Client-server based interactive guide with server recording
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for recording programs in a location remote to users comprising:
- receiving, over a communications path using Internet Protocol (IP), a first record request, generated by a first user equipment, to record a first program;
receiving, over the communications path using IP, an indication from the first user equipment of a video format for recording the first program;
processing the first record request;
scheduling a first recording of the first program for storage in a storage device, in the location remote to the users, in response to processing the first record request;
recording the first program to the storage device using the indicated video format;
receiving, over the communications path using IP, a first playback request for the first program from the first user equipment;
processing the first playback request;
causing the recorded first program to be transmitted to the first user equipment in response to processing the first playback request;
receiving, over the communications path using IP, a second record request, generated by a second user equipment, to record a second program;
processing the second record request;
scheduling a second recording of the second program for storage in the storage device in response to processing the second record request;
recording the second program to the storage device;
receiving, over the communications path using IP, a second playback request for the second program from the second user equipment;
processing the second playback request; and
causing the recorded second program to be transmitted to the second user equipment in response to processing the second playback request.
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Abstract
An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for recording programs in a location remote to users comprising:
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receiving, over a communications path using Internet Protocol (IP), a first record request, generated by a first user equipment, to record a first program; receiving, over the communications path using IP, an indication from the first user equipment of a video format for recording the first program; processing the first record request; scheduling a first recording of the first program for storage in a storage device, in the location remote to the users, in response to processing the first record request; recording the first program to the storage device using the indicated video format; receiving, over the communications path using IP, a first playback request for the first program from the first user equipment; processing the first playback request; causing the recorded first program to be transmitted to the first user equipment in response to processing the first playback request; receiving, over the communications path using IP, a second record request, generated by a second user equipment, to record a second program; processing the second record request; scheduling a second recording of the second program for storage in the storage device in response to processing the second record request; recording the second program to the storage device; receiving, over the communications path using IP, a second playback request for the second program from the second user equipment; processing the second playback request; and causing the recorded second program to be transmitted to the second user equipment in response to processing the second playback request. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 25)
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7. A system for recording programs in a location remote to users comprising:
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a server in the location remote to the users comprising; a storage device; communications circuitry configured to; receive, over a communications path using Internet Protocol (IP), a first record request, generated by a first user equipment, to record a first program, receive over the communications path using IP, an indication from the first user equipment of a video format for recording the first program, receive, over the communications path using IP, a second record request, generated by a second user equipment, to record a second program, receive, over the communications path using IP, a first playback request for the first program from the first user equipment, receive, over the communications path using IP, a second playback request for the second program from the second user equipment, and transmit programs, over the communications path using IP, to the first user equipment and the second user equipment; and control circuitry configured to; process the first record request, schedule a first recording of the first program for storage in the storage device in response to processing the first record request, record the first program to the storage device using the indicated video format, process the second record request, schedule a second recording of the second program for storage in the storage device in response to processing the second record request, record the second program to the storage device, process the first playback request, cause the recorded first program to be transmitted by the communications circuitry in response to processing the first playback request, process the second playback request, and cause the recorded second program to be transmitted by the communications circuitry in response to processing the second playback request. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for storing programs in a location remote to users comprising:
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receiving, over a communications path using Internet Protocol (IP), a first storage request, generated by a first user equipment, to store a first program; receiving, over the communications path using IP, an indication from the first user equipment of a video format for storing the first program; processing the first storage request; storing the first program to a storage device using the indicated video format, in the location remote to the users; receiving, over the communications path using IP, a first playback request for the first program from the first user equipment; processing the first playback request; causing the stored first program to be transmitted to the first user equipment in response to processing the first playback request; receiving, over the communications path using IP, a second storage request, generated by a second user equipment, to store a second program; processing the second storage request; storing the second program to the storage device; receiving, over the communications path using IP, a second playback request for the second program from the second user equipment; processing the second playback request; and causing the stored second program to be transmitted to the second user equipment in response to processing the second playback request. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 26)
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19. A system for storing programs in a location remote to users comprising:
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a server in the location remote to the users comprising; a storage device; communications circuitry configured to; receive, over a communications path using Internet Protocol (IP), a first storage request, generated by a first user equipment, to store a first program, receive, over the communications path using IP, an indication from the first user equipment of a video format for storing the first program; receive, over the communications path using IP, a second storage request, generated by a second user equipment, to store a second program, receive, over the communications path using the IP, a first playback request for the first program from the first user equipment, receive, over the communications path using the IP, a second playback request for the second program from the second user equipment, and transmit programs, over the communications path using IP, to the first user equipment and the second user equipment; and control circuitry configured to; process the first storage request, store the first program to the storage device using the indicated video format, process the second storage request, store the second program to the storage device, process the first playback request, cause the stored first program to be transmitted by the communications circuitry in response to processing the first playback request, process the second playback request, and cause the stored second program to be transmitted by the communications circuitry in response to processing the second playback request. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification