U.S. patent application number 13/889910 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-19 for program guide system for recording television programs.
This patent application is currently assigned to UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Bruce L. Davis, Michael D. Ellis, Edward B. Knudson, William L. Thomas.
Application Number | 20130247077 13/889910 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25449938 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130247077 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Knudson; Edward B. ; et
al. |
September 19, 2013 |
PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM FOR RECORDING TELEVISION PROGRAMS
Abstract
An interactive program guide system is provided. The system
facilitates recording of programs selected from the program guide.
The system handles the recording and viewing of pay programs,
parentally-controlled programs, consecutive programs on different
television channels, and programs with and without copy protection.
Programs may be recorded using combination television videocassette
recorder (TV/VCR) units.
Inventors: |
Knudson; Edward B.;
(Lakewood, CO) ; Ellis; Michael D.; (Boulder,
CO) ; Thomas; William L.; (Evergreen, CO) ;
Davis; Bruce L.; (Lake Oswego, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC. |
Santa Clara |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES,
INC.
Santa Clara
CA
|
Family ID: |
25449938 |
Appl. No.: |
13/889910 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13471769 |
May 15, 2012 |
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13889910 |
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10627426 |
Jul 24, 2003 |
8189996 |
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13471769 |
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10202280 |
Jul 22, 2002 |
6748596 |
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10627426 |
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09654856 |
Sep 5, 2000 |
6473559 |
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10202280 |
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08924239 |
Sep 5, 1997 |
6141488 |
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09654856 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/1 ; 725/28;
725/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4753 20130101;
H04N 21/45 20130101; H04N 21/25866 20130101; H04N 21/47214
20130101; H04N 5/913 20130101; H04N 21/4826 20130101; H04N 21/4334
20130101; H04N 21/4312 20130101; H04N 21/4882 20130101; H04N 21/454
20130101; H04N 5/781 20130101; H04N 5/782 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/1 ; 725/40;
725/28 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/472 20060101
H04N021/472 |
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A method for presenting media assets at user equipment of a
user, comprising: receiving a user request to access a media asset;
determining, using control circuitry, whether the user has
previously purchased the media asset; providing the media asset
when the user has previously purchased the media asset; and
generating, for display, an option to purchase the media asset when
the user has not previously purchased the media asset.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein receiving the user request to
access the media asset comprises receiving a user selection of a
listing associated with the media asset.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein providing the media asset
comprises enabling the user to record the media asset at a future
scheduled time.
16. The method of claim 13 further comprising: receiving user
selection of the option to purchase the media asset; and prompting
the user to enter an identification number in order to complete the
purchase.
17. The method of claim 13 further comprising: receiving user
selection of the option to purchase the media asset; and prompting
the user to make a payment to complete the purchase.
18. The method of claim 13 further comprising: preventing access to
the media asset when the user declines the option to purchase the
media asset.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the media asset is scheduled to
be available at the user equipment at a future time.
20. The method of claim 13 further comprising: generating, for
display, a parental control option for locking the media asset on
the display screen.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising: receiving a user
selection of the parental control option to lock the media asset;
and blocking, using the control circuitry, access to the media
asset in response to receiving the user selection of the parental
control option.
22. A system for presenting media assets, the system comprising:
circuitry configured to: receive a user request to access a media
asset; determine whether the user has previously purchased the
media asset; provide the media asset when the user has previously
purchased the media asset; and generate, for display, an option to
purchase the media asset when the user has not previously purchased
the media asset.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein receiving the user request to
access the media asset comprises receiving a user selection of a
listing associated with the media asset.
24. The system of claim 22, wherein the circuitry is further
configured to provide the media asset by enabling the user to
record the media asset at a future scheduled time.
25. The system of claim 22, wherein the control circuitry is
further configured to: receive user selection of the option to
purchase the media asset; and prompt the user to enter an
identification number in order to complete the purchase.
26. The system of claim 22, wherein the control circuitry is
further configured to: receive user selection of the option to
purchase the media asset; and prompting the user to make a payment
to complete the purchase.
27. The system of claim 22, wherein the control circuitry is
further configured to: prevent access to the media asset when the
user declines the option to purchase the media asset.
28. The system of claim 22, wherein the media asset is scheduled to
be available at a future time.
29. The system of claim 22, wherein the control circuitry is
further configured to generate, for display, a parental control
option for locking the media asset on the display screen.
30. The system of claim 29, wherein the control circuitry is
further configured to: receive a user selection of the parental
control option to lock the media asset; and block access to the
media asset in response to receiving the user selection of the
parental control option.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation of pending prior application Ser. No.
10/202,280, filed Jul. 22, 2002, which is a continuation of patent
application Ser. No. 09/654,856, filed Sep. 5, 2000, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,473,559, which is a divisional of patent application Ser. No.
08/924,239, filed Sep. 5, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,488. All of
these prior patent applications are hereby incorporated by
reference herein in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to recording television programs, and
more particularly, to systems for recording television programs
selected from an interactive television program guide.
[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 electronic television program guides have
been developed that allow television program information to be
displayed on a viewer's television.
[0004] Interactive program guides allow users to access television
program listings in different display formats. For example, a user
may desire to view a grid of program listings organized in a
channel-ordered list. Alternatively, the user may desire to view
program listings organized by time, by theme (movies, sports,
etc.), or by title (i.e., alphabetically ordered).
[0005] A user may select a program for viewing or recording from
the program guide. For example, the user may place a highlight
region on top of a desired program listing and press a "record"
button on a remote control. Pay programs may be ordered by placing
the highlight region on a pay program listing and pressing an
"order" button. Some program guides allow parents to block certain
television programs based on criteria such as ratings
information.
[0006] There are sometimes difficulties associated with using these
program guide features. For example, previously known interactive
program guide systems have generated infrared commands at the
scheduled broadcast time of a program selected for recording that
instruct a videocassette recorder to turn on prior to recording the
selected program. Although such an approach is satisfactory for
operating many standard videocassette recorders, it is incompatible
with combined TV/VCR units, because the television and
videocassette recorder portions of combined TV/VCR units typically
share a common power circuit. The commands issued to turn on the
videocassette recorder prior to recording generally turn off TV/VCR
units entirely if the user is using the television portion of the
TV/VCR at the scheduled time for recording. If the TV/VCR is turned
off in this way, the TV/VCR will not record the program selected
for recording. Moreover, turning off the TV/VCR unit while the
viewer is watching television is annoying to the user.
[0007] Another difficulty associated with previous program guide
systems relates to recording consecutive programs on different
channels. Previously known program guide systems have recorded
short buffer segments just before and after the scheduled broadcast
time of each selected program. For example, a one-minute buffer
segment may be recorded before a program is scheduled to begin and
a three-minute buffer segment may be recorded following the
scheduled completion of the program. Recording such buffer segments
ensures that the program is recorded in its entirety even if there
is a slight discrepancy between the set-top box clock and the
broadcast time of the program. However, if the two consecutive
programs are recorded on different channels, the beginning of the
second program will generally be lost because the system will not
change to the proper channel for the second program until the
trailing buffer segment for the first program has ended.
[0008] Another difficulty associated with previously known program
guide systems relates to recording parentally-controlled programs.
Parental control allows parents to lock certain programs or groups
of programs based on blocking criteria such as a title, channel,
ratings information, content, etc. When a program is locked, the
parent creates a parental control personal identification number
(PIN). When it is time for the locked program to be broadcast, the
system asks the parent to enter the parental control PIN. The
system blocks the display of the locked program unless the correct
parental control PIN is provided. However, if the system
is-attempting to display a given program because that program was
selected for recording from the program guide, the user may not be
present when the system asks the user to enter the PIN. As a
result, the selected program will not be unlocked prior to
recording. What is needed is a way in which to allow locked
programs to be recorded without requiring that the user be present
when the program is recorded.
[0009] Previously known program guide systems have also allowed
programs to be selected for recording without checking to see if
such programs are pay programs. If the user of such a system fails
to purchase the program prior to recording, the program will not be
properly descrambled during recording.
[0010] Another difficulty associated with previously known program
guide systems relates to recording copy-protected programs. Such
systems allow users to select copy-protected programs for recording
without warning the users that the selected programs are copy
protected and therefore not be useable if recorded.
[0011] Another difficulty associated with previously known program
guide systems relates to recording and viewing pay programs that
are offered at a higher price without copy protection than when
offered with copy protection. In such systems it has generally been
difficult for the user to coordinate the purchase process, the
selection of whether the program will be copy protected, and the
scheduling of recording and viewing.
[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an interactive television program guide with improved
program recording and viewing capabilities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] This and other objects of the invention are accomplished in
accordance with the principles of the present invention by
providing an interactive program guide system in which programs may
be selected for recording from the program guide. The program guide
may be implemented using a set-top box or other suitable equipment.
Programs are recorded using a videocassette recorder or other
suitable video recording device. At the scheduled broadcast time of
the program selected for recording, the program guide system tunes
the set-top box to the television channel of the selected program
and directs the videocassette recorder to begin recording the
program.
[0014] The system is compatible with combination television
videocassette recorder (TV/VCR) units. If recording is to be
performed using a TV/VCR, the system displays a message informing
the user when recording is about to begin. The message asks the
user whether the user desires to continue with the recording of the
selected program. If the user indicates a desire not to continue
recording, recording is cancelled. If the user indicates a desire
to continue with recording, the system tunes to the appropriate
channel and directs the videocassette recorder portion of the
TV/VCR to begin recording. If the user does not respond, it is
assumed that the TV/VCR is off, so the system transmits a suitable
command to turn on the TV/VCR before directing the videocassette
recorder portion of the TV/VCR to begin recording.
[0015] Consecutive programs on different channels can be recorded
without losing any portion of either program by eliminating some of
the buffer segments recorded with previously known systems.
[0016] Locked programs may be recorded using several techniques.
One technique for handling locked programs involves determining
whether a program selected from a program guide has previously been
locked. If the selected program has been locked, the system
requests that a parent enter a parental control personal
identification number (PIN). Only if the PIN is correct is the
selected program unlocked and recorded at the scheduled broadcast
time of the selected program.
[0017] Another technique for handling locked programs involves
displaying a message that informs a user whenever a program
previously selected for recording becomes locked. The message
provides the user with an opportunity to decide whether to cancel
or to retain the recording selection. If the recording selection is
retained, the system unlocks the selected program and records the
selected program at the scheduled broadcast time for the
program.
[0018] Another technique for handling locked programs involves
determining whether a parental control PIN has been created with
the system whenever a program is selected for recording from the
program guide. If a PIN has been created, the PIN must be entered
before the program will be recorded successfully.
[0019] The system allows pay programs to be recorded by determining
whether programs selected for recording from the program guide are
pay programs when they are selected. If a selected program is a pay
program, the system asks the user to purchase the program (if the
user has not already purchased the program). If the program is
purchased, the system descrambles and records the selected program
at the scheduled broadcast time of the program.
[0020] The system also handles copy protected programs. With one
arrangement, the system determines whether a program selected for
recording is copy protected. If the program is not copy protected,
the system records the program at the scheduled broadcast time of
the program. If the program is copy protected, the system displays
a message informing the user that the selected program may not be
recorded.
[0021] With another arrangement, the system allows the user to
select a pay program for recording or for viewing. If the program
is selected for recording, the system offers the program at a price
suitable for a program without copy protection. At the scheduled
broadcast time of the program, the system provides the program to
the videocassette recorder without copy protection and directs the
videocassette recorder to record the selected program. If the
program is selected for viewing, the system offers the program at a
price suitable for a program with copy protection. At the scheduled
broadcast time the system provides the program for viewing with
copy protection.
[0022] Further features of the invention, its nature and various
advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and
the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system in
accordance with the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative
program guide display screen in accordance with the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in
recording television programs using a combination TV/VCR unit in
accordance with the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing how the recording
schemes used in previously known program guide systems could result
in the loss of a portion of a desired program during recording.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing how a program guide
system in accordance with the present invention eliminates the
program loss experienced with the approach shown in FIG. 4.
[0028] FIG. 6a is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in
defining blocking criteria and creating a parental control personal
identification number (PIN) in accordance with the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 6b is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in
blocking the viewing of a television program with parental controls
in accordance with the present invention.
[0030] FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c are flow charts of illustrative
approaches for recording a television program locked with parental
controls in accordance with the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in
recording a pay program in accordance with the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in
recording a copy-protected program in accordance with the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in
recording a pay program without copy protection or viewing a pay
program with copy protection in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] An illustrative system 20 that supports an interactive
television program guide in accordance with the present invention
is shown in FIG. 1. Main facility 22 provides data from program
guide database 24 to television distribution facility 26 via
communications link 28. Link 28 may be a satellite link, a
telephone network link, a cable or fiber optic link, a microwave
link-, a combination such links, or any other suitable
communications path. Television distribution facility 26 may be a
cable system headend, a broadcast distribution facility, a
satellite television distribution facility, or other suitable
distribution facility.
