Patent Publication Number: US-2004047599-A1

Title: Methods and systems for remotely accessing a digital television terminal via a global communication network

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to the field of digital television. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and systems for remotely accessing a digital television terminal via a global communication network.  
       [0002] As digital television systems continue to develop, more and more features are being added to the digital television terminal, such as pay-per-view, electronic program guides, digital video recording capabilities, video-on-demand, weather and stock information, as well as Internet access and related features.  
       [0003] To date, these features may only be controlled by a user interacting directly with the digital television terminal. For example, a user must remember to program a digital video recorder (either included in or associated with the digital television terminal) before leaving home in order to record a program while the user is away from home.  
       [0004] It would be advantageous to enable control of the digital television terminal from a remote location. It would be further advantageous to enable control of a digital television terminal from a remote device via a global communication network. It would also be advantageous to provide control of a recording device associated with the digital television terminal via a remote device.  
       [0005] The methods and systems of the present invention provide the foregoing and other advantages.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] The present invention relates to remote access and control of a digital television terminal via a global communication network. In particular, the present invention provides methods and systems for remotely accessing a digital television terminal via a global communication network. In one example embodiment, a remote device adapted for connection to the digital television terminal via a global communication network is provided. An interface which is downloadable to the remote device via the global communication network enables the remote device to communicate with the digital television terminal. Once the interface is downloaded, the remote device is enabled to remotely access and control the digital television terminal.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0007] The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing FIGURE. The FIGURE shows a block diagram of an example embodiment of the invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0008] The ensuing detailed description provides preferred exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the ensuing detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing a preferred embodiment of the invention. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.  
     [0009] The present invention provides methods and systems for remotely accessing a digital television terminal via a global communication network. In one example embodiment as shown in the FIGURE, a remote device  10  adapted for connection to the digital television terminal  100  via a global communication network  20  is provided. An interface (e.g., a software program) which is downloadable to the remote device  10  via the global communication network  20  enables the remote device  10  to communicate with the digital television terminal  100 . Once the interface is downloaded, the remote device  10  is enabled to remotely access the digital television terminal  100 .  
     [0010] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the digital television terminal  100  shown in the FIGURE is one of a family of terminals in the television network. Further, the digital television terminal  100  may be a stand-alone device or may be integrated into a digital television or a personal computer.  
     [0011] The remote device  10  may comprise one of a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, an Internet appliance, a cellular telephone, or similar device. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the same digital television terminal  100  may be accessed and controlled by one or more remote devices  10 . For example, a user may be able to log onto an online account via a remote device  10  at work by entering a password to gain access to the digital television terminal  100 . The same user may also be able to log into the online account via a different remote device  10  located at another location by entering the password. In other words, a single remote device  10  does not necessarily control a single digital television terminal  100 , and access to the digital television terminal may be password controlled so that a user can conveniently access the user&#39;s account from any device connected to the global communication network  20 , so long as the device is capable of downloading the required interface.  
     [0012] The digital television terminal  100  may be remotely programmed to record a program. The digital television terminal  100  may comprise a digital video recording device  105 , which may be programmed via the remote device  10 . Alternatively, the program may recorded on a recording device  115 , such as a VCR or digital video recorder, associated with the digital television terminal  115 . In such an embodiment, the recording device  115  may be programmed via the digital television terminal  100 , which in turn may be controlled by the remote device  10 .  
     [0013] In a further example embodiment, the digital television terminal  100  may be remotely programmed to provide reminders for start times of desired programs. For example, such programmed reminders may appear on the display device  110  (e.g., a television screen, computer screen, or the like) at the programmed time (e.g., 15 minutes before the desired program start time).  
     [0014] A server  30  may be provided between the global communication network  20  and a television network  45  to enable the connection between the remote device  10  and the digital television terminal  100 . The server  30  may be located at a television system headend  40 .  
     [0015] In a further example embodiment, the remote device  10  may be enabled for sending messages to the digital television terminal  100  for display on an associated display device  110 . For example, a user at a remote location would be able to send a message to the digital television terminal  100  for display for viewing by a second user at the television.  
     [0016] The present invention enables additional features which may be controlled remotely. For example, parental control parameters of the digital television terminal  100  may be remotely programmed. Service may be remotely requested from a headend system operator for the digital television terminal  100  (or any other portion of the television system).  
     [0017] In addition, access to a user&#39;s television account information may be provided via the remote device  10 . The account may be modified via the remote device  10 . The modifications may include, for example, at least one of paying an account balance, changing programming options, canceling services, terminating the account, and similar modifications.  
     [0018] In a further example embodiment, a command may be sent from the remote device  10  to the digital television terminal  100 . Once the command is received by the digital television terminal  100 , a reply may then be sent from the digital television terminal  100  to the remote device  10  acknowledging receipt of the command. The command may comprise one of a record program command, a program reminder command, a parental control command, or other configuration and control commands for the digital television terminal  100 .  
     [0019] The interface may be downloadable from a television system headend  40 . Alternatively, the interface may be downloadable from a third party provider  25  via the global communication network.  
     [0020] It should now be appreciated that the present invention provides advantageous methods and apparatus for accessing and controlling a digital television terminal from a remote location via a global communication network.  
     [0021] Although the invention has been described in connection with various illustrated embodiments, numerous modifications and adaptations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.