Patent ID: 8417781

Claim:
A method of controlling operation of a personal video recorder (“PVR”), the method comprising: identifying a message point in operation of a PVR, the message point having an associated message point identification, the identifying further comprising encountering the message point identification in operation of PVR application software; selecting, in dependence upon the message point identification, a message to be transmitted, the message indicating that a user has a deficit amount for the user's PVR storage space, the deficit amount specifying the amount that a storage space requirement for a show to be recorded exceeds the user's free space; transmitting the selected message to the user, the message comprising a non-blocking, asynchronous post message or a blocking, synchronous send message, wherein the message created by the PVR is transmitted to the user through a Small Messaging Service supported by a telecommunications service; receiving a response to the transmitted selected message, the response specifying the user's preference in administering the deficit amount; selecting, in dependence upon the response, a command to be executed, the command administering the user's deficit amount; and executing the command.