Abstract: A method and apparatus providing time-shifted television within a video-on-demand system.

Abstract: A method for a scheduled-recording of a program and an image display apparatus using the same are provided. The method for a scheduled-recording of a program includes displaying a search menu for searching other programs related to a program being displayed, and scheduling the recording of at least one program from among programs searched according to search options selected from the search menu. Therefore, a scheduled-recording may be readily set without searching for each program separately from an electronic program guide screen, and thus, greater convenience is provided to the user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and method for recording television content in the event of a power loss. For example, in one embodiment, an optical network terminal associated with providing video service to the digital video recorder is utilized to backup and store a scheduled television program that occurs during the duration of a power outage affecting the digital video recorder.

Abstract: A system for recording television programs for subsequent viewing by a user includes a preference determination module which is responsive to attribute information associated with television programs viewed by the user. The preference determination module categorizes the attribute information in accordance with categorization parameters to generate recordation preference information, indicative of television program viewing preferences of the user. The system also includes a recordation module which is responsive to the recordation preference information, for causing recordation on a storage medium of subsequently transmitted television programs, having attribute information corresponding to the recordation preference information.

Abstract: A data storage management and scheduling system schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of television and Web page program material on a client system storage medium. A schedule of time versus available storage space is generated that is optimal for the viewer's scheduled program recordings. The programs include television broadcast programs and Universal Resource Locators (URLs). A program is recorded if at all times between when the recording would be initiated and when it expires, sufficient space is available to hold it. All scheduling conflicts are resolved as early as possible.

Abstract: Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively replaced if desired in order to make the remotely delivered content more appropriate to the remote user's context.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises detecting that a user has requested presentation of a media content item from a media series having a prescribed sequence of media series events, the media content item containing a subsequent media series event from the media series; determining that the user has not consumed an antecedent media series event, the antecedent media series event not in the media content item and preceding the subsequent media series event in the prescribed sequence of media series events; and sending a message notifying the user that the user has not consumed at least the antecedent media series event, enabling the user to defer presentation of the media content item and consume the antecedent media series event.

Abstract: Automatic selection, recording and meaningful labeling of tracks from media streams is provided. Content information which relates to tracks currently being played and/or to previously played tracks is used to guide selection of tracks to be recorded and to provide meaningful labels for recorded tracks. This content information does not provide an advance schedule of tracks to be played in the future. A segment is temporarily recorded from a selected media stream. The content information relating to tracks in the segment is compared with previous user input (i.e., track preferences) to select tracks within the segment to be recorded. For each selected track, clipping is performed to identify track start and end times. Clipped tracks are recorded onto a suitable long-term recording medium, and labeled with a meaningful label derived from the content information. Content information can be derived by automatic analysis of the media stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems for remotely scheduling for recording or ordering a program advertised on a web page of a website. A program advertisement is displayed on a user device. In response to a user's selection of the advertisement, information is transmitted from the user device to a web server of the web page without navigating the user away from the website. The information includes information that identifies a user's equipment to a remote access server. A record request or an order request is transmitted by the web server to the remote access server. The remote access server cross-references the record or order request with an action request. The action request is transmitted to the user's television equipment to record or access the advertised program.

Abstract: Methods and devices for presenting an interactive media guidance application are provided in accordance with various embodiments.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for selecting at least one program item to be stored on the basis of user preferences. The apparatus comprises a receiver (110) for obtaining program schedule data related to at least one program item, and a timer (150) arranged to ascertain a period of time in which at least one program item is to be stored, a user preference module (130) arranged to obtain user preferences for at least one program item to be stored in the ascertained period of time, and a selection unit (140) arranged to select, using the program schedule data and the user preferences, at least one program item to be stored over a long period of time which is substantially longer than regular periods of nonusage of the apparatus. The invention takes into consideration that the user preferences for storing the program items may depend on the period of time in which the program items are to be selected.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling client recording and storage behavior schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of multimedia content on a client system storage device. The invention accepts as input a prioritized list of program viewing preferences which is compared with a database of program guide objects that indicate when programs of interest are actually broadcast. A schedule of time versus available storage space is generated that is optimal for the viewer's explicit or derived preferred content. The viewer may request that certain content be captured, which results in the highest possible priority for those content. The invention provides objects called a capture requests that are sent by the service to client systems. Capture requests reflect local storage management decisions about how the client system storage is partitioned.

Abstract: A computer-implemented proxy digital video recording system and method, including a processor and memory. The memory including program instructions that are executable by the processor to intercept a request to record a video program, the request triggered by a requesting user and having a request format. The proxy digital video recording system and method determines if a target digital video recorder can understand a format of the request, and translates the request into an intelligible format if the target digital video recorder cannot understand the request format.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed to facilitates programming of a recording device. A client system is operatively coupled with the recording device, which, for example, is programmed and/or configured to record selected audio and/or visual broadcast programming. The client system receives a message, such as in the form of electronic mail (email) or another suitable form, from a remotely located computer. One or more tokens are associated with the message for providing program criteria indicative of selected audio and/or visual programming, which may be employed to program the recording device for recording broadcast programming based on the token.

Abstract: Enabling a first user to send to a second user a promotional program icon used to enable recording of a program promoted by the icon includes enabling the first user to access a display of content accessible via a network environment. The display of content includes the promotional program icon, and the first user is able to select the promotional program icon and request presentation of the icon to a second user.

Abstract: A remote control that includes buttons on the side or bottom may be used to control television viewing provided through a set-top box. In one particular implementation, a method may include receiving, by the set-top box, a signal from the remote control indicating entry to an interactive input mode and receiving another signal from the remote control indicating motion of the remote control. The set-top box may identify an intended command based on the second signal and control television programming in response to the command.

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.

Abstract: A method for producing processed media content includes receiving media content at a network computing device. The media content is obtained from a media source at a scheduled time via a public network based on a user recording request received from a user device associated with a user. The method includes processing the media content to generate processed media content at the network computing device based on user settings associated with the user recording request. The method also includes storing the processed media content at a memory device identified in the user recording request.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a system that allows a user to preset a desired TV program for unattended recording by use of a PDA. A PDA acquires from a TV program information service provider TV program information by which to preset a desired TV program to be recorded unattended. When the user selects relevant TV information about the desired program, the PDA sends to a personal computer the information for presetting the TV program of interest for subsequent unattended recording. Based on the preset information sent from the PDA, the personal computer presets the specified TV program to be recorded unattended.

Abstract: Where an instruction for a scheduled recording has been received from a remoter controller, a control unit starts the processing for display control (step S1). When the time has reached a predetermined period of time counted by a timer, for example, two minutes, before the start of the scheduled recording (step S2), the control unit determines whether or not a display unit currently displays two or more screen, and if the display unit is displaying two or more screens, the processing proceeds to step S4, and before the time for starting the scheduled recording, the controls unit makes a screen other than the screen for a program scheduled to be recorded disappear, that is, one of the screens, which displays a channel not selected for a scheduled recording, remain, and makes one screen in a multi-screen go into non-display. For example, on a TV screen, the display of a program on a BS channel for which a recording is scheduled disappears, and only the remaining BS display is provided.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for managing digital video recorder storage for one or more users. Each user in the multi-user environment is assigned an amount of program storage in the digital video recorder. Responsive to receiving a request to record a new program from a user in the multi-user environment, an associated amount of program storage assigned to the use is determined. Responsive to a determination that addition of the new program will not exceed the associated amount of program storage assigned to the user, the new program is recorded to the program storage.

Abstract: A method of managing medias, including steps of: receiving medias; detecting whether the media includes a time information including a start time, a finish time, and a display time interval; comparing the current date and time with the start time if the media includes the time information; displaying the media every the display time interval if the current date and time reaches or goes beyond the start time but does not reach the finish time. The time information can be added to the metadata of the media by a user before the media is sent to a receiver. The present invention further provides an electronic device capable of executing the above steps.

