Multi-channel parallel digital video recorder

• US 20070199040A1
• Filed: 02/23/2006
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nest Labs Incorporated (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nest Labs Incorporated (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Application Number:
  US11/361,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20070199040A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/134
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A multiple channel parallel digital video recorder system records simultaneously and continuously the favorite channels of a user. The recorder system stores programming content for a user to view at a later time. A multimedia control system can be connected to the recorder system and display in a matrix format the stored programming content that is available for review.

Claims

1. A multiple channel parallel video recorder system, comprising:

a processor;

a data storage medium provided to the processor;

a plurality of tuners provided to the processor, the plurality of tuners configured to receive one or more programming feeds; and

a communications interface provided to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to receive from the plurality of tuners a plurality of signals of programming content data, wherein the processor is configured to store the plurality of signals of programming content data on the data storage medium, and wherein the processor is configured to store the plurality of signals of programming content data over the oldest non-protected data stored on the data storage medium.

2. The multiple channel parallel video recorder system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive from a remote server commercial information, wherein the processor is configured to process the commercial information to delete or tag commercial content data within the programming content data.

3. The multiple channel parallel video recorder system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tuners comprises a plurality of tuners configured to receive broadcast television.

4. The multiple channel parallel video recorder system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tuners comprises a plurality of tuners configured to receive digital television.

5. The multiple channel parallel video recorder system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tuners comprises a plurality of tuners configured to receive radio broadcast.

6. The multiple channel parallel video recorder system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tuners comprises a plurality of tuners configured to receive Internet television.

7. The multiple channel parallel video recorder system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tuners comprises a plurality of tuners configured to receive satellite television

8. The multiple channel parallel video recorder system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tuners comprises a plurality of tuners configured to receive cable television.

9. A method for recording a plurality of programming channels, comprising:

receiving programming content data from a plurality of tuners;

storing the programming content data in a storage area the storage area is full and then storing new programming content data over oldest programming content in said storage area;

downloading program information related to programming content stored in said storage area, wherein said program information comprises program start times for various different programs in said programming content; and

determining a start and end time for commercials in said programming content.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising replaying said programming content without commercials.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising displaying a list of programming content stored in said storage area.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising deleting commercials stored with said programming content.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said determining a start and end time of commercials stored with said programming content comprises downloading commercial start and end times from a server.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said determining a start and end time of commercials stored with said programming content comprises receiving user inputs.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein said determining a start and end time of commercials stored with said programming content comprises receiving user input from a fast-forward through commercial user control.