Systems and methods for interactive program guides with personal video recording features

• US 20020174430A1
• Filed: 02/21/2002
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Ellis, Michael D., Reichardt, M. Scott, Thomas, William L., Baumgartner, Joseph P., Gaydou, Danny R.
• Application Number:
  US10/105,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20020174430A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/46
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10962 wherein both recording and playback take place simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/41 Flat as opposed to hierarchical combination, e.g. library of tapes or discs, CD changer, or groups of record carriers that together store one title
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/005 Reproducing at a different information rate from the information rate of recording for television signals H04N5/783
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/329 on a disc [VTOC]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23406 involving management of server-side video buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2387 Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42214 using alphanumerical characters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4333 Processing operations in response to a pause request
• 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 21/4335 Housekeeping operations, e.g. prioritizing content for deletion because of storage space restrictions storage management, e.g. defragmentation G06F3/0604; unloading stored programs G06F9/445; storage management in file systems G06F16/10; buffering arrangements in a network node or in an end terminal in packet networks H04L49/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44004 involving video buffer management, e.g. video decoder buffer or video display buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• 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 21/47217 : for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 : for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 : for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 : for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 : End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 : for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/632 : using a connection between clients on a wide area network, e.g. setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet for retrieving video segments from the hard-disk of other client devices broadcast-related systems characterised by transmission among terminal devices H04H60/80; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• 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 21/8456 : by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 : Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7921 : for more than one processing mode

Abstract

Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application (“application”) may be implemented to provide such functionality. The application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, to schedule recordings to a PVR, to configure recordings, to view a list of scheduled recordings, to configure recording settings, or to select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using a straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming. Television content may be automatically paused when a user is engaged in using the application. Multiple IPGs for different users of a PVR may be implemented. Other PVR related features are also provided.

Claims

1. A method for providing multiple program guides for a personal video recorder, comprising:

providing user equipment comprising the personal video recorder;

associating different personal video recorder information with different users of the user equipment; and

providing each user with a personal program guide with respect to the personal video recorder based on the personal video recorder information associated with that user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the associating comprises associating different programs that have been selected to be recorded with different users.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the associating comprises associating different programs that have been recorded with different users.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the associating comprises associating different configuration settings with different users.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises di splaying different personal video recorder information based on which one of the users is currently using their program guide.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises providing the users with an opportunity to log into their personal program guide.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises requiring the user to login to access their associated personal video recorder information.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises displaying program guide display screens that are personalized for a current one of the users.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises displaying different lists of recordings for different ones of the users.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises displaying different lists of scheduled recordings for different ones of the users.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises providing each user with an opportunity to select to delete a recording that is associated with that user.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising deleting personal video recorder information that associates the recording that is selected to be deleted with a particular one of the users that selected to delete the recording.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising deleting video contained in the recording when that recording is only associated with a particular one of the users that selected to delete the recordings.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises providing each one of the users with an opportunity to select to delete different recordings

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises providing a particular one of the users with an opportunity to select to delete a recording that is associated with that user.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises providing a particular one of the users with an opportunity to schedule a recording that will be associated with that user.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises providing a particular one of the users with an opportunity to select to play a recording that is associated with that user.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises limiting a particular one of the users to access to the personal video recorder information that is associated with that user.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises requiring each one of the users to select an identification for logging into their personal program guide.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises requiring each one of the users to enter a personal identification code for logging into their personal program guide.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising recording a particular program for a first one of the users while a second one of the users is currently logged into the second one'"'"'s personal program guide.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising recording a particular program that is selected to be recorded by one of the users.

23. The method of claim 1 further comprising simultaneously recording two different programs that are selected to be recorded by two different users.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises providing a particular one of the users with an opportunity to set delete priority settings for a recording that is associated with that user.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises providing a particular one of the users with an opportunity to select a recording quality for a scheduled recording that is associated with that user.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises providing each one of the users with an opportunity to select a particular program to be recorded for that user and to select how much recording buffer time will be used before a scheduled start time for that program.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing each user comprises providing each one of the users with an opportunity to select a particular program to be recorded for that user and to select how much recording buffer time will be used after a scheduled end time for that program.

28. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing a global list of programs that are available from a storage media of the personal video recorder.

29. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing a global list of programs that are currently stored on the personal video recorder that includes programs that were selected to be deleted by the users.

30. The method of claim 1 further comprising preventing a recording for a program from being scheduled when that program is already available from the personal video recorder.

31. A method for managing changes to recorded content held on a storage device, comprising:

scheduling a particular change to the recording content to be made; and

providing a notification that informs a user that the particular change is about to be made to the recorded content.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the providing comprises including in the notification, information that describes the particular change that is to be made.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the including comprises including in the notification information that identifies to the user that the particular change that is to be made is a deletion of a particular recording.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the information identifies that the deletion is being made based on automatic delete settings.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein the information identifies that the deletion is being made based on delete priority settings.

36. The method of claim 32 wherein the including comprises including in the notification, information that identifies to the user that a recording of a program is to be added to the recorded content.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the information identifies that the recording was scheduled manually.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein the information identifies that the recording was scheduled automatically.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the information identifies that the recording was scheduled based on user preferences.

40. The method of claim 31 wherein the scheduling comprises scheduling to add a recording of a program to the recording content.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the recording of program was user-selected.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein the program was automatically selected to be recorded.

43. The method of claim 31 wherein the scheduling comprises scheduling a recording to be deleted.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the recording is scheduled to be deleted based on automatic delete settings.

45. The method of claim 31 further comprising associating different changes to the recorded content with different users;

and providing the notification to a particular one of the users that is associated with one of the different changes.

46. The method of claim 31 wherein the providing comprises providing a user with an opportunity to confirm the particular change.

47. The method of claim 31 wherein the providing comprises displaying user-selectable options in the notification.

48. The method of claim 31 wherein the providing comprises displaying a confirm option in the notification to provide the user with an opportunity to confirm the particular change.

49. The method of claim 31 wherein the providing comprises displaying a cancel option in the notification to provide the user with an opportunity to cancel the particular change.

50. The method of claim 31 wherein the providing comprises displaying information in the notification on how to confirm the particular change.

51. The method of claim 31 wherein the providing comprises displaying information in the notification on how to cancel the particular change.

52. The method of claim 31 wherein the notification comprises an overlay that is displayed using an interactive television application.

53. The method of claim 52 wherein the overlay comprises an option for confirming the particular change.

54. The method of claim 52 wherein the overlay comprises an option for canceling the particular change.

55. The method of claim 31 wherein the notification comprises an e-mail that includes information on the particular change.

56. The method of claim 55 wherein the e-mail comprises an option for confirming the particular change.

57. The method of claim 55 wherein the e-mail comprises an option for canceling the particular change.

58. The method of claim 55 wherein the e-mail comprises additional information on how to respond to the notification.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the creating comprises selecting a size for the straight buffer based on how much of the new program remains.

61. The method of claim 59 further comprising buffering a different program to a different straight buffer.

62. The method of claim 59 further comprising buffering the new program to the same straight buffer when the user switches away and switches back to watching the new program.

63. The method of claim 62 further comprising concatenating portions of the new program that were buffered before and after the user switched away from watching the new program.

64. The method of claim 62 further comprising inserting blank video in the straight buffer between portions of the new program that were buffered before and after the user switched away from watching the new program.

65. The method of claim 64 further comprising configuring the blank video to have a length that is based on how long the user switched away from watching the new program.

66. The method of claim 62 further comprising inserting text in the straight buffer between buffer portions of the new program that were buffered before and after the user switched away from watching the program.

67. The method of claim 59 comprising maintaining a single buffer for each program that the user watches.

68. The method of claim 59 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to select how much storage space on the personal video recorder will be used for the buffering.

69. The method of claim 59 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to select a maximum number of straight buffers that will be in use at one time.

70. The method of claim 59 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to select when straight buffers are to be deleted.

71. The method of claim 59 wherein the creating comprises deleting an older buffer to create the straight buffer.

72. The method of claim 59 wherein the creating comprises using a portion of an older buffer to create the straight buffer.

73. The method of claim 59 wherein the creating comprises incrementally increasing a size of the straight buffer using space from an older buffer.

74. The method of claim 59 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to rewind the program using the straight buffer.

75. The method of claim 74 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to play a previous program by selecting to rewind the new program.

76. The method of claim 59 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to fast-forward the program from the straight buffer.

77. The method of claim 76 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to play a following program by selecting to fast-forward the new program.

78. The method of claim 59 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to skip-forward to a following program from the new program.

79. The method of claim 59 further comprising recording the program by using the straight buffer as part of a recording of the program.

80. The method of claim 59 further comprising recording the program after the program has ended by using the buffer for the program as part of a recording of the program.

59. A method for buffering live television programming that a user is watching on user equipment, comprising:

providing a personal video recorder as part of the user equipment for buffering live television programming;

creating a straight buffer on the personal video recorder for a new program when the user starts to watch the new program; and

buffering the new program to the straight buffer.

81. A method for buffering programs, comprising:

providing a user with an opportunity to change channels to watch different programs;

creating separate buffers for the different programs; and

buffering the different programs to the separate buffers in parallel.

82. The method of claim 81 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to rewind one of the programs to watch a portion of that program that aired when the user was watching another one of the programs.