[0035] The data transmitted by main facility 22 to television
distribution facility 26 includes television program guide data
such as program times, channels, titles, ratings, descriptions and
other program listings information, and pay program pricing
information, copy protection information, etc. If desired, some
data may be provided using data sources at facilities other than
main facility 22.
[0036] Television distribution facility 26 distributes the program
guide data to multiple users via communications paths 30. Program
guide data may be distributed periodically (e.g., once each week).
Each user has user television equipment 32 for displaying
television program listings and providing other interactive
television program guide features. Many features of the interactive
television program guide are provided by executing instructions
with a microprocessor or similar control circuitry within user
equipment 32. Communications paths 30 preferably have sufficient
bandwidth to allow television distribution facility 26 to
distribute television programming and other video information to
user equipment 32 in addition to program guide data. If desired,
program guide data may be distributed by a distribution facility
that is separate from television distribution facility 26 using
communications paths that are separate from communications paths
30.
[0037] Certain program guide functions may require user equipment
32 to transmit data to distribution facility 26 over communications
paths 30. If desired, such return data may be transmitted over
separate communications paths (not shown).
[0038] User equipment 32 preferably contains a set-top box 34 or
other suitable equipment with which an interactive program guide is
implemented. Set-top box 34 contains control circuitry 36, which is
preferably microprocessor-based circuitry for executing
instructions to control the operation of the interactive program
guide. Set-top box 34 also has tuner, communications, and display
circuitry 38.
[0039] Circuitry 38 contains communications circuitry for
extracting program data from video and data signals provided to
set-top box 34 over communications link 30. This extracted program
data is provided to control circuitry 36 via path 40. The
communications circuitry in circuitry 38 allows control circuitry
36 to transmit signals to television distribution facility 26.
[0040] Circuitry 38 also contains display circuitry that allows a
program grid and other interactive program guide information
generated by control circuitry 36 to be displayed on a television
such as television 44.
[0041] Circuitry 38 contains tuner circuitry for selecting a
desired television channel from among the television signals
provide to set-top box 34 via communications path 30. The signal
for the television channel is provided to videocassette recorder 42
and television 44 via path 46. Videocassette recorder 42 and
television 44 which may be provided in the form of a separate
television (TV) and videocassette recorder (VCR) (not shown) or as
a single integrated TV/VCR unit 48 powered by a common power
circuit 50, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0042] Another function of circuitry 38 is to block
parentally-locked programs (e.g., by disrupting the audio and video
signals of such locked programs). Circuitry 38 may also be used to
enable or disable viewing of pay programs depending on whether such
programs have been purchase by the viewer. Typically, authorization
for the descrambling of scrambled pay programs is provided to
set-top box 34 from television distribution facility 26 after a
program purchase request transmitted to television distribution
facility 26 by set-top box 34 has been processed. If desired,
circuitry 38 may have the capability to handle copy-protected
programs, so that, for example, circuitry 38 may remove copy
protection from a given program.
[0043] During normal television viewing, the user tunes set-top box
34 to a desired television channel. The signal for that television
channel is then provided on path 46 either as a radio-frequency
(RF) signal on a predefined channel (e.g., channel 3 or 4) or as a
demodulated video signal. The video signal on path 46 is received
by TV/VCR 48, so that the user may record programs. Program
recording and other features may be controlled by the interactive
program guide on set-top box 34 using infrared transmitter 52 to
provide commands to infrared receiver 54 in TV/VCR 48. Infrared
receiver 54 also accepts commands from remote control 56. Remote
control 56 may be used to control set-top box 34 by transmitting
commands to infrared receiver 58. If videocassette recorder 42 and
television 44 are provided as separate units, each unit may have
its own infrared receiver. Commands from infrared transmitter 52
used to direct the functions of videocassette recorder 42 may then
be provided directly to the infrared receiver of videocassette
recorder 42.
[0044] Remote control 56 may have cursor keys, an "enter,"
"select," or "ok" button, a "guide" button, a "record" button, an
"order" button, a "lock" button and various other control buttons.
