EPG realignment

• US 8,997,153 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• 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: Templeman, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar, Pankaj
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hicks, Charles N
• Application Number:
  US13/797,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20130247107A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 725 37- 39, 725/47, 725/57, 725/89, 725 92- 95
• US Class Current: 725/47
• 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

Arrangements detailed may cause a television channel received via the tuner to be recorded for a period of time to create a channel-specific file. The channel-specific file may include multiple television programs. User input that requests playback of a first television program of the plurality of television programs from the channel-specific file may be received. A front-end adjustment time period for playback of the first television program may be determined. A start time from which playback commences in the channel-specific file may be at least partially based on the front-end adjustment time period and a scheduled start time of the television program.

Claims

1. A system for adjusting playback of television programming, the system 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;

cause a television channel, received via the tuner, to be recorded for a period of time to create a single channel-specific file, wherein;

the single channel-specific file comprises at least a first television program and a second television program,

the first television program corresponds with a first broadcast time slot; and

the second television program corresponds with a second broadcast time slot;

process received user input that requests playback of the second television program of a plurality of television programs from the channel-specific file;

determine a front-end adjustment time period for playback of the second television program, wherein the front-end adjustment time period corresponds with a portion of content recorded during the first broadcast time slot;

cause playback of the second television program to commence wherein

a start time at which playback commences in the single channel-specific file is at least partially based on the front-end adjustment time period and a scheduled start time of the second television program in the second broadcast time slot; and

cause output of electronic programming guide information regarding only the second television program during playback of the portion of content recorded during the first broadcast time slot, wherein the electronic programming guide information regarding only the second television program output during playback of the portion of content recorded during the first broadcast time slot comprises a title of the second television program and a description of the second television program.

2. A system for adjusting playback of television programming, the system 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;

cause a television channel received via the tuner to be recorded for a period of time to create a single channel-specific file, wherein

the single channel-specific file comprises a plurality of television

programs comprising at least a first television program and a second television program;

the first television program is scheduled for broadcast during a first broadcast time slot; and

the second television program is scheduled for broadcast during a second broadcast time slot;

process received user input that requests playback of a first television program of the plurality of television programs from the channel-specific file;

determine a front-end adjustment time period for playback of the second television program wherein the front-end adjustment time period corresponds with a portion of content recorded during the first broadcast time slot;

cause playback of the first television program to commence wherein a start time from which playback commences in the channel-specific file is at least partially based on the front-end adjustment time period and a scheduled start time of the first television program; and

cause output of electronic programming guide information regarding only the second television program during playback of the portion of content recorded during the first broadcast time slot, wherein the electronic programming guide information regarding only the second television program output during playback of the portion of content recorded during the first broadcast time slot comprises a title of the second television program and a description of the second television program.

3. The system for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 2, wherein the processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, are further configured to cause the one or more processors to:

process an indication of a length of time to use as the front-end adjustment time period received by the tuner.

4. The system for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 2, the system further comprising a user interface, wherein the processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, are further configured to cause the one or more processors to:

process an indication of a length of time to use as the front-end adjustment time period received via the user interface.

5. The system for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 2, wherein the front-end adjustment time period is between one and five minutes in length.

6. The system for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 2, wherein the processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, are further configured to cause the one or more processors to:

determine a back-end adjustment time period for playback of the second television program; and

cause playback of the second television program to end wherein an end time at which playback ends in the channel-specific file is at least partially based on the back-end adjustment time period and a scheduled end time of the second television program.

7. The system for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 6, wherein the processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, are further configured to cause the one or more processors to:

cause electronic programming guide information about the second television program to be output for display during the back-end adjustment time period, wherein

the electronic programming guide information is based on selection of the second television program of the plurality of television programs from the channel-specific file.

8. The system for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 7, wherein the processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, are further configured to cause the one or more processors to:

process user input received during the back-end adjustment time period, wherein;

the processor-readable instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to cause the electronic programming guide information about the first television program to be output for display during the back-end adjustment time period occur in response to the user input.

9. The system for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 2, wherein the processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, are further configured to cause the one or more processors to:

process an indication of the start time for the second television program received via the tuner, wherein

the front-end adjustment time period is based on the indication.

10. The system for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 2, wherein the processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, are further configured to cause the one or more processors to:

receive a channel-specific value to use for a length of the front-end adjustment time period, wherein the channel-specific value is based on a historical analysis of television program start times of the television channel conducted by a television service provider.

11. A method for adjusting playback of television programming, comprising:

recording a television channel via a tuner for a period of time to create a single channel-specific file, wherein

the single channel-specific file comprises a plurality of television

programs, comprising at least a first television program and a second television program;

the first television program is scheduled for broadcast during a first broadcast time slot; and

the second television program is scheduled for broadcast during a second broadcast time slot;

processing received user input that requests playback of a first television program of the plurality of television programs from the channel-specific file;

determining a front-end adjustment time period for playback of the second television program wherein the front-end adjustment time period corresponds with a portion of content recorded during the first broadcast time slot;

commencing playback of the second television program wherein

a start time from which playback commences in the channel-specific file is at least partially based on the front-end adjustment time period and a scheduled start time of the second television program; and

outputting electronic programming guide information about only the second television program for display during the front-end adjustment time period, wherein;

the electronic programming guide information is presented based on selection of the second television program of the plurality of television programs from the channel-specific file; and

the electronic programming guide information regarding only the second television program during playback of the portion of content recorded during the first broadcast time slot output during playback comprises a title of the first television program and a description of the first television program.

12. The method for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 11, further comprising:

processing an indication of a length of time to use as the front-end adjustment time period received by the tuner.

13. The method for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 11, further comprising:

processing an indication of a length of time to use as the front-end adjustment time period received via a user interface.

14. The method for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 11, wherein the front-end adjustment time period is between one and five minutes in length.

15. The method for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 11, further comprising:

determining a back-end adjustment time period for playback of the second television program; and

causing playback of the first television program to end wherein an end time at which playback ends in the channel-specific file is at least partially based on the back-end adjustment time period and a scheduled end time of the second television program.

16. The method for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 15, further comprising:

outputting electronic programming guide information about the second television program for display during the back-end adjustment time period, wherein

the electronic programming guide information is based on selection of the second television program of the plurality of television programs from the channel-specific file.

17. The method for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 16, further comprising:

processing user input received during the back-end adjustment time period, wherein;

outputting the electronic programming guide information about the second television program for display during the back-end adjustment time period occurs in response to the user input.

18. The method for adjusting playback of television programming of claim 11, further comprising:

processing an indication of the start time for the second television program received via the tuner, wherein

the front-end adjustment time period is based on the indication.