83. The method of claim 81 wherein the creating comprises allocating a particular buffer size to each one of the buffers, the buffer size being determined based on what remains to air in the program that will be buffered by that particular buffer.

84. The method of claim 81 wherein creating comprises creating each one of the buffers to be a straight buffer.

85. The method of claim 81 wherein the buffering comprises providing the user with an opportunity to watch one of the programs while another one of the programs is being buffered.

86. The method of claim 81 further comprising:

providing user equipment on which the user watches one of the programs; and

providing a personal video recorder as part of the user equipment that is used in buffering the program that the user is watching and at the same time buffering another one of the programs.

87. The method of claim 81 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to save one of the programs as a recording by storing the buffer for that program as part of the recording.

88. The method of claim 81 wherein the creating comprises creating one of the buffers for a particular one of the programs when the user first starts watching that program.

89. The method of claim 88 wherein the creating separate buffers comprises creating another one of the buffers for buffering a different one of the programs when the user first starts watching that different one of the programs.

90. The method of claim 81 further comprising deleting the buffers after a specified period has elapsed.

91. The method of claim 81 wherein the creating comprises creating at least one of the buffers on a remote server.

92. A method for buffering programs, comprising:

buffering television programming;

providing the user with an opportunity to select to have a given program recorded after the given program has started; and

saving past-video buffered for the given program as part of a recording of the given program when the user selects that given program to be recorded.

93. The method of claim 92 wherein the buffering comprises buffering the given program to a straight buffer that is created for that program.

94. The method of claim 93 wherein the straight buffer has a size that will hold what remains to air in the program when the straight buffer is created for that program.

95. The method of claim 92 wherein the saving comprises providing the user with an opportunity to save past video for the given program as the recording when the given program ends.

96. The method of claim 92 wherein the saving comprises displaying a list of programs that are buffered and are available to be saved as recordings.

97. The method of claim 92 further comprising buffering the past video for the given program while buffering another program in parallel with the given program.

98. The method of claim 92 wherein the past video buffered for the given program includes separate parts of the given program.

99. The method of claim 92 further comprising deleting a buffer that was created to buffer the given program.

100. The method of claim 99 further comprising deleting the buffer after a specified period of time.

101. The method of claim 99 wherein the providing comprises providing the user with an opportunity to select to have the program recorded after the program has ended.

102. A method for presenting television content, comprising:

displaying television content on user equipment for viewing by a user;

providing the user with an opportunity to select to interact with an interactive television application; and

automatically pausing the television content when the user selects to interact with the interactive television application.

103. The method of claim 102 wherein the television content is a television program.

104. The method of claim 103 further comprising displaying a display screen that is provided by the interactive television application when the user selects to interact with the interactive television application.

105. The method of claim 103 wherein the displaying the display screen further comprises including in the display screen scaled-video of the television content.

106. The method of claim 103 further comprising displaying video from a storage device that is part of the user equipment, wherein the video is displayed when the user selects to interact with the interactive television application.

107. The method of claim 102 wherein the television content is a television commercial.

108. The method of claim 107 further comprising displaying a display screen that is provided by the interactive television application when the user selects to interact with the interactive television application.

109. The method of claim 107 wherein the displaying a display screen comprises including in the display screen scaled-video of the television content.

110. The method of claim 107 further comprising displaying video from a storage device that is part of the user equipment, wherein the video is displayed when the user selects to interact with the interactive television application.

111. The method of claim 110 wherein the video is related to the television commercial.

112. The method of claim 102 wherein the automatically pausing comprises using a personal video recorder that is part of the user equipment to automatically pause the television content.

113. The method of claim 112 wherein the automatically pausing comprises using a remote server to automatically pause the television content when the user selects to interact with the interactive television application.

114. The method of claim 102 wherein the providing comprises providing the user with an opportunity to use a button on a remote control that is part of the user equipment to select to interact with the user equipment.

115. The method of claim 102 further comprising resuming the television content when the user exits the interactive television application.

116. The method of claim 102 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to select to resume the television content when the user exits the interactive television application.

117. The method of claim 102 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to select to view live television content when the user exits the interactive television application.

118. The method of claim 102 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to select to either view live television content or to resume the television content when the user exits the interactive television application.

120. The method of claim 119 wherein the providing comprises providing the user with an opportunity to select the default recording setting based on program type.

121. The method of claim 119 wherein the providing comprises providing the user with an opportunity to select the default recording setting based on a recording channel to be used for a recording.

122. The method of claim 119 wherein the providing comprises providing the user with an opportunity to select the default recording setting based on channel type.

123. The method of claim 119 wherein the providing comprises providing the user with an opportunity to select the default recording quality based on content type.

124. The method of claim 119 wherein the providing comprises providing the user with an opportunity to select a default recording buffer time before based on the content type.

125. The method of claim 119 wherein the providing comprises providing the user with an opportunity to select the default recording buffer time after based on content type.

126. The method of claim 119 wherein the providing comprises providing the user with an opportunity to select a default recording priority based on content type.

127. The method of claim 119 wherein the providing comprises providing the user with an opportunity to select a default delete priority based on content type.

131. The method of claim 130 wherein the program characteristic is a program type of the recordings.

132. The method of claim 130 wherein the program characteristic is a channel type of a channel used for obtaining the recordings.

133. The method of claim 130 wherein the program characteristic is a channel used for obtaining the recording.

119. A method for managing recording content, comprising:

providing a personal video recorder;

providing a user with an opportunity to select a default recording setting for the personal video recorder based on recording content type; and

using the personal video recorder to record based on the selected default setting.

128. A method for managing recordings, comprising:

scheduling programs to be recorded; and

displaying an overlay prior to starting a scheduled recording of one of the programs to allow a user to select to commence recording immediately, to allow the recording to commence as scheduled, to cancel the recording and watch the program that is starting, or to cancel the scheduled recording.

129. A method for managing recordings, comprising:

assigning different delete priority settings to recordings stored on a personal video recorder; and

automatically deleting recordings based on the delete priority settings.

130. A method for managing recordings, comprising:

assigning recordings of programs different delete priority settings based on a program characteristic that is associated with the programs; and

automatically deleting the recordings based on the delete priority settings.

134. A method for managing recordings, comprising:

displaying recordings in a list showing a delete priority order in which the recordings will be deleted;

providing a user with an opportunity to change the delete priority order of recordings in the list.

135. A method for managing recordings, comprising:

displaying a list of recording listings that each identify a different series of programs that have been recorded; and

providing a user with an opportunity to change the order of the listings in the list to change a delete priority order for the different series of programs.

136. A method for managing recordings, comprising:

recording programs on a personal video recorder; and

automatically deleting programs based on how long ago the programs were recorded.

137. A method for managing recordings, comprising:

providing a user with an opportunity to view recorded programs from a personal video recorder; and

automatically deleting programs based on a viewing status of the recorded programs.

138. A method for managing recordings, comprising:

storing a recording of a program on a personal video recorder using one compression technique; and

using another compression technique to recompress the recording of the program to have a smaller size than before.

139. A method for displaying information about scheduled recordings, comprising:

displaying an icon that is representative of a recording status of a program; and

changing the icon when the recording status of the program changes.

140. A method for managing programming, comprising:

scheduling a recording of a program based on user selections;

canceling the scheduled recording when the scheduled recording conflicts with another scheduled recording; and

displaying an icon in a listing of the program that informs a user that the scheduled recording of the program is canceled.

141. A method for managing recording priorities, comprising:

providing a user with an opportunity to select a program to be recorded;

providing the user with an opportunity to select a recording priority for that program, wherein the recording priority is selected from three or more different levels of recording priority; and

scheduling a recording for that program based on the recording priority.

142. A method for scheduling recordings, comprising:

providing a user with an opportunity to select which programs are to be recorded based on whether the programs are first-run programs, syndicated programs, both first-run programs and syndicated programs, programs the user has seen before, programs that are new to the user, or both programs the user has seen before and that are new to the user; and

recording programs based on the user selection.

143. A method for managing recordings, comprising:

assigning different priority levels to programs that have been recorded; and

providing a list of how much memory has been used for each recording priority level.

144. A method for managing recordings, comprising:

assigning different priority levels to programs that have been recorded; and

identifying how much recording time remains in the different priority levels to record additional programs having the different priority levels.

145. A method for providing access to recorded programs, comprising:

listing recorded programs with upcoming programs that are scheduled to air on different channels in a program listings display screen; and

arranging listings in the program listings display screen to have the recorded programs listed after a highest-numbered channel and before a lowest-numbered channel.

146. A method for providing a user with the opportunity to create a manual recording, comprising:

providing the user with the opportunity to select a day, time, channel, and duration in order to schedule a recording; and

matching the scheduled recording to a program based on the selected day, time, channel, or duration of the scheduled recording.

147. A method for providing a user with an opportunity to create a manual recording, comprising:

providing the user with the opportunity to select a day, time, channel, and duration in order to schedule a recording;

matching the scheduled recording to a program based on the selected day, time, channel, or duration of the scheduled recording; and

displaying a listing for the scheduled recording that identifies the program.

148. A method for pushing video content to user equipment, comprising:

determining a time when a user does not regularly watch television; and

transmitting video content to user equipment during the determined time.

149. A method for recording programs, comprising:

displaying a current television program to a user; and

providing a user with an opportunity to select to record the program after the program has ended.