Remote control device with integrated display screen for controlling a digital video recorder

• US 20020154888A1
• Filed: 07/27/2001
• Published: 10/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digeo Incorporated (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Allen, Paul G., Billmaier, James A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,428,023 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A remote control for a digital video recorder includes an integrated display screen configured to display a list of programs. The list may be an EPG, a list of programs to be recorded, or a list of recorded programs. A user can navigate through the list to select a television program, as well as various digital recording/playback operations to be performed for the selected television program.

Claims

4-1. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the list comprises an electronic program guide (EPG) including television programs broadcast on a particular channel for a plurality of time slots.

14. A system for digital video recording and playback comprising:

a digital video recorder comprising;

a wireless transmitter for transmitting a list of television programs to a remote control device;

a wireless receiver for receiving a selection of a listed television program from the remote control device; and

a recording and playback subsystem for selectively recording or playing back the selected television program; and

a remote control device for the digital video recorder comprising;

a wireless receiver for receiving the list of television programs from the digital video recorder;

an integrated display screen for displaying the list to a user;

a plurality of user controls for controlling the digital video recorder, at least one user control for receiving a selection of a listed television program from the user; and

a wireless transmitter for transmitting the selection to the digital video recorder to initiate recording or playback of the selected television program.

33. A method in a remote control device for controlling a digital video recorder, the method comprising:

receiving a list of television programs from the digital video recorder;

displaying the list on a display screen integrated with the remote control device;

receiving a user selection of a listed television program; and

transmitting the selection to the digital video recorder to initiate recording or playback of the selected television program.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the list of television programs comprises an electronic program guide (EPG).

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the EPG includes a listing of television programs available on at least one channel during at least one time slot.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the list comprises a play list including television programs previously recorded by the digital video recorder.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the list comprises a recording list including television programs scheduled to be recorded by the digital video recorder.

38. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

receiving a user command to record the selected television program; and

transmitting the user command to the digital video recorder.

39. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

receiving a user command to play back the selected television program; and

transmitting the user command to the digital video recorder.

40. A method for digital video recording and playback comprising:

within a digital video recorder;

transmitting a list of television programs to a remote control device;

receiving a selection of a listed television program from the remote control device;

recording the selected television program in response receiving a first user command from the remote control device; and

playing back the selected television program in response to receiving a second user command from the remote control device; and

within the remote control device;

receiving the list of television programs from the digital video recorder;

displaying the list on a display screen integrated with the remote control device;

receiving a selection of a listed television program from a user;

receiving a user command to record or play back the selected television program; and

transmitting the selection and the user command to the digital video recorder to initiate recording or playback of the selected television program.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein recording comprises:

encoding a television program in a compressed format; and

storing the encoded television program in a mass storage device.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the digital video recorder is integrated with a set top box (STB) for an interactive television system.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein playing back comprises:

retrieving an encoded television program from a mass storage device;

decoding the encoded television program; and

displaying the decoded television program on an external device.

44. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

within the digital video recorder;

receiving television programs from a distribution network.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the distribution network comprises a cable television network.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the distribution network comprises a direct satellite broadcast (DBS) network.

47. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

within the digital video recorder;

receiving the list of television programs from the distribution network.

48. The system of claim 40, wherein the list of television programs comprises an electronic program guide (EPG).

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the EPG includes a listing of television programs available on at least one channel during at least one time slot.

50. The system of claim 40, wherein the list comprises a play list including television programs previously recorded by the digital video recorder.

52. A remote control device for a digital video recorder, the remote control device comprising:

means for receiving a list of television programs from the digital video recorder;

means for displaying the list to a user;

means for receiving user commands for controlling the digital video recorder;

means for receiving a user selection of a television program from the list; and

means for transmitting the selection to the digital video recorder to initiate recording or playback of the selected television program.

53. A system for digital video recording and playback comprising:

a digital video recorder comprising;

means for transmitting a list of television programs to a remote control device;

means for receiving a selection of a listed television program from the remote control device; and

means for selectively recording and playing back the selected television program; and

a remote control device for the digital video recorder comprising;

means for receiving the list of television programs from the digital video recorder;

means for displaying the list to a user;

means for receiving user commands for controlling the digital video recorder;

means for receiving a user selection of a listed television program from the list; and

means for transmitting the selection to the digital video recorder to initiate recording or playback of the selected television program.