U.S. patent application number 11/183536 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-08 for series recording using an interactive television program guide.
This patent application is currently assigned to United Video Properties, Inc.. Invention is credited to Allison, Donald W., Ellis, Michael D., Knudson, Edward B., Lemmons, Thomas R., Satterfield, Kevin D..
Application Number | 20050273819 11/183536 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43706247 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050273819 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Knudson, Edward B. ; et
al. |
December 8, 2005 |
Series recording using an interactive television program guide
Abstract
An interactive television program guide system with program
series reminder and recording capabilities is provided. The system
allows a user to set a reminder or schedule a recording for a
single episode or for each episode of a program series. In
addition, other options may be provided that allow the user to
determine, for example, whether to schedule reminders/recordings
for episodes on all channels on which the program airs or only on a
selected channels, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for all
episodes including reruns or only new episodes, whether to schedule
reminders/recordings for network or syndicated episodes, and
whether to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all days
or only on selected days of the week. Before the scheduled
broadcast time of each episode of each selected program series, the
system sends a reminder message to the user that reminds the user
of the program episode or sends a record command to a videocassette
recorder to initiate recording of the episode. The system allows a
user to view a list of all currently requested program reminders
and scheduled program recordings. The user may update, change, or
cancel any entry in either list or the system may automatically
update the lists to match new broadcast schedule information. If
the user sets a reminder or schedules a recording that conflicts
with an existing reminder or recording, the system may inform the
user of the conflict and allow the user to resolve the conflict or
the system may resolve the conflict.
Inventors: |
Knudson, Edward B.;
(Littleton, CO) ; Lemmons, Thomas R.; (Sand
Springs, OK) ; Satterfield, Kevin D.; (Mannford,
OK) ; Allison, Donald W.; (Tulsa, OK) ; Ellis,
Michael D.; (Boulder, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & NEAVE IP GROUP
ROPES & GRAY LLP
1251 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS FL C3
NEW YORK
NY
10020-1105
US
|
Assignee: |
United Video Properties,
Inc.
Tulsa
OK
|
Family ID: |
43706247 |
Appl. No.: |
11/183536 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11183536 |
Jul 18, 2005 |
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10929111 |
Aug 26, 2004 |
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10929111 |
Aug 26, 2004 |
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09330792 |
Jun 11, 1999 |
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60088888 |
Jun 11, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/58 ;
348/E5.105; 386/E5.043; 725/39; 725/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/47 20130101;
H04N 21/4583 20130101; H04N 21/84 20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101;
H04N 5/44543 20130101; H04N 9/79 20130101; H04N 5/782 20130101;
H04N 21/4147 20130101; H04N 21/6143 20130101; H04N 21/4828
20130101; H04N 21/4882 20130101; H04N 21/6543 20130101; H04N 5/76
20130101; H04N 21/4334 20130101; H04N 21/47214 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/058 ;
725/039; 725/042 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/445; G06F
003/00; G06F 013/00 |
Claims
1-254. (canceled)
255. A method for recording television programs on user television
equipment, comprising: allowing a user to select a program for
recording; determining whether the selected program is an episode
of a series of programs; and in response to the determination that
the program is not an episode of a series of programs: providing an
option to record the program that is not an episode of a series of
programs; and omitting an option to record a series of
programs.
256. The method of claim 255, further comprising providing an
option to schedule a reminder for the program.
257. The method of claim 255, further comprising omitting an option
to schedule a reminder for a series of programs.
258. The method of claim 255, further comprising recording the
program to a storage device.
259. The method of claim 258, wherein the storage device is located
at a server.
260. The method of claim 255, further comprising, in response to
the determination that the program is an episode of a series of
programs, providing an option to record the program that is an
episode of a series of programs to a storage device.
261. The method of claim 260, further comprising recording the
program to the storage device.
262. The method of claim 261, wherein the storage device is located
at a server.
263. The method of claim 260, further comprising providing an
option to record the series of programs related to the program to
the storage device.
264. The method of claim 255, further comprising displaying a
program recording update screen that provides at least one
additional option to the user.
265. The method of claim 264, wherein the at least one additional
option allows the user to delete a scheduled recording.
266. The method of claim 264, wherein the at least one additional
option allows the user to update a scheduled recording.
267. The method of claim 260, further comprising displaying a
program recording update screen that provides at least one
additional option to the user.
268. The method of claim 267, wherein the at least one additional
option allows the user to delete a scheduled recording.
269. The method of claim 267, wherein the at least one additional
option allows the user to update a scheduled recording.
270. The method of claim 267, wherein the at least one additional
option allows the user to delete the scheduled recording of a
single episode.
271. The method of claim 267, wherein the at least one additional
option allows the user to delete the scheduled recording for an
entire series of programs.
272. The method of claim 255, wherein the omitting the option to
record the series of programs comprises preventing the selection of
the option to record the series of programs.
273. A system for recording television programs on user television
equipment of a plurality of users, the system comprising: a display
device; a user interface; user television equipment on which an
interactive television program guide is at least partially
implemented, wherein the interactive television program guide is
programmed to: display on the display device at least one program
listing related to at least one program currently scheduled to be
recorded; allow a user using the user interface to select a program
listing from the at least one displayed program listing; determine
whether a program that corresponds to the program listing is an
episode of a series of programs; and in response to the
determination that the program is not an episode of a series of
programs: provide an option to record the program that is not an
episode of a series of programs; and omit an option to record a
series of programs.
274. The system of claim 273, wherein the interactive television
program guide is further programmed to provide an option to
schedule a reminder for the program.
275. The system of claim 273, wherein the interactive television
program guide is further programmed to omit an option to schedule a
reminder for a series of programs.
276. The system of claim 273, wherein the interactive television
program guide is further programmed to record the program to a
storage device.
277. The system of claim 276, wherein the storage device is located
at a server.
278. The system of claim 273, wherein the interactive television
program guide is further programmed to, in response to the
determination that the program is an episode of a series of
programs, provide an option to record the program that is an
episode of a series of programs to a storage device.
279. The system of claim 278, wherein the interactive television
program guide is further programmed to record the program to the
storage device.
280. The system of claim 279, wherein the storage device is located
at a server.
281. The system of claim 278, wherein the interactive television
program guide is further programmed to provide an option to record
the series of programs related to the program to the storage
device.
282. The system of claim 273, wherein the interactive television
program guide is further programmed to display a program recording
update screen that provides at least one additional option to the
user.
283. The system of claim 282, wherein the at least one additional
option allows the user to delete a scheduled recording.
284. The system of claim 282, wherein the at least one additional
option allows the user to update a scheduled recording.
285. The system of claim 278, wherein the interactive television
program guide is further programmed to display a program recording
update screen that provides at least one additional option to the
user.
286. The system of claim 285, wherein the at least one additional
option allows the user to delete a scheduled recording.
287. The system of claim 285, wherein the at least one additional
option allows the user to update a scheduled recording.
288. The system of claim 285, wherein the at least one additional
option allows the user to delete the scheduled recording of a
single episode.
289. The system of claim 285, wherein the at least one additional
option allows the user to delete the scheduled recording for an
entire series of programs.
290. The system of claim 273, wherein the interactive television
program guide omits the option to record the series of programs by
preventing the selection of the option to record the series of
programs.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application No. 60/088,888 filed Jun. 11, 1998.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to interactive television program
guides, and more particularly, to interactive television program
guides with program series reminder and recording capabilities.
[0003] Cable, satellite, and broadcast television systems provide
viewers with a large number of television channels. Viewers have
traditionally consulted printed television program schedules to
determine the programs being broadcast at a particular time. More
recently, interactive television program guides have been developed
that allow television program information to be displayed on a
viewer's television.
[0004] Interactive program guides are typically implemented on
set-top boxes. Such program guides allow users to view television
program listings in different display formats. For example, a user
may instruct the program guide to display a grid or table of
program listings organized in a channel-ordered or a time-ordered
list. Users may also search and sort program listings by genre
(e.g., movies, sports, etc.) or by title (i.e., alphabetically). A
user may obtain additional information for a program by placing a
highlight region on a desired program listing and pressing an
"info" button.
[0005] Program guide data such as program listings, pay-per-view
program purchasing information, promotional information, etc. is
provided to users' set-top boxes with a data distribution system.
Program guide data is typically stored in a central program guide
database. Program guide data from the central database is
transmitted to the headend facilities of various cable systems.
Each headend distributes the program guide data to the set-top
boxes in its system.
[0006] Some systems allow the user to set reminders to notify the
user when certain television programs are to be aired. In such
systems, when a user sets a reminder, the program guide will notify
the user just prior to when the program is scheduled to be aired or
automatically cause the system to tune to the program as it begins
airing. However, if the user watches the same program each week and
wishes to be notified with a reminder each time the program airs, a
new reminder typically must be set by the user each time.
[0007] Some systems allow the user to select a program for
recording by placing the highlight region on a program listing and
pressing a "record" button. Moreover, the user may be able to
schedule an upcoming program for recording. In such systems, when a
user has scheduled a program to be recorded, the program guide may
automatically cause the system to tune to the program as it begins
airing, send a record command to a videocassette recorder to begin
recording the program, and then stop the videocassette recorder
from recording at the end of the program. The system may allow the
user to record a program once, daily, weekly, or just weekdays.
However, in order for the system to correctly record a program in a
series each time it airs, the program must air at the same time and
channel. If the program airs at a different channel or time, or if
the user wishes to change the scheduled time or channel of
recording, the programs in the series may not be recorded
properly.
[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an interactive television program guide system with program
series reminder and recording capabilities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] This and other objects of the invention are accomplished in
accordance with the principles of the present invention by
providing an interactive television program guide with series
reminder and series recording capabilities.
[0010] Program guide data is generally available in a data source
of a main facility. The main facility provides data from the data
source to multiple television distribution facilities via
communications links. The data transmitted by the main facility to
the television distribution facilities typically include at least
television program listings data such as program times, channels,
titles, ratings, categories, and descriptions. In addition,
television program listings data may include information indicating
whether the program is an episode of a program series and if the
program is a new episode or a rerun.
[0011] Each television distribution facility distributes the
television program listings data to multiple users via
communications paths. Each user has user television equipment for
displaying the television program listings information. The
communications paths preferably have sufficient bandwidth to allow
the television distribution facility to distribute multiple
channels of television programming to the user television
equipment.
[0012] The user television equipment that receives and processes
the television program listings data from the television
distribution facility may include a set-top box and a videocassette
recorder. The set-top box may display television program listings
on the user's display screen in the form of an interactive grid or
list if desired. The user can interact with the television program
guide by entering commands via a user input interface. An
illustrative user input interface is an infrared remote control
with arrow keys, a "guide" button, a "record" button, an "info"
button, and various other keys.
[0013] When the user presses "guide," a grid or list is displayed
that contains television program listings. For example, the program
listings may be displayed in a grid format organized in channel
order from top to bottom and by broadcast time from left to right.
The user may scroll through the listings to locate programs at
different times in the day or different days in the week using the
arrow keys. The user can also position a highlight region on the
desired entry by using the arrow keys.
[0014] If a user selects a program or pay-per-view event from the
program listings, the user may set a reminder, which directs the
system to generate a reminder message just before the scheduled
broadcast time of the selected program to remind the user of the
selected program. The user may schedule the program to be recorded
on the videocassette recorder. The program guide may direct the
set-top box to initiate recording of the program at the proper
time. Recording a program in this way causes the set-top box to
send a record command over a control path to the videocassette
recorder.
[0015] When a user orders a reminder or schedules a recording, the
system will determine if the selected program is an episode of a
program series. If the selected program is not an episode of a
series, the system will allow the user to order a reminder or
schedule a recording for that single broadcast. If the selected
program is an episode of a series, the program automatically
presents the user with an opportunity to set a reminder or schedule
a recording for that single episode or to set a reminder or
schedule a recording for each episode of the series. In addition,
other options may be provided that allow the user to determine, for
example, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on
all channels on which the program airs or only on the selected
channel, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for all episodes
including reruns or only new episodes, and whether to schedule
reminders/recordings for episodes on all days or only on the
selected day of the week. Moreover, other options may be provided
that allow the user to schedule recordings for episodes that have
not been recorded in the past or to set reminders for episodes that
have not been viewed by the user in the past.
[0016] Before the scheduled broadcast time of each episode of each
selected program series, the system sends a reminder message to the
user that reminds the user of the program episode or sends a record
command to the videocassette recorder or otherwise initiates
recording of the episode.
[0017] The user may also view a list of all currently requested
program reminders. Information such as the program name, type of
program reminder, and the date and time the request was submitted
may be displayed in the list for each reminder. The list may also
indicate whether the entry represents a single program broadcast (a
one-time reminder) or an episode of a program series. The list may
also indicate whether or not the program is a rerun.
[0018] The user may view a list of all currently scheduled program
recordings. Information such as the program name, the date and time
the request was submitted, the date, time, channel, and length of
the recording, and whether the scheduled entry represents a single
program or an episode of a program series may be displayed for each
entry.
[0019] Entries may be added to either the program reminder list or
recording list as soon as the user makes a new request for either a
reminder or recording. Moreover, if broadcast schedule information
for any entry in either list is updated in the program listings,
the system will automatically update the lists accordingly to match
the new broadcast schedule information. This may prevent the user
from missing a reminder or recording due to unexpected programming
schedule changes. The user may also update or change any entry in
either list manually using the remote control. In addition, the
user may cancel any entry if the user no longer wishes to record or
be reminded of an individual program, an episode of a series or the
entire series. If the user selects a program from the program
listings for which a reminder has already been set or a recording
scheduled, the system will provide the user with an opportunity to
edit or cancel entries from the reminder or recording lists.
[0020] If the user sets a reminder that conflicts with an existing
reminder, the system may inform the user of the conflict. The
system may issue multiple reminders. If desired, the user may be
provided with an opportunity to resolve conflicts between reminders
by allowing the user to select preferred reminders. However,
systems having a single videocassette recorder used for recording
and because a videocassette recorder can only record a single
program at a time, scheduled recording conflicts should be
resolved. Recording conflicts may be resolved in several ways.
Recording conflicts may, for example, be resolved automatically by
the system based on specified user preferences. The user may
resolve conflicts directly as soon as the conflicts are detected.
The system may allow the user to resolve any conflicts immediately
or at a later, more convenient time. Alternatively, if the system
provides for simultaneous recordings, the system may not inform the
user of the conflict or provide the user with an opportunity to
resolve the conflict.
[0021] Further features of the invention, its nature and various
advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and
the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative
system in accordance with the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of illustrative user
television equipment in accordance with the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a generalized schematic block diagram of portions
of the illustrative television equipment of FIG. 2.
[0025] FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrative program guide display screens
in accordance with the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 6 is an illustrative detailed remind/record display
screen in accordance with the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 7 is an illustrative reminder screen that allows the
user to enter information for setting reminders in accordance with
the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 8 is an illustrative information screen that allows the
user to enter more information when setting reminders in accordance
with the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 9 is a diagram of an illustrative reminder displayed on
the user's television screen in accordance with the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 10 is a diagram of an illustrative reminder screen
listing all current reminders in accordance with the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 10a is an illustrative reminder screen that allows the
user to view, update, or cancel reminders in accordance with the
present invention.
[0032] FIG. 11 is an illustrative recording screen that allows the
user to enter information for scheduling recordings in accordance
with the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a diagram of an illustrative recording screen
listing all currently scheduled recordings in accordance with the
present invention.
[0034] FIG. 12a is an illustrative recording screen that allows the
user to view, update, or cancel recordings in accordance with the
present invention.
[0035] FIG. 13 is a diagram of an illustrative reminder screen
listing all current reminders and detected conflicts in accordance
with the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 14 is a diagram of an illustrative recording screen
listing all currently scheduled recordings and detected conflicts
in accordance with the present invention.
[0037] FIGS. 15 and 16 are illustrative recording screens that
allow the user to resolve recording conflicts in accordance with
the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the interrelationships between
various program guide display screens that may be selected in
accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] An illustrative system 10 in accordance with the present
invention is shown in FIG. 1. Main facility 12 provides data from
data source 14 to television distribution facility 16 via
communications link 18. Link 18 may be a satellite link, a
telephone network link, a cable or fiber optic link, a microwave
link, a combination of such links, or any other suitable
communications path. If it is desired to transmit video signals
over link 18 in addition to data signals, a relatively high
bandwidth link such as a satellite link may generally be preferable
to a relatively low bandwidth link such as a telephone line.
Television distribution facility 16 may be a cable system headend,
a broadcast distribution facility, a satellite television
distribution facility, or other such suitable data distribution
facility.
[0040] Only one such television distribution facility 16 is shown
in FIG. 1 to avoid overcomplicating the drawings. In general,
however, main facility 12 distributes data to many such television
distribution facilities in parallel. For clarity, the present
invention will be described primarily in the context of a single
television distribution facility 16.
[0041] The data transmitted by main facility 12 to television
distribution facility 16 includes television program listings data
(e.g., program times, channels, ratings, program categories,
titles, and descriptions of individual programs, episodes of
series, or entire series). In addition, television program listings
data may include information indicating whether a given program is
a single broadcast or an episode of a program series. The data may
also include information whether a given program is a new first-run
episode or is a rerun and whether a given program is a network or
syndicated episode.
[0042] Television distribution facility 16 distributes the
television program listings data to multiple users via
communications paths 20. Each user has user television equipment 22
for displaying the television program listings information with an
interactive television program guide implemented on user television
equipment 22. Communications paths 20 preferably have sufficient
bandwidth to allow television distribution facility 16 to
distribute television programming to user television equipment. If
desired, the television programming or data may be provided over
separate communications paths.
[0043] An illustrative arrangement for user television equipment 22
is shown in FIG. 2. User television equipment 24 of FIG. 2 receives
video and data from television distribution facility 16 (FIG. 1) at
input 26. During normal television viewing, the user tunes set-top
box 28 to a desired television channel. The signal for that
television channel is then provided at video output 30 either as a
radio-frequency (RF) signal on a predefined channel (e.g., channel
3 or 4) or as a demodulated video signal or digital signal. The
video signal at output 30 may be received by videocassette recorder
32, so that the user may record programs. Program recording and
other features may be controlled by set-top box 28 using control
path 34. A typical control path 34 involves the use of an infrared
transmitter coupled to the infrared receiver in videocassette
recorder 32 that normally accepts commands from a remote control
such as remote control 40. Remote control 40 may be used to control
set-top box 28, videocassette recorder 32, and television 36.
[0044] Television 36 receives radio-frequency or demodulated video
signals or digital signals from videocassette recorder 32 or
set-top box 28 via communications path 38. The video signals on
communications path 38 may either be generated by videocassette
recorder 32 when playing back a prerecorded videocassette or may be
passed through videocassette recorder 32 from set-top box 28.
During normal television viewing, the video signals provided to
television 36 correspond to the desired channel to which the user
has tuned with set-top box 28. When the user wishes to view
interactive television program guide information, the user may, for
example, press a "guide" button on remote control 40 or view the
information using other suitable technique. When set-top box 28
receives commands from remote control 40 that inform set-top box 28
that the guide button has been pressed, the interactive television
program guide is invoked and processing circuitry within set-top
box 28 displays various program guide display screens on television
36.
[0045] A more generalized embodiment of the user television
equipment of 24 FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3,
video and data signals from television distribution facility 16
(FIG. 1) are received by control circuitry 42 of user television
equipment 44. Video signals are typically provided on multiple
television channels. Data may be provided by transmission on a
television channel sideband, in the vertical blanking interval of a
television channel, as a digital data stream either in-band with
programming or out-of-band, or by any other suitable analog or
digital data transmission technique.
[0046] The user controls the operation of user television equipment
44 with user input interface 46. User input interface 46 may be a
pointing device, wireless remote control, keyboard, touch pad,
voice recognition system, or any other suitable user input device.
To watch television, the user instructs control circuitry 42 to
display a desired television channel on monitor 48 or any other
suitable display device such as a computer monitor. To record a
program, the user instructs control circuitry 42 to record a
desired television program using recording device 45 or any other
suitable recording device such as a recordable DVD or a hardisk. To
view program guide information, the user instructs control
circuitry 42 to display a program guide display screen on monitor
48.
[0047] The functions of control circuitry 42 may be provided using
the set-top box arrangement of FIG. 2. Alternatively, these
functions may be integrated into a television or videocassette
recorder arrangement. These functions may also be provided by an
advanced television receiver such as a high-definition television
(HDTV) receiver, a personal computer television (PC/TV) or the
like. If desired, a combination of such arrangements may be
used.
[0048] If desired, an interactive television program guide may be
implemented on system 10 using a client-server architecture. For
example, a server at television distribution facility 16 (17 of
FIG. 1) may operate in cooperation with user television equipment
22 which acts as a client. With this type of arrangement, some
program guide functions (such as functions related to maintaining a
program listings database) may be performed primarily at the
server, whereas other functions (such as display and user input
functions) may be performed primarily at user television equipment
22. Moreover, in such a client-server architecture implementation,
some or all of the reminder and recording functions may be
implemented on the server. Further features of an illustrative
interactive television program guide implemented on a client-server
architecture are described in Hassell et al. U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith (Attorney
Docket No. UV-110), which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety. Further features of an illustrative
interactive television program guide implemented on a client-server
architecture where recordings are performed on the server are
described in Ellis et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,
filed concurrently herewith (Attorney Docket No. UV-84), which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0049] When a user indicates a desire to view television program
guide information (e.g., by entering a command with user input
interface 46), the program guide directs control circuitry 42 to
generate a video image of a program guide display screen. The
information for the program guide display screen may be contained
in the data provided to the program guide from data source 14 (FIG.
1) in main facility 12 (FIG. 1). This data typically contains
several days worth of program listings information for the program
guide.
[0050] An illustrative program listings grid 50 that may be
displayed by the program guide is shown in FIG. 4. Program listings
grid 50 has program listings rows 52, 54, 56, and 58. Program
listings row 52 contains program listings for programs 1 and 2 on
channel 2 (KJRH) during the time slots 6:30 PM, 7:00 PM, and 7:30
PM. Program listings row 54 contains program listings for programs
1 and 2 on channel 3 (HBO), etc.
