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 (“application”) may be implemented to provide such functionality. The application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, to schedule recordings to a PVR, to configure recordings, to view a list of scheduled recordings, to configure recording settings, or to 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 a 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 engaged in using the application. Multiple IPGs for different users of a PVR may be implemented. Other PVR related features are also provided.

1 - 146 . (canceled) 
     
     
         147 . A method comprising:
 receiving a first request to pause presentation via a first device of a content item at a playback position;   in response to receiving the first request:
 causing presentation of the content item to be paused at the first device; and 
 maintaining the content item in memory accessible to multiple devices; 
   receiving a second request to resume presentation via a second device of the content item from the playback position, the second device being distinct from the first device; and   in response to receiving the second request:
 retrieving at least a portion of the content item from the memory; and 
 causing presentation of the content item to be resumed from the playback position at the second device. 
   
     
     
         148 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein maintaining the content item in the memory comprises:
 maintaining a reference to the content item in the memory.   
     
     
         149 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein maintaining the content item in the memory comprises:
 maintaining a buffer in the memory to resume the content item from the playback position.   
     
     
         150 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein the content item is a first content item from a first content source, the method further comprising:
 buffering a second content item from a second content source;   determining that the second content item is the first content item; and   in response to determining that the second content item is the first content item, combining, in the memory, the second content item with the first content item.   
     
     
         151 . The method of  claim 150 , wherein combining, in the memory, the second content item with the first content item comprises combining a first memory portion for the first content item with a second memory portion for the second content item. 
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein causing presentation of the content item to be resumed from the playback position at the second device comprises generating the content item to be displayed via the second device. 
     
     
         153 . The method of  claim 147 , further comprising:
 prior to receiving the second request, continuing to buffer the content item maintained in the memory.   
     
     
         154 . The method of  claim 153 , further comprising:
 allocating a storage space to buffer the content item.   
     
     
         155 . The method of  claim 147 , further comprising:
 receiving a third request via the second device to store the content item; and   in response to receiving the third request, storing the content item in memory accessible only to the second device.   
     
     
         156 . The method of  claim 147 , wherein the playback position is a first playback position, the method further comprising:
 receiving a third request to cause presentation of the content item from a second playback position; and   in response to receiving the third request, causing presentation of the content item from the second playback position.   
     
     
         157 . A system comprising:
 memory accessible to multiple devices;   input/output (I/O) circuitry; and   control circuitry coupled to the I/O circuitry and the memory, wherein the control circuitry is configured to:
 receive, via the I/O circuitry, a first request to pause presentation via a first device of a content item at a playback position; 
 in response to receiving the first request:
 cause presentation of the content item to be paused at the first device; and 
 maintain the content item in the memory accessible to multiple devices; 
 
 receive, via the I/O circuitry, a second request to resume presentation via a second device of the content item from the playback position, the second device being distinct from the first device; and 
 in response to receiving the second request:
 retrieve at least a portion of the content item from the memory; and 
 cause presentation of the content item to be resumed from the playback position at the second device. 
 
   
     
     
         158 . The system of  claim 157 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to maintain the content item in the memory by:
 maintaining a reference to the content item in the memory.   
     
     
         159 . The system of  claim 157 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to maintain the content item in the memory by:
 maintaining a buffer in the memory to resume the content item from the playback position.   
     
     
         160 . The system of  claim 157 , wherein the content item is a first content item from a first content source, and wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 buffer a second content item from a second content source;   determine that the second content item is the first content item; and   in response to determining that the second content item is the first content item, combine, in the memory, the second content item with the first content item.   
     
     
         161 . The system of  claim 160 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to combine, in the memory, the second content item with the first content item by combining a first memory portion for the first content item with a second memory portion for the second content item. 
     
     
         162 . The system of  claim 157 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause presentation of the content item to be resumed from the playback position at the second device by generating the content item to be displayed via the second device. 
     
     
         163 . The system of  claim 157 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 prior to receiving the second request, continue to buffer the content item maintained in the memory.   
     
     
         164 . The system of  claim 163 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 allocate a storage space to buffer the content item.   
     
     
         165 . The system of  claim 157 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 receive, via the I/O circuitry, a third request to store the content item via the second device; and   in response to receiving the third request, store the content item in memory accessible only to the second device.   
     
     
         166 . The system of  claim 157 , wherein the playback position is a first playback position, and wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 receive, via the I/O circuitry, a third request to cause presentation of the content item from a second playback position; and   in response to receiving the third request, cause presentation of the content item from the second playback position.