Patent ID: 8667551

Claim:
A remote control device that manages operations of a set-top box, the remote control device comprising: a transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate directly with the set-top box; and a controller coupled to a memory comprising computer instructions, which when executed by the controller causes the controller to perform operations comprising: establishing wireless communications directly with the set-top box; providing a request for all or part of provisioning information directly to the set-top box using wireless communication, the provisioning information comprising operational settings established by a service provider; receiving directly from the set-top box the requested provisioning information using the wireless communication; automatically detecting by the remote control device whether a malfunction of the set-top box has occurred; recording the requested provisioning information to restore a provisioning state of the set-top box upon detecting a malfunction in the set-top box; requesting media content stored in the set-top box; receiving from the set-top box the requested media content; and recording the requested media content, wherein the media content comprises at least audio content; and a portable memory for storing the requested provisioning information and the media content, wherein the portable memory when engaged with the remote control device is coupled to the controller, and wherein the operations further comprise: wirelessly uploading or transmitting the requested provisioning information and the requested media content automatically from the portable memory to the set-top box to restore a provisioning state and requested media content of the set top box responsive to a detected malfunction in the set top box, responsive to when an upgrade for the set top box is detected due to detection of a new set top box, responsive to when an older version of provisioning information is detected at the set top box, and responsive to when an older version of media content is detected at the set top box; and automatically uploading the provisioning information to the remote control device or the set-top box responsive to detecting engagement of the portable memory with the remote control device or with the set-top box resulting from porting of the portable memory, wherein subsequent to porting the portable memory from the remote control device to the set-top box, a restoration or upgrade process relating to the provisioning state or the media content of the set-top box is controlled exclusively by the set-top box.