Patent ID: 6601237
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An apparatus for receiving programs from a plurality of channels, comprising a tuner for tuning to any of the plurality of channels, and electronic program guide (EPG) means for presenting a schedule of the programs, the EPG means being adapted to present a schedule of a subset of said programs as being ostensibly scheduled for a personal channel, wherein the apparatus further comprises virtual channel means for creating a user selectable virtual channel for reproducing the programs of said subset, the apparatus being adapted to control the tuner to tune to a channel currently broadcasting a program of said subset;wherein the apparatus further comprises scheduling means for assigning priority ratings to the programs of the virtual channel, for selecting a first program in favor of a second program when they are broadcast simultaneously and the first program has a higher priority rating than the second program; and wherein the scheduling means are further adapted to record the second program, and reschedule it for the virtual channel to fill a gap before or after the programs scheduled for the virtual channel.