Television System Having Digital Buffers for Programming
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.