Set Top Box Browser Control Via a Wireless Handset

Abstract

A system and method for providing Internet access via a set top box may include operating, on the set top box, a browser configured to display data associated with a website. A command may be received from a wireless communications device via a communications network. The command may include a network address of the website. In response to receiving the command, the website data may be displayed on a television to which the set top box is in communication.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 providing, with a set top box, an application programming interface (API) to enable a wireless device to control set-top box functionality;   receiving, with the API, one or more set top box control commands from the wireless device; and   controlling the set top box to change a channel in response to receiving the one or more set top box control commands; and   enabling a user to control, with the wireless device and substantially in real time, a cursor on a television with which the set-top box is in communication.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising controlling the set top box to control playback of a recorded video in response to receiving the one or more set top box control commands. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein receiving the one or more control commands comprises receiving the one or more control commands via an Internet protocol (IP) communication. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising providing a proxy server that, in response to receiving a request from the wireless handset, operates as an interface to the set top box to communicate the command from the wireless handset to the set top box. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 determining, by the proxy server, that the wireless handset is authorized to communicate with the set top box; and   establishing a communications link between the wireless handset and the set top box in response to determining that the wireless communications device is authorized to communicate with the set top box.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising providing an application to download to the wireless communications device to enable a user to communicate the one or more control commands to the set top box. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 operating, on the set top box, a browser configured to display data associated with a website, wherein the one or more control commands comprise a control command including a network address of the website; and   in response to receiving the command, displaying the website data on the television.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising simultaneously displaying the website data on the television and the wireless communications device. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein displaying the website data on the television includes displaying the website data in a window on the television. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein displaying the website data on the television includes displaying tabs and frames as defined by the website data. 
     
     
         11 . A set top box, comprising:
 a memory;   an input/output (I/O) unit in communication with a communications network;   a processing unit in communication with said memory and I/O unit, said processing unit configured to:
 provide an application programming interface (API) to enable a wireless device to control set-top box functionality; 
 receive, with the API, one or more set top box control commands from the wireless device; and 
 control the set top box to change a channel in response to receiving the one or more set top box control commands; and 
 enable a user to control, with the wireless device and substantially in real time, a cursor on a television with which the set-top box is in communication.
 operate a browser configured to display data associated with a website; 
 receive a command from a wireless communications device via a communications network, the command including a network address of the website; and 
 in response to receiving the command, display the website data on a television to which the set top box is in communication. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , further wherein the processing unit is further configured to control the set top box to control playback of a recorded video in response to receiving the one or more set top box control commands. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein receiving the one or more control commands comprises receiving the one or more control commands via an Internet protocol (IP) communication. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a proxy server that, in response to receiving a request from the wireless handset, operates as an interface to the set top box to communicate the command from the wireless handset to the set top box. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the proxy server:
 determines that the wireless handset is authorized to communicate with the set top box; and   establishes a communications link between the wireless handset and the set top box in response to determining that the wireless communications device is authorized to communicate with the set top box.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 11 , further comprising an application to download to the wireless communications device to enable a user to communicate the one or more control commands to the set top box. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to:
 operate, on the set top box, a browser configured to display data associated with a website, wherein the one or more control commands comprise a control command including a network address of the website; and   in response to receiving the command, display the website data on the television.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to display the website data on the television simultaneous with a display on the wireless communications device. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein displaying the website data on the television includes displaying the website data in a window on the television. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein displaying the website data on the television includes displaying tabs and frames as defined by the website data.