VCR webification
First Claim
1. An apparatus to remotely operate recording equipment to record television programs using a public wide area network such as the Internet comprising:
- (a) recording equipment, said recording equipment including a controlling means for directing the recording of television programs;
(b) means for storing data associated with control signals;
(c) means for receiving information associated with programs selected by a user;
for recording, said information transmitted over a computer network; and
(d) means for transmitting said data associated with control signals over said computer network said recording equipment.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus, method and service model are disclosed which simplify conventional methods for schedule recordings of television programs and enable users to control recording equipment from any location via the Internet. Entities connected to computer networks such as the Internet and web-browser software can schedule recordings of television programs and/or operate the recording equipment. In an example scenario, a user who maintains recording equipment at home may utilize the present invention from his or her workplace or vacation place, accesses a service provider website using her/his user name and password, views the a schedule of television programs provided by a broadcaster or other distributor of programming and selects the television programs to be recorded. The application service provider in turn transmits the selected television program information to a computer connected to a later described remote control unit to execute and operate the recording of selected programs. In this manner, the present invention enables anyone with internet access to remotely operate recording equipment to record television programs.
117 Citations
1 Claim
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1. An apparatus to remotely operate recording equipment to record television programs using a public wide area network such as the Internet comprising:
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(a) recording equipment, said recording equipment including a controlling means for directing the recording of television programs;
(b) means for storing data associated with control signals;
(c) means for receiving information associated with programs selected by a user;
for recording, said information transmitted over a computer network; and
(d) means for transmitting said data associated with control signals over said computer network said recording equipment.
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Specification