Interactive television program guide for recording enhanced video content

Interactive television systems and methods are provided for enhancing program guide content using recording and alert features for video related to promotions, advertisements, and other selectable displays presented in an interactive television application such as an interactive television program guide. An option to record video related to a selectable display may be presented to users. The option to record may be presented in an information display screen that is displayed in response to a user selecting a selectable display. The interactive television system may automatically record the related video in response to the user selecting the record option using a local or a network-based recording and storage device. Users may access a list of recordings that have been recorded. Other types of media may be integrated into the list, and listings may be selected and viewed by the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to television systems, and, more particularly, to interactive television systems such as interactive television program guide systems with video recording capabilities.

Interactive television systems may be used to provide interactive television applications, such as interactive television program guides, which present screens of interactive television program listings to users. The screens presented in interactive television program guides may also include selectable displays, such as advertisements, which users may select to access additional information for the advertised product or service. The products and services advertised using the interactive television system may include for example, program guide services, pay-per-view and video-on-demand services, web browsing services, games, home shopping, or any other suitable product or service.

In typical interactive television systems, users may have access to set-top boxes or other user equipment in their home. Users may interact with this equipment using remote controls or other user interfaces. In a personal computing environment, users may access interactive television program guide web sites.

Interactive television program guides may be implemented on personal video recorder platforms. A typical personal video recorder has a hard disk drive for storing digital video recordings that may be played back on a user's television. Video recorder functionality may also be provided using equipment at a cable system headend. With this type of network-based video recorder, a user may direct equipment at the headend to perform video recording and playback functions.

Sometimes a user of an interactive television application, such as an interactive television program guide, may have only just enough time to briefly peruse a program guide advertisement. The user may not have time to view more extensive information (e.g., of the type that might be provided in an advertising video).

It would therefore be desirable to allow users of interactive television applications to set up recordings for videos related to advertisements so that the videos could later be provided to and viewed by the user at a more suitable time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, interactive television systems are provided that allow users to record videos related to promotional or informational items presented by an interactive television application. Interactive television functionality may be supported through the use of an interactive television application such as an interactive television program guide implemented on user equipment such as a cable set-top box, personal video recorder, personal computer, satellite integrated receiver decoder (IRD) box, interactive television, or other suitable device. The interactive television application may be used to provide video recorder functions, video-on-demand functions, and program guide services.

The interactive television application may generate screens of interactive television information. A typical screen generated by an interactive television program guide may include a list of scheduled television programs and selectable advertisements. If desired, other program guide content may be provided on such a screen in addition to program listings information. For example, an interactive television program guide may generate and display a screen on the user's equipment that includes television program reviews, news, weather information, etc. Typical interactive television program guide content such as program listings content may be provided in the form of text, graphics, any other suitable media format, or a combination thereof. Video information (e.g., video clips or picture-in-guide video) may also be displayed on a program guide screen by the interactive television program guide.

The program guide content (e.g., the program listings) may often be accompanied by selectable displays such as advertisements. Advertisements may be used to promote products (e.g., tangible goods), services, television programs, etc. A typical graphic advertisement for a television program may include a still image of the actors in the program, channel information, the time at which the program or series airs, or any other suitable information. A typical graphic advertisement for interactive magazine content may include a promotional phrase such as “See Hollywood Headlines” embedded in a colorful panel advertisement graphic. Advertisements may be presented in the form of panel ads (typically box-shaped ads placed to the left or right of program listings or other program guide content on the screen) or banner ads (rectangular ads often located at the top or bottom of the screen). These are merely illustrative examples of the content and format of advertisements that may be presented by the interactive television program guide. It will be understood that the interactive television program guide (or other interactive television application) may display any suitable type of interactive promotional information, selectable content item, or selectable advertisement if desired.

A user may select an item (such as an advertisement) that is displayed on a program guide screen by using a remote control (or other suitable user interface) to maneuver a highlight region on top of the desired item. The highlight may take the form of a colored frame around the item of interest, darkened or lightened background, a visually moving indicator, a pointer, or any other suitable visual indication that the item has been “highlighted.” After the user has highlighted the advertisement or other item of interest on the program guide screen, the user may press a “select” or “enter” button on the remote control (or make this type of selection using another suitable user interface). This type of operation (typically two-steps —highlighting and pressing enter) may be referred to as “selecting.”

After a user has selected the desired advertisement or other item on the program guide screen, the interactive television program guide may respond by displaying a screen containing additional or related information. For example, if a user selects an advertisement for an automobile, the interactive television program guide may display more detailed information about the automobile to the user (e.g., features, specifications, information on price and dealer locations, etc.). The user may scroll or page through one or more pages or sections of such additional information.

The screen of additional information that is displayed in response to the user's initial selection of the advertisement (or other item) may allow the user to set up a recording of a related video. The related video may, for example, be an infomercial-type video that is broadcast at an off-peak hour (e.g., late at night). If, for example, the user is initially presented with a program guide screen containing program guide information and a selectable advertisement for an automobile, the user may obtain additional information on the automobile by selecting the advertisement (e.g., using the remote control). In response, the interactive television program guide may display a screen of additional information on the automobile (e.g., specifications, price, etc.). The interactive television program guide may simultaneously display an on-screen “record” option on the same screen as the additional information. If the user selects this option (e.g., by highlighting it and pressing enter, etc.) the interactive television program guide will take appropriate actions to obtain a copy of a video on the automobile. The video may, for example, show interior and exterior views of the automobile, may contain a review of the automobile, may discuss pricing and leasing options, may discuss accessories that are available, etc. The video may, if desired, be accompanied by interactive overlays that allow the user to order the displayed or advertised item.

The video (e.g., the automobile video in this example) may be recorded and stored locally (e.g., on the user's personal video recorder, recordable DVD player, computer disk, or video cassette recorder) or may be recorded and stored on a network-based personal video recorder. Recordings may be real or virtual. Real recordings may be made by converting broadcast video signal into signals suitable for analog or digital storage. Virtual recordings may be made by placing a copy of the desired video onto the user's equipment or by updating the user's “personal area” on a network to reflect that the user now possesses a copy of the video. These are merely illustrative arrangements. Any suitable technique for providing a user with an opportunity to direct the program guide to make the recording may be used if desired. Moreover, any suitable approach may be used for recording or obtaining copies of a video for which the user indicates interest. An on-screen option is only one such illustrative example. Other possible techniques for requesting that a recording be made of the video include pressing a dedicated remote control button, issuing a suitable voice command, clicking on an option displayed on a user input device, etc.

Program guide functionality may be enhanced by providing program guide features and other functions related to setting up and viewing video recordings related to program guide content. Such features may be provided in any suitable interactive television application. For example, an alert display may provide a user with an option to access video that has been recorded (e.g., a recorded video related to a selected advertisement for an automobile). An alert may first appear when a user first interacts with the program guide after the related video has been recorded. The timing and configuration of the alerts may be implemented in a number of different ways. For example, reminders may be sent to users by e-mail, in the form of a dialogue prompt in the program guide, or by any method that sufficiently alerts users that related programming is available. Users may be permitted to configure their alerts when they select the option to record the related video or when an alert is displayed for the first time.

Other features provided by the interactive television application may include a record option that enables users to select to have the interactive television system automatically record video related to a selected advertisement, such as video information, video segments, or programming related to the content of a selected advertisement. Related video may be recorded using a video recorder (VCR), a personal video recorder (PVR), digital storage device, a remote server, or any available means for recording programming.

The record option may be implemented not only for selectable advertisements, but also for other onscreen program guide content generated on a guide screen, for example a program listing, a logo, a promotion or event, a channel listing, portal links, options for interactive services, weather forecasts, etc. In one technique, the selection of guide content presented on a screen leads to the presentation of another display graphic that includes a record option among other information and/or options for that particular guide content. The user may select the record option to have the program guide automatically record video that is related to that particular guide content. In circumstances where, for example, the particular guide content is for a program, the video for which the record option is provided may be video other than the program itself (e.g., a preview, a promotional clip, etc.). Guide content may also be considered to include advertising (e.g., advertisements not focusing on programming) or other promotional information.

Video may be recorded automatically by including a link to the related video in the data structure of the advertisement or other selectable display. This allows the guide to automatically record the program. If desired, the relevant video may be broadcast during times in which user activity is expected to be low (e.g., midnight). The time or channel at which the related video will be broadcast (and recorded) may be unknown or invisible to a user who selects the record option. Support video may also be recorded using local or remote personal video recording devices or network-based recording devices, which may be used in conjunction with an interactive television application, a personal video recorder application, a network-based video recorder application, any other suitable application or a combination thereof.

For clarity and brevity, features and functionality of the invention have sometimes been discussed in the context of program guides. Such systems and methods may be implemented for other interactive television applications or may be implemented to support both a program guide and another interactive television application. Also for clarity and brevity, features and functionality of the invention have sometimes been discussed in the context of providing selectable displays in the form of advertisements (e.g., advertisements for products, television programs and events, etc.). However, as discussed above, other selectable displays for a variety of guide content may be used in conjunction with the system and methods of the present invention if desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An illustrative interactive television system10in accordance with the present invention is shown inFIG. 1. Content such as television programming and digital music may be provided from programming sources12to television distribution facilities such as television distribution facility14using communications path16. Programming sources12may be any suitable sources of television and music programming, such as television and music production studios, etc.

Television distribution facility14may be a cable system headend, a satellite television distribution facility, a television broadcast facility, or any other suitable facility for distributing television and music programming to users. There are typically numerous television distribution facilities14in system10, but only one is shown inFIG. 1to avoid overcomplicating the drawings.

Communications path16may be a satellite path, a fiber-optic path, a cable path, or any other suitable wired or wireless communications paths or a combination of such paths.

Television distribution facility14may be connected to various user equipment devices18. Such user equipment18may, for example, be located in the homes of users. User equipment18may include user television equipment20or user computer equipment22.

The user equipment may receive television and music programming and other information from television distribution facility14over communications paths such as communications paths26,27, and28. The user equipment may also transmit signals to television distribution facility14over paths26,27, and28. Paths26,27, and28may be cables or other wired connections, free-space connections (e.g., for broadcast or other wireless signals), satellite links, etc.

Data source30may include a program listings database that is used to provide the user with television program schedule information such as scheduled broadcast times, titles, channels, ratings information (e.g., parental ratings and critic's ratings), detailed title descriptions, genre or category information (e.g., sports, news, movies, etc.), information on actors and actresses, running times, etc. Data source30may also be used to provide advertisements (e.g., program guide advertisements and advertisements for other interactive television applications), real-time data such as sports scores, stock quotes, news, weather, etc. Although data source30is drawn as an individual box inFIG. 1, data source30and the other system components ofFIG. 1may be provided using equipment at one or more locations. Systems components are drawn as single boxes inFIG. 1to avoid over-complicating the drawings.

Data source30may provide program schedule information and other data to television distribution facility14over communications path32for distribution to the associated user equipment over paths26,27, and28. Communications path32may be any suitable communications path such as a satellite communications path or other wireless path, a fiber-optic or other wired communications path, a path that supports Internet communications, a combination of such paths, etc. Data source30may provide program schedule information and other data to the user at user equipment18over path38, communications network34, and path42. Path42may be a wired path such as a telephone line, a cable path, a fiber-optic path, a satellite path, a wireless path, a combination of such paths, or any other suitable path.

User equipment devices such as user television equipment and personal computers may use the program schedule information to display program listings and information on digital music for the user. An interactive television program guide application or other suitable application may be used to display such information on the user's display.

An on-line program guide and other interactive television services may be provided using a server connected to communications network34such as server36. Server36may receive program schedule information and other data from data source30via communications path38, communications network34, and communications path40. Paths38and40may be satellite paths, fiber-optic paths, wired paths, etc. Communications network34may be any suitable communications network, such as the Internet, the public switched telephone network, a packet-based network, etc.

User equipment18may access on-line program guide information and other information from server36via communications path42. User equipment18may also access the on-line program guide and other services on server36via communications path26, television distribution facility14, and communications path44. For example, a cable modem or other suitable equipment may be used by user equipment18to communicate with television distribution facility14. Television distribution facility14may communicate with communications network34over any suitable path44, such as a wired path, a cable path, fiber-optic path, satellite path, a combination of such paths, etc.

User equipment such as user television equipment20and user computer equipment22may access the on-line program guide and server36using similar arrangements. User television equipment20may access the on-line program guide and server36using communications path46or using path27, television distribution facility14, and path44. User computer equipment22may access the on-line program guide and server36using communications path48or using path28, television distribution facility14, and path44. Paths46and48may be any suitable paths, such as wired paths, cable paths, fiber-optic paths, wireless paths, satellite paths, a combination of such paths, etc.

Program guide application functions and the functions of other interactive television applications may be supported using server36and other servers connected to communications network34such as server56. Interactive television applications may also be supported by servers or other suitable equipment at one or more service providers such as service provider50. For example, a home shopping service may be supported by a service provider such as service provider50that has sales representatives, order fulfillment facilities, account maintenance facilities, and other equipment for supporting interactive home shopping features. A home shopping application that is implemented using the user equipment may be used to access the service provider to provide these features to the user. The user equipment may access service provider50via television distribution facility14and communications path52or via communications network34and communications path54. Communications paths such as paths52and54may be any suitable paths, such as wired paths, cable paths, fiber-optic paths, satellite paths, a combination of such paths, etc.

Another example of an interactive television application is a home banking application. A home banking service may be supported using personnel at facilities such as service provider50. An interactive home banking application that is implemented using the user equipment may access the home banking service via television distribution facility14and communications path52or via communications network34and communications path54.

If desired, an interactive television application such as a network-based video recorder or a video-on-demand application may be supported using server56, server36, or equipment at service provider50. Video-on-demand content and video recorded using a network-based video recorder arrangement may be stored on server56or server36or at service provider50and may be provided to the user equipment when requested by users. An interactive television application may be used to support the functions of a personal video recorder (sometimes called a digital video recorder) that is implemented using user equipment18. Illustrative equipment that may be used to support personal video recorder functions include specialized personal video recorder devices, integrated receiver decoders (IRDs), set-top boxes with integrated or external hard drives, or personal computers with video recording capabilities.

If desired, applications such as the interactive television program guide application, a home shopping application, a home banking application, a video-on-demand application, game applications, and other applications (e.g., applications related to e-mail and chat or other communications functions, etc.) may be provided as separate applications that are accessed through a navigation shell application (i.e., a menu application with menu options corresponding to the applications). The features of such applications may be combined. For example, games, video-on-demand services, home shopping, network-based video recorder functions, personal video recorder functions, navigational functions, program guide functions, communications functions, and other suitable functions may be provided using one application or any other suitable number of applications.

Moreover, the interactive television program guide application, the home banking application, the home shopping application, the network-based video recorder and personal video recorder applications, the video-on-demand application, the gaming applications, communications applications, and navigational applications, are only a few illustrative examples of the types of interactive television applications that may be supported by system10. Other suitable applications that may be supported include, news services, web browsing and other Internet services, and interactive wagering services (e.g., for wagering on horse races and the like).

The interactive television application or applications that are used in interactive television system10may be implemented locally on the user equipment. The applications may also be implemented in a distributed fashion (e.g., using a client-server architecture in which the user equipment serves at least partly and for at least-some of the time, as the client and a server such as server56at television distribution facility14, server36, or other suitable equipment acts as the server. Other distributed architectures may also be used if desired. Moreover, some or all of the interactive television system features of system10may be provided using operating system software or middleware software. Such operating system software and middleware may be used instead of or in combination with application-level software. Regardless of the particular arrangement used to implement interactive television features related to program guides, home shopping, home banking, video-on-demand, Internet, communications, etc., the software that supports these features may be referred to as an application or applications.

Illustrative user television equipment20that is based on a set-top box arrangement is shown inFIG. 2. Input/output58may be connected to communications paths such as paths27and46. Input/output functions may be provided by one or more wires or communications paths, but are shown as a single path inFIG. 2to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. Television programming and other information may be received using input/output58. Commands and requests and other information from the user may also be transmitted over input/output58.

Set-top box60may be any suitable analog or digital set-top box (e.g., a cable set-top box). Set-top box60may contain an analog tuner for tuning to a desired analog television channel. Set-top box60may also contain digital decoding circuitry for receiving digital television and music channels. Both analog and digital channels may be handled together if desired. Multiple tuners may be provided (e.g., to handle simultaneous watch and record functions). Box60may be an integrated receiver decoder (IRD) that handles satellite television. If desired, box60may have circuitry for handling cable, over-the-air broadcast, and satellite content. Box60may include a storage device (e.g., a digital storage device such as a hard disk drive) for providing recording capabilities. Box60may also be connected to a recording device62such as a video cassette recorder, personal video recorder, or other device or devices with storage capabilities.

Set-top box60contains a processor (e.g., a microcontroller or microprocessor or the like) that is used to execute software applications. Set-top box60may contain memory such as random-access memory for use when executing applications. Nonvolatile memory may also be used (e.g., to launch a boot-up routine and other instructions). Hard disk storage in box60or in recording device62may be used to back up data and to otherwise support larger databases and storage requirements than may be supported using random-access memory approaches.

Set-top box60may have infrared (IR) or other communications circuitry for communicating with a remote control or wireless keyboard. Set-top box60may also have dedicated buttons and a front-panel display. The front-panel display may, for example, be used to display the current channel to which the set-top box is tuned.

Set-top box60may also have communications circuitry such as a cable modem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a telephone modem, wireless modem, etc. for communications with other equipment. Such communications may involve the Internet or any other suitable communications networks or paths. If desired, the components of set-top box60may be integrated into other user equipment (e.g., a television or videocassette recorder).

Recording device62may be used to record videos provided by set-top box60. For example, if set-top box60is tuned to a given television channel, the video signal for that television channel may be passed to recording device62for recording on a videocassette, compact disc, digital video disk, or internal hard drive or other storage device. Recording device62may have communications circuitry such as a cable modem, an ISDN modem, a DSL modem, a telephone modem, etc. for communications with other equipment. Such communications may involve the Internet or any other suitable communications networks or paths. The components of recording device62may be integrated into other user equipment (e.g., a television, stereo equipment, etc.).

Recording device62may be controlled using a remote control or other suitable user interface. If desired, video recorder functions such as start, stop, record, etc. and other functions for device62may be controlled by set-top box60. For example, set-top box60may control recording device62using infrared commands directed toward the remote control inputs of recording device62or set-top box60may control recording device62using other wired or wireless communications paths between box60and device62.

The output of recording device62may be provided to television64for display to the user. If desired, multiple recording devices62or no recording device62may be used. If recording device62is not present or is not being actively used, the video signals from set-top box60may be provided directly to television64. Any suitable television or monitor may be used to display the video. In the equipment ofFIG. 2and the other equipment of system10, the audio associated with various video items is typically distributed with those video items and is generally played back to the user as the videos are played.

Another illustrative arrangement for user television equipment20is shown inFIG. 3. In the example ofFIG. 3, user television equipment20includes a recording device66such as a digital video recorder (e.g., a personal video recorder (PVR)) that uses a hard disk or other storage for recording video or may be a digital video disc recorder, compact disc recorder, videocassette recorder, or other suitable recording device. Equipment20ofFIG. 3may also include a television68. Input/output70may be connected to communications paths such as paths27and46. Television programming and other information may be received using input/output70. Commands and requests and other information from the user may be transmitted over input/output70.

Recording device66may contain at least one analog tuner for tuning to a desired analog television channel (e.g., multiple tuners may be provided). Recording device66may also contain digital decoding circuitry for receiving digital television and music channels. If desired, recording device66may contain circuitry for handling both analog and digital channels. Recording device66also contains a processor (e.g., a microcontroller or microprocessor or the like) that is used to execute software applications. Recording device66may contain memory such as random-access memory for use when executing applications. Nonvolatile memory may also be used to store a boot-up routine or other instructions. The hard disk and other storage in recording device66may be used to support databases (e.g., program guide databases or interactive television application databases). The hard disk or other storage in recording device66may also be used to record video such as television programs or video-on-demand content or other content provided to recording device66over input/output70.

Recording device66may have IR communications circuitry or other suitable communications circuitry for communicating with a remote control. Recording device66may also have dedicated buttons and a front-panel display. The front-panel display may, for example, be used to display the current channel to which the recording device is tuned.

Recording device66may also have communications circuitry such as a cable modem, an ISDN modem, a DSL modem, a telephone modem, a wireless modem, etc. for communications with other equipment. Such communications may involve the Internet or other suitable communications networks or paths.

If desired, recording device66may include a satellite receiver or other equipment that has wireless communications circuitry for receiving satellite signals.

Recording device66ofFIG. 3or recording device62ofFIG. 2may record new video while previously recorded video is being played back on television68or64. This allows users to press a pause button during normal television viewing. When the pause button is pressed, the current television program is stored on the hard disk of digital video recorder66. When the user presses play, the recorded video may be played back. This arrangement allows the user to seamlessly pause and resume television viewing. Recording device66and62may also be used to allow a user to watch a previously-recorded program while simultaneously recording a new program.

The set-top box arrangement ofFIG. 2and the digital video recorder set-top box arrangement ofFIG. 3are merely illustrative. Other arrangements may be used if desired. For example, user television equipment may be based on a WebTV box, a personal computer television (PC/TV), or any other suitable television equipment arrangement. If desired, the functions of components such as set-top box60, digital video recorder66, a WebTV box, or PC/TV or the like may be integrated into a television or personal computer or other suitable device.

An illustrative remote control72for operating user television equipment20(or suitable user computer equipment22) is shown inFIG. 4. Remote control72may have function keys74and other keys76such as keypad keys, power on/off keys, pause, stop, fast-forward and reverse keys, etc. Volume up and down keys78may be used for adjusting the volume of the audio portion of a video. Channel up and down keys80may be used to change television channels and to access content on virtual channels. Cursor keys82may be used to navigate onscreen menus. For example, cursor keys82may be used to position an on-screen cursor, indicator, or highlight (sometimes all generically referred to herein as a highlight or highlight region) to indicate interest in a particular option or other item on a screen displayed by the interactive television application.

An OK key84(sometimes called a select or enter key) may be used to select on-screen options that the user has highlighted.

Keys74may include a record key86for initiating recordings. Menu button88may be used to direct the interactive television application to display a menu on the user's display screen (e.g., on television64or68or on a suitable monitor or computer display). Info button90may be used to direct the interactive television application to display an information display screen. If the user has highlighted a particular program listing, for example, pressing the info button90may direct the interactive television application to provide additional program schedule information related to that program listing (e.g., a program summary, actor information, etc.).

Lock button92may be used to modify access privileges. For example, a parent may use lock button92or on-screen options to establish parental control settings for the interactive television application. The parental control settings may be time-based settings (e.g., to prevent a child from watching television during a particular time block such as from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM). The parental control settings may also be used to block programming based on rating, channel, program title, etc. A locked or blocked program is typically not viewable until the interactive television application is provided with a suitable personal identification number (PIN). Once this PIN has been entered, the interactive television program will unlock the user's equipment and allow the locked content to be accessed.

Exit button94may be used to exit the interactive television application or to exit a portion of the interactive television application. Guide button96may be used to invoke the interactive television program guide.

The keys shown inFIG. 4are merely illustrative. Other keys or buttons may be provided if desired. For example, a music button may be used to access music with the interactive television application. An edit button may be used to edit stored content (e.g., to remove commercials, remove portions of a video, etc.). Alphanumeric buttons may be used to enter alphanumeric characters. A last or back button may be used to browse backward in the interactive television application (e.g., to return to a previous channel or display screen). Video recorder function buttons such as a play button, pause button, stop button, rewind button, fast-forward button, and record button, may be used to control video recorder functions (local or network-based) in system10. A help key may be used to invoke help functions such as context-sensitive on-screen help, etc.

Illustrative user computer equipment22is shown inFIG. 5. In the arrangement ofFIG. 5, personal computer98may be controlled by the user using keyboard100or other suitable user input device, such as a trackball, mouse, touch pad, touch screen, voice recognition system, a remote control such as remote control72ofFIG. 4, etc. Video content such as television programming and interactive television application display screens may be displayed on monitor102. Television programming, video-on-demand content, video recordings played back from a network-based video recorder, and other information may be received from paths28and48(FIG. 1) using input/output104. The user may also send commands and other information used during interactions with the interactive television application and system10over input/output line104.

Personal computer unit98may contain a television or video card such as television tuner card for decoding analog and digital television channels and for handling streaming video content. Multiple video cards (e.g., tuner cards) may be provided if desired. An illustrative television tuner card that may be used may contain an analog television tuner for tuning to a given analog channel and digital decoding circuitry for filtering out a desired digital television or music channel from a packetized digital data stream. Any suitable card or components in computer unit98may be used to handle video and other content delivered via input/output line104if desired.

Personal computer unit98may contain one or more processors (e.g., microprocessors) that are used to run the interactive television application or a portion of the interactive television application.

Storage in personal computer unit98such as a hard drive, DVD drive, CD drive, or other suitable storage device or devices may be used to store video and other content. For example, the interactive television application and personal computer unit98may use this storage to provide the functions of a personal video recorder.

User equipment18such as user television equipment20and user computer equipment22may be used with network equipment such as server56, server36, and equipment at service providers such as service provider50ofFIG. 1to provide network-based video recording functions. Video recording functions may be provided by storing copies of television programs and other video content on a remote server (e.g., server56or server36ofFIG. 1) or other network-based equipment such as equipment at a service provider such as service provider50.

Video recordings may be made in response to user commands that are entered at user equipment18. In a personal video recorder arrangement, the interactive television application may be used to record video locally on the user equipment in response to the user commands. In a network-based video recorder arrangement, the interactive television application may be used to record video or to make virtual recordings on network equipment such as server36,56, or equipment at service provider50in response to the user commands. The user commands may be provided to the network equipment over the communications paths shown inFIG. 1. The personal video recorder arrangement and the network-based video recorder arrangement can support functions such as fast-forward, rewind, pause, play, and record.

To avoid unnecessary duplication in a network-based video recorder environment, the system10may provide network-based video recording capabilities by using virtual copies or recordings. With this approach, each user may be provided with a personal area on the network that contains a list of that user's recordings. The video content need only be stored once (or a relatively small number of times) on the network equipment, even though a large number of users may have that video content listed as one of their recordings in their network-based video recorder personal area.

The user television equipment and user computer equipment arrangements described above are merely illustrative. A more generalized embodiment of illustrative user equipment is shown inFIG. 6.

As shown inFIG. 6, control circuitry106is connected to input/output108. Input/output108may be connected to one or more communications paths such as paths26,27,28,42,46, and48ofFIG. 1. Television and music programming may be received via input/output108(e.g., from programming sources12, servers or other equipment such as server36, service providers such as service provider50, and television distribution facility14). Program schedule information for an interactive television program guide may be received from data source30via input/output108. Input/output108may also be used to receive information from data source30for other interactive television applications. The user may use control circuitry106to send commands, requests, and other suitable information using input/output108.

Control circuitry106may be based on any suitable processing circuitry110such as processing circuitry based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, etc. Memory (e.g., random-access memory and read-only memory), hard drives, DVD drives, CD drives, or any other suitable memory or storage devices may be provided as storage112that is part of control circuitry106. Tuning circuitry such as one or more analog tuners, one or more MPEG-2 decoders or other digital video circuitry, or any other suitable tuning or video circuits or combinations of such circuits may also be included as part of circuitry106. Encoding circuitry (e.g., for converting over-the-air or cable analog signals to MPEG signals for storage) may also be provided. The tuning and encoding circuitry may be used by the user equipment to receive and display or play or record a particular television or music channel or other desired audio and video content (e.g., video-on-demand content or requested network-based or local video recorder playback). Television programming and other video and on-screen options and information may be displayed on display114. Display114may be a monitor, a television, or any other suitable equipment for displaying visual images. Speakers116may be provided as part of a television or may be stand-alone units. Digital music and the audio component of videos displayed on display114may be played through speakers116.

A user may control the control circuitry106using user input interface118. The user input interface118may be any suitable user interface, such as a mouse, trackball, keypad, keyboard, touch screen, touch pad, voice recognition interface, remote control, etc.

An illustrative menu120that may be displayed on the user's display screen is shown inFIG. 7. As shown inFIG. 7, menu120may provide the user with an number of selectable options. The options shown inFIG. 7are merely illustrative. Any suitable options may be provided if desired.

A user of user equipment18(e.g., a user of user television equipment20or a user of user computer equipment22, or a user of any other suitable user equipment device) may invoke an interactive television menu such as menu screen120by pressing menu button88(FIG. 4). Remote control72(FIG. 4) or other user interface118(FIG. 6) may be used to position highlight region121on top of selectable options such as options122-135. If the user selects option122or123, a screen of program listings may be displayed. Option124may be used to display program listings for channels designated by the user as “favorites.” Option125may be used to provide program listings selected for promotion by a service provider (e.g., a program guide service provider, a cable operator, etc.). Option126may be used to invoke a home shopping service. Options127may be used to search program listings by title, time, category, or any other criteria. Option128may be selected to display options related to video-on-demand services. Option129may be selected to display an interactive list of previously recorded recordings and option131may be selected to display an interactive list of programs scheduled for recording. Option130may be selected to display pay-per-view program listings and pay-per-view services options. If the user selects option132, the user may be presented with an opportunity to access home banking functions. Option133may be selected to change system setup options and option134may be selected to launch a web browser or other application for accessing the Internet. Option135may be selected to access other interactive television services. When the user selects an option with highlight region121from menu screen120, the user's selection may be described in information display region136.

If desired, program guide screens such as menu screen120and other interactive television application screens may include selectable advertisements137. Any suitable advertisements may be provided, including panel advertisements, banner advertisements, advertisements provided between program listings, advertisements provided on certain program listings or other portions of the screen, or any other suitable advertisements. A user may use cursor keys82of remote control72(FIG. 4) to position a highlight region on an advertisement of interest and may select the highlighted advertisement using OK key84. Users of other user interfaces may make appropriate selections using the buttons or controls available through those interfaces (e.g., using voice commands if the user interface involves a voice recognition arrangement, etc.).

An illustrative program guide screen138that may be displayed for the user is shown inFIG. 8. Program guide screen138may be displayed, for example, when the user selects program listings option122ofFIG. 7, when the user selects a suitable option from within an interactive television program guide application or other interactive television application, or when the user presses an appropriate remote control button such as guide button96or otherwise uses user input interface118to indicate a desire to view program listings.

Program guide screen138may contain a grid or list of program listings143. Program listings143may include program titles, channels, scheduled broadcast times, and any other suitable program schedule information. Highlight region142may be used to select a desired program listing144. Program Information for selected programs may appear elsewhere on program guide screen138(e.g., in program information display region139). If the user presses OK key84when a program listing for a current program is highlighted, the interactive television application may tune to the channel for that program. If the user presses OK key84when a program listing for a future program is highlighted, the interactive television application may provide the user with an opportunity to set a reminder for that program or to record that program.

Other functions that the interactive television application may provide include the ability to set favorites or establish preferences or other settings. For example, the user may select a particular channel for the program guide to automatically tune to when the user equipment is turned on. The user may also select favorite programs, favorite channels, etc. The program guide or other interactive television application may provide the user with the ability to establish parental control settings, the ability to search for programming of interest, and the ability to view program descriptions, advertisements, text, graphics, and video, etc. These are merely illustrative examples of interactive television functions that may be provided by interactive television system10. Other suitable interactive television functions may be provided if desired.

A user may access program listings (e.g., program listings of the type shown inFIG. 8) by using the interactive television application to select an onscreen option such as option122and123ofFIG. 7, by pressing a dedicated guide button such as guide button96on remote control72, by selecting any other suitable button or on-screen option, etc. In the example ofFIG. 8, program listings are currently being displayed for television programs that air between 12:00 noon and 1:00 PM. As shown by arrows140and141, the user may use right or left cursor keys to navigate to other times (e.g., to direct the interactive television application to display appropriate screens of program listings143for different time periods). If desired, the user may select options or press keys (or use user input interface118to otherwise enter suitable commands) that direct the interactive television application to display-program listings organized by channel, by genre, by service type (e.g., pay-per-view or regular broadcast television), etc.

Selectable options, such as options145,146,147,148,149,150,151, and152, may be provided as part of program guide screen138or any other program guide screen for providing access to various interactive television application features. For example, option145may be used to display a home screen or main menu, such as menu screen120ofFIG. 7. Option146may be selected to display program listings for channels designated by the user as “favorites.” Option147may be selected to display listings of recommended programs using highlight region142. Scroll indicators148and149may be used to navigate down and up through program listings. Option150may be selected to display information related to video-on-demand services. Option151may be selected to search television program listings by title, time, category, or any other suitable criteria. Option152may be selected to display information related to digital music services.

The interactive television application may provide a “flip” tuning feature. As shown inFIG. 9, when the user invokes the flip mode, flip display153may be provided over a portion of a channel (i.e., channel 2) that the user is currently tuned to and is watching on display screen154. Flip display153contains information (in region156) on the program155appearing on the current channel (channel 2) to which the set-top box60or other user equipment is tuned. The user may change the channel using channel up and down keys on the remote control or using user interface118to issue other suitable channel change commands. This simultaneously changes the channel to which the set-top box60or other user equipment is tuned and the channel information displayed in region156(and the associated program information155).

The flip display153may be removed manually or automatically (e.g., after a few seconds or other suitable time period of user inactivity). When the user starts changing channels again, the flip display153may be displayed again.

The flip feature of the interactive television application therefore allows the user to view program information for the channel that the user is currently viewing as the user changes channels. In the example ofFIG. 9, the flip display153is displayed in the form of an overlay on top of the current channel. If desired, the video for the current channel may be reduced in size and the flip information (e.g., the program title and channel information for the current program) may be displayed at a location on the periphery of the reduced-size video (e.g., at the bottom, side, or top of the reduced-size video).

An advertisement158or other content may be provided in the flip display region if desired. Other optional information that may be displayed in flip display153includes information on the scheduled broadcast times for the program155, ratings information, program descriptions, and other program-related information.

The interactive television application may also be used to provide a browse feature. As shown inFIG. 10, when the user invokes the browse feature (e.g., by pressing an up or down cursor key), browse display160may be displayed as an overlay over a portion of the channel (i.e., channel 2) that is being displayed on the user's display screen162and to which the user is currently tuned. Browse display160may initially contain information on the current channel. For example, browse display160may, when initially invoked by the user, contain the title of the current program and information on the current channel such as the current channel number, call letters, and network logo.

When the user presses the up or down cursor key (or enters other suitable commands using user interface118), the browse display may be changed to display information on the programming available on other channels. In the example ofFIG. 10, the user has pressed the cursor keys repeatedly, until the user has browsed to channel 99. The video that is being displayed on display screen162has not changed in this example (channel 2 is still being displayed).

As indicated by arrows166, the user may use right and left cursor keys82(or other suitable controls) to browse to other time slots (e.g., to view information related to programming that is scheduled for broadcast at a later time). Browse display160may contain an advertisement168, information170on scheduled program times, program descriptions and other program-related information and icons such as check icon163(to indicate that a reminder has been set for a given program) and ratings icon161.

If the user locates a currently available program of interest on another channel, the user may press the OK key84to direct the interactive television application to tune the user equipment to that channel.

The browse display160may-be removed manually or may be removed automatically from display screen162after a suitable period of user inactivity (e.g., after a few seconds or a minute or two).

If desired, the browse display can be displayed on the periphery of the video for the current program rather than as an overlay. The video for the current channel may be reduced in size accordingly.

When the user has indicated interest in a program (e.g., by positioning highlight region142ofFIG. 8on top of a given program listing, by tuning to a program, by viewing a program listing on the flip banner ofFIG. 9or the browse banner ofFIG. 10, etc.), the user may press info key90(FIG. 4) to obtain more information for that program. Illustrative info screens171and180that may be displayed when a user presses info button90are shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, respectively. Screens such as screens171and180may be provided when a user selects a program listing from a interactive television application screen (e.g., program guide screen138ofFIG. 8). Info screen171ofFIG. 11may include a detailed description172of a program selected by the user. Description172may include, for example, the title, time, channel, and rating of the program, or any other suitable information. As inFIG. 8, selectable options may be provided as part of info screen171to provide access to various interactive television application features. For example, option174may be used to return to the previous program guide screen. Option175may be used to tune to the selected program or set a reminder for the selected program (e.g., the program for which information is displaying in description172). Option176may be selected to display recording options and services for the selected program. Option177may be selected to display options for adding a reminder for the selected program. Option178may be used to display options for adding the selected program or channel to a user's favorites, and option179may be used to display options for providing a parental lock on the selected program. Selectable options for other interactive television application features may also be provided. A highlight region may be used to select any of the selectable options provided by a program guide screen. Information describing a highlighted option may be provided, for example, in information display region173.

Information screens may include advertisements. For example, info screen180ofFIG. 12may include selectable advertisements181. Information regions on screen180such as title region182and program description region186may be used to display information on the selected program such as title information, ratings information, plot summary information, information about actors, genre, critics ratings, etc.

Region190may be used to inform the user of the possibility of setting a reminder for the selected program, of tuning to the channel showing the selected program, of recording the selected program, of purchasing the selected program if it is a pay-per-view program, of parentally controlling the selected program, of configuring a related profile or preference settings, or performing any other suitable action related to the selected program Region190may also be used to provide additional information related to the selected program. The user may position highlight region184on top of either yes option183or no option185or any other suitable options (e.g., options to tune to the channel, to record the program, to purchase the program, to parentally control the program, to configure the preference settings, etc.). When the user presses the OK key84, the interactive television application may then take appropriate actions. If the user opts to set a reminder for the program listed in the info screen180, the interactive television application may display a pop-up reminder overlay on top of the video for the channel that the user is currently watching just before the program associated with the reminder is scheduled to begin, or any suitable display screen that is active at the time that the reminder pops up (e.g., a program listings screen).

An illustrative reminder is shown inFIG. 13. In the example ofFIG. 13, the user is watching channel 3. The current time is 6:58 PM. Previously, the user set a reminder for the program “On The Riviera,” which is scheduled to be shown on channel 39 at 7:00 PM. Because the program for which the user set the reminder is just about to begin, the interactive television application displays reminder list192as an overlay on top of the video for channel 3 that is being presented on display screen194. The reminder list may contain a list of one or more programs for which the user has set reminders. In the example ofFIG. 13, one program listing196(“On The Riviera”) is displayed.

The user can tune to a program by selecting that program from the reminder list192. For example, the user may position highlight region198on listing196and may select that listing by pressing the OK key84. The interactive television application may then tune the user to the channel for the desired program (i.e., channel 39 in this example).

The user can close the reminder list by pressing the OK key84while hide reminder option200is highlighted.

The reminder list may be displayed at any suitable time (e.g., at 0-15 minutes before the program of interest is to begin, at a user-selected time before that program, etc.). Moreover, the reminder list may be displayed around the periphery of the video for the current channel and the video for the current channel may be displayed in a reduced-size window. These are merely illustrative examples. Any suitable arrangement may be used to notify the user of upcoming programs or in-progress programs for which the user has set reminders and other programs of interest.

The interactive television application may be used to provide the user with access to video-on-demand content. The user may, for example, be provided with an option such as video-on-demand option128on menu screen120ofFIG. 7. When the user selects option128, the interactive television application may display a screen such as video-on-demand categories screen202ofFIG. 14. Screen202may include logos such as logo204, selectable (or non-selectable) advertisements such as advertisements206, and a screen title208. The user may position highlight region210on an option212corresponding to a video-on-demand category of interest.

When the user selects the video-on-demand category of interest from screen202, the interactive television application may display a display screen such as subcategory selection screen214ofFIG. 15. In the example ofFIG. 15, the subcategories screen214contains subcategory options220corresponding to movies, because (in this example) the user selected movies A-Z option212from screen202inFIG. 14. Video window221may be provided in any video-on-demand information screen and may provide information relating to a video-on-demand program selected by the user or any other suitable video information.

The user may position highlight region218onto a desired subcategory220and may press OK key84to view a list of available video-on-demand content associated with that subcategory. An illustrative display screen222that the interactive television application may display for the user when the action subcategory option220(FIG. 15) is selected is shown inFIG. 16. As shown inFIG. 16, display screen222may include information identifying the selected subcategory224. Screen222may also include a list226of titles230(or other content indicators). The user may position highlight region228on a desired video-on-demand title230and may press the OK key to proceed with the selection of that title.

Selecting a desired video-on-demand title230from title selection screen222may direct the interactive television application to display a video-on-demand information screen such as information screen232ofFIG. 17a. Screen232may include information236on the selected video-on-demand content, such as title, run time, price, rating, and a description of the selected video-on-demand content.

Selectable options, such as options234,235,237, and238may be provided as part of screen232to provide access to various interactive television application features. For example, option238may be selected to access options for ordering the selected video-on-demand content. Option237may be used to access options for recording the selected content, and option235may be used to access options for setting parental control locks for the selected content. If the user selects option234, the interactive television application may display a video clip containing information on the video-on-demand content of interest (e.g., a promotional video such as a preview, a trailer, a review, etc.). The video clip may be delivered to the user equipment18from a server such as server36or server56ofFIG. 1or from equipment at a service provider such a service provider50. The interactive television application may also provide the user with additional information on the video-on-demand content in response to the user selecting option234. Other suitable selectable options may also be provided on screen232(e.g., a program package information and purchase option, options for searching program listings for related content, etc.).

If a user requests information for video-on-demand content that has already been ordered, the interactive television application may provide video-on-demand information screen such as screen239ofFIG. 17b, which may include selectable options different than those provided for screen232ofFIG. 17a. For example, option240may be used to start playing selected video-on-demand content from the program position most recently viewed. Option241may be used to present the selected content from the beginning, and option242may be used to access options for recording the content. Option243may be used to remove the selected content from a listing of the ordered and available content. Option244may be used to access options for setting parental control locks for the selected content. If the selected content is being accessed over a network or being provided by a network storage device, option245may be used to store the content on a local storage device.

In response to a user ordering selected content (e.g., by selecting an on-screen order option such as option238ofFIG. 17a, or by using remote control72or any other suitable input device118to order content, etc.), the interactive television application may deliver the ordered video-on-demand content to the user equipment from a server such as server36or server56or from a service provider such as service provider50. The communications paths and communications network34ofFIG. 1may be used in delivering the requested content.

The ordered video-on-demand content may be displayed for the user on a display screen such as video-on-demand playback screen246ofFIG. 18. As shown in the lower portion of screen246, interactive options may be displayed in a toolbar248or other suitable format. The interactive options248(or similar remote control buttons) may allow the user to rewind the video-on-demand content to the beginning, rewind, play, fast-forward, pause, stop delivery of the video-on-demand content, or perform other video playback options. The arrangement ofFIG. 18is merely illustrative. For example, the video-on-demand content may be played back in a reduced size window (of fixed or user-selectable size).

The interactive television system10may be used to support video recorder functions. The video recorder functions may be supported using local arrangements (e.g., arrangements in which a personal video recorder or other suitable equipment in the user's home is used to record videos on a local hard drive or other storage device) and network-based arrangements (e.g., arrangements in which network equipment such as servers36and56or equipment at a service provider such as service provider50is used to store video and data for the user). Combinations of these arrangements may also be supported using system10.

In a local video recorder arrangement (sometimes called a personal video recorder arrangement or local digital video recorder arrangement), video recordings are stored locally on the user equipment. Information on which videos have been recorded may also be maintained locally. Program guide information (e.g., titles, rates, descriptions, categories, etc.) may also be maintained for the recorded videos. When a user desires to view a list of the recordings that the user has stored on the user equipment, the interactive television application may retrieve this information from local storage and may display this information to the user locally on user equipment18. The user may then select a desired recording to play back.

In a network-based video recorder arrangement (sometimes called a client-server video recorder arrangement), videos may be stored on the network (e.g., at servers such as servers36and56or at a service provider such as service provider50). Information on which programs have been recorded for the user may be stored locally and on the network (e.g., at servers such as servers36and56or at a service provider such as service provider50).

Network-based recordings may be made in a number of ways. For example, some or all of the regularly-broadcast television programming provided by programming sources12may be automatically recorded or copies of this programming otherwise maintained on a suitable network storage device such as server36, server56, or equipment at a service provider such as service provider50. If the user chooses to “record” a program, no actual recording need be made, because a copy of the desired program already exists on the system. With this type of arrangement, virtual recordings take the place of real recordings.

The user may be given a “personal area” on the network. The personal area may be accessed when the user enters an appropriate personal identification number or by virtue of the user's connection to the network through a known or trusted communications path (e.g., when the user is connected through a dedicated cable path to a server at a cable system headend such as a server56at television distribution facility14ofFIG. 1).

The personal area may be used to maintain a list of the video content that the user has recorded. Whenever the user directs the network-based video recorder portion of the interactive television system to make a recording, the system updates the user's personal area to make it appear as though an additional “real” copy of the requested recording has been made. The network-based video recorder implemented with this approach therefore conserves storage space, while providing users with the illusion of access to a network-based video recorder dedicated to their personal use.

Alternatively, there may be no personal area and each user may have access to all previously recorded content to which they had rights when originally broadcast.

As another example, some or all of the content for which a user requests that a recording be made may be recorded by creating actual copies (e.g., digital recordings) of the requested content. These actual copies may be stored on network equipment (e.g., servers such as servers36and56or equipment at a service provider such as service provider50).

Programs recorded onto a network server may be copied to a user's local storage.

A combination of these approaches may be used if desired. For example, some content may be automatically retained by the system (e.g., copies of popular programming). The user may make virtual recordings of this material. The presence of the virtual recordings may be reflected in the user's personal area. Other content may be stored in the form of actual recordings at the direction of the user (e.g., less popular content). The presence of these recordings may also be reflected in the user's personal area.

Regardless of the way in which network-based recordings (virtual or real) and local recordings are made, the interactive television application may be used to provide the user with interactive display screens that assist the user in making recordings, managing recordings (e.g., editing recordings, deleting recordings, renaming recordings, sending recordings to other users over the communications paths ofFIG. 1, etc.), playing back recordings, viewing information about recorded programs, etc.

Once a program has been selected by a user for recording, the selected program may be presented in an interactive list of programs scheduled to be recorded. An illustrative scheduled recordings screen250that may be displayed for the user on user equipment18is shown inFIG. 19a. Screen250may be displayed by the interactive television application when the user selects an option provided by another program guide screen, such as program guide screen120ofFIG. 7or any other suitable option. Screen250may include, for example, a list of programs scheduled to be recorded251. A highlight region252may be used to select a scheduled recording from the list. The user may position highlight region252on a desired scheduled recording and select the scheduled recording using an appropriate key of remote control72.

Information about a scheduled recording selected by the user may be presented in a screen such as screen253ofFIG. 19b. Screen253may include scheduled recording information254, which may show the date, time, and channel for which a program is to be recorded. Information254may also indicate which device has been designated to record the program and whether a parental lock is set for the program scheduled to be recorded. The user may edit information254by selecting edit option255using a highlight region. Other selectable options may be provided in screen253, for example cancel option256which the user may select to cancel the scheduled recording.

Once a program has been recorded, a program guide screen may be presented to display recorded programs. An illustrative video recordings screen260that may be displayed for the user on user equipment18is shown inFIG. 20. Screen260may be displayed by the interactive television application when the user selects an option provided by another program guide screen, such as program guide screen120ofFIG. 7or any other suitable option. The recordings261may be local recordings that are stored on the user's equipment18or may be real or virtual network-based recordings (e.g., network-based content stored on equipment such as server36or server56or at service provider50). In a network-based video recorder environment with a personal area, screens such as screen260provide access to all or part of the user's personal area. The user may navigate through the personal area using remote control72or other suitable user interface18.

Screen260may include a list of the user's recordings261. Recording listings may include the time and channel the program was recorded or any other suitable information. The user may position highlight region262to select a recording of interest (e.g., to view that recording, to view information about that program, to delete the program, etc.). The user may position highlight region262on a desired recording and select the recording using an appropriate key of remote control72.

Information about a recording selected by the user may be presented in a screen such as screen264as illustrated inFIG. 20b. Screen264may include recording information265, which may show the date, time, and channel the program was recorded. Information265may also show whether a parental lock is set for the recording and what device has been designated to store the recording. The user may play the recording by selecting option266. The user may play the selected recording from the beginning by selecting option267. Option268may be selected to delete the recording from the list of recordings. Option269may be used to set a parental lock for the selected recording. If the selected recording is being stored on a network video storage device, the user may select option259to transfer the recording to a local storage device. Onscreen options may be selected using a highlight region and a remote control, or by any other suitable method.

When a given recording is selected for play back, for example by selecting play option266, a display screen such as display screen269ofFIG. 21may be presented. Display screen269may include the video270of the selected program that is being played back to the user and options271for controlling the video. Options271may, for example, include options that allow the user to rewind the video to the beginning, to rewind or reverse the video, to play the video, to fast-forward the video, to pause the video, or to stop the video. Control of these functions and other interactive television application functions may be supported using on-screen options, dedicated or multi-purpose keys on remote control72or other user devices, or other suitable arrangements involving user interface118. When onscreen options are used, the options may be displayed in the form of one or more overlays on top of video270or video270may be provided in a reduced-size window and the options displayed outside of this window.

