Smart broadcast program recording padding and scheduling system

Abstract

A smart broadcast program recording padding and scheduling system provides a system for adjusting the start and end times of a broadcast program's recording schedule that has a predetermined start and end broadcast time and resolving any conflicts arising from conflicting scheduled program recordings. An on screen program guide is displayed to the viewer via a monitor or television that lists the predetermined scheduled broadcast times and channels of a plurality of broadcast programs. The viewer selects a particular broadcast program to record and the invention schedules the broadcast program to be recorded by inserting the program's information such as program identifier, start and end times, and storage duration into a recording schedule database. The viewer adjusts the scheduled start and/or end recording times for a specific program or series of programs by specifying the time increment (padding) to add or subtract from the start and/or end recording times and the invention adjusts the recording schedule for the program(s) using the padding values. Conflicts that arise from adjusted recording schedules are resolved using a priority scheme. Conflicting padding values and start and end recording times are adjusted using threshold values or by elimination. Broadcast programs are recorded onto a persistent storage device when the recording schedule indicates that it is time to do so.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for adjusting start and end times of a program recording schedule and resolving recording conflicts in a computer environment, comprising:
 selecting a particular program to record in response to user input, the particular program has a start and end availability time; 
 setting a program start recording time for the particular program to the start availability time and setting a program end recording time for the particular program to the end availability time; 
 allowing the user to select between an option of either adding or subtracting a first relative padding value specified in a first entry field to the program start recording time for the particular program and/or select between an option of either adding or subtracting a second relative padding value specified in a second entry field to the program end recording time for the particular program, the first relative padding value is displayed in the first entry field when the user specifies the first relative padding value to adjust the program start recording time in the first entry field and the second relative padding value is displayed in the second entry field when the user specifies the second relative padding value to adjust the program end recording time in the second entry field; 
 adjusting the program start recording time for the particular program using the first relative padding value specified by the user in the first entry field and/or adjusting the program end recording time for the particular program using the second relative padding value specified by the user in the second entry field; 
 determining whether any programs that have been previously scheduled for recording have start or end recording times that conflict with the particular program's adjusted program start recording time and/or adjusted program end recording time; 
 resolving any conflicts determined by the determining step by automatically adjusting recording characteristics for the particular program or for a conflicting program that was previously scheduled for recording; 
 scheduling a recording for the particular program; and 
 storing a program on at least one storage device in a digital format. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resolving step resolves a conflict using a priority scheme for each previously scheduled program recording. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein priorities of previously scheduled program recordings are determined explicitly and implicitly by the user's actions. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resolving step automatically adjusts conflicting adjusted program start recording time and/or adjusted program end recording time for the particular program to resolve any determined conflicts. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the amount of the adjustment of the conflicting adjusted program start recording time and/or adjusted program end recording time for the particular program is determined using a threshold value. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resolving step automatically adjusts any conflicting previously scheduled start and/or end recording times of programs in favor of the adjusted program start recording time and/or the adjusted program end recording time for the particular program to resolve any determined conflicts. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the amount of the adjustment of any conflicting previously scheduled start and/or end recording times of programs is determined using a threshold value. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining step notifies the user of a conflict. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving program guide information; 
 wherein the program guide information contains program information and associated availability times; and 
 wherein the determining step reviews scheduled program recordings for conflicts using the program guide information. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 displaying a program guide to the user; 
 wherein the user selects the particular program from the program guide. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user is allowed to specify a desired amount of time to be added to or subtracted from an end recording time while a corresponding program is being recorded. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 playing back a program stored on the at least one storage device to the user. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a recording schedule contains program identifiers and start and end times of programs to be recorded, and 
 wherein the recording step records programs on the at least one storage device according to the recording schedule. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resolving step automatically cancels conflicting padding in a previously scheduled start and/or end recording time of a program and also cancels conflicting padding in the program start recording time and/or program end recording time for the particular program to resolve a conflict. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resolving step automatically reschedules recording of a conflicting previously scheduled program to resolve a conflict. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus for adjusting start and end times of a program recording schedule and resolving recording conflicts in a computer environment, comprising:
 a selection subsystem that selects a particular program to record in response to user input, the particular program has a start and end availability time; 
 a recording time subsystem that sets a program start recording time for the particular program to the start availability time and sets a program end recording time for the particular program to the end availability time; 
 a user interface that allows the user to select between an option of either adding or subtracting a first padding value specified in a first entry field to the program start recording time for the particular program and/or select between an option of either adding or subtracting a second padding value specified in a second entry field to the program end recording time for the particular program, without the user specifying the program start recording time when the user specifies the first padding value to adjust the program start recording time in the first entry field or edit the program end recording time when the user specifies the second padding value to adjust the program end recording time in the second entry field; 
 an adjusting subsystem that adjusts the program start recording time for the particular program using the first relative padding value specified by the user in the first entry field and/or adjusting the program end recording time for the particular program using the second relative padding value specified by the user in the second entry field; 
 a conflict checking subsystem that determines whether any programs that have been previously scheduled for recording have start or end recording times that conflict with the particular program's adjusted program start recording time and/or adjusted program end recording time; 
 a resolution subsystem that automatically resolves any conflicts determined by the conflict checking subsystem by automatically adjusting recording characteristics for the particular program or for a conflicting program that was previously scheduled for recording; 
 a scheduling subsystem that schedules a recording for the particular program; and 
 a recording subsystem that stores a program on at least one storage device in a digital format. 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the resolution subsystem resolves a conflict using a priority scheme for each previously scheduled program recording. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein priorities of previously scheduled program recordings are determined explicitly and implicitly by the user's actions. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the resolution subsystem automatically adjusts conflicting adjusted program start recording time and/or adjusted program end recording time for the particular program to resolve any determined conflicts. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the amount of the adjustment of the conflicting adjusted program start recording time and/or adjusted program end recording time for the particular program is determined using a threshold value. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the resolution subsystem automatically adjusts any conflicting previously scheduled start and/or end recording times of programs in favor of the adjusted program start recording time and/or the adjusted program end recording time for the particular program to resolve any determined conflicts. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the amount of the adjustment of any conflicting previously scheduled start and/or end recording times of programs is determined using a threshold value. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the conflict checking subsystem notifies the user of a conflict. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a program guide subsystem that receives program guide information; 
 wherein the program guide information contains program information and associated availability times; and 
 wherein the conflict checking subsystem reviews scheduled program recordings for conflicts using the program guide information. 
 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 a program guide display subsystem that displays a program guide to the user; 
 wherein the user selects the particular program from the program guide. 
 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the user is allowed to specify a desired amount of time to be added to or subtracted from an end recording time while a corresponding program is being recorded. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a playback subsystem that plays back a program stored on the at least one storage device to the user. 
 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a recording schedule; 
 wherein the recording schedule contains program identifiers and start and end times of programs to be recorded; and 
 wherein the recording subsystem records programs on the at least one storage device according to the recording schedule. 
 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the resolution subsystem automatically cancels conflicting padding in a previously scheduled start and/or end recording time of a program and also cancels conflicting padding in the program start recording time and/or program end recording time for the particular program to resolve a conflict. 
     
     
       30. The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the resolution subsystem automatically reschedules recording of a conflicting previously scheduled program to resolve a conflict. 
     
     
       31. A method, comprising:
 receiving a user command to create a wish list for a content that may be shown in the future, the wish list specifying search criteria for the content;   allowing the user to select between an option of either adding or subtracting a first relative padding value specified in a first entry field to a content start recording time for content meeting the search criteria in the wish list and/or select between an option of either adding or subtracting a second relative padding value specified in a second entry field to a content end recording time for content meeting the search criteria in the wish list, the first relative padding value is displayed in the first entry field when the user specifies the first relative padding value to adjust the content start recording time in the first entry field and the second relative padding value is displayed in the second entry field when the user specifies the second relative padding value to adjust the content end recording time in the second entry field;   periodically searching a program guide information using the search criteria for content in the program guide information that meet the search criteria;   in response to finding content in that meet the search criteria, automatically setting a content start recording time for the found content to a start availability time and setting a content end recording time for the found content to an end availability time;   adjusting the content start recording time for the found content using the first relative padding value specified by the user in the first entry field and/or adjusting the content end recording time for the found content using the second relative padding value specified by the user in the second entry field;   scheduling a recording for the found content;   recording, according to the scheduled recording, the found content on at least one storage device in a digital format.   
     
     
       32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:
 determining whether any content that have been previously scheduled for recording have start or end recording times that conflict with the found content's adjusted program start recording time and/or adjusted program end recording time;   resolving any conflicts determined by the determining step by automatically adjusting recording characteristics for the found content or for a conflicting content that was previously scheduled for recording.   
     
     
       33. The method of claim 32, wherein the resolving step resolves a conflict using a priority scheme for each previously scheduled program recording. 
     
     
       34. The method of claim 33, wherein priorities of previously scheduled content recordings are determined explicitly and implicitly by a user's actions. 
     
     
       35. The method of claim 32, wherein the resolving step automatically adjusts conflicting adjusted content start recording time and/or adjusted content end recording time for the found content to resolve any determined conflicts. 
     
     
       36. The method of claim 35, wherein the amount of the adjustment of the conflicting adjusted content start recording time and/or adjusted content end recording time for the found content is determined using a threshold value. 
     
     
       37. The method of claim 32, wherein the resolving step automatically adjusts any conflicting previously scheduled start and/or end recording times of content in favor of the adjusted content start recording time and/or the adjusted content end recording time for the found content to resolve any determined conflicts. 
     
     
       38. The method of claim 37, wherein the amount of the adjustment of any conflicting previously scheduled start and/or end recording times of content is determined using a threshold value. 
     
     
       39. The method of claim 32, wherein the determining step notifies the user of a conflict. 
     
     
       40. The method of claim 31, further comprising:
 receiving program guide information;   wherein the program guide information contains content information and associated availability times.   
     
     
       41. The method of claim 31, further comprising:
 displaying a list of found content scheduled for recording.   
     
     
       42. The method of claim 31, further comprising:
 receiving a user command specifying a desired amount of time to be added to or subtracted from an end recording time while a corresponding content is being recorded;   adjusting the end recording time according to the user command.   
     
     
       43. The method of claim 31, further comprising:
 playing back a content stored on the at least one storage device.   
     
     
       44. The method of claim 32, wherein the resolving step automatically cancels conflicting padding in a previously scheduled start and/or end recording time of a content and also cancels conflicting padding in the program start recording time and/or program end recording time for the found content to resolve a conflict. 
     
     
       45. The method of claim 32, wherein the resolving step automatically reschedules recording of a conflicting previously scheduled content to resolve a conflict. 
     
     
       46. An apparatus, comprising:
 a receiver subsystem that receives a user command to create a wish list for a content that may be shown in the future, the wish list specifying search criteria for the content;   a user interface that allows the user to select between an option of either adding or subtracting a first relative padding value specified in a first entry field to a content start recording time for content meeting the search criteria in the wish list and/or select between an option of either adding or subtracting a second relative padding value specified in a second entry field to a content end recording time for content meeting the search criteria in the wish list, the first relative padding value is displayed in the first entry field when the user specifies the first relative padding value to adjust the content start recording time in the first entry field and the second relative padding value is displayed in the second entry field when the user specifies the second relative padding value to adjust the content end recording time in the second entry field;   a search subsystem that periodically searches a program guide information using the search criteria for content in the program guide information that meet the search criteria;   a recording time subsystem that in response to finding content in that meet the search criteria, automatically sets a content start recording time for the found content to a start availability time and setting a content end recording time for the found content to an end availability time;   an adjusting subsystem that adjusts the content start recording time for the found content using the first relative padding value specified by the user in the first entry field and/or adjusting the content end recording time for the found content using the second relative padding value specified by the user in the second entry field;   a scheduling subsystem that schedules a recording for the found content;   a recording subsystem that records, according to the scheduled recording, the found content on at least one storage device in a digital format.   
     
     
       47. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising:
 a conflict checking subsystem that determines whether any content that have been previously scheduled for recording have start or end recording times that conflict with the found content's adjusted program start recording time and/or adjusted program end recording time;   a resolution subsystem that automatically resolves any conflicts determined by the determining step by adjusting recording characteristics for the found content or for a conflicting content that was previously scheduled for recording.   
     
     
       48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the resolution subsystem resolves a conflict using a priority scheme for each previously scheduled program recording. 
     
     
       49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein priorities of previously scheduled content recordings are determined explicitly and implicitly by a user's actions. 
     
     
       50. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the resolution subsystem automatically adjusts conflicting adjusted content start recording time and/or adjusted content end recording time for the found content to resolve any determined conflicts. 
     
     
       51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the amount of the adjustment of the conflicting adjusted content start recording time and/or adjusted content end recording time for the found content is determined using a threshold value. 
     
     
       52. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the resolution subsystem automatically adjusts any conflicting previously scheduled start and/or end recording times of content in favor of the adjusted content start recording time and/or the adjusted content end recording time for the found content to resolve any determined conflicts. 
     
     
       53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the amount of the adjustment of any conflicting previously scheduled start and/or end recording times of content is determined using a threshold value. 
     
     
       54. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the conflict checking subsystem notifies the user of a conflict. 
     
     
       55. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising:
 a program guide subsystem that receives program guide information;   wherein the program guide information contains content information and associated availability times.   
     
     
       56. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising:
 a found content display subsystem that displays a list of found content scheduled for recording.   
     
     
       57. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the receiver subsystem receives a user command specifying a desired amount of time to be added to or subtracted from an end recording time while a corresponding content is being recorded; and wherein the recording subsystem adjusts the end recording time according to the user command. 
     
     
       58. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising:
 a playback subsystem that plays back a content stored on the at least one storage device.   
     
     
       59. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the resolution subsystem automatically cancels conflicting padding in a previously scheduled start and/or end recording time of a content and also cancels conflicting padding in the program start recording time and/or program end recording time for the found content to resolve a conflict. 
     
     
       60. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the resolution subsystem automatically reschedules recording of a conflicting previously scheduled content to resolve a conflict.