VCR programmer

• US 5,915,068 A
• Filed: 10/18/1996
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Smart VCR Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Levine, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chevalier, Robert
• Application Number:
  US08/731,401
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 386/83, 386/46, 348/906, 348/732, 348/731
• US Class Current: 386/297
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape

Abstract

A system for programming the automatic operation of a video recorder over an extended time period uses an associated television receiver as a display device for alphanumeric messages to the operator to provide a self-explanatory, interactive programming routine. The video recorder system includes a digital memory, a real time digital clock, and an alphanumeric character generator, all connected to a central digital controller. A keypad allows the operator to initiate a programming routine in which previously stored programming messages are called up from memory and generated on the TV receiver'"'"'s display tube using the character generator. The operator'"'"'s responses entered via the keypad are stored in the memory and are called up at future times to generate control signals for the video recorder. The video recorder system further includes a memory storing digital data representing a schedule of programming available for a future period. The video system permits this schedule to be recalled and displayed on the TV receiver for review by the user.

Claims

1. The method of automatically tuning the electronically controllable television tuner of a television program viewing system which includes a television receiver and a user input device, comprising the steps of:

storing a schedule of programs available to the TV receiver in an electronic memory at the TV receiver location, the schedule of TV programs comprising a plurality of TV program entries each including the title of a television program;

displaying the program schedule on the screen of the TV receiver;

operating a user input device to select a displayed TV program entry; and

electronically controlling a microprocessor to control an electronic tuner to tune said selected TV program when said TV program is available to the TV receiver.