Apparatus and method using compressed codes for scheduling broadcast information recording

• US 6,466,734 B2
• Filed: 08/10/1999
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gemstar Development Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gemstar Development Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Kwoh, Daniel S., Yuen, Henry C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chevalier, Robert
• Application Number:
  US09/374,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20020006267A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.5761, H04/N.5917, 386/109, 386/111, 386/112, 386/83, 386/46-52, 386/92, 386/4, 360/32, 348/7, 348/10
• US Class Current: 386/200
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/023 remotely controlled
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/026 by using processor, e.g. microcomputer
• 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 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape

Abstract

Digital compressed codes, associated with advertisements enable a user to selectively record additional information, which would be broadcast on a television channel at a later time. The advertisement could be print advertisement or broadcast advertisement on television or radio. The user enters the digital code (I code) associated with an advertisement into a unit with a decoding unit which automatically converts the code into CTL (channel, time and length). The unit within a twenty four hour period activates a VCR to record information on the television channel at the right time for the proper length of time. The decoded channel, time and length information can be communicated directly to a VCR and used by the VCR directly to automatically activate the VCR to record a given television information broadcast corresponding to the communicated channel, time and length. Alternately, the channel, time and length information can be decoded directly in a remote control unit and only start record, stop record and channel selection commands sent to the VCR at the appropriate times. Algorithms for decoding the I codes can be a function of time to ensure security of the decoding method. A method is included for use of the I codes with cable channels.

Claims

1. An apparatus for using compressed codes for information broadcast recording that comprises:

means for entering compressed codes each having at least one digit and each representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a proper subset of the set of channel, time-of-day and length commands for an information broadcast;

means for decoding a compressed code having at least one digit into channel, time-of-day and length commands;

means for recording coupled to said means for decoding;

a clock for providing an output as a function of time coupled to said means for decoding;

means for selecting a channel to record in response to said decoded channel commands;

means for turning said means for recording on in response to comparison of said decoded time-of-day commands with said clock output; and

means for turning said means for recording off in response to comparison of the record on time with said decoded length commands.

2. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 1 wherein:

said means for decoding a compressed code into channel, time-of-day and length commands performs the decoding as a function of said-clock output.

3. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 1 wherein said means for entering a compressed code comprises:

means for remote control having a signal transmit means for communicating said compressed code to said means for decoding.

4. The apparatus for using compressed codes of claim 1 wherein said means for entering a compressed code comprises a keyboard.

5. An apparatus for using compressed codes for information broadcast recording that comprises:

means for remote control;

means for entering compressed codes each having at least one digit and each representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a proper subset of the set of channel, time-of-day and length commands for an information broadcast coupled to said means for remote control;

means for decoding a compressed code having at least one digit into channel, time-of-day and length commands coupled to said remote control;

means for recording;

means for transmitting channel, time-of-day and length commands from said means for remote control to said means for recording;

a clock for providing an output as a function of time coupled to said means for recording;

means for selecting a channel to record in response to said decoded channel commands;

means for turning said means for recording on in response to comparison of said decoded time-of-day commands with said clock output; and

means for turning said means for recording off in response to comparison of the record on time with said decoded length commands.

6. An apparatus for using compressed codes for information broadcast recording that comprises:

means for universal remote control capable of learning protocols of a different remote controller with which said means for universal remote control interfaces;

means for entering compressed codes each having at least one digit and each representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a proper subset of the set of channel, time-of-day and length commands for an information broadcast coupled to said means for universal remote control;

means for decoding a compressed code having at least one digit into channel, time-of-day and length commands coupled to said universal remote control;

means for recording;

means for transmitting channel, time-of-day and length commands from said means for universal remote control to said means for recording;

a clock having an output as a function of time coupled to said means for recording;

means for selecting a channel to record in response to said decoded channel commands;

means for turning said means for recording on in response to comparison of said decoded time-of-day commands with said clock output; and

means for turning said means for recording off in response to comparison of the record on time with said decoded length commands.