Series recording using an interactive television program guide
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive television program guide system with program series reminder and recording capabilities is provided. The system allows a user to set a reminder or schedule a recording for a single episode or for each episode of a program series. In addition, other options may be provided that allow the user to determine, for example, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all channels on which the program airs or only on a selected channels, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for all episodes including reruns or only new episodes, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for network or syndicated episodes, and whether to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all days or only on selected days of the week. Before the scheduled broadcast time of each episode of each selected program series, the system sends a reminder message to the user that reminds the user of the program episode or sends a record command to a videocassette recorder to initiate recording of the episode. The system allows a user to view a list of all currently requested program reminders and scheduled program recordings. The user may update, change, or cancel any entry in either list or the system may automatically update the lists to match new broadcast schedule information. If the user sets a reminder or schedules a recording that conflicts with an existing reminder or recording, the system may inform the user of the conflict and allow the user to resolve the conflict or the system may resolve the conflict.
-
Citations
290 Claims
-
1-254. -254. (canceled)
-
255. A method for recording television programs on user television equipment, comprising:
-
allowing a user to select a program for recording;
determining whether the selected program is an episode of a series of programs; and
in response to the determination that the program is not an episode of a series of programs;
providing an option to record the program that is not an episode of a series of programs; and
omitting an option to record a series of programs. - View Dependent Claims (256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272)
-
-
273. A system for recording television programs on user television equipment of a plurality of users, the system comprising:
-
a display device;
a user interface;
user television equipment on which an interactive television program guide is at least partially implemented, wherein the interactive television program guide is programmed to;
display on the display device at least one program listing related to at least one program currently scheduled to be recorded;
allow a user using the user interface to select a program listing from the at least one displayed program listing;
determine whether a program that corresponds to the program listing is an episode of a series of programs; and
in response to the determination that the program is not an episode of a series of programs;
provide an option to record the program that is not an episode of a series of programs; and
omit an option to record a series of programs. - View Dependent Claims (274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290)
-
Specification