Patent Publication Number: US-8539533-B2

Title: System and method for digital personal video stream manager

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to commonly-assigned, co-pending application Ser. No. 10/383,895, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATED AUDIO STREAM MANAGER; application Ser. No. 10/384,483, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS CENTER; application Ser. No. 10/384,484, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL OF A DIGITAL PERSONAL MEDIA STREAM MANAGER; application Ser. No. 10/384,482, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR E-MAIL CONTROL OF AN INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS CENTER; application Ser. No. 10/383,900, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT MESSAGING CONTROL OF AN INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS CENTER; application Ser. No. 10/383,777, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE CONTROL OF AN INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS CENTER; application Ser. No. 10/384,335, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VOICE PORTAL CONTROL OF AN INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS CENTER; and application Ser. No. 10/384.346, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTEXT-BASED SEARCHING AND CONTROL OF AN INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS CENTER, all filed concurrently herewith. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to telecommunications systems and, in particular, to an improved system and method for multimedia telecommunications system management. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many modern homes today have a television, a videotape recorder, a cable or satellite connection, and a personal computer with an Internet connection. Because these devices are relatively expensive and offer complementary features, there have been efforts to converge the television technologies with the personal computer/Internet technologies. 
     For example, some personal computers have been equipped with television tuner cards, which allow the reception of television programming through the cable or satellite connection. Such television tuner cards can also be equipped with video capture capabilities, to allow later playback of captured programming. However, equipping a personal computer with video capabilities has not gained wide acceptance amongst the general public as a replacement for a television, in part because the typical personal computer monitor is relatively small and, in particular, significantly smaller than the typical family room television. Moreover, the typical personal computer is equipped with a relatively more limited and inferior sound system, which can be disadvantageous when marketing to modern viewers who require, for example, high-fidelity sound or even a Surround Sound system. Another convergence approach, known as WebTV, has been to provide the television with a set-top box and keyboard to allow, for example, Internet access through the television set and cable connection. While such systems are adequate for simple e-mail communication and limited Web browsing, WebTV also has failed to gain widespread acceptance, at least in part because the resolution of the typical television is much more crude than that of the computer monitor, and can also produce formatting idiosyncrasies which can make it difficult to view many web pages. 
     Each of these systems suffers from additional disadvantages which may have contributed to the failure to develop an effective converged video system: Personal computers are frequently upgraded and replaced; television sets and home entertainment systems, however, have a significantly longer life span. 
     As such, there is a need for a multimedia telecommunications system that provides improved convergence of television and personal computer based resources. There is a further need for a convergence system that allows the user to maintain separate television and personal computer based resources. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other drawbacks in the prior art are overcome in large part by a system and method according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     A multimedia telecommunications system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a media subsystem and a network subsystem. The media subsystem couples a television to a media provider via a digital personal video stream manager. The media subsystem can also include an audio system, a video recording device, and a set-top media interface box. The network subsystem includes a personal computer having a network interface card and coupled to an Internet connection via a modem and a wireless network router. The digital personal video stream manager likewise includes a wireless network control and is adapted to receive control commands from the personal computer for supervising the recording of programming using the video recording device. The digital personal video stream manager can also receive and digitize broadband media from the media provider and transmit it via the wireless network to the personal computer. The personal computer can store the received media files for playback. The media files can be played back either via the personal computer itself or via the digital personal video stream manager on the television. User interfaces on the PC or television can be used to control media file or broadband media playback. 
     A digital personal video stream manager according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control processor, a media interface, and one or more control interfaces. The media interface can receive broadband audio and video and convert it into digital file format for transmission on a wireless LAN, such as an IEEE 802.11 based wireless LAN, to a personal computer. The media interface can likewise receive digital media files from the personal computer via the wireless interface, and convert them to a format for playback by the audio system or television. Further, the digital personal video stream manager can receive controls from remote users to supervise media recording. The control interfaces allow control of the digital personal video stream manager, such as via infrared remote controls. 
     A multimedia telecommunications system according to an embodiment of the present invention implements an integrated audio stream manager in association with the digital personal video stream manager. Such an integrated audio stream manager employs a personal computer to record and store audio such as compact disk tracks. The personal computer can then contact one or more Internet web sites for CD indices to download a list of the tracks and provide a master list of all CDs stored. The digital personal video stream manager can then be used to supervise playback of the audio files via the connected audio system. 
     In certain embodiments, the multimedia telecommunications system can be provided with and controlled by a wireless 802.11 remote control device to control the digital personal video stream manager from anywhere in the house. The wireless remote may be provided with an LCD screen, an 802.11 interface, and an IP telephony interface. The LCD screen provides the user with a graphical interface that allows a user to interact with the digital personal video stream manager in a manner similar to that employed when using the personal computer. In addition, the IP telephony interface allows the user to make and receive IP telephone calls, such as Internet telephone calls. In such an embodiment, the personal computer may implement an IP telephone gateway. 
     One embodiment of a multimedia telecommunications system according to the present invention includes a system for e-mail control of the digital personal video stream manager, for example, to program a video recording device. A system including e-mail control of the digital personal video stream manager according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a personal computer having an e-mail client and equipping the e-mail client with a DPVSM control plug in. The DPVSM control plug in is adapted to identify a special DPVSM control e-mail which is then translated by the DPVSM control program. The digital personal video stream manager then activates at the appropriate time to record the program. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention includes a system for Instant Messaging based control of the digital personal video stream manager, for example, to program a video recording device. A system including Instant Messaging based control of the digital personal video stream manager according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a personal computer having an Instant Messaging client and equipping the Instant Messaging client with a DPVSM control plug in. The DPVSM control plug in is adapted to identify a special DPVSM control Instant Message which is then translated by the DPVSM control program. The digital personal video stream manager then activates at the appropriate time to record the program. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention includes a system for Short Message Service-based control of the digital personal video stream manager, for example, to program a video recording device. Such a system includes one or more cellular telephones including SMS capabilities and a DPVSM control module in the SMS server of the cellular service provider. The DPVSM control module is adapted to identify a special DPVSM control SMS message which is then translated by the DPVSM control module and converted to a DPVSM Instant Message or a DPVSM e-mail control message. The DPVSM Instant Message or a DPVSM e-mail control message is then transmitted to the user&#39;s personal computer, where the IM or e-mail plug in translates it and uses it to control the DPVSM. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention includes a system for voice portal-based control of the digital personal video stream manager, for example, to program a video recording device. Such a system includes a DPVSM control module at a server of a service provider. The DPVSM control module is adapted to respond to a user calling in a predetermined phone number and using an interactive voice response system, issue prompts and accept inputs for DPVSM control. The DPVSM control module then converts the inputs to a DPVSM Instant Message or a DPVSM e-mail control message. The DPVSM Instant Message or a DPVSM e-mail control message is then transmitted to the user&#39;s personal computer, where the IM or e-mail plug in translates it and uses it to control the DPVSM. 
     A voice portal system according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a voice portal with DPVSM control module provided locally at the user&#39;s personal computer. The DPVSM control module is adapted to respond to a user calling in and, using an interactive voice response system, issue prompts and accept inputs for DPVSM control. 
     Additional embodiments of the present invention include a context-based search system. Such a system may be maintained by a service provider and can identify a program and date and time without receiving complete details thereof; the DPVSM can then control the recording of the program using IM or e-mail based-techniques. The context-based search system includes a message receiver for receiving the DPVSM message; one or more databases for storing keywords and program information; a confirmation message generator for informing the user of identified programming; and a DPVSM control for causing the DPVSM to supervise the media recording once one of the identified results have been selected by the user. 
     A better understanding of these and other specific embodiments of the invention is obtained when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  illustrate telecommunication systems including digital video stream managers according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  are block diagrams of exemplary digital media stream managers according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an exemplary multimedia computer according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates schematically operation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  illustrate exemplary user interfaces according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram of signaling flow according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram of signaling flow according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram of signaling flow according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an audio stream manager system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram of an exemplary user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating user interaction according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a signaling diagram illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating a wireless local area network remote control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram of a wireless local area network remote control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a block diagram of a wireless local area network remote control according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a signaling diagram illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a signaling diagram illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an exemplary e-mail system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a block diagram of an e-mail command window according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a flowchart illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a signaling diagram illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a block diagram of an instant messaging control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  illustrates an exemplary IM command according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a flowchart illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a signaling diagram illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 26  is a diagram of a telecommunications system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 27  is a diagram of an exemplary SMS command according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 28  is a diagram of an exemplary database according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 29  is a diagram of an exemplary SMS control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 30  is a flowchart illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 31  is a flowchart illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 32  illustrates exemplary voice portal interaction according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 33A  and  FIG. 33B  illustrate exemplary telecommunications systems according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 34  is a diagram of a telecommunications system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 35   is  a flowchart illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 36  is a flowchart illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 37  is a flowchart illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 38  is a diagram of a telecommunications system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 39  is a signaling diagram illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 40  is a signaling diagram illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     System Overview 
     Turning now to the drawings and, with particular attention to  FIG. 1A , a multimedia telecommunications system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally identified by the reference numeral  100   a . As will be discussed in greater detail below, the multimedia telecommunications system  100   a  provides users with a bridge between their personal computer and their home entertainment system. The multimedia telecommunications system  100   a  receives broadband media (e.g., audio and video) streams from a broadband signal source, and digitizes, encapsulates and transmits to and from a personal computer using a local area network technology, such as a wireless LAN, for intelligent processing, recording and control from the personal computer. Digital video can also be captured from the Internet and sent for playback on the home entertainment system. 
     In particular, shown is a multimedia telecommunications system  100   a  including a media stream manager, referred to as a digital personal video stream manager  102   a  (DPVSM), according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system  100   a  includes a media or home entertainment subsystem  101   a  and a network or computer subsystem  103   a . As will be described in greater detail below, the media subsystem  101   a  is based around a television  116   a  and other broadband media devices, while the network subsystem  103   a  is based around a personal computer  110   a  and other local area network devices. 
     As shown, the DPVSM  102   a  is coupled via a cable set-top box  112   a  to a house cable connection  104   a . The cable set-top box  112   a  may be any standard cable box or broadband media interface such as, for example, a satellite dish interface. The house cable connection  104   a  typically may be a connection for a coaxial cable, but other connections are contemplated. As shown, the DPVSM  102   a  further may couple to an audio system  118   a , and, via a video recorder  114   a  to a television  116   a . The video recorder  114   a  may be embodied, for example, as any of a variety of video recording devices, including, for example, a videocassette recorder (VCR) or an optical disk recorder. In addition, an infrared (IR) remote control  120  may be provided for control of the DPVSM  102   a  and various of the other components of the system. The IR remote  120  may be any remote capable of interacting with a television-screen based interface and allowing the user to make selections herefrom. 
     The DPVSM  102   a  may be adapted to control various functions of the various components of the media subsystem  101   a , such as turning on and off the various devices, or programming the video recorder for future program recording. The DPVSM  102   a  may program the devices via their coaxial cable connections, in much the same way a cable company controls operation of the cable set-top box. In other embodiments, separate control interfaces, such as wireless interfaces or infrared interfaces, may be provided. For example, if the video recording device has an infrared interface, the DPVSM  102   a  could similarly send infrared control signals to the video recording device for control thereof. 
     As will be described in greater detail below, the DPVSM  102   a  can communicate with elements of the network subsystem  103   a  wirelessly over a local area network  107  via an 802.11 antenna  105   a . In particular, in the embodiment illustrated, the network subsystem  103   a  couples to the house cable connection  104   a  via an Internet access device such as a cable or DSL modem  106   a . It is noted that, in embodiments in which the modem is a DSL modem, an Internet connection separate from the cable connection would be provided. The modem  106   a  couples to a home 802.11 router  108   a  and a personal computer  110   a , which may be a laptop or desktop computer. In the embodiment illustrated, the router  108   a  couples to the modem  106   a  and the PC  110   a  via CAT5 cable. It is noted, however, that other interfaces, such as wireless interfaces, could be used instead of CAT5 cable. The PC  110   a  is equipped with an Ethernet network interface card (NIC)  107   a , or other network interface, for communicating with the router  108   a . As will be described in greater detail below, the PC  110   a  is able to communicate, for example, control commands  4555 , with the DPVSM  102   a  via the wireless router  108   a , to control various elements of the media subsystem  101   a . It is noted that an advantage of certain embodiments of the DPVSM  102  is that it need not provide its own mass storage device for storing media files; rather, it can make use of the personal computer  110   a &#39;s storage. 
     More particularly, turning now to  FIG. 2A , a block diagram of the exemplary DPVSM  102   a  of  FIG. 1A  is shown. In the embodiment illustrated, the DPVSM  102   a  includes a control processor  202  and an audiovisual or multimedia interface  204 . The multimedia interface  204  receives audio and/or video over the cable connection  104   a  ( FIG. 1A ) or other audio/video input to a multimedia interface such as an audio/video analog-to-digital converter  206 . The video signal is then received at a compression circuit  208  for conversion into, for example, MPEG format. The MPEG video is then provided to an Ethernet interface  210  for packing into Ethernet packets. The Ethernet packets are then provided to a local area network interface, such as a wireless 802.11 interface  212  for transmission to the 802.11 router, if desired. The video can then be transmitted to the personal computer  110  ( FIG. 1A ). Thus, the DPVSM  102   a  provides an interface for receiving video signals from the cable or satellite TV connection, and converting them into a digital format readable by the personal computer  110 . 
     Similarly, Internet audio and video content can be received by the 802.11 router  212  from the personal computer  110   a  and displayed over the television or recorded on the video recording device  114   a . Thus, the data is unpacked from the Ethernet packets at  214 . If in, for example, MPEG format, the resulting data is decompressed in the decompression unit  216  and provided to the video recording device  114   a  or television  116   a  via the audio/video digital-to-analog converter  218 . It is noted that, in certain embodiments, the audio-video signal arriving over the cable connection and cable box may already be in digital format. Thus, the analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters  206 ,  218  may not be necessary, although conversion between digital formats may be required. 
     The control processor  202 , which may be embodied as a Pentium-type or other microprocessor or microcontroller, provides a supervisory function for the other components of the media subsystem  101   a  and can receive and store commands in memory  203  for later execution, such as recording a program using the video recording device  114   a , as will be explained in greater detail below. The control processor  202  is thus coupled to send and receive control signals via the wireless 802.11 interface  212 . The control processor  202  may also be coupled to or implement other control interfaces, such as an infrared module interface  222 , a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface  220 , and a television user interface  224 . 
     The USB interface  220  allows peripheral devices to be coupled in and played back; for example, a camera could be coupled to the USB interface  220 . The television user interface  224  is used to generate a user interface for display on the television screen, in much the same way that a videocassette recorder or digital versatile disk (DVD) player provides a control interface. The IR module  222  allows reception of commands and selections using an IR remote control  120  in conjunction with the television user interface  220 . 
     As noted above, a multimedia telecommunications system according to embodiments of the present invention includes a media subsystem  101   a  and a network subsystem  103   a . The network subsystem  103   a  is based around a personal computer  110   a , such as the personal computer shown in  FIG. 3 , which can access the Internet via the cable or other connection. As shown, the personal computer  110   a  includes one or more processors  302  implementing one or more software modules. In the example illustrated, shown are a user interface module  304 , a DPVSM controller module  312 , and a video editor module  310 . One or more of these modules may be embodied as Web browser plug ins. As will be described in greater detail below, the user interface module  304  allows video to be displayed on the computer monitor (not shown) and for various files and controls to be executed. The DPVSM controller module  312  permits viewing or playback of locally stored media files, such as audio or video files, and control of the DPVSM  102 A ( FIG. 1A ). The video editor  310  allows editing of local video files and may be implemented as any of a variety of video editing programs. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the media files may be media files downloaded from the Internet or may be captured from the media subsystem  101 . 
     The processor  302  may couple to a wireless LAN interface  306  (e.g., a 802.11 Ethernet NIC) to receive audio and video streams from the house cable connection  104   a  and the media subsystem  101   a  ( FIG. 1A ). In addition, the processor  302  couples to a memory  304  for storing media files  305  and programs (not shown). The personal computer  110   a  also may include an infrared interface  306  for using an infrared mouse or keyboard control. Finally, in certain embodiments, a service provider may maintain a web site that allows use of the personal computer  110  to download upgrades to the DPVSM  102 &#39;s control programs and modules. 
     As noted above, a multimedia telecommunications system according to embodiments of the present invention may take a variety of configurations. One such configuration is shown in  FIG. 1A ; another is shown in  FIG. 1B . In particular,  FIG. 1B  illustrates a personal digital video system  100   b  including an integrated digital personal video stream manager  102   b . In this embodiment, the digital personal video stream manager  102   b  includes an integrated Internet access device such as a cable or DSL modem and an integrated 802.11 router, as will be explained in greater detail below. 
     As shown, the system  100   b  of  FIG. 1B  includes a house cable connection  104   b  connecting to the cable provider. A cable set-top box  112   b  couples the house cable connection  104  to the integrated digital personal video stream manager  102   b . The digital personal video stream manager  102   b  then couples to an audio system  118   b , a video recording device  114   b , and television  116   b . It is noted that in other embodiments, the cable set-top box  112   b  may also be integrated with the digital personal video stream manager  102   b.    
     A personal computer  110   b , which can be either a desktop or a laptop computer, is also supported and can include an 802.11 network interface card or PC Card  107   b . Thus, the personal computer  110   b  itself need not support a modem or other Internet connection, beyond the NIC. The personal computer  110  may be provided with a firewall, such as firewall  308  of  FIG. 3 , however. 
     As can be appreciated, the digital personal video stream manager  102   b  with an integrated cable modem is convenient when the service provider is also the cable company. If the Internet connection is a DSL connection or other telephone connection, then a separate DSL modem and telephone jack also could be integrated with the DPVSM  102   b.    
     A block diagram of an exemplary integrated digital personal video stream manager  102   b  is shown in  FIG. 2B . As shown, the digital personal video stream manager  102   b  includes a control processor  202   b  and an audio/video interface  204   b . The audio/video interface  204   b  is generally similar to that of  FIG. 2A , and includes an wireless LAN access point (e.g., Ethernet and wireless 802.11 interface  210   b ,  212   b ). An integrated cable or DSL modem  106   b  is also provided, as is an integrated 802.11 router. Other components are generally similar to those of  FIG. 2A  and can include a memory  203   b , an Infrared control interface  222   b , and a Universal Serial Bus interface  230   b.    
     In what follows, for sake of clarity, in describing operation of embodiments of the present invention, the system of  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 2A  will be referred to, it being understood that the teaching of the present invention are applicable to a variety of network and device configurations. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, video that is seen on the personal computer  110   a  may also be viewable via the DPVSM  102   a  on the television  116   a , and vice versa. This is illustrated schematically with reference to  FIG. 4 . In particular, shown are a computer monitor  402  and a television screen  404 . Also shown are the digital personal video stream manager  102   a  and a video recording device  114   a . Other elements of  FIG. 1A  are omitted for clarity. 
     As shown, a video  403   a , representative of a video file, for example, is viewable on the monitor  402 . The video  403   a  may be an Internet media file downloadable from the Internet  406 , via the house cable or other Internet connection  104   a . According to embodiments of the present invention, the video  403   a  can be transmitted to the digital personal video stream manager  102  for conversion into a television video format and viewable on the television screen  404 , as video  403   b . The video  403   a  can further be recorded onto a recording medium such as videotape using the video recording device  114   a . Similarly, a video  403   b  being shown on the television screen  404 , either from the cable connection or on replay from the recording device  114   a , can be transmitted via the digital personal video stream manager  102  for display on the personal computer  110   a  as a video file  403   a.    
     The digital personal video stream manager  102   a  can be controlled from either the personal computer  110   a  or using an infrared remote control  120   a , via a graphical interface using the television screen.  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  illustrate exemplary user interfaces for such purposes. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates an exemplary user interface viewable on the computer monitor and generated, for example, by a digital personal video stream manager program which may be implemented as a Web browser plug in. Shown are three windows: a web scheduler  502 ; a DPVSM control window  504 ; and a File Manager window  506 . 
     The DPVSM program window  504  allows activation of the DPVSM, selection of files, recording, scheduling, and the like. It can also be used to activate or interface with the web scheduler  502  and the file manager  506 . 
     The web scheduler  502  may be a web page accessible via the Internet set up by the service provider, or it may be an individual network&#39;s web page. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the user can access the web page to determine a network program schedule and control the digital personal video stream manager  102   a  and thus the video recording device  114   a  to record a program remotely. For example, the user could click on a selected program  508 , including the time and date and channel. This information can then be downloaded to the DPVSM control program  312  (FIG.  3 ) and either stored at the computer or transmitted to the digital personal video stream manager  102   a  itself. At the designated time, the digital personal video stream manager  102   a  causes the video recording device  114   a  to record the selected program. Alternatively, the DPVSM control program  312  can be used to record the program as a video file  305 , stored on the computer  110   a.    
     The file manager  506  can be used to access stored media files and selected for playback either as files on the computer or converted and transmitted to the digital personal video stream manager  102   a  for viewing on the television. 
     Similarly,  FIG. 5B  illustrates exemplary user interfaces that can be generated by the digital personal video stream manager  120   a  and displayed on the television. The user can scroll through and make choices using, for example, an infrared remote  120  ( FIG. 1A ) in much the same way that a typical video cassette recorder can be programmed. Thus, the television interface of  FIG. 5B  includes an entry screen  550  for making a mode selection (e.g., TV, VCR, DPVSM). Selection of the DPVSM mode may cause display of a screen such as screen  552 . The screen  552  allows for file select, record, set channels, time, and VCR or digital file format, among other things. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , a signaling diagram illustrating operation of various aspects of the present invention is shown. In particular, signaling for television or broadband recording, either on video or as digital files is shown. Shown are the cable connection  104 , DSL or cable modem  106 , 802.11 router  108 , personal computer  110 , cable box  112 , digital personal video stream manager  102 , video recording device  114 , television  116 , and IR remote  120 . 
     Recording using the video recorder  114  by use of the personal computer  110  or the infrared remote  120  is shown at  601 . Personal computer-controlled remote recording is initiated at  602   a , where the personal computer  110  can send one or more record commands via the 802.11 router  108  to arrive at the digital personal video stream manager  102  at  604   a . The digital personal video stream manager  102  then sends a corresponding command to the video recorder  114  to set the time and date and channel of the recording. Alternatively, the user can employ the IR remote  120  to control or program recording via the digital personal video stream manager  102 . Thus, at  602   b , the user can send one or more control signals to the digital personal video stream manager  102 , which causes a display on the television  116  of the user interface, such as that of  FIG. 5 . The user can then program the video recorder  114  at  604   b . In either case, the broadband video signal is received from the cable connection  104  and recorded at the video recorder  114  at  606 . 
     The personal computer  110  can also be used to control recording of the broadband signal as digital video files, as shown at  603 . At  608 , the personal computer  110  sends a command  608  via the 802.11 router  108  to the digital personal video stream manager  102 , as shown at  610 . At  612 , the broadband video signal is received from the cable connection  104  to the digital personal video stream manager  102  via the cable box  112 . The digital personal video stream manager  102  then converts the received broadband signal to a digital file format and transmits it via the 802.11 router  108 , as seen at  614 ,  616 , to the personal computer  110 . The personal computer  110  can then store the file in its media database for alter playback. 
     The IR remote  120  can also be used to control recording of broadband video as digital files, as shown at  605 . At  618 , the IR remote  120  is used to contact and send commands to the digital personal video stream manager  102 . At  620   b  the DPVSM  102  activates the TV based GUI, which is then used to program or control the recording of the selected program. At  620   a , the DPVSM  102  sends the commands via the router  108  to the personal computer  110  at  622 . At  624 , the broadband signal is received from the cable connection  104  to the DPVSM  102 . The DPVSM  102  then converts the received broadband signal to one or more digital files and transmits them to the personal computer via the 802.11 router, at  626 ,  628 . 
       FIG. 7  is a signaling diagram illustrating video playback according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shown are the cable connection  104 , DSL or cable modem  106 , 802.11 router  108 , PC  110 , cable box  112 , DPVSM  102 , VCR  114 , TV  116 , and IR remote  120 . 
     Personal computer control of playback of digital files is shown at  701 . At  702 , the personal computer  110  can be used to access the database in memory and play one or more selected files. The selected video file can also be played on the television via the DPVSM  102 . Thus, the personal computer  110  can be used to select a file and designate it for playback on the television  116 . At  706 , the personal computer  110  sends a command via the router  108 , which is received at the DPVSM  102 , at  708 . The DPVSM  102  then converts the received file into a format useable by the video recorder  114  and transmits it via the video cable to the video recorder, at  710 . If the video recorder  114  has a tape, the file can be recorded by the tape and played on the television  116 , at  712 . 
     The use of the personal computer  110  to control tape playback is shown at  703 . The personal computer  110  can activate its DPVSM control program  312  ( FIG. 3 ) and select a tape control option(s). At  714 , a tape play command is transmitted to the router  108 , which then provides it to the DPVSM  102  at  716 . At  718 , the DPVSM  102  reads the command and directs the video recorder  114  to play the tape. If desired or if selected originally, the tape can play on the television  116 , as shown at  719 . If it is wished to play the tape on the personal computer  110 , then at  720 , the DPVSM  102  receives the tape broadband signal and converts it into a video digital file format and transmits it to the router  108  at  721 . At  722 , the router  108  then provides the file to the personal computer  110  for display using the video software. 
     As noted above, the IR remote  120  can also be used to playback digital files, either via the television  116  or on the personal computer  110 , as shown at  705 . At  724 , the IR remote  120  is used to send one or more control signals to the DPVSM  102 . At  726 , the DPVSM  102  displays the GUI on the television screen. At  728 , the user can use the IR remote  120  to select a file for viewing, and whether it is to be viewed on the television  116  or the personal computer  110 . The selection is transmitted to the personal computer  110  via the router at  730  and  732 . The personal computer  110  then selects the file from the database  305  ( FIG. 3 ) and transmits it to the DPVSM  102  via the router  108 , at  734 ,  736 . Alternatively, the personal computer  110  can simply run the file locally on the PC monitor. If selected for TV display, the DPVSM  102  then converts the file for display by the television  116 . As discussed above, this may be done concurrently with recording the video stream on a tape inserted into the video recorder  114 . 
     The IR remote  120  can also control playback of a tape inserted in the video recorder  114 , either at the television  116  or the personal computer  110 . As seen at  738 , a tape in the video recorder  114  can be played back on the television  116 . The IR remote  120  can then send a signal to the DPVSM  102 , at  740 . At  742 , the DPVSM  102  displays the television based GUI. At  744 , the IR remote  120  can be used to select a “Play Tape on PC” option. The DPVSM  102  then receives the video signal from the video recorder  114  and converts it to the digital file format. It is then transmitted to the personal computer  110  via the router  108  for playback, at  746 ,  748 . 
     As noted above, one aspect of the present invention is an ability to schedule recording of television programming using a World Wide Web interface. This is illustrated more particularly with reference to  FIG. 8 . Shown are the cable connection  104 , DSL or cable modem  106 , 802.11 router  108 , personal computer  110 , cable box  112 , DPVSM  102 , video recorder  114 , television  116 , and IR remote  120 . At  802 , the personal computer  110  logs in to a service provider  122  using an Internet connection via the DSL or cable modem  106 . The service provider  122  may maintain a web site having television schedule information in a subscriber-accessible format, which is then downloaded to the user&#39;s browser, at  804 . The personal computer  110  can then display the schedule or schedules as described above and select one or more programs for recording. Then, at  806  and  808 , the personal computer  110  can send a command to the DPVSM  102  via the router  108  that it should supervise the recording of the selected programming. The DPVSM  102  then stores the information until the designated time and then activates the video recorder  114  and cable box, if necessary. The video recorder  114  will then receive the programming at  814 , which can then be recorded on the video recorder  114 . In addition, or in the alternative, the received broadband signal can also be converted by the DPVSM  102  into the digital file format and transmitted to the personal computer  110  for storage, at  816 ,  818 . 
     Integrated Audio Stream Manager 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, an audio stream manager is provided in a manner similar to that of the video stream manager discussed above. More particularly, such an audio stream manager provides a digital jukebox which allows audio streams to be recorded from media disks, such as compact disks (CDs), or downloaded from the Internet and then played through the DPVSM  102  and stored on the personal computer  110 . The audio streams are accessible by a file system or master index generated from downloaded CD databases of playlists. 
     The audio stream manager may be embodied, for example, as a system similar to the systems of  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B . For clarity of discussion,  FIG. 9  is a diagram schematically illustrating an integrated audio stream manager according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shown are a DPVSM  102 , an audio system  118 , a personal computer  110 , and one or more CD database servers  904 , typically accessible via the Internet. 
     The personal computer  110  includes a jukebox utility  900  and a local media disk player  901  such as a compact disk or DVD player. The personal computer  110 &#39;s memory  304  may be used to store music or other audio files  909 . As will be discussed in greater detail below, the jukebox utility  900  is capable of converting a received CD track into a digital file format, such as MP3; downloading song lists from Web sites; and creating DPVSM-readable lists of songs or audio files for use in accessing the corresponding audio files  909  for playback. The audio files  909  are then available through a graphical user interface, either on the television  116  ( FIG. 1A ) or on the personal computer  110 . 
     The DPVSM  102  may include an audio interface for coupling to the audio system  118  and the personal computer  110  via the network; such an interface is generally similar to the interface  204  ( FIG. 2A ) for use with video. The DPVSM  102  may also include a jukebox control utility  902 , typically implemented by the controller  202 , for communicating with the jukebox utility  900  and generating a jukebox user interface accessible via the television screen, in a manner similar to that discussed above with reference to the video streams. 
     Exemplary use of an Internet CD playlist database as a basis for DPVSM indices is shown in  FIG. 10 . Shown in  FIG. 10  are a Web page  903  having an exemplary CD database entry  904 . As shown, the CD database entry  904  includes at least a CD identifier  1020  and a list of tracks  1022 . The user can use his personal computer  110 &#39;s web browser to manually or automatically access the web page  903  and download the CD directory and associate each track with a file name. This is illustrated more particularly at  1002 , which shows an exemplary CD or jukebox file listing  1002 , typically stored in memory  305 . Shown at  1002  are the CD name  1004 , track identifiers  1005 , and filenames  1006  associated therewith. It is noted that these filenames  1006  may be default file names based on the track identifier or may be user input. 
     Once the particular CD has been entered and its tracks converted to digital file format, the CD is indexed in a master list, such as that shown at  1008 . In particular, shown at  1008  are a filename listing  1009   a , a CD listing  1009   b , and a track listing  1009   c  for each file  1010   a ,  1010   b  . . .  1010   n . The listings can be arranged by CD, or alphabetically by file name, or randomly, any other desired ordering for playback or selection. 
     Operation of the audio stream manager according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in the flowchart of  FIG. 11 . In step  1102 , a user of the personal computer  110  can insert a disk into the player  901  ( FIG. 9 ). At step  1104 , the jukebox utility  900  converts the received CD track into a digital file format, such as MP3, and stores it in memory  305  as an audio file  909 . At step  1106 , the jukebox utility  900  accesses a predetermined Internet Web site  903  having a database of CDs and track listings, corresponding to the converted CD. The listing is then downloaded by the jukebox utility  900  and formatted into an index  1008 , in step  1108 . It is noted that, in other embodiments, the user could simply type in an index of his own making. At step  1110 , the jukebox utility  900  sends the index to the DPVSM  102  and, particularly, to the control utility  902 . At step  1112 , the DPVSM  102  can be used to display the index listing on the television screen. At step  1114 , the user can use a remote, such as an infrared remote  120 , to select the desired track or audio file. Finally, at step  1116 , the DPVSM  102  will receive the file via the network and play the selected file on the audio system  118 . It is noted that in certain embodiments, the DPVSM  102  can convert an audio file from a digital format to an analog format, or between digital formats, or merely act as a “conduit” to relay a digital file for playback on the audio system. Thus, the audio system may be embodied as any of a variety of known analog or digital audio systems capable of playing, for example, compact disks or MP3 files or receive radio transmissions. 
     Operation of an embodiment of the present invention is shown in greater detail with reference to the signaling diagram of  FIG. 12 . Shown are the cable connection  104 , DSL or cable modem  106 , 802.11 router  108 , personal computer  110 , cable box  112 , DPVSM  102 , video recorder  114 , television  116 , and IR remote  120 . 
     At  1202 , the user can insert a compact disk into the CD or DVD player  900  of the personal computer  110 . At  1204 , the jukebox utility  900  on the personal computer  110  converts the file to a digital file format, such as an MP3 format. At  1206 , the jukebox utility  900  uses the PC&#39;s web browser to access the Internet web site having the CD database and downloads it to the personal computer  110 , at  1208 . It is noted that the jukebox utility  900  may be implemented as one or more Web browser plug ins. 
     At  1210 , the jukebox utility  900  creates an index or includes the current CD listing in an existing index. At  1216 , the user can select a track or filename for playback. The selected file is then sent to the DPVSM  102  for playback via the router  108 , at  1212  and  1214 . The DPVSM  102  then plays the file on the audio system  118 . Alternatively, the index could be sent to the DPVSM  102 , which then generates a television based GUI, which can be selected using the IR remote  120 , at  1218 . The file can then be provided to the DPVSM  102  for playback, as discussed above. 
     It is noted that, while discussed above with reference to converting files from the CD in the personal computer  110 &#39;s CD player, the CD tracks could also be converted using the DPVSM  102  with the initial playing occurring in the audio system  118 , i.e., on a remote or media network disk player, coupled via the DPVSM  102  to the local area network. Such a system is generally similar to the system described above with reference to the video streams and thus is not duplicated here. 
     Wireless 802.11 Remote 
     The digital personal media stream manager (DPVSM) embodiments discussed above—both audio and video—are controllable via an infrared (IR) remote control. While inexpensive, such remote controls, however, depend on line-of-sight for functioning and thus are generally limited to a single room use. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an enhanced remote control for use in various rooms of a house or other space. In particular, as will be discussed in greater detail below, a wireless radio-signal remote control, such as a wireless local area remote, such as a wireless 802.11 remote, is provided, for control of DPVSM functionality. The wireless 802.11 remote control becomes an addressable device and can stay with the user throughout the house and used for control of network devices, such as the DPVSM  102  and attached devices. In addition, in certain embodiments, the handset can be provided with voice capabilities and can be used as a voice over IP handset (e.g., packet telephony or telephony over LAN functionality) or for voice-portal control of the DPVSM  102 . Advantageously, the system of the present invention allows an Internet telephone call to be received by the user even if not present at the computer when the call arrives, by use of the remote, instead of missing the call or forwarding it to voice mail. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the remote 802.11 could also function as a personal digital assistant (PDA), allowing access to the user&#39;s personal computer files. Such an embodiment thus could run known PDA interfaces, software and/or operating systems. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 13 , a diagram of an exemplary system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The system of  FIG. 13  is generally similar to that of  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B . As such, only relevant components are shown. The system of  FIG. 13  includes DPVSM  102 , personal computer  110 , and 802.11 remote  1300 . The 802.11 remote  1300  includes an IP telephony controller  1302  and a DPVSM controller  1304 , as will be explained in greater detail below. Similarly, the personal computer  110  includes an 802.11 wireless interface  212  and a VoIP interface engine  1306 . The VoIP interface engine  1306  may function as an IP telephony gateway and may also itself support an IP telephony client. Thus, the VoIP interface  1306  may be embodied as an H.323 or SIP gateway. 
       FIG. 14A  and  FIG. 14B  illustrate an exemplary wireless remote according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the remote  1300  includes a speaker  1312 , a microphone  1314 , and a display  1308 . The display may be implemented as an LCD display. In the embodiment illustrated, the display  1308  is a touchpad display and thus functions as a “virtual” keypad; in other embodiments, a separate physical keypad and display may be provided. As shown in  FIG. 14A , the display  1308  may be used to select a mode  1309 , i.e., telephone, video, or audio control. If the user chooses the telephone mode, then the display shows a virtual telephone keypad  1310 , which can be used to make and receive calls. 
     In the alternative, the user can select the audio or video modes. If the user selects audio or video mode, then a display generally similar to that discussed above for the personal computer control of the audio and video streams would be displayed. The 802.11 remote  1300  than functions as a network client in a manner similar to the personal computer  110 . If, for example, audio mode is selected, then as shown in  FIG. 14B , an the display  1308  shows a jukebox select screen  1316 . The jukebox select screen  1316  can be used in a manner similar to that discussed above with reference to the audio stream manager. The wireless remote could also be used to download program schedules, media files, and the like, in a manner similar to that discussed above. 
       FIG. 15  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary 802.11 remote control  1300  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the remote  1300  includes a control processor  1500 , an 802.11 interface  1502 , and a GUI display  1308  which may implement a telephony keypad  1310 . The remote  1300  also includes a speaker  1312  and microphone  1314 . The control processor  1500  implements a wireless LAN interface  1301 , the telephony interface  1302 , and the DPVSM controller  1304 . As will be discussed in greater detail below, the wireless LAN interface  1301  provides access to the wireless LAN, and may implement the IEEE 802.11 standard. The telephony interface  1302  implements an IP telephone standard, such as H.323 or SIP. The DPVSM controller  1304  allows the remote  1300  to control the DPVSM  102  via the wireless LAN. 
     Operation of an embodiment of the 802.11 remote control is shown by way of the signaling diagram of  FIG. 16 . In particular, shown is use of the 802.11 remote control  1300  to make and receive a telephone call, at  1601  and  1603 , respectively. Shown are a PSTN connection  1600 , modem  106 , 802.11 router  108 , personal computer  110 , cable box  112 , DPVSM  102 , video recorder  114 , TV  116 , and 802.11 remote  1300 . 
     To make a phone call, the user of the 802.11 remote  1300  selects the telephone mode ( FIG. 14 ) and dials the phone for the called party number. A call setup request message including a called party number is sent from the remote  1300  and, particularly, its telephony interface  1302 , to the personal computer  110  via the 802.11 router  108 , at  1602 ,  1604 . As noted above, in certain embodiments, the IP telephone system is based on the Recommendation H.323 or Session Initiation Protocol, although other IP telephony standards can be employed. At  1606 , the personal computer  110  activates its IP telephony program  1306 . The personal computer  110  then undertakes its portion of call setup with the remote  1300  at  1605 . When this is accomplished, the personal computer  110  attempts to complete the call with the outside network at  1608 . In the embodiment illustrated, the personal computer  110  communicates via the router with the modem  106 , at  1610 , after making the necessary protocol conversions to use the outside network. Call setup is then done via connection  1600  and the external telephony provider at  1612 . As is known, an external telephony provider can then either render the call on its end over the Public Switched Telephone Network or the Internet. The personal computer  110  then supervises the voice connection between the remote  1300  and the external connection  1600 . 
     Call reception is handled similarly and is shown at  1603 . At  1614 , a call is received at the connection  1600 , which is then routed via the modem and the router to the personal computer  110 . The personal computer  110  activates its IP telephony program  1306  at  1616  and sends a call setup message to the remote  1300  via the router  108 , at  1618 ,  1620 . At  1622 ,  1624 , the remote  1300  responds with its call setup response sequence. A media channel is then opened between the personal computer  110  and the remote  1300 , at  1626 ,  1628 ; the personal computer  110  itself maintains the connection to the PSTN  1600 . 
     As discussed above, the 802.11 remote  1300  can also be used to control the DPVSM  102  and, in particular, its video and audio handling capabilities, in a manner similar to that discussed above. Depending on the embodiment, such control can be exercised either through the personal computer  110  using its 802.11 remote interface ( FIG. 1 ) or directly to and from the remote  1300  itself. 
     Control via the personal computer  110  is shown at  1701 ,  1703 . At  1702 , the user of the remote  1300  can select a program or audio file and transmit the choice to the personal computer  110  via the router  108 , at  1704 . The personal computer  110  then forwards commands or files to the DPVSM  102  via the router, at  1706 ,  1708 . Broadband video and/or audio, as well as video and audio files would then be handled as discussed above in the “System Overview” section. It is noted that, in certain embodiments, actual audio and video files can be transmitted to the remote  1300  for display or playback, although resolution and fidelity might be less than on the television or personal computer system. 
     Because the remote  1300  also functions as a network client, in certain embodiments, the remote  1300  may be equipped with sufficient processing power and/or memory to directly control the DPVSM  102 , without intervening support from the personal computer  110 . Thus, as shown at  1705 , the remote  1300  can communicate directly with the DPVSM  102  using its DPVSM control  1304  via the router  108  at  1710 ,  1712 . Again, in such an embodiment, media streams and/or files would be handled similarly to the manner discussed above. In certain embodiments, of course, it may be necessary for communication to occur through the personal computer  110 , which may maintain the media file database(s), as discussed above. 
     Electronic Messaging Control 
     In addition to providing local remote capabilities using the 802.11 remote or an IR remote, as discussed above, embodiments of the present invention also provide access to the DPVSM  102  from remote off-site locations. Discussion of such remote control is in the context of remotely programming a video recording device, it being understood that the techniques discussed herein are applicable to other specific remote control functions. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, an e-mail control capability is provided. In particular, in such an embodiment, the personal computer  110  and, specifically, the e-mail system may be provided with a DPVSM e-mail control module. The DPVSM e-mail control module is adapted to read a specially-formatted e-mail having a show, time and date identified. The DPVSM e-mail control module then sends one or more control messages via the local area network to the DPVSM  102 , for recording. Such control commands may be in any format readable by the DPVSM. 
     A block diagram of an exemplary personal computer  110  employing the DPVSM control module is shown in  FIG. 18 . In particular,  FIG. 18  shows personal computer  110  including an e-mail system or client  1802 . The e-mail system  1802  may be embodied as any of a variety of known e-mail systems, such as Microsoft Outlook or Netscape Communicator. A DPVSM e-mail control module  1800  may be provided, according to embodiments of the present invention. The DPVSM e-mail control module may be embodied as a plug in for the e-mail program  1802 . In particular, in certain embodiments, the DPVSM control program  312  may be provided with one or more APIs (application programming interfaces) to allow various control applications such as the DPVSM e-mail control program  1800 . The DPVSM e-mail control program  1800  is adapted to read a special control e-mail and send one or more control commands to activate and control the DPVSM  102  in response. The DPVSM  102  can then control the recording of one or more shows, in a manner similar to that discussed above. 
       FIG. 19  is a diagram of an exemplary e-mail control message  1900  for use in conjunction with the DPVSM e-mail control program  1800  of  FIG. 18 . As shown, the e-mail control message  1900  includes a subject line  1902 . The subject line  1902  includes an entry “Digital DPVSM,” or other title that is read by the DPVSM e-mail control program  1800  to identify the associated message as a DPVSM control message. In the embodiment illustrated, the associated text of the message  1904  includes Date, Time, Channel, Duration, and Password entries. In certain embodiments, if security is an issue, standard encryption can be applied to encrypt the e-mail and protect the password. The Date, Time, Channel and Duration entries allow for unique selection of the program to be recorded. The Password entry allows the user to be uniquely identified, so that a third party cannot illicitly seize control of the DPVSM  102 . Thus, in certain embodiments, the DPVSM e-mail control program  1800  maintains a password file in memory of the user and password. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the message is identified as a DPVSM control message, and the DPVSM  102  is programmed in response thereto. 
     This is illustrated with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 20 . In particular, at step  2002 , a user can compose a DPVSM e-mail control message  1900 , either at the user&#39;s laptop computer or at a guest computer. At step  2004 , the e-mail is received at the personal computer  110 , by the personal computer&#39;s e-mail client  1802 . The DPVSM e-mail control program  1800  reads the subject line and recognizes the message as referring to a DPVSM control message. At step  2008 , the control parameters are converted to control parameters readable by the DPVSM  102 . Finally, at  2010 , the control parameters are then sent to the DPVSM  102 , in step  2010 . The DPVSM  102  then controls the video recorder  114 . 
     Signaling for such an embodiment is shown with reference to  FIG. 21 . Shown are a remote personal computer or laptop computer  2100 , cable connection  104 , modem  106 , 802.11 router  108 , personal computer  110 , cable box  112 , DPVSM  102 , video recorder  114 , and television  116 . At  2101 , the user composes the control e-mail at the remote computer  2100 . At  2102 , the e-mail control message  1900  arrives at the cable connection  104  and at the modem  106  at  2104 . The modem  104  then conveys it to the 802.11 router, at  2106 . The e-mail message  1900  is delivered to the personal computer  110  at  2108 . At  2110 , the personal computer&#39;s DPVSM e-mail control program  1800  reads the e-mail message header and identifies the message as being a DPVSM control message. In certain embodiments, the personal computer  110  may also send a confirmation to the user. The personal computer  110  and, particularly, the DPVSM controller  312 , then sends the corresponding commands to the DPVSM  102  via the router  108  at  2112 ,  2114 . At  2115 , the DPVSM  102  is programmed to record the designated show at the specified time. At  2116 , the broadband video is received via the cable connection  104  to the cable box  112 , and to the DPVSM  102  at  2118 . The DPVSM  102  then activates the video recorder  114  at  2120 , in response to the programming from the e-mail control message. The video recorder  114  then records the program at  2122 . Alternatively, at  2115 , the DPVSM  102  could transmit the programming information to the video recording device  114  and program it then. When the media stream(s) arrive, the DPVSM  102  could then simply act as a conduit for the media stream rather than an active programming device. 
     Instant Messaging Control 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a user may remotely control the DPVSM system  100  by using a special DPVSM Instant Messaging control message. The user&#39;s home personal computer has an Instant Messaging client including a DPVSM IM Control module plug in, that recognizes the DPVSM Instant Messaging control message. The DPVSM control module plug in then sends a message with the program information to the DPVSM, which controls the programming of the video recorder. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates an exemplary personal computer  110  including an Instant Messaging system or client  2202 . The Instant Messaging system  2202  may be implemented as a known instant messaging system, such as Windows Instant Messenger or AOL Instant Messenger. Also shown is a DPVSM IM control module plug in  2204  according to embodiments of the present invention. The DPVSM IM control module plug in  2204  functions to read an IM control heading defining a message as a DPVSM control message; generate a confirmation; and translate the message into a DPVSM-readable control command, sent by the DPVSM controller  312  ( FIG. 12 ) to the DPVSM  102 . The DPVSM  102  then programs the video recorder to record the program at the designated time. 
       FIG. 23  illustrates an exemplary IM control message according to this embodiment of the present invention. The message  2301  includes a header indicia  2302  and a message body  2304 . The header indicia as shown is DPRR, though any other predetermined indicia could be used. The message body  2304  includes date, time, channel, duration, and a user password. As noted above, the DPVSM IM control module  2204  reads the message header  2302  and then knows to read the body of the message. 
