Controlling one or more media devices

Abstract

A content management (CM) system is provided to centrally control operation of one or more connected devices by issuing control requests and / or data requests. In some situations the connected device(s) include devices that control presentation of television programming-related content, such as digital video recorder (“DVR”) devices and media center devices, and in other situations may include other types of media devices and / or other electromechanical (“E / M”) devices that may be centrally controlled, such as E / M devices for home automation that may operate independently or in conjunction with the media devices. In some situations, the CM system communicates with the connected devices via a network and using appropriate protocol(s), and may be accessed remotely via a network so as to allow a user to remotely operate the CM system. The CM system may further control searching, identification, selection, and presentation of pieces of media content by the connected device(s).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 567,177, entitled “Browser For Multimedia Content” and filed Apr. 30, 2004, and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 667,836, entitled “Interface For Manipulating Multimedia Content” and filed Apr. 1, 2005, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [0002] The present application is also related to each of U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 931086.406) entitled “Controlling Content Presentation,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 931086.407) entitled “Network-Accessible Control Of One Or More Media Devices,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 931086.408) entitled “Smart Home Control Of Electronic Devices,” each of which is filed concurrently and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECH...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present patent text describes a system for managing and controlling multimedia content in a home environment. The system aims to make it easier for consumers to access and present the content they are interested in, while also integrating various devices that can play or control the content. The technical effects of the system include improved access to content through a variety of devices, simplified usage of remote controls, and improved user experience with the system. The system can also be remotely accessed via a network."

Problems solved by technology

However, as the multimedia industry grows and as additional types of content are increasingly being stored and made available to consumers, it is becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to effectively manage the content and the related capabilities of the various devices that are available to present the content or to control the content presentation.

Moreover, the increase in number and types of media devices within homes (e.g., televisions, handheld and desktop computing systems, stereos, speakers, cellphones, DVRs, STBs, etc.) makes the task of effectively presenting and otherwise managing the multimedia content even more difficult.

Thus, consumers are forced to familiarize themselves with the features of each individual remote control, which can become difficult or frustrating to a consumer as additional media devices (and their remote controls) are added to a household or whenever such media devices are modified or upgraded to other models and versions.

Moreover, in some situations, various electronic devices in the household may not have associated remote controls or may otherwise require the consumer to actively operate their controls, which similarly can lead to difficulties and frustrations for the user.

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