US 7,861,262 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`a2) United States Patent
`Gutman
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Dec. 28, 2010
`
`
`US007861262B1
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
`CONTROLLING A PERSONALIZED VIDEO
`RECORDER WITH A SET-TOP BOX
`
`:
`.
`James C. Gutman,Littleton, CO (US)
`Inventor:
`(75)
`(73) Asian: Hneeach Technology IneSan lose,cA—
`(US)
`.
`oo,
`.
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 1106 days.
`
`.
`(*) Notice:
`
`2/2006 Hasegawa ou... eee 386/83
`7,003,213 B1*
`4/2007 Boyleetal. oe. 386/83
`7,206,497 B1*
`
`6/2001 Schenaet al. 0.0... 705/27
`2001/0003177 Al*
`
`....c.ccccee 386/46
`1/2002 Safadiet al.
`2002/0009285 ALl*
`
`4/2002 Kimetal. ccc 725/37
`2002/0046403 AL*
`5/2002 Utsunomiyaetal. ........ 725/146
`2002/0066113 ALl*
`.
`62002 ee nnnD2
`URMETED MI
`2002/0144265 AL* 10/2002 Connelly ....
`vee 725/39
`.......
`2002/0170073 AL* 11/2002 Milleretal.
`we 725/139
`
`2002/0184638 A1l* 12/2002 Agnihotri etal. vc... 725/89
`............ 725/139
`2005/0172332 AL*
`8/2005 Fukudaetal.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`WO 02/19691
`wo
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/948,445
`*
`8/9001
`
`
`(22) WO /0219691=*~—-8/2001Filed: Sep. 7, 2001 Wo
`
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(51)
`
`Int.Cl.
`(2006.01)
`GO6F 3/00
`(2006.01)
`GO6F 13/00
`(2006.01)
`HOAN 5/445
`(2006.01)
`HOAN 9/00
`(2006.01)
`HOAN 11/00
`(2006.01)
`HOAN 5/91
`(2006.01)
`HOAN 7/00
`(52) US. CM.
`ceecccccccccsessseesseesseeeee 725/37; 725/58; 386/1,
`386/46
`(58) Field of Classification Seareh 20... 725/30,
`725/141. 147
`;
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,003,384 A *
`3/1991 Durdenetal. 0.0... 725/104
`
`5,844,623 A * 12/1998 Iwamura .......
`ee 725/70
`
`8/2000 Kuether .......
`eee 725/61
`6,108,516 A *
`6,137,539 A * 10/2000 Lowneset al.
`.....--.+++ 348/569
`6,298,482 B1* 10/2001 Seidman etal.
`.....
`. 725/101
`
`6,442,328 BI*
`8/2002 Elliottetal.
`.....
`386/46
`6,483,986 B1* 11/2002 Krapf .........
`w. 386/68
`6,532,589 BI*
`3/2003 Proehl etal.
`.....
`... 725/40
`6,968,364 B1* 11/2005 Wongetal. 0... 709/217
`
`Primary Examiner—Christopher Kelley
`Assistant Examiner—Justin E Shepard
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`One embodimentof the present invention enables a person-
`alized video recorder (PVR)to reliably record automatically
`4 pay-per-view show that it receives from a set-top box.
`Specifically, a PVR is communicatively coupled to a set-top
`box thereby enabling the set-top box to request andreceive
`from the PVRits control commands. Theset-top box stores
`these control commands enabling it to control the function-
`ality of the PVR. Therefore, a user may utilize an electronic
`programming guide (EPG) provided by the set-top box to
`program the PVR to record (for example) a pay-per-view
`show. Upon completion of the programming process, the
`EPGofthe set-top box orders the pay-per-view show while
`the set-top box transmits the programminginstructionsto the
`PVR.After receiving the programming instructions, the PVR
`adds them to its programmable task list. Subsequently, the
`PVRreceives the ordered pay-per-view show from the set-top
`box and recordsit
`
`.
