Patent ID: 8391680

Claim:
A method of controlling a video recording device, the method comprising: a processor receiving input specifying a number of recording time quotas associated with corresponding media types of video programs selectable by a user for recording by the video recording device; the processor specifying a total amount of media storage allocable for recording video programs selected by the user; the processor measuring total time periods of recording of video programs for the media types to accumulate time totals for the media types; the processor, in conformity with a result of the measuring, automatically and without user intervention, adjusting the total amount of media storage allocable for recording the video programs selected by the user, wherein the adjusting increases the total amount of media storage if the result of the measuring indicates selection of more-preferable video programs by the user, and wherein the adjusting decreases the total amount of media storage if the result of the measuring indicates selection of less-preferable video programs by the user; the processor determining whether or not a given one of the time totals has exceeded a corresponding given time quota; and the processor, in response to determining that given time total has exceeded the corresponding time quota, taking action to prevent further exceeding the given time quota.