Apparatus and methods for downloading recorder programming data in a video signal

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling recording of video programs. In one embodiment an apparatus for controlling the recording of video programs includes a device for retrieving a recorder identifier and recorder programming data from a television signal received from a television signal source, a device for determining whether the retrieved recorder identifier matches a first identifier for the apparatus, a device for storing the recorder programming data, if the retrieved recorder identifier matches the first identifier for the apparatus, and a device for using the stored recorder programming data to control recording. The device for retrieving a recorder identifier and recorder programming data from a television signal includes a vertical blanking interval decoder.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
   
   
       29 . A method of converting program selection criteria into a set of recording data to control a recording of one or more programs, the method comprising:
 generating an identifier that is unique to at least one of a plurality of user terminals;   providing the unique identifier and the program selection criteria to a representative located at a remote site;   converting, at the remote site, the program selection criteria into the set of recording data, the set of recording data comprising broadcast times of the one or more programs; and   inserting into a broadcast information signal at the remote site, the unique identifier and the set of recording data, wherein the set of recording data is used to control the recording of the one or more programs at the at least one of the plurality of user terminals.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein generating the unique identifier comprises:
 initiating counting of a first counter and a second counter;   halting the counting of the first counter responsive to receipt of a first user command;   halting the counting of the second counter responsive to receipt of a second user command; and   combining the first counter and the second counter to generate the unique identifier.   
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the program selection criteria comprises a plain language description of the one or more programs. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the broadcast times of the one or more programs are unscheduled at a time that the program selection criteria is provided to the representative. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising transmitting the broadcast information signal to the plurality of user terminals. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33 , the method further comprising storing the set of recording data only at the at least one of the plurality of user terminals having the unique identifier. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the set of recording data is in the form of a compressed code. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the remote site comprises a network head end. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the remote site comprises a local cable head end. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the inserting comprises inserting the unique identifier and the set of recording data into a vertical blanking interval of the broadcast information signal. 
   
   
       39 . A system for converting program selection criteria into a set of recording data to control a recording of one or more programs, the system comprising:
 a generator for generating an identifier that is unique to at least one of a plurality of user terminals;   a remote site operative to communicate with the at least one of the plurality of user terminals and operative to:   receive the unique identifier and the program selection criteria;   convert the program selection criteria into the set of recording data, the set of recording data comprising broadcast times of the one or more programs; and   insert into a broadcast information signal the unique identifier and the set of recording data, wherein the set of recording data is used to control the recording of the one or more programs at the at least one of the plurality of user terminals.   
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein generating the unique identifier comprises:
 initiating counting of a first counter and a second counter;   halting the counting of the first counter responsive to receipt of a first user command;   halting the counting of the second counter responsive to receipt of a second user command; and   combining the first counter and the second counter to generate the unique identifier.   
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the program selection criteria comprises a plain language description of the one or more programs. 
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the broadcast times of the one or more programs are unscheduled at a time that the program selection criteria is received by the remote site. 
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 39 , further comprising transmitting the broadcast information signal to the plurality of user terminals. 
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 43 , the system further comprising storing the set of recording data only at the at least one of the plurality of user terminals having the unique identifier. 
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the set of recording data is in the form of a compressed code. 
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the remote site comprises a network head end. 
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the remote site comprises a local cable head end. 
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the inserting comprises inserting the unique identifier and the set of recording data into a vertical blanking interval of the broadcast information signal.