Systems and methods for interactive program guides with personal video recording features

Abstract

Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, schedule recordings to a PVR, configure recordings, view a list of scheduled recordings, configure recording settings, or select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming. Television content may be automatically paused when a user is using the application. Multiple IPGs for different users of a PVR may be implemented.

1 - 146 . (canceled) 
     
     
         147 . A method comprising:
 receiving a request from a first user at a first user equipment device to create a message associated with an upcoming broadcast program;   identifying a second user as a recipient of the message; and   transmitting the message to a second user equipment device of the second user, wherein the displayed message includes a selectable option that enables the second user to schedule a recording of the upcoming broadcast program.   
     
     
         148 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein the selectable option enables the second user to set a reminder for the upcoming broadcast program. 
     
     
         149 . The method of  claim 147 , further comprising scheduling a recording of the upcoming broadcast program on the second user equipment in response to receiving a selection of the selectable option. 
     
     
         150 . The method of  claim 149 , wherein the upcoming broadcast program is scheduled to be recorded at a server remote to the second user equipment device. 
     
     
         151 . The method of  claim 147 , further comprising setting a reminder for the upcoming broadcast program on the second user equipment in response to receiving a selection of the selectable option. 
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein the message is displayed as one of a plurality of displayed messages on the second user equipment device. 
     
     
         153 . The method of  claim 147 , further comprising generating for display the message as one of a plurality of displayed messages on the second user equipment device. 
     
     
         154 . A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions thereon, the instructions comprising:
 instructions to receive a request from a first user at a first user equipment device to create a message associated with an upcoming broadcast program;   instructions to identify a second user as a recipient of the message; and   instructions to transmit the message to a second user equipment device of the second user, wherein the displayed message includes a selectable option that enables the second user to schedule a recording of the upcoming broadcast program.   
     
     
         155 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 154 , wherein the selectable option enables the second user to set a reminder for the upcoming broadcast program. 
     
     
         156 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 154 , further comprising instructions to schedule a recording of the upcoming broadcast program on the second user equipment in response to receiving a selection of the selectable option. 
     
     
         157 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 156 , wherein the upcoming broadcast program is scheduled to be recorded at a server remote to the second user equipment device. 
     
     
         158 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 154 , further comprising instructions to set a reminder for the upcoming broadcast program on the second user equipment in response to receiving a selection of the selectable option. 
     
     
         159 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 154 , wherein the message is displayed as one of a plurality of displayed messages on the second user equipment device. 
     
     
         160 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 154 , further comprising instructions to generate for display the message as one of a plurality of displayed messages on the second user equipment device. 
     
     
         161 . A method comprising:
 receiving, responsive to input from a first user at a first user equipment device, information associated with an upcoming broadcast program, wherein the information is based on input from a second user at a second user equipment device;   in response to the receiving the information of the upcoming broadcast program, causing a selectable option to be displayed on the first user equipment device, wherein the selectable option enables the first user to schedule a recording of the upcoming broadcast program;   receiving an indication that the first user has selected the selectable option; and   in response to the receiving the indication, enabling the first user to schedule the recording of the upcoming broadcast program.   
     
     
         162 . The method of  claim 161 , wherein the selectable option enables the first user to set a reminder for the upcoming broadcast program. 
     
     
         163 . The method of  claim 161 , further comprising scheduling a recording of the upcoming broadcast program on the first user equipment in response to receiving a selection of the selectable option. 
     
     
         164 . The method of  claim 163 , wherein the upcoming broadcast program is scheduled to be recorded at a server remote to the second user equipment device. 
     
     
         165 . The method of  claim 161 , further comprising setting a reminder for the upcoming broadcast program on the first user equipment in response to receiving a selection of the selectable option. 
     
     
         166 . A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions thereon, the instructions comprising:
 instructions to receive, responsive to input from a first user at a first user equipment device, information associated with an upcoming broadcast program, wherein the information is based on input from a second user at a second user equipment device;   instructions to cause a selectable option to be displayed on the first user equipment device, wherein the selectable option enables the first user to schedule a recording of the upcoming broadcast program in response to the receiving the information of the upcoming broadcast program;   instructions to receive an indication that the first user has selected the selectable option; and   instructions to enable the first user to schedule the recording of the upcoming broadcast program in response to the receiving the indication.   
     
     
         167 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 166 , wherein the selectable option enables the first user to set a reminder for the upcoming broadcast program. 
     
     
         168 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 166 , further comprising instructions to schedule a recording of the upcoming broadcast program on the first user equipment in response to receiving a selection of the selectable option. 
     
     
         169 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 168 , wherein the upcoming broadcast program is scheduled to be recorded at a server remote to the second user equipment device. 
     
     
         170 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 166 , further comprising instructions to set a reminder for the upcoming broadcast program on the first user equipment in response to receiving a selection of the selectable option.