Program guide and reservation system for network based digital information and entertainment storage and delivery system

Abstract

In a broadband communications system, e.g., a cable system, programming content can be readily reserved and accessed for viewing using interactive program guides in accordance with the invention. Such programming content may include in-progress programs, future programs and previously broadcast programs which are recorded at a headend in the cable system, and which may or may not have overlapping broadcast times. In addition, the user may reserve programs at a set-top terminal, and may also do so remotely from the terminal through a communications network such as, the Internet, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a wireless telephone network, etc.

1 - 32 . (canceled)  
   
   
       33 . A method for providing content of a broadcast program, comprising: 
 receiving a request for review of content of a broadcast program, the request including an identifier of the broadcast program;    in response to the request, providing at least one option to select an extent of the broadcast program to be reserved for review; and    making available for review the broadcast program to the selected extent thereof after the selected extent of the broadcast program is broadcast.    
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the selected extent includes a full extent of the program.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the request is received while the broadcast program is being broadcast, the selected extent including content from a beginning of the broadcast program.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the broadcast program has one or more episodes related thereto, the selected extent including at least one of the episodes.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the broadcast program includes a TV program.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the broadcast program includes video content.  
   
   
       39 . A method for providing program content comprising: 
 providing a plurality of previews associated with a plurality of programs, respectively;    showing at least one of the previews; and    receiving a signal while the at least one preview is being shown, the signal indicating a reservation of the program, associated with the at least one preview, for subsequent review of content of the program.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the at least one preview includes information concerning a time of broadcast of the associated program.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the program includes a TV program.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the program includes video content.  
   
   
       43 - 98 . (canceled)  
   
   
       99 . A system for providing content of a broadcast program, comprising: 
 an interface for receiving a request for review of content of a broadcast program, the request including an identifier of the broadcast program;    a processor responsive to the request for providing at least one option to select an extent of the broadcast program to be reserved for review; and    a mechanism for making available for review the broad cast program to the selected extent thereof after the selected extent of the broadcast program is broadcast.    
   
   
       100 . The system of  claim 99  wherein the selected extent includes a full extent of the program.  
   
   
       101 . The system of  claim 99  wherein the request is received while the broadcast program is being broadcast, the selected extent including content from a beginning of the broadcast program.  
   
   
       102 . The system of  claim 99  wherein the broadcast program has one or more episodes related thereto, the selected extent including at least one of the episodes.  
   
   
       103 . The system of  claim 99  wherein the broadcast program includes a TV program.  
   
   
       104 . The system of  claim 99  wherein the broadcast program includes video content.  
   
   
       105 . A system for providing program content comprising: 
 a processor for providing a plurality of previews associated with a plurality of programs, respectively, at least one of the previews being shown; and    an interface for receiving a signal while the at least one preview is being shown, the signal indicating a reservation of the program, associated with the at least one preview, for subsequent review of content of the program.    
   
   
       106 . The system of  claim 105  wherein the at least one preview includes information concerning a time of broadcast of the associated program.  
   
   
       107 . The system of  claim 105  wherein the program includes a TV program.  
   
   
       108 . The system of  claim 105  wherein the program includes video content.  
   
   
       109 - 151 . (canceled)