Abstract:
The present invention is a method and apparatus for displaying conflicts between two or more recording timers. These conflicts are displayed graphically for the user to resolve. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to television converter devices for receiving and recording channels of television programming. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for displaying graphically and resolving conflicts between recording timers.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The prior art includes various devices which may be used to record television programs. Most common may be VCRs, which can record television programs. More recently, devices known as personal video recorders (PVRs) have entered the market. PVRs use a hard drive to record digital data which may include, but is not limited to, a television program. Various optical media and other forms of memory may be used to record television programs or digital representations thereof.  
         [0003]     The aforementioned television converter devices may be used to automatically record programs that will occur in the future. For VCRs, one may input the channel, time, and duration of a program to be recorded. This may be referred to as the manual setting of a timer. Newer PVR devices may allow a user to select a television program to be recorded from an electronic program guide (EPG). An EPG is a display of program and schedule information on the television screen. Such information may be broadcast to the television converter device, and may be periodically updated. Advanced EPGs may allow users to highlight particular programs. If selected, by pressing the proper button on a remote control, a highlighted program may be selected for either watching or recording depending on the situation.  
         [0004]     Some advanced PVRs allow the user to set several different timers for several different programs. Another feature of some prior art PVRs is to announce conflicts between timers. The user may then resolve the conflict by effectively choosing one of the timers.  
         [0005]     Prior art PVRs may announce a timer conflict by presenting the user with a text-based message that describes the timer conflict. The messages may include the titles of the programs, the time the programs were supposed to be recorded, and the channels. The user may need to read this information, determine why there is a conflict, and decide how to resolve the conflict. In essence, the text-based messages may force the user to decipher what caused the timer conflict.  
         [0006]     Prior art devices do not provide for a graphical display of the conflict between the timers. Thus, prior art devices do not provide a user-friendly, graphical interface to resolve timer conflicts. These and other deficiencies of the prior art are overcome by the present invention.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention is a method and apparatus for displaying conflicts between two or more recording timers. These conflicts are displayed graphically for the user to resolve. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a home entertainment system utilizing a television converter device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a functional block diagram of the logical elements of an embodiment of a television converter device in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of a graphical display for timer conflicts.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a second embodiment of a graphical display for timer conflicts.  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a third embodiment of a graphical display for timer conflicts.  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a fourth embodiment of a graphical display for timer conflicts.  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates a fifth embodiment of a graphical display for timer conflicts.  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrates the logical steps of one embodiment of a method for graphically displaying and resolving timer conflicts.  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  illustrates one embodiment of a graphical display for receiving user input to resolve a timer conflict.  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  illustrates one embodiment of a graphical user interface for notifying a user of a timer conflict. 
     
    
       [0018]     For clarification, the drawings use a nomenclature for reference numerals that has two parts. The first part of the reference numeral is the drawing number, and it is followed by the second part, a two digit identifier (drawing 1 uses 1xx; drawing 3 uses 3xx). For example, two reference numerals in drawing 1 may be “102” and “104.” A reference numeral in one drawing may be referred to in subsequent drawings; the same reference numeral in later drawings refers to the same item.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     In this specification, the present invention will be described using methods and systems related to subscriber satellite television service. This specific description is not meant to limit the invention to that one embodiment. The present invention may also be applicable to cable television systems, broadcast television systems or other television systems. The present invention is also described in terms of digital video recording (DVR) devices. The present invention may also be applicable to digital-versatile-disc (DVD) recording devices or other television converter devices. One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can apply elsewhere.  
         [0020]     As a general matter, the disclosure uses the term “signal.” One skilled in the art will recognize that the signal may be any digital or analog signal. Those signals may include, but are not limited to, a bit, a specified set of bits, an A/C signal, or a D/C signal. Uses of the term “signal” in the description may include any of these different interpretations. It will also be understood to one skilled in the art that the term “connected” is not limited to a physical connection but can refer to any means of communicatively or operatively coupling two devices.  
         [0021]     As another general matter, the disclosure uses the terms “television converter,” “receiver,” “set-top-box,” “television converter device,” “television converter,” “television converter device,” “satellite set-top-box,” “satellite receiver,” “cable set-top-box,” “cable receiver,” and “television tuner” to refer interchangeably to a converter device or electronic equipment that has the capacity to acquire, process and distribute one or more television signals transmitted by broadcast, cable, telephone or satellite distributors. “Digital video recorder (DVR)” and “personal video recorder (PVR)” refer interchangeably to devices that can digitally record and play back television signals and that may implement trick functions including, but not limited to, fast-forward, rewind and pause. As set forth in this specification and the figures pertaining thereto, DVR and PVR functionality or devices may be combined with a television converter. The signals transmitted by these broadcast, cable, telephone or satellite distributors may include, individually or in any combination, Internet, radio, television or telephonic data or information. One skilled in the art will recognize that a television converter device may be implemented as an external self-enclosed unit, a plurality of external self-enclosed units or as an internal unit housed within a television. One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can apply to analog and digital satellite set-top-boxes.  
         [0022]     As yet another general matter, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the term “television” refers to a television set or video display that may contain an integrated television converter device (e.g., an internal cable-ready television tuner housed inside a television) or, alternatively, that is connected to an external television converter device (e.g., an external set-top-box connected via cabling to a television). A further example of an external television converter device is the EchoStar Dish PVR 721, Part Number 106525, combination satellite set-top-box and PVR. For the remainder of this disclosure, specific embodiments will be described using a television converter device that implements satellite technology.  
         [0023]     Finally, as a general matter, it should be understood that satellite television signals may be very different from broadcast television or other types of signals. Satellite signals may include multiplexed, packetized, and modulated digital signals. Once multiplexed, packetized and modulated, one analog satellite transmission may carry digital data representing several television stations or service providers. Some examples of service providers include HBO™, CSPAN™, ABC™, CBS™, or ESPN™. In satellite television, a service provider can also be compared to a “channel.” 
         [0024]     The term “channel,” as used in this description, carries a different meaning from its normal connotation. In broadcast television, different analog signals of a television station may be carried on a carrier frequency and its sub-channels. A tuner in a television may then acquire and process these signals. In broadcast television, the term channel has thus become synonymous with the sub-channel or the station on that sub-channel. The normal connotation of the term “channel” is therefore not always appropriate to describe satellite television transmissions where multiple stations may be multiplexed onto a single carrier frequency. Satellite television distributors, however, may organize the satellite data into a group of different “virtual channels.” These virtual channels give the impression that the satellite television programs (the service providers) are placed in channels. This impression may assist user operation of the satellite set-top-box since it models an analog television or analog receiving device. The virtual channels may appear in the electronic program guide (EPG) data and the user may choose programming by selecting a virtual channel. For instance, the user can select HBO, which may be on virtual channel 300, or CSPAN, which may be on virtual channel 210. These service providers or virtual channels are not necessarily carried in the same signal being sent from the same satellite. EPG data may come from a service provider (e.g., HBO), content provider (e.g., Disney), a third party (e.g., TV Guide) or from another outside entity.  
         [0025]     Thus, in satellite television service a channel may not be the same as in broadcast television service. Rather, channels may be more properly termed service providers in satellite television service. The term “channel” will be used in this description to describe the service providers and the virtual channels they may occupy.  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  presents an embodiment of a home entertainment system  102  that includes a television converter device  100  in the form of a satellite set-top-box. Generally, the satellite set-top-box  100  may receive one or more television signals from a cable television distributor (not shown), from a broadcast television distributor (not shown) or from a satellite television distributor  104 . As a preferred embodiment, home entertainment system  102  receives signals from satellite television distributor  104 . One skilled in the art will recognize that set-top-box  100  may also receive video-digital subscriber line (DSL), DSL, Internet, wireless and other signals from content or video distributors. The satellite set-top-box  100  may process television signals and may send the processed signals to peripheral electronic devices, such as a monitor or television  120 . The satellite set-top-box  100  also may accept commands from a remote control  126  or other peripheral electronic devices. More detail about the functionality of the satellite set-top-box  100  is provided below.  
         [0027]     To further describe the home entertainment system, embodiments relating to receiving satellite television signals will be explained in more detail. A satellite television distributor  104  may transmit one or more satellite television signals  128  to one or more satellites  106 . Satellite television distributors may utilize several satellites  106  to relay the satellite television signals to a subscriber. Each satellite  106  may have several transponders. Transponders transmit the signal  130  from the satellite to the subscriber. For example, these signals  130  may be transmitted at a frequency of 2150 Mhz.  
         [0028]     A transponder may also polarize the transmitted signal  130  in several ways. One form of polarization in satellite transmissions is circular polarization. For example, transponders of satellite  106  may transmit two signals (together as signal  130 ) on the same transponder, one signal that is right-hand polarized and another signal that is left-hand polarized. In other words, two signals may be simultaneously transmitted with opposite polarizations. The opposite polarizations may prevent interference. One skilled in the art will recognize that other ways of polarizing signals are possible.  
         [0029]     The polarized signals can be received at satellite communication device  108 . The satellite communication device  108  may include one or more of the components that follow. One component of satellite communication device  108  may be a satellite dish. A satellite dish can focus the signal on one or more low-noise block filters (LNBF), also referred to as low-noise block down converters (LNBDC). The LNBFs may de-polarize and initially process the signal. This initial processing may include filtering noise from the signal and down-converting the signal. Down-conversion is sometimes required to transmit the signal  110  through certain cables, such as coaxial cables. The signal  110  arrives at the television converter device  100  via cabling. One skilled in the art will recognize that other methods and other systems of delivering the satellite signal  110  to the satellite set-top-box  100  may be possible.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  provides a high level block diagram for the satellite television converter device  100 ,  200  with DVR functionality in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0031]     The signal  110 ,  204  that arrives at the satellite set top box  200  may undergo extensive processing. The television converter  200  may include one or more tuner devices  206  that may receive a satellite signal  204 . In this embodiment, tuner device  206  acquires a satellite signal  204  from satellite television distributor  104 . Tuner device  206  may initially process the satellite signal  204 . Tuner device  206  may also receive subscriber commands in the form of signals from control electronics unit  202 . Signals from control electronics unit  202  may include, but is not limited to, a signal to tune to a transponder as part of the process of selecting a certain channel for viewing on a peripheral device. One skilled in the art would recognize that the tuner device  206  may include fewer, more, or different components.  
         [0032]     After receiving the signal  204 , one of the first steps may be to demodulate  208  the signal  204 . The signal  204  may arrive as an analog signal that “carries” data (e.g., data is modulated onto the analog signal). Demodulation  208  may be accomplished by reversing the modulation process. Modulation can be done in several ways. Modulation may include amplitude modulation (AM) or frequency modulation (FM). If the carried data is digital, modulation methods include, but are not limited to, biphase-shift keying (BPSK), quadraphase-shift keying (QPSK), or eight-phase shift keying (8PSK). One skilled in the art will recognize that other methods of modulating and demodulating the signal  204  may be possible. Another one of the first steps may also be to error check  208  signal  204 . One example of error checking  208  is forward error-checking. Forward error-checking (FEC)  208  may include, but is not limited to, inspecting parity bit or bits that may accompany signal  204 . One skilled in the art will recognize that many methods for error checking are possible. For the purposes of discussion, an embodiment using digital data will be discussed below. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that systems with analog data or combined analog and digital data are also possible and contemplated herein.  
         [0033]     In this embodiment, satellite set-top-box  200  contains control electronics unit  202  that receives satellite signal  204 . One skilled in the art will recognize that control electronics  202  may receive other signals, including, but not limited to, signals from a cable or broadcast television distributor. One example of a control electronics unit  202  is the STMicroelectronics STi5517 Low-Cost Interactive Set-top Box Decoder, Part No. 7424736A. In a preferred embodiment, control electronics unit  202  includes discrete electronic components combined into a single circuit with a shared bus  210 . In other embodiments, control electronics unit  202  may be configured differently. For example, one or more of the control electronics unit  202  components in set-top-box  200  may be combined or omitted. The control electronics unit  202  may use a custom ASIC, such as from the LSILogic G11 family, or FPGA, such as from the Altera Stratix™ family. As a further example, one or more of the control electronics unit  202  components in set-top-box  200  may not share a bus  210 , but may nonetheless be operatively connected by some other means. One skilled in the art will recognize that other configurations of set-top-box  200  and control electronics unit  202  are possible and within the scope of this invention. One skilled in the art will further recognize that some components of set-top-box  200  and control electronics unit  202  may be implemented in hardware or software. The control electronics unit  202  may operate under the control of a software program, firmware program, or some other program stored in memory or control logic. One skilled in the art will also recognize that the control electronics unit  202  may include other electronic components or structures to mediate or process signals.  
         [0034]     Control electronics unit  202  may contain one or more central-processing-units (CPUs)  212  or processors. A preferred embodiment of control electronics unit  202  contains a single CPU  212  that is operatively connected to the shared bus. In one embodiment, CPU  212  may be used, among other things, for logical operations for set-top-box  200  functions including, but not limited to, channel selection, recording control, EPG display and control and system maintenance. Examples of commercially available CPUs  212  include the STMicroelectronics Enhanced ST20 32-bit VL-RISC, Motorola 68000 or Intel Pentium processors. One skilled in the art will recognize that the CPU  212  may be integrated with memory or other discrete electronics components.  
         [0035]     Control electronics unit  202  may also contain one or more volatile memory components  214 . Volatile memory components  214  may include, but are not limited to, one or more SDRAM memory chips. Similarly, control electronics unit  202  may contain non-volatile memory components  216 . Non-volatile memory  216  may include one or more memory chips, including, but not limited to, ROM, SRAM, SDRAM and Flash ROM. One skilled in the art will recognize that volatile memory  214  and non-volatile memory  216  may be integrated within other electronics components. One skilled in the art will also recognize that other memory components may be included within set-top-box  200  and control electronics unit  202 . One skilled in the art will recognize that memory  214 ,  216  may be used for many purposes, including, but not limited to, storing EPG data and storing data for use by CPU  212 .  
         [0036]     In a preferred embodiment, signal  204  is in digital form (e.g., a digital stream) after demodulation and error correction. For example, digital stream  204  may use, but is not limited to using, the digital video broadcasting (DVB) transport standard. The digital stream  204  may be multiplexed and therefore require demultiplexing by XPORT Engine  222 . Demultiplexing  222 , or demuxing, may include separating the bits of data into separate digital data streams. The digital streams may be packetized. Thus, the multiplexing of the separate digital data streams may not be bit-by-bit but packet-by-packet. The packet size may vary or may be constant. After demuxing  222  the packets, the separate digital data streams may be reassembled by placing related packets together in a continuous data stream  204 .  
         [0037]     Each of the separate digital data streams may also be encoded. Encoding is a method for representing data. Encoding may allow the data to be compressed. Compression can provide the system with increased bandwidth. One skilled in the art will recognize that several different encoding formats are possible. In satellite television, encoding formats may include the MPEG or MPEG2 standards. Beyond the raw data, the separate digital data streams may include forward error correction, headers, checksums, or other information. All of this different information may be included in the digital television signal  204  processed by the satellite set-top-box  100 . Control electronics unit  202  may therefore include one or more video processing units  218  that, among other video processing operations, may decode encoded signal  204 . In a preferred embodiment, video processing unit  218  may include, but is not limited to, a graphics processor, MPEG-2 decoder and a display compositor with separate on-screen display (OSD) control for peripheral devices. One skilled in the art will recognize that video processing unit  218  may also include other electronics, including, but not limited to, alpha blending, antialiasing, antiflutter and antiflicker filters, memory and video-rendering components.  
         [0038]     Another discrete electronic component of control electronics unit  202  may be a video encoder unit  220 . Video encoder unit  220  may work in combination with or independently from video processing unit  218 . Video encoding unit  220  may encode digital stream  204  for output to one or more peripheral devices, including, but not limited to, a television. For example, video encoding unit  220  may encode digital stream  204  for RGB, CVBS, Y/C and YUV outputs. Encoding may allow program data to be compressed. As a preferred embodiment, video encoder  220  may translate digital stream into a signal using the NTSC, PAL or SECAM standards. One skilled in the art will recognize that video encoder unit  220  may include other functionality, may be integrated into other electronic components of satellite set-top-box  200 , and may encode digital stream  204  using other standards, including, but not limited to, MPEG and MPEG2.  
         [0039]     Control electronics unit  202  may also include one or more hard drive interfaces  226  and hard drives  232 . In a preferred embodiment, television converter device  200  contains one hard drive interface  226  and hard drive  232 . Hard drive  232  may be used for many purposes, including, but not limited to, storing recorded programs, buffering currently-playing programs (e.g., buffering a program may allow a user to pause or rewind a program), storing EPG data, storing commands or functions for the control electronics unit  202 , storing timers or record events, and storing data for other devices within or connected to the satellite set-top-box  200 . As another example, hard drive  232  may be used to temporarily store data for processing by CPU  212 . In this example, the hard drive  232  may allow the processor  212  to separate EPG data arriving as part of digital stream  208 . One skilled in the art will recognize that other storage devices and interfaces may be substituted for hard drive interface  226  and hard drive  232  and are within the scope of this invention. One skilled in the art will also recognize that hard drive interface  226  and hard drive  232  may separately or together include an integrated memory (e.g., a memory buffer, commonly known referred to as cache) and additional processing components or logic. One skilled in the art will also recognize that hard drive interface  226  may be integrated into peripheral interface  224  (described below). Finally, one skilled in the art will recognize that hard drive  232  may be external and connected to satellite set-top-box  200 . For example, an external hard drive  232  may be connected to satellite set-top-box  200  using USB 2.0 or IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connections. Such an external hard drive may include a screen for portable viewing of programming stored on it.  
         [0040]     An audio processing unit  228  may also be part of the control electronics unit  202 . Audio processing unit  228  may decode the digital stream  204  for output to peripheral devices, including, but not limited to, a stereo, television speakers or portable audio or video players. For example, audio processing unit  228  may decode MPEG-1 layers I/II and layer III, Dolby Digital, Dolby ProLogic, SRS/TruSurround encoded audio in digital stream  204 . Audio processing unit  228  may include one or more processors, memory components or digital to audio converter (DAC) systems. One skilled in the art will recognize that other audio processing components and functionality may be accomplished using audio processing unit  228 .  
         [0041]     A satellite set-top-box  200  may be connected to one or more peripheral electronic devices through peripheral interface  224 . These peripheral devices may include a stereo (not shown), television  230 , smart card  236 , VCR (not shown), or other devices. In a preferred embodiment, home entertainment system  102  minimally contains, but is not limited to, a television  230  and smart card  236 . Television  230  may serve many purposes, including, but not limited to, displaying television programming, displaying the EPG, displaying timer conflicts, and displaying other types of data, graphics and programming. Peripheral devices may receive and/or send signals from the satellite set-top-box  200 . For instance, the television  230  may receive video and audio signals and a stereo may receive only audio signals. A camcorder (not shown), on the other hand, may send video or audio signals to the satellite set-top-box  100  or receive audio and video signals from the set-top-box to record. As another example, peripheral interface  224  may include a processor or other electronic components to permit an interface to content security devices such as an external “smart card.” In this example, peripheral interface  224  may then encrypt or decrypt content for output to other peripheral devices. Thus, peripheral interface  224  may perform one or more functions for multiple peripheral devices, including, but not limited to, the synchronous or asynchronous transfer of data between different peripheral devices (e.g., decrypting content using a smart card peripheral device and outputting decrypted content to a television at the same time). One skilled in the art will recognize that the peripheral devices may include many types of commercially available electronic devices.  
         [0042]     The home entertainment system  102  may also include a remote control  126 ,  234  peripheral device, also sometimes referred to as a remote. The remote control  234  may be used to send commands to the satellite set-top-box  200 . The remote control  234  may send commands via a wireless connection using, for example, infrared or UHF transmitters within the remote control  234 . One example of an embodiment of a remote controller  234  is the EchoStar Technologies Corporation 721 Platinum Plus Remote, Part Number 121150, that includes an IR transmitter and an ultra high frequency (UHF) transmitter. The remote control  234  may be able to send signals to other peripheral electronic devices that form part of the home entertainment system  102 , including, but not limited to, a television, stereo, VCR, or DVD player. The set-top-box  200  may also be able to send signals to the remote control  234 , including, but not limited to, signals to configure the remote control  234  to operate other peripheral devices in home entertainment system  102 . In some embodiments, the remote control  234  has a set of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Some remote controls may include Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) or other screens. The remote control may include buttons, dials, or other man-machine interfaces. While the remote control  234  may often be the common means for a subscriber to communicate with the satellite set-top-box  200 , one skilled in the art will recognize that other means of communicating with the set-top-box  200  are available, including, but not limited to attached keyboards, front panel buttons or touch screens.  
         [0043]     The satellite set-top-box  200  may also include a remote control interface (not shown). A remote control interface may include any means for the user to communicate to the satellite set-top-box  200 , and may be implemented using the peripheral interface  224  of control electronics unit  202  or by connecting a peripheral remote control interface device. In a preferred embodiment, a remote control interface may receive commands from one or more different remote controls  234 . Remote control  234  may use infrared, UHF, or other communications technology. The remote control interface may therefore translate an input from the user into a format understandable by the control electronics unit  202 . The translation systems may include, but are not limited to, electronic receivers and electronic relays. One skilled in the art will recognize that other means to receive and translate user inputs are possible.  
         [0044]     Another peripheral device and connection to the satellite set-top-box  200  may include a phone interface  238 , phone line  112 ,  240  and modem (not shown). Set-top-box  200  may use a modem and phone line  240  to communicate with one or more outside entities or systems (e.g., satellite television distributor  104 ). The phone line  240  may carry local or long-distance telephone service. One skilled in the art will recognize that the phone line  240  may also carry other services, including, but not limited to, DSL service. These communications may include requesting pay-per-view programming, reporting of purchases (for example, pay-per-view purchases), obtaining updates to subscriber programming (e.g., updating EPG data), or receiving updates to software on the satellite set-top-box  100 . For example, the phone line  240  may communicate with the satellite set-top-box  100  using an RJ-11 style telephone connection. One skilled in the art will recognize that there are many other uses for this phone line connection  240 . For example, EPG data may be transmitted to set-top-box  200  via phone line  240  or in the satellite signal  204 . One skilled in the art will recognize that the EPG data may be transmitted to set-top-box  200  by various other methods, systems and outside entities. Also, one skilled in the art will recognize that a phone line connection  240  to satellite distributor  104  may represent other communication connections, including, but not limited to, wireless, Internet, or microwave communications connections. Another function of the phone line  240  may be to periodically receive the EPG data. As set forth below, the EPG data can be used by the satellite set-top-box  200  to construct the timer conflict graphics.  
         [0045]     In one embodiment of the invention, a user may send a record command to the satellite set-top-box  200  via a remote control  234 . The satellite set-top-box  200  may store a timer related to the record command in hard drive  232 . Before recording the episode of the program, the satellite set-top-box  200  may use EPG data provided by the phone line  240  or the satellite signal  204  to update the timer. Then, the satellite set-top-box  200  may select a channel of television programming in the satellite signal  204 . The television converter device  200  may then record an episode of the program to hard drive  232 . Then, upon request by the user via the remote control  234 , the satellite set-top-box  200  may send the recorded program to television  230 .  