[0051] Program listings grid 50 (like other program guide screens
displayed by the program guide) may have a highlight region 66.
Highlight region 66 may be used to highlight the current grid cell
(e.g., the grid cell for the program SEINFELD in the example of
FIG. 4). The range of movement of highlight region 66 is typically
bounded by column 68 on the left, by program listings time cells 70
on the top, by screen boundary 72 on the right, and by lower screen
boundary 74 on the bottom. Time cell 76 may be used to display the
current time and date cell 77 may be used to display the current
date.
[0052] The user may position highlight region 66 by entering
appropriate commands with user input interface 46. For example, if
user input interface 46 is a remote control such as remote control
40 of FIG. 2, the user can position highlight region 66 using arrow
keys. As shown in FIG. 5, if the user repeatedly moves highlight
region 66 until it reaches lower screen boundary 74, further
attempts at downward movement cause the program listings to scroll
in the vertical direction. In the illustrative example of FIG. 5,
program listings rows 54, 56, and 58 have been moved up one
position in the grid. A new program listings row 55 is displayed at
the bottom of grid 50. Vertical movement of highlight region 66 in
the upward direction may be used to scroll the program listings in
the opposite direction.
[0053] Similarly, when highlight region 66 is panned in the
horizontal direction (i.e., moved to the right or left), the
listings move accordingly (i.e., to the left or right
respectively). Program listings grid 50 is but one illustrative
program guide screen that may be displayed by the program guide on
user television equipment 22. Other program guide screens that the
program guide may provide include menu screens, lists or tables of
program listings, screens in which products are advertised, screens
in which the current television channel is overlayed with a browse
or flip region containing a program listing, television program
screens without an overlay, etc. Any of these program screens and
any suitable program guide features may be provided by the program
guide. Moreover, any or all of the features described may apply
equally to any of the display formats described.
[0054] In a program guide display screen such as program listings
grid 50, each program grid cell may contain descriptive information
about a program, such as the program title, program rating, and a
brief description. If the user wishes to set a reminder or schedule
a recording for a program, the user may position highlight region
66 on the appropriate program listing. Once the user positions
highlight region 66 on a particular program listing, the user may
elect to set a reminder or schedule a recording for the program by
pressing an "enter" button on remote control 40. If the "enter"
button on remote control 40 is pressed, the user may be presented
with a remind/record screen such as remind/record screen 70 of FIG.
6.
[0055] Remind/record screen 70 may present the user with the
program title as well as the date and time the program is scheduled
to air. Other components of remind/record screen 70 may be reminder
option 85, record option 86, view current reminders option 87, view
current recordings option 88, and cancel option 89. These options
may be displayed on remind/record screen 70 whenever the user
selects a program or event from program grid 50 (FIGS. 4 and 5) or
from any other suitable guide screen.
[0056] If the user wishes to set a reminder to remind the user when
a given program is to be broadcast, the user may position highlight
region 95 of FIG. 6 onto reminder option 85 and press an "enter"
button (or other similar button) on remote control 40.
Alternatively, the user may position highlight region 66 on top of
a desired future program listing in grid 50 (FIGS. 4 and 5) or
other guide listing screen and may press "enter" (or other similar
button).
[0057] Once the "enter" button on remote control 40 has been
pressed, the user may be presented with a program reminder screen
such as program reminder screen 90 of FIG. 7. The program reminder
screen may be a full screen as shown in FIG. 7, or may use a
partial screen overlay or other suitable arrangement if desired.
Program reminder screen 90 contains various user-selectable options
that the user may complete when setting reminder messages to remind
the user when selected television programming is to be broadcast.
As defined herein, such uses of the term "broadcast" refer to the
process of airing television programs by traditional television
broadcast techniques, cable systems, satellite systems, microwave
systems, etc.
[0058] Program reminder screen 90 may provide several
user-selectable options that specify when and how often the user
will be reminded of the airing of selected television programs or
program series. As defined herein, such uses of the term "series"
refer to any set of related programs such as a program series,
mini-series, sports series, pay-per-view package, etc. If the
selected program is an episode of a program series, for example,
program reminder screen 90 may contain episode/series reminder
option 92. Episode/series reminder option 92 allows the user to
either order a reminder for the currently selected episode of the
program or order reminders for all episodes in the entire series.
For example, if the user wishes to order a series reminder, the
user may position highlight region 95 of FIG. 7 onto the "Entire
Series" selection of episode/series reminder option 92 and press an
"enter" button on remote control 40. Selecting the "Entire Series"
option allows the user to order and receive reminder messages for
each episode of the program series. If the series a mini series,
reminders will end after the last episode of the series. If the
series is an ongoing series, reminders will continue to be
displayed for the series until cancelled by the user. If the user
chooses the "This episode" selection, the user may receive a
reminder message for only the currently selected episode. If the
selected program is a single broadcast and not an episode of a
program series, the program guide will not allow the user to make a
selection using episode/series reminder option 92.
[0059] In addition to episode/series reminder option 92, program
reminder screen 90 may contain other user-selectable reminder
options that specify when and how often the user will be reminded
of the airing of the selected television program or episode. For
example, program reminder screen 90 may also contain how soon
option 93. How soon option 93 allows the user to indicate how soon
before the broadcast of the scheduled program or episode reminder
messages are to be generated and displayed to the user. As shown in
FIG. 7, how soon option 93 may contain an option that allows the
user to be reminded from 1 to 15 minutes (in one minute increments)
or another amount of time before the selected program is broadcast.
The user may make entries into how soon option 93 using remote
control arrow keys to increase or decrease the desired value of
minutes, or by using remote control number keys to enter desired
numerical values for the item, or by using any other suitable user
interface. If "other" is selected in how soon option 93, the user
is presented with screen 110 of FIG. 8, which allows the user to be
reminded 1 hour, 1 day, 2 days, or to specify a desired lead time
before a scheduled event by completing option 115. The user may
make entries into screen 110 using remote control arrow keys to
increase or decrease the desired values of days, hours, and
minutes, or by using remote control number keys to enter desired
numerical values for these items, or by using any other suitable
user interface.
[0060] Upon completing screen 110 of FIG. 8, the user may submit
the information that has been entered by selecting option 117. The
user may exit page 110 without submitting the information by
selecting exit option 119. If the user selects either enter option
117 or exit option 119, the user is returned to program reminder
screen 90.
[0061] Alternatively, information such as how soon before the
broadcast of the scheduled program or episode reminder messages are
to be generated and displayed to the user may be a global default
or global setting. For example, such information may be specified
by the user in a set-up screen.
[0062] Program reminder screen 90 of FIG. 7 may also contain
program channel option 104. Option 104 allows the user to specify
which channel or channels program reminders are to be scheduled
for. Option 104 may contain selections that allow the user to be
reminded of program episodes airing on the selected channel, on all
channels on which the program airs, or on certain channels the
program is scheduled to air on. Typically, if the user selects the
"Selected Channels" option, the user may be allowed to specify
certain channel or channels program reminders are to be scheduled
for.
[0063] Program reminder screen 90 of FIG. 7 may also contain
program day option 107. Option 107 allows the user to specify on
which days of the week program reminders are to be scheduled for.
Option 107 may contain selections that allow the user to be
reminded of program episodes airing on the currently selected day
of the week, on all days of the week, or on certain days of the
week the program episode is scheduled to air on. Typically, if the
user selects the "Selected Days" option, the user may be allowed to
specify certain day or days program reminders are to be scheduled
for.
[0064] Program reminder screen 90 of FIG. 7 may also contain
program type option 108. Option 108 allows the user to specify
which type of program episodes (assuming the selected program is an
episode of a program series) program reminders are to be scheduled
for. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, option 108 may contain
selections that allow the user to set reminders for new (i.e.,
first-run) episodes, rerun episodes, network episodes, syndicated
episodes, only previously unviewed episodes, or all scheduled
episodes whether first-run, rerun, network, syndicated, or
previously unviewed.
[0065] Typically, episode/series reminder option 92, program
channel option 104, program day option 107, and program type option
108 may only be selectable by the user when the program selected
from the guide is an episode of a program series. How soon option
93 may be selectable by the user regardless of whether or not the
program is an episode of a program series. If the selected program
is not an episode of a program series but rather is a single
broadcast event, the user may set a reminder for that single
broadcast and be allowed to make a selection from how soon option
93. Similarly, if the selected program is a program series and the
user wishes to set a reminder for a single episode, the user may
set a reminder for that single episode and be allowed to make a
selection from how soon option 93.
[0066] At any time during the completion of program reminder screen
90 (FIG. 7), the user may cancel the reminder by selecting cancel
option 97. Selecting cancel option 97 returns the user to display
70 of FIG. 6 or other previous screen. The user may also deselect
any previously selected option by positioning highlight region 95
on the selected option and pressing the "enter" button on remote
control 40.
[0067] Upon completing program reminder screen 90, the user may set
the reminder by selecting OK option 94. Selecting OK option 94
directs the program guide to process the reminder. Set-top box 28
(FIG. 2) processes and stores each reminder set by the user. The
system initially searches the existing database for all programs
and episodes matching the criteria specified by the user. The
system will then set a reminder for each matching program or
episode. Moreover, if any existing information has changed or has
been updated or if any new information has been added, the system
will again examine the user criteria and set a reminder (or update
or remove an existing reminder) for each new or updated program or
episode. The reminders are then generated by set-top box 28 and
displayed on television 36 of FIG. 2 at the appropriate time.
Depending on the type of television program (i.e., a series or
non-series program) and the user-selectable options selected, the
user may request and receive one or more reminders.
[0068] A typical series program reminder is shown in FIG. 9. The
reminder is typically presented as a partial-screen overlay on top
of the current television program being viewed by the user. The
reminder may contain the name of the television program that the
user is being reminded of (120), a reminder message indicating
"DON'T FORGET," and information on when the television program is
to broadcast (123). If the program is an episode of a program
series, the reminder may also contain information on when the next
episode is to broadcast (127). The user may hide the reminder by
selecting hide option 129a. The user may immediately tune to the
channel that is scheduled to show the desired program by selecting
tune option 129b. An advertisement 125 (text, graphics, etc.) may
be included in the reminder if desired. The advertisement may be
provided using information stored in main facility 12 and
transmitted to user television equipment 22 with the program guide
data.
[0069] Moreover, the program reminder may also list all other
currently active program reminders. For example, if the user
receives a program reminder such as the program reminder shown in
FIG. 9, the reminder may list the program that is currently
scheduled to air for which the user has received the reminder, as
well as the reminder for the current television program being
viewed by the user (assuming the user set a reminder for that
program in the past). The list may also include any other reminders
the user has set and recently received. The program reminder for
the program scheduled to air next will preferably be listed first
however the user may specify any other reminder order based on user
preferences. The user may select any reminder from the list and may
immediately tune to the channel that is showing or will show the
program.
[0070] Another aspect of the invention relates to managing one's
reminders. If desired, program reminder screen 90 of FIG. 7 may
contain view current reminders option 98. If view current reminders
option 98 is selected, (or if desired when the user selects OK
option 94 of program reminder screen 90), the user may be presented
with current reminders screen 130 of FIG. 10. The user may also
access current reminders screen 130 by selecting view current
reminders option 87 of FIG. 6 or from any other guide screen such
as a menu screen. Current reminders screen 130 contains a list of
all the user's currently requested reminders. Information such as
program name, program episode (i.e., whether a single broadcast or
an episode of a program series), type of reminder, and the date and
time the request was submitted may be displayed. Typically, the
entries in current reminders screen 130 are listed in chronological
order based on when they are to be presented to the user. The
reminder for the episode scheduled to air next will preferably be
listed first however the user may specify any other reminder order
based on user preferences.
[0071] For example, a current reminder entry for the program
"SEINFELD" (135) may be displayed as shown in FIG. 10. The user
requested a reminder for only the selected episode of the program
(i.e., not the entire series), a rerun episode, airing on July 9th
on CH. 4 at 7:00 PM. This reminder was submitted on Jul. 5, 1997 at
3:04 PM and is set to remind the user one hour before the broadcast
of the episode. This entry is listed first and is the first
scheduled program to air.
[0072] In addition, if the user requests reminders for an entire
series, that information may be displayed as well. Current
reminders screen 130 may display each episode of the series
scheduled to air. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a current
reminder entry for the program "THIS WEEK WITH SAM AND COKIE" (134)
is displayed showing that a series reminder has been requested
(133). The user will receive reminders for all scheduled episodes
of the series, one day before the broadcast of each episode of the
series. The next entry in the list and the next program scheduled
to air is the July 10th episode of the series and is the next
reminder to be presented to the user.
[0073] The user also requested a reminder for another episode of
the "SEINFELD" series airing on July 14th on CH. 11 at 11:00 PM.
This episode is listed next because that episode will air after the
first listed episode of the series "THIS WEEK WITH SAM AND COKIE"
but before the next listed episode of the series. Finally, as shown
in FIG. 10, the remaining episodes of the series "THIS WEEK WITH
SAM AND COKIE" are listed and the user will receive a reminder for
each scheduled episode of the series. The user may select arrow
icon 132 or any other suitable icon to display and scroll through
the remaining episodes of the series.
[0074] Entries may be added to the current reminders list as soon
as the user sets each reminder (e.g., by selecting OK option 94
from program reminder screen 90 of FIG. 7). Moreover, entries may
be added to the current reminders list when the program guide
automatically determines that newly scheduled program guide events
match the reminder options for an existing program reminder
listing. This may occur, for example, if newly added episodes are
broadcast after the user has set reminders for a related series. In
addition, if a schedule change is received by the program guide for
any currently set reminder, the current reminder list will be
updated to match the new schedule. This may prevent the user from
missing a scheduled reminder due to unexpected programming schedule
changes.
[0075] Moreover, the system may list series reminders set by the
user even if there are no current episodes in the guide's database
matching the criteria specified by the user. In addition to
reminding the user the series reminder has been set, it allows the
user to cancel the reminder if the user no longer wishes to be
reminded of the broadcasts of that series. These reminders will
preferably be located at the bottom of the list.
[0076] The user may also view and manage current reminders from
elsewhere in the guide. For example, the user may select a manage
reminder option from a program guide menu screen. Selecting the
option may also present the user with a current reminders
listing.
[0077] In addition, the user may update or delete any currently set
reminder from any program guide grid or other guide listing screen
or from the current reminders listing screen. The program grid
entry may, for example, indicate to the user that a reminder has
been set for the program or series and allow the user to update or
delete the reminder by selecting the program entry from the grid.
For example, as shown in program grid 50 of FIG. 5, if a reminder
is currently set for the program series "SEINFELD" (58), the grid
may reflect that information by displaying a "check" mark (59) or
other suitable identifying mark within the program listing entry.
