Storage Management for a Video Recorder

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a storage manager for a video recorder. The present invention includes a set-top box having an internal storage device, such as a hard drive where broadcasts are transferred from a broadcast input source to the storage device and can later be retrieved from the storage device for viewing. The set-top box is connected to an output device such as a television, which displays a graphical user interface (GUI) and an interactive program guide (IPG). The GUI also allows the user to access a saved shows screen that provides: what shows already reside on the disk; what shows will are scheduled to be transferred to the disk; the relative location of the saved shows on the disk; estimates of how long it will be before certain saved shows are erased from the disk to make room for newly scheduled shows; an identification the amount of time a saved show is set to remain on the disk by viewing graphical icons; the priorities of the saved shows on the disk.

Description

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

[0002] All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and of other countries. Portions of the material in this patent document are also subject to protection under the maskwork registration laws of the United States and of other countries. The owner of the copyright and maskwork rights has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and maskwork rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to systems that operate on broadcast content, and in particular to schemes for managing the contents of storage devices where the broadcast content resides.

[0005] 2. Background of the Invention

[0006] The storage and retrieval of broadcast content gained major popularity with the advent of the VCR. A user was able to tune their television to a station that had a program that they wanted to save and they simply inserted a storage device (e.g., VHS tape), moved the tape to the appropriate location, and began capturing the broadcast.

[0007] Recently, other types of equipment have developed to perform similar functionality.

[0008] These types of equipment include, for instance, DVD recorders (DVD-R) and set-top boxes that transfer the content to storage devices such as hard drives and buffer memory.

[0009] Both of these types of equipment are used in a manner that is similar to the manner in which VCRs are used. Each has its own storage device (i.e., a DVD or hard drive) and each storage device is of finite space. If a user is saving a long show, multiple shows, or begins saving the show when the storage device is nearly full, there is a chance that the program the user is trying to save will be lost if the device overflows. This is a frustrating problem for the average user, specifically when they want to save content when they are away from the home.

[0010] Saving Broadcast Content

[0011] Saving broadcast content in its simplest form comprises turning on a television set and pressing a record button on a VCR. More recently, VCRs, DVD recorders, set-top boxes with hard drives, and other storage devices include interfaces, which allow users to schedule the transfer of shows at a later date or time. Using this interface, the user is able to input to the device a time and a channel, and at the appropriate time the device tunes to the channel and begins saving the show. This is useful, for instance, when the user is away from home and wants to see the show later.

[0012] Another modern interface allows the user to focus on a favorite show, a favorite timeslot, or a favorite genre. For instance, a user may love “Monday Night Football”, which occurs every Monday night from 6:00 P.M to 9:00 P.M. So, the user may wish to transfer this broadcast to a storage device regardless of whether they are home or not. Using the interface, the user is able to set the system to save content for the three hours on Monday night every time the football game is broadcast.

[0013] However, these schemes suffer from the same drawback as the most simple, manual recording scenario. Namely, since the storage medium for all of these devices is finite, there is always the risk that the medium will run out of space (or overflow). When this happens, these devices offer no mechanism that is able to either: save the currently recorded broadcast; rewind the medium and start recording at the beginning of the medium; or to make a determination of whether the currently scheduled recording should replace any of the previously saved shows.

[0014] Circular Buffer

[0015] One solution is to use a “circular buffer”. Using a circular buffer, some prior art schemes begin recording over the beginning of the medium once the buffer is full. This allows a user to avoid missing a program that might have its transfer initiated near the end of the medium. This solution, however, is inadequate for a number of reasons. First, there is no guarantee that the data at the beginning of the circular buffer (i.e., the oldest data) is not more important to the user than the data that is currently being transferred to the storage device. In this instance, the circular buffer is more problematic even than a VCR tape that simply stops at the end of the tape, since in this case, the important show at the beginning of the tape is not lost. Moreover, it becomes very difficult to manage the shows that a user wishes to keep that are at an intermediate portion of the circular buffer, since the buffer starts being overwritten automatically and it is difficult to predict in advance when an intermediate show will occur in the circular buffer.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0016] The present invention is directed to a storage manager for a video recorder. The present invention includes a set-top box having an internal storage device, such as a hard drive where broadcasts are transferred from a broadcast input source to the storage device and can later be retrieved from the storage device for viewing. The set-top box is connected to an output device such as a television, which displays a graphical user interface (GUI) and an interactive program guide (IPG).

