Systems and methods for a remote alarm

摘要

Systems and methods of issuing a reminder from a remote control are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, an exemplary embodiment has a remote control and a set top box (STB). In at least one embodiment, the remote control has a transmitter that transmits information corresponding to at least one reminder event with a reminder time, a reminder alert receiver that receives a reminder alert, and at least one of a sound emitter that issues audible reminder alerts, a vibration generator that issues vibration reminder alerts, and a light source that issues visible reminder alerts. In at least one embodiment, the STB has a receiver that receives the information corresponding to the reminder event from the remote control, a STB processing system that generates a reminder alert based upon the received reminder event, and a reminder alert transmitter that transmits the reminder alert to the remote control.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
transmitting a first wireless signal from a set top box (STB) interface transmitter of a remote control, the first wireless signal having a first command to present an electronic program guide (EPG) on a display of a media presentation device that is communicatively coupled to a set top box (STB); receiving the first wireless signal at a remote control interface receiver in the STB; retrieving EPG information from a memory of the STB in response to receiving the first wireless signal having the first command from the remote control; generating, at a STB processor system in the STB, the EPG based upon the EPG information retrieved from the STB memory; communicating the EPG from the STB to the media presentation device, wherein the EPG is presented on the display of the media presentation device; transmitting a second wireless signal having a second command from the STB interface transmitter of the remote control, wherein the second command corresponds to a specification for an event of interest identified on the EPG presented on the display of the media presentation device; receiving the second wireless signal at the remote control interface receiver in the STB; generating, at the STB processor system in the STB, a reminder event in response to receiving the second wireless signal having the second command from the remote control, wherein the reminder event comprises at least a reminder time associated with a scheduled presentation start time of the specified event of interest, and wherein the reminder time is defined by a date and a time; transmitting a third wireless signal from a remote control interface transmitter in the STB, the third wireless signal consisting of the reminder time associated with the reminder event; receiving the third wireless signal at a STB interface receiver in the remote control; comparing a current time with the reminder time of the third wireless signal; and in response to the current time reaching the reminder time of the third wireless signal, issuing a reminder alert from the remote control.