If the user wishes to update or delete the reminder currently set
for that program series, the user may position highlight region 66
on that program listing and press an "enter" button on remote
control 40. If the "enter" button on remote control 40 is pressed,
the user may be presented with a program reminder update screen
such as program reminder update screen 135 of FIG. 10a.
[0078] Program reminder update screen 135 of FIG. 10a may display
the same user-selectable options and selections the user specified
when ordering the reminder from program reminder screen 90 of FIG.
7. The user may update any option by positioning highlight region
95 onto the desired selection within the option and pressing the
"enter" button on remote control 40. If the selected program is an
episode of a program series, program reminder update screen 135 may
contain update reminder option 132. Update reminder option 132
allows the user to either update the reminder for the currently
selected episode of the series or update reminders for all episodes
in the entire series. Similarly, if the selected program is not an
episode of a program series but rather is a single broadcast event,
the user may update the reminder for that single broadcast by
updating the how soon option which may be the only option
selectable by the user. Upon completing program reminder update
screen 135, the user may set the updated reminder by selecting OK
option 121. After selecting OK option 121, current reminders screen
130 is updated with the new information.
[0079] If the user wishes to cancel a current series reminder, the
user may position highlight region 95 onto cancel series reminder
option 124 and press enter. If the user wishes to cancel a current
episode reminder, the user may position highlight region 95 onto
cancel current episode reminder option 112 and press enter.
Similarly, if the selected program is not an episode of a program
series but rather is a single broadcast event, the user may select
an option to cancel the reminder for that single broadcast. Upon
selecting any cancel option, the cancelled reminder or reminders
for the program, episode, or series is/are deleted from the current
reminders list (130) and the user will no longer be reminded of the
broadcast or broadcasts of that program or series. The user may
return to program grid 50 or any other previous screen by selecting
exit option 111.
[0080] Current reminders screen 130 may also indicate whether there
are any conflicting reminders. Conflicting reminders screen 130 may
inform the user that two or more programs or series episodes that
the user has requested reminders for are scheduled to air
simultaneously (i.e., on the same day and time, partially or
entirely). If the system is configured to maintain simultaneous
conflicting reminders, current reminders screen 130 may not
indicate to the user that there are conflicting reminders. However,
displaying conflicting reminders may be preferred. For example,
rather than the user receiving a reminder message such as the
reminder message shown in FIG. 9, the system may instead tune to
the channel showing the program when the program is scheduled to
air. For example, the system may be configured to automatically
tune to a program when a reminder for that program has been
received (i.e., an automatically tuning reminder). In a system
configured to provide automatically tuning reminders, the user or
the system would need to resolve any conflicts.
[0081] As shown in current reminders screen 180 of FIG. 13, for
example, the user has requested reminders for programs X, Y, and Z.
Programs X and Z are single broadcasts while program Y is a program
series. As shown in the "EPISODES" column (181) of FIG. 13, an
episode of program Y is scheduled to air on the same day and time
(i.e., May 3, 1997 at 8:00 PM) as program X. Accordingly, current
reminders screen 180 displays a conflicting reminders message such
as conflicting reminders message 183 (i.e., "CONFLICT") of FIG. 13.
Program conflicts may also be displayed using other suitable
techniques, such as displaying the conflicting program listings
with a unique color or icon.
[0082] The user may decide to resolve the conflict before the
programs are scheduled to air by cancelling one of the conflicting
reminders (described below). Alternatively, the user may decide to
maintain all the scheduled reminders and choose among the
conflicting programs when the programs are scheduled to air.
Moreover, in systems configured to provide automatically tuning
reminders, the guide may resolve conflicts based on system defaults
or previously specified user settings.
[0083] If the user wishes to cancel a current reminder that the
user has previously set, the user may highlight the desired entry
on current reminders screen 130 with highlight region 131 (as shown
in FIG. 10) and press "enter" on remote control 40. If the "enter"
button on remote control 40 is pressed, the user may be presented
with a program reminder update screen such as program reminder
update screen 135 of FIG. 10a. Once presented with program reminder
update screen 135, the user may cancel a single program broadcast,
a program episode, or an entire program series by selecting the
appropriate option. Moreover, the user may resolve the conflict by
updating a reminder using program reminder update screen 135. For
example, the user may update the program channels option to resolve
the conflict. If the user wishes to cancel the series reminder set
for the entire series of "THIS WEEK WITH SAM AND COKIE" shown in
FIG. 10, the user may position highlight region 131 on that entry
under the "PROGRAM" column and press enter. After pressing enter,
the user may be presented with program reminder update screen 135
from which the user may select cancel series reminder option 124.
After selecting cancel option 124, the highlighted series is
deleted from current reminders list 130 and the user will no longer
be reminded of the broadcasts of that series. The user may return
to current reminders screen 130 or any program guide menu screen by
selecting exit option 139.
[0084] Another aspect of the invention relates to scheduling a
program episode or program series to be recorded. If the user
wishes to record a program episode or series, the user may position
highlight region 95 of FIG. 6 onto record option 86 and press an
enter or other similar button on remote control 40 or may press a
record button on remote control 40 to record the program. If the
enter button on remote control 40 is pressed, the user may be
presented with a program record screen such as program record
screen 140 of FIG. 11. Program record screen 140, contains various
user-selectable options the user may complete when scheduling
program recordings. For example, program record screen 140 may
contain episode/series record option 142. Making a selection in
episode/series record option 142 allows the user (if the selected
program is a program series) to either schedule a recording for the
currently selected episode of the program or schedule recordings
for all episodes in the entire series. For example, episode/series
record option 142 may allow the user the schedule recordings for an
entire program series by positioning highlight region 95 and
selecting the "Entire Series" option. If the user instead selects
the "This episode" option, the user may schedule a recording for
only the currently selected episode. If the selected program is a
single broadcast and not an episode of a program series, the user
may not select an option in episode/series record option 142.
[0085] In addition to episode/series record option 142, program
record screen 140 may also contain other user-selectable record
options, provided that the selected program is a program series and
the user has selected to record the entire series. These record
options allow the user to specify which episodes of the program
series the user wishes to record. For example, program record
screen 140 may contain program channel option 145, program day
option 146, and program type option 147. However, these record
options may not be selectable by the user if the selected program
is a single broadcast event or if the selected program is a program
series and the user wishes to schedule a recording for a single
episode of the series. At any time during completion of program
record screen 140, the user may cancel the record order by
selecting cancel option 148. Selecting cancel option 148 returns
the user to display 70 of FIG. 6 or another previous screen. The
user may also access program reminder screen 90 of FIG. 10 by
selecting reminders option 149. Moreover, the user may deselect any
previously selected option by positioning highlight region 95 on
the selected option and pressing the enter button on remote control
40.
[0086] In another aspect of the invention, the information
displayed in program reminder screen 90 of FIG. 7 and program
record screen 140 of FIG. 11 may be displayed on the same program
guide screen.
[0087] Upon completing program record screen 140, the user may
submit a record order for processing by selecting OK option 144.
Selecting OK option 144 directs the program guide to process the
request. Set-top box 28 may contain control circuitry to process
and store each request submitted by the user. In a client-server
architecture implementation, the processing and storing of requests
may be performed at the server. The system initially searches the
existing database for all programs and episodes matching the
criteria specified by the user. The system will then schedule a
recording for each matching program or episode. Moreover, if any
existing information has changed or has been updated or if any new
information has been added, the system will again examine the user
criteria and schedule a recording (or update or delete an existing
recording) for each new or updated program or episode. Set-top box
28 of FIG. 2 will send recording control signals to videocassette
recorder 32 via line 30 to direct videocassette recorder 32 to
initiate recording of the program or series episode at the proper
recording time.
[0088] Another aspect of the invention relates to managing one's
scheduled recordings. If desired, program record screen 140 of FIG.
11 may contain view current recordings option 143. If view current
recordings option 143 is selected, the user may be presented with
current recordings screen 170 of FIG. 12. Moreover, the guide may
also present current recordings screen 170 when the user selects OK
button 144 of program record screen 140. Current recordings screen
170, similar to current reminders screen 130 of FIG. 10, may
contain a list of all the user's currently scheduled recordings.
Information such as program name, program episodes, and the date
and time the request was submitted may be displayed. Current
recordings screen 170 may also indicate whether the user has
scheduled a recording for a single broadcast or a program
series.
[0089] Entries may be added to the current recordings list as soon
as the user submits each request (e.g., by selecting submit button
144 from program record screen 140 of FIG. 11). Moreover, entries
may be added to the current recordings list when newly scheduled
program guide events match the record options for any existing
program record listing. In addition, if a schedule change is
received by the program guide for any currently scheduled
recording, the current recordings list will be updated to match the
new schedule. This may prevent the user from missing a scheduled
recording due to unexpected programming schedule changes.
[0090] Moreover, the system may list series recordings set by the
user even if there are no current episodes in the guide's database
matching the criteria specified by the user. In addition to
reminding the user the series recording has been set, it allows the
user to cancel the recording if desired. These recordings will
preferably be located at the bottom of the list.
[0091] The user may also view and manage currently scheduled
recordings from elsewhere in the guide. For example, the user may
select a manage recording option from a program guide menu screen.
Selecting the option may also present the user with a current
recordings listing.
[0092] In addition, similar to currently set reminders (as
described earlier), the user may update or delete any currently
scheduled recording from any program guide grid or other guide
listing screen or from current recordings listing 170. The program
grid entry may, for example, indicate to the user that a recording
has been scheduled for the program or series and allow the user to
update or delete the recording by selecting the program entry from
the grid. For example, as shown in program grid 50 of FIG. 5, if a
recording is currently scheduled for the program series "SEINFELD"
(58), the grid may reflect that information by displaying a "check"
mark (59) or other suitable identifying mark within the program
listing entry (preferably a different identifying mark than one
used to identify currently set reminders). If the user wishes to
update or delete the recording currently scheduled for that program
series, the user may position highlight region 66 on that program
listing and press an "enter" button on remote control 40. If the
"enter" button (or other suitable key) on remote control 40 is
pressed, the user may be presented with a program recording update
screen such as program recording update screen 175 of FIG. 12a.
[0093] Program recording update screen 175 of FIG. 12a, similar to
program reminder update screen 135, may display the same
user-selectable options and selections the user specified when
scheduling the recording from program record screen 140 of FIG. 11.
The user may update any option by positioning highlight region 95
onto the desired selection within the option and pressing the
"enter" button on remote control 40. Upon completing program
recording update screen 175, the user may schedule the updated
recording by selecting OK option 173. After selecting OK option
173, current recordings screen 170 is updated with the new
information.
[0094] If the user wishes to cancel a current series recording, the
user may position highlight region 95 onto cancel series recording
option 174 and press enter. If the user wishes to cancel a current
episode recording, the user may position highlight region 95 onto
cancel current episode recording option 175 and press enter.
Similarly, if the selected program is not an episode of a program
series but rather is a single broadcast event, the user may select
an option to cancel the recording for that single broadcast. After
selecting any cancel option, the cancelled program, episode, or
series is deleted from the current recordings list (170) and the
user will no longer record that program or series. The user may
return to program grid 50 or another previous screen by selecting
exit option 176.
[0095] Similarly, if the user wishes to cancel a currently
scheduled recording that the user has previously ordered from the
current recordings list 170 of FIG. 12, the user may highlight the
desired entry on current recordings screen 170 with highlight
region 171 (as shown in FIG. 12) and press a remote control enter
key. If the enter button on the remote control is pressed, the user
may again be presented with program recording update screen 175 of
FIG. 12a. The user may, as described above, cancel or update a
single program broadcast, a program episode, or an entire series
from current recordings screen 170. The user may return to current
recordings screen 170 by selecting exit option 176.
[0096] The user may also access current reminders screen 130 of
FIG. 10 by selecting view current reminders option 177 from current
recordings screen 170. Moreover, the user may also arrive at
current recordings screen 170 by selecting view current recordings
option 88 of program information screen 70 (FIG. 6).
[0097] Current recordings screen 170 may also indicate whether
there are any conflicting recordings by displaying a conflicting
recordings message similar to conflicting reminders message 183 of
FIG. 13. If the system allows simultaneous recordings (such as the
system described in Ellis et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______, filed concurrently herewith (Attorney Docket No. UV-84)),
the system may not indicate or display any conflicts. However, in
systems where user television equipment 24 of FIG. 2 contains a
single videocassette recorder, the user must resolve the conflict
because a single videocassette recorder cannot support multiple
simultaneous recordings.
[0098] Preferably, the program guide allows the user to resolve
conflicts as soon as conflicts are detected. For example, as shown
in current recordings screen 190 of FIG. 14, the user has scheduled
recordings for programs X, Y, and Z. Programs X and Z are single
broadcasts while program Y is a program series. As shown in the
"EPISODES" column (191) of FIG. 14, an episode of program Y is
scheduled to air on the same day and at the same time (i.e., May 3,
1997 at 8:00 PM) as program X. Accordingly, current recordings
screen 190 may display a conflicting recordings message such as
conflicting recordings message 194 (i.e., "CONFLICT") of FIG. 14.
Program conflicts may also be displayed using other suitable
techniques, such as displaying the conflicting programs with a
unique color or icon, etc. The user may be allowed to resolve the
conflict by selecting resolve conflicts option 193 of FIG. 14. If
the user selects resolve conflicts button 193, the user may be
presented with resolve conflicts screen 210 of FIG. 15.
[0099] In another aspect of the invention, the user may be notified
of a conflict and allowed to resolve the conflict from the same
program guide screen.
[0100] As shown in FIG. 15, resolve conflicts screen 210 may
display the program names, the date and time the recording request
was submitted, and the date and time of the detected conflict.
Resolve conflicts screen 210 may allow the user to choose which of
the conflicting programs or episodes are to be recorded. For
example, as shown in FIG. 15, conflicting programs X and Y are
listed. Although program Y is a scheduled program series to be
recorded, only the conflicting program episode is listed. Program X
is listed first and assumed preferred by the user over program
episode Y because its request was submitted most recently by the
user. While the program listing order represents recording
priority, the system may or may not record programs based on the
program listing order. Resolve conflicts screen 210 may list
conflicting programs based on other possible user designated
criteria such as program start times, channel numbers, single
episodes over series, etc., or may list conflicting programs based
the system's own priority scheme. Accordingly, other scheduled
programs or episodes in the list may, for example, have a line
drawn through them to indicate they are not preferred by the user
and that their scheduled recordings are to be deleted or updated.
For example, as shown in FIG. 15, program episode Y has a line
drawn through it and that scheduled recording may be deleted or
updated if the program listing is selected. If the program listing
is selected, the user may be presented with program recording
update screen 175 of FIG. 12a. The user may, as described earlier,
cancel the conflicting program, series episode, or series. The user
may also, if desired, resolve the conflict by updating the
conflicting recording from recording update screen 175. If the user
deletes the entry for program episode Y, the user may not record
that episode but the scheduled recording for all other episodes of
that program series will remain. In addition, the user may do
nothing whereby the guide will resolve the conflict based on system
or user default settings (e.g., record program X).
