Program guide system for recording television programs
AssigneeUnited Video Properties, Inc.
InventorsEdward B. Knudson, Michael D. Ellis, William L. Thomas, Bruce L. Davis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interactive program guide system is provided. The system facilitates recording of programs selected from the program guide. The system handles the recording and viewing of pay programs, parentally-controlled programs, consecutive programs on different television channels, and programs with and without copy protection. Programs may be recorded using combination television videocassette recorder (TV/VCR) units.
Claims20
An interactive program guide system including user equipment with which an interactive television program guide is provided and which includes a video recorder and a television, comprising:
- means for receiving television program guide information for use in the interactive television program guide;
- means for determining whether the video recorder and television are a combined unit;
- means for selecting a program for recording from the interactive television program guide;
- and
- means for displaying a message prior to recording the selected program when the video recorder and television are a combined unit that informs the user that recording is to begin and asks the user whether to continue with recording.
A method for using an interactive program guide system using user equipment with which an interactive television program guide is provided and which includes a video recorder and a television, comprising:
- receiving television program guide information for use in the interactive television program guide;
- determining whether the video recorder and television are a combined unit;
- selecting a program for recording from the interactive television program guide;
- and
- displaying a message prior to recording the selected program when the video recorder and television are a combined unit that informs the user that recording is to begin and asks the user whether to continue with recording.
An interactive program guide system including user equipment with which an interactive television program guide is provided and which includes a video recorder and a television, comprising:
- communications circuitry configured to receive television program guide information for use in the interactive television program guide;
- control circuitry configured to determine whether the video recorder and the television are a combined unit and to allow the user to select a program for recording from the interactive television program guide;
- and
- display circuitry configured to display a message prior to recording the selected program when the video recorder and television are a combined unit that informs the user that recording is to begin and asks the user whether to continue with recording.
A machine-readable medium for implementing an interactive television program guide comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:
- receiving television program guide information for use in an interactive television program guide;
- determining whether a video recorder and a television are a combined unit;
- providing a user with an opportunity to select a program for recording from the interactive television program guide;
- and
- displaying a message prior to recording the selected program when the video recorder and television are a combined unit that informs the user that recording is to begin and asks the user whether to continue with recording.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.