         [0046]     In another embodiment, the control electronics  202  may receive a record command via the peripheral interface  224  to the remote control  234 . The record request may command the satellite set-top-box  200  to record a program. The control electronics  202  may then create a timer and stores the timer in the storage device  232 . Then, the control electronics unit  202  may receive a second record command. The control electronics unit  202  may then determine if the two timers will record a program or part of a program at the same time. To determine if the timers must record simultaneously, the control electronics unit  202  may look up the programs in the EPG data or compare the pre-existing timer with the one that would be created by the second record command. If the programs are scheduled to record at the same timer, the control electronics unit  202  may create a graphical display showing the timer conflict.  
         [0047]     The graphical displays showing timer conflicts, as set forth in  FIGS. 3, 4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7 , for example, may be created using components in satellite set-top-box  200 , including, but not limited to, control electronics unit  202 , hard drive interface  226  and hard drive  232 . The video processing unit  218 , video encoder  220  or audio processing unit  228  may format or process program data prior to transmission to television  230 . One or more peripheral devices, including, but not limited to, television  230 , may display the graphical display showing the timer conflict. The user may view the information represented in the graphical display and sends instructions to the satellite set-top-box  200 . Again, the peripheral interface  224  may receive the user&#39;s instructions. Those instructions may be processed by the control electronics unit  202 . Finally, the control electronics  202  may resolve the timer conflict according to the user&#39;s instructions.  
         [0048]     In  FIGS. 3, 4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7 , different embodiments of the graphical display are described. There is a great variety of different displays possible depending on the capability, components, and operation of the satellite set-top-box  200 . For example, embodiments of satellite set-top-boxes can have one tuner allowing the user to record only one program at a time. Other embodiments may have more tuners allowing the user to record several programs simultaneously. In the description that follows, the PVR that created displays in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  have only one tuner. The PVR associated with  FIG. 5  has two tuners.  
         [0049]     Different embodiments of satellite set-top-boxes may set the timers differently. One embodiment may have a timer that is associated with a channel selector. The term “channel selector” is used herein to describe the circuitry, logic or other components in satellite set-top-box  200  that may assist or command the control electronics unit  202  to select a specific channel. In this embodiment, the timer schedules recordings for its associated channel selector. Satellite set-top-boxes with multiple channel selectors may have a corresponding number of timers. Each timer and channel selector pair may function independently and may schedule one or more records for one or more channels or service providers. A conflict would arise, for example, if the user attempted to record a third program during a time period when a two channel selector satellite set-top-box  200  is already scheduled to record two programs at the same time. Embodiments of satellite set-top-box timers associated with each channel selector are discussed with reference to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 .  
         [0050]     In another embodiment satellite set-top-boxes may set timers for each channel. Thus, the satellite set-top-box has a timer associated with every channel received. For example, a satellite set-top-box  200  that receives 500 channels may have 500 timers. In this example, a conflict arises if any two or more timers for any two or more channels try to record a program at the same time and the satellite set-top-box has only one tuner. This case is discussed with reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 7 .  
         [0051]     Finally, the satellite set-top-box may set a timer for every program to be recorded. For example, if a user wants to record one program on a channel, the satellite set-top-box will set a timer. If, in this example, the user wants to record another program on the same channel, the satellite set-top-box will create a second timer. Every timer may designate at least a channel and recording time. A conflict may arise, for example, when a user tries to record two programs at the same time, regardless of the channel, on a satellite set-top-box with a single channel selector. This case is discussed with reference to  FIG. 6 .  
         [0052]     One skilled in the art will recognize that different graphical displays are possible depending on the specific embodiment of the satellite set-top-box. The present invention embodies any of these graphical displays regardless of the type. Several embodiments are explained in more detail below.  
         [0053]      FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of the graphical display for use with a single channel selector satellite set-top-box. In this embodiment, the graphical display takes the form of a grid  300  or table. The grid  300  is formed in two dimensions along two axes. The grid  300  has a set of columns  302  and rows  304  that are perpendicular to each other and oriented to the two axes. Also, the grid  300  may contain several cells. A cell is a block in the grid  300  that may contain one item of information. One skilled in the art will recognize that the grid  300  need not display an equivalent number of cells for columns  302  or rows  304 .  
         [0054]     One axis may be the timer axis. The timer axis represents the scheduled time for a program. This timer axis may have a number of columns  302 . Each column  302  may have a column header  330 ,  306 ,  308 , and  310 . Each column header  330 ,  306 ,  308 , and  310  may have unique graphical, textual or stylistic properties that distinguish column headers  330 ,  306 ,  308 , and  310  from other cells in the grid  300 . Examples of graphical, textual or stylistic properties that distinguish column headers  330 ,  306 ,  308 , and  310  include distinctive icons, shading, or fonts. In this embodiment, column header  306  is for the 7:30 p.m. timeslot, column header  308  is for the 8:00 p.m. timeslot, and column header  310  is for the 8:30 p.m. timeslot. In this embodiment, a timeslot is the position that the program occupies in the sequential order of a programming schedule. Timeslots may have different durations. In this embodiment, columns  302  equate to 30 minute periods of time. Also in this embodiment, the 30 minute duration begins at the time shown in column headers  306 ,  308  and  310 . In the grid  300 , column header  330  may represent the date the conflict occurs. In this embodiment, column header  330  shows the date of the conflict as Wednesday, May 1. One skilled in the art will recognize that column header  330  is not limited to displaying the date of the timer conflict. Column header  330  may also display the current date or time, frequency of recording events, advertising, or any other EPG, timer information, or combination thereof. One skilled in the art will recognize that more or fewer columns  302  may be shown in the graphical display, that different timeslots may be shown, and that the timeslots shown need not be in a sequential order.  
