Interactive television program guide systems with digital video recording support

• US 20050160461A1
• Filed: 01/21/2004
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Ellis, Michael D., Baumgartner, Joseph P.
• Application Number:
  US10/762,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20050160461A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/52
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/32 on separate auxiliary tracks of the same or an auxiliary record carrier
• 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 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• 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 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• 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 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• 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 21/47 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 21/482 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 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

An interactive television system is provided in which a program listings grid is displayed for the user. The user can scroll in the backwards direction to view information on programs that have been recorded and certain video-on-demand content. Icons or other visual indicators may be provided on program listings screens to indicate the status of the programs. The status information may include an indication of whether programs are available for recording, have been recorded, are being recorded, or will be recorded, or whether a given program is available for advance viewing through the interactive television system'"'"'s video-on-demand service. Programs can be recorded automatically on user equipment or on network-based equipment. A program may be automatically recorded when a user sets a reminder for the program but fails to watch the program or when a given program is determined to satisfy the user'"'"'s television viewing preferences.

Claims

1. A method for providing a user with program information using an interactive television application implemented at least partially on user equipment, the method comprising:

displaying a list of program listings; and

allowing the user to scroll through the list backwards in time such that the displayed list includes at least one previously recorded program available for viewing by the user and at least one empty cell in the grid corresponding to an unrecorded program.

2. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the displayed list includes at least one video-on-demand program that is available for viewing by the user.

3. The method defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one previously recorded program is stored on a local personal video recorder.

4. The method defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one previously recorded program is stored on a network-based video recorder.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing the user to select for viewing a previously recorded program listed in the list.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program is scheduled for recording.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program has been recorded.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program is currently being recorded.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program is a video-on-demand program.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the allowing the user to scroll the grid backwards in time comprises displaying a list of previously recorded programs.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the list includes at least one video-on-demand program available for viewing.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the allowing the user to scroll the list backwards in time comprises displaying at least one category of previously recorded programs.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one program listed in the list is available for viewing for a limited time, the method further comprising allowing the user to extend the time of availability of said program.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing the user to set a reminder for at least one program listed in the list.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

determining if the user is watching the program for which a reminder was set; and

recording automatically said program if the user is not watching said program.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing the user to schedule for recording at least one program listed in the list.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a personal profile based on gathered information relating to the user.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising setting a reminder for a program, wherein said program is selected based at least in part on the personal profile.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising recording a program, wherein said program is selected based at least in part on the personal profile.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the allowing the user to scroll the list backwards in time comprises:

determining whether at least one row of the grid consists of empty cells; and

collapsing the grid to remove the at least one row of empty cells.

21. User equipment for providing a user with program information using an interactive television application implemented at least partially on user equipment, the user equipment comprising:

a display;

control circuitry configured to;

display a list of program listings; and

allow the user to scroll through the list backwards in time such that the displayed list includes at least one previously recorded program available for viewing by the user and at least one empty cell in the grid corresponding to an unrecorded program.

22. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein the displayed list includes at least one video-on-demand demand program that is available for viewing by the user.

23. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein at least one of the at least one previously recorded program is stored on a local personal video recorder.

24. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein at least one of the at least one previously recorded program is stored on a network-based video recorder.

25. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow the user to select for viewing a previously recorded program listed in the list.

26. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program is scheduled for recording.

27. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program has been recorded.

28. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program is currently being recorded.

29. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program is a video-on-demand program.

30. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein the control circuitry, when configured to allow the user to scroll the grid backwards in time, is configured to display a list of previously recorded programs.

31. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein the list includes at least one video-on-demand program available for viewing.

32. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein the control circuitry, when configured to allow the user to scroll the grid backwards in time, is configured to display at least one category of previously recorded programs.

33. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein at least one program listed in the list is available for viewing for a limited time and the control circuitry is further configured to allow the user to extend the time of availability of said program.

34. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow the user to set a reminder for at least one program listed in the list.

35. The user equipment of claim 34, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

determine if the user is watching the program for which a reminder was set; and

record automatically said program if the user is not watching said program.

36. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow the user to schedule for recording at least one program listed in the list.

37. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determine a personal profile based on gathered information relating to the user.

38. The user equipment of claim 37, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to set a reminder for a program, wherein said program is selected based at least in part on the personal profile.

39. The user equipment of claim 37, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to record a program, wherein said program is selected based at least in part on the personal profile.

40. The user equipment of claim 21, wherein the control circuitry, when configured to allow the user to scroll the grid backwards in time, is configured to:

determine whether at least one row of the grid consists of empty cells; and

collapse the grid to remove the at least one row of empty cells.

41. A system for providing a user with program information using an interactive television application implemented at least partially on user equipment, the system comprising:

means for displaying a list of program listings; and

means for allowing the user to scroll through the list backwards in time such that the displayed list includes at least one previously recorded program available for viewing by the user and at least one empty cell in the grid corresponding to an unrecorded program.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the displayed list includes at least one video-on-demand program that is available for viewing by the user.

43. The system of claim 41, wherein at least one of the at least one previously recorded program is stored on a local personal video recorder.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein at least one of the at least one previously recorded program is stored on a network-based video recorder.

45. The system of claim 41 further comprising means for allowing the user to select for viewing a previously recorded program listed in the list.

46. The system of claim 41, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program is scheduled for recording.

47. The system of claim 41, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program has been recorded.

48. The system of claim 41, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program is currently being recorded.

49. The system of claim 41, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program is a video-on-demand program.

50. The system of claim 41, wherein the means for allowing the user to scroll the grid backwards in time comprises means for displaying a list of previously recorded programs.

51. The system of claim 41, wherein the list includes at least one video-on-demand program available for viewing.

52. The system of claim 41, wherein the means for allowing the user to scroll the list backwards in time comprises means for displaying at least one category of previously recorded programs.

53. The system of claim 41, wherein at least one program listed in the list is available for viewing for a limited time, the system further comprising means for allowing the user to extend the time of availability of said program.

54. The system of claim 41 further comprising means for allowing the user to set a reminder for at least one program listed in the list.

55. The system of claim 54 further comprising:

means for determining if the user is watching the program for which a reminder was set; and

means for recording automatically said program if the user is not watching said program.

56. The system of claim 41 further comprising means for allowing the user to schedule for recording at least one program listed in the list.

57. The system of claim 41 further comprising means for determining a personal profile based on gathered information relating to the user.

58. The system of claim 57 further comprising means for setting a reminder for a program, wherein said program is selected based at least in part on the personal profile.

59. The system of claim 57 further comprising means for recording a program, wherein said program is selected based at least in part on the personal profile.

60. The system of claim 41, wherein the means for allowing the user to scroll the list backwards in time comprises:

means for determining whether at least one row of the grid consists of empty cells; and

means for collapsing the grid to remove the at least one row of empty cells.

61. Machine-readable media for use in an interactive television application implemented at least partially on user equipment, in which the interactive television application provides a user with program information, wherein the media is encoded with machine-readable instructions for performing the method comprising:

displaying a list of program listings; and

allowing the user to scroll through the list backwards in time such that the displayed list includes at least one previously recorded program available for viewing by the user and at least one empty cell in the grid corresponding to an unrecorded program.

62. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein the displayed list includes at least one video-on-demand program that is available for viewing by the user.

63. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein at least one of the at least one previously recorded program is stored on a local personal video recorder.

64. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein at least one of the at least one previously recorded program is stored on a network-based video recorder.

65. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein the method further comprises allowing the user to select for viewing a previously recorded program listed in the list.

66. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program is scheduled for recording.

67. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program has been recorded.

68. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program is currently being recorded.

69. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein at least one program listed in the list is associated with a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator indicates that the associated program is a video-on-demand program.

70. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein the allowing the user to scroll the grid backwards in time comprises displaying a list of previously recorded programs.

71. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein the list includes at least one video-on-demand program available for viewing.

72. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein the allowing the user to scroll the list backwards in time comprises displaying at least one category of previously recorded programs.

73. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein at least one program listed in the list is available for viewing for a limited time, wherein the method further comprises allowing the user to extend the time of availability of said program.

74. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein the method further comprises allowing the user to set a reminder for at least one program listed in the list.

75. The machine-readable media of claim 74, wherein the method further comprises:

determining if the user is watching the program for which a reminder was set; and

recording automatically said program if the user is not watching said program.

76. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein the method further comprises allowing the user to schedule for recording at least one program listed in the list.

77. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein the method further comprises determining a personal profile based on gathered information relating to the user.

78. The machine-readable media of claim 77, wherein the method further comprises setting a reminder for a program, wherein said program is selected based at least in part on the personal profile.

79. The machine-readable media of claim 77, wherein the method further comprises recording a program, wherein said program is selected based at least in part on the personal profile.

80. The machine-readable media of claim 61, wherein the allowing the user to scroll the grid backwards in time comprises:

determining whether at least one row of the grid consists of empty cells; and

collapsing the grid to remove the at least one row of empty cells.