TV recorder with inoperative settop box functions
First Claim
1. A memory associated with a programmable TV recorder storing computer readable instructions for programming a processor to monitor an input port capable of receiving a video signal from a video signal source, to determine whether the video signal is recordable, and to generate an output when the processor determines that the video signal is not recordable.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A programmable recorder that records video signals provided by a settop box includes monitoring circuitry which monitors a signal indicative of the operational state of the settop box and generates a state signal, logic circuitry which determines whether the settop box is operational based on the state signal and generates a determination signal, and control circuitry which effects a programmed response in response to the determination signal. If desired, the programmed response is cancellation of a schedule recording event. In an exemplary case, the programmable recorder includes an alarm circuit; thus, the programmed response is providing an alarm indicating that the settop box is not operational. In another exemplary case, the programmable recorder includes a communications circuit permitting communication between the programmable recorder and a settop box control facility, and the programmed response consists of transmitting an electronic message to settop box control facility indicating that the settop box is not operational. A memory storing computer readable instructions for permitting the programmable recorded to effect the monitoring and programmed responses and a corresponding signal are also described.
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Citations
27 Claims
- 1. A memory associated with a programmable TV recorder storing computer readable instructions for programming a processor to monitor an input port capable of receiving a video signal from a video signal source, to determine whether the video signal is recordable, and to generate an output when the processor determines that the video signal is not recordable.
- 5. A memory associated with a programmable TV recorder storing computer readable instructions for programming a processor to monitor a video signal from a video signal source for changes, to determine, based on said changes, whether the video signal is recordable and to generate an output signal when the processor determines that the video signal is not recordable.
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12. A programmable recorder for recording video signals provided by a settop box, comprising:
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monitoring circuitry, which monitors a signal indicative of the operational state of the settop box and generates a state signal;
means which determine whether the settop box is operational based on the state signal and generates a determination signal; and
control circuitry, which effects a programmed response in response to the determination signal.
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22. A programmable recorder for recording audio/video program signals provided by a settop box, comprising:
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a communications circuit permitting transmission of a command sequence from the programmable recorder to the settop box;
monitoring circuitry that monitors a signal indicative of the operational state of the settop box and generates a state signal;
means which determine whether the settop box is operational based on the state signal and generates a determination signal; and
control circuitry that effects a programmed response in response to the determination signal, wherein;
the means monitors the signal indicative of the output of the settop box responsive to the command sequence transmitted to the settop box from the programmable recorder. - View Dependent Claims (23, 25, 26)
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24. A programmable recorder for recording video signals, comprising:
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means for monitoring the video signal;
means for determining whether the video signal is recordable; and
means for generating a programmed response when the video signal is not recordable.
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27. A signal automatically generated by a programmable recorder indicating that a video signal received by the programmable recorder that is to be recorded during a scheduled recording event will not support the scheduled recording event.
Specification