Patent ID: 8555332

Claim:
A portable device, comprising: a memory to store instructions; and a controller in communication with the memory, wherein the controller, responsive to executing the instructions, executes a web server application in the portable device, wherein the web server application is operable to perform first operations comprising: detecting a set-top box; and transmitting, responsive to the detecting of the set-up top box, a message to a server by way of a gateway, wherein the gateway is in wireless communication with the controller 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 portable 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 portable device by way of the second internet protocol address, wherein the first operations further comprise: receiving a request from the set-top box to execute the software application by way of the second internet protocol address; and executing the software application to establish media communication services between the portable device and the set-top box.