With the arrangement ofFIGS. 20 and 21, the user can browse the user's recordings and can play back (and control the playback) of these recordings. Recordings that are stored locally on user equipment18may be played back by retrieving these recordings from the local hard drive or other storage on which the recordings are maintained. Recordings that are stored on the network may be played back from the network equipment on which the recording content is stored. User equipment18may receive such content in the form of a real-time video stream or a file download and the interactive television application may play back the received content using a display screen arrangement of the type shown inFIG. 21.

The user may record programming by indicating interest in a program for recording by highlighting a program of interest on a suitable display screen provided by the interactive television application and pressing a record key, by selecting a program for recording from a flip or browse display, by tuning to a desired program and selecting an appropriate record button, by selecting a record option from an information screen, etc. For example, the user may highlight a program in a program listings screen such as screen138ofFIG. 8, or may display a program listing of interest on a flip display such as flip display153ofFIG. 9or on a browse display such as browse display160ofFIG. 10. When the user presses a suitable remote control key such as record key86ofFIG. 4, the interactive television application may record the desired program.

The interactive television application may automatically record the program that the user selected or may provide one or more additional confirmation and information screens after the user presses the record key86. As an example, the interactive television application may display a screen such as record set-up screen272ofFIG. 22. As shown inFIG. 22, screen272may include title and ratings information in region273and a program description274. The user may be provided with information on the scheduled broadcast time for the selected program. If the user desires to record the program, the user may position highlight region275on top of YES option276and may press OK key84. If the user does not wish to record the program, the user may position highlight275on top of NO option277and may press the OK key84. If desired, other options such as series recording options, recording quality options, and buffer time options may be provided.

When the user directs the interactive television application to record a given program, the interactive television application will record the program using the local capabilities of user equipment18or using the network-based video recorder capabilities of the system10, depending on the equipment of the user, the capabilities of system10, and system and user settings.

After the program has been recorded, the user may use the interactive television application to view information on the user's recordings (e.g., using a display screen arrangement of the type shown inFIG. 20). These techniques for supporting recording functionality in the interactive television application are merely illustrative. Any suitable arrangement for recording (as real recordings or as virtual recordings and locally or on network equipment) may be used if desired.

The interactive television application may allow the user to establish parental control settings. For example, the user may lock a particular program, a program rating, a channel, a type of content (e.g., violent or sexual content), or may establish a parental control setting that blocks all television viewing during a particular period of time. A user may be required to enter a personal identification number (PIN) to unlock blocked content.

With one illustrative arrangement, a parent (or other suitable user) may select a program to block by highlighting the program listing for that program in a suitable program listings screen (e.g., a screen such as screen138ofFIG. 8). After highlighting the program to be blocked, the parent may press lock key92on remote control72(FIG. 4). The parent may also access options for setting parental locks by selecting an on-screen parental control lock option provided by the interactive television application (e.g., option234ofFIG. 17a, option244ofFIG. 17b, etc.).

In response to a user selecting an on-screen option or remote control key to access parental control lock options, the interactive television application may display a display screen such as parental controls display screen278ofFIG. 23a. Parental controls options may be accessed from a main menu, a selected program, or any other suitable program guide screen. Users may set parental locks for a selected program or a range of programming by selecting from various criteria. For example, users may select to block programs according to title279, TV rating280, movie rating281, channel282, or any other suitable criteria. Block ratings options280and281may allow users to block all programming with a given rating (e.g., the same rating as the selected program or a user-input rating or range of ratings). The user may be provided with other options for applying parental lock settings by selecting, for example, (YES/NO) time block option283. A user may also select to hide or show adult titles by selecting option284. Other selectable options may also be provided in screen278.

If the user has selected “YES” for time block option283, a time block sub-menu may be provided, for example, screen286ofFIG. 23b. The user may use the on-screen options of screen286to set a beginning time (option288) and ending time (option290) for the parental control time period. The user may use option292to make the parental control setting effective for all days of the week, certain groups of days (e.g., week days or weekend days), or a particular day or days. The user may press OK key84when finished. Other selectable options may also be provided as part of screen286.

The parental control screens278and286ofFIGS. 23aand23bare merely illustrative. Any suitable on-screen options or other user interface arrangement may be used to allow a parent (or other user) to block (parentally-control) programming airing during a particular period of time, programming on a particular channel or channels, programming with a certain rating, individual instances of certain programs, etc.

The interactive television application may provide users with an opportunity to record a variety of video content (e.g., in addition to the video-on-demand movies and other content previously discussed). For example, the interactive television application may be configured to provide users with an opportunity to record video related to selectable displays provided by the interactive television application and selected by a user (e.g., advertisements for television programming, products or services, television program reviews, logos, promotions or event, channel listings, portal links, options for interactive services, real-time content such as sports scores, stock quotes, news, weather, etc.).

Selectable displays may be presented to a user in an interactive television program guide screen such as program listings screen2400ofFIG. 24. Program listings screen2400may be displayed, for example, when the user selects program listings-option124ofFIG. 7, when the user selects a suitable option from within an interactive television program guide application or other interactive television application, or when the user presses an appropriate remote control button such as guide button96or otherwise uses user input interface118to indicate a desire to view program listings (e.g., “selecting”).

Program listings screen2400may include selectable options2410for accessing various interactive television application features and television program guide content such as a grid or list of television program listings2402. Program guide content such a selectable displays (e.g., selectable advertisements or other selectable guide content) may also be provided as part of program listings screen2400. For example Top Hollywood Headlines advertisement2404, Toyota Camry advertisement2406, or “The Natural” banner advertisement2408may be provided in any media format, such as text, images, video, audio, any other suitable media format, or a combination thereof.

The user may select one of the selectable advertisements2404,2406, or2408to access additional guide content relating to the selected advertisement. For example, Headlines advertisement content screen2500ofFIG. 25may be provided in response to the user selecting Top Hollywood Headlines advertisement2404. Headlines advertising content screen2500may include information source indicator2502, which may be, for example, a television channel or any available source of information (e.g., a video-on-demand database, a website, etc.). The title of the advertisement may be provided in advertisement title heading2504.

Content summary caption2506may be provided to present the user with a detailed description of the selected advertisement. In the example ofFIG. 25, the Top Hollywood Headlines advertisement selected by the user includes information relating to an interview with Michelle Trachtenberg, star of the popular television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The user may select scroll option2508to view additional content in summary caption2506. Last option2510may be provided as part of Headlines advertisement content screen2500to provide the user with an opportunity to exit Headlines advertising content screen2500and return to a previous screen in the television program guide (e.g., program listings screen2400ofFIG. 24).

The user may also be provided with an opportunity to record video related to the content provided in Headlines advertising content screen2500. For example, inFIG. 25the user is provided with an opportunity to record the interview by selecting record the interview option2512. The user may use cursor keys82of remote control72(FIG. 4) to position highlight region2514on record the interview option2512and may select to record the related video using OK key84of the remote control. Other techniques for selecting the record related video option2512may also be used. Upon selecting record the interview option2512, an interactive television application may record the selected related video.

The interactive television application may record related video in conjunction with a network-based video recorder device and application or a local personal video recorder device and application, if available. In a personal video recorder arrangement, the interactive television application may be used to record video locally on the user equipment in response to the user commands. In a network-based video recorder arrangement, the interactive television application may be used to record video or to make virtual recordings on network equipment such as server36,56, or equipment at service provider50in response to the user commands. The user commands may be provided to the network equipment over the communications paths shown inFIG. 1. The personal video recorder arrangement and the network-based video recorder arrangement can support functions such as fast-forward, rewind, pause, play, and record. A local or remote storage device may be used to store the recording.

The system may have a fixed time to record any specific video (e.g., 2:00 AM). Alternatively, the user may configure a default option of when to record these types of videos, for example on a setup screen. Or, the user may be given a choice of when to record a video when selecting to record the specific video. When the recording is about to start, the application may determine if the user is using the interactive television system, for example, based on the amount of time since the most recent user interaction. The application may display a notice at the start of the recording, allowing the user, if present, to cancel or postpone the recording. The application may allow the user to interrupt the recording at any time while in progress by pressing a key on the remote control and confirming that the recording is to be cancelled or postponed.

Once the interactive television application has recorded the related video to the user's local or remote storage device, recorded content screen2600inFIG. 26may be provided having recorded content list2602. Recorded content list2602may list all content stored on the user's local or remote storage device, for example movies, events, serial television programs, video related to selectable displays for guide content (e.g., advertisements, promotions, etc.), or any other suitable subset of available recorded content. The example illustrated inFIG. 26shows recorded video listing2606selected with highlight region2604. Recorded video listing2606identifies the user's stored recording of the interview with Michelle Trachtenberg, recorded in response to the user selecting record the interview option2512ofFIG. 25. The user may select a recording for viewing using highlight region2604and selecting an appropriate key from remote control72.

A recording for which the user selects to view may be displayed for the user on a display screen such as recording playback screen2700ofFIG. 27. Recording playback screen2700may include the video2702of the selected program that is being played back to the user and options2704for controlling the video. Options2704may include, for example, options that allow the user to rewind the video to the beginning, to rewind or reverse the video, to play the video, to fast-forward the video, to pause the video, or to stop the video. Other video playback control options may be provided if desired. Control of these functions and other interactive television application functions may be supported using on-screen options, dedicated or multi-purpose keys on remote control72or other user devices, or other suitable arrangements involving user interface18. When on-screen options are used, the options may be displayed in the form of one or more overlays on top of video2702, or video2702may be provided in a reduced-size window and the options may be displayed outside of this window.

With the arrangement ofFIGS. 26 and 27, the user can browse stored recordings and play back (and control the playback) of the stored recordings. Recordings that are stored locally on user equipment18may be played back by retrieving these recordings from the local hard drive or other storage on which the recordings are maintained. Recordings that are stored on the network may be played back from the network equipment on which the recorded content is stored. User equipment18may receive such content in the form of a real-time video stream or a file download and the interactive television application may play back the received content using a display screen arrangement of the type shown inFIG. 27.

The user may access program guide content associated with other selectable advertisements provided by program listings screen2400ofFIG. 24. For example, from program listings screen2400, the user may select Toyota Camry advertisement2406and be presented with Toyota advertisement content screen2800inFIG. 28. Toyota advertisement content screen2800may include summary caption2804which may be provided in any media format and may include, for example, text, images, video, audio, any other suitable media format, or a combination thereof. A graphic display2802depicting the selected advertised item may also be included in screen2800.

The user may be provided with a variety of onscreen options for accessing various program guide features. For example, the user may select option2808to return to a previous screen (e.g., program listings screen2400ofFIG. 24). Option2818may be selected to provide the user with an opportunity to view a video clip related to the selected advertisement (e.g., a promotional video clip for the selected advertisement). Option2819may be selected to access more information about the selected advertisement, and option2816may be selected to access a web site or web service related to the selected advertisement. Other on-screen options for accessing various interactive television applications may also be provided if desired.

The user may also be provided with an opportunity to record video related to the selected advertisement (e.g., a promotional video of the new Toyota Camry) by selecting record option2810. The user may use cursor keys82of remote control72(FIG. 4) to position highlight region2812on record option2810(or any other selectable on-screen option) and may select to record the related video using OK key84of the remote control. Other techniques for selecting the record related video option2810may also be used. Upon selecting record promotional video option2810, the interactive television application may record and store the video related to the selected advertisement (e.g., the promotional video) using the personal video recorder or network-based video recorder techniques previously discussed.

The user may indicate a desire to record future instances of video related to the selected advertisement as additional video becomes available that is related to the selected advertisement. In such cases, users may select an option, such as record future Toyota promotions option2814, to instruct the interactive television application to record all available video-related to the selected advertisement.

From program listings screen2400, the user may select banner advertisement2408. Upon selecting banner advertisement2408, the user may be presented with advertising content screen2900ofFIG. 29. Advertising content screen2900may be used to provide detailed information for any selected event, for example a sporting event, a serial television show, a video-on-demand or scheduled movie, a pay-per-view feature, or any other available television event. Advertising content screen2900may include detailed information about the television event, for example stars, year, rating, genre, run time, or any other suitable information for describing the event. Advertising content screen2900may also include scheduling information2902which may indicate the date, time and channel of the television event. Event advertisement summary2904may include a scrollable detailed description of the selected advertisement, while display2906may be provided to present the user with additional information about the selected advertisement (e.g., a photograph of the main character or cast, a trailer for the event, etc.).

Advertising content screen2900may also include record review option2908that the user may select to record video related to the selected advertisement. The example illustrated in screen2900ofFIG. 29indicates that a review of the selected event is available and may be recorded in response to the user selecting record review option2908(e.g., using a highlight region and remote control as previously discussed). Upon selecting record review option2908, the interactive television application may record and store the video related to the selected advertisement (e.g., the movie review) using the personal video recorder or network-based video recorder techniques previously discussed. Additional video related to the selected event, such as trailers or other video-based information, may also be available and recorded by the interactive television application if so instructed by the user.

In another embodiment, the video content may be recorded automatically when the advertisement or other guide content is selected or displayed. For example, when the user selects advertisements2404,2406,2408, information screens such as screens2500,2800, or2900, may be displayed and the interactive television application may automatically schedule a time to record video related to the selected advertisement without requiring the user to select an on-screen option.

The user may desire to receive alert notifications that a video related to a selected display and previously selected for recording has been recorded to the user's local or remote recording device. The user may be provided with an option to set an alert to appear once selected video has been recorded and is available for viewing. Or, an alert may be generated automatically after the user selects video to record without requiring the user to select an option to do so. The interactive television application may display a pop-up alert overlay on top of a video that the user is watching.

An illustrative alert is shown inFIG. 30. In the example ofFIG. 30, the user is watching a video3002. Previously, the user may have arranged for an alert to be provided by the interactive television application once a video selected for recording has been recorded. InFIG. 30, the pop-up alert overlay3004includes scrollable recorded video list3006. Recorded video list3006may include listings for video recorded by the interactive television application, for example, the interview with Michelle Trachtenberg3008recorded in connection withFIG. 25, Toyota promotional video3010recorded in connection withFIG. 28, and “The Natural” review3012recorded in connection withFIG. 29. The recorded related video displayed in pop-up alert overlay may reside in a local or remote storage device and may be selected and viewed by the user.

The user can view a recorded video listing presented in the alert by selecting the listing. For example, the user may use cursor keys82of remote control72(FIG. 4) to position highlight region3014on a listing and may select the listing by pressing key84of the remote control. The interactive television application may then retrieve from the recording device the recorded video and present to the user the desired video.

The alert list may be displayed at any suitable time after the interactive television application has recorded the related video. For example, the alert may be displayed the first time the user interacts with the interactive television application after the recording is created. The alert list may be displayed around the periphery of a video being displayed and the video being displayed may be displayed in a reduced-size window. These are merely illustrative examples for providing alert3004and any suitable arrangement may be used to notify the user of the availability of recorded related video for which the user has arranged for alerts to occur.

A flow chart of illustrative steps involved in selecting a display for guide content, such as an advertisement, and recording video related to the selected display is shown inFIG. 31. At step3102, the interactive television application may provide the user with on-screen selectable displays (e.g., selectable advertisements). For example, an interactive television program guide may be used to provide the user with an opportunity to select on-screen advertisements or promotions for products and services, news, interviews, events, television programs, weather forecasts, or any other suitable content.

After the user has used the interactive television application to select a display, the user may be provided with additional information related to the selected display at step3104. The information may be presented in any media format, such as text, images, video, any other suitable media format, or a combination thereof. The information provided at step3104may also include an on-screen selectable record option, which the user may select to record video related to the selected display. Alternatively, the interactive television may automatically schedule related video to be recorded in response to the user selecting a display at step3104. In such a scenario, the user need not select an on-screen option or otherwise indicate a desire to record related video.

When the user indicates a desire to record video related to a selected display by selecting the record option, the interactive television application may, at step3106, record the related video. In a personal video recorder arrangement, the interactive television application may be used to record the related video locally on user equipment in response to the user commands. The interactive television application may record related video in conjunction with a network-based video recorder device and application or a local personal video recorder device and application if available. In a personal video recorder arrangement, the interactive television application may be used to record video locally on the user equipment in response to the user commands. In a network-based video recorder arrangement, the interactive television application may be used to record video or to make virtual recordings on network equipment such as server36,56, or equipment at service provider50in response to the user commands. The user commands may be provided to the network equipment over the communications paths shown inFIG. 1. The personal video recorder arrangement and the network-based video recorder arrangement can support functions such as fast-forward, rewind, pause, play, and record. A local or remote storage device may be used to store the recording.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims.