Abstract:
An Internet protocol television (IPTV) system is driven by a graphical user interface (GUI) controlled by an input device attached to an Internet access device that in turn connects to the GUI over IPTV connections. The input device may be a keyboard, smart phone, iPad, mouse, personal computer, laptop, touch screen, or other generic universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394 (FireWire), or other connected device. Connection between the input device and the GUI may be either wired (including, but not limited to USB, IEEE 1394, and Ethernet) or wireless (including, without limitation, infrared (IR), radio frequency, or other form of electromagnetic transmission). Regardless of connection method, the input device acts to operate and command the IPTV GUI so as to navigate and control the IPTV. By appropriate GUI implementations, a single input device may be configured to operate one or more windows on one or more display via IPTV connections.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       NOTICE OF MATERIAL SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT PROTECTION 
       [0004]    A portion of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and of other countries. The owner of the copyright rights has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office publicly available file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The copyright owner does not hereby waive any of its rights to have this patent document maintained in secrecy, including without limitation its rights pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §1.14. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    This invention pertains generally to remote controlled displays, and more particularly to displays controlled by using a graphical user interface (GUI) from an Internet access device via an Internet protocol television (IPTV) connection. 
         [0007]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0008]    Internet Protocol television (IPTV) is a system through which Internet television services are delivered using the architecture and networking methods of the Internet Protocol Suite over a packet-switched network infrastructure, e.g., the Internet and broadband Internet access networks, instead of being delivered through more traditional radio frequency broadcast, satellite signal, and cable television (CATV) formats. 
         [0009]    IPTV services may be classified into three main groups: live television, with or without interactivity related to the current TV show; time-shifted programming: catch-up TV (replays of a TV show that was broadcast hours or days ago), start-over TV (replays the current TV show from its beginning); and video on demand (VOD): browse a catalog of videos, not related to TV programming. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    An aspect of the invention is a display, which may comprise: a display device with an Internet access through an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) connection; a graphical user interface (GUI) viewable on the display device; and means for inputting a command to the GUI over the IPTV connection. 
         [0011]    The means for inputting may comprise an Internet access device able to access the Internet, wherein the Internet access device is selected from a group of devices consisting of: a personal computer (PC), a laptop, an iPad, a tablet, a set top box, a smart phone, and an iPod. The Internet access device may access the Internet over a wired or wireless connection. 
         [0012]    The Internet access device may comprise one or more input devices selected from the group of input devices consisting of a keyboard, a touch screen, a multiple touch screen, a mouse, a touchpad, a tablet input device, a voice input, a joystick, a nunchuk, a sensor bar, and a motion sensor. 
         [0013]    The motion sensor may comprise one or more sensors in aggregate for: detection of motion in at least two directions; and detection of a “select” command. 
         [0014]    The means for inputting may comprise a computer program executable by the display device, for performing one or more steps comprising: displaying the GUI on the display device; accepting one or more commands received over the IPTV connection; and navigating the GUI according to the accepted commands. The means for inputting may be stored as a computer program executable on a computer readable medium. 
         [0015]    Alternatively, the means for inputting may comprise a computer program executable by the Internet access device, for performing one or more steps comprising: receiving an input from one or more of the input devices; translating the input into the command suitable for the GUI on the display device; and transmitting the command over the IPTV connection to the GUI on the display device. Again, the means for inputting may be stored as a computer program executable on a computer readable medium. 
         [0016]    Another aspect of the invention is a method of controlling a display graphical user interface (GUI), comprising: providing a display; connecting the display to an Internet access through an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) connection; and controlling a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display through one or more IPTV commands. The method may further comprise displaying the GUI on the display. 
         [0017]    The method may further comprise: providing an Internet access device selected from a group of devices consisting of: a personal computer (PC), a laptop, an iPad, a tablet, a set top box, a smart phone, an iPod; and transmitting one or more commands over IPTV from the Internet access device to the display GUI. 
         [0018]    The method may still further comprise: providing one or more input devices connected to the Internet access device, wherein the input devices are selected from the group of input devices consisting of a keyboard, a touch screen, a multiple touch screen, a mouse, a touchpad, a tablet input device, a voice input, a joystick, a nunchuk, a sensor bar, and a motion sensor. The input devices may be connected to the Internet access device either wired or wirelessly. 
         [0019]    The method may still further comprise translating, on the Internet access device, one or more inputs from the input devices into one or more of the commands suitable for controlling the GUI on the display. Additionally, the controlling step may be stored as a computer program executable on a computer readable medium. 
         [0020]    The controlling the GUI on the display step may comprise: transmitting, from the Internet access device to the GUI on the display, a descriptor of the input device connected to the Internet access device; transmitting, from the input device to the display through the Internet access device over the IPTV connection, one or more inputs; translating, on the display, the one or more inputs into one or more translated commands comprising one or more of the IPTV commands; and executing, on the GUI on the display, the one or more translated commands; whereby the GUI on the display is controlled by the translated commands. The controlling the GUI on the display step may be stored as a computer program executable on a computer readable medium. 
         [0021]    In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of Internet display control may comprise: providing an Internet protocol television (IPTV) connection between a display and an Internet access device; providing one or more inputs from an input device to the Internet access device; transmitting the one or more inputs from the Internet access device to the display over the IPTV connection; and thereby controlling a Graphical User Interface (GUI) on the display with the one or more inputs. 
         [0022]    The method of Internet display control may further comprise: translating, on the display, the one or more inputs from the input device to one or more GUI commands; and controlling the GUI via the one or more GUI commands. 
         [0023]    In another aspect of the invention, a system for IPTV graphical user interface control is disclosed, comprising: a display device with an Internet access through an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) connection; a graphical user interface (GUI) viewable on the display device; and an Internet access device with access the Internet over the IPTV connection; wherein the Internet access device and the display device are connected over the IPTV connection; and wherein a command entered on the Internet access device controls the GUI on the display device over the IPTV connection. 
         [0024]    In yet another aspect of the invention, a display device for IPTV graphical user interface control is describe, comprising: a display device with an Internet access through an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) connection; a graphical user interface (GUI) viewable on the display device; wherein the GUI on the display device is controlled by commands communicated over the IPTV connection. 
         [0025]    The display device may further comprise: an Internet access device able to access the Internet over the IPTV connection; wherein the Internet access device and the display device are connected over the IPTV connection; and wherein a command entered on the Internet access device controls the GUI on the display device over the IPTV connection. 
         [0026]    The display device may further comprise: one or more input devices connected to the Internet access device, wherein the input devices are selected from the group of input devices consisting of a keyboard, a touch screen, a multiple touch screen, a mouse, a touchpad, a tablet input device, a voice input, a joystick, a nunchuk, a sensor bar, and a motion sensor. 
         [0027]    The input devices may be connected to the Internet access device either wired or wirelessly. 
         [0028]    The Internet access device may have one or more inputs from the input devices that are translated into one or more of the commands suitable for controlling the GUI on the display. 
         [0029]    The one or more inputs from the input devices may be translated into one or more of the commands suitable for controlling the GUI on the display by a computer program executable stored on a computer readable medium. 
         [0030]    The Internet access device may be selected from a group of devices consisting of: a personal computer (PC), a laptop, an iPad, a tablet, a set top box, a smart phone, and an iPod. 
         [0031]    In still another aspect of the invention, an Internet access device may comprise: an Internet access device with Internet access over an IPTV connection; one or more input devices connected to the Internet access device; and a computer program executable on the Internet access device, wherein a command entered on the Internet access device by one or more of the input devices generates commands transmitted over the IPTV connection. 
         [0032]    The input devices may be selected from the group of input devices consisting of a keyboard, a touch screen, a multiple touch screen, a mouse, a touchpad, a tablet input device, a voice input, a joystick, a nunchuk, a sensor bar, and a motion sensor. 
         [0033]    The Internet access device may further comprise: a display device connected to the Internet over another IPTV connection; wherein the Internet access device and the display device are connected over the IPTV connection; and wherein the generated commands of the Internet access device are transmitted over the IPTV connection to the display device to control a graphical user interface (GUI) resident on the display device. 
         [0034]    The input devices may be connected to the Internet access device either wired or wirelessly. 
         [0035]    The Internet access device may have one or more inputs from the input devices that are translated into one or more of the commands suitable for controlling the GUI on the display. 
         [0036]    The command from the input device may be translated into one or more of the commands suitable for controlling the GUI on the display by a computer program executable stored on a computer readable medium. 
         [0037]    The Internet access device may be selected from a group of devices consisting of: a personal computer (PC), a laptop, an iPad, a tablet, a set top box, a smart phone, and an iPod. 
         [0038]    The Internet access device computer program executable may be stored on a computer readable medium. 
         [0039]    Further aspects of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0040]    The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings which are for illustrative purposes only: 
           [0041]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a display controlled by an Internet protocol television (IPTV) connection to an Internet access device with one or more input devices. 
           [0042]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of a display controlled by an IPTV connection, where the display has a translator module to translate commands from an Internet access device to the graphical user interface (GUI) present on the display. 
           [0043]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of a display controlled by an IPTV connection, where the Internet access device has a translator module to send translated commands over Internet protocol television (IPTV) to the graphical user interface (GUI) present on the display. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0044]    Refer now to  FIG. 1 , which is a diagram  100  of a display  102  controlled by a Internet protocol television (IPTV)  104  connection over an Internet  106  connection to an Internet access device with one or more input devices. 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, a continuing IPTV connection  108  connects with a representative personal computer (PC)  110 . The PC  110  may have a display  112  (which may, or may not, be touch sensitive), a keyboard  114  (with or without a numeric entry pad), a mouse  116 , and a tablet  118  input with or without a stylus  120  input. The display  112 , if touch sensitive, may act as an input device, as may the keyboard  114 , the mouse  116 , and the tablet  118 . 
         [0046]    By using software resident on the PC  110  the various input devices (e.g. touch sensitive screen if present, keyboard  114 , mouse  116 , or tablet  118 ) connected to the PC  110  may be used to command the display  102  over the IPTV connections  104  and  108  to and from the Internet  106 . 
         [0047]    A set top box (STB)  122  may also connect to the Internet  106  over an IPTV connection  124 . The STB  122  may have inputs via a wireless antenna  126  or an infrared input  128 , from a remote controller  130 . Therefore, the remote controller  130  may also use either radio frequency wireless or infrared communications. The STB  122  would need to be able to establish an IPTV  124  communications link to the display  102 , by means of software resident on the STB  122 . 
         [0048]    A tablet device  132 , such as an iPad™, may also connect to the Internet  106  via still another IPTV link  134 . The tablet device  132  would generally be able to connect to the Internet  106  via software resident on the tablet device  132 . A tablet graphic user interface  136  (which may also incorporate a virtual remote or keyboard) may also run on the tablet device  132 , whereby the display  102  would be controlled over the IPTV connections  104  and  134  present between them by indicating actions to be taken on the tablet graphic user interface  136 . The tablet device  132  may also comprise a virtual keyboard (as part of the tablet graphic user interface  136 ) on a touch screen, whereby inputs from the touch screen are used to control the display  102  via IPTV connections  104  and  134 . 
         [0049]    Similarly, a laptop computer  138 , or netbook, with a display  140  and keyboard  144 , would able to access the Internet  106  through still another IPTV connection  146 . By using the laptop computer  138 , the display  102  could be controlled over the IPTV link  104  and the IPTV connection  146  between them. In this instance, software present on the laptop computer  138  would act as a laptop graphical user interface for control of the display  102 . 
         [0050]    In one final non-limiting example, a smart phone  148  may have one or more input devices consisting of a keyboard  150 , a display  152  (if touch screen capable), and a trackball or track pad  154 . The smart phone  148  may also communicate over an IPTV link  156  to the Internet  106 , where the display  102  is controlled by its IPTV connection  104  to the Internet  106 . Additional input devices resident on the smart phone  148  may include motion sensors, accelerometers, GPS sensors, and voice inputs. The smart phone  148  may also run a resident application (a display  102  graphical or non-graphical user interface, not shown here) that performs functions of observing the various input devices, and transmitting inputs from the input devices to the display  102 . 
         [0051]    The Internet access device (e.g. PC  112 , STB  122 , tablet device  132 , smart phone  148 ) may replace what would otherwise be a more traditionally remote control (not shown here), and would allow navigation of a GUI resident on the display  102  by passing commands over an IPTV connection to the Internet  106 , and thence to the display  102  through a wired or wireless connection. 
         [0052]    There are few limitations to the possible Internet access devices that may be used, so long as access to an IPTV connection (e.g.  108 ,  124 ,  138 ,  146 ,  156 ) is possible with a given display  102  via the Internet  106 . 
         [0053]    Increasingly televisions, particularly high definition televisions (HDTVs), support Internet access capability. Using Internet access and IPTV protocols as described above, such an HDTV (also termed a display herein) could be navigated and controlled by using IPTV commands to the HDTV (the display  102  GUI) seamlessly through the appropriate IPTV connection. 
         [0054]    Refer now to  FIG. 2 , which is a diagram  200  of a display  202  comprising a monitor  204 , a graphical user interface (GUI)  206 , and a translator module  208 . The display  202  is controlled by an IPTV connection  210 , where the display  202  has a translator module  208  to translate incoming commands from the Internet  212 . The graphical user interface (GUI)  206  controls screens on the monitor  204 , and may also pass commands over a hardware link  214  to the monitor  204 , directing the monitor  204  to change channels, input sources, frame rates, pixel sizes, etc. characteristic to the display of images or video present on the monitor  204 . 
         [0055]    Incoming commands from the Internet  212  pass through the IPTV connection  210  to the translator module  208 , where information about the input device, the input commands, etc. are processed into virtual key code commands which are sent  216  to the GUI  206  in the display  202 . For example, if a keyboard up and down arrow are used to increase or decrease either channel numbers or volume, then appropriate keyboard up arrows ↑ or down arrows ↓ would be mapped into an appropriate respective increase or decrease. 
         [0056]    An additional IPTV connection  218  could connect, as a nonlimiting example, a personal computer  220  to the Internet  212 . The personal computer (PC)  220  may have a variety of input devices, such as keyboard  222 , mouse  224 , and tablet input  226 . 
         [0057]    The PC  220  may have a computer monitor  228 , upon which a user interface  230  may be displayed. Controls by one or more of the input devices may be used as inputs to the user interface  230 , which are in turn relayed over the additional IPTV connection  218  to the Internet  212 , thence to the IPTV connection  210  to the display  202 . 
         [0058]    Refer now to  FIG. 3 , which is a diagram  300  of a display  302  comprising a monitor  304 , and a graphical user interface (GUI)  306 . The GUI  306  controls via a hardware connection  308  what is displayed on the monitor  304 , as well as changes channels, inputs, and volume controls. The display  302  would be controlled by an IPTV connection  310  by incoming commands from the Internet  312 . The graphical user interface (GUI)  306  controls screens on the monitor  304 , and may also pass commands over a hardware connection  308  to the monitor  304 , directing the monitor to change channels, input sources, frame rates, pixel sizes, etc. characteristic to the display of images or video present on the monitor  304 . 
         [0059]    Incoming commands from the Internet  312  would pass through the IPTV connection  310  to the GUI  306 , which would then direct the display  302  over the hardware connection  308  to change as desired. 
         [0060]    Note that in  FIG. 3 , there is no translator module  208  previously described in  FIG. 2 . Here, commands are assumed to be input to the GUI  306  in an input device independent manner. 
         [0061]    Another IPTV connection  314  connects a personal computer system  316  to the Internet  312 . Here, the personal computer  318  passes inputs from various input devices to a translator module  320  through either a software or hardware link  322  prior to transmission of inputs from the input devices through the IPTV connection  314 , the Internet  312 , and ultimately to the display  302  GUI  306 . 
         [0062]    The translator module  320  uses information about the particular input device to translate the input commands into commands to be sent  314  to the GUI  306  and thence over the hardware connection  308  to the display  302 . For example, in a keyboard input device, the up and down arrows may be used to increase or decrease channels or volume, then appropriate keyboard up arrows ↑ or down arrows ↓ would be mapped into an increase or decrease, respectively display  302  controls resident in the GUI  306 . 
         [0063]    In this way, regardless of the input device, commands universal to the display  302  GUI  306  are presented. This method actually makes much sense, as each Internet access device, such as a PC  318 , may have drivers or other application software that translates their respective input devices into GUI  306  command equivalents. 
         [0064]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , although not shown here, other smart phones  148 , such as iPhones, Droids, BlackBerry smart phones, etc. may have direct access to the Internet  106 . By writing device dependent applications for these devices, finger swipes, keyboards, track pads, and the like may be used to control a display  102  by direct IPTV connection  104  over the Internet  106 . Additionally, dedicated remote controls may be used to control GUIs pm the remote input devices. 
       DISCUSSION 
       [0065]    The “input device—to Internet access device—to IPTV connection” functionality could be implemented as a software solution without additional hardware cost, or at least minimal additional cost. Various Internet access devices (e.g. PC, laptop, smart phone, tablet device) comprising various input devices (e.g. mouse, keyboard, tablet with virtual keypad on a touch screen, without limitation), could be used to control a display via IPTV by going through an IPTV to Internet to IPTV connection by implementing an appropriate client-server interface. 
         [0066]    These various IPTV connections would implement a software stack that could be activated to listen to an input device via its Internet access device over the IPTV connection from a network TCP/IP stack as a client. As the client screen device (e.g. IPTV) receives a key code from network, it would convert or translate the received key code to a proper internal key code, e.g. various integrated remote control system keys, such as the Sony Integrated Remote Control System (SIRCS), mouse pointer, or touch screen multipoint access. 
         [0067]    An input device could be activated as a network server and the other screen device or IPTV could be activated as an associated client, where the server would pass designed key input protocols to share and control the input focus and screen GUI activities on its associated client devices. 
         [0068]    This method would provide a central input control mechanism for multiple screens on various devices by using a server-client IPTV connection. 
         [0069]    The input device may allow the GUI to activate or deactivate the input device control with the network connection of each individual client device. 
         [0070]    The target client device or IPTV may also provide the proper GUI setup to enable and disable the external input device listener software that may connect and disconnect with the server device. 
         [0071]    The input device may provide a mechanism to scan available displays (e.g. IPTV, PC) on a list where a user may choose the focus of input source by switching the focus on the GUI of each display. In this manner, the input device could cross multiple displays by changing the input device focus on the target screen. 
         [0072]    This invention may be particularly useful for input devices such as PCs, tablets, IP cellular phones that already have the Internet or LAN access capability, as they may control over IPTV a remote GUI through TCP/IP protocols without any additional hardware cost other than the implementation of an appropriate IPTV control and interface software stack. 
         [0073]    Through the Internet, directly on the display, or via IPTV, manufacturers may be able to download updates for improvements to the input device functionality or GUI software to change the control and interface mechanism. In this manner, even enhanced new application features (e.g. gaming) could be downloaded. 
         [0074]    The input device vendor may choose to provide such features as a service promotion in a business sense. Such service promotions may help to more easily introduce, or more rapidly increase market share of, new applications associated with new remote input devices. 
         [0075]    This invention would also extend the capability of HDTVs or other displays with Internet access to other Internet access devices. 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0076]    Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to flowchart illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. These methods and systems can also be implemented as computer program products. In this regard, each block or step of a flowchart, and combinations of blocks (and/or steps) in a flowchart, can be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, and/or software including one or more computer program instructions embodied in computer-readable program code logic. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer, including without limitation a general purpose computer or special purpose computer, or other programmable processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the computer program instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the block(s) of the flowchart(s). 
         [0077]    Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions, and computer program instructions, such as embodied in computer-readable program code logic means, for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer-readable program code logic means. 
         [0078]    Furthermore, these computer program instructions, such as embodied in computer-readable program code logic, may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the block(s) of the flowchart(s). The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable processing apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable processing apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the block(s) of the flowchart(s). 
         [0079]    From the discussion above it will be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in various ways, including the following: 
         [0080]    1. A display apparatus, comprising: a display device configured for Internet access through an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) connection; a graphical user interface (GUI) viewable on the display device; and means for inputting a command to the GUI over the IPTV connection. 
         [0081]    2. The apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein the means for inputting comprises: an Internet access device configured to access the Internet, wherein the Internet access device is selected from a group of devices consisting of: a personal computer (PC), a laptop, an iPad, a tablet, a set top box, a smart phone, and an iPod. 
         [0082]    3. The apparatus of embodiment 2, wherein the Internet access device accesses the Internet over a wired or wireless connection. 
         [0083]    4. The apparatus of embodiment 2, wherein the Internet access device comprises one or more input devices selected from the group of input devices consisting of a keyboard, a touch screen, a multiple touch screen, a mouse, a touchpad, a tablet input device, a voice input, a joystick, a nunchuk, a sensor bar, and a motion sensor. 
         [0084]    5. The apparatus of embodiment 4, wherein the motion sensor comprises: one or more sensors in aggregate for: detection of motion in at least two directions; and detection of a “select” command. 
         [0085]    6. The apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein the means for inputting comprises a computer program executable by the display device, for performing one or more steps comprising: displaying the GUI on the display device; accepting one or more commands received over the IPTV connection; and navigating the GUI according to the accepted commands. 
         [0086]    7. The apparatus of embodiment 6, wherein the means for inputting is stored as a computer program executable on a computer readable medium. 
         [0087]    8. The apparatus of embodiment 4, wherein the means for inputting comprises a computer program executable by the Internet access device, for performing one or more steps comprising: receiving an input from one or more of the input devices; translating the input into the command suitable for the GUI on the display device; and transmitting the command over the IPTV connection to the GUI on the display device. 
         [0088]    9. The apparatus of embodiment 8, wherein the means for inputting is stored as a computer program executable on a computer readable medium. 
         [0089]    10. A method of controlling a display graphical user interface (GUI), comprising: providing a display; connecting the display to an Internet access through an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) connection; and controlling a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display through one or more IPTV commands. 
         [0090]    11. The method of embodiment 10, further comprising: displaying the GUI on the display. 
         [0091]    12. The method of embodiment 10, further comprising: providing an Internet access device selected from a group of devices consisting of: a personal computer (PC), a laptop, an iPad, a tablet, a set top box, a smart phone, an iPod; and transmitting one or more commands over IPTV from the Internet access device to the display GUI. 
         [0092]    13. The method of embodiment 12, further comprising: providing one or more input devices connected to the Internet access device, wherein the input devices are selected from the group of input devices consisting of a keyboard, a touch screen, a multiple touch screen, a mouse, a touchpad, a tablet input device, a voice input, a joystick, a nunchuk, a sensor bar, and a motion sensor. 
         [0093]    14. The method of embodiment 13, wherein the input devices are connected to the Internet access device either wired or wirelessly. 
         [0094]    15. The method of embodiment 13, further comprising: translating, on the Internet access device, one or more inputs from the input devices into one or more of the commands suitable for controlling the GUI on the display. 
         [0095]    16. The method of embodiment 15, wherein the controlling step is stored as a computer program executable on a computer readable medium. 
         [0096]    17. The method of embodiment 14, wherein the controlling the GUI on the display step comprises: transmitting, from the Internet access device to the GUI on the display, a descriptor of the input device connected to the Internet access device; transmitting, from the input device to the display through the Internet access device over the IPTV connection, one or more inputs; translating, on the display, the one or more inputs into one or more translated commands comprising one or more of the IPTV commands; and executing, on the GUI on the display, the one or more translated commands; whereby the GUI on the display is controlled by the translated commands. 
         [0097]    18. The method of embodiment 17, wherein the controlling the GUI on the display step is stored as a computer program executable on a computer readable medium. 
         [0098]    19. A method of Internet display control, comprising: providing an Internet protocol television (IPTV) connection between a display and an Internet access device; providing one or more inputs from an input device to the Internet access device; transmitting the one or more inputs from the Internet access device to the display over the IPTV connection; and thereby controlling a Graphical User Interface (GUI) on the display with the one or more inputs. 
         [0099]    20. The method of Internet display control of embodiment 19, further comprising: translating, on the display, the one or more inputs from the input device to one or more GUI commands; and controlling the GUI via the one or more GUI commands. 
         [0100]    21. A system for IPTV graphical user interface control, comprising: a display device configured for Internet access through an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) connection; a graphical user interface (GUI) viewable on the display device; and an Internet access device configured for access the Internet over the IPTV connection; wherein the Internet access device and the display device are configured for connection over the IPTV connection; and wherein a command entered on the Internet access device controls the GUI on the display device over the IPTV connection. 
         [0101]    22. A display device for IPTV graphical user interface control, comprising: a display device configured for Internet access through an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) connection; a graphical user interface (GUI) viewable on the display device; wherein the GUI on the display device is controlled by commands communicated over the IPTV connection. 
         [0102]    23. The display device recited in claim  22 , comprising: an Internet access device configured for access to the Internet over the IPTV connection; wherein the Internet access device and the display device are configured for connection over the IPTV connection; and wherein a command entered on the Internet access device controls the GUI on the display device over the IPTV connection. 
         [0103]    24. The display device recited in claim  23 , further comprising: one or more input devices connected to the Internet access device, wherein the input devices are selected from the group of input devices consisting of a keyboard, a touch screen, a multiple touch screen, a mouse, a touchpad, a tablet input device, a voice input, a joystick, a nunchuk, a sensor bar, and a motion sensor. 
         [0104]    25. The display device recited in claim  24 , wherein the input devices are connected to the Internet access device either wired or wirelessly. 
         [0105]    26. The display device recited in claim  24 , wherein in the Internet access device, one or more inputs from the input devices are translated into one or more of the commands suitable for controlling the GUI on the display. 
         [0106]    27. The display device recited in claim  26 , wherein the one or more inputs from the input devices are translated into one or more of the commands suitable for controlling the GUI on the display by a computer program executable stored on a computer readable medium. 
         [0107]    28. The display device recited in claim  23 , wherein the Internet access device is selected from a group of devices consisting of: a personal computer (PC), a laptop, an iPad, a tablet, a set top box, a smart phone, and an iPod. 
         [0108]    29. An Internet access device, comprising: an Internet access device configured for Internet access over an IPTV connection; one or more input devices connected to the Internet access device; and a computer program executable on the Internet access device, wherein a command entered on the Internet access device by one or more of the input devices generates commands transmitted over the IPTV connection. 
         [0109]    30. The Internet access device recited in claim  29 , wherein the input devices are selected from the group of input devices consisting of a keyboard, a touch screen, a multiple touch screen, a mouse, a touchpad, a tablet input device, a voice input, a joystick, a nunchuk, a sensor bar, and a motion sensor 
         [0110]    31. The Internet access device recited in claim  29 , further comprising: a display device configured for connection to the Internet over another IPTV connection; wherein the Internet access device and the display device are configured for connection over the IPTV connection; and wherein the generated commands of the Internet access device are transmitted over the IPTV connection to the display device to control a graphical user interface (GUI) resident on the display device. 
         [0111]    32. The Internet access device recited in claim  29 , wherein the input devices are connected to the Internet access device either wired or wirelessly. 
         [0112]    33. The Internet access device recited in claim  31 , wherein in the Internet access device, one or more inputs from the input devices are translated into one or more of the commands suitable for controlling the GUI on the display. 
         [0113]    34. The Internet access device recited in claim  31 , wherein the command from the input device is translated into one or more of the commands suitable for controlling the GUI on the display by a computer program executable stored on a computer readable medium. 
         [0114]    35. The Internet access device recited in claim  23 , wherein the Internet access device is selected from a group of devices consisting of: a personal computer (PC), a laptop, an iPad, a tablet, a set top box, a smart phone, and an iPod. 
         [0115]    36. The Internet access device recited in claim  29 , wherein the computer program executable is stored on a computer readable medium. 
         [0116]    Although the description above contains many details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”