System and method for recording a signal using a central point of control
First Claim
1. A central computing device for use in home entertainment system that includes the central device, a display device and a recording system that is configured to record programming received at the home entertainment system, the central device comprising:
- means for being connected directly to the display device and to the recording system, such that any signal that reaches the recording system must be transmitted from the central device to the recording system;
a processor for processing computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable media that are accessible to the central device, wherein the computer-executable instructions comprise;
computer-executable code for receiving and storing an electronic programming guide at the central device;
computer-executable code for receiving recording instructions at the central device to record programming at the recording system;
computer-executable code for transmitting the programming which is received at the central device to the recording system and at a time indicated by the recording instructions, wherein the programming is recorded on a recording medium by the recording system upon receipt of the programming;
computer-executable code, responsive to the recording instructions, for sending a first set of programming information from the stored electronic programming guide to the recording system, prior to sending the programming to the recording system to be recorded, wherein the recording system records the first set of programming information to the recording medium upon receiving the first set of programming information; and
computer-executable code for the central device transmitting a second set of programming information comprising indexing information that is included in the stored electronic programming guide to the recording system, wherein the recording system records the indexing information to the recording medium after recording the programming.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for recording a signal received by a home entertainment system that includes multiple consumer electronics devices interconnected to a central electronics device in a hub and spoke configuration. The configuration allows all signals in the home entertainment system to be accessible by the central electronics device. Accordingly, the central electronics device can process, route, or otherwise respond to any signal. By way of example, any signal can be routed to a recording system, where it can be recorded. The signal is coupled with information from an electronic programming guide that details specific programming. An automatic determination is made as to whether or not there exists enough free space on a recording medium to record a specific program. Upon recording the program on the recording medium, an index is updated on the recording medium from the electronic programming guide information and from the location of the program on the recording medium. By selecting the program from the index, the recorded program can be automatically located on the recording medium.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A central computing device for use in home entertainment system that includes the central device, a display device and a recording system that is configured to record programming received at the home entertainment system, the central device comprising:
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means for being connected directly to the display device and to the recording system, such that any signal that reaches the recording system must be transmitted from the central device to the recording system;
a processor for processing computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable media that are accessible to the central device, wherein the computer-executable instructions comprise;
computer-executable code for receiving and storing an electronic programming guide at the central device;
computer-executable code for receiving recording instructions at the central device to record programming at the recording system;
computer-executable code for transmitting the programming which is received at the central device to the recording system and at a time indicated by the recording instructions, wherein the programming is recorded on a recording medium by the recording system upon receipt of the programming;
computer-executable code, responsive to the recording instructions, for sending a first set of programming information from the stored electronic programming guide to the recording system, prior to sending the programming to the recording system to be recorded, wherein the recording system records the first set of programming information to the recording medium upon receiving the first set of programming information; and
computer-executable code for the central device transmitting a second set of programming information comprising indexing information that is included in the stored electronic programming guide to the recording system, wherein the recording system records the indexing information to the recording medium after recording the programming. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification