Apparatus And Method For Remote Control Of Digital Video Recorders And The Like

Abstract

A system stores a first permission parameter associated with a first user of a set of digital video recorders (DVRs) and at least a second permission parameter associated with a second user of the set. The second permission parameter defines a different level of permission for controlling the set than the first permission parameter. At least one server receives a first request to control the set from the first user and a second request to control the set from the second user. The set is controlled in accordance with: (i) the first request, based on the first permission parameter, and (ii) the second request, based on the second permission parameter. The controlling includes at least communicating with the set over a network. Techniques are also provided for directly obtaining information on a DVR in real time over a content network

1 . A method for controlling a set comprising at least one digital video recorder; said method comprising the steps of:
 storing at least a first permission parameter associated with a first user of said set and at least a second permission parameter associated with a second user of said set, said second permission parameter defining a different level of permission for controlling said set than said first permission parameter;   receiving, at least one server; a first request to control said set from said first user and a second request to control said set from said second user; and   controlling said set in accordance with: (i) said first request, based on said first permission parameter, and (ii) said second request, based on said second permission parameter, said controlling comprising at least communicating with said set over a network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least first permission parameter grants said first user permission to perform substantially all available control functions in connection with said set, and wherein said at least second permission parameter grants said second user access that is limited based at least on ratings of programs. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least first permission parameter grants said first user permission to perform substantially all available control functions in connection with said set, and wherein said at least second permission parameter grants said second user access limited that is limited based at least on channels. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least first permission parameter grants said first user permission to perform substantially all available control functions in connection with said set, and wherein said at least second permission parameter grants said second user access that is limited based at least on specific programs. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said set comprises at least first and second digital video recorders, and wherein said at least second permission parameter grants said second user access to a subset of said at least first and second digital video recorders different than that granted to said first user by said at least first permission parameters. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least second permission parameter grants said second user a lower level of permission to override choices of said first user than a level of permission to override choices of said second user granted to said first user by said at least first permission parameter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said set comprises at least first and second digital video recorders, and wherein said at least second permission parameter prevents said second user from viewing what selections are programmed on said first digital video recorder. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said storing comprises storing in storage accessible to an identity management server operatively coupled to said at least one server which receives said first and second requests. 
     
     
         9 . A method for controlling at least one digital video recorder interconnected with a content-based network, said method comprising the steps of:
 querying at least one server to obtain program data from said server and DVR data from said digital video recorder;   receiving said program data from said server and said DVR data from said digital video recorder, said DVR data being obtained from said digital video recorder substantially in real time over said content-based network;   displaying said program data and/or said DVR data on a separate device, in communication with said content-based network; and   controlling said at least one digital video recorder by selecting a user-operable function from said program data and/or said DVR data on said separate device   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said separate device comprises an Internet-connected personal computer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein an elapsed time between said querying of said server, and said displaying of said DVR data on said separate device, comprises an interval of no more than about thirty seconds. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said elapsed time comprises an interval of no more than about five seconds. 
     
     
         13 . A system for controlling at least one digital video recorder with another device, said system comprising:
 a content-based network coupled to the at least one digital video recorder; and   a DVR control application module coupled to said content-based network and the device and configured to:
 obtain program data; 
 obtain DVR data from the digital video recorder, said DVR data being obtained from the digital video recorder substantially in real time over said content-based network; 
 facilitate display of said program data and/or said DVR data on the device; and 
 control the at least one digital video recorder by receiving a selection of a user-operable function from said program data and/or said DVR data on the device 
   
     
     
         14 . A system for controlling a set comprising at least one digital video recorder, said system comprising:
 a content-based network coupled to the set;   an identity management module configured to store at least a first permission parameter associated with a first user of said set and at least a second permission parameter associated with a second user of said set, said second permission parameter defining a different level of permission for controlling said set than said first permission parameter; and   a DVR control application module coupled to said content-based network and said identity management module and configured to:
 receive a first request to control the set from said first user and a second request to control the set from said second user; and 
 control the set in accordance with: (i) said first request, based on said first permission parameter; and (ii) said second request, based on said second permission parameter, said controlling comprising at least communicating with the set over said content-based network 
   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said at least first permission parameter grants said first user permission to perform substantially all available control functions in connection with said set and wherein said at least second permission parameter grants said second user access that is limited based on at least one of: (i) ratings of programs, (ii) channels, and (iii) specific programs. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the set comprises at least first and second digital video recorders, and wherein said at least second permission parameter grants said second user access to a subset of the at least first and second digital video recorders different than that granted to said first user by said at least first permission parameter. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the set comprises at least first and second digital video recorders, and wherein said at least second permission parameter prevents said second user from viewing what selections are programmed on the first digital video recorder. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said at least second permission parameter grants said second user a lower level of permission to override choices of said first user than a level of permission to override choices of said second user granted to said first user by said at least first permission parameter. 
     
     
         19 . A system for controlling a set comprising at least one digital video recorder, said system comprising:
 at least one server;   means for storing at least a first permission parameter associated with a first user of the set and at least a second permission parameter associated with a second user of the set, said second permission parameter defining a different level of permission for controlling the set than said first permission parameter;   means for receiving, at said at least one server, a first request to control the set from said first user and a second request to control the set from said second user; and   means for controlling the set in accordance with: (i) said first request, based on said first permission parameter, and (ii) said second request, based on said second permission parameter; said controlling comprising at least communicating with the set over a network.   
     
     
         20 . A system for controlling, from a separate device, at least one digital video recorder interconnected with a content-based network, said system comprising:
 at least one server;   means for querying said at least one server to obtain program data from said server and DVR data from the digital video recorder;   means for receiving said program data from said server and said DVR data from the digital video recorder; said DVR data being obtained from said digital video recorder substantially in real time over the content-based network;   means for displaying said program data and/or said DVR data on the separate device, in communication with the content-based network; and   means for controlling the at least one digital video recorder by selecting a user-operable function from said program data and/or said DVR data on the separate device.