Simultaneous Recording and Playback of Audio/Video Programs

• US 20080089671A1
• Filed: 12/06/2007
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TiVo Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Lang, Richard, Walters, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 9,113,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/109
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• 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 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42224 Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• 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 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7921 for more than one processing mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal

Abstract

A system and method for time-shifted viewing of broadcast television programs is disclosed. Simultaneous recording and playback are provided by using buffer storage as the source and destination of compressed or uncompressed digital video/audio programs. Full VCR-like control is provided for all playback within the buffer storage. Playback and control of recorded programs may be initiated by the user at any time after initiation of the broadcast program with simultaneous continuous recording of the ongoing live broadcast. Larger archival storage and removable is also provided for storing and building a library of programs. Viewer playback control data may be stored as part of the program or used as edit points prior to archival. Numerous options are provided for features such as continuous automatic recording in a circular buffer fashion, program archival editing, Internet interfaces, multiple-channel recording and more.

Claims

1. A method for simultaneous recording and playback of audio/video programs, the method comprising:

receiving a standards-based audio/video signal;

tuning the standards-based audio/video signal to a specific channel the specific channel corresponding to an audio/video program;

converting the audio/video program into an Moving Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) formatted data stream corresponding to the audio/video program;

storing audio and video data from the MPEG formatted data stream in a storage device;

retrieving the audio and video data of the MPEG formatted data stream from the storage device;

converting the MPEG formatted data stream for the audio/video program into an output signal for a display device;

routing the output signal to the display device; and

accepting a control command from a user, wherein the control command affects a flow of the MPEG formatted data stream.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the standards-based audio/video signal includes a National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) audio/video signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the standards-based audio/video signal includes a Phase Alternating Line (PAL) audio/video signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the standards-based audio/video signal includes a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) audio/video signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the standards-based audio-video signal includes a High-Definition Television (HDTV) audio/video signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the control command from the user identifies audio and video data to be retrieved from the storage device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the control command from the user identifies edit points for customizing audio and video data to be retrieved from the storage device and subsequently converted into the output signal routed to the display device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage and retrieval of audio and video data in and from the storage device occurs simultaneously.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the control command from the user includes a fast forward command.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the control command from the user includes a rewind command.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising transferring the audio and video data of the MPEG formatted data stream corresponding to the audio/video program to an archival storage device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the archival storage device is a digital versatile disc (DVD).

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the archival storage device is a hard drive.

14. An apparatus for the simultaneous storage and playback of audio/video programs, comprising:

an input configured to receive a standards-based audio/video signal;

a tuner configured to tune the standards-based audio/video signal to a specific channel, the specific channel corresponding to an audio/video program;

a capture module configured to convert the audio/video program into an Moving Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) formatted data stream corresponding to the audio/video program;

memory configured for storage and retrieval of audio and video data from the MPEG formatted data stream;

a playback module configured to convert the MPEG formatted data stream for the audio/video program into an output signal for subsequent routing to a display device; and

a processor configured to process a control command received from a user, wherein the control command affects a flow of the MPEG formatted data stream.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the standards-based audio/video signal includes a National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) audio/video signal.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the standards-based audio/video signal includes a Phase Alternating Line (PAL) audio/video signal.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the standards-based audio/video signal includes a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) audio/video signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the standards-based audio-video signal includes a High-Definition Television (HDTV) audio/video signal.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the control command received from the user identifies audio and video data to be retrieved from the memory.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the control command received from the user identifies edit points for customizing audio and video data to be retrieved from the memory and subsequently converted into the output signal routed to the display device.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the storage and retrieval of audio and video data in and from the memory occurs simultaneously.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the control command received from the user includes a fast forward command.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the control command received from the user includes a rewind command.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an archival storage device for receiving transferred audio and video data of the MPEG formatted data stream corresponding to the audio/video program, wherein the audio and video data of the MPEG formatted data stream are transferred for archival storage.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the archival storage device is a digital versatile disc (DVD).

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the archival storage device is a hard drive.

27. A method for simultaneous storage and playback of audio/video programs, the method comprising:

receiving an audio/video program from a content source;

storing the audio/video program in a cyclic memory of a storage and playback device;

replacing an oldest portion of the stored audio/program in the cyclic memory with a newest portion of the received audio/video program when the cyclic memory is full;

providing playback control of an available portion of the audio/video program stored in the cyclic memory simultaneously with but independent of the storage of the audio/video program; and

providing for configuration of one or more storage and playback device settings via a user interface over an Internet connection.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the audio/video program is associated with data about the audio/video program, the data about audio/video program received over the Internet connection.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the data about the audio/video program includes plot summary data.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the data about the audio/video program includes rating data.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the data about the audio/video program includes cast data.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the content source is a broadcast television provider.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein the content source is a cable television provider.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein the content source is a satellite television provider.

35. The method of claim 27, wherein the audio/video program is received in an analog radio-frequency modulated format.

36. The method of claim 27, wherein the audio/video program is received in a digital format.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein content source for the digitally formatted audio/video program is a high-definition television provider.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein the content source for the digitally formatted audio/video program is a direct broadcast satellite provider.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein the content source for the digitally formatted audio/video program is an Internet provider.

40. The method of claim 27, further comprising converting the received audio/video program into an Moving Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) data format prior to storage of the received audio/video program.

41. The method of claim 27, further comprising converting the received audio/video program into an Audio/Video Interleaved (AVI) data format prior to storage of the received audio/video program.

42. The method of claim 27, further comprising transferring the audio/video program stored in cyclic memory to an archival storage device.

43. The method of claim 27, wherein the playback control is selected from the group consisting of random access play, stop, pause, rewind, and fast-forward functions.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising capturing the playback control as viewing habit data.

45. The method of claim 27, wherein the one or more storage and playback device settings includes video quality.

46. The method of claim 27, wherein the one or more storage and playback device settings includes tuning to a particular channel.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the one or more storage and playback device settings further includes recording an audio/video program on the particular channel for a predetermined period of time.

48. The method of claim 27, further comprising receiving another audio/video program from another content source simultaneously with the audio/video program from the content source.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising storing the other audio/video program in the cyclic memory of the storage and playback device.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

replacing an oldest portion of the other stored audio/program in a second cyclic memory with a newer portion of the other received audio/video program when the second cyclic memory is full; and

providing playback control of an available portion of the other audio/video program stored in the second cyclic memory simultaneously with but independent of the storage of the other audio/video program.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the playback control of the other audio/video program is provided as a picture-in-picture with the audio/video program.

69. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising capturing the playback control as viewing habit data.

52. An apparatus for the simultaneous storage and playback of audio/video programs, the apparatus comprising:

an input for receiving an audio/video program from a content source;

cyclic memory for storing the audio/video program, wherein an oldest portion of the stored audio/program is replaced with a newest portion of the received audio/video program when the cyclic memory is full;

a processor configured to provide playback control of an available portion of audio/video program stored in cyclic memory simultaneously with but independent of the storage of the audio/video program in response to a control command received from a user; and

a network interface configured to receive instructions associated with configuring one or more settings of the apparatus, the instructions received via a user interface over an Internet connection.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the network interface is further configured to receive data about the audio/video program over the Internet connection.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the data about the audio/video program includes plot summary data.

55. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the data about the audio/video program includes rating data.

56. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the data about the audio/video program includes cast data.

57. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the content source is a broadcast television provider.

58. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the content source is a cable television provider.

59. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the content source is a satellite television provider.

60. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the audio/video program is received in an analog radio-frequency modulated format.

61. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the audio/video program is received in a digital format.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein content source for the digitally formatted audio/video program is a high-definition television provider.

63. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the content source for the digitally formatted audio/video program is a direct broadcast satellite provider.

64. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the content source for the digitally formatted audio/video program is an Internet provider.

65. The apparatus of claim 52, further comprising a capture module configured to convert the received audio/video program into an Moving Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) data format prior to storage of the received audio/video program.

66. The apparatus of claim 52, further comprising a capture module configured to convert the received audio/video program into an Audio/Video Interleaved (AVI) data format prior to storage of the received audio/video program.

67. The apparatus of claim 52, further comprising an archival storage device.

68. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the control command received from the user is selected from the group consisting of random access play, stop, pause, rewind, and fast-forward functionality.

70. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the one or more settings of the apparatus includes video quality.

71. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the one or more settings of the apparatus includes tuning to a particular channel.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the one or more settings of the apparatus further includes recording an audio/video program on the particular channel for a predetermined period of time.