Portable video programs

Abstract

A method for providing portable delivery of television programs using a portable wireless device (PWD) involves receiving an instruction transmitted from the PWD at a television receiver system, the instruction comprising television program information relating to a television program currently being received by and displayed on the PWD; retrieving electronic program guide (EPG) data for channels available to the television receiver; searching for and identifying a channel available to the television receiver that provides the television program by using the television program information to identify a television program entry in the EPG; the television receiver tuning to the identified television program; and the television receiver receiving the identified television program. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments deviate from the features described in this abstract.

1 . A method for providing portable delivery of television programs using a portable wireless device (PWD), comprising:
 receiving an instruction transmitted from the PWD at a television receiver system, the instruction comprising television program information relating to a television program currently being received by and displayed on the PWD;   retrieving electronic program guide (EPG) data for channels available to the television receiver;   searching for and identifying a channel available to the television receiver that provides the television program by using the television program information to identify a television program entry in the EPG;   the television receiver tuning to the identified television program; and   the television receiver receiving the identified television program.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the television receiver comprises one of a television set, a personal video recorder (PVR) and a television set top box. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein identifying the channel comprises comparing the EPG data with data transmitted from the PWD to identify a channel of a television program having an identical program identifier. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein receiving the instruction comprises receiving a wireless signal from the PWD to the television system using a mmWave, infrared, or Radio Frequency (RF) communication. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the PWD comprises one of cellular telephones, wireless telephones, personal digital assistants (PDA), palm-top computers, personal information managers, and game consoles. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the PWD comprises a cellular telephone. 
   
   
       7 . A computer readable storage medium carrying instructions that, when executed on a programmed processor carry out the process according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       8 . A method for providing portable delivery of television programs using a portable wireless device (PWD), comprising:
 receiving a wireless instruction transmitted from the PWD at a television receiver system, the instruction comprising television program information relating to a television program currently being received by and displayed on the PWD;   wherein the TV receiver system comprises one of a television set, a personal video recorder (PVR) and a television set top box   retrieving electronic program guide (EPG) data for channels available to the television receiver;   searching for and identifying a channel available to the television receiver that provides the television program by using the television program information to identify a television program entry in the EPG;   wherein identifying the channel comprises comparing the EPG data with data transmitted from the PWD to identify a channel of a television program having an identical program identifier   the television receiver tuning to the identified television program; and   the television receiver receiving the identified television program.   
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein receiving the instruction comprises receiving a wireless signal from the PWD to the television system using a mmWave, infrared, or Radio Frequency (RF) communication. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the PWD comprises one of cellular telephones, wireless telephones, personal digital assistants (PDA), palm-top computers, personal information managers, and game consoles. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the PWD comprises a cellular telephone. 
   
   
       12 . A computer readable storage medium carrying instructions that, when executed on a programmed processor carry out the process according to  claim 8 .