Abstract: Automated personal video recording comprising scheduling a show for a user having allocated storage space on a personal video recorder (“PVR”), wherein the show has a storage space requirement that exceeds the user's free space, and the PVR is coupled for data communications to a storage space provider; and transmitting to the storage space provider an order to record the show through the storage space provider in storage space on a remote PVR that is coupled for data communications to the storage space provider. Receiving in a storage space provider from a personal video recorder (“PVR”) an order to record a show on a remote PVR, the order comprising an identification of a show and a schedule for recording the show; selecting a remote PVR; and recording the show, in dependence upon the show identification and the schedule for recording the show, in storage space on the selected remote PVR.

Abstract: Automated personal video recording comprising scheduling a show for a user having allocated storage space on a personal video recorder (“PVR”), wherein the show has a storage space requirement that exceeds the user's free space, and the PVR is coupled for data communications to a storage space provider; and transmitting to the storage space provider an order to record the show through the storage space provider in storage space on a remote PVR that is coupled for data communications to the storage space provider. Receiving in a storage space provider from a personal video recorder (“PVR”) an order to record a show on a remote PVR, the order comprising an identification of a show and a schedule for recording the show; selecting a remote PVR; and recording the show, in dependence upon the show identification and the schedule for recording the show, in storage space on the selected remote PVR.

Abstract: Machine learning for control of a personal video recorder (“PVR”), including providing records of transmissions of messages; identifying a message point in operation of a PVR; selecting, in dependence upon the message point, a message to be transmitted; and determining in dependence upon the records of transmissions of messages whether to transmit the selected message. Embodiments include determining whether to transmit the selected message in dependence upon a frequency with which the message is transmitted to a user. Embodiments include transmitting to users messages prompting for responses identifying commands; storing records of transmissions of messages, including storing records of responses; and selecting a message to be transmitted in dependence upon the records of responses to messages. Embodiments include structuring the selected message in dependence upon the records of responses to messages, including inserting in the selected message choices for a set of sequenced commands.

Abstract: Machine learning for control of a personal video recorder (“PVR”), including providing records of transmissions of messages; identifying a message point in operation of a PVR; selecting, in dependence upon the message point, a message to be transmitted; and determining in dependence upon the records of transmissions of messages whether to transmit the selected message. Embodiments include determining whether to transmit the selected message in dependence upon a frequency with which the message is transmitted to a user. Embodiments include transmitting to users messages prompting for responses identifying commands; storing records of transmissions of messages, including storing records of responses; and selecting a message to be transmitted in dependence upon the records of responses to messages. Embodiments include structuring the selected message in dependence upon the records of responses to messages, including inserting in the selected message choices for a set of sequenced commands.

Abstract: Automated personal video recording for multi-user personal video recorders having a multiplicity of registered users, each user having allocated storage space on the PVR which allocated storage space for each user includes storage space upon which shows are recorded and storage space upon which shows have not been recorded (free space), including recording for a borrower a show owned by the borrower, the show having a storage space requirement exceeding the borrower's free space by a deficit amount; selecting, in dependence upon the deficit amount, one or more lenders, wherein the lenders are users, registered on the PVR, having free space; and borrowing, in dependence upon the deficit amount, from the lenders for the borrower, at least one loan amount of storage space. Embodiments include returning from the borrower to the lender the deficit amount after displaying the show to the borrower or upon repossession by a lender.

Abstract: Automated personal video recording, including selecting a lender from among one or more lenders, in which the selecting is carried out in dependence upon a deficit amount, the lenders include at least one user having free storage space and at least one pool having free storage space. The method also includes borrowing, in dependence upon the deficit amount, from the selected lender for a borrower, at least one loan amount of storage space, the borrower having allocated storage space on the PVR optionally including free space, and recording a show for the borrower, the show having a storage space requirement exceeding the borrower's free space by the deficit amount. The borrower can be an individual user or a group comprised of more than one user.

Abstract: Administration of storage space requirements on personal video recorders (“PVRs”), including recording a show having a storage space requirement, and incrementing the show's storage space requirement. Embodiments include tracking a recording period for the show and actual storage space used during the recording period; comparing the storage space used with an amount of storage space projected to be used during the tracked recording period; and incrementing the show's storage space requirement if the storage space used is greater than the storage space projected to be used. Embodiments include incrementing the show's storage space requirement in accordance with a predetermined overallocation rate. Embodiments include incrementing a show's storage space requirement in dependence upon genre.

Abstract: Automated personal video recording on a personal video recorder, including recording shows, each show having an original compression level; further compressing a recorded show to a new compression level, the new compression level being higher than the recorded show's original compression level, thereby making available free space; and recording at least part of a new show in free space made available by further compressing the recorded show. Embodiments include recording a show having a compression level and increasing the show's compression level while recording.

Abstract: Automated personal video recording on a multi-user personal video recorder, including recording a first show, displaying at least a portion of the first show, creating displayed space, freeing displayed space, making available free space, and recording at least part of a second show in free space made available by freeing displayed space.

Abstract: A system and method provides a detailed edit schedule for a user's recording device, such as a digital video recorder. The detailed edit schedule can be provided over a network by the user's DVR service provider, or can be provided from a third party. The detailed edit schedule describes various segments that occur within the program. This information is used by a digital video recorder to identify program segments of interest to the user. When program segments are identified, the individual segments are recorded rather than recording the entire program. The program segments can also include commercials matching the user's interests. The DVR keeps track of scenes that the user records and sends the information, along with the user's demographic information, back to the DVR service provider for creating reports for sponsors showing which commercials and program segments were watched or recorded by different groups of people.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for controlling throughput of message requests in a messaging system is provided. A message request is received from a sending user. A priority requirement is determined for the message request according to priority settings designated by a receiving user for whom the message request is intended. Output of the message request to the receiving user is adjusted according to whether the message request meets the priority requirement, such that throughput of the message request to the receiving user is controlled. In addition, output of a message indicating that the receiving user is available is adjusted according to said priority requirement.

Abstract: A system and method for automatic translation of broadcast messages in a wireless communication system are provided. With the system and method when a wireless communication device enters a region of a wireless network, the wireless communication device registers with the wireless network by way of a base station and mobile switching center. The registration of the wireless communication device includes the creation of a database entry at the mobile switching center that identifies the wireless communication device and includes an indication of the origin, such as the country code, of the wireless communication device. Based on this indication of origin, a desired output language may be identified. This identified output language may then be used to identify prestored versions of a broadcast message that are in the output language or identify the mechanism for translating a broadcast message from an original language to the identified output language.

Abstract: A system and method for automatic translation of broadcast messages in a wireless communication system are provided. With the system and method when a wireless communication device enters a region of a wireless network, the wireless communication device registers with the wireless network by way of a base station and mobile switching center. The registration of the wireless communication device includes the creation of a database entry at the mobile switching center that identifies the wireless communication device and includes an indication of the origin, such as the country code, of the wireless communication device. Based on this indication of origin, a desired output language may be identified. This identified output language may then be used to identify prestored versions of a broadcast message that are in the output language or identify the mechanism for translating a broadcast message from an original language to the identified output language.

Abstract: Automated personal video recording including scheduling a show for a borrower, in which the borrower is a user having allocated storage space on a personal video recorder (“PVR”) optionally including free space, the show has a storage space requirement, and the PVR is coupled for data communications to a storage space provider, borrowing storage space from the storage space provider, and recording the show in the borrowed storage space.

Abstract: Automated personal video recording comprising scheduling a show for a user having allocated storage space on a personal video recorder (“PVR”), wherein the show has a storage space requirement that exceeds the user's free space, and the PVR is coupled for data communications to a storage space provider; and transmitting to the storage space provider an order to record the show through the storage space provider in storage space on a remote PVR that is coupled for data communications to the storage space provider. Receiving in a storage space provider from a personal video recorder (“PVR”) an order to record a show on a remote PVR, the order comprising an identification of a show and a schedule for recording the show; selecting a remote PVR; and recording the show, in dependence upon the show identification and the schedule for recording the show, in storage space on the selected remote PVR.

Abstract: Creating a skin for a client device, including creating, in dependence upon button attributes, one or more buttons for the skin, in which the skin includes one or more buttons for the skin and each button comprises graphics associated with a portion of a GUI on the client device, and downloading the one or more buttons for the skin from a source of skins to the client device. Embodiments include downloading only a subset of the buttons for a skin, including incrementally downloading two or more staggered subsets of the buttons for a skin to entice viewers to take one or more predetermined actions. Embodiments include programming triggers for date and time, wherein the triggers go off regardless whether the client device is presently available to receive downloaded buttons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for crediting a specific user of a personal video recorder (PVR) system. The one or more current users of a PVR system are identified. Based on the activity being performed by the users, the users' accounts are credited. The activity may be watching advertising or programming, to allowing the PVR provider to distribute the users' viewing habits, or completing surveys. Additionally, users may belong to a user group that may be credited based on the activity performed. Specific combinations of users may incur bonuses or premiums based on the combination of users.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the users of a personal video recorder (PVR) system are identified. A determination is made regarding the viewing time of fee-based programming for each user of the system. The users are charged for the programming based on his or her viewing time. The invention may be applied to the cost of basic cable service (fixed cost service), pay-per-view, or special event programming.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an operator of a personal video recorder (PVR) identifies himself or herself to a personal video recorder (PVR) as the current user. The identification maybe accomplished by a number of means including the use of a personal identification number (PIN), a user name and password, or through a trusted third party. Once the current user of the PVR is identified, the afterwards indicated preference settings (i.e. thumbs up/down) are stored in a manner as to relate the preference setting with the user. With the PVR able to distinguish preferences for each user, the PVR may automatically record programming for a particular user without regard to preferences specified by other users.

Abstract: A system and method is provided where a DVR service provider receives program sponsorship requests from sponsors and transmits the sponsorship information to the provider's clients. The sponsors pay the provider for including the sponsored programs as starting points in the on-screen guides that are used by the provider's clients. The user requests an on-screen guide and the DVR selects a sponsored program to use as the guide's starting point. The selected program is displayed and highlighted in the resulting on-screen guide display. The DVR keeps track of the number of times each sponsored program is used as the on-screen guide anchor as well as the number of times the user performs the sponsored program. Usage data, along with demographic data regarding the user, are periodically transmitted to the DVR service provider which creates reports for sponsors showing which programs were watched or recorded by different groups of people.