Program guide system for recording television programs
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An interactive program guide system including user equipment with which an interactive television program guide is provided and which includes a video recorder and a television, comprising:
- means for receiving television program guide information for use in the interactive television program guide;
means for selecting a program for recording from the interactive television program guide;
means for determining whether the selected program is copy protected; and
means for displaying a message informing a user that the selected program may not be recorded upon determining that the selected program is copy protected.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive program guide system is provided. The system facilitates recording of programs selected from the program guide. The system handles the recording and viewing of pay programs, parentally-controlled programs, consecutive programs on different television channels, and programs with and without copy protection. Programs may be recorded using combination television videocassette recorder (TV/VCR) units.
90 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An interactive program guide system including user equipment with which an interactive television program guide is provided and which includes a video recorder and a television, comprising:
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means for receiving television program guide information for use in the interactive television program guide;
means for selecting a program for recording from the interactive television program guide;
means for determining whether the selected program is copy protected; and
means for displaying a message informing a user that the selected program may not be recorded upon determining that the selected program is copy protected.
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2. A method for using an interactive program guide system using user equipment with which an interactive television program guide is provided and which includes a video recorder and a television, comprising:
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receiving television program guide information for use in the interactive television program guide;
selecting a program for recording from the interactive television program guide;
determining whether the selected program is copy protected; and
displaying a message informing a user that the selected program may not be recorded upon determining that the selected program is copy protected.
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3. An interactive program guide system including user equipment with which an interactive television program guide is provided and which includes a video recorder and a television, comprising:
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communications circuitry configured to receive television program guide information for use in the interactive television program guide;
display circuitry configured to display the interactive television program guide; and
control circuitry configured to (1) provide a user with an opportunity to select a program for recording from the interactive television program guide, (2) determine whether the selected program is copy protected, and (3) direct the display circuitry to display a message informing the user that the selected program may not be recorded upon determining that the selected program is copy protected.
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4. A machine-readable medium for implementing an interactive television program guide comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:
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receiving television program guide information for use in the interactive television program guide;
providing a user with an opportunity to select a program for recording from the interactive television program guide;
determining whether the selected program is copy protected; and
displaying a message informing the user that the selected program may not be recorded upon determining that the selected program is copy protected.
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5. An interactive program guide system including user equipment with which an interactive television program guide is provided and which includes a video recorder and a television, comprising:
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means for receiving television program guide information for use in the interactive television program guide;
means for displaying the interactive television program guide;
means for selecting a program for recording or for viewing from the interactive program guide;
means for receiving the selected program with copy protection;
means for offering the selected program for purchase at a price for the program without copy protection when the program is selected for recording;
means for (a) removing the copy protection from the selected program, (b) providing the selected program without copy protection, and (c) directing the video recorder to record the selected program when the program is purchased at the price for the program without copy protection;
means for offering the selected program for purchase at a price for the program with copy protection when the program is selected for viewing; and
means for providing the selected program with copy protection when the program is purchased at the price for the program with copy protection. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A method for using an interactive program guide system using user equipment with which an interactive television program guide is provided and which includes a video recorder and a television, comprising:
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receiving television program guide information for use in the interactive television program guide;
displaying the interactive television program guide;
selecting a program for recording or for viewing from the interactive television program guide;
receiving the selected program with copy protection;
offering the selected program for purchase at a price for the program without copy protection when the program is selected for recording;
removing the copy protection from the selected program, providing the selected program without copy protection, and directing the video recorder to record the selected program without copy protection when the program is purchased at the price for the program without copy protection;
offering the selected program for purchase at a price for the program with copy protection when the program is selected for viewing; and
providing the selected program with copy protection when the program is purchased at the price for the program with copy protection. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. An interactive program guide system including user equipment with which an interactive television program guide is provided and which includes a video recorder and a television, comprising:
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communications circuitry configured to receive television program guide information for use in the interactive television program guide;
display circuitry configured to display the interactive television program guide;
circuitry configured to remove copy protection from programs; and
control circuitry configured to (1) provide a user with an opportunity to select a program for recording or for viewing from the interactive television program guide, (2) direct the display circuitry to display a message offering the user the selected program for purchase at a price for the program without copy protection when the program is selected for recording, (3) direct the tuner circuitry to tune to the selected program with copy protection, (4) direct the circuitry to remove the copy protection from the selected program and provide the selected program without copy protection and a video recorder to record the selected program without copy protection when the program is purchased at the price for the program without copy protection, (5) direct the display circuitry to display a message offering the user the selected program for purchase at a price for the program with copy protection when the program is selected for viewing, and (6) direct the tuner circuitry to provide the selected program with copy protection when the program is purchased at the price for the program with copy protection. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A machine-readable medium for implementing an interactive television program guide comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:
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receiving television program guide information for use in the interactive television program guide;
providing an opportunity for a user to select a program for recording or for viewing from the interactive television program guide;
receiving the selected program with copy protection;
offering the selected program for purchase at a price for the program without copy protection when the program is selected for recording;
removing the copy protection from the selected program, providing the selected program without copy protection, and directing the video recorder to record the selected program without copy protection when the program is purchased at the price for the program without copy protection;
offering the selected program for purchase at a price for the program with copy protection when the program is selected for viewing; and
providing the selected program with copy protection when the program is purchased at the price for the program with copy protection. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification