KR20070022652A - System and method for customizing programming reminders - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for allowing a user to control and customize a program reminder for reminding of an upcoming television programming event (s) desired by the user. The reminder customizer 107 is provided with reminder options 213, 215, 217 that allow the user to control which device (s) the reminder appears on.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CUSTOMIZING PROGRAMMING REMINDERS}

The present invention relates generally to television systems, and more particularly to systems and methods that allow a user to control and customize reminder features associated with a television system for reminding the user of upcoming programming events. have.

A wide range of television services, including satellite television systems, are common today. In the case of satellite television, the problem of range and distortion is solved by transmitting broadcast signals from satellites orbiting the earth. Satellite television systems use a special antenna (satellite dish) to transmit and receive wireless signals, and most satellite TV customers use their direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers such as DirectTV ™ or Dish Network ™ for programming. Get Currently, one in ten households is subscribed to satellite television services, and this number is expected to double in the next two years.

Unlike previous satellite programming, the provider's broadcast is completely digital. Digital television (DTV) is a transmission of television signals using a digital method rather than a conventional analog method. Set-top boxes are devices that allow analog television receivers to be the user interface to the Internet and also to receive and decode digital television (DTV) broadcasts.

DTV set-top boxes (also known as receivers) are required for television viewers to enable their current analog television receivers to receive digital broadcasts. Digital television set-top boxes are used in a variety of applications such as satellite, cable, and terrestrial DTV services. It is estimated that 35 million homes will use digital set-top boxes by the end of 2006, the estimated year to end the transition to DTV.

Generally, a digital-set top box runs an operating system, for example LINUX ™ or WINDOWS CE ™, and includes one or more microprocessors for parsing MPEG transport streams. Set-top boxes also include RAM, MPEG decoder chips and other chips for audio decoding and processing. The content of the set-top box depends on the DTV standard used. More sophisticated set top boxes include downloaded software and a hard drive to store recorded television broadcasts for other applications provided by DTV service providers.

Often there are a plurality of other devices connected to television receivers in various configurations, including digital video recorders, DVD players, standard cable boxes, and the like.

If there are multiple television receivers in a household, there may be a situation in which the user wants to be reminded about a programming event, regardless of which television receiver was used to generate the reminder.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method for allowing a user to efficiently and flexibly customize a programming event reminder to a desired television receiver in a convenient manner.

The present invention allows the user to control and customize reminder features for reminding the user of upcoming programming events. The reminder customizer feature according to the present invention can be implemented in any device (e.g., receiver, cable receiver, non-receiver device, etc. for a satellite television system), and the device (s) (e.g. television) in which the reminder will appear. Provide the user with the ability to select a receiver).

In one aspect, a method is provided for customizing a reminder for a programming event, the method comprising providing a reminder customizer on a first device, wherein the reminder customizer includes a plurality of reminders for which the reminder will appear. A reminder option feature that allows a user to indicate at least one of the devices.

In another aspect, a method is provided for customizing a reminder for a programming event, the method comprising providing a reminder customizer on a set-top box and a user for interactive communication with the reminder customizer. Providing an interface, wherein the user interface provides a reminder option feature for allowing a user to indicate at least one of a plurality of devices capable of displaying the programming event upon which the reminder will appear.

In another aspect, an apparatus is provided for customizing a reminder for a programming event, the reminder option feature 213 for allowing a user to select at least one device and display a reminder on the device. 215, 217). A controller is provided for controlling the connection of the decoded signal to at least one device in accordance with the user-selected reminder option.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be described or become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

1 is an exemplary schematic illustration of a system with a reminder customizer in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

2 shows an exemplary schematic illustration of a network system, wherein each device comprises a reminder customizer according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

3 illustrates an exemplary user interface for customizing a programming event reminder in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

4 illustrates an example flow diagram for customizing a programming event reminder in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

It is to be understood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating the concepts of the invention and are not necessarily the only possible configurations for illustrating the invention.

The present invention provides a system and method for allowing a user to control and customize the setting of reminder features at a device (eg, a receiver) for reminding a user of an upcoming programming event (s). The apparatus may include, for example, a set top box for a satellite television system, a cable box in a cable system, a digital video recorder or any receiver or non-receiver device. The reminder option feature is provided for the user to select the device (s) for which the reminder will appear. A system according to one embodiment of the invention is an example connected to (eg, directly or indirectly through a physical or wireless connection) at least one of a plurality of devices (eg, a television receiver, a display, and / or another device). For example, it includes a device for receiving a video / audio signal. Alternatively, the invention can be implemented in a system comprising a plurality of devices, each device being connected (physically / wirelessly, directly / indirectly) to at least one device.

The reminder feature according to the present invention may be any device that may or may not act as a signal decoder (eg, the signal may be decoded by a cable or satellite box and then input into a digital video recorder with a remind timer option). It should be noted that it can be incorporated into (eg, digital video recorders, set top boxes, etc.).

The elements shown in the figures may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Preferably, these elements are implemented in software in one or more properly programmed general purpose devices, which devices may include a processor, memory, and an input / output interface.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary schematic illustration of a system 100 including an apparatus 102 in communication with a plurality of devices, such as, for example, TV1 111, TV2 113, and auxiliary device 115. Is given. Auxiliary device 115 may include any device capable of wired and / or wireless communication with receiver 102 such as, for example, a phone, cell phone, beeper, PDA device, desktop or laptop computer, and the like. And is preferably enabled to allow user interaction and communication with the receiver 102. Note that the secondary device (s) may be in wireless communication with and / or physically connected to the appliance 102.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes only, the device 102 comprises a receiver and thus audio / video (A / V) as well as a memory 105 and an interface controller 109. ), A decoder 103 for decoding the signal 101, which are all operatively connected to each other as shown in FIG. 1. The reminder customizer 107 is provided operably connected to the interface controller 109 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. If any selected user-specified reminder option is present, then / dependent upon the interface controller 109 is any device connected to the device 102 of the decoded signal (here, for example, the television receiver 111 And 113) and the secondary device 115). The process of selecting / entering reminder options is described in more detail in FIG. 3 below. The device 102 may include other features / elements known in the art (eg, microprocessors, operating systems) using protocols known in the art.

It should be noted that the reminder customizer 107 of the present invention may be implemented in any device (eg, regardless of whether this device operates as a signal decoder).

2 gives an exemplary schematic illustration of a network system according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a plurality of devices (eg, device 1 120 and device 2 130) may be provided with a reminder customizer 107, respectively. Each of the plurality of devices 120, 130 not only communicates with at least one output device, but also preferably with each other (eg, device 120 communicates with device 125, and device 130 communicates with a device ( 135). Each device 120 and / or device 130 may be able to communicate directly (eg, wirelessly) with another device that is not physically connected, as shown by arrow 140. Alternatively, each device may communicate indirectly with the device, for example, the device 120 may communicate indirectly with the device 135 via the device 130. In a preferred embodiment, device 120 and / or device 130 may comprise a receiver.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a user may set a reminder timer option at the receiver 120 to request that a reminder appear on device 125 and / or device 135.

User interface 200 is preferably provided, wherein a user can access this user interface using any device (eg, a television receiver, PDA) operably connected to appliance 102. FIG. 3 illustrates an example user interface 200 that includes, for example, a setup screen that allows the user to enter / select information related to the program (s) desired to be reminded (eg, a television programming event). ). This information includes various reminder timer titles 201, program channel 203, program start time 205, program end time 207, required reminder frequency 209 and start date of reminder (s) 211. It may include. In one embodiment, when the reminder timer title 201 is selected, the information in items 203, 205, and 207 is stored in the channel (s), date (s), and period (s) corresponding to the selected reminder timer title. It is set automatically. In another embodiment, the user can manually enter such data according to the required program.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the reminder customizer 107 may include a reminder option feature {e.g., the setup screen 200) to allow the user to indicate the device (s) that the program reminder wants to appear. } Through. The reminder option feature can be facilitated via a variety of inputs, for example, a check-off box 213, a reminder generated for setting reminders for all devices (e.g. TVs, mobile phones, etc.). A box 215 for setting the reminder to appear only on the device being and / or a box 217 for setting the reminder (s) to appear only on the indicated device (s). Advantageously, this provides the user with the ability to select the correct device (s) that the user wishes to have the program reminder appear. It should be noted that the device to which the reminder is designated to appear may or may not be a device that can actually display programming events.

The device location where the user wants the reminder to appear often depends on the type of program the user wants to be reminded of. As such, the flexibility and customization of reminder options facilitated by the present invention is particularly advantageous. For example, in a situation such as when a user purchases a pay-per-view program and wants to be reminded on all devices connected to the device 102, the user may select the box 213. . In other locations than those used to create reminders, there may be other situations where the user does not want to be reminded about an upcoming program, for example, if an adult user wants a reminder for an upcoming "R-Rated" movie. If desired, the user may not want to be reminded of this event on the living room television, which is also accessible by the children of the household. In this situation, box 215 may be selected. If there is a particular device that the user wants to be reminded of, the user can select box 217 and enter these devices manually, or box 217 is available that can be individually selected by the user. Enable the menu of the device

The present invention relates to " auto-tuning " for automatically setting a suitable television (set to display a reminder according to a user's input) to the appropriate channel at the time / date at which the program to be "reminded" is turned on. -tune "feature 219 is also included. For example, a user may have auto-tuning (as shown in FIG. 3) on all devices (221), or only on the devices used to generate the reminders (223), or on user-specified device (s) (225). ), A check-off box (shown in FIG. 3) may be presented to specify what is to be performed.

As described further below with reference to FIG. 4, if, for example, the user fails to select any check-off box to specify reminder options or auto-tuning features, various user-specified and / Or the factory-specified default mode (s) can be programmed to be operated by the user.

4 illustrates an example flow diagram 300 of a method of creating / editing a programming event reminder, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. In step 301, the user wants to be reminded about at least one programming event and / or edits the existing reminder (s). It should be noted that the term “programming event” refers to any broadcast television program, for example.

In step 303, the user accesses not only "preliminary reminder" data (e.g. reminder frequency and reminder start date), but also a setup screen (e.g., setup screen 200) and enter / select desired program data. do. In decision box 307, the user is presented with reminder option features, such as, for example, an option to select the device (s) for which the reminder is to be displayed. Such device (s) may include not only television receivers, but also PDAs, cellular phones, land phones, and the like, which may be in wireless communication with and / or physically connected to the receiver.

In step 309, the user may enter / select the device for which the reminder is to be displayed. In decision box 311, the user is presented with the option to customize the auto-tuning feature on the desired device (s) (e.g., such that the program in which the reminder is generated is automatically tuned at a specified time and date). The user can then enter / select the desired customized auto-tuning feature (step 313). In step 312, if no selection is made, the system can enter a default auto-tuning mode (eg, where auto-tuning is only performed on the input device). It should be noted that the default mode may be changed by the user as desired so that the auto-tuning feature is performed on any device (s) desired or alternatively not at all.

At step 315, if there is no selection by the user as to where the reminder would like to appear, the system may enter the default reminder / auto-tune mode (step 317). For example, a default reminder mode may be included, where the reminder and auto-tuning will only appear on the device used to create the reminder. Note that this default mode may be changed by the user as desired, for example, to allow the reminder / auto-tuning feature to be performed on any device (s).

At decision box 319, the user is presented with the option to create another reminder. If yes, the method returns to step 305. If no, the user's action is terminated (step 321).

Although embodiments incorporating the teachings of the invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can still readily devise many other variations of the embodiments incorporating these teachings. Having described the preferred embodiments (for the purpose of description and not of limitation) for systems and methods having the ability to allow a user to customize reminder features for programming events, modifications and changes are described in the above teachings. It is noted that it may be performed by those skilled in the art in view of the present invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the invention disclosed within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the invention has been described with details and specificity as required by the patent law, and those claimed, claimed and protected by the Letters Patent are described in the appended claims.

The present invention is generally available for television systems, and more particularly for systems and methods that allow a user to control and customize reminder features associated with a television system for reminding the user of upcoming programming events. Do.

Claims (17)

As a way to customize the reminders for programming events: Providing a reminder customizer 107 on the first device (102, 120), the reminder customizer (107) indicating at least one device of the plurality of devices in which the reminder will appear. And a reminder option feature (213, 215, 217) to allow. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a second device 130, wherein the second device 130 is in communication with the first devices 102, 120, wherein the reminder is to be displayed. The device indicated is operably connected to the second device (130). 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the reminder customizer 107 further comprises a customizable auto-tuning feature 219, the feature being configured on a device where the programming event at which the reminder is generated is required at a specified time and date. A method for customizing a reminder that allows a user to specify that they are automatically synchronized to. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating a default mode (317) if the user does not specify a device on which the reminder will appear. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the default mode (317) is customizable by the user. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least one of a television, a PDA, a computer, a cellular phone, and a landline telephone. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device (102, 120) comprises a receiver. As a way to customize reminders for programming events, Providing a reminder customizer 107 on the set top box; A method for customizing, comprising the step of providing a user interface 200 for interactive communication with the reminder customizer 107, The user interface 200 provides a reminder option feature 213, 215, 217 to allow a user to indicate at least one of a plurality of devices capable of displaying the programming event for which the reminder will appear. How to customize reminders. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing a second device 130, wherein the second device 130 communicates with the set top box, and wherein the selected device for which the reminder is to appear is the second device 130. A method for customizing a reminder, operably linked to). 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the reminder customizer 107 further includes a customizable auto-tuning feature 219, the feature being configured on a device where the programming event at which the reminder is generated is required at a specified time and date. A method for customizing a reminder that allows a user to specify that they are automatically synchronized to. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising activating a default mode (317) if the user does not specify a device on which the reminder will appear. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the default mode (317) is customizable by the user. The method of claim 8, wherein the device comprises at least one of a television, a PDA, a computer, a mobile phone and a landline phone. As a device for customizing reminders for programming events: A reminder customizer 107 including reminder option features 213, 215, 217 to allow a user to select at least one device and display a reminder on the device, A controller (109) for controlling a connection of the decoded signal to at least one device in accordance with the user-selected reminder option. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a decoder (103) for providing a decoded signal from an input signal. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the reminder customizer 107 further includes a customizable auto-tuning feature 219, wherein the feature is configured on a device where the programming event at which the reminder is generated is required at a specified time and date. A device for customizing reminders that allows a user to specify that they are automatically tuned to. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the device comprises at least one of a television, a PDA, a computer, a mobile phone and a landline phone.

Images