When the user presses the "guide" button, set-top box 34 invokes
the interactive program guide and displays an appropriate screen of
program listings on television 44.
[0045] A typical program guide display is a grid of television
program listings such as grid 60 of FIG. 2. Each row of grid 60
contains program listings information for a different television
channel. Columns of grid 60 are associated with different scheduled
broadcast times for the programs (e.g., 9:00 PM, 9:30 PM, and 10:00
PM). The program listings format of grid 60 is illustrative only.
Any other suitable type of program listings display format may be
used. Moreover, grid 60 is only one display screen of many display
screens that are generally presented to the user during use of the
program guide. Various menus and program listings screens are
generated to provide program guide features related to setting up
the program guide system, searching or sorting program listings,
viewing information for selected programs, handling the purchase of
pay programming, informing the viewer of copy protection, prompting
the viewer for parental-control information, etc.
[0046] In a program listings grid such as grid 60 of FIG. 2, a
highlight region such as highlight region 62 may be used to define
the current position of the user in the grid. The user positions
highlight region 62 using the cursors on remote control 56. If
highlight region 62 is positioned on a program that the user
desires to record, the user can select that program for recording
by pressing the "record" button. If highlight region 62 is
positioned on a pay program that the user desires to order, the
user can order the program by pressing the "order" button. The user
can press the "lock" button to set parental controls (e.g., to
prevent a child from viewing inappropriate material). The "enter"
button may be used in conjunction with the cursor keys to navigate
through program guide menus and to respond to various queries from
the program guide. If desired, the functions of the dedicated
"enter," "guide," "record," "order," and "lock" buttons and various
other control buttons on remote control 56 may be provided in the
form of suitable menu options that the user may select using the
cursor keys and a button like the "select" or "enter" button. In
addition, other dedicated buttons may be provided on remote control
56 if desired.
[0047] One aspect of the present invention relates to recording
television programs selected from the interactive program guide
using single unit TV/VCRs. Combined TV/VCR units are incompatible
with previously known program guide systems, because the VCR "on"
commands that were typically transmitted by such systems just prior
to recording a selected program caused combined TV/VCRs that were
on because the user was watching TV to be turned off.
[0048] Illustrative steps involved in using the interactive program
guide system of the present invention to record programs on TV/VCR
units such as TV/VCR 48 are shown in FIG. 3. At step 64, a message
is displayed on the user's television that provides the user with
an opportunity to indicate whether the videocassette recorder being
used is a stand-alone unit or is part of a combined TV/VCR unit.
After the user indicates that a combined TV/VCR unit is being used,
the user is provided with an opportunity to enter the manufacturer
and model of the TV/VCR unit at step 66. Steps 64 and 66 may be
performed during the set-up procedures for the interactive program
guide system.
[0049] At step 68, the user is provided with an opportunity to
select a program for recording from the program guide. For example,
the user may position highlight region 62 (FIG. 2) on top of a
desired program entry in program listings grid 60 (FIG. 2) and
press the "record" button on remote control 56 (FIG. 1). Just
before the scheduled broadcast time of the selected program, a
message is displayed on television 44 (FIG. 1) that informs the
user that recording is about to begin (step 70). The message asks
whether the user desires to continue with the recording of the
selected television program. If the user indicates a desire to
discontinue the recording of the program in response to the message
of step 70, the recording of the program is cancelled at step 72.
If the user indicates a desire to continue with the recording of
the program in response to the message of step 70, the recording of
the selected program is performed at step 74. Program recording at
step 74 involves using control circuitry 36 to direct circuitry 38
to tune to the appropriate channel for recording the selected
program and to direct videocassette recorder 42 of TV/VCR unit 48
to begin recording by transmitting a "record" command to infrared
receiver 54 of TV/VCR 48 with infrared transmitter 52. When the
selected program is over, recording may be terminated by
transmitting a "stop" command to videocassette recorder 42.
[0050] If the user does not respond to the message of step 70, it
is assumed that the user is not present and that the TV/VCR is
therefore off. Accordingly, at step 76, control circuitry 36
directs circuitry 38 to tune to the appropriate channel for
recording the selected program, directs videocassette recorder 42
of TV/VCR unit 48 to turn on by transmitting a "turn on" command to
infrared receiver 54 of TV/VCR 48 with infrared transmitter 52, and
directs videocassette recorder 42 of TV/VCR unit 48 to begin
recording by transmitting a "record" command to infrared receiver
54 of TV/VCR 48 with infrared transmitter 52. When the selected
program is over, recording may be terminated by transmitting "stop"
and "off" commands to TV/VCR unit 48.
[0051] Another aspect of the present invention relates to recording
consecutive programs on different channels. Previously known
program guide systems have recorded short buffer segments just
before and after the scheduled broadcast time of each recorded
program. For example, as shown in. FIG. 4, a one-minute buffer
segment 80 is typically recorded before program 78 is scheduled to
begin at 3:00 and a three-minute buffer segment 82 is recorded
following the scheduled completion of program 78 at 4:00. Recording
buffer segments 80 and 82 in addition to program 78 ensures that
program 78 is recorded in its entirety even if there is a slight
error in the set-top box clock. However, if a second program 84 is
selected for consecutive recording on a different channel (e.g.,
channel 5 instead of channel 4), the beginning of second program 84
(e.g., from 4:00 to 4:03) will be lost because the system will not
change to the proper channel for program 84 until the recording of
buffer segment 82 has been completed.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, the interactive program guide system of
the present invention eliminates the trailing buffer of first
program 86 whenever a second program 88 is selected for
back-to-back recording on a different channel (e.g., channel 5
rather than channel 4). The other buffer segments, such as leading
buffer segment 90 and trailing buffer segment 92, are preferably
retained. If another program is selected for recording immediately
following program 88, trailing buffer segment 92 may be eliminated.
If desired, all buffer segments may be eliminated. Buffer segment
lengths other than the illustrative one-minute leading and
three-minute trailing buffer segment lengths shown in FIG. 5 may
also be used.
[0053] Another aspect of the present invention relates to recording
programs that may have been locked by a parent to prevent viewing
by a child. As shown in FIG. 6a, the interactive program guide
system of the present invention allows a parent to lock certain
programs at step 93. In particular, the system allows the parent to
define blocking criteria at step 94 to selectively lock certain
programs (i.e., programs with possibly inappropriate content for
children). Step 94 may be performed during a set-up procedure or
whenever desired. Programs with specific titles may be blocked.
Blocking criteria may also be based on ratings, channel, time
period, content (e.g., sex or violence), etc. Program guide data
such as titles, ratings, channels, times, content, etc. is provided
to set-top box 34 from program database 24 of main facility 22 so
that the system can determine which programs should be blocked
based on the blocking criteria. Following (or before) entry of the
blocking criteria at step 94, the system allows the parent to
create a parental control personal identification number (PIN) at
step 96.
[0054] When the parent wishes to view a program that has been
locked, the parent tunes to the desired channel at step 98 of FIG.
6b. The system blocks the audio and video of the locked program
until the parent enters the parental control PIN. A child without
the PIN cannot view the locked program.
[0055] Various techniques may be used by the system to handle the
recording of locked programs. One approach is shown in FIG. 7a. At
step 102, the system allows the user to select a program for
recording from the program guide (e.g., by highlighting the desired
program and pressing the "record" button on remote control 56). At
step 104, the system determines whether the selected program has
been locked. If the selected program has not been locked, the
program is recorded at the scheduled broadcast time at step 106
(e.g., by tuning to the desired channel with circuitry 38 and
activating videocassette recorder 42 at the appropriate time.) If
the selected program has been locked, the system displays a message
at step 108 that asks the user to provide the parental control PIN
created at step 96 of FIG. 6a. If a correct PIN is not provided,
the program is not recorded (step 110). If the correct PIN is
provided at step 108, the system unlocks the selected program and
records the unlocked program at step 112.
[0056] Another approach is shown in FIG. 7b. At step 114, the
system allows the user to select a program for recording from the
program guide. Later, but before the scheduled broadcast time for
the selected program, the user may lock the selected program at
step 116. The locking of the selected program at step 116 may be
deliberate or inadvertent (e.g., when a user defines blocking
criteria at step 94 of FIG. 6a that cause a number of programs
including the selected program to become locked). Regardless of
whether the locking of the selected program is deliberate or
inadvertent, the system detects that the selected program has
become locked-and displays a corresponding message at step 118. The
message informs the user that a program previously selected for
recording is now locked. The message also asks the user whether the
user desires to cancel the recording of the selected program or
whether the recording selection should be retained. If the user
indicates that the recording selection should be cancelled, the
selected program is not recorded by the system (step 120). If the
user indicates that the recording selection should be retained, the
system unlocks the selected program and records the selected
program at the scheduled broadcast time at step 122.
[0057] Another approach is shown in FIG. 7c. At step 124, the
system allows the user to select a program for recording from the
program guide. At step 126, the system determines whether a
parental control PIN has been created (i.e., at step 96 of
[0058] FIG. 6a). If no parental control PIN has been created, no
programs are locked, so the system may record the selected program
at the scheduled broadcast time at step 128. If a parental control
PIN has been created, this indicates that the parent is interested
in controlling which programs are viewed by the child. Accordingly,
at step 130, the system asks the user to input the parental control
PIN. If the PIN is incorrect, the recording of the selected program
may either be prevented entirely or may be allowed to proceed but
without unlocking the program (step 132). If the correct parental
control PIN is provided at step 130, the system unlocks the
selected program if it was locked and records the selected program
at the scheduled broadcast time at step 134.
[0059] The approaches of FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c allow the system to
handle the recording of parentally-locked programs without
requiring the user to enter a parental control PIN at a time when
the user might not be present.
[0060] Another aspect of the present invention relates to recording
pay programs. Previously known systems allowed programs to be
selected for recording without checking to see if such programs
were pay programs. If the user of such a system failed to purchase
the program prior to recording, the program would not be
descrambled during recording.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, the system of the present invention
allows a user to select a program for recording from the program
guide at step 136. At step 138, the system determines whether the
selected program is a pay program. Program guide data identifying
certain program listings as pay programs is provided to set-top box
34 with the other program guide data supplied by database 24 of
main facility 22.
[0062] If the system determines at step 138 that the selected
program is not a pay program, the system records the selected
program at the scheduled broadcast time at step 140. If the system
determines that the selected program is a pay program, the system
either confirms that the user has already purchased the selected
program or allows the user to purchase the program at step 142. The
user may purchase the program by entering an appropriate predefined
personal identification number or using some other suitable
technique (e.g. entering "ok" following display of a message asking
the user to confirm a purchase). At the appropriate time, set-top
box 34 descrambles the desired pay program. If the user indicates a
desire not to purchase the program at step 142, the recording of
the selected program is cancelled at step 144. If the program is
purchased, the system descrambles and records the selected program
at the scheduled broadcast time at step 146.
[0063] Another aspect of the present invention relates to recording
copy-protected programs. Previously known systems have allowed
users to select copy-protected programs for recording without
warning the users that the selected programs were copy protected
and therefore not useable if recorded.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 9, the system of the present invention
allows the user to select a program for recording from the program
guide at step 148. At step 150, the system determines whether the
selected program is copy protected. Program guide data identifying
certain program listings as copy protected is provided to set-top
box 34 with the other program guide data supplied by database 24 of
main facility 22. If the system determines at step 150 that the
selected program is not copy protected, the selected program is
recorded at the scheduled broadcast time at step 152. If the system
determines that the program selected for recording is copy
protected, the system displays a message at step 154 informing the
user that the selected program may not be recorded.
[0065] Another aspect of the invention relates to recording pay
programs that are offered at different prices depending on whether
the program is copy protected or not. As shown in FIG. 10, at step
156 the system allows the user to select a pay program for viewing
only or for recording (and viewing if desired).
[0066] If the user opts to record the selected program, the system
allows the user to purchase the program at the appropriate price
for recording the program without copy protection at step 158. If
the user declines to purchase the program during step 158,
recording is cancelled. If, however, the user confirms the purchase
of the selected program, the order is processed by transmitting the
order to television distribution facility 26. At step 160, the
system provides the selected program without copy protection and
records the selected program.
[0067] If at step 156 the user opts to view the program but not to
record the program, the system allows the user to purchase the
program at a copy-protected price (typically less than the price
without copy protection) at step 162. The system also informs the
user at step 162 that the program may not be recorded. At step 164,
the system provides the program to the user for viewing with copy
protection.
[0068] If desired, combinations of these various program guide
features may be provided. For example, parentally-recorded programs
may be recorded on combinations TV/VCR units, pay programs may be
recorded back-to-back with other programs, copy-protected programs
that are parentally controlled may be recorded, etc.
[0069] 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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