(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0154485 A1
`Johnson et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Aug. 14, 2003
`
`US 2003O154485A1
`
`(54) ALLOCATION OF RECORDING SPACE PER
`USER AND APPLICATION
`
`(76) Inventors: Carolynn Rae Johnson, Indianapolis,
`IN (US); Phillip Aaron Junkersfeld,
`Fishers, IN (US); Daniel Richard
`Schneidewend, Fishers, IN (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`JOSEPH S. TRIPOLI
`THOMSON MULTIMEDIA LCENSING INC.
`2 INDEPENDENCE WAY
`P. O. BOX 5312
`PRINCETON, NJ 08543-5312 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/121,403
`(22) Filed:
`Apr. 12, 2002
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/356,435, filed on Feb.
`12, 2002.
`
`Publication Classification
`(51) Int. Cl." .............................. H04N 9/74; H04N 9/79;
`H04N 9/87; G11B 27/00;
`G06F 3/00; H04N 5/445; H04N 5/91;
`H04N 7/00; G06F 13/00; H04N 7/173;
`HO)4N 7/16
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................ 725/89; 72.5/134; 725/142;
`386/46; 386/4; 386/35
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A System and method for partitioning Storage Space in a
`Video recording System or multi-media System into a plu
`rality of discrete partitions. Each of the discrete partitions
`can be allocated to a different user of the Video recording
`System or application of the multi-media System. Further
`more, the Systems are designed to allocate an amount of the
`Storage Space to each partition to eliminate hoarding of the
`Storage Space by only one user or application.
`
`RECORDING SPACEPARTITION
`
`&
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`THIS FEATURE ALLOWS YOUTOINDICATEHOW MUCH
`RECORDING SPACE ON YOUR PERSONALVIDEO
`RECORDER SHOULDBERESERVED FOREACH MEMBER
`OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD.
`-
`FOR EXAMPLE, IFTHERE ARE FOUR PEOPLE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD WHO WILL
`BERECORDINGPROGRAMMING, YOU CAN SETUPTHIS UNITSO THATEACH
`PERSON HASUPTO 25% OF THE STORAGESPACEAVAILABLE FOR HIS OR
`HER USE AND HE OR SHE CANNOT EXCEED THAT LIMIT
`SELECT"BEGINSETUP"BELOWTO SET UPTHIS FEATURE OR, SELECT
`"CANCEL TOEXIT THISSETUP PROCESS.
`M
`BEGINSETUP
`CANCEL
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. - Ex. 1033, p. Cover
`Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. v. Synkloud Technologies, LLC, IPR2020-00316
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 14, 2003 Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 2003/0154485 A1
`
`RECORDING SPACE PARTITION
`
`THIS FEATURE ALLOWS YOUTOINDICATEHOWMUCH
`RECORDING SPACE ON YOUR PERSONAL VIDEO
`RECORDER SHOULDBERESERVED FOREACHMEMBER
`OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD.
`FOREXAMPLE, IFTHERE AREFOUR PEOPLE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD WHO WILL
`BERECORDINGPROGRAMMING, YOU CAN SETUPTHIS UNITSO THATEACH
`PERSON HASUPTO 25% OF THE STORAGESPACEAVAILABLE FOR HIS OR
`HER USE AND HE OR SHE CANNOT EXCEED THAT LIMIT.
`-
`SELECT"BEGINSETUP"BELOW TO SET UPTHIS FEATURE OR, SELECT
`"CANCEL'TOEXIT THIS SETUP PROCESS,
`
`FIG. 1
`
`
`
`- RECORDING SPACE PARTITION, STEP 1
`
`HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE USING THIS UNIT TO RECORD PROGRAMMING
`EVENTS?
`
`USE THE DIGITS ON YOURREMOTE, OR HIGHLIGHT THE+OR-SIGNSTO
`INDICATE THENUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WILL BE RECORDING AND STORING
`PROGRAMMING ON THIS PERSONAL WIDEO RECORDER UNIT.
`
`CONTINUE SETUP
`
`CANCEL SETUP
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. - Ex. 1033, p. i
`Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. v. Synkloud Technologies, LLC, IPR2020-00316
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 14, 2003 Sheet 2 of 8
`
`US 2003/0154485 A1
`
`RECORDING SPACEPARTITION, STEP2
`
`ABCDEFG ENTER ANAME FOREACHUSER:
`HIJKLMN
`EHESH SER SCIOLITIOOD
`VWXYZio 1
`USER2 AND THIOINDIYD
`2345678 USER3. ----|--|--
`USER 4:--------
`
`&
`
`t
`
`FIG. 3
`
`
`
`RECORDING SPACEPARTITION, STEP3
`
`HOW MUCH RECORDING SPACE SHOULD EACH USER HAVE ACCESS TO2
`SCOTT. G 25%
`ANTHONY: G 25%
`(F) 259.
`O
`
`USE THE DIGITS ON YOURREMOTE,
`OR HIGHLIGHT THE OR - SIGNS TO
`ADJUST THE PERCENT OF RECORDING
`SPACE ALLOCATED TO EACH USER.
`
`USER3.
`
`USER 4. A 25%
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. - Ex. 1033, p. ii
`Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. v. Synkloud Technologies, LLC, IPR2020-00316
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 14, 2003. Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 2003/0154485 A1
`
`RECORDING SPACEPARTITION, STEP 4
`USE YOURREMOTE TOENTER APASSWORD FOREACHUSER, TOPREVENT
`ANOTHER USER FROMUSING THAT STORAGE SPACE:
`ENTER PASSWORD
`VERIFY PASSWORD
`
`SCOTT
`
`ANTHONY:
`
`USER3:
`
`USER 4:
`
`FIG. 5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TUESDAY 04/25/OO
`NBC 134
`3RD ROCKFROM THE SUN
`(NR (NOTRATED)
`8PM - 8:30PM
`8PM
`8:30PM
`WHO WANTS TO BEAMILLIONAIRE
`
`8:15 PM
`
`D
`D
`
`9PM
`04/25
`DARMA & GREG
`ABC 123
`60 MINUTES
`CBS 124
`ARY KING
`CNN126 STHE WORLD TODRDtook From
`ESPN 128 NHLHOCKEY
`RECORDTo soori
`ESP2129
`MOTOMADNESSRECORDIQANTHONY
`RECORD TO USER3
`FOX 131
`THE '7OS SHOW RECORD TO USER 4
`NBC 134
`3RD ROCKFROM. FRASER
`UPN 135
`ENTERPRISE
`HSN 137
`
`
`
`REED
`
`CSI: CRIME SC.
`
`F.G. 6
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. - Ex. 1033, p. iii
`Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. v. Synkloud Technologies, LLC, IPR2020-00316
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 14, 2003. Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 2003/0154485 A1
`
`CPU
`CONTROLLER
`
`MEMORY
`CONCER
`
`MEMORY
`
`DISPLAY
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`ENCODER
`
`MPEG
`DECODER
`
`ANALOG
`MPEG
`ORDIGITALP RECEIVERY ENER 9
`SOURCE
`
`FIG.7
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. - Ex. 1033, p. iv
`Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. v. Synkloud Technologies, LLC, IPR2020-00316
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 14, 2003 Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 2003/0154485 A1
`
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`Petitioners Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. - Ex. 1033, p. v
`Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. v. Synkloud Technologies, LLC, IPR2020-00316
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 14, 2003 Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 2003/0154485 A1
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`Petitioners Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. - Ex. 1033, p. vi
`Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. v. Synkloud Technologies, LLC, IPR2020-00316
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 14, 2003 Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 2003/0154485 A1
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`Petitioners Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. - Ex. 1033, p. vii
`Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. v. Synkloud Technologies, LLC, IPR2020-00316
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 14, 2003 Sheet 8 of 8
`
`
`
`US 2003/0154485 A1
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`Petitioners Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. - Ex. 1033, p. viii
`Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. v. Synkloud Technologies, LLC, IPR2020-00316
`
`

`

`US 2003/0154485 A1
`
`Aug. 14, 2003
`
`ALLOCATION OF RECORDING SPACE PER USER
`AND APPLICATION
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`0001. This application claims priority and benefit from
`the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/356,
`435 filed on Feb. 12, 2002.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0002 The present invention relates to video recording
`Systems and, more particularly, to a Video recording System
`that allows a user to partition the Storage Space available in
`the System's Storage medium and allocate each partition of
`Storage space to a different respective user.
`0003. The present invention also relates to multi-media
`Systems and, more particularly, to a multi-media System that
`partitions the memory by application wherein Some appli
`cations may be further partitioned (subpartitioned) for dif
`ferent users.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0004 Personal video recording systems (PVRs) and digi
`tal video recording systems (DVRs) allow a user to record
`programming to memory Such as, for example, a hard disk
`drive. The amount of programming that can be Stored
`depends on, among other things, 1) the size of the hard disk
`drive, and 2) the quality of the recordings made. Conflicts
`can occur when one member of a multi-person household
`reserves large amounts of this Storage Space by recording
`programming or Scheduling timers to record future program
`ming, leaving insufficient Space available for other members
`of the household to record or Schedule recording of pro
`gramming.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0005 The present inventors recognize that such conflicts
`can become more problematic in households with multiple
`teenage children. In addition, the above conflict would also
`occur with multi-media Systems, especially, when more than
`one multi-media applications may be sharing the same
`memory recoding Space.
`0006 Accordingly, the present invention contemplates a
`multi-media System that partitions the memory or Storage
`Space into dedicated application partitions for each applica
`tion and allows at least part one application partition to be
`Subdivided into Subpartitions, each Subpartition adapted to
`be allocated to a respective user.
`0007 Furthermore, the present invention contemplates a
`System with a procedure using on-screen user interfaces that
`would allow at least part of the recording Storage Space of a
`PVR or DVR to be partitioned or divided into discrete
`partitions of Storage Space, each partition allocated or autho
`rized for use by a respective user or a type of application.
`The amount of the Storage Space in each discrete partition is
`controlled by an administrator or user.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0008 FIG. 1 illustrates a setup on-screen user interface
`for use in carrying out the method in accordance with the
`present invention.
`
`0009 FIG. 2 illustrates a partitioning on-screen user
`interface for use in carrying out the method in accordance
`with the present invention.
`0010 FIG. 3 illustrates a partition naming on-screen user
`interface for use in carrying out the method in accordance
`with the present invention.
`0011 FIG. 4 illustrates a partition sizing on-screen user
`interface for use in carrying out the method in accordance
`with the present invention.
`0012 FIG. 5 illustrates a partition protection on-screen
`user interface for use in carrying out the method in accor
`dance with the present invention.
`0013 FIG. 6 illustrates a partition sharing on-screen user
`interface for use in carrying out the method in accordance
`with the present invention.
`0014 FIG. 7 illustrates an electronic programming guide
`with an overlaid menu identifying the discrete partitions.
`0015 FIG. 8 depicts a general block diagram of the space
`partitioning System of the present invention.
`0016 FIG. 9 illustrates a general block diagram of the
`multi-media entertainment System in accordance with the
`present invention.
`0017 FIG. 10 illustrates a partition (memory) manage
`ment on-Screen user interface for use in carrying out the
`method in accordance with the present invention.
`0018 FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a
`partition (memory) management on-screen user interface for
`use in carrying out the method in accordance with the
`present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`0019. The method of the present invention will be
`described in relation to FIGS. 1-6, wherein FIGS. 1-6 are
`on-screen user interfaces 10, 20, 40, 60, 70 and 80 (herein
`after referred to as “OUIs”) to facilitate the user to carry out
`the method of the present invention. The user performing the
`“setup procedure” will hereinafter be referred to as “admin
`istrator' So as to eliminate any confusion with users who are
`allocated a partition of Storage Space.
`0020 Referring now to FIG. 1, the setup OUI 10
`includes an on-Screen display window 12 and a Subwindow
`18 for picture-and-picture display of a program. While the
`setup OUI 10 includes Subwindow 18 for picture-and
`picture display, Such Subwindow 18 is optional and may be
`omitted. The setup OUI 10 further includes a text-based
`message 14 describing in general the procedure to partition
`the recording Space in the System's memory or Storage
`medium 122 (FIG. 8). Additionally, two virtual buttons,
`“Begin Setup' button 16a and “Cancel” button 16b are
`provided. The “Cancel” button 16b cancels the procedure.
`The “Begin Setup' button 16a navigates the administrator to
`the next OUI, the partitioning OUI 20.
`0021. The setup OUI 10 is accessible by the administrator
`from a menu system (NOT SHOWN) of a PVR or DRV
`product (System 110) according to the principles of the
`present invention. It should be noted, the data entry
`described herein may be entered via the virtual buttons or
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. - Ex. 1033, p. 1
`Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. v. Synkloud Technologies, LLC, IPR2020-00316
`
`

`

`US 2003/0154485 A1
`
`Aug. 14, 2003
`
`data entry controls of the OUIS and, alternately, with the
`remote control (NOT SHOWN) used to make or enter
`selections via the menu system of the PVR or DRV product.
`0022 Referring now to FIG. 2, the partitioning OUI 20
`allows the administrator to establish the number (N) of
`discrete partitions in the memory or Storage medium 122.
`For example, the number (N) of discrete partitions may be
`a function of the number of users present in the household
`who will be recording programming. However, each discrete
`partition may be designated for more than a single user Such
`that a discrete partition may be used by a group of users or
`common for the whole household. Accordingly, a user
`herein may be a Single perSon or a group of perSons.
`0023 The number (N) of discrete partitions to be created
`in the memory or Storage medium 122 is entered by Selecting
`virtual plus or minus icons 24a and 24b found within an
`on-screen display window 22 of FIG. 2. Selecting the virtual
`plus icon 24a increments the number found in number field
`28. On the other hand, selecting the virtual minus icon 24b
`decrements the number found in the number field 28. AS
`shown, the number field 28 includes two positions for two
`digits. Alternately, the administrator can also use the digit
`(numerical) keys on a remote control to enter the N.
`0024. In an exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, N=4
`indicates that the memory or Storage medium 122 will be
`partitioned into four (4) discrete partitions. Therefore, four
`(4) users will be authorized to recording programming in
`their respective partitions, as will be described in detail
`below. The partitioning OUI 20 further includes virtual
`buttons “Continue Setup' button 26a and “Cancel Setup”
`button 26b. The “Cancel Setup' button 26b cancels the
`procedure. The “Continue Setup' button 26 a navigates the
`administrator to the next OUI, partition naming OUI 4.0.
`0025 Referring now to FIG.3, the partition naming OUI
`40 allows the administrator to label, such as by using a user's
`name or other nomenclature, each discrete partition via N
`partition naming or labeling data entry fields 44, 44, . . .
`, 44N within on-screen display window 42. The partition
`naming OUI 40 includes a virtual keypad 50 for entering
`alphanumeric characters for labeling or assigning a user
`name or other nomenclature to each discrete partition.
`Alternately, the administrator could also use a remote key
`board to enter the names or a remote control having an
`alphanumeric touch pad. In addition, prestored labels Such
`as graphical icons may be associated for each user.
`0026 For example, if four (4) is the number of discrete
`partitions identified in the partitioning OUI 20, then four (4)
`labeling data entry fields 44, 44, ..., 44 are displayed for
`entering the names or labels of the partitions. Furthermore,
`during Setup, the partition naming OUI 40 may provide
`default labels, such as “User 1”, “User 2”, “User 3', and
`“User 4, thus allowing the administrator to skip this step
`(the naming Step) and speed up the process.
`0027. The virtual keypad 50 includes a set of alphabet
`keys 52, a set of numeric keys 54, a clear key 56, backSpace
`key 58 and space key 59. The partition naming OUI 40
`further includes two virtual buttons “Continue Setup' button
`46a and “Cancel Setup" button 46b. The “Cancel Setup”
`button 46b cancels the procedure. The “Continue Setup”
`button 46a navigates the administrator to the next OUI,
`partition sizing OUI 60 (FIG. 4) where the administrator
`
`may be asked to allocate a percentage of the memory or
`Storage medium 122 to each discrete partition.
`0028. With reference to FIG. 4, the system 110 may
`automatically assign a default percentage of the memory or
`Storage medium 122 to each discrete partition. The default
`percentage allocated to each of the four (4) discrete parti
`tions is evenly divided for a percentage of 25%. The
`percentage of the memory or Storage medium 122 for each
`discrete partition is varied by Selecting one of the N pairs of
`Virtual plus or minus icons 64, 64, . . . 64N found within
`the on-screen display window 62. Selecting the plus icon of
`pair 64 increments the percentage found in number field 68
`for the “Scott' partition. On the other hand, selecting the
`minus icon of the pair 64 decrements the numbers found in
`the number field 68 for the “Scott' partition. As shown, the
`number field 68 includes two positions for two digits.
`Accordingly, the N pairs of Virtual plus or minus icons 64,
`64, ... 64N controls the percentage found in number field
`68, 68, . . . 68, respectively. Moreover, the N pairs of
`Virtual plus or minus icons 64, 64, . . . 64 has a label or
`user name associated there with wherein Such label or name
`was entered in the partition naming OUI 40 (FIG. 3) or
`remained as the default label. Alternately, the administrator
`can also use the digits keys on a remote control to enter the
`percentage (%) value.
`0029. The partition sizing OUI 60 further includes two
`virtual buttons “Continue Setup' button 66a and “Cancel
`Setup” button 66b. The “Cancel Setup" button 66b cancels
`the procedure. The “Continue Setup' button 66a navigates
`the administrator to the next OUI, partition protection OUI
`70 where the administrator can establish password protec
`tion for each discrete partition in the memory or Storage
`medium 122.
`0030) Referring now to FIG. 5, partition protection OUI
`60 allows the administrator or each user to enter a personal
`password in the N password data entry fields 78, 78, . . .
`78, designated for the N discrete partitions. Each of the N
`password data entry fields 78,78, ... 78 has a label or
`user name associated there with wherein Such label or name
`was entered in the partition naming OUI 40 (FIG. 3). In
`operation, when a recording request is made, the password
`should be entered by an authorized user to prevent unau
`thorized users from accessing the partition of Storage Space
`allocated to another user. This would ensure that each user
`has access only to his or her allocated partition of Storage
`Space. During Setup, the administrator can enter a password
`for each of the designated users, and then provide that Such
`password to the appropriate user.
`0031. It should be noted that “accessing the partition of
`Storage space' encompasses both recording (Storing) in the
`partition of Storage Space and Viewing recordings previously
`Stored in the partition of Storage Space.
`0032) The N password data entry fields 78,78, ... 78.
`has N password verify data entry fields 79i, 792, ... 'N,
`respectively, for re-entering the password to Verify the
`password was entered correctly. The partition protection
`OUI 70 further includes virtual buttons “Continue Setup”
`button 76a and “Cancel Setup' button 76b. The “Cancel
`Setup' button 76b cancels the procedure. The “Continue
`Setup' button 76a allows the administrator to continue to the
`next OUI, the partition sharing OUI 80 in FIG. 6. In the
`exemplary embodiment, the N password data entry fields
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. - Ex. 1033, p. 2
`Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. v. Synkloud Technologies, LLC, IPR2020-00316
`
`

`

`US 2003/0154485 A1
`
`Aug. 14, 2003
`
`78, 78, . . . 78 do not have to be filled in to continue or,
`in other words, are not mandatory.
`0033. Thus, to skip the step where the passwords are
`entered, the administrator only need to Select the “Continue
`Setup' button 76a to move to the next OUI, the partition
`sharing OUI 80.
`0034.
`In another aspect of the present invention, the
`system 110 may be implemented so that a user could only
`View programs that had been recorded to his or her allocated
`Storage Space. In another embodiment, the user is able to
`make a Selection So that programs recorded on his or her
`allocation Space may be shared or not shared by other users
`depending on a particular Setting in, for example, the pref
`erence profile of each user.
`0035) Referring now to FIG. 6, the partition sharing OUI
`80 is shown. The partition sharing OUI 80 includes a list 82
`of the labeled N discrete partitions each of which is labeled
`with a users name, for example, “Scott,”“Anthony,”“User 3”
`and “User 4'. Each partition label has associated therewith
`a pair of buttons arranged in a Yes column 84a and a No
`column 84b. The administrator indicates with the Yes/No
`button Selection whether or not the programs recorded to a
`particular partition allocated to a user should be shared with
`other users.
`0036) The partition sharing OUI 80 further includes two
`virtual buttons “Finish Setup' button 86a and “Cancel
`Setup" button 86b. The “Cancel Setup" button 86b cancels
`the procedure. The “Finish Setup' button 86a finishes the
`Setup procedure for partitioning the memory or Storage
`medium 122.
`0037. The recording operation of the system 110 of the
`present invention will now be described. With reference to
`FIG. 7, an electronic programming guide (EPG) 90 with an
`overlaid recording selection menu 94 is shown. The EPG 90
`includes a time Schedule row 96 that displays a time Segment
`or window of 1.5 hours. In the exemplary embodiment, the
`time windows include an 8PM window, 8:30PM window
`and a 9PM window. The EPG 90 also includes a channel
`identifying column 98 that indicates in Sequence the channel
`numbers and their respective channel name. The EPG 90
`provides a plurality of title cells 100 wherein each cell has
`asSociated there with a program name identifying a Sched
`uled program mapped to a corresponding time, as indicated
`by the time schedule row 96, and to a corresponding
`channel, as indicated by the channel identifying column 98.
`Upon highlighting one of the title cells 100, program infor
`mation 104 is displayed at the top of the display screen 92.
`The display screen 92 further includes a subwindow 108 for
`a picture-and-picture display.
`0.038. In the exemplary embodiment, the title cell having
`the program name "3" Rock From . . . " is highlighted.
`When the title cell is highlighted, the program information
`104 associated with "3" Rock From . . . " is displayed and
`includes, the channel name, channel number, date, time, etc.
`When the user Selects to record the program of the high
`lighted title cell, the recording selection menu 94 is overlaid
`on the EPG 90 and displays a list 94a of the labeled or
`named discrete partitions. In the preferred embodiment, the
`recording Selection menu 94 also displays the program name
`to be recorded.
`0.039 To record, the user selects the highlighted program
`cell of the EPG 90. Thereafter, the recording selection menu
`
`94 is overlaid on the EPG 90 and shows a primary highlight
`on “Record to Scott.” Highlighting one the cells of menu 94
`identifies a partition name or label Selected. Thus, the
`recorded program will be recorded in the Storage of the
`Selected partition.
`0040 AS established in the setup procedure, the discrete
`partitions are named “Scott,”“Anthony,”“User 3' and “User
`4. Upon highlighting one of the discrete partitions listed in
`list 94a, the selected scheduled program to be recorded is
`recorded in the assigned or allotted partition Selected from
`list 94a.
`0041. In the preferred embodiment, once the user
`Selected a partition to record the program to, a password data
`entry screen or window (NOT SHOWN) may appear over
`the EPG 90 to allow the user to enter the password for the
`Selected partition if one is required.
`0042. When the user decides to watch something that had
`been previously recorded, generally there is a PVR or DVR
`menu System that lists the recorded events. In the exemplary
`embodiment, before the PVR or DVR menu system of
`recorded programs is displayed, a list of the profiles/parti
`tions would be displayed for selection by the user. If the
`administrator had indicated that the Selected partition was
`not to share recorded events with other users, a password
`data entry Screen or window would be presented to enter the
`password to a designated partition. Alternatively a user
`which has no set to be shared will not be displayed in an
`initial Screen.
`0043. With reference now to FIG. 8, a general exemplary
`block diagram of the video recording system 110 for use in
`carrying out the present invention is shown. The Video
`recording system 110 includes receiver 112 adapted to
`receive Schedule programming information from an analog
`or digital Source identifying the time and channel number of
`the Scheduled programming. The receiver 112 is coupled to
`an MPEG encoder 114 for encoding the received signal
`output at receiver 112. The MPEG encoder 114 is couple to
`memory controller 116. The memory controller 116 is
`coupled to MPEG decoder 118. The MPEG decoder 118 is
`coupled to display encoder 120 which sends signals to a
`display device (NOT SHOWN), such as a television.
`0044) The on-screen user interfaces 10, 20, 40, 60, 70 and
`80 (FIGS. 1-6) are created by system 110 and displayed on
`the display device. Furthermore, the system 110 includes
`CPU 124. The memory controller 116 is also coupled to
`memory or Storage medium 122 for Storing recorded Sched
`ule programming. The memory or Storage medium 122 may
`be a hard disk drive or other memory medium. As is well
`known, the System 110 requires a certain amount of memory
`to process, format and function in the manner as described
`above. The memory or Storage medium 122 includes in
`general two categories of memory, 1) for System operations
`and 2) dedicated program recording Storage. It is the pro
`gram recording Storage that is partitioned and Subdivided.
`Accordingly, one-hundred (100) percent of the program
`recording Storage may be partitioned and Subdivided.
`0045 Referring now to FIG. 9, an exemplary multi
`media system 200 of the present invention is shown. The
`multi-media System 200 Supports a variety of applications/
`devices such as TV 202, MP3 music 204, video games 206,
`digital still pictures 208 and data 210. The multi-media
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. - Ex. 1033, p. 3
`Microsoft Corp. and HP Inc. v. Synkloud Technologies, LLC, IPR2020-00316
`
`

`

`US 2003/0154485 A1
`
`Aug. 14, 2003
`
`system 200 has a central processing unit (CPU) 212, a
`partitionable hard drive memory 216 and memory controller
`214. The CPU 202 operates in cooperation with the hard
`drive memory 216 to selectively perform various multi
`media applications. The multi-media System 200 is designed
`to perform at least one multi-media application at a time.
`Accordingly, at least two multi-media applications may be in
`operation, Simultaneously. The applications/devices Such as
`television (TV) 202 with recording, MP3 music 204, video
`games 206, digital still pictures 208 and data 210 may be
`Stand alone devices that reside in different location in a home
`or building or in the same room as an entertainment System.
`It should be noted that the multi-media system 200 may
`included a settop unit 218 that includes the CPU 212, the
`memory controller 214, the partitionable hard drive memory
`216 and various ports, plugs or drives to connect to a cable
`or satellite television service, MP3 player, video game
`device, digital camera and/or digital memory card, Video
`camcorder and computer.
`0046) To prevent one application/device and users from
`demanding or hogging the available capacity of the hard
`drive memory 216, the hard drive memory 216 is adapted to
`be divided into a plurality of dedicated application memory
`partitions 222, 224, 226, 228 and 230. However, the parti
`tions 222, 224, 226, 228 and 230 can be reconfigured from
`time to time based on consumption and remaining memory
`of a particular application. In the exemplary embodiment,
`partition 222 is the TV recording application partition;
`partition 224 is the MP3 music application partition; parti
`tion 226 is the video games application partition; partition
`228 is the digital picture application partition; and, partition
`230 is the data application partition.
`0047 Referring also to FIG. 10, the memory manage
`ment OUI 240 is shown. Since the memory 216 can be
`configured a variety of ways to describe each configuration
`is prohibitive. Thus, the description below is for exemplary
`purposes only. The partitionable hard drive memory 216 is,
`for example, 60 Gbytes. The dedicated application partitions
`are labeled by application in partition list 242. Each partition
`label has associated there with a memory allocation data
`entry field 244 for entering a percentage of memory. Ini
`tially, the System 200 may automatically assign a default
`percentage to each dedicated application partition 222, 224,
`226, 228 and 230.
`0048. The “Other Data” application partition 230 is sub
`divided into N subpartitions 232, 234, 236 and 238, such as
`for N users. In the exemplary embodiment, the default
`percentage of subpartitions 232, 234, 236 and 238 is four
`(4%) percent. As shown the “Other Data” application par
`tition 230 has 16% allocated. The percentage of the appli
`cation partition 230 can be varied by selecting one of the
`asSociated virtual plus or minus icons 246. Selecting the plus
`icon of the pair increments the percentage found in data
`entry field 244. On the other hand, selecting the minus icon
`of the pair 246 decrements the numbers found in the data
`entry field 244. Alternately, the administrator can also use
`the digits keys on a remote control to enter the percentage
`(%) value.
`0049. In the exemplary embodiment, the default percent
`age of subpartitions 232,234, 236 and 238 is approximately
`1/N of the default percentage of the “Other Data” applica
`tion partition 230. Therefore, adjusting the percentage allo
`
`cation of the “Other Data” application partition 230 adjusts
`the percentage of Subpartitions.
`0050 Associated with each percentage allocation data
`entry field 244 in the allocation column, there is a used
`percentage column that identifies the amount of memory
`used in each dedicated application partition 222, 224, 226,
`228 and 230 and subpartitions 232, 234, 236 and 238 As
`shown, the used field 250 has two positions for two digits.
`0051. In the exemplary embodiment, the memory 216 is
`partitioned as follows: 70% is dedicated to TV video record
`ing application partition 222, 10% is dedicated to the Video
`games application partition 226; 2% is dedicated to MP3
`music application partition 224; 2% is dedicated to digital
`pictures application partition 228; and 16% is dedicated to
`“Other Data” application partition 230. In the “Other Data”
`application partition 230, the Subpartitions are password
`protected and are labeled in accordance with the embodi
`ment described above in relations to FIGS. 1-6. Accordingly,
`the “Scott' subpartition has 4% of memory; the “Anthony”
`subpartition has 4% of memory; the “User 3' subpartition
`has 4% memory; and the “User 4 subpartition has 4% of
`memory. In this embodiment, the subpartitions 232, 234,
`236, 238 and 240 can be used to store music, still pictures,
`Video games, data as well as recorded Video in password
`protected memory Space.
`0.052 The partition protection OUI 60 (FIG. 5) can be
`used to password protect the subpartitions 232, 234, 236,
`238 and 240 for privacy. Furthermore, the setup procedure
`described above in relation to FIGS. 1-6 can be used to
`establish the subpartitions.
`0053) The memory management OUI 240 in FIG. 10
`displays how the memory is divided and utilized. The
`management of the memory partitions includes deleting the
`oldest recording to create memory Space for the most recent
`recording. For other area such as MP3 music and still
`pictures, the memory management would allow manual
`deleting and archiving individual files to make room for
`higher priority information. The memory management func
`tions to quickly modify the memory allocation when a new
`application or new user is added.
`0054 During setup, the administrator would be instructed
`as to how best partition the memory for each application. For
`example, typically, 10 times more memory is needed to
`record TV video since video fundamentally consumes more
`memory. Therefore, the multi-media system 200 would
`autom