Motion video signal processing for recording or reproducing – Local trick play processing – With randomly accessible medium
Reexamination Certificate
1997-05-13
2001-09-18
Garber, Wendy (Department: 2715)
Motion video signal processing for recording or reproducing
Local trick play processing
With randomly accessible medium
C348S014160, C348S901000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292624
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method for selectively recording a show without using a timer set-up screen.
2. Description of Art Related to the Invention
Over the last few years, there has been a growing demand for entertainment systems working in conjunction with various types of broadcasting systems. One type of entertainment system includes a broadcast satellite system; namely, a digital satellite system (DSS). Normally, a DSS comprises an antenna, an integrated receiver decoder (IRD) and a television receiver (TV). Also, the DSS may include an analog video cassette recorder (VCR) to receive analog data for recording purposes. The operations of the IRD are controlled by a remote control.
The antenna receives and routes digital bit streams to the IRD. Typically, a digital bit stream includes sensory data (e.g., video and/or audio) and programming data for one or more shows. The programming data is periodically updated and stored within the IRD and the prior programming data is erased (e.g., deleted, overwritten, etc.). If a show is scheduled to be recorded, its programming data is stored within timer memory of the IRD. Usually, timer memory is non-volatile memory containing programming data for all shows scheduled to be recorded (generally referred to as “record data”). The IRD periodically accesses the record data to determine whether it should tune to a channel and process portions of an incoming digital bit stream into analog signals recognized by the analog VCR.
Upon receiving a first command from the remote control, the IRD generates an “electronic guide screen” displaying programming data for each show capable of being received by the DSS. As shown in
FIG. 1
, the electronic guide screen
100
is displayed in a format similar to a well-known format used by television guide publications. The electronic guide screen
100
features (i) a vertical border
110
displaying a plurality of broadcast channel numbers sorted in numerical order, and (ii) a horizontal border
120
that displays time intervals usually in one-half hour increments. Each show broadcast over a recognized broadcast channel is assigned to a horizontal show grid
130
. The length and horizontal positioning of each grid
130
is based on its start-time and end-time. Thus, the duration of the particular show is ascertained by locating its assigned grid and calculating its duration using the time intervals in the horizontal border
120
.
In order to erase programming data from the IRD, the user normally needs to exit the electronic guide screen and depress one or more buttons on the remote control until a timer set-up screen is displayed on the TV. As shown in
FIG. 2
, the timer set-up screen
200
displays programming data, stored within the IRD, that is required for an analog VCR to perform a timer event (e.g., record a show, decode and display a pay-per-view show, etc.). The programming data includes a recording interval (one-time record, daily, or weekly)
210
corresponding to the day in which the show is broadcast, start-time of the show
220
, end-time of the show
230
, and its broadcast channel number
240
.
It is recognized that shows featured by the record data will be recorded as long as a video cassette tape is properly inserted into a powered analog VCR. This has caused recording errors to frequently occur. Examples of these recording errors include accidental recording over portions of another recorded show, or failure to completely record a desired show due to accidental recording of an earlier show.
The reason for frequent recording errors is that substantial user interaction is needed to prevent a show, having its programming data already loaded into the timer memory, from being recorded. Normally, one of the following events would need to occur to prevent a show from being recorded: (i) deactivation the analog VCR, (ii) erasure of programming data of a show not scheduled to be recorded from timer memory, or (iii) removal of the video cassette tape from the analog VCR. By developing a system and method that allows selection or deselection of a show to be recorded without substantial user interaction, the frequency of recording errors may be reduced. To further mitigate user interaction, selection or deselection of the show may be performed when viewing the electronic guide screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an entertainment system and method for selectively recording or purchasing a show broadcast receipt by the entertainment system. This may be accomplished by producing an electronic guide screen, and upon viewing the electronic guide screen, a viewer may select a show to be entered into timer memory. This selection further prompts the viewer to select whether or not to record the show. Thereafter, the programming data associated with the show is loaded into timer memory along with information indicating whether the show is scheduled to be recorded.
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Saib Joseph
Suzuki Atsushi
Blakely , Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Boccio Vincent F.
Garber Wendy
Sony Corporation
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