Interactive television program guide with simultaneous watch and record capabilities

Abstract

An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may use the program guide to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program without interrupting the recording or viewing process. This interactive television program guide system also allows a user the to utilize all or some of the program guide features while in the watch and record mode depending on the embodiment that is being implemented. Further, this watch and record system may be implemented using a multiple tuner set-top box or a single tuner set-top box with a RF bypass or digital switch. In addition to a set-top box, the system may be implemented using a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory, or a computer. The various implementations provide a very versatile watch and record environment for the user.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application No. 60 / 089,487, filed Jun. 16, 1998.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to interactive television program guides, and more particularly, to television program guides that allow users to record one program while simultaneously watching a different program. [0003] Interactive program guides are typically implemented on set-top boxes. The program guides implemented on set-top boxes allow users to view television program listings. In addition, some program guides allow the user to select a program to be recorded. When the selected program begins, the program guide tunes the set-top box to the channel showing the program and directs a videocassette recorder (“VCR”) to begin recording. At the end of the selected program, the program guide stops the recording process. [0004] A significant disadvantage to the program guides that are currently available is that they are generally based on set-top boxe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention allows users of interactive television program guides to watch one program while recording another simultaneously. This is done by selecting the program to be recorded while viewing the program guide's listings display screen using a remote control device. The selection is then stored in memory and can be used later. If there are multiple tuners in the set-top box, the guide will allocate one of them for recording the program. The invention can also be used with a single tuner and a radio-frequency bypass or digital switch, allowing the user to watch and record at the same time.

Problems solved by technology

A significant disadvantage to the program guides that are currently available is that they are generally based on set-top boxes that contain one tuner (although set-top boxes containing two tuners have been proposed).

A program may be selected for recording using such one-tuner program guides, however, a viewer is unable to watch one program while simultaneously recording another.

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