     A flowchart illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 24 . At step  2402 , the user can compose the IM control message  2301  at a remote location. At step  2404 , the IM control message  2301  is transported in a standard manner to the personal computer  110 . At step  2406 , the IM client  2202  decodes the message and the DPVSM IM control module  2204  recognizes the message as referring to DPVSM control. At step  2408 , the DPVSM IM control module  2204  converts the IM message into a control command format readable by the DPVSM  102 . At step  2410 , in certain embodiments, the DPVSM IM control module  2204  sends a confirmation message to the sender. This can identify the channel and other parameters and provide an indication that it has been received. Finally, at step  2412 , the command is sent to the DPVSM  102  and stored until the time to execute the recording. A signaling diagram showing operation of an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 25 . Shown are a remote PC  2100 , cable connection  104 , modem  106 , 802.11 router  108 , personal computer  110 , cable box  112 , DPVSM  102 , video recorder  114 , and television  116 . At  2502 , the user at the remote PC  2100  composes a DPVSM IM control message, such as that discussed above. The IM provider then sends the message to the user&#39;s home personal computer  110 , via the cable connection  104 , modem  106  and router  108 . At  2504 , the personal computer  110 &#39;s IM system and, particularly, the DPVSM IM control module  2204 , sends a confirmation message back to the user at the remote PC  2100 , once the DPVSM IM control message  2301  has been read. The DPVSM control module  312  of the personal computer  110  then sends one or more commands to the DPVSM  102  via the router  108 , at  2506 , with the appropriate programming instructions. These are then stored until the designated time; alternatively, the video recording device  114  can receive its programming instructions when they arrive at the DPVSM  102 . The broadband video is received at the DPVSM  102  and video recorder  114 , at  2508 . At  2510 , the video recorder  114  activates and at  2512 , the video is recorded. 
     Short Message Service Control 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a Short Message Service (SMS) equipped telephone can be used to control the DPVSM  102 . In particular, a SMS service provider may be adapted to detect a special SMS DPVSM control message and convert the SMS message to a form readable by the DPVSM client on the local personal computer. For example, such a control message may be implemented as an e-mail control message or even an IM control message, such as those discussed above. The control message is received by the personal computer  110  and then used by the DPVSM  102  to program the video recorder, in a manner similar to that discussed above. 
       FIG. 26  is a block diagram illustrating a system  2600  for enabling an SMS equipped telephone to program the DPVSM  102 . In particular, the system  2600  shown in  FIG. 26  includes a cellular telephone  2602  having SMS capabilities, a cell provider  2604 , and DPVSM system  100 . The DPVSM system  100  may be generally similar to those discussed above with reference to  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B . 
     The cell provider  2604  serves as the SMS service provider and maintains in conjunction with the SMS service, a DPVSM control detector  2606 , DPVSM command generator  2608 , and DPVSM name database  2610 . The DPVSM control detector  2606  detects whether a received SMS message is a DPVSM control message, and accesses the DPVSM name database  2610  for the e-mail or IM address of the user. The DPVSM message converter  608  then converts the SMS DPVSM parameters in the message to a control message format readable by the personal computer  110 , such as e-mail or IM. The DPVSM message converter  608  then sends the corresponding e-mail or IM message to the user&#39;s personal computer which decodes it and uses it to generate one or more control commands for control of the DPVSM  102 , in a manner similar to that discussed above with reference to E-Mail and IM Control. 
     An exemplary SMS message for DPVSM control is shown in  FIG. 27 . The SMS message  2700  is generally similar to those discussed above with reference to the e-mail and IM embodiments. Thus, the SMS message  2700  includes a DPVSM identifying header; date; time; duration; channel; and password parameters. 
     As noted above, the SMS DPVSM control message  2700  is received by the DPVSM detector  2606  which then accesses the DPVSM names database  2610 . The DPVSM names database  2610  includes entries corresponding to users&#39; cell phone numbers and e-mail or IM user name, as shown in the exemplary database entry  2800  of  FIG. 28 . 
     The entries in the DPVSM names database  2610  could be set by a system administrator or other administrative entity. According to a particular embodiment, the DPVSM names database entries  2800  are set by users via the World Wide Web or Internet access. For example, as shown in  FIG. 29 , the SMS/Cell provider maintains a web server  2900  in conjunction with the SMS server  2604 . The web server  2900  maintains a web page interface  2904  that allows the user to log in and make the DPVSM names database entries using standard form-making script  2902 . The entries can then be provided to the SMS server  2604 . It is noted that, in certain embodiments, the SMS server and the web server may be the same instrument. Thus, the figure is exemplary only. 
       FIG. 30  is a flowchart illustrating database entry according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step  3002 , the user can log in to the cell or SMS service provider&#39;s web site  2900 . Log in can include, for example, the user registering and providing a personal identification number, for example. The user can then enter the user&#39;s cell phone number, user ID, and e-mail or IM name, in step  3004 . Finally, at step  3006 , the entry is provided to the database  2610  at the SMS server  2604 . 
       FIG. 31  is a flowchart illustrating operation of use of SMS messaging to control the DPVSM  102  according to an embodiment of the present invention. At step  3102 , the user can compose an SMS DPVSM control message  2700  using his cell phone. As discussed above, such a message  2700  typically includes a DPVSM identifier, a password, and time, duration and channel information. At step  3104 , the SMS DPVSM control message  2700  is sent to the SMS server  2604 . The SMS server  2604  recognizes the message as relating to DPVSM control by its header, at step  3106 . The DPVSM detector  2606  then accesses the DPVSM database  2610  for the caller&#39;s e-mail (or IM) address; the DPVSM detector can identify the user&#39;s telephone number by standard calling number identification techniques. Once the e-mail address (or IM) is recognized, at step  3110 , the DPVSM message converter  2608  converts the SMS control message to a control message. This message is sent to the messaging client at the user&#39;s PC  110 , at step  3112 . Finally, in step  3114 , the user&#39;s PC and, particularly, an e-mail DPVSM control unit or an IM DPVSM control unit, such as those described above, processes the message to generate one or more control commands. The DPVSM  102  can then control the programming of the video recorder as discussed above. 
     Voice Portal Control 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a voice portal control is provided to control the programming of the DPVSM. More particularly, in such an embodiment, a user can simply respond to one or more interactive voice response queries to program the DPVSM. Such a voice portal may be used by a party calling in on a standard telephone, or through use of the networked wireless 802.11 remote control discussed above. 
     For example  FIG. 32  illustrates an exemplary user interaction with a voice portal for controlling a DPVSM  102  according to embodiments of the present invention. At  3250 , after the user calls in or otherwise logs in, the voice portal responds “Welcome to your DPVSM.” Next, the voice portal prompts to the user to “Enter your password,” at  3252 . Once the user does so, and the password is confirmed, the user is requested, at  3254 , to speak or enter a date, time, channel and duration of recording. Once the user makes the appropriate entries, as will be discussed in greater detail below, the voice portal server contacts the DPVSM system  100  to cause the video recorder  114  to record the designated program. In particular, as will be discussed in greater detail below, once the voice entries have been made, the voice portal server converts the entries into a DPVSM system readable message, such as an email or an IM message, and then sends it to the user&#39;s PC. The user&#39;s PC  110  accepts the message and instructs the DPVSM  102  accordingly. The voice portal may be implemented to respond to voice commands through known voice recognition techniques, or to keypad input, such as via DTMF tone recognition. 
       FIG. 33A  illustrates an exemplary voice portal DPVSM control system  3300   a  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the system  3300   a  of  FIG. 33A  includes a voice portal server  3202   a  having a voice portal  3304 , a voice-to-email (or IM) converter  3306  and a database  3308 . The voice portal server  3202   a  operably couples via e-mail or IM messaging to the DPVSM system  100 . 
     According to a particular embodiment, the DPVSM names  3308  database entries are set by users via the World Wide Web or Internet access. For example, as shown in  FIG. 34 , generally similar to the SMS server of  FIG. 29 , the voice portal provider maintains a web server  3400  in conjunction with the voice portal server  3202   a . The web server  3400  maintains a web page interface  3404  that allows the user to log in and make the DPVSM names database entries  3402 . The entries could be made using standard form-making script, for example. The entries can then be provided to the voice portal server  3202 . Actual entries may be similar to those of  FIG. 30 . 
     In operation, as shown in  FIG. 35 , the user of telephone  3310 , which may be a cell phone or a remote landline telephone, calls in at the voice portal server  3202   a  in step  3500 . The voice portal server  3202   a  may be provided, for example, by a service provider and the number dialed may be a 900 or 800 (toll free) number. The calling party can be identified by either a calling party identification technique, or by the spoken password, or a combination thereof. The voice portal control  3304  provides the interactive voice response control described above with reference to  FIG. 32 , in step  3504 . That is, the user inputs the desired program recording information. The database  3308  provides a corresponding e-mail address or IM user name. In step  3506 , the converter  3306  converts the user inputs from the voice or IVR response inputs into the associated e-mail or IM messaging control message, such as the e-mail or IM control message discussed above. These messages are provided to the user&#39;s home personal computer  110  and, particularly, read by the PC&#39;s DPVSM control system  312 , in step  3508 . Finally, the personal computer  110  sends control commands to the DPVSM  102  itself, in step  3510 , which programs the video recorder  114  in response thereto. 
     In the voice portal embodiment discussed above, the voice portal engine is implemented by a service provider at a remote server. In other embodiments, such a voice portal may be provided at the user&#39;s personal computer  110  itself. A block diagram of such an embodiment is shown in  FIG. 32B . More particularly,  FIG. 32B  illustrates telephone  3310  and a portion of the DPVSM telecommunications system  100 . Shown is a block diagram of a personal computer  110  including voice portal  3202   b . The voice portal  3202   b  couples to the DPVSM control  312  and to a memory  304  for storing voice portal information. In particular, the memory  304  stores one or more files  3212  of voice parameters for the system commands of  FIG. 32  and files that allow conversion between voice portal inputs and DPVSM recognizable commands. In certain embodiments, the voice portal may be a submodule of the DPVSM control  312 . The voice portal  3202   b  couples via a modem card  3220  to the PSTN (not shown). The voice portal  3202   b  may be implemented using known voice recognition technology. 
     Operation of this embodiment of the present invention is shown with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 36 . At step  3602 , the user calls in from the telephone  3310  to his personal computer  110 . As noted above, the call is to the user&#39;s home telephone number; the call is received via modem  3220 , which is coupled to the phone line. At step  3604 , the voice portal  3202   b  generates the voice prompts to allow the user to input the programming information, which is then received by the voice portal  3202   b . In response, in step  3606 , the voice portal  3202   b  accesses the database  3212  to convert the received inputs into control commands readable by the DPVSM  102 . Finally, at step  3608 , the DPVSM control  312  causes the commands to be transmitted to the DPVSM  102  ( FIG. 1 ) itself. The DPVSM  102  then controls the video recorder  114  for the recording of the program. 
     It is noted that in the voice portal embodiments discussed above, the user can speak the actual program name and related information. In other embodiments, however, the voice portal system could maintain a database of programs and show times, each having a unique numerical identifier. The user could then log in to a web site to determine the particular show&#39;s identifier, then dial in to the voice portal and input the identifier, either by speaking or by DTMF or other keyed input. 
     Context-Based Search System 
     The above-described embodiments for remote control of the DPVSM  102  and program recording generally assume that the user has an idea of what channel and time the show occurs. It may, however, be the case that the user has only a general idea of the time, date and channel a show is on. This may particularly be the case if the show is a one time sporting event. A context-based search system according to embodiments of the present invention allows a user to control his DVPSM remotely, even when not immediately possessed of complete programming information. 
     Operation of such an embodiment of the present invention is shown more particularly with reference to  FIG. 37 . In a step  3702 , a user composes a DPVSM control message, such as an e-mail, IM, or SMS message, or logs in to a voice portal, such as described above. At step  3704 , the search system extracts keywords from the message or other inputs. For example, the search system could maintain a database of keywords such as “football,” “boxing,” or program titles and network, or approximate dates or ranges of dates. Next, at a step  3706 , the search system searches a program database for occurrences of the keywords. If found, the search system composes a selection message, identifying programs in which the keywords are found, and sends it to the user. At a step  3710 , the user can receive the message and make the selection. In one embodiment, each choice may be provided with a one or two digit identifier. When this is received back, the DPVSM recording may occur. 
     An exemplary DPVSM context-based search system according to embodiments of the preset invention is shown in  FIG. 38 . The system  3800  includes DPVSM system  100 , server  3802 , remote user  3804 , and one or more network servers  3806   a - 3806   n . The DPVSM system  100  may be generally similar to that discussed above. The network servers  3806   a - 3806   n  provide programming information to the server  3802  databases, as will be explained in greater detail below. 
     The search server  3802  includes a message receiver  3902 , a keyword database  3808 , a program database  3816 , a channel access search unit  3810 , a keyword extractor  3812 , a message search unit  3814 , a confirmation message generator  3818 , and a DPVSM message generator  3820 . The message receiver  3902  receives the user&#39;s control message; the user  3804  may employ any of the above-described remote access methods to access the search system  3802 . 
     As will be explained in greater detail below, the keyword database  3808  maintains a listing of program keywords that can be extracted from the incoming user message. The keyword extractor  3812  receives the incoming message, accesses the keyword database  3808  and extracts any keywords from the message. The message search unit  3814  uses the extracted keyword(s) to search the program database  3816 , which is the listing of program times and scheduling. The program database  3816  may be programmed via the channel access search unit  3810 , which accesses the network servers  3806  for programming information. The confirmation message generator  3818  generates a confirmation or selection message which is sent to the user once the program database has been searched. The DPVSM controller  312  then receives the user&#39;s selection and sends control messages to the DPVSM system  100 . The DPVSM system can then convert the control message to one or more control commands for causing the DPVSM  102  to program the video recording device. 
     Operation of an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated more particularly with reference to the signaling diagram of  FIG. 39 . Shown is the search system  3802 , a remote user  3804 , and the DPVSM system  100 . 
     At  3904 , the user&#39;s programming control message is sent to the search system  3802 . In particular, a message receiver  3902  receives the incoming message from the user. The message may be in a Short Message Service format, an Instant Messaging format, an e-mail format, or a voice portal format. The message receiver sends the message to the keyword extractor  3812 , at  3906 . The keyword extractor  3812  accesses the keyword database  3808 , at  3908 . The extracted keywords are provided to the message search unit  3814 , at  3910 . At  3912 , the message search unit  3814  accesses the program database  3816 . The results, if any, are then provided to the confirmation message generator  3818 , at  3914 . The confirmation message generator  3818  then, at  3916 , generates a message including search matches in the appropriate received format. Thus, for example, if the message was an IM message, the confirmation message will likewise be an IM message. The user can then make a selection of the appropriate program and return an acknowledge message, at  3918 . The DPVSM controller  3820  then receives the program information at  3920 . Finally, the DPVSM controller  3820  sends one or more control messages, such as the e-mail or IM control messages discussed above, to the DPVSM system  100 , at  3922 . Typically, the message is received by the user&#39;s PC  110 , which generates one or more control commands, and handling proceeds in a manner similar to that discussed above. 
     As noted above, the search system  3802  can access one or more network servers  3806  to determine programming schedules. This is illustrated in  FIG. 40 . Shown are the channel access search unit  3810  and the program database  3816 , as well as an exemplary network server  3806 . The channel access search unit may be an automated Internet browser plug in that periodically accesses the network server  3806 , at  4002 . The information is received at  4004  and provided to the channel database  3816  at  4006 . Any formatting changes, if necessary, can be made by the channel access search unit  3816 . 
     The invention described in the above detailed description is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can reasonably be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.