Interactive television program guide with simultaneous watch and record capabilities
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may use the program guide to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program without interrupting the recording or viewing process. This interactive television program guide system also allows a user the to utilize all or some of the program guide features while in the watch and record mode depending on the embodiment that is being implemented. Further, this watch and record system may be implemented using a multiple tuner set-top box or a single tuner set-top box with a RF bypass or digital switch. In addition to a set-top box, the system may be implemented using a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory, or a computer. The various implementations provide a very versatile watch and record environment for the user.
78 Citations
21 Claims
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1. (canceled)
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2. A method for using user equipment, comprising:
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tuning a first tuner to a channel; displaying a program that is being broadcast on the channel; recording a program that is being broadcast on the channel; and using a second tuner to provide interactive Internet access, wherein the interactive Internet access is provided during a period of time that at least partially overlaps with when the program is being recorded. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A multi-tuner system, comprising:
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a first tuner that tunes to a channel; a display device that displays a program that is being broadcast on the channel; a storage device that stores the program; and a second tuner that provides interactive Internet access, wherein the interactive Internet access is provided during a period of time that at least partially overlaps with when the program is being recorded. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for using user equipment, comprising:
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tuning a first tuner to a channel; displaying a program that is being broadcast on the channel; using a second tuner to facilitate the collection of program guide data, wherein the program guide data is collected during a period of time that overlaps with when the program is being displayed; receiving a command during the period of time, wherein the command requires using the second tuner to facilitate a function other than the collection of the program guide data; and in response to receiving the command; automatically terminating the collection of the program guide data; and using the second tuner to facilitate the function. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A multi-tuner system, comprising:
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a first tuner that tunes to a channel; a display device that displays a program that is being broadcast on the channel; a second tuner that facilitates the collection of program guide data, wherein the program guide data is collected during a period of time that overlaps with when the program is being displayed; and control circuitry on which a program guide application is implemented, configured to; receive a command during the period of time, wherein the command requires using the second tuner to facilitate a function other than the collection of the program guide data; and in response to receiving the command; terminate the collection of the program guide data; and use the second tuner to facilitate the function. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification