Interactive television program guide with simultaneous watch and record capabilities
An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may use the program guide to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program without interrupting the recording or viewing process. This interactive television program guide system also allows a user the to utilize all or some of the program guide features while in the watch and record mode depending on the embodiment that is being implemented. Further, this watch and record system may be implemented using a multiple tuner set-top box or a single tuner set-top box with a RF bypass or digital switch. In addition to a set-top box, the system may be implemented using a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory, or a computer. The various implementations provide a very versatile watch and record environment for the user.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/723,586, filed Nov. 24, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/329,850, filed Jun. 11, 1999, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 60/089,487, filed Jun. 16, 1998.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to interactive television program guides, and more particularly, to television program guides that allow users to record one program while simultaneously watching a different program.
Interactive program guides are typically implemented on set-top boxes. The program guides implemented on set-top boxes allow users to view television program listings. In addition, some program guides allow the user to select a program to be recorded. When the selected program begins, the program guide tunes the set-top box to the channel showing the program and directs a videocassette recorder (“VCR”) to begin recording. At the end of the selected program, the program guide stops the recording process.
A significant disadvantage to the program guides that are currently available is that they are generally based on set-top boxes that contain one tuner (although set-top boxes containing two tuners have been proposed). A program may be selected for recording using such one-tuner program guides, however, a viewer is unable to watch one program while simultaneously recording another.
What is needed is a more sophisticated program guide that can perform an allocation function amongst multiple tuners or a single tuner in conjunction with a RF bypass switch inside a set-top box or alternatively, outside the set-top box to allow a viewer to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an interactive television program guide system which allows a user to record one program while simultaneously watching another program.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides the user of an interactive television program guide with the ability to watch one program while simultaneously recording another. The user may select a television program to be recorded by viewing the interactive television program guide's program listings display screen and making a selection using a remote control device. The selection is then stored in memory that resides in the set-top box or some other suitable device such as a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory or a computer.
If the set-top box is equipped with multiple tuners, the interactive television program guide will allocate one of the tuners for recording the program when it is time for the program to start. However, if all of the tuners are in use, which may be the case if the viewer is watching one program and using a picture-in-picture (“PIP”) feature to view another program or to display additional text or graphics by using some other secondary tuner function feature that requires a tuner to operate, the interactive television program guide may allocate a tuner for the recording function if the user indicates that he is no longer interested in using the PIP or another secondary tuner function or if the tuner allocation scheme dictates it do so. Alternatively, if the set-top box is equipped with two tuners, one may be dedicated for television viewing and interactive television program guide user features, while the other tuner may be dedicated for recording use only.
The present invention may also be practiced using a set-top box system having a single tuner and a radio-frequency (“RF”) bypass or digital switch. With such a system, the interactive television program guide allocates use of the single tuner output and controls the switch output to provide a watch and record environment for the user.
The invention, together with its various features and advantages, can be readily understood from the following more detailed description taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings.
The program guide information transmitted by main facility 102 to television distribution facility 110 includes television program listings data for current and future television programs. The television program listings data for each program preferably includes the title of the program, the channel for the program, a scheduled broadcast time (start time) and an ending time or the duration of the program. Other typical program listings data includes ratings, critics ratings, descriptions, genres (sport, movies, children, etc.), actors, etc. Transmitted program information may also include advertising information and pay program data such as pricing information for individual programs and subscription channels, telephone numbers for placing orders that cannot be impulse ordered, etc.
Television distribution facility 110 distributes television programming and program guide information to the user television equipment 106 of multiple users via communications paths 108. For example, television programming may be distributed over analog television channels and program guide data may be distributed over an out-of-band link on paths 108. Data distribution may also involve using one or more digital channels on paths 108. Such digital channels may also be used for distributing television programming and other information. Multiple television and audio channels (analog, digital, or both analog and digital) may be provided to set-top boxes 112 via communication paths 108. If desired, program listings and other information may be distributed by one or more distribution facilities that are separate from television distribution facility 110 using communications paths that are separate from paths 108.
Certain functions such as pay program purchasing may require set-top boxes 112 to transmit data to television distribution facility 110 over communications paths 108. If desired, such data may be transmitted over telephone lines or other separate communications paths. If functions such as these are provided using facilities separate from television distribution facility 110, some of the communications involving set-top boxes 112 may be made directly with the separate facility.
Each user has user program guide equipment that acts as a receiver. The user program guide equipment is typically a set-top box such as set-top box 112, but which may be other suitable television equipment into which circuitry similar to set-top box circuitry has been integrated. Program guide data is distributed to set-top boxes 112 periodically, continuously or on demand. Television distribution facility 110 may also poll set-top boxes 112 periodically for certain information (e.g., pay program account information or information regarding programs that have been purchased and viewed using locally-generated authorization techniques). Main facility 102 preferably contains a processor to handle information distribution tasks. Each set-top box 112 preferably contains a processor to handle tasks associated with implementing a interactive television program guide application on the set-top box 112. Television distribution facility 110 may contain a processor for tasks associated with monitoring a user's interactions with the interactive television program guide implemented on set-top boxes 112 and for handling tasks associated with the distribution of program guide data and other information to user television equipment 106.
Each set-top box 112 is typically connected to an optional recording device such as videocassette recorder (VCR) 114 or other suitable recording device, so that selected television programs may be recorded. VCR 114 may be connected to television 116 (or other suitable viewing device such as a monitor) or set-top box 112 may be connected to television 116 (or other suitable viewing device). To record a program, set-top box 112 tunes to a particular channel and sends control signals via infrared (IR) transmitter 200, other suitable control paths such as a hard-wired link or serial bus 201 to VCR 114. The control signals direct VCR 114 to start and stop recording at the appropriate times.
During use of the interactive television program guide implemented on set-top box 112, television program listings and other information may be displayed on television 116. Such interactive television program guide displays may be overlaid on top of a television program to which the user has tuned with set-top box 112 or may be displayed in place of such a program. Each set-top box 112, VCR 114, and television 116 may be controlled by one or more remote controls 118 or any other suitable user input interface such as a wireless keyboard, mouse, trackball, dedicated set of buttons, voice recognition system etc. Remote controls such as remote control 118 have various buttons that may be pressed by the user such as cursor keys (for on-screen movement of a highlighted region, scrolling functions, etc.), an enter key (for making a selection), channel number keys (for selecting functions related to user preferences), etc.
The unprocessed television input signal on line 206 is provided to set-top box 112. The unprocessed television input signal on line 206 is then received by tuner 202 and tuner 204 which process this signal by decoding it and tuning to desired television channels. The television input signal on line 206 is typically an analog television signal and the invention will generally be described in this context. However, the principals of the present invention also apply to set-top boxes that receive digital television signals as well. The principals of the present invention apply to satellite receivers, cable set-top boxes, and other devices suitable for the reception of television signals such as microwave television receivers, or broadcast television system receivers. However, for clarity the present invention will be described primarily in the context of cable set-top boxes. Tuner outputs 208 and 210 of each tuner are respectively connected to audio/video output 1 and audio/video output 2 of set-top box 112. Audio/video output 1 and audio/video output 2 may be connected to external devices such as either a television or VCR. Formats for audio/video output 1 and audio/video output 2 may include RF or baseband analog, MPEG-2 carried on an IEEE 1394 bus, or any other suitable format.
In this example, audio/video output 204 is connected to VCR 114. Accordingly, with the arrangement of
At step 302 of
At step 304, the interactive television program guide sends commands via IR transmitter 200 that direct VCR 114 of
At step 306 of
As shown in
Returning to
At step 312, after the record request is processed the interactive television program guide displays viewer option for secondary function use (PIP cancellation) display screen 410 as shown in
At step 314, after the user has chosen to proceed with the recording process, the output of the other tuner is directed to VCR 114 by switching circuitry 218 and used to record the selected program. The interactive television program guide tunes the other tuner to the channel on which the selected program will be broadcast and sends IR commands to VCR 114 to start recording.
