MXPA06010206A - System and method for customizing programming reminders - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for permitting users to control and customize program reminders for reminding the user of desired upcoming television programming event(s) is disclosed. A reminder customizer (107) is provided having reminder options (213, 215, 217) which permit users to control on which device(s) a reminder is desired to appear.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CUSTOMIZE PROGRAMMING REMINDERS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to television systems and, in particular, to a system and method to allow users to control and customize a reminder feature together with a television system to remind the user of the events of incoming programming.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A wide range of television services, including satellite television systems, are very common today. In the case of satellite television, the problems of reach and distortion are solved by the transmission of radio signals from satellites that orbit the Earth. Satellite television systems transmit and receive radio signals with the use of specialized antennas (satellite dishes) and most satellite television customers obtain their programming through a direct satellite broadcasting (DBS) provider, such as DirecTV ™ or the Dish Network ™. Approximately 1 in 10 households currently subscribe to a satellite television service, a number expected to double in the following years. Unlike previous satellite programming, the broadcasting of the providers is completely digital. Digital felevisión (DTV) is the transmission of television signals with the use of digital methods instead of conventional analogue methods. A transcoder is a device that allows the analog television apparatus to be a user interface for the Internet and to receive and decode digital television (DTV) broadcasts. DTV transcoders (also known as receivers) are necessary for television users to enable their analog television equipment to receive digital broadcasts. Digital television transcoders are used for a variety of applications, mainly for satellite, cable and terrestrial DTV services. It is estimated that 35 million households will use transcoders by the end of 2006, the estimated year to complete the transition to DTV. Typically, a digital transcoder contains one or more microprocessors to run its operating system, for example, LINUX ™ or WINDOWS CE ™, and to analyze syntactically the MPEG transport stream. A transcoder also includes RAM, an MPEG decoder microcircuit, and other microcircuits for decoding and audio processing. The content of a transcoder depends on the DTV standard used. More sophisticated transcoder closures contain a hard disk to store the recording of television broadcasting, to download software and for other applications provided by the DTV service provider.

Frequently, there are a multitude of devices connected to television equipment in a variety of configurations, including digital video recorders, DVD players, standard cable devices, etc. If there are multiple television sets in a home, there may be circumstances in which a user wishes to be reminded of a programming event regardless of which television set the reminder was created. Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method to allow the user to efficiently, effectively and flexibly customize a reminder of a programming event in desired television sets in a convenient manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention allows users to control and customize a reminder feature to remind the user of an international programming event (s). A reminder personalization feature in accordance with the present invention can be implemented in any instrument (e.g., a receiver for a satellite television system, cable receivers, non-receiving devices, etc.) and provides users with the ability to select the devices (for example, television set) in which the reminder should appear.

In one aspect, a method is provided for customizing a reminder for a scheduling event, which comprises the steps of providing a reminder personizer in a first instrument, wherein the reminder customizer includes a reminder option feature that allows a user indicating at least one of a plurality of devices in which the reminder should appear. In another aspect, a method is provided for customizing a reminder for a scheduling event and comprises the steps of providing a reminder customizer in a transcoder and providing a user interface for interactive communication with the reminder customizer, wherein the interface The user interface provides a feature of reminder options that allows the user to indicate at least one of a plurality of devices, capable of displaying the programming event, in which the reminder should appear. In another aspect, an apparatus is provided for customizing a reminder for a scheduling event comprising a reminder customizer that includes a reminder options feature to allow the user to select at least one device to display a reminder in that device. A driver is provided to support the coupling of a decoded signal with at least one device in accordance with the reminder options selected by the user.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention are described or become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, where as reference the numbers denote similar elements throughout the views: Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary schematic illustration of a system with a reminder customizer in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary schematic illustration of a network system, wherein each instrument includes a reminder customizer in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is an exemplary user interface for customizing a reminder of a programming event in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary flow chart of a method for customizing a reminder of a scheduling event in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. It should be understood that the drawings are for illustrative purposes of the concepts of the invention and that they are not necessarily the only possible configurations to illustrate the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a system and method for allowing users to control and customize the setting of a reminder feature in an instrument (eg, a receiver) to remind the user of an incoming programming event. The instrument may comprise, for example, a transcoder for a satellite television system, a cable equipment in a cable system, a digital video recorder, or any receiving or non-receiving device. A reminder option feature is provided for users to select the device (s) on which the reminder should appear. A system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an instrument for receiving, for example, audio / video signals that are connected (for example, by means of physical or wireless connections either directly or indirectly) to at least one plurality. of devices (eg, television sets, projectors, and / or other devices). Alternatively, the present invention can be implemented in a system comprising a plurality of instruments, each connected (physically / wirelessly, directly / indirectly) with at least one device.

It should be noted that a reminder feature in accordance with the present invention can be incorporated into any instrument (e.g., a digital video recorder, a transcoder, etc.) that may or may not function as a signal decoder (e.g. a signal can be decoded by a cable or satellite device and then fed to the digital video recorder with a reminder timer option). It should be understood that the elements shown in the Figures can be implemented in various forms of hardware, software or combinations thereof. Preferably, these elements are implemented in software, in one or more general purpose devices programmed, which may include a processor, a memory or input / output interfaces. Referring now to the Figures, Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary schematic illustration of a system 100 that includes an instrument 102 in communication with multiple devices eg, TV 1 (111), TV 2 (113) and an auxiliary device 115. The auxiliary device 115 may comprise any device capable of wired or wireless communication with the receiver 102, for example, a telephone, a cell phone, a message agent, a PDA device, a desktop computer or a laptop, etc. and preferably it is enabled to allow the user to interact and communicate with the receiver 102. It should be noted that the auxiliary device can be communicated wirelessly and / or physically connected to the instrument 102. In a preferred embodiment as shown in Figure 1 for exemplary purposes, the instrument 102 comprises a receiver and therefore includes a decoder 103 for decoding an audio / video (A / V) signal 101, as well as a memory 105 and an interface controller 109, all operatively connected between yes, as shown in Figure 1. A reminder personalizer 107 is operatively connected to the interface controller 109 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The interface controller 109 controls the coupling of decoded signals to any of the devices connected to the instrument 102 (here, television apparatuses 111 and 113 and an auxiliary device 115) in accordance with / according to for example, the selected reminder specification options by the user, if any. The process for selecting / inserting reminder options is described in more detail in Figure 3 below. The instrument 102 may include other features / components known in the art (e.g., microprocessors, an operating system) with the use of protocols known in the art. It should be noted that the reminder personalizer 107 of the present invention can be implemented in any instrument (for example, regardless of whether the insírumenío functions as a signal decoder).

Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary schematic illustration of a network system, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a plurality of instruments (e.g., instrument 1 (120) and instrument 2 (130)), each with a reminder personalizer 107, may be provided. Each of the plurality of instruments 120 and 130 is preferably in communication with the other, as with at least one output device (for example, the instrument 120 communicates with the device 125, the instrument 130 communicates with the disposifivo 135). It should be noted that each instrument 120 and 130 can be enabled to communicate (e.g., wirelessly) directly with other devices to which it is not physically connected, as shown by arrow 140. Alternatively, each instrument can communicate indirectly with a device, for example, the instrument 120 can communicate indirectly with the device 135 by means of the instrument 130. In a preferred embodiment, instruments 120 and / or 130 may comprise receivers. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a user can set a reminder timer option on the receiver 120 to request a reminder to appear on the device 125 and / or the device 135. A user interface 200 is provided, of preferably, in which the user can access with the use of any device (e.g., television set, PDA) operatively connected to the instrument 102. Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary user interface 200 comprising, for example, a screen of settings with which the user can enter / select information related to the program (for example, television programming events) from those who want to be remembered. Such information may include various titles 201 of the reminder timer, channel 203 of the program, start time 205 of the program, end time 207 of the program, desired frequency of reminders 209 and start date 211 for the reminder. In one embodiment, when several reminder timer titles 201 are selected, the information in articles 203, 205 and 207 is automatically adjusted in the channel, date and time period, corresponding to the selected reminder timer title. In another mode, a user can manually enter this data in accordance with the desired program. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the reminder personalizer 107 provides a reminder option feature (by means of, for example, the adjustment screen 200) to allow the user to indicate the device on which the user wishes to display a reminder. program reminder. The characteristics of reminder options can be facilitated by means of inputs that can include, for example, a check box to set a reminder for all 213 devices (eg, televisions, cellular phones, etc.), a box to adjust the reminder to appear only on the device 215 on which the reminder is created, and / or a box to set the reminder to appear only on the indicated device 217. With advantage, this provides the user with the ability to select the exact device in which the user wishes the program reminder to appear. It should be noted that the device in which the reminder is designated to appear may or may not be a device capable of projecting the programming event. The location of the device in which the user wants the reminder to appear, often depends on the type of program the user wants to be reminded of. As such, the flexibility and personalization of reminder options facilitated by the present invention are of particular advantage. For example, in situations such as when a user buys a pay-per-view program and wishes to be reminded on each device connected to the instrument 102, the user can select box 213. There may be another situation where the user does not want to be remind you of an incoming program in a location other than the location where the reminder is created, for example, when an adult user adjusts a reminder for an incoming "R" rating movie, the user may not wish to be reminded of the event on the living room television, which is also accessible to children at home. In this situation, box 215 is selected. When there are particular devices in which the user wishes to be reminded, the user selects box 217 and enters them manually or box 217 can enable a menu of available devices that can be selected. individually by the user. The present invention may also include a feature 210"automatic tuning" to automatically adjust the appropriate television (which is set to display the reminder according to the user's inputs) to the appropriate channel at the time and date when the "remembered" program is projected. For example, the user is presented with revision boxes (as shown in Figure 3) to designate that the automatic tuning is executed on all devices 221, only on the device used to create the reminder 223, or on the device 225 specified by the user. It should be noted that several default modes of user specifications and / or factory specifications can be programmed by the user to be activated when, for example, the user does not select any of the revision boxes to specify the recall options or the characteristic. of automatic tuning, as explained below with reference in Figure 4. Figure 4 shows an exemplary flow chart 300 of a method for creating / editing a reminder of a program event in accordance with an aspect of the present invention . In step 301, a user wishes to be reminded of at least one scheduling event and / or wishes to edit an existing reminder. It should be noted that the term "programming event" refers to, for example, any broadcast television program. In step 303, the user has access to an adjustment screen (e.g., setting screen 200) and enters / selects the program data as desired as well as the "preliminary reminder" data (e.g. reminder and reminder of start date). In the decision box 307, the user is presented with a reminder options feature, for example, the option to select the device on which the reminder will be displayed. Such a device may include, for example, not only television sets, but also PDAs, cell phones, landlines, etc. which can be in wireless communication with and / or physically connected to the receiver. In step 309, the user can enter / select the desired device in which the reminder is to be displayed. In decision box 311, the user is presented with the option of customizing the automatic tuning feature (for example, so that the program for which the reminder was created is automatically tuned to the designated date and time) on the desired device . The user can then enter / select the desired automatic tuning personalization characteristics (step 313). In step 312, when no selection is made, the program enters a default automatic tuning mode (for example, where automatic tuning is executed only on the input device). It should be noted that the default mode can be altered by the user according to the desire to execute the automatic tuning feature on any device, or alternatively, not run. In step 315, when no user selection is made where the reminder is desired to appear, the system enters a default automatic recall / tuning mode (step 317). For example, the default reminder mode may comprise when the reminder and automatic tuning appear only on the device used to create the reminder. It should be noted that this default mode can be altered by the user as desired, for example, the reminder / automatic tuning features are executed on any device. In decision box 319, the user is presented with the option to create another reminder. If so, the method returns to step 305. Otherwise, the user has finished (step 321). Although the embodiment incorporating the teachings of the present invention has been described and shown in detail, the persons skilled in the art can contemplate several other modalities that incorporate these teachings. Described the preferred modalities for a system and method with the ability to allow users to customize the reminder characteristics for programming events (which are intended to be illustrative and not limited), it can be noted that modifications and variations can be made by those experienced in the technique, in view of the previous teachings. Therefore, it is understood that changes may be made in the particular disclosed modes of the invention that are within the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the appended claims. Described the invention with the details and particularities required by the laws of pateníes, what is claimed and wishes to protect by the Letters of Patent is presented in the appended claims.

Claims (17)

1. A method for customizing a reminder for a programming event characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing a reminder customizer (107) in a first instrument (102, 120), wherein the reminder personalizer (107) includes a feature (213) , 215, 217) of reminder options that allow the user to indicate at least one of a plurality of devices in which the reminder should appear.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that further comprises the step of providing a second instrument (130), the second instrument (130) is in communication with the first instrument (102, 120), wherein at least one device indicated in which the reminder should appear is operatively connected to the second instrument (130).

The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the reminder personalizer (107) further includes a custom automatic tuning feature (219) that allows the user to specify that the program for which the reminder is created must be automatically tuned to at a designated time and date and on a desired device.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that when the user does not indicate the device in which the reminder should appear, it also comprises the step of activating the mode (317) by default.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the default mode (317) is customizable by the user.

The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises at least one of a television, a PDA, a computer, a cell phone and a landline.

The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first instrument (102, 120) comprises a receiver.

8. A method for customizing a reminder for a scheduling event characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing a reminder customizer (107) in an encoder, providing a user interface (200) for interactive communication with the customizer (107) of reminder, the user interface (200) provides a feature (213, 215, 217) of reminder options to allow the user to indicate at least one of a plurality of devices, with the ability to project the programming event, into the that the reminder should appear.

The method according to claim 8, characterized in that further comprises the step of providing a second instrument (130), the second instrument (130) is in communication with the transcoder, wherein the selected device in which the reminder must appear is operatively connected to the second instrument (130).

The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the reminder personalizer (107) further includes a customizable automatic tuning feature (219) that allows the user to specify that the program for which the reminder is created must be tuned to an analogy. at a designated time and date and in a desired arrangement.

The method according to claim 8, characterized in that when the user does not indicate the device in which the reminder should appear, it also comprises the step of activating the mode (317) by default.

The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the default mode (317) is customizable by the user.

13. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the device comprises at least one of a television, a PDA, a computer, a cellular telephone and a fixed telephone.

14. An apparatus for customizing a reminder for a programming event characterized in that it comprises: a reminder customizer (107) including a feature (213), 215, 217) of reminder options to allow the user to select at least one device to project a reminder on that device, and a controller (109) to control the coupling of a decoded signal with at least one device in accordance with the options of reminder selected by the user.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises a decoder (103) for providing the decoded signal of an input signal. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the reminder personalizer (107) further includes a customizable automatic tuning feature (219) that allows the user to specify that the program for which the reminder is created must be automatically tuned at a designated time and date and on a desired device. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the device comprises at least one of a television, a PDA, a computer, a cell phone and a landline.