Systems and methods for interactive program guides with personal video recording features

• US 8,768,147 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2007
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Ellis, Michael D., Gaydou, Danny R., Reichardt, M. Scott, Baumgartner, Joseph P., Thomas, William L.
• Primary Examiner(s): JONES, HEATHER RAE
• Application Number:
  US11/894,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20080184297A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,507 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 386/291
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10962 wherein both recording and playback take place simultaneously
• 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 27/005 Reproducing at a different information rate from the information rate of recording for television signals H04N5/783
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• 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 21/23406 involving management of server-side video buffer
• 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 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• 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 21/42214 using alphanumerical characters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• 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 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4333 Processing operations in response to a pause request
• 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 21/44004 involving video buffer management, e.g. video decoder buffer or video display buffer
• 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 21/454 : Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• 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 21/47 : End-user applications
• 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 21/4751 : for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 : for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• 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 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 : for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 : End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 : for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/632 : using a connection between clients on a wide area network, e.g. setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet for retrieving video segments from the hard-disk of other client devices broadcast-related systems characterised by transmission among terminal devices H04H60/80; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• 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 21/8456 : by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 : Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7921 : for more than one processing mode

Abstract

Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application (“application”) may be implemented to provide such functionality. The application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, to schedule recordings to a PVR, to configure recordings, to view a list of scheduled recordings, to configure recording settings, or to select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using a straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming. Television content may be automatically paused when a user is engaged in using the application. Multiple IPGs for different users of a PVR may be implemented. Other PVR related features are also provided.

Claims

1. A method of buffering programs, the method comprising:

upon receiving a user request to tune to a first channel;

receiving a first program from the first channel; and

buffering the first program to enable the user to view a previously received portion of the first program; and

upon receiving a user request to tune to a second channel;

receiving a second program from the second channel; and

buffering the second program to enable the user to view a previously received portion of the second program, wherein the buffering of the first program and the buffering of the second program occur in parallel, wherein an indicator that indicates the availability of at least one of the buffered first program and the buffered second program is generated for display to the user, and wherein the indicator also indicates a current play position and is interactive to enable the user to access another play position associated with the at least one of the first program and the second program.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first program is buffered to a first buffer, further comprising:

tuning to a third channel;

creating a second buffer for a third program on the third channel;

determining that the third program is the first program; and

combining the second buffer with the first buffer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first program is buffered to a first buffer, further comprising:

tuning to a third channel;

determining that a third program on the third channel is the first program; and

buffering the third program to the first buffer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first program is buffered to a first buffer, further comprising allocating a buffer size to the first buffer, the buffer size being determined based on an amount of time remaining in the first program.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the first program upon receiving the user request to tune to the first program, wherein buffering the first program comprises storing a portion of the first program that was previously displayed.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising allocating storage space on a personal video recorder for buffering the first program, wherein the personal video recorder is included on user equipment.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising allocating storage space on a remote server for buffering the first program.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second program is buffered to a first buffer, further comprising:

receiving a user input to save the second program as a recording; and

in response to receiving the user input, storing a segment of the second program from the first buffer as part of the recording for the second program.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator indicates how much of the at least one of the buffered first program and the buffered second program has been buffered, and wherein the indicator is displayed on top of or adjacent to the at least one of the buffered first program and the buffered second program.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

creating a first buffer that is associated with the first program, wherein the first program is buffered to the first buffer; and

creating a second buffer that is associated with the second program upon receiving the user request to tune to the second channel, wherein the second program is buffered to the second buffer.

11. A system for buffering programs, the system comprising:

a storage device; and

an interactive application implemented at least partially on user equipment and configured to;

upon receiving a user request, from a user input device, to tune to a first channel;

receive a first program from the first channel; and

buffer the first program to enable the user to view on a display device a previously received portion of the first program;

receive from the user input device a user request to tune to a second channel; and

upon receiving the user request to tune to the second channel;

receive a second program from the second channel; and

buffer on the storage device the second program to enable the user to view a previously received portion of the second program, wherein the first program and second program are buffered in parallel, wherein an indicator that indicates the availability of at least one of the buffered first program and the buffered second program is generated for display on the display device to the user, and wherein the indicator also indicates a current play position and is interactive to enable the user to access another play position associated with the at least one of the first program and the second program.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first program is buffered to a first buffer, and wherein the interactive application is further configured to:

tune to a third channel;

create a second buffer on the storage device for a third program on the third channel;

determine that the third program is the first program; and

combine the second buffer with the first buffer.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the first program is buffered to a first buffer, and wherein the interactive application is further configured to:

tune to a third channel;

determine that a third program on the third channel is the first program; and

buffer the third program to the first buffer.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the first program is buffered to a first buffer, and wherein the interactive application is further configured to allocate a buffer size to the first buffer, the buffer size being determined based on an amount of time remaining in the first program.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the interactive application is further configured to display the first program upon receiving the user request to tune to the first program and buffer the first program by storing a portion of the first program that was previously displayed.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a personal video recorder included in the user equipment, wherein the interactive application is further configured to allocate storage space on the personal video recorder for the first buffer.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the interactive application is further configured to allocate storage space on a remote server for buffering the first program.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the second program is buffered to a first buffer, and wherein the interactive application is further configured to:

receive a user input from the user input device to save the second program as a recording; and

store a segment of the second program from the first buffer as part of the recording for the second program in response to receiving the user input.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the indicator indicates how much of the at least one of the buffered first program and the buffered second program has been buffered, and wherein the indicator is displayed on top of or adjacent to the at least one of the buffered first program and the buffered second program.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the interactive application is further configured to:

create a first buffer that is associated with the first program, wherein the first program is buffered to the first buffer; and

create a second buffer that is associated with the second program upon receiving the user request to tune to the second channel, wherein the second program is buffered to the second buffer.

21. A method of buffering programs, the method comprising:

upon receiving a user request to tune to a first channel;

receiving a first program from the first channel; and

buffering the first program to enable the user to view a previously received portion of the first program; and

upon receiving a user request to tune to a second channel;

receiving a second program from the second channel; and

buffering the second program to enable the user to view a previously received portion of the second program, wherein the buffering of the first program and the buffering of the second program occur in parallel, wherein an indicator that indicates the availability of at least one of the buffered first program and the buffered second program is generated for display to the user, and wherein the indicator is interactive and also indicates a current position within the at least one of the buffered first program and the buffered second program behind a live feed of the at least one of the first program and the second program.

22. A method of buffering programs, the method comprising:

upon receiving a user request to tune to a first channel;

receiving a first program from the first channel; and

buffering the first program to enable the user to view a previously received portion of the first program; and

upon receiving a user request to tune to a second channel;

receiving a second program from the second channel; and

buffering the second program to enable the user to view a previously received portion of the second program, wherein the buffering of the first program and the buffering of the second program occur in parallel, wherein an indicator that indicates the availability of at least one of the buffered first program and the buffered second program is generated for display to the user, and wherein the indicator is interactive and also indicates a current position within the at least one of the buffered first program and the buffered second program behind a point of the at least one of the first program and the second program currently being received.

23. A system for buffering programs, the system comprising:

a storage device; and

an interactive application implemented at least partially on user equipment and configured to;

upon receiving a user request, from a user input device, to tune to a first channel;

receive a first program from the first channel; and

buffer the first program to enable the user to view on a display device a previously received portion of the first program;

receive from the user input device a user request to tune to a second channel; and

upon receiving the user request to tune to the second channel;

receive a second program from the second channel; and

buffer on the storage device the second program to enable the user to view a previously received portion of the second program, wherein the first program and second program are buffered in parallel, wherein an indicator that indicates the availability of at least one of the buffered first program and the buffered second program is generated for display on the display device to the user, and wherein the indicator is interactive and also indicates a current position within the at least one of the buffered first program and the buffered second program behind a live feed of the at least one of the first program and the second program.

24. A system for buffering programs, the system comprising:

a storage device; and

an interactive application implemented at least partially on user equipment and configured to;

upon receiving a user request, from a user input device, to tune to a first channel;

receive a first program from the first channel; and

buffer the first program to enable the user to view on a display device a previously received portion of the first program;

receive from the user input device a user request to tune to a second channel; and

upon receiving the user request to tune to the second channel;

receive a second program from the second channel; and

buffer on the storage device the second program to enable the user to view a previously received portion of the second program, wherein the first program and second program are buffered in parallel, wherein an indicator that indicates the availability of at least one of the buffered first program and the buffered second program is generated for display on the display device to the user, and wherein the indicator is interactive and also indicates a current position within the at least one of the buffered first program and the buffered second program behind a point of the at least one of the first program and the second program currently being received.