If the user decides not to activate a secondary function such as PIP before the interactive television program guide begins to record the program that was selected for recording, the interactive television program guide uses the other tuner to record the selected program at step 308. Thus, following step 308, both tuners are in use. The user is watching television with the first tuner while the second (other) tuner is being used to record the selected program. If the user attempts to activate a secondary function as shown at point 311 in
If the user cancels the secondary function request (using, e.g., highlight region 421 of
If the user cancels the record request by selecting “Yes” in viewer option for secondary function use (recording cancellation) display screen 420, the interactive television program guide allocates the other tuner for secondary function use at step 320. In step 320, the interactive television program guide sends IR commands to VCR 114 to direct VCR 114 to stop recording.
When the interactive television program guide system is in watch-and-record mode, only raw signal 506 is transmitted on output 512 of RF bypass switch 502 and directed to television 116. Output 508 of tuner 504 in set-top box 500 is directed to VCR 114 only. Therefore, all of the programs (scrambled and unscrambled) that are available to the user from television distribution facility 110 may be recorded by VCR 114. When television 116 receives unprocessed raw signal 506, the user may view all of the programs available to that user from television distribution facility 110 that do not require processing or unscrambling by tuner 504. The user may tune the television by using remote control 118 to change the channels on the television and not by changing the channels on set-top box tuner 504. The interactive television program guide may process channel requests received from remote control 118 and may retransmit suitable channel changing commands to TV 116 using IR transmitter 200. In this mode, channel requests are redirected away from tuner 504, which is normally the recipient of such requests, to the tuner of television 116.
When television 116 is in a mode where it is receiving raw signal 506, use of the interactive television program guide is limited because many of the interactive television program guide's features require processing by set-top box tuner 504 and its output 508 to be directed to television 116. However, limited use of the interactive television program guide is still possible in this mode because some interactive television program guide features remain accessible to the user. For example, the interactive television program guide may display simple information such as the channel number on the front panel of the set-top box. The interactive television program guide may also prevent the user from attempting to tune to any channel that television 116 cannot decode due to scrambling. The interactive television program guide may provide the user with the option to select the last channel viewed, use favorite channel features or adjust television volume without interrupting the recording process. If the user had set a reminder for the time during which a recording is active, the interactive television program guide may automatically tune the television to the selected program. Alternatively, the interactive television program guide may allow the user to toggle between programs with reminders, by using a predefined key on remote control 118. If the user attempts to tune to a program that is parentally controlled, the interactive television program guide may prevent the transmission of channel-tuning commands to the television. In this case, the interactive television program guide may tune to the desired program only after a special personal identification number (PIN) is entered into remote control 118. The interactive television program guide may present a prompt for such a PIN on the front-panel display of set-top box 500. Interactive television program guide command signal 212 is an input to IR transmitter 200 and is used to send commands from the interactive television program guide to external devices such as television 116 and VCR 114 via infrared transmission signals. IR transmitter 200 may be optimally positioned so that VCR 114 and television 116 will receive the IR signal effectively.
The single tuner, RF bypass switch configuration of
At step 602, the interactive television program guide initiates the recording of the selected program by directing set-top box tuner output 508 to VCR 114. The interactive television program guide tunes set-top box tuner 504 to selected program and sets set-top box tuner output 508 to an optimal volume level for recording. Because set-top box tuner output 508 is being used to record the selected program, all programs available to the user from television distribution facility 110 may be recorded. When the recording process is initiated, the interactive television program guide directs raw signal 506 through RF bypass switch 502 and to television 116. Because television 116 receives raw signal 506 while the recording process is occurring only programs decodeable by cable ready television 116 may be viewed. The interactive television program guide may send commands via IR transmitter 200 to tune television 116 to the channel previously watched by the user so as not to interrupt the program being viewed. While television 116 receives raw signal 506, the user has limited access to interactive television program guide features because to have full access to interactive television program guide features set-top box tuner 504 must not be in the record mode.
At step 604, without interrupting the recording process, a user may select a particular television channel by using remote control 118. When the user selects a channel, the interactive television program guide sends IR commands to the tuner of television 116 and not to set-top box tuner 504, thereby providing an interruption-free recording environment. In this configuration, the user may use a limited number of interactive television program guide functions such as parental control, reminders and volume control.
At step 606, when the selected program ends, the interactive television program guide sends IR commands to stop the recording process. The interactive television program guide directs the output of set-top tuner 504 to television 116 and also tunes set-top box tuner 504 to the channel television 116 was previously tuned to, which once again provides the user with the full range of programs available to the user and full access to interactive television program guide features. The interactive television program guide may change the volume of set-top box tuner output 508 back to the volume level selected by the user.
At step 800, after the user has selected a program to be recorded, the interactive television program guide continues to direct set-top box tuner output 508 to television 116 and switches raw signal 506 through RF bypass switch 502 to VCR 114.
At step 802, when the selected program is to begin, the interactive television program guide initiates recording of the selected program. The interactive television program guide sends IR commands that tune the internal tuner of VCR 114 to the desired channel for the selected program. This configuration of the present invention allows only programs that are decodeable by VCR 114 to be recorded while another program is being viewed and not those programs that require processing or unscrambling by set-top box tuner 504. However, if television 116 is not being viewed, VCR 114 can record any program available to the user. While the recording process is occurring, set-top box tuner output 508 continues to be directed to television 116 providing the user with unlimited access to interactive television program guide features and all programs available to the user from television distribution facility 110.
At step 804, when the selected programs ends, the interactive television program guide sends IR commands to VCR 114 to stop the recording process. The interactive television program guide also switches raw signal 506 and processed signal 508 such that VCR 114 receives processed signal 508 once again.
At step 1000, the interactive television program guide directs set-top box tuner output 508 through RF bypass switch 900 via output 904 to television 116 and raw signal 506 through RF bypass switch 900 via 902 to VCR 114. A user may be watching television 116.
At step 1002, when the program is scheduled to begin, the interactive television program guide initiates recording of the program selected by the user. The record process may be initiated while a user is watching programming on television 116.
At step 1004, if VCR 114 can decode the channel on which the selected program will be broadcast, the program continues to direct set-top box tuner output 508 to television 116 and raw signal 506 through RF bypass switch 900 to VCR 114. The interactive television program guide sends IR commands to the internal tuner of VCR 114 that tune to the desired channel for the selected program and directs VCR 114 to start recording the selected program. This allows the user to view any program available to the user from television distribution facility 110 without any interruptions due to the recording process.
At step 1006, if VCR 114 cannot decode the channel on which the selected program will be broadcast, the interactive television program guide redirects set-top box output 508 from television 116 to VCR 114 and also redirects raw signal 506 through RF bypass switch 900 from VCR 114 to television 116. The interactive television program guide may set set-top box tuner output 508 to an optimal volume level for recording. The interactive television program guide sends commands on line 212 to tune set-top box tuner 504 to tune to the channel on which the selected program will be broadcast. The interactive television program guide also sends IR commands to television 116 to tune it to the channel, if unscrambled, that the user was viewing prior to the switch. This provides the user with the ability to record any program available to him from television distribution facility 110. However, the user may only view programs decodeable by cable-ready television 116. Similar to the configuration described in
At step 1008, when the selected programs ends, the interactive television program guide sends IR commands to VCR 114 to stop the recording process. The interactive television program guide switches raw signal 506 and processed signal 508 so that raw signal 506 is directed to VCR 114 and processed signal 508 is directed to television 116 once again. The interactive television program guide may tune set-top box tuner 504 to the channel that was being viewed prior to the switch to provide the viewer with an interruption-free viewing environment.
At step 300, the interactive television program guide provides the user with an opportunity to select a program to be recorded at some later time.
At step 1300, the interactive television program guide directs set-top box tuner output 508 to television 116 and to VCR 114. This arrangement is the normal switching position for this configuration of the present invention.
At step 1302, the interactive television program guide initiates recording of the program selected by the user.
At step 1304, while the user is viewing television 116, if VCR 114 can decode the channel on which the selected program will be broadcast, the interactive television program guide continues to direct set-top box tuner output 508 to television 116 and raw signal 506 through RF bypass switch 1100 to VCR 114. The interactive television program guide sends IR commands that tune the internal tuner of VCR 114 to the desired channel for the selected program and that directs VCR 114 to start recording the selected program. This allows the user to view any program available to the user from his cable company without any interruptions due to the recording process.
At step 1306, while the user is viewing television 116, if VCR 114 cannot decode the channel on which the selected program will be broadcast, the interactive television program guide redirects set-top box output 508 from television 116 to VCR 114 and also redirects raw signal 506 through RF bypass switch 1100 from VCR 114 to television 116. The interactive television program guide may set set-top box tuner output 508 to an optimal volume level for recording. The interactive television program guide may tune television 116 to channel previously selected by the user. This provides the user with the ability to record any program available from television distribution facility 110. However, the user may only view programs decodeable by cable television 116. As mentioned previously in the specifications for
At step 1308, when the selected programs ends, the interactive television program guide sends IR commands to the VCR to stop the recording process. The interactive television program guide switches raw signal 506 and processed signal 508 so that processed signal 508 is directed to both VCR 114 and television 116. The interactive television program guide may tune set-top box tuner 504 to channel selected prior to the switch.
The interactive television program guide system provides the user with a variety of watch and record options that depend on the particular signal switching options, tuner capabilities, and tuner functions available in user television equipment 106. The interactive television program guide system may use various types of switches to implement the necessary signal routing between user program guide equipment tuners, the viewing device tuner and the recording device tuner. A switch may have one or more outputs depending on the interactive television program guide system's configuration. Thus, signal switching options relate to the switching capabilities associated with a particular type of switch. Tuner capabilities relate to whether a tuner is capable to decoding a scrambled television input signal, or a digital signal. For example, when a user requests to view a scrambled program the interactive television program guide allocates a tuner that is capable of decoding the scrambled signal such as a set-top box tuner, and does not allocate a tuner such as a viewing device tuner that may be incapable of decoding the signal. The allocated tuner provides a corresponding unscrambled or processed signal to viewing device 116 so that the user is able to view the requested program.
A tuner that is “less capable” of fulfilling a user request is a tuner that is capable of handling the user request. For example, a viewing device tuner may be capable of handling a user request to view an unscrambled program. In that case the interactive television program guide will not allocate a tuner that is capable of unscrambling signals such as a set-top box tuner, because it is not necessary to do so.
Tuner functions relate to the various user-requested and non-user-requested automatic functions that a tuner can perform. Tuner functions, also referred to as secondary functions include providing the user with the ability to view and to record selected television programs using the interactive television program guide, collect data from the television input signal while another tuner is performing another function, supporting Internet browsing, providing the user with the capability to play a particular music channel or to obtain music information, providing the user with interactive services, performing a background process or providing a second video image (PIP).
Another option provided to the user by the interactive television program guide is the watch option. The watch option allows the user to immediately view a selected program if the program is currently being broadcast when the user selects it from a group of interactive television program guide program listings or if the program will be broadcast in the future, the watch option allows the user to set a reminder that will remind the user that the selected program is about to begin. The user may set a reminder that will displayed while the viewer is watching a television program or the user may set the reminder to automatically tune to the selected program when it is time for that program to begin.
While a user is viewing or attempting to view a particular program the interactive television program guide will allocate tuner resources that are composed of one or more tuners for the viewing activity. The interactive television program guide may allocate tuner resources based on an assumption that the user is always viewing a particular program or that the user desires to view a particular program.
In the case where a user is initially watching and recording the same program, then while the recording is still continuing the user desires to watch a different program, the interactive television program guide may allocate another tuner to accommodate the user's request in accordance with the configurations of the present invention described above.
The optimal volume feature is a feature that allows the interactive television program guide to automatically set the output of a tuner that has been allocated for recording to its optimal volume level some time prior to the start of the recording process.
The parental control feature is a capability of the interactive television program guide to prevent access to programs or channels that the user desires to block access to unless a special access code or personal identification number (“PIN”) is entered into the interactive television program guide system. After the PIN is entered into the system by the user, the user program guide equipment provides user feedback on a numeric display. The user feedback may be in the form of a user prompt, an indication that the correct or incorrect PIN has been entered, dashed lines or some other suitable method of providing the user with feedback.
Interactive television program guide features include tuner functions such as watch and record, PIP, etc., or non-tuner based features such as providing the user with program listings, program information displays and on-screen menu displays, etc.
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.
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A method for using user equipment, comprising:
- tuning a first tuner to a channel;
- displaying a program that is being broadcast on the channel;
- recording a program that is being broadcast on the channel; and
- using a second tuner to provide interactive Internet access, wherein the interactive Internet access is provided during a period of time that at least partially overlaps with when the program is being recorded.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the interactive Internet access comprises accessing digital music on the Internet.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein using the second tuner to provide the interactive Internet access further comprises:
- launching an Internet browser; and
- connecting to the Internet.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein using the second tuner to provide the interactive Internet access further comprises utilizing a server located at a distribution facility to connect to the Internet.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein using the second tuner to provide the interactive Internet access further comprises:
- receiving a command to use the second tuner to provide the interactive Internet access; and
- providing the interactive Internet access in response to receiving the command.
7. A multi-tuner system, comprising:
- a first tuner that tunes to a channel;
- a display device that displays a program that is being broadcast on the channel;
- a storage device that stores the program; and
- a second tuner that provides interactive Internet access, wherein the interactive Internet access is provided during a period of time that at least partially overlaps with when the program is being recorded.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the interactive Internet access comprises accessing digital music on the Internet.
9. The system of claim 7, further comprising control circuitry on which a program guide application is implemented, wherein the program guide application is configured to:
- launch an Internet browser; and connect to the Internet.
10. The system of claim 7, further comprising a server located at a distribution facility that facilitates the providing of the interactive Internet access.
11. The system of claim 7, further comprising control circuitry on which a program guide application is implemented, wherein the program guide application is configured to command the second tuner to provide the interactive Internet access, and wherein the second tuner provides the interactive Internet access in response to receiving the command.
12. A method for using user equipment, comprising:
- tuning a first tuner to a channel;
- displaying a program that is being broadcast on the channel;
- using a second tuner to facilitate the collection of program guide data, wherein the program guide data is collected during a period of time that overlaps with when the program is being displayed;
- receiving a command during the period of time, wherein the command requires using the second tuner to facilitate a function other than the collection of the program guide data; and
- in response to receiving the command: automatically terminating the collection of the program guide data; and using the second tuner to facilitate the function.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein using the second tuner to facilitate the collection of program guide data is activated by a program guide application.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein using the second tuner to facilitate the collection of program guide data requires no user input.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the function is recording a program.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the function is picture-in-picture.
17. A multi-tuner system, comprising:
- a first tuner that tunes to a channel;
- a display device that displays a program that is being broadcast on the channel;
- a second tuner that facilitates the collection of program guide data, wherein the program guide data is collected during a period of time that overlaps with when the program is being displayed; and
- control circuitry on which a program guide application is implemented, configured to: receive a command during the period of time, wherein the command requires using the second tuner to facilitate a function other than the collection of the program guide data; and in response to receiving the command: terminate the collection of the program guide data; and use the second tuner to facilitate the function.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to activate the second tuner to facilitate the collection of program guide data.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the second tuner facilitates the collection of program guide data without user input.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the function is recording a program.
21. The system of claim 17, wherein the function is picture-in-picture.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 20, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 31, 2008
Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA)
Inventors: Thomas R. Lemmons (Sand Springs, OK), Connie T. Marshall (Muskogee, OK), Donald W. Allison (Tulsa, OK), Michael D. Ellis (Boulder, CO)
Application Number: 11/894,622
International Classification: H04N 5/445 (20060101); H04N 7/16 (20060101); H04N 7/173 (20060101);