Patent ID: 8352567

Claim:
A method of remotely programming a remote controlled infrared device configured to receive program content from a program provider, said method comprising: accessing an application service provider separate from the program provider, that includes a program database via a first connection over a network with a user processor; selecting scheduling information provided by the program database of the application service provider via the first connection, wherein the scheduling information is associated with at least one program selected by a user; establishing or verifying a second connection over the network between the application service provider and a control processor; transmitting the scheduling information associated with the at least one program to the control processor via the second connection; and generating control signals based upon the scheduling information associated with the at least one program and sending the control signals to an infrared diode to generate infrared signals to control the remote controlled infrared device to receive the at least one program associated with the scheduling information; wherein program content of the at least one program is received from said program provider and wherein said application service provider transmits the scheduling information separately from the program provider.