Recording of multiple television channels

• US 8,819,761 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dish Technologies LLC (Dish Network Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Echostar Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Minnick, Danny Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): Goodarzi, Nasser
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIERORAZIO, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US13/799,719
• Publication Number:
  US 20130247115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 725/68
• US Class Current: 725/151
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/026 on discs G11B27/028, G11B27/029 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/28 by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording G11B27/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/242 Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References] arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/262 Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists scheduling strategies for dispatcher in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/4881; arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services H04H60/06; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; establishing a time schedule or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/62
• 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 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4302 Content synchronisation processes, e.g. decoder synchronisation
• 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 21/4532 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 21/4583 Automatically resolving scheduling conflicts, e.g. when a recording by reservation has been programmed for two programs in the same time slot
• 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 21/4755 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 21/4826 using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/83 Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
• 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 5/50 : Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/91 : Television signal processing therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 : Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/79 : Processing of colour television signals in connection with recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/797 : for recording the signal in a plurality of channels, the bandwidth of each channel being less than the bandwidth of the signal H04N9/804, H04N9/81, H04N9/82 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/87 : Regeneration of colour television signals H04N9/80 takes precedence

Abstract

In various embodiments, a selection of a television program to record may be received by a television receiver. The television program may be broadcast on a first television channel and as part of a first transponder stream. A plurality of television channels that are transmitted as part of the first transponder stream may be determined. A user interface may be presented that permits a user to select from the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream. A selection of a second television channel from the plurality of television channels may be received. In response to the selection of the first television program to record and the selection of the second television channel from the plurality of television channels, record the first television channel and the second television channel via a single tuner.

Claims

1. A television receiver configured to record multiple television channels concurrently, the television receiver comprising:

a tuner;

one or more processors; and

a memory communicatively coupled with and readable by the one or more processors and having stored therein processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

receive a selection of a television program to record, wherein

the television program is broadcast on a first television channel, and

the first television channel is transmitted on a first transponder stream;

set a record timer for the television program, wherein the record timer specifies;

a television channel, a date, and a time period;

determine a plurality of television channels transmitted as part of the first transponder stream;

cause a user interface to be presented via a display device that permits a user to select from the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream;

receive a selection of a second television channel from the plurality of television channels;

in response to the selection of the second television channel of the plurality of television channels, analyze electronic programming guide information for the second television channel;

determine a first start time of the first record timer occurs during a scheduled broadcast of a second television program on the second television channel; and

set the second record timer for the second television channel having a second start time coinciding with the start time of the second television program for the second television channel, such that the second record timer is configured to initiate recording prior to the record timer.

2. The television receiver configured to record multiple television channels of claim 1, wherein:

the first television channel is broadcast over a first period of time;

the second television channel is broadcast over a second period of time; and

the first period of time and the second period of time overlap.

3. The television receiver configured to record multiple television channels of claim 1, further comprising processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

in response to the selection of the second television channel of the plurality of television channels, analyze electronic programming guide information for the second television channel;

determine a first end time of the first record timer occurs during a scheduled broadcast of a second television program on the second television channel; and

set the second record timer for the second television channel having a second end time coinciding with the end time of the second television program for the second television channel.

4. The television receiver configured to record multiple television channels of claim 1, wherein the tuner is configured to receive the transponder stream via a single transponder of a satellite.

5. The television receiver configured to record multiple television channels of claim 1, further comprising processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

receive data from a television service provider that indicates groupings of television channels available to be recorded concurrently using a single tuner; and

store an indication of the groupings of television channels available to be recorded concurrently using the single tuner, wherein;

the processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream are configured to cause the one or more processors to determine the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream available for recording based on the stored indication of the groupings of television channels.

6. The television receiver configured to record multiple television channels of claim 1, wherein the processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream are configured to cause the one or more processors to:

compare transponder assignments for television channels in a locally-stored data structure to determine groupings of television channels transmitted on the transponder stream; and

determine the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream based on the compared transponder assignments.

7. The television receiver configured to record multiple television channels of claim 1, wherein the processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream are configured to cause the one or more processors to:

determine the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream wherein, at a given time, each television channel of the plurality of television channels uses a same control word for descrambling.

9. The method for recording multiple television channels of claim 1, wherein:

the first television channel is broadcast over a first period of time;

the second television channel is broadcast over a second period of time; and

the first period of time and the second period of time overlap.

8. A method for recording multiple television channels concurrently, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of a television program to record, wherein

the television program is broadcast on a first television channel, and

the first television channel is transmitted on a first transponder stream;

setting a record timer for the television program, wherein the record timer specifies;

a television channel, a date, and a time period;

determining a plurality of television channels transmitted as part of the first transponder stream;

causing a user interface to be presented via a display device that permits a user to select from the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream;

receiving a selection of a second television channel from the plurality of television channels;

in response to the selection of the second television channel of the plurality of television channels, analyzing electronic programming guide information for the second television channel;

determining a first start time of the first record timer occurs during a scheduled broadcast of a second television program on the second television channel; and

setting the second record timer for the second television channel having a second start time coinciding with the start time of the second television program for the second television channel, such that the second record timer is configured to initiate recording prior to the record timer.

10. The method for recording multiple television channels of claim 8, the method further comprising:

in response to the selection of the second television channel of the plurality of television channels, analyzing electronic programming guide information for the second television channel;

determining a first end time of the first record timer occurs during a scheduled broadcast of a second television program on the second television channel; and

setting the second record timer for the second television channel having a second end time coinciding with the end time of the second television program for the second television channel.

11. The method for recording multiple television channels of claim 8, wherein the tuner is configured to receive the transponder stream via a single transponder of a satellite.

12. The method for recording multiple television channels of claim 8, the method further comprising:

receiving data from a television service provider that indicates groupings of television channels available to be recorded concurrently using a single tuner; and

storing an indication of the groupings of television channels available to be recorded concurrently using the single tuner, wherein;

determining the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream comprises determining the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream are available for recording based on the stored indication of the groupings of television channels.

13. The method for recording multiple television channels of claim 8, wherein determining the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream comprises:

comparing transponder assignments for television channels in a locally-stored data structure to determine groupings of television channels transmitted on the transponder stream; and

determining the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream based on the compared transponder assignments.

14. The method for recording multiple television channels of claim 8, wherein determining the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream comprises:

determining the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream wherein, at a given time, each television channel of the plurality of television channels uses a same control word for descrambling.

15. A computer program product residing on a non-transitory processor-readable medium for recording multiple television channels, the computer program product comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more processors to:

receive a selection of a television program to record, wherein

the television program is broadcast on a first television channel, and

the first television channel is transmitted on a first transponder stream;

set a record timer for the television program, wherein the record timer specifies;

a television channel, a date, and a time period;

determine a plurality of television channels transmitted as part of the first transponder stream;

cause a user interface to be presented via a display device that permits a user to select from the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream;

receive a selection of a second television channel from the plurality of television channels;

in response to the selection of the second television channel of the plurality of television channels, analyze electronic programming guide information for the second television channel;

determine a first start time of the first record timer occurs during a scheduled broadcast of a second television program on the second television channel; and

set the second record timer for the second television channel having a second start time coinciding with the start time of the second television program for the second television channel, such that the second record timer is configured to initiate recording prior to the record timer.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein:

the first television channel is broadcast over a first period of time;

the second television channel is broadcast over a second period of time; and

the first period of time and the second period of time overlap.