Electronic program guide with digital storage

• US 7,827,585 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2005
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Berezowski, David M, Knudson, Edward B, Hedges, L. Joe, Ellis, Michael D, Hassell, Joel G
• Primary Examiner(s): Lonsberry; Hunter B
• Application Number:
  US11/197,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20050278771A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,916 Days
• Field of Search: 725/39, 725/58, 725 88- 89, 725/134, 725/142, 386/86
• US Class Current: 725/134
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/41 Flat as opposed to hierarchical combination, e.g. library of tapes or discs, CD changer, or groups of record carriers that together store one title
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/002 Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/102 Programmed access in sequence to addressed parts of tracks of operating record carriers access by moving the head G11B3/08, G11B5/54, G11B7/085, G11B21/022; by moving the record carrier G11B15/005, G11B17/005, by driving of both record carrier and head G11B15/1816
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/107 of operating tapes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/327 Table of contents
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/328 on a tape [TTOC]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/329 on a disc [VTOC]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2387 Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42224 Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42661 for reading from or writing on a magnetic storage medium, e.g. hard disk drive
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4332 : by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository interfaces, Database management systems or updating for information retrieval G06F16/23; details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video database G06F16/739
• 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 21/4335 : Housekeeping operations, e.g. prioritizing content for deletion because of storage space restrictions storage management, e.g. defragmentation G06F3/0604; unloading stored programs G06F9/445; storage management in file systems G06F16/10; buffering arrangements in a network node or in an end terminal in packet networks H04L49/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 : Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4358 : for generating different versions, e.g. for different peripheral devices
• 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 21/43622 : Interfacing an external recording device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/458 : Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• 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 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 21/4722 : for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4825 : using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 : End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4856 : for language selection, e.g. for the menu or subtitles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 : involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 : involving transmission via a satellite
• 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 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8455 : involving pointers to the content, e.g. pointers to the I-frames of the video stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 : by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/85406 : involving a specific file format, e.g. MP4 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 : Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 : between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• 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 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 : on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only

Abstract

An interactive television program guide system with digital storage is provided. The program guide gives users the ability to store information associated with recorded programs in a directory in the digital storage device thereby providing easy access to program information. The program guide may also provide a global media library for indicating the programs stored on removable storage media used with the program guide. The guide may also allow the user to manage and maintain a user media library to do the same. Non-time-sensitive data associated with recorded programs may be stored in a way that allows the user to interact with the data on playback as if the program were being originally aired. The program guide also allows the user to define “super-programs” for playback of a sequence of stored programs or program segments.

Claims

1. A method for allowing a user to select storage options for storing programs using an interactive television program guide implemented on user television equipment, the method comprising:

providing the user with an opportunity to select at least one storage option for storing a program to be recorded, wherein the at least one storage option relates to at least one storage setting configured to control how programs are to be digitally stored on a random access digital storage device;

in response to a user selection of the at least one storage option, modifying the at least one storage setting;

displaying in the interactive television program guide at least one program listing related to at least one program;

providing the user with an opportunity to select a program listing from the at least one displayed program listing for recording on the random access digital storage device; and

recording the program on the random access digital storage device based on the modification of the at least one storage setting.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one storage option is for selecting at least one language track for storing with programs when a program is recorded.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one storage option is for selecting at least one video format for recording programs.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the at least one video format comprises at least one of high definition television, normal television and digital format.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one storage option is for setting at least one parental control criterion that prevents the program from being recorded to the digital storage device when the program does not meet the at least one parental control criterion.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one storage option is for automatically erasing programs from the digital storage device once the programs are viewed by the user.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one storage option is for selecting at least one language of subtitles for storing with programs when the programs are recorded.

8. A method for recording programs using an interactive television program guide implemented on user television equipment, the method comprising:

displaying in a display screen at least one program listing relating to at least one program;

providing a user with an opportunity to indicate a program to be recorded on a random access digital storage device by selecting a program listing from the at least one displayed program listing, wherein the selected program listing corresponds to the program to be recorded;

providing the user with an opportunity to select at least one storage option for storing the program to be recorded, wherein the at least one storage option relates to at least one storage setting configured to control how the program is to be digitally stored on the random access digital storage device;

in response to receiving the user selection of the at least one storage option, modifying the at least one storage setting for the program to be recorded; and

recording the program on the random access digital storage device based on the modification of the at least one storage setting for the program.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one storage option is for selecting at least one language track for storing with the program when the program is recorded.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one storage option is for selecting at least one video format for recording.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one video format comprises at least one of high definition television, normal television and a digital format.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one storage option is for setting at least one parental control criterion that prevents the program from being recorded to the digital storage device when the program does not meet the at least one parental control criterion.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one storage option is for automatically erasing the program from the digital storage device once the program is viewed by the user.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one storage option is for selecting at least one language of subtitles for storing with the program when the program is recorded.

15. A system for allowing a user to select storage options for storing programs, the system comprising:

a display screen;

a random access digital storage device; and

an interactive television program guide implemented at least partially on circuitry, wherein the interactive television program guide is programmed to;

provide the user with an opportunity to select at least one storage option for storing a program to be recorded, wherein said at least one storage option relates to at least one storage setting configured to control how programs are to be digitally stored on the random access digital storage device;

in response to a user selection of the at least one storage option, modify the at least one storage setting;

display in the display screen at least one program listing related to at least one program;

provide the user with an opportunity to select a program listing from the at least one displayed program listing for recording on the random access digital storage device; and

record the program on the random access digital storage device based on the modification of the at least one storage setting.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the at least one storage option is for selecting at least one language track for storing with programs when a program is recorded.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the at least one storage option is for selecting at least one video format for recording programs.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the at least one video format comprises at least one of high definition television, normal television and digital format.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the at least one storage option is for setting at least one parental control criterion that prevents the program from being recorded to the digital storage device when the program does not meet the at least one parental control criterion.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein the at least one storage option is for automatically erasing programs from the digital storage device once the programs are viewed by the user.

21. The system of claim 15 wherein the at least one storage option is for selecting at least one language of subtitles for storing with programs when the programs are recorded.

22. A system for recording programs, the system comprising:

a display screen;

a random access digital storage device; and

an interactive television program guide implemented at least partially on circuitry, wherein the interactive television program guide is programmed to;

display in the display screen at least one program listing related to at least one program;

provide a user with the opportunity to indicate a program to be recorded on the random access digital storage device by selecting a program listing from the at least one displayed program listing, wherein the selected program listing corresponds to the program to be recorded;

provide the user with an opportunity to select at least one storage option for storing a program to be recorded, wherein the at least one storage option relates to at least one storage setting configured to control how the program is to be digitally stored on the random access digital storage device;

modify said at least one storage setting in response to said user selection;

in response to receiving the user selection of the at least one storage option, modify the at least one storage setting for the program to be recorded; and

record the program on the random access digital storage device based on the modification of the at least one storage setting for the program.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one storage option is for selecting at least one language track for storing with the program when the program is recorded.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one storage option is for selecting at least one video format for recording.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the at least one video format comprises at least one of high definition television, normal television and a digital format.

26. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one storage option is for setting at least one parental control criterion that prevents the program from being recorded to the digital storage device when the program does not meet the at least one parental control criterion.

27. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one storage option is for automatically erasing the program from the digital storage device once the program is viewed by the user.

28. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one storage option is for selecting at least one language of subtitles for storing with the program when the program is recorded.