Server-based programming of appliances via an information network
First Claim
1. A method of programming, via a communications network, a recording device to record at least one broadcast program, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving at a server, through the communications network, a request to program the recording device;
(b) customizing at the server a page of programming information including an identification of the one broadcast program, the customizing including (i) attaching a hyper link to the identified broadcast program, and (ii) embedding an instruction to the recording device in the hyper link; and
(c) transmitting from the server the customized page of programming information for selection of the identified broadcast program.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention includes a system and method of programming a recording device to record at least one broadcast program. The method receives at a server, through a communications network, a request to program the recording device. The server customizes a page of programming information, including an identification of the one broadcast program. The customizing includes attaching a hyper link to the identified broadcast program and embedding an instruction to the recording device in the hyper link. The server transmits the customized page of programming information for user selection of the identified broadcast program through the hyper link. The request to program the recording device is transmitted through the communications network from a device, such as a cellular telephone, a personal computer or a personal digital assistant.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of programming, via a communications network, a recording device to record at least one broadcast program, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving at a server, through the communications network, a request to program the recording device;
(b) customizing at the server a page of programming information including an identification of the one broadcast program, the customizing including (i) attaching a hyper link to the identified broadcast program, and (ii) embedding an instruction to the recording device in the hyper link; and
(c) transmitting from the server the customized page of programming information for selection of the identified broadcast program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of programming a video recorder controlled by an appliance comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving at a server, remote from the appliance, through a communications network, a first instruction to record at least one broadcast program in the video recorder; and
(b) transmitting, from the server to the appliance, a second instruction, through the communications network, in response to the first instruction to control the video recorder. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of programming, via a communications network, a recording device to record at least one broadcast program, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) requesting, via the communications network, information on broadcast programs;
(b) receiving a customized page of programming information including identification of the one broadcast program;
(c) navigating the customized page of programming information and selecting the one broadcast program; and
(d) programming the recording device via the communications network to record the one broadcast program in response to the selecting in step (c). - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for programming a video recorder comprising:
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a server connected to a network;
a database accessible by the server including electronic program guide (EPG) information;
a video recorder coupled via an appliance to the network; and
a communications device accessible to the network;
wherein the communications device is configured to access the network and to request the server to program the video recorder to record at least one scheduled broadcast program, the server, in response to the request, is configured to access the database to determine a time corresponding to the scheduled broadcast of the program, and the server is configured to access the network to download to the appliance programming data for the video recorder. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification