system110.

5. The location system110upon receiving the query130is configured to determine which one of the cable devices105,105′,105″,106′ and106″ is located closest to the current location128of the user102. For example, the location system110would compare the user's current location128to the previously stored fixed locations120of the cable devices105,105′,105″,106′ and106″ to determine that the user102is located next to set top box105(closest set top box105).

6. The location system110is configured to send information132identifying the closest set top box105to the login server108.

7. The login server108is configured to send the information132identifying the closest set top box105to the location-aware mobile device104.

8. The login server108is configured to send a request134to the accounting system112for at least a portion135(e.g., rental history, active rentals, demographics, rating restrictions, billing information (in the case of full set top control)) of the account details122of the user102. In addition, the login server108informs the accounting system112that the user102will have temporary control of the closest set top box105to select the specific content which is displayed on the closest television107.

9. The accounting system112is configured to send the portion135(e.g., rental history, active rentals, demographics, rating restrictions, billing information (in the case of full set top control)) of the user's account details122to the login server108.

10. The login server108is configured to send the portion135of the user's account details122to the closest set top box105. At this point, the closest set-top box105which happens to be located outside of the home116of the user102can now function in an identical manner as the one or more cable devices105′ and106′ located in the home116of the user102.

11. The login server108is configured to send a login confirmation136to the location-aware mobile device104to indicate to the user102that they now have at least partial control of the closest set top box105so they can now control what content is displayed on the closest television107(see exemplary use case nos. 1-4—discussed below).

12. The accounting system112is further configured to process more than one user-billing account for the closest set top box105if the user102is logged-in to the closest set top box105(see exemplary use case no. 1—discussed below). In this situation, the user102has temporary control of the closest set top box105using the location-aware mobile device104or the traditional set top box remote control118so the user102can at least navigate video on demand catalogs, watch premium content, and rent movies that will be processed through their billing account. In particular, the accounting system112would process one user-billing account associated with the closest set top box105for the original owner/subscriber (not shown) and process another user-billing account associated with the closest set top box105for the user102. In other words, the user102is responsible for paying any fees for viewing content on the closest television107while the user102is logged-in to and has control of the closest set top box105. Plus, the original owner/subscriber would be responsible for paying any fees for viewing content on the closest television107when the user102is not logged-in to and controlling the closest set top box105.

13. The advertising system114(optional) is configured to interact with the location system110and obtain the user's current location128to track demographics of the user102. If desired, the advertising system114can be configured to interact with the location system110to obtain the current locations of multiple users (not shown) to track the demographics of the multiple users102(only one shown).

14. The advertising system114(optional) is configured to utilize the user's location information128and other information (e.g., user's account details122, other user's location information) to send target advertising138to the user102and if desired the other users (not shown) based on the tracked demographics.

15. The login server108logs-out the user102from the closest set top box105if the user102uses the location-aware mobile device104to actively close their control of the closest set top box105. In addition, the login server108can log-out the user102from the closest set top box105if the user102moves the location-aware mobile device104a predetermined distance away from the closest set top box105. To accomplish this, the location-aware mobile device104would have to send periodic updates of the user's current location128to the login server108.

16. The login server108sends a log-out message139to the accounting system112if the login server108had complete control of the closest set top box105using the location-aware mobile device104or the traditional set top box remote control118to at least navigate video on demand catalogs, watch premium content, and rent movies (see exemplary use case no. 1—discussed below).

17. The accounting system112upon receiving the log-out message139would stop billing the user102for content displayed on the closest television107and start billing the original subscriber-user associated with the closest set top box105for future content displayed on the closest television107.

In the aforementioned exemplary scenario, the cable backend100is described as enabling the user102with the location-aware mobile device104to have at least partial control of the closest set top box105and hence control of the content displayed on the closest television107. However, it should be appreciated that the cable backend100can also function to enable the user102with the location-aware mobile device104depending on their current location to have at least partial control of anyone of the cable devices105′,105′,106′ and106″ associated with the televisions107′,107″,109′ and109″. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the cable backend100can function to enable any number of users102with location-aware mobile devices104to have at least partial control over their respective closest cable devices105,105′,105″,106′ and106″.

The login server108has one or more processors140and memory142(storage142) that includes processor-executable instructions where the one or more processors140is adapted to interface with the memory142and use hardware or execute the processor-executable instructions to implement at least the aforementioned steps1,2,4,7,8,10,11,15, and16In one example, the one or more processors140and the memory142are implemented, at least partially, as some combination of software, firmware, hardware, or hard-coded logic.

The location system110has one or more processors144and memory146(storage146) that includes processor-executable instructions where the one or more processors144is adapted to interface with the memory146and use hardware or execute the processor-executable instructions to implement at least the aforementioned steps3,5, and6. In addition, the memory146can store the user's current location128and the fixed locations120(geographical locations120) of the cable devices105,105′,105″,106; and106″. In one example, the one or more processors144and the memory146are implemented, at least partially, as some combination of software, firmware, hardware, or hard-coded logic.

The accounting system112has one or more processors148and memory150(storage150) that includes processor-executable instructions where the one or more processors148is adapted to interface with the memory150and use hardware or execute the processor-executable instructions to implement at least the aforementioned steps9,12and17In addition, the memory150stores the user's account details122(billing and subscription details122). In one example, the one or more processors148and the memory150are implemented, at least partially, as some combination of software, firmware, hardware, or hard-coded logic.

The advertising system114has one or more processors152and memory154(storage154) that includes processor-executable instructions where the one or more processors152is adapted to interface with the memory154and use hardware or execute the processor-executable instructions to implement at least the aforementioned steps13and14. In one example, the one or more processors152and the memory154are implemented, at least partially, as some combination of software, firmware, hardware, or hard-coded logic.

The location-aware mobile device104has one or more processors156and memory158(storage158) that includes processor-executable instructions where the one or more processors156is adapted to interface with the memory158and use hardware or execute the processor-executable instructions to help implement at least the aforementioned steps1,7,11and15. In one example, the one or more processors156and the memory158are implemented, at least partially, as some combination of software, firmware, hardware, or hard-coded logic. In addition, the location-aware mobile device104includes a user interface160that enables the user102to control the closest set top box105after the aforementioned step11. Furthermore, the location-aware mobile device104includes a software application123installed thereon that the user102can access to communicate with the cable backend100.

There are several exemplary use case nos. 1-4 described next to help further explain some of the capabilities, features and benefits which are associated with the present invention.

Use Case No 1: A User102“Logs-in” to a STB105

1. The user102is located near a compatible cable device105,105′,105′,106′ and106″ which is perhaps located at an airport, a bar, a stranger's house, a friends' house, or even their own home116.

2. The user102has a location-aware mobile device104which has the software application123installed thereon that can communicate with the cable backend100. The user102accesses the software application123and gives it permission to transmit the login command124which includes their current location128to the login server108(see FIG.1's step1).

3. The login server108and the location system110processes the user's current location128and returns information132and136to the location-aware mobile device102about the particular set top box105that is located closest to the user102which is presumably the set top box105that the user102is standing in front of (see FIG.1's steps2-11).

4. The user102now is “logged-in” to the closest set top box105. At this time, the user102can control the set top box105via a software remote control on their location-aware mobile device104, or through the traditional set top box remote control118. For instance, the user102can navigate video-on-demand (VOD) catalogs, watch premium content they may have access to, watch rental sessions, and rent movies that will be processed normally through their billing account122just as they would have if using one of the set top box105′ located at their home116(see FIG.1's steps10-11). At this time, the accounting system112would start billing the user102for content displayed on the closest television107(see FIG.1's step12). Plus, the advertising system114can register the user's presence for targeted advertising, and demographics tracking (see FIG.1's steps13and14).

5. The user102actively closes the software application123in their location-aware mobile device104, or they walk a set distance away from the closest set top box105, then the login server108logs the user102out of the closest set top box105(see FIG.1's step15).

6. The login server108sends the log-out message139to the accounting system112which upon receipt of the log-out message139would stop billing the user102for content displayed on the closest television107(see FIG.1's steps16and17).

Use Case No. 2: A User102“Checks-in” to a STB105

1. The user102is away from their home116and located near a compatible set top box105. This set top box105would not allow the user102to have full “owner” control for whatever reason maybe some other user is already logged-in, and as a result the user102can only “check-in” to the set top box105.

2. The user102has a location-aware mobile device104which has the software application123installed thereon that can communicate with the cable backend100. The user102accesses the software application123and gives it permission to transmit the login command124which includes their current location128to the login server108(see FIG.1's step1).

3. The login server108and the location system110processes the user's current location128and returns information132and136to the location-aware mobile device102about the particular set top box105that is located closest to the user102which is presumably the set top box105that the user102is standing in front of (see FIG.1's steps2-11).

4. The user102is now “checked-in” and has limited use of the closest set top box105(see FIG.1's step11). For instance, the user102which is “checked-in” to the closest set top box105would have limited control of the closest set top box105using the corresponding set top box remote control118so the user can at least access their personal content, free content, or any content they have previously purchased. In this case, the user's premium content and rental sessions are available through the closest set top box105for viewing on the closest television107. However, the user102can not control the closest set top box105by using the software remote control on their location-aware mobile device104to prevent multiple remote controls from vying for control of the closest set top box105. In this case, the user102while away from their home116cannot make purchases, but the user102can view any free content, or content they have already purchased on the closest television105. At this time, the advertising system114can register the user's presence for targeted advertising, and demographics tracking (see FIG.1's steps13and14).

5. The user102actively closes the software application123in their location-aware mobile device104, or they walk a set distance away from the closest set top box105, then the login server108logs the user102out of the closest set top box105(see FIG.1's step15).

Use Case No. 3: Multiple Users102Checked into the Same STB105

1. The user102wishes to “check-in” to the closest set top box105which already happens to have one user102“logged-in” and possibly one or more other users102“checked-in” to it. As described above, the user102would utilize their location-aware mobile device104to “check-in” with the cable backend100by providing their current location128to the login server108(see FIG.1's step1).

2. Once “checked-in”, each user's content including their rental sessions and their premium content is made available at the closest set top box105for viewing by all of the users on the closest television107(see FIG.1's step11).

3. The advertising system114takes into account all of the “checked-in” users102and the single “logged-in” user102when recommending movies, targeting ads, and building demographic pictures of the audience (see FIG.1's steps13and14).

4. When anyone of the users102log-out from the closest set top box105, then their content is no longer available for viewing by the other users102who remain “checked-in” or “logged-in” to the closest set top box105. Plus, the advertising system114no longer takes into account the logged-out user102when recommending movies, targeting ads, and building demographic pictures of the audience (see FIG.1's step1).

1. Assume the user102is currently “checked-in” or “logged-in” to the closest set top box105that is playing a movie.

2. The user102has to leave the closest set top box105, but wishes to finish the movie later. In this case, the user102would use the software application123on their location-aware mobile device104to send a request to the login server108to “save” this movie to their account (which might necessitate actually purchasing rental rights if the movie is not free, or already rented by the user102).

3. The login server108upon receiving this request obtains the information on what movie is currently playing on the closest set top box105, and what time code the movie is at, and uses this information to make a new session in the user's account details122.

4. The user102can then access this new session as if they had been watching the movie all along from their own account, and can watch it at any applicable cable device105,105′,105′,106′ and106″ or multi-screen platform by starting the movie at the time they saved it when watching it on the closest set top box105.

In the aforementioned use case nos. 1-4, the cable backend100is described as enabling the user102with the location-aware mobile device104to have at least partial control of the closest set top box105and hence control of the content displayed on the closest television107. However, it should be appreciated that the cable backend100can also function to enable the user102with the location-aware mobile device104depending on their current location to have at least partial control of anyone of the cable devices105′,105′,106′ and106″ associated with the televisions107′,107″,109′ and109″. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the cable backend100can function to enable any number of users102with location-aware mobile devices104to have at least partial control over their respective cable devices105,105′,105″,106′ and106″.

Referring toFIGS. 2A-2B, there is a flowchart illustrating the basic steps of a preferred method200implemented by the cable backend100for enabling the user102with the location-aware mobile device104to have at least partial control of the closest cable device105(e.g., closest set top box105) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The cable backend100includes the login server108, the location system110, the accounting system112, and the advertising system114. How the login server108, the location system110, the accounting system112, and the advertising system114function to enable the user102with the location-aware mobile device104to have at least partial control of the closest cable device105(e.g., closest set top box105) is described next.

At step202, the location system110stores the fixed locations120(e.g., geographical locations120) of the cable devices105,105′,105″,106′ and106″. For example, each of the cable devices105,105′,105′,106′ and106″ can be configured at installation to have a set location.

At step204, the accounting system112stores and maintains the account details122(billing and subscription details122) of the user102. In addition, the accounting system112would store and maintain the account details122(billing and subscription details122) for all of the users102.

At step206, the login server108receives the login command124from the location-aware mobile device104(see FIG.1's step1). Typically, the user102when located next to a set top box105(for example) would interact with an application123stored within their location-aware mobile device104to send the login command124to the login server108. The login command124includes at least account information125(e.g., account number and password) associated with the user102and a current location128of the user102. To accomplish this, the location-aware mobile device104includes a positioning system126(e.g., global positioning system126) configured to determine the current location128of the user102.

At step208, the login server108sends the current location128of the user102to the location system110(see FIG.1's step2).

At step210, the location system110stores the current location128of the user102(see FIG.1's step3).

At step212, the login server108sends a query130to the location system110to determine which one of the cable devices105,105′,105″,106′ and106″ is located closest to the current location128of the user102(see FIG.1's step4). If desired, the login server108can be configured to send the user's current location128and the query130at same time to the location system110.

At step214, the location system110upon receiving the query130determines which one of the cable devices105,105′,105″,106′ and106″ is located closest to the current location128of the user102(see FIG.1's step5). For example, the location system110would compare the user's current location128to the previously stored fixed locations120of the cable devices105,105′,105″,106′ and106″ to determine that the user102is located next to set top box105(closest set top box105).

At step216, the location system110sends information132identifying the closest set top box105to the login server108(see FIG.1's step6).

At step218, the login server108sends the information132identifying the closest set top box105to the user's location-aware mobile device104(see FIG.1's step7).

At step220, the login server108send a request134to the accounting system112for at least a portion135(e.g., rental history, active rentals, demographics, rating restrictions, billing information (in the case of full set top control)) of the account details122of the user102(see FIG.1's step8). In addition, the login server108informs the accounting system112that the user102will have at least temporary control of the closest set top box105to select the specific content which is displayed on the closest television107.

At step222, the accounting system112sends the portion135(e.g., rental history, active rentals, demographics, rating restrictions, billing information (in the case of full set top control)) of the user's account details122to the login server108(see FIG.1's step9).

At step224, the login server108sends the portion135of the user's account details122to the closest set top box105(see FIG.1's step10). At this point, the closest set-top box105which happens to be located outside of the home116of the user102can now function in an identical manner as the cable devices105′ and106′ which are located in the home116of the user102.

At step226, the login server108sends a login confirmation136to the location-aware mobile device104to indicate to the user102that they now have at least partial control of the closest set top box105so they can now control what content is displayed on the closest television107(see exemplary use case nos. 1-4)(see FIG.1's step11).

At step228, the accounting system112processes more than one user-billing account for the closest set top box105if the user102is logged-in to the closest set top box to105(see exemplary use case no. 1)(see FIG.1's step12). In this situation, the user102has temporary control of the closest set top box105using the location-aware mobile device104or the traditional set top box remote control118so the user102can at least navigate video on demand catalogs, watch premium content, and rent movies that will be processed through their billing account. In particular, the accounting system112would process one user-billing account associated with the closest set top box105for the original owner/subscriber (not shown) and process another user-billing account associated with the closest set top box105for the user102. In other words, the user102is responsible for paying any fees for viewing content on the closest television107while the user102is logged-in to and has control of the closest set top box105. Plus, the original owner/subscriber would be responsible for paying any fees for viewing content on the closest television107when the user102is not logged-in to and controlling the closest set top box105.

At step230, the advertising system114(optional) interacts with the location system110and obtains the user's current location128to track demographics of the user102(see FIG.1's step13). If desired, the advertising system114can be configured to interact with the location system110to obtain the current locations of multiple users (not shown) to track the demographics of the multiple users102(only one shown).

At step232, the advertising system114(optional) is configured to utilize the user's location information128and other information (e.g., user's account details122, other user's location information) to send target advertising138to the user102and if desired the other users (not shown) based on the tracked demographics (see FIG.1's step14).

At step234, the login server108logs-out the user102from the closest set top box105if the user102uses the location-aware mobile device104to actively close their control of the closest set top box105(see FIG.1's step15). In addition, the login server108can log-out the user102from the closest set top box105if the user102moves the location-aware mobile device104a predetermined distance away from the closest set top box105. To accomplish this, the location-aware mobile device104would have to send periodic updates of the user's current location128to the login server108.

At step236, the login server108sends a log-out message139to the accounting system112if the login server108had complete control of the closest set top box105using the location-aware mobile device104or the traditional set top box remote control118to at least navigate video on demand catalogs, watch premium content, and rent movies (see exemplary use case no. 1)(see FIG.1's step16).

At step238, the accounting system112upon receiving the log-out message139would stop billing the user102for content displayed on the closest television107and start billing the original subscriber-user associated with the closest set top box105for future content displayed on the closest television107(see FIG.1's step17).

Referring toFIG. 3, there is a flowchart illustrating the basic steps of a preferred method300implemented by the location-aware mobile device104for enabling the user102to have at least partial control of a closest cable device105in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step302, the mobile device's positioning system126determines a current location128of the user102. At step304, the mobile device104sends the login command124to the cable backend100, where the login command124includes at least account information125associated with the user102and the current location128of the user102. At step306, the mobile device104receives a login confirmation136from the cable backend100, where the login confirmation136indicates to the user102that they now have at least partial control of the closest cable device105(for example) to control content displayed on the closest television107. At step308, the mobile device104enables the user102to interact with a user interface160to control the closest cable device105.

From the foregoing, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the cable backend100(includes satellite's television backend) is configured to associate both users and cable devices (set top boxes, cable applications) with a physical location—a fixed location in the case of the cable devices and a dynamic location in the case of the users. The cable devices can be configured at installation to have a set location, and the users would have a location-aware mobile device configured to have an positioning system (such as a mobile device with a global positioning system (GPS)) which updates the cable backend100at appropriate instances with their current location. In this way, the cable backend100can enable a user with their location-aware mobile device to have at least partial control of a closest cable device (e.g., set top box, cable application) so they can now control the content displayed on the closest television. The cable backend100has many advantages several of which are as follows:

1) The cable backend100allows a user to interact with any compatible cable device, either in the role of an owner who is logged in (in which case the cable device acts identically to their household cable device(s)) or in the role of a viewer who is “checked in” (in which case they have limited use of the cable device). The user has the option to automatically access any nearby cable device to control the content displayed on the corresponding nearby television.

2) The cable backend100allows users to continue their “on the go” lifestyle while also supporting the existing, traditional technologies, such as televisions and set top boxes.

3) The cable backend100by allowing users to “check in” to a nearby cable device enables the users to advertise to friends such as showing them how useful video-on-demand content is, or how much they enjoyed a particular movie without forcing their friends to see the content at the user's home.

4) The cable backend100can track who is watching what content, and where they are watching that content which is desirable in several ways to the advertising industry. For example, the cable backend100by being able to more accurately track demographics (how many users are actually seeing an ad or movie) can better target ads to those users (based on the tracked demographics) which is very valuable to the cable industry.

Although multiple embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but instead is also capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the present invention that as has been set forth and defined within the following claims.