SCHEDULE SYSTEM WITH ENHANCED RECORDING CAPABILITY
The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide with enhanced recording capability. Specifically, the invention allows a user to schedule the recording of a television program from a remote location. In one embodiment, a user may call via telephone to schedule the recording. In another embodiment, the user may access a website to remotely schedule the recording.
1 - 4 . (canceled)
5 . A system comprising:
a server on the Internet accessible to a user via a website; wherein:
a device, located at a user premises, is accessible by the server; and
the server is configured to receive input from the user via the website, the input is supplied by the user using user equipment that is in a location different from the user premises, the input including a selection of a content from a plurality of contents that will be broadcasted to the device and a request to record the content and in response to the input, the server is configured to set up the device to record a future broadcast of the content by transmitting a communication to the device, the communication being received by the device independently of the user equipment.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the device is accessible by the server over the Internet.
7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the device is accessible by the server over a phone line.
8 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the selection of the content from the plurality of contents is done from an electronic program guide on the website.
9 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the content is a program.
10 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the server is configured to set up the device by providing instructions to the device to record the future broadcast of the content.
11 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the user premises, where the device is located, is a home of the user, and wherein the location of the user equipment is outside of the home.
12 . A method for setting up a device to record content, the method comprising:
receiving, at a server on the Internet accessible to a user via a website, input from a user via the website, wherein:
the device, located at a user premises, is accessible by the server;
the input is supplied by the user using user equipment that is in a location different from the user premises; and
the input includes a selection of a content from a plurality of contents that will be broadcasted to the device and a request to record the content; and
in response to the input, setting up the device to record a future broadcast of the content using the server by transmitting a communication to the device, the communication being received by the device independently of the user equipment.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the device is accessible by the server over the Internet.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the device is accessible by the server over a phone line.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the selection of the content from the plurality of contents is done from an electronic program guide on the website.
16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the content is a program.
17 . The method of claim 12 further comprising sending instructions to the device from the server to record the future broadcast of the content.
18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the user premises, where the device is located, is a home of the user, and wherein the location of the user equipment is outside of the home.
19 . A system comprising:
a server accessible to a user over a network external to the server; wherein:
a plurality of devices is accessible by the server;
a device of the plurality of devices is located at a user premises; and
the server is configured to receive input from the user over the network, the input is supplied by the user using user equipment that is in a location different from the user premises, the input including a selection of a content from a plurality of contents that will be broadcasted to the plurality of devices at a previously-scheduled future time and a request to record the content and in response to the input, the server is configured to set up the device to record the content at the previously-scheduled future time by transmitting a communication to the device, the communication being received by the device independently of the user equipment.
20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the server is configured to set up the device by providing instructions to the device to record the future broadcast of the content.
21 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the device comprises a user television equipment.
22 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the content is scheduled by a television distribution facility to be broadcasted to the device.
23 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the device is configured to:
receive commands associated with the content; and
in response to the commands, record the content when broadcasted by the television distribution facility.
24 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the user premises, where the device is located, is a home of the user, and wherein the location of the user equipment is outside of the home.
25 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the content is a program.
26 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the selection of the content from the plurality of contents is done from an electronic program guide on a website.
27 . A method for setting up a device to record content, the method comprising:
receiving, with a server accessible to a user over a network external to the server, input from a user over the network, wherein:
a plurality of devices that includes the device is accessible by the server;
the device of the plurality of devices is located at a user premises; and
the input is supplied by the user using user equipment that is in a location different from the user premises, the input including a selection of a content from a plurality of contents that will be broadcasted to the plurality of devices at a previously-scheduled future time and a request to record the content; and
in response to the input, setting up the device to record the content at the previously-scheduled future time using the server by transmitting a communication to the device, the communication being received by the device independently of the user equipment.
28 . The method of claim 27 further comprising providing instructions to the device to record the future broadcast of the content.
29 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the device comprises a user television equipment.
30 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the device is configured to:
receive commands associated with the content; and
in response to the commands, record the content when broadcasted.
31 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the user premises, where the device is located, is a home of the user, and wherein the location of the user equipment is outside of the home.
32 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the content is a program.
33 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the selection of the content from the plurality of contents is done from an electronic program guide on a website.