Client-server based interactive television program guide system with remote server recording
AssigneeUnited Video Properties, Inc.
InventorsMichael D. Ellis, William L. Thomas, Thomas R. Lemmons
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.
Claims11
1-2. (canceled)
A method for use in an interactive television program guide system in which television programs are recorded and played back on-demand by a remote media server for a number of users, the method comprising:
- generating a record request in response to a user indicating a desire to record a program on-demand with the remote media server, wherein the record request is generated by an interactive television program guide;
- recording the program with the remote media server in response to the record request;
- generating a retrieval request in response to a user request, wherein the retrieval request is generated by the interactive television program guide;
- retrieving the program with the remote media server in response to the retrieval request;
- and
- storing the retrieved program on user television equipment for later play back.
(canceled)
An interactive television program guide system in which television programs are recorded and retrieved on-demand for a number of users, the system comprising:
- a remote media server configured to store and retrieve programs on-demand for each user;
- distribution equipment configured to distribute to each user programs that are retrieved on-demand by the remote media server;
- and
- interactive program guide television equipment on which an interactive television program guide is implemented, wherein the interactive television program guide is configured to:
- generate a record request in response to a user indicating a desire to record a program on-demand with the remote media server;
- and
- generate a retrieval request in response to a user request wherein the remote media server is further configured to:
- record the program in response to the record request generated by the interactive television program guide;
- and
- retrieve the program in response to the retrieval request;
- and
- the interactive television program guide is further configured to store the retrieved program for later playback.
12-58. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.