Interactive television program guide with simultaneous watch and record capabilities

Abstract

An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may use the program guide to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program without interrupting the recording or viewing process. This interactive television program guide system also allows a user the to utilize all or some of the program guide features while in the watch and record mode depending on the embodiment that is being implemented. Further, this watch and record system may be implemented using a multiple tuner set-top box or a single tuner set-top box with a RF bypass or digital switch. In addition to a set-top box, the system may be implemented using a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory, or a computer. The various implementations provide a very versatile watch and record environment for the user.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for using user equipment, comprising:
 tuning a first tuner to a channel;   displaying a program that is being broadcast on the channel;   recording a program that is being broadcast on the channel; and   using a second tuner to provide interactive Internet access, wherein the interactive Internet access is provided during a period of time that at least partially overlaps with when the program is being recorded.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the interactive Internet access comprises accessing digital music on the Internet. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein using the second tuner to provide the interactive Internet access further comprises:
 launching an Internet browser; and   connecting to the Internet.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein using the second tuner to provide the interactive Internet access further comprises utilizing a server located at a distribution facility to connect to the Internet. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein using the second tuner to provide the interactive Internet access further comprises:
 receiving a command to use the second tuner to provide the interactive Internet access; and   providing the interactive Internet access in response to receiving the command.   
     
     
         7 . A multi-tuner system, comprising:
 a first tuner that tunes to a channel;   a display device that displays a program that is being broadcast on the channel;   a storage device that stores the program; and   a second tuner that provides interactive Internet access, wherein the interactive Internet access is provided during a period of time that at least partially overlaps with when the program is being recorded.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the interactive Internet access comprises accessing digital music on the Internet. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising control circuitry on which a program guide application is implemented, wherein the program guide application is configured to:
 launch an Internet browser; and connect to the Internet.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a server located at a distribution facility that facilitates the providing of the interactive Internet access. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising control circuitry on which a program guide application is implemented, wherein the program guide application is configured to command the second tuner to provide the interactive Internet access, and wherein the second tuner provides the interactive Internet access in response to receiving the command. 
     
     
         12 . A method for using user equipment, comprising:
 tuning a first tuner to a channel;   displaying a program that is being broadcast on the channel;   using a second tuner to facilitate the collection of program guide data, wherein the program guide data is collected during a period of time that overlaps with when the program is being displayed;   receiving a command during the period of time, wherein the command requires using the second tuner to facilitate a function other than the collection of the program guide data; and   in response to receiving the command:
 automatically terminating the collection of the program guide data; and 
 using the second tuner to facilitate the function. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein using the second tuner to facilitate the collection of program guide data is activated by a program guide application. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein using the second tuner to facilitate the collection of program guide data requires no user input. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the function is recording a program. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the function is picture-in-picture. 
     
     
         17 . A multi-tuner system, comprising:
 a first tuner that tunes to a channel;   a display device that displays a program that is being broadcast on the channel;   a second tuner that facilitates the collection of program guide data, wherein the program guide data is collected during a period of time that overlaps with when the program is being displayed; and   control circuitry on which a program guide application is implemented, configured to:
 receive a command during the period of time, wherein the command requires using the second tuner to facilitate a function other than the collection of the program guide data; and 
 in response to receiving the command:
 terminate the collection of the program guide data; and 
 use the second tuner to facilitate the function. 
 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to activate the second tuner to facilitate the collection of program guide data. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the second tuner facilitates the collection of program guide data without user input. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the function is recording a program. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the function is picture-in-picture.