Abstract: A set top box determines DVR requests that the set top box is not able to record based on a number of scheduled DVR requests. The set top box provides the DVR request to a DVR management server. The DVR management server selects another set top box to record the television content associated with the DVR request based on a number DVR requests the other set top box is scheduled to record. The DVR management server issues a command to the other set top box to record the television content associated with the DVR request. The other set top box provides the recorded television content, associated with the DVR request, to the set top box.

Abstract: A system for initiating scheduled program processing functions such as program display, recording or playback, derives a time clock based on a current time reference indication produced by a particular broadcast source. The derived time clock is used in initiating scheduled processing functions for programs derived from the particular broadcast source and time clocks derived from sources other than the particular broadcast source are disregarded. The system displays a second time clock different to the derived time clock. In addition, the system forms a composite program guide from data from multiple broadcast sources to associate current time reference indications with their corresponding broadcast sources.

Abstract: A method of generating a program signal stream comprises creating a sequence of serial programs that include a first event and a second, later occurring event and inserting a plurality of messages in the sequence of serial programs, between the first event and the 5 second event. The messages may be indicative of a time to the second event, as measured from each respective message of an elapsed time since the first event, to each respective message. Alternatively or in addition, the messages may be at equal time intervals between the first event and second events. The first and second events may be the start and end of a program or a program portion, such as a chapter, an advertisement, unscheduled content or an 10 entire program, for example. At least one message indicative of the time to the second event may be inserted in the sequence of serial programs prior to the first event.

Abstract: A method and a system for replacement of programs on a video recorder based on preferences and size constraints of a video recorder. The video recorder compares recorded programs in the computer readable storage media and a schedule of programs to be recorded to a plurality of global preferences and program specific preferences specifying preferred recording quality. For each recorded program whose quality does not match a global preference or program specific preference, a listing of future programs is examined for alternate versions of the program which do match a global preference or program specific preference.

Abstract: A system and methods for acquiring scheduled television programs with coinciding program times. One method includes initially identifying that a conflict exists to acquire the scheduled television programs. Once the conflict is identified, the method identifies one or more alternate sources that contain the scheduled television programs. Acquisition schedules are generated and optimized. Then, at least one of the scheduled television programs are recorded from one of the alternate sources. A user may set user preferences to customize how the system will generate potential acquisition schedules.

Abstract: A reservation recording module registers program information in a reserved program EPG database and a restriction period in a restriction period setting information. A reserved program keyword extracting module extracts an associative keyword from the program information registered in the reserved program EPG database and registers the associative keyword in an associative keyword database. An information content analyzing module extracts a keyword group from the program information about a now-broadcasting program in electronic program guide (EPG) data. An associated information restriction period determining module specifies as a restriction target program, only a not-yet-viewed program satisfying the restriction period in the respective programs registered in the reserved program EPG database.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and products for administering a time-shifting cache in a media playback device are disclosed, where the media playback device receives from a digital media provider a digital media stream of digital media content and administering the time-shifting cache includes caching the digital media content of the digital media stream in the time-shifting cache; dynamically identifying one or more non-preferred segments of the cached digital media content; and managing the time-shifting cache in dependence upon the identified non-preferred segments.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for presenting targeted advertisements to DVR users are described. After a DVR has finished playing a recorded television program, or in response to other specified events, the DVR presents a screen which comprises a “save or delete” menu. In addition to the “save” and “delete” options, the menu additionally comprises one or more other options. Each of these other options may correspond to a separate promotional item. For example, a user's selection of such an option may cause the DVR to display or play an advertisement on the user's television set. Additionally or alternatively, these other options, when selected by a user, may cause the DVR to display a user interface through which the user can actually purchase a product or service. The product or service advertised or offered may be one that was featured or referenced in the television program that the user was just watching.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying an electronic program guide (“EPG”), the EPG allowing for the controlling of recording functionality of an appliance and/or playing of media. The displayable EPG includes a listing of playable media from which the user may select a program of interest for recording or playing. The EPG may also include a display of prior recorded media for playing. Options may be presented to allow for a selection of a rendering device on which selected media is to be played.

