Electronic program guide with digital storage

Abstract

An interactive television program guide system with digital storage is provided. The program guide gives users the ability to store information associated with recorded programs in a directory in the digital storage device thereby providing easy access to program information. The program guide may also provide a global media library for indicating the programs stored on removable storage media used with the program guide. The guide may also allow the user to manage and maintain a user media library to do the same. Non-time-sensitive data associated with recorded programs may be stored in a way that allows the user to interact with the data on playback as if the program were being originally aired. The program guide also allows the user to define “super-programs” for playback of a sequence of stored programs or program segments.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system in which programs and associated program data are displayed for users by an interactive television program guide implemented on user television equipment, comprising: 
 means for displaying the programs and associated program data on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide; and    means for digitally storing the programs and associated program data in a digital storage device contained in the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.    
     
     
         2 . The system defined in  claim 1  wherein the display means further comprises means for displaying a set-up screen on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         3 . The system defined in  claim 2  wherein the set-up screen comprises means for providing a user with an opportunity to define one or more storage options.  
     
     
         4 . The system defined in  claim 3  wherein the storage options comprise one or more storage options selected from the group consisting of: languages, video format, enforcement of parental control on storage, and auto-erasing viewed entries.  
     
     
         5 . The system defined in  claim 4  further comprising means for digitally storing the programs in a language on a digital storage device with the interactive television program guide using the language storage option.  
     
     
         6 . The system defined in  claim 4  further comprising means for digitally storing the programs in a video format on a digital storage device with the interactive television program guide using the video format storage option.  
     
     
         7 . The system defined in  claim 4  further comprising means for digitally storing the programs and associated program data on a digital storage device with the interactive television program guide using the enforcement of parental control on storage option.  
     
     
         8 . The system defined in  claim 4  further comprising means for automatically deleting programs and associated program data from a digital storage device with the interactive television program guide using the auto-erase viewed entries storage option.  
     
     
         9 . The system defined in  claim 2  wherein the set-up screen comprises means for providing a user with an opportunity to define playback options.  
     
     
         10 . The system defined in  claim 9  wherein the playback options comprise one or more playback options selected from the group consisting of: default language, default video format, skip commercials.  
     
     
         11 . The system defined in  claim 10  wherein the display means displays the digitally stored programs and associated program data in a language on the user television program equipment with the interactive television program guide using the default language playback option.  
     
     
         12 . The system defined in  claim 10  wherein the display means displays the digitally stored programs and program data in a video format on the user television equipment with the interactive television program guide using the default video format playback option.  
     
     
         13 . The system defined in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 means for determining whether the digitally stored programs contain advertising using the interactive television program guide; and  
 wherein the display means skips displaying the advertising information when displaying the digitally stored programs and programming data with the interactive television program guide using the skip commercials playback option.  
 
     
     
         14 . The system defined in  claim 2  wherein the set-up screen comprises means for providing a user with an opportunity to select components for display in screens that display program information.  
     
     
         15 . The system defined in  claim 1  wherein the display means further comprises means for displaying a recording schedule screen on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         16 . The system defined in  claim 15  wherein the recording schedule screen comprises: 
 an indication of the programs currently scheduled for storage by the digital storage means;  
 means for providing a user with an opportunity to select one of the programs; and  
 wherein the display means further comprises means for displaying a selected program listing information screen for the selected program on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
 
     
     
         17 . The system defined in  claim 16  wherein the selected program listing information screen comprises one or more fields of associated program data for the selected program.  
     
     
         18 . The system defined in  claim 17  wherein the selected program listing information screen further comprises: 
 one or more user fields; and  
 means for providing a user with an opportunity to enter user information into one or more of the user fields.  
 
     
     
         19 . The system defined in  claim 1  wherein the display means further comprises means for displaying a program listings screen on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide, the program listings screen comprising means for providing the user with an opportunity to select a program listing.  
     
     
         20 . The system defined in  claim 19  wherein the means for displaying a program listings screen further comprises means for displaying program listings in subsets of listings according to one or more organization criteria.  
     
     
         21 . The system defined in  claim 20  further comprising means for providing a user with an opportunity to select the organization criteria.  
     
     
         22 . The system defined in  claim 20  further comprising means for providing a user with an opportunity to define the organization criteria.  
     
     
         23 . The system defined in  claim 19  wherein the means for displaying a program listings screen further comprises means for displaying program listings in sorted lists according to sorting criteria.  
     
     
         24 . The system defined in  claim 23  further comprising means for providing the user with an opportunity to select the sorting criteria.  
     
     
         25 . The system defined in  claim 19  wherein the program listing screen comprises listings of programs stored by the digital storage means.  
     
     
         26 . The system defined in  claim 19  wherein the display means further comprises means for displaying a program listings information screen for the selected program listing on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         27 . The system defined in  claim 26  wherein the program listings information screen comprises one or more fields of associated program data selected from the group consisting of: title, description, episode, channel, duration, viewed, cast members, category(ies), language, video format, start and end time, date, re-run indicator, stereo indicator, close-captioned indicator, and other information.  
     
     
         28 . The system defined in  claim 25  wherein: 
 the display means further comprises means for displaying one or more on-screen options; and  
 further comprising means for providing a user with an opportunity to select an on-screen option.  
 
     
     
         29 . The system defined in  claim 19  wherein the means for displaying program listings further comprises means for displaying program listings in a program listings grid.  
     
     
         30 . The system defined in  claim 29  wherein the program listings grid contains one or more rows of listings of programs stored by the digital storage means.  
     
     
         31 . The system defined in  claim 1  wherein the display means further comprises means for displaying the digitally stored programs and associated program data on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide to provide users with an opportunity to access the associated program data as if the programs and program data were being originally aired.  
     
     
         32 . The system defined in  claim 1  wherein the digital storage means further comprises means for digitally storing additional program components on a digital storage device.  
     
     
         33 . The system defined in  claim 1  wherein the associated program data comprises program listings data supplied by a main facility.  
     
     
         34 . The system defined in  claim 1  wherein the associated program data comprises user added information.  
     
     
         35 . The system defined in  claim 1  further comprising means for transferring the digitally stored programs to a secondary storage device using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         36 . A system in which programs and associated program data are displayed for users by an interactive television program guide implemented on user television equipment, comprising: 
 a digital storage device in the user television equipment for digitally storing the programs and associated program data using the interactive television program guide; and    means for maintaining a directory of the digitally stored associated program data using the interactive television program guide.    
     
     
         37 . The system define in  claim 36  further comprising a means for displaying a directory listing screen on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         38 . The system defined in  claim 37  wherein the directory listing screen comprises: 
 means for indicating directory entry information; and  
 means for providing a user with an opportunity to select directory entry information;  
 wherein the display means further comprises means for displaying a full entry information screen in response to the selection by a user of directory information.  
 
     
     
         39 . The system defined in  claim 38  wherein the full entry information screen comprises a plurality of fields of directory entry information selected from the group consisting of: title, description, episode, channel, duration, viewed, cast members, category(ies), language, video format, start and end time, date, re-run indicator, stereo indicator, close-captioned indicator, and other information.  
     
     
         40 . The system defined in  claim 39  wherein the full entry information screen further comprises: 
 one or more user-defined fields; and  
 means for providing a user with an opportunity to enter user information in one or more of the user-defined fields.  
 
     
     
         41 . The system defined in  claim 36  further comprising: 
 means for displaying an edit screen; and  
 means for editing portions of the digitally stored programs and associated program data from the digital storage device using the interactive television program guide.  
 
     
     
         42 . The system defined in  claim 41  wherein the edit screen comprises means for providing a user with an opportunity to define the portions of the digitally stored programs and associated program data edited by the editing means.  
     
     
         43 . The system defined in  claim 42  wherein the partial edit screen further comprises a video feedback area.  
     
     
         44 . The system defined in  claim 36  wherein: 
 the digital storage device digitally stores the programs and associated program data on removable digital storage media using the interactive television program guide; and  
 the maintaining means maintains the digitally stored associated program data in a global media library using the interactive television program guide.  
 
     
     
         45 . The system defined in  claim 44  further comprising means for displaying a global media library screen on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         46 . The system defined in  claim 45  wherein: 
 the global media library screen comprises means for providing a user with an opportunity to select a program stored on the removable storage media; and  
 means for displaying an indication that the removable storage medium containing the selected program is not loaded in the digital storage device.  
 
     
     
         47 . A system in which programs and associated program data are displayed for users by an interactive television program guide implemented on user television equipment, comprising: 
 a digital storage device in the user television equipment for digitally storing the programs and associated program data using the interactive television program guide;    means for defining a super-program sequence; and    means for displaying the programs and segments of the programs and associated program data according to the defined super-program sequence on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.    
     
     
         48 . The system defined in  claim 47  wherein the defining means further comprises means for displaying a super-program screen on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         49 . The system defined in  claim 48  wherein the super-program screen comprises: 
 an area indicating programs stored on the digital storage device; and  
 means for providing a user with an opportunity to select a program to be included in the super-program sequence.  
 
     
     
         50 . The system defined in  claim 48  wherein: 
 the super-program screen further comprises an area for providing a user with an opportunity to define play segments; and  
 the display means further comprises means for displaying play segments of the programs and associated program data according to the super-program sequence on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
 
     
     
         51 . The system defined in  claim 50  wherein the area for providing a user with an opportunity to define play segments comprises: 
 a play segment indicator; and  
 one or more markers for defining the play segment.  
 
     
     
         52 . The system defined in  claim 48  wherein the super-program screen further comprises a video feedback area.  
     
     
         53 . The system defined in  claim 47  further comprising means for transferring the digitally stored programs according to the defined super-program to a secondary storage device using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         54 . A method in which programs and associated program data are displayed for users by an interactive television program guide implemented on user television equipment, comprising the steps of: 
 displaying the programs and associated program data on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide; and    digitally storing the programs and associated program data in a digital storage device contained in the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.    
     
     
         55 . The method defined in  claim 54  further comprising the step of displaying a set-up screen on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         56 . The method defined in  claim 55  wherein the step of displaying a set-up screen further comprises the step of providing a user with an opportunity to define one or more storage options.  
     
     
         57 . The method defined in  claim 56  wherein the step of displaying a set-up screen further comprises the step of providing a user with an opportunity to define one or more storage options selected from the group consisting of: languages, video format, enforcement of parental control on storage, and auto-erasing viewed entries.  
     
     
         58 . The method defined in  claim 57  further comprising the step of digitally storing the programs in a language on a digital storage device with the interactive television program guide using the language storage option.  
     
     
         59 . The method defined in  claim 57  further comprising the step of digitally storing the programs in a video format on a digital storage device with the interactive television program guide using the video format storage option.  
     
     
         60 . The method defined in  claim 57  further comprising the step of digitally storing the programs and associated program data on a digital storage device with the interactive television program guide using the enforcement of parental control on storage option.  
     
     
         61 . The method defined in  claim 57  further comprising the step of automatically deleting programs and associated program data from a digital storage device with the interactive television program guide using the auto-erase viewed entries storage option.  
     
     
         62 . The method defined in  claim 55  wherein the step of displaying a set-up screen further comprises the step of providing a user with an opportunity to define playback options.  
     
     
         63 . The method defined in  claim 55  wherein the step of displaying a set-up screen further comprises the step of providing a user with an opportunity to define one or more playback options selected from the group consisting of: default language, default video format, skip commercials.  
     
     
         64 . The method defined in  claim 63  further comprising the step of displaying the digitally stored programs and associated program data in a language on the user television program equipment with the interactive television program guide using the default language playback option.  
     
     
         65 . The method defined in  claim 63  further comprising the step of displaying the digitally stored programs and program data in a video format on the user television equipment with the interactive television program guide using the default video format playback option.  
     
     
         66 . The method defined in  claim 63  further comprising the steps of: 
 determining whether the digitally stored programs contain advertising using the interactive television program guide; and  
 skipping the advertising information when displaying the digitally stored programs and programming data with the interactive television program guide using the skip commercials playback option.  
 
     
     
         67 . The method defined in  claim 55  further comprising the step of providing a user with an opportunity to select components for display in screens that display program information.  
     
     
         68 . The method defined in  claim 54  further comprising the step of displaying a recording schedule screen on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         69 . The method defined in  claim 68  further comprising the steps of: 
 indicating the programs currently scheduled for storage by the digital storage means;  
 providing a user with an opportunity to select one of the programs; and  
 displaying a selected program listing information screen for the selected program on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
 
     
     
         70 . The method defined in  claim 69  wherein the step of displaying a selected program listing information screen comprises the step of displaying one or more fields of associated program data for the selected program.  
     
     
         71 . The method defined in  claim 70  further comprising the steps of: 
 displaying one or more user fields; and  
 providing a user with an opportunity to enter user information into one or more of the user fields.  
 
     
     
         72 . The method defined in  claim 54  further comprising the steps of: 
 displaying a program listings screen on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide; and  
 providing the user with an opportunity to select a program listing.  
 
     
     
         73 . The method defined in  claim 72  wherein the means for displaying program listings further comprises means for displaying program listings in subsets of listings according to one or more organization criteria.  
     
     
         74 . The method defined in  claim 73  further comprising the step of providing a user with an opportunity to select the organization criteria.  
     
     
         75 . The method defined in  claim 73  further comprising the step of providing a user with an opportunity to define the organization criteria.  
     
     
         76 . The method defined in  claim 72  further comprising the step of displaying program listings in sorted lists according to sorting criteria.  
     
     
         77 . The method defined in  claim 76  further comprising the step of providing the user with an opportunity to select the sorting criteria.  
     
     
         78 . The method defined in  claim 72  wherein the step of displaying a program listings screen further comprises the step of displaying listings of programs stored on a digital storage device.  
     
     
         79 . The method defined in  claim 78  further comprising the step of displaying a program listings information screen for the selected program listing on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         80 . The method defined in  claim 79  wherein the step of displaying a program listings information screen further comprises the step of displaying one or more fields of associated program data selected from the group consisting of: title, description, episode, channel, duration, viewed, cast members, category(ies), language, video format, start and end time, date, re-run indicator, stereo indicator, close-captioned indicator, and other information.  
     
     
         81 . The method defined in  claim 78  further comprising the steps of: 
 displaying one or more on-screen options; and  
 providing a user with an opportunity to select an on-screen option.  
 
     
     
         82 . The method defined in  claim 72  wherein the step of displaying program listings further comprises the step of displaying program listings in a program listings grid.  
     
     
         83 . The method defined in  claim 72  wherein the step of displaying a program listings grid further comprises the step of displaying one or more rows of listings of programs stored by the digital storage means.  
     
     
         84 . The method defined in  claim 54  further comprising the step of displaying the digitally stored programs and associated program data on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide to provide users with an opportunity to access the associated program data as if the programs and program data were being originally aired.  
     
     
         85 . The method defined in  claim 54  further comprising the step of digitally storing additional program components on a digital storage device.  
     
     
         86 . The method defined in  claim 54  further comprising the step of providing a use with an opportunity to provide user added information.  
     
     
         87 . The method defined in  claim 54  further comprising the step of transferring the digitally stored programs to a secondary storage device using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         88 . A method in which programs and associated program data are displayed for users by an interactive television program guide implemented on user television equipment, comprising the steps of: 
 digitally storing the programs and associated program data using the interactive television program guide; and    maintaining a directory of the digitally stored associated program data using the interactive television program guide.    
     
     
         89 . The method define in  claim 88  further comprising the step of displaying a directory listing screen on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         90 . The method defined in  claim 89  further comprising the steps of: 
 indicating directory entry information; and  
 providing a user with an opportunity to select directory entry information;  
 displaying a full entry information screen in response to the selection by a user of directory information.  
 
     
     
         91 . The method defined in  claim 90  further comprising the step of displaying a plurality of fields of directory entry information selected from the group consisting of: title, description, episode, channel, duration, viewed, cast members, category(ies), language, video format, start and end time, date, re-run indicator, stereo indicator, close-captioned indicator, and other information.  
     
     
         92 . The method defined in  claim 91  further comprising the steps of: 
 displaying one or more user-defined fields; and  
 providing a user with an opportunity to enter user information in one or more of the user-defined fields.  
 
     
     
         93 . The method defined in  claim 80  further comprising the steps of: 
 displaying an edit screen; and  
 editing portions of the digitally stored programs and associated program data from the digital storage device using the interactive television program guide.  
 
     
     
         94 . The method defined in  claim 93  further comprising the step of providing a user with an opportunity to define the portions of the digitally stored programs and associated program data edited by the editing means.  
     
     
         95 . The method defined in  claim 94  further comprising the step of providing a video feedback area.  
     
     
         96 . The method defined in  claim 88  further comprising the steps of: 
 digitally storing the programs and associated program data on removable digital storage media using the interactive television program guide; and  
 maintaining the digitally stored associated program data in a global media library using the interactive television program guide.  
 
     
     
         97 . The method defined in  claim 96  further comprising the step of displaying a global media library screen on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         98 . The method defined in  claim 97  further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a user with an opportunity to select a program stored on the removable storage media; and  
 displaying an indication that the removable storage medium containing the selected program is not loaded in the digital storage device.  
 
     
     
         99 . A method in which programs and associated program data are displayed for users by an interactive television program guide implemented on user television equipment, comprising the steps of: 
 digitally storing the programs and associated program data using the interactive television program guide;    defining a super-program sequence; and    displaying the programs and segments of the programs and associated program data according to the defined super-program sequence on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.    
     
     
         100 . The method defined in  claim 99  further comprising the step of displaying a super-program screen on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
     
     
         101 . The method defined in  claim 100  further comprising the steps of: 
 indicating programs stored on the digital storage device; and  
 providing a user with an opportunity to select a program to be included in the super-program sequence.  
 
     
     
         102 . The method defined in  claim 100  further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a user with an opportunity to define play segments; and  
 displaying play segments of the programs and associated program data according to the super-program sequence on the user television equipment using the interactive television program guide.  
 
     
     
         103 . The method defined in  claim 102  further comprising the steps of: 
 displaying a play segment indicator; and  
 providing one or more markers for defining the play segment.  
 
     
     
         104 . The method defined in  claim 100  further comprising the step of providing a video feedback area.  
     
     
         105 . The method defined in  claim 99  further comprising the step of transferring the digitally stored programs according to the defined super-program to a secondary storage device using the interactive television program guide.