Multi-user PVR
AssigneeStexar Corp.
InventorRobert Proebstel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-user video recorded which provides filtering of the recorded program and/or electronic program guide on a user-by-user basis. Users can be prevented from seeing specified channels, programs, etc. in the EPG, and/or from viewing them. Users can be prevented from seeing and/or watching programs that other users have recorded on the video recorder.
Claims18
A video recorder for use in receiving and recording video programs from a video source and displaying the video programs on a video display, the video recorder comprising:
- a tuner for receiving the video programs from the video source;
- means for specifying which ones of the video programs to record;
- a storage medium for recording the specified video programs;
- means for displaying a list of the recorded video programs;
- means for selecting a program from the list;
- means for transmitting the selected program to the video display;
- and
- means for causing the means for displaying the list to display only a subset of a complete list of recorded programs.
A method of operating a television system which includes a video display coupled to display programming from a video source, the method comprising:
- in response to a user attempting to access a list of programs,
- selecting a filter according to an identity of the user;
- applying the filter to one of the list of programs and the programs;
- and
- preventing presentation to the video display of a subset of the one of the list of programs and the programs, responsive to the filter.
A method of operating a television system which includes a video display coupled to display programming from a video source, the method comprising:
- receiving a login attempt from a user;
- if the login attempt is successful, setting user privileges, otherwise setting guest privileges;
- receiving an EPG request from the user to view an electronic programming guide;
- in response to the EPG request, filtering the electronic programming guide according to the privileges which were set;
- displaying the filtered electronic programming guide;
- and
- preventing the user from selecting a program from the electronic programming guide according to the privileges which were set.
A method of operating a video recorder, the video recorder coupled to receive programs from a video source and coupled to display a received program on a video display, the method comprising:
- receiving a request from a user to view a list of recorded programs;
- according to a login identity of the user, preventing the user from viewing a first plurality of programs in the list of recorded programs and permitting the user to view a second plurality of programs in the list of recorded programs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.