[0101] However, if the user would rather cancel or update the
scheduled recording of program X and retain the scheduled recording
of program episode Y, the user may position highlight region 212 on
the program episode X entry and press the enter button on remote
control 40. This allows the user to be presented with program
recording update screen 175 for program episode X where the user
may cancel or update the episode or series. This may cause program
episode Y to be listed first and program X to be listed next with a
line drawn through it indicating that that entry has been deleted
or updated, as shown in FIG. 16. The user, once the conflict is
resolved, may return to current recordings screen 190 or another
previous screen by selecting exit option 214.
[0102] While the program guide allows the user to resolve conflicts
as soon as conflicts are detected, a user may decide not to resolve
a conflict once one is detected. Furthermore, the program guide may
not detect a conflict immediately after the user submits a
recording request to be processed, but may detect a conflict at a
later time when the user may or may not be in the program guide.
The latter situation may arise, for example, if new program
information in the database is added or existing information is
updated since the user last submitted a request.
[0103] The program guide may allow the user to resolve any future
conflicts detected by the guide by notifying the user of the
conflicts as soon as they are detected. The program guide may
display a conflicting recordings message such as conflicting
recordings message 194 of FIG. 14 or may display resolve conflicts
screen 210 of FIG. 15. The user may resolve the conflict by
selecting resolve conflicts option 193 of FIG. 14. If the user
selects resolve conflicts button 193, the user may be presented
with resolve conflicts screen 210 of FIG. 15 and allowed to resolve
the conflict as discussed previously. If the user is not in the
guide when a conflict is detected, the user may be presented with
resolve conflicts screen 210 or any other suitable conflicting
recordings message and allowed to resolve the conflict as soon as
the user enters the guide or at any other time specified by the
user.
[0104] However, if the user does not resolve the conflict, the
program guide may resolve the conflict based on its own preference
scheme. The approach used by the guide may be based on global
system defaults or settings or may be specified by the user (e.g.,
by completing a set-up screen when the user first enters the
guide).
[0105] The guide may, for example, record the program listed first
in resolve conflicts screen 210 of FIG. 15 and reject the remaining
programs in conflict. The program listed first is assumed preferred
by the user because its recording request was submitted most
recently by the user. However, the guide may use other criteria in
deciding which program to record such as program start times,
channel numbers, or any other suitable priority scheme. The
criteria may be specified by the user or programmed as global
defaults. The guide may allow the user to view the program
selection as well as approve or change the selection at any time
before the conflicting programs or episodes are scheduled to air.
This may be accomplished, for example, from current recordings
screen 190 of FIG. 14 or from any other suitable recording
screen.
[0106] The guide may resolve conflicts by recording the program
listed first in resolve conflicts screen 210 (or any other
preferred listed program based on user-specified or system
criteria) and record the remaining portion (if any) of the next
preferred program in the list. The guide may allow the user to view
the program selections as well as the recording sequence and may
allow the user to approve or change the selections and/or recording
sequence at any time before the programs are scheduled to air. This
may again be accomplished, for example, from current recordings
screen 190 of FIG. 14 or from any other suitable recording
screen.
[0107] In another aspect of the invention, currently set reminders
and currently scheduled recordings may be listed and displayed on
the same program guide screen. Moreover, the user may be notified
of conflicting reminders and recordings from the same program guide
screen and allowed to resolve all conflicts simultaneously using
any or all of the principles discussed. However, if the system is
configured to allow the user to record a program while viewing a
different program and thus allow the user to receive a reminder
message, the system may not notify the user of conflicts or may not
allow the user to resolve conflicts. Further features of an
illustrative interactive television program guide with simultaneous
watch and record capabilities are described in Lemmons et al. U.S.
patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith
(Attorney Docket No. UV-67), which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
[0108] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the interrelationship of the
illustrative program guide screens used to provide the features of
the invention. The features can initially be accessed from any
program guide display screen such as program listings grid 50 of
FIG. 5 or while watching television. When the user selects a given
television program, remind/record screen 70 of FIG. 6 displays
reminder option 85, record option 86, view current reminders option
87, and view current recordings option 88. View current reminders
option 87, and view current recordings option 88 may also be
accessed from elsewhere in the guide such as a guide menu screen.
Selecting the reminder option 85 from remind/record screen 70 takes
the user to program reminder screen 90 of FIG. 7 or to program
reminder update screen 135 of FIG. 10a. Program reminder screen, 90
may provide the user with several options to specify when and how
often the user will be reminded of the airing of selected
television programs or program series. The user may also reach
program reminder screen 90 from program record screen 140 of FIG.
11 by selecting reminder option 149 or from any program guide
display screen or from watching television.
[0109] The user may also access view, update, or cancel any
existing set reminders or scheduled recordings by selecting a
television program from a program guide display screen or from
remind/record screen of FIG. 6. If the user selects a television
program from a program guide display screen which has an existing
reminder or scheduled recording, the user may be presented with
program reminder update screen of FIG. 10a or program recording
update screen of FIG. 12a.
[0110] The user may also access current reminders screen 130 of
FIG. 10 by selecting view current reminders option 87 of FIG. 6 or
from somewhere else in the guide such as a main menu screen. Once
the user submits a reminder order, the reminder or reminders are
added to (and the user may be presented with) current reminders
screen 130. The user may also access current reminders screen 130
from program reminder screen 90 of FIG. 7 by selecting view current
reminders option 98 or from current recordings screen 170 of FIG.
12 by selecting view current reminders option 177. While at current
reminders screen 130, the user may view all current reminders and
may delete or update any reminder which is no longer desired. The
user may also view any reminder conflicts and may resolve the
conflicts or decide to choose among the conflicting events when the
scheduled programs air.
[0111] Selecting record option 86 from remind/record screen 70 of
FIG. 6 takes the user to program record screen 140 of FIG. 11 or to
program recording update screen of FIG. 12a. Program record screen
140 may provide the user with several options to complete when
scheduling program recordings. The user may also reach program
record screen 140 from program reminder screen 90 of FIG. 7 by
selecting record option 96 or from any program display screen or
from watching television.
[0112] The user may also access current recordings screen 170 of
FIG. 12 by selecting view current recordings option 88 of FIG. 6 or
from somewhere else in the guide such as a main menu screen. Once
the user submits a request to schedule a recording, the scheduled
recording or recordings are added to (and the user may be presented
with) current recordings screen 170. The user may also access
current recordings screen 170 from program recording screen 140 of
FIG. 11 by selecting view current recordings option 143 or from
current reminders screen 130 of FIG. 10 by selecting view current
recordings option 137. While at current recordings screen 170, the
user may view all currently scheduled recordings and may delete or
update any scheduled recording which is no longer desired. The user
may also view any recording conflicts and preferably may resolve
any conflicts when they are detected. The user may resolve
recording conflicts from resolve conflicts screen 210 of FIG. 15 by
selecting resolve conflicts option 193 of current recordings screen
190 of FIG. 14 and may view or resolve conflicts from current
recordings screen of FIG. 12. The user may also view and resolve
conflicts between currently set reminders and currently scheduled
recordings from the same program guide screen. The guide may or may
not display conflicts depending on the capabilities of the
system.
[0113] The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of
this invention and various modifications can be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of
the invention.
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