REMOTE TASK SCHEDULING FOR SET-TOP BOX

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide systems and methods for remotely scheduling tasks that are transmitted to a set-top box and implemented on the set-top box. SOLUTION: A task service includes a website that provides program guide data to users. From the program guide data, a user selects a task. The website generates a notification that includes the task and certain identifiers, including a set-top box identifier and a sequence number. The notification is sent to a notification service, which repeatedly sends the notification to a broadcast service. The broadcast service ensures that the notification is transmitted to the set-top box. The set-top box detects the notification from the set-top box identifier and implements the task on the set-top box unless the task has been previously handled. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO