Patent ID: 8856858

Claim:
A method comprising: executing, by a mobile device comprising a processor, a web server application in the mobile device, wherein the web server application performs first operations comprising: detecting, by the mobile device, a set-top box; and transmitting, by the mobile device, responsive to the detecting of the set-top box, a message to a server by way of a gateway, wherein the gateway is in wireless communication with the mobile device and assigned to a first internet protocol address, wherein the server operates in an interactive television network remote from a location of the set-top box, and wherein the message comprises an identifier of a software application of the mobile device and a second internet protocol address associated with the software application, wherein the message causes the server to perform second operations comprising: identifying the set-top box and media services assigned thereto by way of the first internet protocol address of the gateway, and directing the set-top box to invoke the software application in the mobile device by way of the second internet protocol address, wherein the first operations further comprise: receiving, by the mobile device, a request from the set-top box to execute the software application by way of the second internet protocol address; and executing, by the mobile device, the software application to establish media communication services between the mobile device and the set-top box.