Interactive television systems with conflict management capabilities
First Claim
1. A method for using an interactive application that is implemented using user equipment, comprising:
- receiving a user input creating a time-based setting associated with a program in the interactive application;
receiving a user request to access media;
determining an expected running time of the requested media, wherein the expected running time of the requested media results from a user action prolonging playback of the media;
determining, based on the expected running time, whether there is a conflict between the requested media and the time-based setting at a time associated with the time-based setting, wherein the conflict arises when the expected running time of the requested media overlaps with the time-based setting; and
in response to determining that the conflict exists, generating for display at least the following options from which the user may select to resolve the conflict;
(i) perform the time-based setting, and(ii) access the media.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive television system is provided in which a user can use an interactive television application to establish time-based settings. The user may set television program reminders, advance-order pay-per-view programs, schedule programs for recording, and establish parental controls to prevent television viewing during certain times on certain channels. The interactive television application may be used to support video recorder functions such as personal video recorder functions implemented locally on the user'"'"'s set-top box or other equipment and network-based video recorder functions implemented using servers at cable television headends and other network locations. The interactive television application may also be used to deliver video-on-demand content. When the user requests that video be delivered, conflicts may arise between the requested video delivery and the previously-established time-based settings. The interactive television application may provide the user with on-screen options that allow the user to select how to resolve these conflicts.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for using an interactive application that is implemented using user equipment, comprising:
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receiving a user input creating a time-based setting associated with a program in the interactive application; receiving a user request to access media; determining an expected running time of the requested media, wherein the expected running time of the requested media results from a user action prolonging playback of the media; determining, based on the expected running time, whether there is a conflict between the requested media and the time-based setting at a time associated with the time-based setting, wherein the conflict arises when the expected running time of the requested media overlaps with the time-based setting; and in response to determining that the conflict exists, generating for display at least the following options from which the user may select to resolve the conflict; (i) perform the time-based setting, and (ii) access the media. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. User equipment for use in an interactive system in which programming is delivered to a plurality of users over communications paths, the user equipment comprising control circuitry configured to:
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receive a user input to create a time-based setting associated with a program in the interactive application; an opportunity receive a user request to access media; determine an expected running time of the requested media, wherein the expected running time of the requested media results from a user action prolonging playback of the media; determine, based on the expected running time, whether there is a conflict between the requested media and the time-based setting at a time associated with the time-based setting, wherein the conflict arises when the expected running time of the requested media overlaps with the time-based setting; and in response to determining that the conflict exists, generating for display at least the following options from which the user may select to resolve the conflict; (i) perform the time-based setting, and (ii) access the media. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification