Claims
- 1. In a platform configured to command the operation of an appliance, a readable media having instructions for retrieving information, the instructions performing steps comprising:
in response to a sensed activation of a command key of the platform, transmitting a command to the appliance to cause the appliance to select a content stream and initiating a retrieval of information related to the content stream from an information source external to the platform; and displaying the retrieved information in a display of the platform.
- 2. The readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the information is retrieved using an address maintained within the platform.
- 3. The readable media as recited in claim 2, wherein the address is entered by a user of the platform.
- 4. The readable media as recited in claim 2, wherein the address is automatically provided to the platform from a device external to the platform.
- 5. The readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the command causes the appliance to select a channel.
- 6. The readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the command key is included as part of an electronic program guide displayed within the display of the platform.
- 7. The readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the instructions provide for a user to designate the content stream which the appliance is commanded to select.
- 8. The readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the content stream comprises a video broadcast signal.
- 9. The readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the content stream comprises an audio broadcast signal.
- 10. The readable media as recited in claim 2, wherein the address comprises a URL.
- 11. The readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the display comprises a touch screen and the command key depicts a logo of a provider of the content stream and is displayed within the touch screen.
- 12. In a platform configured to command the operation of an appliance, a readable media having instructions for retrieving information, the instructions performing steps comprising:
in response to a sensed activation of a command key of the platform, placing the platform into a mode to transmit commands to the appliance and initiating the retrieval of information related to the appliance from an information source external to the platform; and displaying the retrieved information in a display of the platform.
- 13. The readable media as recited in claim 12, wherein the information is retrieved using an address maintained within the platform.
- 14. The readable media as recited in claim 13, wherein the address is entered by a user of the platform.
- 15. The readable media as recited in claim 13, wherein the address is automatically provided to the platform from a device external to the platform.
- 16. The readable media as recited in claim 13, wherein the address is a URL.
- 17. The readable media as recited in claim 13, wherein the information source comprises a Web site of a manufacturer of the appliance.
- 18. The readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the retrieved information includes addresses to further information.
- 19. The readable media as recited in claim 18, wherein the addresses to further information comprise URLs.
- 20. The readable media as recited in claim 12, wherein the command key comprises an appliance mode selection key.
- 21. The readable media as recited in claim 12, wherein the display comprises a touch screen display and the command key comprises an icon displayed in the touch screen display.
PRIORITY DATA
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/176,315 filed on Jun. 20, 2002
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
10176315 |
Jun 2002 |
US |
Child |
10785642 |
Feb 2004 |
US |