Abstract: A media-on-demand (MOD) portal application allows users to view and access from a single display interface MOD content provided by multiple media providers, such as vendors and service providers. The MOD portal application may provide grid display screens showing program listings of available media content. The grids may include rows and columns, where each row and each column includes program listings associated with a particular category. In one illustrative grid, each row includes programming from a single media vendor and each column includes programming of a particular genre. A media guidance application is also provided which automatically determines if a user does not watch an MOD program the user has ordered. The media guidance application may automatically make the unwatched program available to the user at a later time, for example by automatically recording the program or by allowing the user to access the program at the later time.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and apparatuses for receiving recording recommendations through a data network are provided. The recommendations originate from sources selected by the user. Each source may send a recommendation from his or her set top box or other computing device connected to the data network. The user may establish and send recommendation instructions used to filter and prioritize the recommendations based on the source of the recommendation. The user may send the recommendation instructions from his or her set top box or another computing device connected to the data network. Based at least partially by the recommendation instructions, the set top box of the user may receive a recommendation from a source and record at least one media program subject to the recommendation.

Abstract: A method of operating a user device for receiving and recording media content. The method includes receiving a media content stream, and initial timing data, such as EPG data, indicative of the time at which a selected program contained within the media content stream is scheduled to begin. At least a portion of the media content stream containing the selected program is recorded to a memory using the initial timing data to determine the recording start and finish time. Second updated timing data, indicative of the time at which the program began, is also received. A portion of the recorded media content stream is then deleted between the beginning of the recording and the beginning of the program as identified by the second timing data. A corresponding apparatus and appropriate computer program are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes an aggregator for searching, packaging and delivering content. The aggregator processes requests, searches, provides search results and acquires content. The aggregator, operating in a communications network, includes a request and results processing server, a search engine server coupled to the request and results processing server and a content acquisition server coupled to the request and results processing server. A request and results processing server receives a request for content, the search engine server searches for the content and the content acquisition program acquires content for delivery to the user. The request and results processing server includes a search request processor that receives information related to a user's search request and provides the information to a search results form builder that creates an electronic search request.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide personal video recording trick modes are provided. In one example, a method that provides a trick mode in a personal video recording system may include the steps of receiving a transport stream; storing data from the transport stream in a data storage; generating index table using the data from the transport stream; receiving a trick mode command; and accessing, based on the trick mode command, particular data in the data storage using the index table.

Abstract: A registration server (40) is connected to a mobile terminal (20) via a communication network (10) and registers desired scene information specifying a desired scene of a user in a broadcast program together with the communication address information (telephone number or mail address or the like) of the mobile terminal (20). A scene management server (42) classifies and manages the scene information on the real scene appearing in the broadcast program. A message transmission server (46) checks whether the real scene corresponds to the desired scene. If it does, the scene management server (42) transmits scene information indicating that broadcast of the desired scene is or has been started via the communication network (10) or the data broadcast to the user, i.e., the mobile terminal (20). In response to the notification of the scene information, the user of the mobile terminal (20) can view the scene substantially in real time by the TV On instruction without performing channel setting.

Abstract: A method of delivering event notifications includes receiving data from a network-based calendar system at a notification system. The data indicates that a notification related to a calendar-based event is to be sent to a subscriber. The method also includes receiving presence information related to the subscriber from a presence system. The presence information indicates whether the subscriber is present at one or more of a plurality of subscriber devices. The plurality of subscriber devices includes a set-top box device. Further, the method includes sending an event notification related to the calendar-based event to the set-top box device when the presence information indicates that the subscriber is present at the set-top box device.

Abstract: A disclosed example method to manage network bandwidth allocation in a media delivery environment involves detecting insufficient bandwidth available to deliver requested media to a media receiver and presenting user-selectable options via the media receiver to allocate bandwidth to deliver the requested media to the media receiver. The example method also involves receiving a first user selection of one of the user-selectable options and implementing the selected one of the user-selectable options specifying a second user selection identifying a particular media stream to be delivered at a media quality that is lower than a higher media quality previously selected for that particular media stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a recorded video program are provided. The method may include recording a video and identifying the video as lacking desirable recording attributes. A future occurrence of a transmission of the video may be automatically selected in response to the identification of the video as lacking desirable recording properties. The future occurrence of the transmission of the video may be automatically re-recorded.

Abstract: When a user hovers a screen cursor over a TV channel icon on a cross-media bar (XMB) user interface (UI) for a threshold period, enhanced metadata from PSIP/XDS/EPG that pertains to the program currently available on the associated TV channel is presented in a pop-up window on the XMB UI.

Abstract: A method for providing a GUI for selecting a broadcast program, and an AV apparatus are provided. According to the method for providing a GUI, a user selection regarding the broadcast programs that cannot be simultaneously selected is set according to a user operation that is input in an area containing graphics representing broadcast programs that cannot be simultaneously selected by a user. Therefore, if a user makes errors in selecting broadcast programs, for example, if a user selects two or more broadcast programs that cannot be simultaneously selected, the errors may be corrected more easily, instantly and intuitively.

Abstract: A recording reservation data comprised of text data indicating the information that the text data is the recording reservation data, the information specifying the date and time of starting the recording, the information specifying a channel for recording, the information specifying the date and time of start of the recording and the information specifying the time of end of the recording is transmitted.

Abstract: In a television system in which at least program title information for programs which are to be transmitted in the future is transmitted in advance to form a channel guide listing, apparatus is provided for searching the listing for specific user-entered information, and upon successful conclusion to the search, the apparatus schedules the tuning of the desired program, or in the alternative, notifies the viewer of the availability of the program. In those instances where descriptive text accompanies the program listing, apparatus of the invention performs a search of the text for a particular text string which may relate to the title, the star, the director, or the context of the program, among other search criteria.

Abstract: An apparatus for effectively managing a personal schedule and broadcasting programs includes a schedule management unit for managing a personal schedule, a broadcasting program management unit for managing basic information of broadcasting programs, an interface unit which receives an input signal, and a control unit which finds a first broadcasting program which overlaps with the personal schedule, searches for basic information for the first broadcasting program, and provides a first list including a title of the first broadcasting program, the basic information, and a display component for performing a control operation in response to an input signal.

Abstract: A receiver for receiving television signals is arranged to receive signals in a plurality of channels. Each signal defines a television program and at least a signal in one of the channels comprises compressed data defining broadcast events in the channels from time to time. The receiver is arranged to produce output signals defining an image of events in the program schedule for displaying on a television screen. The receiver comprises means for receiving data defining a dictionary representing text portions, means for decoding the program scheduling data to identify text portions in the dictionary, and means for constructing the image of events from the identified text portions. A signal in each channel comprises a bouquet identity and a sub-bouquet identity for the channel.

Abstract: A method and a gateway are provided for controlling delivery of event information to users sharing a user device. The gateway is informed of activity states of each user sharing a same user device. Events related to services used by the users are detected by the gateway. Because some users of a same device may be active while others are inactive, the gateway verifies the activity state of each user for whom an event is detected. Active users are informed of events that are of interest for them.

Abstract: A method of scanning content comprises receiving an input signal indicating that content being displayed is to be scanned, sensing a duration of the received input signal, and scanning the content at a rate based at least in part on the sensed duration of the received input.

Abstract: A system allows automated registration for reminders to be sent to a mobile device, such as a mobile telephone. A telephone number to use to register for an automated reminder is displayed in conjunction with an advertisement for an upcoming event. A user who views the advertisement and wishes to be reminded of the program may dial the number to register for a reminder. The telephone call is received by a reminder system, which identifies the caller and determines the relevant event. The system schedules a reminder corresponding to the event, and it sends the reminder to the caller at the scheduled time. The reminder may be sent to the caller's SMS address.

Abstract: Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. In another variant, reservation information (for example program or asset ID information) is cached at a headend or hub server, thereby obviating the subscriber (or the network) having to access the subscriber's premises device. In yet another variant, a “virtual” CPE experience is provided for the remote user.