Methods and apparatus for advanced recording options on a personal versatile recorder

• US 20030012554A1
• Filed: 07/10/2001
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Simons, Robert M., Zeidler, David E., Woodruff, Wayne D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,901,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/83
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• 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 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4542 Blocking scenes or portions of the received content, e.g. censoring scenes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/814 comprising emergency warnings arrangements specially adapted for emergency or urgency in broadcast systems H04H20/59; arrangements for providing alarms, notifications, alerts to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8146 involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• 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 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7921 for more than one processing mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction

Abstract

Advanced recording options are provided on a personal versatile recorder (PVR) or similar recording device. Television signals and associated electronic programming guide (EPG) data are received at a receiver (30). Recorded program material is stored in a storage device (60). A processor (75) provides for automatic suspending of recording, based on predetermined criteria, for at least a portion of time during which the one or more television programs would otherwise be recorded. Recording may be suspended when non-programming specific content (e.g., a commercial or emergency broadcast) is received at the PVR (20). Non-program specific content can be identified through the use of EPG data or Advanced Television Enhancement Forum (ATVEF) triggers. End of program notifiers may be provided which enable the PVR (20) to record the entire program, regardless of whether the program runs beyond its scheduled time. Recording may be optionally suspended where the program is a rerun.

Claims

1. A method for enabling advanced recording options on a personal versatile recorder (PVR), comprising:

receiving at the PVR a plurality of television signals;

providing for the recording of one or more television programs at the PVR; and

automatically suspending recording, based on predetermined criteria detected by said PVR, for at least a portion of time during which said one or more television programs would otherwise be recorded.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein;

recording is suspended during the time when non-program specific content is received at the PVR; and

the predetermined criteria comprises said EPG data.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said predetermined criteria comprises at least one of EPG data or Advanced Television Enhancement Forum (ATVEF) triggers.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

recording is suspended when a rerun of a program is detected; and

the predetermined criteria comprises said EPG data.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

providing an end of program notifier which identifies the end of a program; and

continuing recording of the program until receipt of the notifier.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein:

said end of program notifiers are provided in one of ATVEF trigger information, a vertical blanking interval of an analog television signal, or a program identifier of a digital television signal.

7. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein:

each television program has a program end time;

the PVR waits a predetermined amount of time after said program end time to receive the end of program notifier; and

recording of the program is terminated at the first to occur of (i) lapsing of the predetermined amount of time, and (ii) receipt of the end of program notifier.

8. A method in accordance with claim 5, further comprising:

providing additional information to the PVR indicating that the program supports said end of program notifiers, thereby configuring said PVR to terminate the recording based on said notifier.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein:

said additional information is provided in one of EPG data, ATVEF trigger information, a vertical blanking interval of an analog television signal, or a program identifier of a digital television signal.

10. A personal versatile recorder (PVR) having advanced recording options, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a plurality of television signals;

a storage device for recording of one or more television programs at the PVR; and

a processor for automatically suspending recording, based on predetermined criteria detected by said processor, for at least a portion of time during which said one or more television programs would otherwise be recorded.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein;

recording is suspended during the time when non-program specific content is received at the PVR; and

the predetermined criteria comprises said EPG data.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein said predetermined criteria comprises at least one of EPG data or Advanced Television Enhancement Forum (ATVEF) triggers.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein:

recording is suspended when a rerun of a program is detected; and

the predetermined criteria comprises said EPG data.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein:

an end of program notifier is provided which identifies the end of a program; and

recording of the program is continued until receipt of the notifier.

15. Apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein:

end of program notifiers are provided in one of ATVEF trigger information, a vertical blanking interval of an analog television signal, or a program identifier of digital television signal.

16. Apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein:

each television program has a program end time;

the PVR waits a predetermined amount of time after said program end time to receive the end of program notifier; and

recording of the program is terminated at the first to occur of (i) lapsing of the predetermined amount of time, and (ii) receipt of the end of program notifier.

17. Apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein:

additional information is provided to the PVR indicating that the program supports end of program notifiers, thereby configuring said PVR to terminate the recording based on a notifier.

18. Apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein:

said additional information is provided in one of EPG data, ATVEF trigger information, a vertical blanking interval of an analog television signal, or a program identifier of a digital television signal.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein said preventing step is controlled by a cable headend operator via authorization commands to the PVR.

21. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein said preventing step is controlled by a user through an interface at the PVR.

22. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the PVR is one of a set-top terminal, a digital television, or a personal computer.

24. Apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein said processor is enabled to prevent the recording of reruns by a cable headend operator via authorization commands to the PVR.

25. Apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein said processor is enabled to prevent the recording of reruns by a user through an interface at the PVR.

26. Apparatus in accordance with claim 23, wherein the PVR is one of a set-top terminal, a digital television, or a personal computer.

28. A method in accordance with claim 27, wherein said non-program specific content comprises one of a special announcement, an emergency broadcast, or a commercial.

29. A method in accordance with claim 27, wherein during the suspension of recording of non-program specific content, said non-program specific content is stored to a location separate from the location where the program is being recorded.

30. A method in accordance with claim 27, wherein said recording of one or more television programs is based on one of EPG data or VCR Plus codes.

31. A method in accordance with claim 27, wherein said suspending step is controlled by a cable headend operator via authorization commands to the PVR.

32. A method in accordance with claim 27, wherein said suspending step is controlled by a user through an interface at the PVR.

33. A method in accordance with claim 27, wherein the PVR is one of a set-top terminal, a digital television, or a personal computer.

34. A method in accordance with claim 27, wherein:

said ATVEF triggers further comprise an end of program notifier which identifies the end of a program; and

recording of the program is continued until receipt of the notifier.

35. A method in accordance with claim 34, wherein:

each television program has a program end time;

the PVR waits a predetermined amount of time after said program end time to receive the end of program notifier; and

recording of the program is terminated at the first to occur of (i) lapsing of the predetermined amount of time, and (ii) receipt of the end of program notifier.

36. A method in accordance with claim 34, wherein:

said ATVEF triggers further comprise additional information indicating that the program supports said end of program notifiers, thereby configuring said PVR to terminate the recording based on said notifier.

38. Apparatus in accordance with claim 37, wherein said non-program specific content comprises one of a special announcement, an emergency broadcast, or a commercial.

39. Apparatus in accordance with claim 37, wherein during the suspension of recording of non-program specific content, said non-program specific content is stored to a location separate from the location where the program is being recorded.

40. Apparatus in accordance with claim 37, wherein said storage device records the one or more television programs based on one of EPG data or VCR Plus codes.

41. Apparatus in accordance with claim 37, wherein said processor is enabled to suspend recording by a cable headend operator via authorization commands to the PVR.

42. Apparatus in accordance with claim 37, wherein said processor is enabled to suspend recording by a user through an interface at the PVR.

43. Apparatus in accordance with claim 37, wherein the PVR is one of a set-top terminal, a digital television, or a personal computer.

44. Apparatus in accordance with claim 37, wherein:

said ATVEF triggers further comprise an end of program notifier which identifies the end of a program; and

recording of the program is continued until receipt of the notifier.

45. Apparatus in accordance with claim 44, wherein:

each television program has a program end time;

the PVR waits a predetermined amount of time after said program end time to receive the end of program notifier; and

recording of the program is terminated at the first to occur of (i) lapsing of the predetermined amount of time, and (ii) receipt of the end of program notifier.

46. Apparatus in accordance with claim 44, wherein:

said ATVEF triggers further comprise additional information indicating that the program supports end of program notifiers, thereby configuring said PVR to terminate the recording based on a notifier.

48. A method in accordance with claim 47, wherein:

end of program notifiers are provided in one of ATVEF trigger information, a vertical blanking interval of an analog television signal, or a program identifier of a digital television signal.

49. A method in accordance with claim 47, wherein:

each television program has a program end time;

the PVR waits a predetermined amount of time after said program end time to receive the end of program notifier; and

recording of the program is terminated at the first to occur of (i) lapsing of the predetermined amount of time, and (ii) receipt of the end of program notifier.

50. A method in accordance with claim 47, further comprising:

providing additional information to the PVR indicating that the program supports end of program notifiers, thereby configuring said PVR to terminate the recording based on a notifier.

51. A method in accordance with claim 50, wherein:

said additional information is provided in one of EPG data, ATVEF trigger information, a vertical blanking interval of an analog television signal, or a program identifier of a digital television signal.

19. A method for enabling advanced recording options on a personal versatile recorder (PVR), comprising the steps of:

receiving at the PVR a plurality of television signals and associated electronic programming guide (EPG) data;

providing for recording of one or more television programs at the PVR; and

automatically preventing the recording of program reruns based on the EPG data.

23. A personal versatile recorder (PVR) having advanced recording options, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a plurality of television signals and associated electronic programming guide (EPG) data;

a storage device for selectively recording one or more television programs at the PVR; and

a processor for automatically preventing the recording of program reruns based on the EPG data.

27. A method for enabling advanced recording options on a personal versatile recorder (PVR), comprising the steps of:

receiving at the PVR a plurality of television signals;

providing for recording of one or more television programs at the PVR; and

automatically suspending recording, based on Advanced Television Enhancement Forum (ATVEF) triggers, when non-program specific content is received at the PVR.

37. A personal versatile recorder (PVR) having advanced recording options, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a plurality of television signals;

a storage device for selectively recording one or more television programs at the PVR; and

a processor for automatically suspending recording, based on Advanced Television Enhancement Forum (ATVEF) triggers, when non-program specific content is received at the PVR.

47. A method for enabling advanced recording options on a personal versatile recorder (PVR), comprising:

receiving at the PVR a plurality of television signals;

providing for the recording of one or more television programs at the PVR;

providing an end of program notifier which identifies the end of a program; and

continuing recording of the program until receipt of the notifier.

52. A personal versatile recorder (PVR) having advanced recording options comprising:

a receiver for receiving a plurality of television signals and end of program notifiers which identify the end of programs;

a storage device for recording of one or more television programs at the PVR; and

a processor for automatically terminating recording based on said end of program notifiers.

53. Apparatus in accordance with claim 52, wherein:

said end of program notifiers are provided in one of ATVEF trigger information, a vertical blanking interval of an analog television signal, or a program identifier of a digital television signal.

54. Apparatus in accordance with claim 52, wherein:

each television program has a program end time;

the PVR waits a predetermined amount of time after said program end time to receive a respective end of program notifier; and

recording of the program is terminated at the first to occur of (i) lapsing of the predetermined amount of time, and (ii) receipt of the end of program notifier.

55. Apparatus in accordance with claim 52, wherein:

additional information is provided to the PVR indicating that the program supports said end of program notifiers, thereby configuring said PVR to terminate the recording based on a notifier.

56. Apparatus in accordance with claim 55, wherein:

said additional information is provided in one of EPG data, ATVEF trigger information, a vertical blanking interval of an analog television signal, or a program identifier of a digital television signal.