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 to store content, comprising:
 receiving the content via the Internet, wherein the content is received by the user equipment;   configuring software implemented on the user equipment to:
 automatically wirelessly communicate with an external digital storage device; and 
 facilitate a transfer of the content to the external digital storage device; 
   wirelessly communicating with the external digital storage device; and   transferring the content to the external digital storage device.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user equipment comprises a personal computer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user equipment comprises a set-top box. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein wirelessly communicating further comprises:
 determining that the external digital storage device is OFF; and   in response to the determining, directing the external digital storage device to turn ON.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein wirelessly communicating comprises directing the external digital storage device to begin storing. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein wirelessly communicating comprises communicating user commands to the external digital storage device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 tuning to a channel; and   displaying a program that is being broadcast on the channel, wherein the program is displayed during a period of time that at least partially overlaps with when the content is being transferred.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising facilitating the collection of program guide data, wherein the program guide data is collected during a period of time that at least partially overlaps with when the content is being transferred. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing interactive Internet access, wherein the interactive Internet access is provided during a period of time that at least partially overlaps with when the content is being transferred. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing interactive services, wherein the interactive services are provided during a period of time that at least partially overlaps with when the content is being transferred. 
     
     
         12 . A system for storing content, comprising:
 a storage device that stores content received via the Internet;   an external digital storage device; and   control circuitry on which a program guide application is implemented, configured to:
 wirelessly communicate with the external digital storage device; and 
 facilitate a transfer of the content to the external digital storage device. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control circuitry and the storage device are integrated into a personal computer. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control circuitry and the storage device are integrated into a set-top box. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 determine that the external digital storage device is OFF; and   in response to the determining, direct the external digital storage device to turn ON.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to direct the external digital storage device to begin storing. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to communicate user commands to the external digital storage device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a tuner that tunes to a channel; and   a display device that displays a program that is being broadcast on the channel, wherein the program is displayed during a period of time that at least partially overlaps with when the content is being transferred.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to facilitate the collection of program guide data, wherein the program guide data is collected during a period of time that at least partially overlaps with when the content is being transferred. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured 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 content is being transferred. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to provide interactive services, wherein the interactive services are provided during a period of time that at least partially overlaps with when the content is being transferred.