`
`18 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`300
`
`
`Display
`Device
`112
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Set-top Box
`100
`TV
`
`Personalized Video
`
`Recorder
`Headend
`
`
`306
`
`Channel
`
`308
`
`Roku EX1030
`U.S. Patent No. 9,911,325
`
`Roku EX1030
`U.S. Patent No. 9,911,325
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 28, 2010
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 7,861,262 B1
`
`
`
`
`Computer
`Computer
`Input
`Usable
`Usable
`
`
`
`Output
`Non-Volatile
`Volatile
`
`Memory Unit
`Memory Unit
`Device
`
`
`
`104
`106
`108
`
`
`
`
`
`Optional
`Optional
`Optional
`
`
`
`
`Display
`Remote
`Data
`Device
`Control
`Storage
`
`
`
`Device
`Device
`
`
`
`
`112
`
`
`
`116
`118
`
`
`
`
`Fig. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 28, 2010
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 7,861,262 B1
`
`
`
`
`
` Optional
`Optional
`
`
`
`Remote
`
`
`Control
`Display
`Optional
`
`
`Data
`Device
`Device
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Storage
`112
`214
`Device
`212
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Signal
`Computer
`Computer
`
`Input
`Processor
`Usable
`Usable
`
`
`
`Output
`Volatile
`Non-Volatile
`
`
`
`
`
`Memory Unit
`Memory Unit
`Device
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 28, 2010
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 7,861,262 B1
`
`oS
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`AL
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`90€
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 28, 2010
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 7,861,262 B1
`
`40
`
`START
`
`
`
`Set-top box transmits a request to
`a PVRforits control commands
`
`PVRreceives request and transmits
`control commandsto set-top box
`
`PVR control commands
`
`Set-top box stores the received
`
`402
`
`404
`
`406
`
`No
`
`
`
`Programminginstructions
`entered for PVR?
`
`
`408
`
`410
`
`412
`
`414
`
`Yes
`
`Set-top box transmits
`programming instructions to PVR
`
`instructions
`
`PVRstores programminginstructions
`and transmits acknowledge signalto
`set-top box
`
`PVRfulfills the functionality
`associated with the programming
`
`Fig. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 28, 2010
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 7,861,262 B1
`
`START
`
`50
`
`Set-top box transmits a request to
`a PVRfor its control commands
`
`402
`
`PVRreceives request and transmits
`control commandsto set-top box
`
`404
`
`Set-top box stores the received
`PVR control commands
`
`4 06
`
`No
`
`
`Programming instructions entered to
`record a pay-per-view show?
`
` 502
`
`504
`
`506
`
`508
`
`510
`
`Yes
`
`Set-top box orders pay-per-view
`show
`
`Set-top box transmits
`pay-per-view programming
`instructions to PVR
`
`show received from set-top box
`
`PVR stores pay-per-view programming
`instructions and transmits acknowledge
`signal to set-top box
`
`PVR records the pay-per-view
`
`Fig. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 28, 2010
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 7,861,262 B1
`
`START
`
`PVR communicatively coupled to
`a set-top box
`
`602
`
`No
`
`604
`PVR request EPG from set-top box?
`
`
`Yes
`
`Set-top box transmits the EPG to
`the PVR
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Utilize EPG with functionality of
`the PVR
`
`Is EPGstill being used?
`
`606
`
`608
`
`610
`
`No
`
`Set-top box stops transmitting the
`EPG to the PVR
`
`612
`
`

`

`US 7,861,262 B1
`
`1
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
`CONTROLLING A PERSONALIZED VIDEO
`RECORDER WITH A SET-TOP BOX
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to the field of electronic
`devices. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to the
`field of set-top boxes and personalized video recorders.
`
`10
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`2
`viewer is typically restricted to watch an ordered pay-per-
`view show whenit is scheduled to be broadcast andnot at any
`other time. Another disadvantage associated with a pay-per-
`view show is that during the broadcast of one, a vieweris
`typically unable to pauseit in order to (for example) answer
`their telephoneor go to their kitchen to retrieve some type of
`beverage and/or snack food. As such, in order to accomplish
`any or these tasks, the viewer may unfortunately end up
`missing some of the pay-per-view entertainment that he or
`she has paid for.
`One technique for overcoming these disadvantages is to
`utilize a personalized video recorder (PVR)andaset-top box
`Modern research and technology have provided society
`to automatically order and record a pay-per-view show. Spe-
`with a widevariety of electronic devices. It is appreciated that
`cifically, a personalized video recorder is connected to an
`some of these modern electronic devices are very powerful
`and usefulto their users. For example, someofthe electronic
`output of a set-top box in order to receive any typeoftelevi-
`devices which fall
`into this category include: computers
`sion programming signals from it. Additionally, in order to
`which occupylarge office space down to computers which are
`enable the personalized video recorder to control some ofthe
`held in one’s hand,satellites which orbit around earth relay-
`functionality of the set-top box, an IR (infrared) blaster is
`ing a multitude of communication signals, global positioning
`connected to receive IR transmissions from the personalized
`system (GPS) devices capable of determining the specific
`video recorder and output them to an IR receiverofthe set-top
`locations of their users on the earth, cellular phones which
`box. Furthermore, special EPG (electronic programming
`enable their users to communicate wirelessly with other
`guide) software has been designed to operate on the person-
`people, to name a few. Additionally, it should be appreciated
`alized video recorder that enables its user to program it to
`that some modern electronic devices also provide entertain-
`automatically order a pay-per-view show via the set-top box
`ment to their users. For instance, some of the electronic
`and then subsequently record that pay-per-view entertain-
`devices which fall into this category include: portable and
`ment whenit is broadcast.
`fixed radio receivers which provide their users music along
`with a wide array of different audio programming, video
`game consoles which challenge their users with varying situ-
`ations within different virtual realities, portable and fixed
`compact disc (CD) players which provide music to their
`users, and portable andfixed televisions which provide a wide
`variety of visual and audio programmingto their users.
`Recently, it is understood that an increasingly amount of
`television programming has becomeavailable to the general
`public. For example, 24 hours a day consumersofthe general
`public are able to receive and watch hundreds of different
`channels of television programming within their households
`and/or businesses via coaxial cables, broadbandInternet, per-
`sonalsatellite dishes, and the like. Furthermore, it should be
`appreciated that the amountof available television program-
`ming is continuing to increase.
`For example, not that long ago there use to be only three
`major television broadcast companies basically providing
`television programming throughout the entire United States
`ofAmerica. In contrast, currently there may be as muchas one
`hundred times more television channels that are basically
`providing nationwidetelevision programming. Furthermore,
`it is understood that some of these television channels are
`continuously broadcasting television programming 24 hours
`a day (e.g., ESPN, VH1, CNN, QVC,and the like). Conse-
`quently, there is a tremendous amountoftelevision program-
`ming available to consumers of the general public.
`Currently,a set-top box is one of the devicesthat is used to
`receive television programming from one or moreofits dif-
`ferent distributors. Specifically, a set-top box is a device that
`is designed to receive and convert (for example) a cable
`television signal into an input signal for a television set.
`Furthermore, it is appreciated that set-top boxes may also be
`designed to receive and convert television signals that are
`received via satellite dishes, the Internet, and the like. Addi-
`tionally, set-top boxes mayalso be utilized by their users to
`order pay-per-view shows (e.g., movies, events, etc.) from
`different distributors.
`
`set-top box is waiting for the confirmation and then it causes
`the personalized video recorder to send a “yes” signal to the
`set-top box via the IR blaster. The special EPG software also
`knows that the next thing that the EPG ofthe set-top box
`wants to receive is a personal identification number (PIN)
`code. Therefore, the special software waits a predetermined
`amountof time until it thinks that the EPG of the set-top box
`is waiting for the PIN code andthenit causes the personalized
`video recorder to senda PIN code to the set-top box via the IR
`blaster. In this manner, the special EPG software operating on
`the personalized video recorder is able to order a pay-per-
`view show via the EPG of the set-top box.It is appreciated
`that the personalized video recorder will subsequently receive
`the ordered pay-per-view show from the set-top box and
`recordit.
`
`For example, when the personalized video recorderis pro-
`grammedbya user to order a pay-per-view movie via the
`set-top box and recordit, the special EPG software operating
`on the personalized video recorder knowsthatthe first thing
`that the EPG operating on the set-top box wants to receive is
`a confirmation to the question “Do you want to order a
`movie?”As such, the special EPG software waits a predeter-
`mined amount of time until it thinks that the EPG of the
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`65
`
`However, it should be understood that there are some dis-
`advantages associated with the personalized video recorder
`pay-per-view ordering and recording technique described
`above. For example, one disadvantageis that IR blasters are
`not very reliable and they are knownto dropa digit frequently
`during signal transmissions. As such, this unreliability can
`sometimesresult in the special EPG software operating on the
`personalized video recorder being unsynchronized with the
`pay-per-view ordering process of the EPG operating on the
`set-top box. Therefore, the user may end up paying for and
`recording the wrong pay-per-view show. Conversely, the user
`may end up not paying for a pay-per-view show, but the
`personalized video recorder ends up recording nothing of
`interest (e.g., 2 hours of “Please enter your PIN code”) to its
`user.
`
`However, there are disadvantages associated with pay-per-
`view shows. For example, one ofthe disadvantagesis that the
`
`

`

`3
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`
`4
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`US 7,861,262 B1
`
`Accordingly, a need exists for a method and system that
`enablesa personalized video recorderto reliably record auto-
`matically a pay-per-view show (e.g., movie, event, etc.) that it
`receives from a set-top box. The present invention provides a
`method and system whichsatisfies the above mentioned need.
`Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention
`enables a personalized video recorder (PVR) to reliably
`record automatically a pay-per-view show that it receives
`from a set-top box. Specifically, a personalized video
`recorder is communicatively coupled to a set-top box thereby
`enabling the set-top box to request and receive from the
`personalized video recorder its control commands. Theset-
`top box stores these control commands enabling it to display
`them to its users and also control the functionality of the
`personalized video recorder. Therefore, a user may utilize an
`electronic programming guide (EPG)providedbytheset-top
`box to program the personalized video recorderto record (for
`example) a pay-per-view show. Upon completion of the pro-
`gramming process, the EPG of the set-top box orders the
`pay-per-view show while the set-top box transmits the pro-
`gramming instructions to the personalized video recorder.
`After receiving the programminginstructions, the personal-
`ized video recorder adds them to its programmable tasklist.
`Subsequently, the personalized video recorder receives the
`ordered pay-per-view show from the set-top box and records
`it.
`
`In another embodiment, the present invention includes a
`system for communicatively coupling a set-top box to a per-
`sonalized video recorder (PVR). The system includesa set-
`top box comprising a first communication interface having
`two way communication capability. Furthermore, the system
`includes a personalized video recorder comprising a second
`communication interface having two way communication
`capability that is coupledto the first communication interface
`of the set-top box.
`In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides
`a computer readable medium having computer readable code
`embodied therein for causing a system to perform particular
`steps. The computer readable medium causes the system to
`perform the step ofa set-top box transmitting a request signal
`to a personalized video recorder. In response to receive the
`request signal, the computer readable medium causes the
`system to perform the step of the personalized video trans-
`mitting to the set-top box a control commandofthe person-
`alized video recorder. Additionally, the computer readable
`medium causes the system to perform the step of the set-top
`box receiving the control commandofthe personalized video
`recorder. The computer readable medium also causes the
`system to perform the step of determining whether a pro-
`gramming instruction has been received by the set-top box
`that pertains to the control command of the personalized
`video recorder. In response to receiving the programming
`instruction that pertains to the control commandofthe per-
`sonalized video recorder, the computer readable medium
`causes the system to perform the step of the set-top box
`transmitting the programminginstruction to the personalized
`video recorder. The computer readable medium causes the
`system to perform the step of the personalized video recorder
`receiving the programming instruction from the set-top box.
`These and other advantagesofthe present invention will no
`doubt becomeobviousto those of ordinary skill in theart after
`having read the following detailed description of the pre-
`ferred embodiments whichare illustrated in the drawingfig-
`ures.
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`45
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`The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in
`and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments
`of the invention and, together with the description, serve to
`explain the principles of the invention.
`FIG. 1isa block diagram of an exemplary set-top box used
`in accordance with one embodimentofthe present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary personalized
`video recorder (PVR) used in accordance with one embodi-
`mentof the present invention.
`FIG.3 is a block diagram of an exemplary network used in
`accordance with one embodimentofthe present invention for
`enabling a personalized video recorder and a set-top box to
`function together.
`FIG.4 is a flowchart of steps performedin accordance with
`one embodiment of the present invention for controlling a
`personalized video recorder via a set-top box.
`FIG.5 is a flowchart of steps performedin accordance with
`one embodimentof the present invention for enabling a per-
`sonalized video recorder and a set-top box to function
`together.
`FIG.6 is a flowchart of steps performedin accordance with
`one embodimentof the present invention for enabling a per-
`sonalized video recorderto utilize an electronic programming
`guide (EPG)ofa set-top box.
`
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
`embodiments of the invention, examples of which areillus-
`trated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention
`will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodi-
`ments, it will be understoodthat they are not intendedto limit
`the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the
`invention is intendedto coveralternatives, modifications and
`equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and
`scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
`Furthermore,
`in the following detailed description of the
`present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in
`order to provide a thorough understanding of the present
`invention. However, it will be obviousto one of ordinary skill
`in theart that the present invention may bepracticed without
`these specific details. In other instances, well known meth-
`ods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been
`described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of
`the present invention.
`Someportions of the detailed descriptions which follow
`are presented in terms of procedures, logic blocks, process-
`ing, and other symbolic representations of operations on data
`bits within a computer or digital system memory. These
`descriptions and representations are the means used by those
`skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey
`the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. A
`procedure, logic block, process, etc., is herein, and generally,
`conceivedto be a self-consistent sequenceofsteps or instruc-
`tions leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring
`physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually,
`though notnecessarily, these physical manipulations take the
`form ofelectrical or magnetic signals capable ofbeing stored,
`transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated
`in a computer system or similar electronic computing device.
`For reasons of convenience, and with reference to common
`usage, these signals are referred to as bits, values, elements,
`symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like with refer-
`enceto the present invention.
`
`

`

`US 7,861,262 B1
`
`5
`It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these terms
`are to be interpreted as referencing physical manipulations
`and quantities and are merely convenient labels and are to be
`interpreted further in view of terms commonlyusedintheart.
`Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the
`following discussions, it is understood that throughout dis-
`cussionsof the present invention, discussions utilizing terms
`such as “transmitting” or “receiving” or “determining” or
`“performing”or “storing” or “recognizing”or “utilizing” or
`“generating” or “providing”or “ordering” or “outputting” or
`the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer
`system,or similar electronic computing device, that manipu-
`lates and transforms data. The data is represented as physical
`(electronic) quantities within the computer system’s registers
`and memories and is transformed into other data similarly
`represented as physical quantities within the computer sys-
`tem memories orregisters or other such information storage,
`transmission, or display devices.
`
`Exemplary Hardware in Accordance with the Present
`Invention
`
`FIG.1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of an exem-
`plary set-top box 100 used in accordance with the present
`invention. It should be understood that set-top box 100 is a
`device that is designed to receive and convert a television
`signal into an input signal for another device (e.g., display
`device, personalized video recorder, and the like). Further-
`more, set-top box 100 may be designed to receive and convert
`television signals that are received via cable, satellite dishes,
`the Internet, and the like. Within the following discussions of
`the present invention, certain processes and steps are dis-
`cussed that are realized, in one embodiment, as a series of
`instructions (e.g., software program) that reside within com-
`puter readable memory units of set-top box 100 and executed
`by a processor(s) of set-top box 100. When executed, the
`instructions cause set-top box 100 to perform specific actions
`and exhibit specific behavior which is described in detail
`below.
`
`Set-top box 100 of FIG. 1 used by an embodimentof the
`present invention comprises an address/data bus 110 for com-
`municating information, one or more central processors 102
`coupled with bus 110 for processing information andinstruc-
`tions. Central processor unit 102 may be a microprocessor or
`any other type ofprocessor. The set-top box 100 also includes
`data storage features such as a computer usable volatile
`memory unit 104 (e.g., random access memory, static RAM,
`dynamic RAM,etc.) coupled with bus 110 for storing infor-
`mation andinstructions for central processor(s) 102, a com-
`puter usable non-volatile memory unit 106 (e.g., read only
`memory, programmable ROM,
`flash memory, EPROM,
`EEPROM,etc.) coupled with bus 110 forstoring static infor-
`mation andinstructions for processor(s) 102. The set-top box
`100 also includes one or moresignal generating and receiving
`devices 108 coupled with bus 110 for enabling set-top box
`100 to interface with other electronic devices. The commu-
`
`nication interface(s) 108 of the present embodiment may
`include wired and/or wireless communication technology.
`For example, in one embodimentofthe present invention, the
`communication interface 108 is a serial communication port,
`but couldalsoalternatively be any of a numberofwell known
`communication standards and protocols, e.g., Universal
`Serial Bus (USB), Ethernet, FireWire IEEE 1394), parallel,
`small computer system interface (SCSI), infrared (IR) com-
`munication, Bluetooth wireless communication, Home
`Phone Network (HPN), broadband,etc.
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`Additionally, the set-top box 100 of FIG. 1 may include an
`optional remote control device 116 (e.g., a remote control
`device having a numberof buttons, dials, etc.) which is com-
`municatively coupled to bus 110 for communicating user
`input information and commandselections to the central pro-
`cessor(s) 102. It is appreciated that remote control device 116
`may be implemented with the capability to communicate
`utilizing wireless technology (e.g., infrared signaling). The
`set-top box 100 mayalso include an optional computer usable
`mass data storage device 118 such as a magnetic or optical
`disk and disk drive (e.g., hard drive or floppy diskette)
`coupled with bus 110 for storing information and instruc-
`tions. An optional display device 112 may be coupled to bus
`110 of set-top box 100 for displaying video and/or graphics.
`It should be appreciatedthat optional display device 112 may
`be a cathode ray tube (CRT),flat panel liquid crystal display
`(LCD), field emission display (FED), or other display device
`suitable for displaying video and/or graphic images and
`alphanumeric characters recognizableto a user.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodimentof an exem-
`plary personalized video recorder (PVR) 200 used in accor-
`dance with the present invention. It is appreciated that the
`components of personalized video recorder 200 are similar to
`the componentsofset-top box 100 ofFIG.1, described above.
`It should be understood that other electronic devices and/or
`systems(e.g., digital video recorder, television Internet box,
`and the like) may also function as personalized video recorder
`200 in accordance with the present invention. Within the
`following discussions of the present invention, certain pro-
`cesses and steps are discussed that are realized,
`in one
`embodiment, as a series of instructions (e.g., software pro-
`gram) that reside within computer readable memory units of
`personalized video recorder 200 and executed by a
`processor(s) of personalized video recorder 200. When
`executed, the instructions cause personalized video recorder
`200 to perform specific actions and exhibit specific behavior
`whichis described in detail below.
`Personalized video recorder 200 of FIG. 2 used by an
`embodimentof the present invention comprises an address/
`data bus 210 for communicating information, one or more
`central processors 202 coupled with bus 210 for processing
`information andinstructions. Central processor unit 202 may
`be a microprocessor or any other type of processor. The
`personalized video recorder 200 also includes data storage
`features such as a computer usable volatile memory unit 204
`(e.g., random access memory, static RAM, dynamic RAM,
`etc.) coupled with bus 210 for storing information and
`instructions for central processor(s) 202, a computer usable
`non-volatile memory unit 206 (e.g., read only memory, pro-
`grammable ROM,flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM,etc.)
`coupled with bus 210 for storing static information and
`instructions for processor(s) 202. The personalized video
`recorder 200 also includes one or more signal generating and
`receiving devices 208 coupled with bus 210 for enabling
`personalized video recorder 200 to interface with other elec-
`tronic devices. The communication interface(s) 208 of the
`present embodiment mayinclude wired and/or wireless com-
`munication technology. For example, in one embodiment of
`the present invention, the communication interface 208 is a
`serial communicationport, but could also alternatively be any
`of a number of well known communication standards and
`
`protocols, e.g., USB, Ethernet, FireWire IEEE 1394), paral-
`lel, SCSI, Bluetooth wireless communication, IR communi-
`cation, HPN, broadband,etc.
`Furthermore, the personalized video recorder 200 of FIG.
`2 may include an optional remote control device 214 (e.g., a
`remote control device having a numberofbuttons, dials, etc.)
`
`

`

`US 7,861,262 B1
`
`7
`which is communicatively coupled to bus 210 for communi-
`cating user input information and commandselections to the
`central processor(s) 202. It is appreciated that remote control
`device 214 may be implemented with the capability to com-
`municate with personalized video recorder 200 utilizing
`wireless communication (e.g., infra-red signaling). The per-
`sonalized video recorder 200 may also include an optional
`computer usable mass data storage device 212 such as a
`magnetic or optical disk and disk drive (e.g., hard drive or
`floppy diskette) coupled with bus 210 for storing information
`and instructions. Optional display device 112 may be coupled
`to bus 210 of personalized video recorder 200 for displaying
`video and/or graphic images and alphanumeric characters
`recognizable to a user.
`
`Exemplary Network in Accordance with the Present
`Invention
`
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary network 300
`used in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention for enabling a personalized video recorder (e.g.,
`200) anda set-top box (e.g., 100) to function together. Spe-
`cifically, network 300 includes personalized video recorder
`200 that is communicatively coupled to set-top box 100 in
`accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.
`Thatis, the communication interface 108 of set-top box 100 is
`capable of interfacing with the communication interface 208
`ofpersonalized video recorder 200. Therefore, two way com-
`munication may occur between set-top box 100 and person-
`alized video recorder 200 via communication interfaces 108
`
`and 208. It should be appreciated that communication inter-
`faces 108 and 208 may communicate utilizing wired and/or
`wireless technology. For example, communication interfaces
`108 and 208 may utilize any of a number of well known
`communication standards and protocols, e.g., parallel, small
`computer system interface (SCSI), Ethernet, FireWire (EEE
`1394), Universal Serial Bus (USB), infrared (IR) communi-
`cation, Bluetooth wireless communication, Home Phone
`Network (HPN), broadband, andthelike.
`Additionally, network 300 includesa television (TV) hea-
`dend 306 which is communicatively coupled to set-top box
`100. It is also understood that television headend 306 and
`
`set-top box 100 of the present embodimentare well suited to
`be coupled in a wide variety of implementations. For
`example, television headend 306 andset-top box 100 may be
`coupled via coaxial cable, copper wire, the Internet, fiber
`optics, wireless communication, and the like. Furthermore,
`display device 112 (e.g., television) is coupled to set-top box
`100 and personalized video recorder 200. It is appreciated
`display device 112 ofthe present embodimentis well suited to
`be coupled to personalized video recorder 200 and not
`coupledto set-top box 100. Additionally, display device 112
`is well suited to be coupledto set-top box 100 and personal-
`ized video recorder 200 utilizing wired and/or wireless com-
`munication technology.
`Within the present embodiment, set-top box 100 of FIG. 3
`is coupled to television headend 306 thereby enabling it to
`provide a media stream 304 to set-top box 100. Additionally,
`set-top box 100 is able to utilize a back-channel 308, e.g.,
`telephone line or radio frequency (RF), to transmit informa-
`tion to television headend 306. Upon receiving media stream
`304 from television headend 306, set-top box 100 converts it
`into an input signal 304a that it may outputto display device
`112 and/or personalized video recorder 200. It is appreciated
`that personalized video recorder 200 may subsequently trans-
`mit input signal 304a to display device 112. Furthermore,
`personalized video recorder 200 of the present embodiment
`
`8
`does not include an internal electronic programming guide
`(EPG). However, the personalized video recorder 200 of the
`present embodimentis not restricted to this limitation and is
`well suited to include an internal EPG.
`
`Exemplary Operations in Accordance with the
`Present Invention
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`FIG.4 is a flowchart 400 of steps performed in accordance
`with one embodimentofthe present invention for controlling
`a personalized video recorder (e.g., 200) via a set-top box
`(e.g., 100). Flowchart 400 includes processes of the present
`invention which, in one embodiment, are carried out by pro-
`cessors and electrical components under the control of com-
`puter readable and computer executable instructions. The
`computer readable and computer executable instructions
`reside, for example,in data storage features such as computer
`usable volatile memory 104 and/or computer usable non-
`volatile memory 106 of FIG. 1. However, the computer read-
`able and computer executable instructions may reside in any
`type of computer readable medium. Although specific steps
`are disclosedin flowchart 400, such steps are exemplary. That
`is, the present invention is well suited to performing various
`other steps or variations of the steps recited in FIG. 4. Within
`the present embodiment, it should be appreciated that the
`steps of flowchart 400 may be performed by software or
`hardware or any combina