Automatic extension of recording using in-band and out-of-band data sources

• US 20080307485A1
• Filed: 06/05/2007
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Young, Mark, Arnquist, Michael, Clement, Sam, Johnson, Zach, Jule, Todd San, Acton, Lee
• Application Number:
  US11/810,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20080307485A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/152
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• 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 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4583 Automatically resolving scheduling conflicts, e.g. when a recording by reservation has been programmed for two programs in the same time slot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• 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 9/7921 for more than one processing mode

Abstract

Multiple data inputs, to a recording device, including out-of-band data, are used in order to dynamically adjust the start and end times for recordings. These data inputs may include published program schedules, electronic program guide data, real-time data feeds, in-band data markers, and real-time services. In advance of and during an event recording, the media recorder monitors real-time data and determines whether the event will start early, start late, end early, or run past the initial scheduled duration. The media recorder may seek out other scheduled recordings for potential conflicts. If no conflicts are found, the media recorder automatically extends or contracts the length of the recording. If conflicts are found, the media recorder attempts to resolve the conflicts based upon priority designations, heuristics, or additional user input to determine whether to alter the scheduled recording session, for example, by extending the duration of the recording period or switching the recording function to a another scheduled program.

Claims

1. A method in a media presentation system for automatically extending a scheduled recording period for a program that may extend beyond an originally schedule broadcast period, the method comprising

receiving current program schedule information from a number of sources including an out-of-band source;

determining whether the current program schedule information is related to the program;

determining whether the program will extend beyond the originally schedule broadcast period based upon the current program schedule information;

determining a revised recording period for the program from the current program schedule information received; and

extending the scheduled recording period to follow the revised recording period to ensure the program will be recorded in its entirety.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a priority among the sources to indicate which of the sources should be followed when the current program schedule information differs among the sources.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the priority determination operation is performed base upon a weighting scheme that allocates accuracy weights among the sources based upon a predetermined measure of quality among the sources.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising

determining a recording conflict with a second recording period caused by the extension of the scheduled recording period;

and

resolving the recording conflict by implementing a set of conflict rules that allocate priority between programs selected for recording.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the resolving operation further comprises soliciting input from a user to resolve the conflict.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising

reviewing the revised recording period for reasonableness pursuant to a set of rules;

and

overriding the extending operation to end the program if the revised recording period is determined to be unreasonable under current circumstances according to the set of rules.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the program is a broadcast of a live event and the out-of-band data comprises a service that provides real-time information over a communication network indicating whether the live event has or has not concluded.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising updating an existing program schedule to account for the current program schedule information.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the revised recording period begins in advance of the scheduled recording period.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the revised recording period begins after a beginning of the scheduled recording period.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the revised recording period extends beyond an end of the scheduled recording period.

12. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for controlling a media recording operation on a computer controlled recording device, the instructions comprising operations for causing the recording device to

receive current program schedule information from a number of sources including an out-of-band source;

determine whether the current program schedule information is related to the program;

determine whether the program will extend beyond the originally schedule broadcast period based upon the current program schedule information;

determine a revised recording period for the program from the current program schedule information received; and

extend the scheduled recording period to follow the revised recording period to ensure the program will be recorded in its entirety.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions further comprise operations for causing the recording device to determine a priority among the sources to indicate which of the sources should be followed when the current program schedule information differs among the sources.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions further comprise operations for causing the recording device to

determine a recording conflict with a second recording period caused by the extension of the scheduled recording period;

and

resolve the recording conflict by implementing a set of conflict rules that allocate priority between programs selected for recording.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions further comprise operations for causing the recording device to

review the revised recording period for reasonableness pursuant to a set of rules;

and

overriding the extending operation to end the program if the revised recording period is determined to be unreasonable under current circumstances according to the set of rules.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the program is a broadcast of a live event and the out-of-band data comprises a service that provides real-time information over a communication network indicating whether the live event has or has not concluded.

17. A system for recording broadcast programming that automatically extends a scheduled recording period for a program that may run long, the system comprising

an event monitor module that receives current program schedule information from a number of sources including an out-of-band source;

an event matcher module that determines whether the current program schedule information is related to the program;

a heuristics module that determines whether the program will extend beyond the originally schedule broadcast period based upon the current program schedule information and determines a revised recording period for the program from the current program schedule information received; and

a recording scheduler module that extends the scheduled recording period to follow the revised recording period to ensure the program will be recorded in its entirety.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the heuristics module further determines a priority among the sources to indicate which of the sources should be followed when the current program schedule information differs among the sources.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the heuristics module further

determines a recording conflict with a second recording period caused by the extension of the scheduled recording period;

and

resolves the recording conflict by implementing a set of conflict rules that allocate priority between programs selected for recording.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the program is a broadcast of a live event and the out-of-band data comprises a service that provides real-time information over a communication network indicating whether the live event has or has not concluded.