         [0055]     The other axis may be the event axis. In this embodiment, the event axis represents timer events for the different timers. The event axis may be made up from timer rows  312  and  314 . Rows  312  and  314  may have headers  316  and  318  that list the timer identifier. In this embodiment, Timer 1  320  corresponds to the “HGTV” virtual channel and the New Timer  332  corresponds to the “NBC” virtual channel. Each row header  316  and  318  may have unique graphical, textual or stylistic properties that distinguish row headers  316  and  318  from other cells in the grid  300 . Examples of graphical, textual or stylistic properties that distinguish row headers  316  and  318  may include distinctive icons, shading, or fonts.  
         [0056]     Each timer row  312  and  314  may contain cells with programs listed for the timeslots  306 ,  308 , and  310 . For instance, the row for Timer 1  320  contains cell  322  with “Remodeling 101,” then cell  324  with “This Old House,” and then cell  326  with “Extreme Homes.” Timer 1  320  records only “This Old House” in cell  324 . However, Timer 1  320  may display more programs than will be recorded. In this embodiment, each timer shows the programs from a specific channel. It is possible that a timer may not record any program in a given timeslot, even if the graphical display shows programs in every timeslot. For this embodiment, cell  322  and cell  326  list programs that will not be recorded and cell  324  lists the program to be recorded. The grid  300  identifies programs that are to be recorded by highlighting the cell (the different shading), by placing a marker  340  (the white circle) in the cell, or by some other distinctive or distinguishing graphical, stylistic or textual properties. The programs listed in cells  322  and  326  precede and succeed the program  324  to be recorded on the channel that these programs are shown. In this embodiment, markers  328  and  340  display a number that corresponds to the associated channel selector. If the satellite set-top-box includes two tuners or channel selectors, for example, then marker  340  may identify the respective channel selector for each record by displaying a “1” or “2.” In this embodiment, a timer conflict exists because channel selector “1” can only record one program, either the program in cell  324  or  334 , at one time. A person skilled in the art will recognize that different graphical representations or other indicia may be used to indicate whether a program is to be recorded or not. A person skilled in the art will also recognize that different graphical representations or other indicia may be used to correlate markers and tuners for record events.  
         [0057]     In the grid  300 , the New Timer  332  is set to record a baseball game  334 . The graphical length of this timer covers three columns or three timeslots  306 ,  308 , and  310 . This graphical length equates to its temporal length, otherwise known as its duration. For the baseball game  334 , the graphical length equates to 90 minutes duration. Thus, the program&#39;s temporal length is 90 minutes. The durations of the timers may be shown in a linear scale. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the duration of programs occupying the timeslots may be represented by other graphical or temporal scales.  
         [0058]     The New Timer  332  and Timer 1  320  are aligned with the event axis, but are placed along the timer axis. Each of the timers is therefore represented as a cell in a row that falls across one or more timeslots. For example, New Timer  332  is placed along the timer axis as one cell  334  in the event axis row  314  and occupies three timeslots  306 ,  308 , and  310 .  
         [0059]     In this embodiment, the grid  300  displays a Timer Conflict  338  by showing the program  324  to be recorded by Timer 1  320  in the same timeslot  308  as the baseball program  334  to be recorded by the New Timer  332 . The conflict may be highlighted further. First, recording timer cell  334  is shown in a different color (the shading of  334 ). Each recording timer cell  324  and  334  has identical markers  328  and  340  that correspond to the use of the same channel selector “1.” Finally, a Conflict Banner  336  is placed above the column where the conflict exists. The Conflict Banner  336  states that the user has one conflict in that timeslot. Thus, with the grid  300 , the user may quickly see and understand that he or she is trying to record two programs at 8:00 p.m. when the single channel selector satellite set-top-box can only record one. In addition, the grid  300  provides the user with a user-friendly method for determining how to solve the conflict.  
         [0060]     The embodiment in  FIG. 3  illustrates the grid  300  in a certain orientation, the timer axis as columns and the event timer axis as rows. Other orientations are possible including displaying the grid with the timer axis as the rows and the event timer axis as the columns. Also, the perpendicular orientation of the axes may be changed. One skilled in the art will recognize that other orientations of the grid  300  are possible.  
         [0061]      FIG. 4  provides another embodiment of the present invention for use with a single channel selector satellite set-top-box. Again, the grid  400  is created with columns and rows. The timeslots in the columns are similar to those in  FIG. 3 . Also, there are still two timers  406  and  408 . This embodiment demonstrates that the graphical display  400  may show two different conflicts simultaneously. The first conflict  402  occurs at 7:30 p.m. The second conflict  404  occurs at 8:30 p.m. This embodiment also shows that conflicts  402  and  404  may be shaded in a different color than other cells in the graphical display  400 . Notably, the time cells associated with conflicts  402  and  404  are shaded in the same color to further notify the user of a timer conflict. Also, this embodiment shows that the grid  400  may only display the television programs the timer is scheduled to record. For instance, Timer 1  406  is scheduled to record shows from two different virtual channels during the 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. timeslots, respectively “Remodeling 101” from the Home and Garden Television (HGTV) virtual channel and “The Simpsons” from the FOX virtual channel. Timer 1  406 , however, is not scheduled to record anything during the 8:00 p.m. timeslot. This situation may be represented by the dashes in cell  420 . The grid  400  may also not include information about what channel the timer is supposed to record.  
         [0062]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the present invention for use with a two channel selector satellite set-top-box. In this embodiment, the grid  500  shows that the satellite set-top-box is scheduled to record two programs simultaneously. This ability is displayed by the two timers  504  and  506  each recording programs at the same time. For instance, Timer 1  504  will record the programs “Remodeling 101”  530  and “The Simpsons”  532  using a first channel selector while Timer 2  506  records the programs “Food  911 ”  534  and “The Apprentice”  536  using the second channel selector.  
         [0063]     The timer conflicts may be highlighted with banners  502  and  540 , shading in time cells  512 ,  514  and  516 , shading in program cells  530 ,  532 ,  534 ,  536 , and  538 , and markers  542 ,  544 ,  546 ,  548  and  550 . In this embodiment, the conflict arose when the user attempted to set a New Timer  508  to record the baseball game  538 . Two programs  530  and  534  were already set to record during the 7:30 p.m. timeslot  512 . Also, two programs  536  and  532  were already set to record during a portion of the 8:30 p.m. timeslot  516 . In each case, the satellite set-top-box was commanded to record three programs when it could only record two at one time. One skilled in the art will recognize that the satellite set-top-box may be able to record any number of programs. Also, one skilled in the art will recognize that a timer conflict may arise whenever the user asks the satellite set-top-box to record one more program during a given timeslot than it has capability to do.  
         [0064]     The embodiment also shows that unique temporal lengths may be displayed. For instance, the program  536  titled “The Apprentice” has a duration of 45 minutes. Thus, its temporal length of 45 minutes is greater than the duration of one timeslot. To display this difference, the grid  500  shows the program  536  occupying the 8:00 p.m. timeslot  514  and half of the 8:30 p.m. timeslot  516 . This display is another example of how the grid  500  graphically may represent a temporal length.  
         [0065]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the satellite set-top-box may record only one program at a time. However, the satellite set-top-box sets a timer  608 ,  610 ,  612 , and  614  for every record request sent by the user. Four timers  608 ,  610 ,  612 , and  614  therefore exist to record four different programs  616 ,  618 ,  620  and  622  from the same channel or service provider. Two conflicts  602  and  604  occur in this embodiment. Timer 1  608  and the New Timer  614  conflict during the 7:30 p.m. timeslot  606 . Timer 2  610  and the New Timer  614  conflict at the 8:30 p.m. timeslot  624 . Timer 3  612  does not conflict with any other timer.  
         [0066]     To display a conflict, this grid  600  may show that two programs are in the same timeslot. For instance, the television program  616  for timer 1  608  is in the same column for the television program  618  for the new timer  614 . Only one program can be in any column. For example, “Tool Time”  622  is the only program in the 9:00 p.m. timeslot  626  and does not conflict with other timers.  
         [0067]     Again, the conflict may be highlighted with banners  628  and  630 , and shading in cells  616 ,  620 , and  618 , and markers, like  632 , signifying a record for channel selector “1” that is already scheduled to record programs  616  and  620 . In this embodiment, the conflict arose when the user attempted to record program  618 . The satellite set-top-box was twice commanded to simultaneously record two programs on channel selector “1” when channel selector “1” can only record one program at a time.  
         [0068]      FIG. 7  shows another embodiment of the graphical display for use with a single or multiple channel selector satellite set-top-box. In this embodiment, the graphical display again takes the form of a grid  700  or table. The grid  700  is formed in two dimensions along two axes. The grid  700  has a set of columns  732  and rows  730  that are perpendicular to each other and oriented to the two axes. One axis is the timer axis. The timer axis represents the scheduled time and duration for a program. This timer axis has a number of columns  732 . The other axis is the service provider event axis. The service provider event axis represents the service provider that corresponds to program events displayed in the grid  700 . The service provider event axis has a number of rows  736 ,  738 ,  740  and  742 . The rows  736 ,  738 ,  740  and  742  have headers  714 ,  716 ,  718  and  720  that identify service providers or channels. In this embodiment, header  714  identifies the service provider “ESPN,” header  716  identifies the service provider “FX,” header  718  identifies the service provider “HBO,” and header  720  identifies the service provider “TechTV.” A person skilled in the art will recognize that fewer or more columns and rows may be shown in the graphical display. A person skilled in the art will also recognize that content-providers and timeslots can be shown in any grouping or order, including any combination that is based upon alphabetic, numeric, sequential or thematic criteria. Further, a person skilled in the art will recognize that any graphical or other non-textual representative indicia may be used to identify service providers. Each service provider row  736 ,  738 ,  740  and  742  contain cells with an event listed for the timeslots  706 ,  708 ,  710  and  712 . For instance, row  736  for service provider “ESPN” identifies event  722  as “Sportszone,” row  738  for service provider “FX” identifies event  724  as “The X-Files,” row  740  for service provider “HBO” identifies event  728  as “Six Feet Under,” and row  742  for service provider “TechTV” identifies event  726  as “The Screen Savers.” 
         [0069]     To display a conflict, grid  700  may show that two programs are in the same timeslot. For example, the “Sportszone” television program  722  for service provider event  736  is in the same column for “The Screen Savers” television program  726  for the new service provider event  742 . In this embodiment, only one program can be in any column. For example, the “Six Feet Under” television program  728  is the only program in the 9:00 p.m. timeslot  712  and does not conflict with other timers.  
         [0070]     Again, the conflicts may be highlighted with banners  702  and  704 , shading in cell  726 , and markers, like  744 . In this embodiment, the conflict arose when the user attempted to record program  726 . The satellite set-top-box was twice commanded to record two programs at the same time when it could only record one.  
         [0071]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of the method  800  to display a timer conflict for a satellite set-top-box. In this embodiment, the user may send a first record command  802 . The satellite set-top-box may set a first timer  804  in response to the user&#39;s instructions. The user may then send a second record command  806 . The satellite set-top-box may set a second timer  808  in response to the user&#39;s instructions. In this example, the satellite set-top-box has two timers set to record. One skilled in the art will recognize that a satellite set-top-box may be able to set any number of timers.  
         [0072]     The satellite set-top-box  200  may now check  810  for conflicts between Timer 1  804  and Timer 2  808 . The checking for conflicts may require the satellite set-top-box to determine if the timers must record at the same time. Recording at the same time may mean starting a record at the same time or starting a second record before another record stops. In one embodiment (not shown) the checking  810  for a conflict may involve checking the time the user set for Timer 1  804  and Timer 2  808 , after which flow continues to the graphical display  814  of conflicts, if any. In another embodiment, the satellite set-top-box may retrieve EPG data to determine if the scheduled time set for the program is the same for the two programs. In yet another embodiment, the satellite set-top-box may repeatedly check the EPG data to check for conflicts that may occur due to changes in EPG information. If a television program runs past its normal time, the satellite set-top-box can inform the user of a conflict with another timer set to start after that program ends.  
         [0073]     In another embodiment, one of the timers may involve a repeating timer. For example, the satellite set-top-box may need to record the same program repeatedly on some set schedule, like recording ABC every Sunday at 8:00 p.m. If one of the timers is a repeating timer, the satellite set-top-box may check one or more instances of the repeating timer to find a timer conflict. One skilled in the art will recognize that other techniques for identifying timer conflicts are possible and within the scope of this invention.  
         [0074]     To construct the graphical display, the satellite set-top-box may use EPG information. This may include retrieving EPG data  812  to obtain the scheduled time set for the program is the same for the two programs. EPG information may help display the timer conflict with data about the channels on which the television programs will play. For instance, the graphical display may show what television programs are playing before and after the program to be recorded. Also, the EPG information may allow the graphical display to show what channel the programs are on or any changes with those programs. In another embodiment, the graphical display may show only that information stored with the timers. Thus, the display may not show the channel or what is happening on before or after the recording. The display may take other forms. One skilled in the art will recognize that EPG information may be used for a number of different types of displays.  
         [0075]     If there is no conflict, the satellite set-top-box  200  may record the programs  822  according to the timers. If the satellite set-top-box  200  determines that a conflict exists, the satellite set-top-box  200  may then display  814  the timer conflict graphically.  FIG. 10  shows one embodiment of a pop-up window or Timer Conflict Notification Window  1000  that requests user input to select and resolve each timer conflict. In this embodiment, the delivery device  208  creates a Timer Conflict Notification Window  1000  that identifies and presents timer conflicts using the graphical display  1012  previously described and embodied in  FIG. 4 . The Timer Conflict Notification Window  1000  may contain buttons or other graphical components for user input. One skilled in the art will recognize that other graphical-user-interfaces or man-machine interfaces for selecting a timer conflict may be possible. In this embodiment, buttons  1002 ,  1004 ,  1006 , and  1008  correspond to commands that may assist the user to select the identified timer conflicts. For example, the Timer Conflict Notification Window  1000  of this embodiment presents a graphical display  1012  that shows two timer conflicts, Conflict 1  1014  and Conflict 2  1016 . In this embodiment, the user may navigate and select Conflict 1  1014  or Conflict 2  1016  individually or by using the “PREVIOUS” button  1004  or the “NEXT” button  1006 . One skilled in the art will recognize that other ways of navigating through the graphical display  1012  and Timer Conflict Notification Window  1000  are possible. A “HELP” button  1008  may be provided for users who need help understanding timer conflicts. A “DONE” button  1002  may also be provided to allow users to indicate that all timer conflicts are resolved. One skilled in the art will recognize that many user commands that are helpful for selecting timer conflicts may be possible. Further, one skilled in the art will also recognize that the user interaction with the graphical display may be manual (e.g., selecting a button, program, or timer conflict), automatic (e.g., automatically exiting the Timer Conflict Notification Window  1000 , after resolving conflicting timers, without selecting the “DONE” button  1002 ), or by any combination thereof. Finally, the Timer Conflict Notification Window  1000  may provide status information helpful for resolution of conflicting timers. In this embodiment, status box  1010  notifies the user that the selected program record event corresponds to a record function on a DVR. One skilled in the art will recognize that the display of other information may be possible. For example, displayed information may also include an indication of whether a selected program corresponds to an automated viewing or any other type of reminder. Displayed information may also include an indication of what device or devices will record the selected program.  
         [0076]     Once displayed the satellite set-top-box  200  may accept user input  816  to help resolve the conflict. The user input  816  may include instructions to delete one of the timers, to edit when one of the timers records, or to skip an instance of a record for a repeating timer. One skilled in the art will recognize that other user input  816  is possible.  
         [0077]      FIG. 9  shows one embodiment of the graphical display to help users resolve the timer conflict. In this embodiment, the graphical display takes the form of a pop-up window or Timer Conflict Resolution Window  900  that requires user input  816 . In this embodiment, the Timer Conflict Resolution Window  900  includes a banner  904  acknowledging the presence of a timer conflict. The Timer Conflict Resolution Window  900  may also set forth the program data  908  associated with the conflicting timer. In this embodiment, the user is presented with two selections  910  for how to resolve the timer conflict. The first selection  912  allows the user to delete the conflicting timer. Alternatively, the second selection  914  allows the user to skip the conflicting timer during the conflicting time period identified by the program data  908 . Once the user makes a selection  912 , the user may then confirm the selection by pressing an “OK” button  918  or cancel the resolution of the timer conflict by pressing a “CANCEL” button  916 . One skilled in the art will recognize that other ways of resolving timer conflicts are possible.  
         [0078]     The satellite set-top-box  200  may then resolve the timer conflict  820  according to the user input. Resolving the conflict  820  may take different forms. If the user selects to delete the second timer, the satellite set-top-box may not finish the creation of the timer as opposed to creating the timer then deleting the timer. This process may delete the timer. One skilled in the art will recognize that the satellite set-top-box  200  may utilize different processes to follow the user&#39;s instructions. The user may determine to edit when one of the timers records. For instance, the user could instruct to start the second timer 30 minutes late to allow the first timer to finish. In addition, the user may decide to skip an instance of a record for a repeating timer. In other words, the user may instruct satellite set-top-box  200  to not record ABC at 8:00 p.m. this Sunday, but resume any remaining or recurring records for that timer after this Sunday. The satellite set-top-box  200  may execute these timer-resolution instructions. After the resolution of the timer conflict, the satellite set-top-box  200  may then record  822  the program or programs according to the changed timer or timers. One skilled in the art will recognize that other ways of processing timer conflict resolution instructions are possible.