Session initiation protocol enabled set-top device

Abstract

Controlling delivery of media content at a network server is disclosed. A request for media channel guide information from a remote subscriber device is received. Media channel guide information is sent to the remote subscriber device in response to the request. A request for delivery of media content associated with a selected media channel is received. Media channel content associated with the selected media channel is directed to a media channel recording device associated with the subscriber.

1 . A method of controlling delivery of media content, the method comprising, at a network server:
 receiving a request for media channel guide information from a remote subscriber device;   sending the media channel guide information to the remote subscriber device in response to the request;   receiving a request for delivery of media content associated with a selected media channel; and   directing media channel content associated with the selected media channel to a media channel recording device associated with the subscriber.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the media channel recording device is located remote from the network server and is connected to the network server via a communication network. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the network server directs the media channel content associated with the selected media channel to the media channel recording device via the remote subscriber device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving an indication from the remote subscriber device that the media channel content associated with the selected media channel is to be sent to the media channel recording device, wherein the step of directing the media channel content to the media channel recording device is performed responsive to the received indication. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving at the network server a registration request from the remote subscriber device to register the subscriber for a media content delivery service;   responsive to the registration request, registering the subscriber for the media content delivery service; and   sending a registration response to the remote subscriber device confirming registration of the subscriber for the media content delivery service.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein registering the subscriber comprises associating the subscriber with a personal identifier. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the personal identifier is an identifier associated with the remote subscriber device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the personal identifier is an identifier input at the remote subscriber device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein communication between the network server and the remote subscriber devices uses an application layer control protocol. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the application layer control protocol is Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). 
     
     
         11 . A network server for controlling delivery of media content, the network server comprising:
 a media channel guide request processing function operable:
 to receive a request for media channel guide information from a remote subscriber device; and 
 to send media channel guide information to the remote subscriber device in response to the request; and 
   a media channel content request processing function operable:
 to receive a request for delivery of media content associated with a selected media channel; and 
 to direct media channel content associated with the selected media channel to a media channel recording device associated with a subscriber. 
   
     
     
         12 . The network server of  claim 11 , wherein the media channel content request processing function is operable to send the selected media channel to a media channel recording device which is located remote from the network server and is connected to the network server via a communication network. 
     
     
         13 . The network server of  claim 12 , wherein the network server is operable to direct media channel content associated with the selected media channel to the media channel recording device via the remote subscriber device. 
     
     
         14 . The network server of  claim 11 , wherein the media channel content request processing function is operable:
 to receive an indication from the remote subscriber device that the media channel content associated with the selected media channel is to be sent to the media channel recording device; and   to send the media channel content to the media channel recording device responsive to the received indication.   
     
     
         15 . The network server of  claim 11 , further comprising a registration request processing function operable:
 to receive at the network server a registration request from the remote subscriber device to register the subscriber for a media content delivery service;   to register the subscriber for the media content delivery service responsive to the registration request; and   to send a registration response to the remote subscriber device confirming registration of the subscriber for the media content delivery service.   
     
     
         16 . The network server of  claim 15 , wherein the registration request processing function is operable to associate the subscriber with a personal identifier. 
     
     
         17 . The network server of  claim 16 , wherein the personal identifier is an identifier associated with the remote subscriber device. 
     
     
         18 . The network server of  claim 16 , wherein the personal identifier is an identifier input at the remote subscriber device. 
     
     
         19 . The network server of  claim 11 , wherein the network server is operable to communicate between the network server and the remote subscriber devices using an application layer control protocol. 
     
     
         20 . The network server of  claim 19 , wherein the application layer control protocol is Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).