Abstract: An approach is provided for storing and retrieving digital audio/video data. A system bus of fixed width transfers data bits. The data bits form a bit pattern. An interface is coupled to system bus and is configured to alter the bit pattern of the data bits, according to a prescribed scheme. A hard disk drive is coupled to the interface and is configured to store the altered data bits. The approach has particular applicability to a digital set-top box for a direct satellite television system.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for displaying the status of a recording device such as a set top box (STB) equipped with a digital video recorder (DVR) includes a memory that stores status parameters indicating functionality of the STB-equipped with DVR, and a processor for controlling the display of these status parameters based on receiving user commands to access the memory and display at least a selected one of the status parameters for review. A suitable user command interface may be used in order to transmit a command to display desired status parameter(s). Status parameters displayed include the time that a recording is behind a live feed, whether a program being viewed is live or recorded, available storage capacity for recording, visual/audiovisual alerts indicating various levels of storage available for recording, and other file attributes associated with the functionality and operation of the STB-equipped with DVR.

Abstract: A personalized video-on-demand system and method utilizes an array of hard disk drives or other storage media to create a video server farm having the enormous capacity necessary for a video content library. A content feed supplies video content to the inventive device via a variety of communication media. Utilizing the device, the content stream may be directly viewed, decoded/decrypted or recorded in the video server farm. A multiple receiver/tuner can receive multiple content streams and the system may simultaneously record a plurality of programs on a storage device. With a multiple display unit such as a picture-in-picture television, the consumer can view desired programs in the normal manner while the device aggregates a video library in the background. An electronic program guide aids in the content selection and recording. Scheduling conflicts are resolved by simultaneous, multiple recording methods.

Abstract: A digital video recorder (DVR) and method of recording including a tuner for receiving available content, a memory for storing selectable status parameters indicating functionality of the digital video recorder, a telephone answering device for receiving voice signals and caller ID signals representing a telephone message from a caller and converting the voice signals and caller ID signals into digital signals, and a processor, which performs operations on the available content from the tuner, which directs storage of the digital signals to a storage device and controls playback of the storage signals of the telephone message to be output at a display device and controls a display of a plurality of status parameters based on received commands to access a memory so as to display one or more of the plurality of status parameters. The DVR of the present invention may include one or more tuners and one or more processors.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling devices with digitally stored content. Devices such as home electronic appliances, lighting systems, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, home security systems and home entertainment systems are controlled from a single, centralized device. A set top box (STB) stores scripts that include program content for controlling the operation of a plurality of these devices from the STB. A user of the STB selects the desired scripts, and the STB accesses the selected scripts from storage based on a triggering mechanism such as time, content, event, etc. The STB selectively controls operation of certain devices designated in the script. The method provides ease of control over multiple and diverse devices, applications and media within a user's own home environment, with more functionality and flexibility than currently available.

Abstract: A set top box (STB) includes multiple processors that handle either real time or non-real time functions within the STB. One of the processors may perform substantially all of the real time operations, such as control of a data pipeline to the STB, conditional access, and control of a program guide stored within the DVR. The other processor may control substantially all non-real time functions that are executed within the STB, such as graphics user interface and browser functions. The STB may be embodied as a digital video recorder (DVR). The additional processor(s) provide for increased overall system bandwidth, improved system security and greater system stability for an STB and/or DVR configured with these multiple processors, as compared to a conventional STB having a single micro-controller or processor.

Abstract: A digital telephone answering device DTAD) that utilizes the functionality of a device such as a set top box (STB) equipped with a digital video recorder (DVR). The system includes a DTAD operatively connected to an STB equipped with DVR, or DVR TAD. A memory of the STB equipped with DVR is used by the DVR TAD for storing a plurality of parameters and data such as telephone messages and caller ID signals typically associated with the DVR TAD. A microprocessor within the STB equipped with DVR controls DVR TAD functionality and display of parameters associated with the DVR TAD. Control is based on receiving user commands to access the memory and to display at least a selected one of DVR TAD associated parameters for review and/or manipulation by the viewer or user on a display device operatively connected to the STB equipped with DVR.

Abstract: A personal video on-demand system and method which permits a user to receive available content using at least two tuners and perform one of a plurality of operations on the available content. These operations include recording two or more signals, where one or both may be simultaneously viewed, recording one or more signals and playing back one or more signals, playing back two or more signals, watching one or more signals while recording one or more other signals, viewing two or more signals live, or viewing at least one signal live, while viewing one or more signals in a playback mode. These operations also include selecting an even based on actor, actress, director, etc.,.

Abstract: A personal video on-demand system and method which permits a user to receive available content using a single tuner and perform one of a plurality of operations on the available content. These operations include recording two or more signals, where one or both may be simultaneously viewed, recording one or more signals and playing back one or more signals, playing back two or more signals, watching one or more signals while recording one or more other signals, viewing two or more signals live, or viewing at least one signal live, while viewing one or more signals in a playback mode. These operations also include selecting an even based on actor, actress, director, etc.,.