Television System Having Digital Buffers for Programming

Abstract

A television is provided. The television includes an interface for connecting the television to a network, such as the Internet. The television also includes digital buffers internal to the television for digitally storing digital programming data obtained from a digital provider. The television being accessible through a graphical user interface over the Internet from a remote computing device. The graphical user interface providing a control panel for displaying status and at least one control including a control for playing or recording of certain channels at least partially to the digital buffers that are internal to the television.

1 . A television, comprising:
 an interface for connecting the television to a network, the network including the Internet;   digital buffers internal to the television for digitally storing digital programming data obtained from a digital provider; and   the television being accessible through a graphical user interface over the Internet from a remote computing device, the graphical user interface providing a control panel for displaying status and at least one control including a control for playing or recording of certain channels at least partially to the digital buffers that are internal to the television.   
     
     
         2 . The television of  claim 1 , wherein the remote computing device displays features of the graphical user interface upon accessing of the television over the Internet. 
     
     
         3 . The television of  claim 2 , wherein the remote computing device is a portable computer that can travel with the user and connects via a wireless link or a cellular link to communicate with the Internet. 
     
     
         4 . The television of  claim 2 , wherein the remote computing device is a computer that connects via one of a wired link, a wireless link or a cellular link to communicate with the Internet. 
     
     
         5 . The television of  claim 1 , wherein the digital programming data includes one or more of shows, movies, and video clips. 
     
     
         6 . The television of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical control screen provides an indication of television broadcasts that are available to be recorded to or played through the digital buffers, when obtained from the digital provider. 
     
     
         7 . The television of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface provides a request for a user name and password for a user to provide access over the Internet to the television or server connected to the television from the remote computing device. 
     
     
         8 . The television of  claim 7 , wherein the user name and password provides access to home entertainment options that are specific for an account of the user. 
     
     
         9 . The television of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface is provided in part by a web browser. 
     
     
         10 . The television of  claim 2 , wherein images, videos or broadcasts provided to the television are viewable from the remote computing device. 
     
     
         11 . The television of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface provides access to one or more of video, still images, and controls including start, play, stop, fast forward, rewind, and pause. 
     
     
         12 . The television of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface is provided with data for populating features of the graphical user interface from a server connected to the network, and the server provides an indication of television broadcasts that are available to be recorded or played to the digital buffers. 
     
     
         13 . A television, the television comprising:
 a connection for connecting to a network;   digital buffers internal to the television for digitally storing digital media obtained from a digital provider; and   the television being accessible through a graphical user interface, at least part of the graphical user interface or program associated with the graphical user interface being accessible over the network from a remote device, the graphical user interface providing a control panel for displaying status and at least one control including a control for recording or playing the digital media at the television.   
     
     
         14 . The television of  claim 13 , wherein the remote device is a computer, the computer of the remote device displays data associated with features of the graphical user interface upon accessing of the television system over the Internet. 
     
     
         15 . The television of  claim 14 , wherein the computer of the remote device is a portable computer that can travel with the user and connects via a wireless link or a cellular link to communicate with the network or the Internet. 
     
     
         16 . The television of  claim 14 , wherein the computer of the remote device is a computer that connects via one of a wired link, a wireless link or a cellular link to communicate with the network or the Internet. 
     
     
         17 . The television of  claim 13 , wherein the digital media includes one or more of shows, movies, and video clips. 
     
     
         18 . A television, the television comprising:
 a connection for interfacing the television to a network, the network including the Internet; and   digital buffers internal to the television for digitally storing digital data obtained from a digital provider over the Internet;   wherein the digital buffers are accessible to enable playing of any stored or partially recorded digital data present in or transferred to the digital buffers of the television.   
     
     
         19 . The television system of  claim 18 , wherein the digital data includes broadcast television. 
     
     
         20 . The television system of  claim 18 , wherein the digital data includes one or more of shows, movies and video clips.