[0017] The IPG uses guide data that comprises information about shows (such as times when shows are broadcast, titles of the shows, descriptions of the shows, etc.,) that are available by tuning to different channels at different times. The GUI allows the user to navigate through the IPG, for instance, by viewing different times and dates for broadcasts. The GUI also allows the user to access a saved shows screen that provides: what shows currently reside on the disk; what shows are scheduled to be transferred to the disk in the future; the relative location of the saved shows on the disk; estimates of how long it will be before certain saved shows are erased from the disk to make room for newly scheduled shows; an identification the amount of time a saved show is set to remain on the disk by viewing graphical icons; and the priorities of the saved shows on the disk.

[0018] In one embodiment, a priority is assigned to each saved show on the disk. As the disk fills and approaches the point where it will overflow, the video recorder deletes the lowest priority shows to make space for a current show. In another embodiment, the video recorder anticipates when the lowest priority show will soon be erased and provides a notification to the user. Using the GUI, the user can re-assign priorities to save the current show, stop an active transfer of a show, or do nothing in response.

[0019] Using the GUI, the user may change the priorities of the shows either explicitly or by dragging and dropping saved shows in the GUI toward the front or back of a saved shows list thereby extending or reducing their time before being erased from the disk.

[0020] In one embodiment, the saved show list is handled as a data structure, such as a queue, array, or linked list that is used in a first-in, first-out (FIFO) manner when a show must be removed to avoid an overflow. The location of a show in the data structure identifies the relative priority of the show in relation to the other shows. When the user drags and drops a show to a different location in the saved show list, the system to reorganizes the data structure to correspond to the action taken in the GUI.

[0021] In another embodiment of the present invention, algorithms are used to estimate the time until a show is deleted. One algorithm uses a precise method of estimating the time until deletion, taking into account for automatically scheduled series and also the automatic deletion of surplus episodes. When a precise method is not possible, another algorithm is initiated to find an inexact estimated time until deletion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a set-top box.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration for one of the multiple tuners associated with a video recorder.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration for a single decoder.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a typical tuner arrangement for use with a live TV signal.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a typical tuner arrangement for use when transferring a signal.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an arrangement for when a user is watching a show that has completed being transferred to a storage device.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an arrangement for when a user is watching a show that was previously transferred to a storage device while another show is actively being transferred.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing a storage management process according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a storage management process according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a storage management process according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0033] FIG. 11 is an example of a saved shows screen according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 12 is an example of a storage priority screen according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a disk-space clearing algorithm according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a disk-space clearing algorithm according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 15 is a diagram that provides an overview of the screens, menus, and functions that are provided for the user according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an overall video recorder system that includes a set-top box.

[0039] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a precise method for estimating the time until deletion according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a method for estimating the time until deletion for a series including the use of surplus episodes according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an inexact method for estimating the time until deletion according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The present invention relates to a storage manager for a video recorder. Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes an embodiment of a video recorder, also referred to as a personal video recorder (PVR) or digital video recorder (DVR), is shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1.

[0043] Video Recorder

[0044] A video recorder (or PVR) is an internal or external component that works in conjunction with a set-top box that is used to watch television. The PVR includes some or all of a combination of software, hardware, and firmware. In one embodiment, the PVR 5 uses a disk drive storage device 6 that is internal to a set-top box 10 where broadcasts are transferred to the storage device 6. The set-top box 10 connects to an output device 20, which facilitates the use of broadcast signals, such as live television signals, video on demand broadcasts, downloads of Internet content, viewing of web pages, and viewing of content transferred to the storage device. In the example of FIG. 1, set-top box 10 is shown as being external to output device 20. It should be understood by someone having ordinary skill in the art, that set-top box 10 may be internal to output device 20 as well.

[0045] A GUI 7, which includes an IPG 8 is provided and is selectively displayed on the output device 20, for instance when a user presses a specific button on a remote control 60. GUI 7 in conjunction with IPG 8 allows the user to control the PVR 5. The software or firmware that controls set-top box 10 may be installed locally or it may be downloaded from the Internet 90 as needed when configuring new set-top boxes or when updating existing ones.

[0046] Set-top box 10 is connected to output device 20 via a transmission line 30. Broadcast signals are received by the set-top box 10 via transmission line 40, which may be connected to either an antenna, a cable television outlet or a satellite connection. One or more tuner systems 45 are configured to allow the system to receive broadcast signals from multiple channels simultaneously up to the given number of tuners. As the broadcast input signal enters the system along line 40, it is tuned by one of the tuners 45 and transferred to volatile memory 46, which might include RAM, ROM, cache memory, or other volatile memory source. Volatile memory 46 might include a buffering mechanism, such as a circular or linked list buffer that allows a user to view a delayed live broadcast. The broadcast content is transferred to storage device 6 if it is saved permanently. Storage device 6 may eventually become almost full or near a state of overflow if too much content has been saved. When the state of overflow is imminent, the system is configured to remove one or more shows from storage device 6 based on a number of factors. The size of storage device 6 is also used to determine when it will overflow and to estimate the time until a show on storage device 6 needs to be deleted.

[0047] Set-top box 10 receives power through a line 50. Set-top box 10 receives user input entered from handheld remote control 60 over a wireless link 70. Wireless link 70 may be an infrared (IR) link, a radio frequency (RF) link, or any other suitable type of link. A bi-directional data path 80 is provided to set-top box 10, through which set-top box 10 can access the Internet 90. Transmission line 40 may provide data from a variety of input sources including cable, satellite, or electro-magnetic waves.

[0048] Tuner Management

[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, the PVR uses multiple tuners. Each of the tuners is normally associated with one encoder and one cache, which may be a fixed or variable size cache (for a live signal) or a fixed file in the case where the incoming signal is transferred to the storage device. FIG. 2 shows various configurations for one of the multiple tuners associated with the PVR. Video stream 200 is provided to tuner 210, which passes the signal to encoder 220, which transfers the data in a cache 230. This configuration is used for analog use of a live TV signal. Cache 230 may be any memory technique known to those skilled in the art. One embodiment implements a linked list in the cache wherein a live signal is added to the linked as individual frames and as the buffer fills the older frames at the end of the list are released from the list and re-allocated to a cache allocation system.

[0050] An alternate configuration includes a video stream 240, which is then provided to tuner 245, which is then passed to encoder 250 and then to fixed file block 260. This configuration is useful for the analog transfer of a signal. For digital channels, encoder blocks 220 and 250 are removed, since the signal has already been digitized.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a configuration for a single decoder. Cache 300 provides data to decoder 310, which outputs video signal 320. This arrangement is useful for watching live TV. Alternatively, fixed file block 330 provides data to decoder 340, which outputs a video signal 350. This embodiment is useful for playing back a show that has already been transferred to the storage device.

[0052] Each decoder shown in FIG. 3 is associated with a tuner/encoder pair. For a live TV signal, FIG. 4 shows an example of a typical arrangement, where video signal 400 is transmitted to tuner 410 then to encoder 420 and to cache 430. After it leaves cache 430 it is decoded in block 440 and the outgoing video signal 450 is displayed on the television. It should be noted that a delay interval 460 of a given (x) number of seconds occurs between the time the signal reaches encoder 420 and is output by decoder 440. Therefore, a live TV signal is typically a signal that has been delayed by (x) seconds. If a user is watching a program and is currently transferring the program to a storage device as well, a cache, as shown in block 430 of FIG. 4 is not used. Instead, a fixed buffer 500, shown in FIG. 5 is used.

[0053] If the user is watching a show that has already been transferred to the storage device, the decoder is decoupled from the encoder (i.e., it reads from a different cache than the encoder), which continues to encode and cache the live video signal. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 6, where video signal 600 is tuned at block 605 and encoded at block 610 and stored in buffer 620. Fixed buffer 630 is used to provide data to decoder 640, which provides the output signal 650.

[0054] Finally, if a user is watching a show that resides already on the storage device while another show is currently being transferred to the storage device, two different fixed buffers are implemented. This embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7. Video signal 700 is tuned at block 705 and encoded at block 710 and stored in a first fixed buffer 720. A second fixed buffer 730 is used to watch the previously saved show, by transmitting and decoding the data at block 740 and displaying the output video signal 750 on a television.

[0055] Disk Management

[0056] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a set-top box has an internal hard drive for the storage of shows that are transferred there when they are broadcast. The set-top box is connected to or is integrated with an output device such as a television. Using the television, a user interacts with a graphical user interface (GUI) and an interactive program guide (IPG). The IPG has data for all of the shows broadcast on the various channels. The IPG data includes, for instance, the show title, the time the show starts, the time the show ends, a description of the show at various levels of detail, etc.

[0057] The GUI allows the user to navigate through the IPG data, for instance, by viewing different times and dates for broadcasts. The GUI also allows the user to view and manipulate the disk contents. In one embodiment, a priority is assigned to each saved show. As the disk fills towards the point of overflow, the PVR deletes the lowest priority saved shows to make space for the show that is actively being transferred or scheduled to be transferred. This embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 8. At block 800, a user accesses the guide data in the IPG using a GUI. At block 810 the user selects a cell in the IPG corresponding to the program or show to transfer to the storage device. At block 825, it is determined if the user is done selecting cells. If not, block 810 repeats. When the user is done selecting cells, the system determines if the disk has room for the scheduled show at block 830.

[0058] If so, the show is placed in a list at block 835. The list comprises all of the shows that have already been transferred to the storage device or are scheduled to be transferred to the storage device in the future. If block 830 is false (i.e., the disk does not have enough room for the show), then at block 840 each saved show on the disk has its priority examined. At block 850, the lowest priority show is deleted or scheduled for deletion, when the disk space is needed for the newly selected cell.

[0059] Another embodiment of the present invention allows the user to manually control the contents of the disk. This embodiment is described in connection with the flowchart in FIG. 9. At block 900, a user accesses guide data in the IPG using a GUI. At block 910 the user selects a cell in the IPG corresponding to the show to be transferred to a storage device. At block 920, the user or system assigns a priority to the cell.

[0060] After the user has selected a cell, the system analyzes the amount of available disk space and the priority of each saved show and from this at block 930 determines a date and time that each selected show to be saved will eventually be deleted. At block 940, the user interacts with the GUI wherein they may change the priorities of the programs manually at block 945 after reading the eventual deletion date and time. This includes, for instance, making a show un-deletable, raising its priority, or lowering its priority. At block 950, it is determined if the user is finished. If not, block 940 repeats. When the user is finished at block 950, the system begins transferring the programs as scheduled at block 960.

[0061] Another embodiment of the present invention uses a semi-automated process to control the contents of the disk, using a message or indication that allows the user to keep certain saved shows for a longer period of time, if desired. This embodiment is described in connection with the flowchart in FIG. 10. At block 1000, a user accesses guide data in the IPG using a GUI. At block 1010 the user selects a cell in the IPG corresponding to the program to be transferred to a storage device. At block 1020, the user or system assigns a priority to the cell.

[0062] After the user has selected a cell, the system analyzes the amount of available disk space and the priority of each saved show and from this at block 1030 determines a date and time that each selected show to be transferred will eventually be deleted. At block 1040, the system determines if the eventual date and time for deletion for a show are within a limit (i.e., the show will be deleted in one hour). If not, then block 1040 repeats. When the limit is reached, then at block 1050, a process is initiated that allows the user to keep the show longer, if they so desire.

[0063] It is determined at block 1050 if the user wants to keep the show longer. If so, the system increases the priority of the show to where it is not the next show scheduled for deletion at block 1070, and block 1030 repeats. Otherwise, the show continues at its present location in the queue at block 1080 and it is eventually deleted at block 1090.

[0064] Saved Shows Screen

[0065] A saved shows screen is a component of the GUI used by one embodiment of the present invention. The screen may be accessed, for instance, by depressing a button on a remote control. The saved shows screen provides access to all shows that have been saved to the hard drive. FIG. 11 is an example of a saved shows screen. Saved shows screen 1100 includes a vertically scrolling list 1110 that displays the viewer's saved shows in reverse chronological order. By pressing up and down arrows on the remote, for instance, the viewer can scroll through the list and highlight a specific show 1115. Pressing play will begin the playback of the highlighted show 1115. A deletion status icon 1120 is used to give the user an estimate as to when a particular show will be deleted. In this example an icon 1125, which is a sideways hourglass is used to designate a show that is locked and cannot be deleted. While other icons are use hourglasses in different states to correspond to how long the shows have left before deletion and to give the user a quick visual perspective of the time until deletion.

[0066] Storage Priority Screen

[0067] From screen 1100, the user may access a storage priority screen shown as 1200 of FIG. 12. Screen 1200 includes a highlighted show 1210 with up and down graphical arrows 1220. Up and down arrows 1220 correspond to buttons on a remote control, for instance. The user depresses these buttons to cause the highlighted show 1210 to move in the appropriate direction on the list. For instance, button 1230 is used to organize the list so that the highlighted show 1210 will be erased later. Likewise, button 1240 is used to organize the list so that the highlighted show 1210 will be erased sooner. The same functionality may also be achieved by dragging and dropping highlighted show 1210.

[0068] When highlighted show 1210 is moved at the user interface of screen 1200, the list is reorganized. In one embodiment, the list is handled in a data structure, such as a queue or an array wherein shows at the front of the queue are deleted first. In another embodiment, the system level list is maintained as a linked list. If a user accesses screen 1200 and drags and drops a show to a different location in the GUI, this causes the system to reorganize the list, either by manipulating pointers in the linked list or by sorting the array using the new priorities to harmonize the list with the action taken in the user interface of screen 1200.

[0069] Disk Space Management Algorithms

[0070] When it is time for a show to be transferred to the storage device, the system ensures that there is sufficient disk space for such an operation. The following algorithm is used to clear sufficient disk space when the transfer starts, according to one embodiment of the present invention:

[0071] 1. If the show belongs to a series, and the user has specified to keep no more than N episodes, any old episodes greater than N in number, are automatically deleted, regardless of whether the disk space is actually needed or not.

[0072] 2. While the available disk space is less than what is needed to transfer the show:

[0073] The lowest priority show is deleted.

[0074] Shows which have been denoted as ‘locked for deletion’ are never deleted automatically.

[0075] FIG. 13 describes a disk space clearing algorithm according to one embodiment of the present invention. At block 1300 the system determines if one or more shows to be deleted are series. If so, it is determined at block 1310 if the user has specified to keep no more than N episodes. If so, then at block 1320, any old episodes greater than N in number, are automatically deleted, regardless of whether the disk space is actually needed or not.

[0076] If however, at block 1300 the shows are not a series, or at block 1310 the user has not specified to keep only N episodes, or after block 1320, it is determined if the available disk space is less than what is needed to transfer the show at block 1330. If so, the lowest priority show is deleted at block 1340 and block 1330 repeats. When block 1330 is false, transfer of the show is able to continue normally at block 1350, since enough space has been cleared from the disk.

[0077] Deletion Priority Algorithms

[0078] According to one embodiment of the present invention, deletion priority is determined by the the following system:

[0079] 1. Saved shows are kept in a saved shows queue. As new shows are added to the queue, older recordings are moved towards the end of the queue. With the exception of shows that are marked as ‘locked for deletion’ saved shows at the far end of the queue have the lowest priority and are deleted first, when space is needed.

[0080] 2. The user may manually move the position of a saved show in the saved show queue, thus changing its deletion priority.

[0081] 3. The user may mark an individual show as ‘locked for deletion,’ in which case the show will not be deleted unless the user manually deletes it, or unlocks it (in which case the regular rules apply).

[0082] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a deletion priority algorithm.

[0083] At block 1400 all of the current saved shows are stored in a saved show queue. At block 1410, it is determined whether a new show is being added to the saved show queue. If so, then at block 1420, it is determined if the show has been locked for deletion. If so, the list is reorganized at block 1430, wherein the show will not be deleted while it is marked locked for deletion.

[0084] If the show is not locked for deletion at block 1420, then at block 1440 the list is reorganized, wherein older shows are moved toward the end of the queue and the newest show is placed at the front of the queue. At block 1450, it is determined if the user is modifying the priority of a show in the saved show queue. This may occur, for instance, with a user explicitly assigning a new priority to the show, dragging and dropping the show to a different position in the saved show queue, or locking a specific show for deletion. If so, then block 1430 repeats. Otherwise, block 1400 repeats, where the system will wait until a new show is added to the queue and adjust the queue accordingly.

[0085] Estimating Time Until Deletion

[0086] In one embodiment of the present invention, the user does not explicitly set a deletion date. Instead the user is required to move shows up and down the saved show queue to change the show's deletion priority. Shows closer to the bottom (end) of the queue are deleted first, unless they are locked for deletion.

[0087] The following algorithm is used to estimate the time that remains before a particular show will be deleted. This algorithm is used to give the user an idea as to the effect of repositioning the show in the saved show queue. The algorithm simulates of the process of transferring the show to a storage device, and uses a heuristic to approximate the deletion time for shows, which may be deleted too far in the future to guess accurately.

[0088] Below is pseudo-code showing one way to implement the time until deletion algorithm:

Let S = the free space on the disc;
Let I = the last (bottom) recording in the saved show queue.
For each show X in the schedule queue
Let D = the planned start time of a transfer X
If the show X is from a series, and the series settings indicate that
no more than N episodes should be kept:
For each remaining series episode (J) over N in number,
Let show J's estimated deletion time to D.
Subtract the required discspace of X from S.
While S < 0:
If show I is locked, or the estimated deletion time has already been set,
ignore show I
Otherwise,
Set show I's estimated deletion time to D
Add show I's duration to S.
Set I to the previous show in the saved show queue.
If there are no more shows, break out of the X loop.
Let G = A running average of the time between estimated deletions in G.
For all the remaining recordings (I) for which we have not made estimates.
D = D − G
Set show I's estimated deletion time to D

[0089] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing how an estimated time for deletion is obtained. It is a precise method using simulation of future shows that will be transferred to the storage device by the system (for instance using an automatic series manager process). This is important because when a user schedules a new show for the future, there may be one or more automatic transfers that take place before the new show is eventually transferred. These intervening automatic transfers change the available disk space that will be available. Similarly, the user usually sets a maximum number of episodes to be transferred in a series, so there may also be intervening automatic deletions of surplus episodes that change the available disk space that will exist at the time the new show is transferred to the storage device.

[0090] The precise estimated time until deletion algorithm of FIG. 17 takes intervening transfers and deletions into account by simulating the future transfers and deletions up until the time the scheduled show will be transferred. This precisely determines if and when a saved show will need to be deleted to free available disk space for the scheduled show. The process starts at block 1700 where a future recording queue (i.e., simulated recordings) is initialized to an empty queue. At block 1705 all recordings are set to an unmarked state. At block 1710, it is determined if there are any unused future recordings in the schedule. If not, then all of the recordings on the disk will remain there until a future event occurs, such as a user manually recording a new show or setting up an automatic recording process, which might fill the disk at some point in the future. In this case, the only way to estimate the time until deletion is using an inexact method at block 1715 and the process is complete. The inexact method might, for instance, take an average of how many hours per day the user typically records and use that average to determine when the disk will fill up and based on that it can approximate when a show will be deleted. The inexact method is described in further detail in FIG. 19.

[0091] If, however, at block 1710 there are unused future recordings in the schedule, the next future recording is set to (X) at block 1717. The future time to estimate is set to the schedule time of X at block 1720. At block 1725, it is determined if X is a series and if the user has specified to only keep a certain number of episodes (N) of this series. If so, then at block 1730, an algorithm is initiated to estimate the time until deletion of all of the series episodes greater than N. Then, X is added to the future record queue at block 1732, which also occurs after block 1725 if X is not a series. Then a pool corresponding to the available disk space has the length of show X subtracted at block 1740.

[0092] At block 1745, it is determined if the pool is less than 0 and any unmarked shows remain. If not, then there is enough disk space and no more shows to record, so the flow proceeds to block 1710 where the process waits for more future shows to estimate and repeats. Otherwise, after block 1745 a loop is initiated between blocks 1750-1770 where the last unmarked show has its deletion simulated and the process repeats until the pool rises above 0. The loop starts at block 1750 where the last unmarked show in the future recording queue is set to (Y). At block 1755, it is determined if Y is locked for deletion. If not, then the future time of Y″s deletion is estimated at block 1760 and the pool has the length of show Y added to it. If block 1755 is false, or after block 1760, Y is marked and the process repeats at block 1745.

[0093] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing how one embodiment of the present invention handles estimating the deletion of a series including automatic deletion of surplus episodes. This occurs, for instance, at block 1730 of FIG. 17. It is necessary to perform this process when estimating the deletion times of shows and one or more automatic series transfers are included in the future recordings queue. This means that in the future some series will be recorded and possibly some surplus episodes will be deleted. Taking these activities into account are necessary to predict how much disk space will be available when a show is actually recorded.

[0094] The process begins at block 1800 where a count is set to 0. At block 1805, it is determined if a future recording queue (a list of simulated future recordings) contains shows matching the series (X) (where X is set to a series episode that is going to have its recording simulated). If so, then count is incremented by 1 at block 1815. At block 1820, (Y) is set to the next matching series episode in the future recordings queue. At block 1825, it is determined if the count is greater than or equal to (N) (where N is the number of series episodes the system is allowed to keep) and Y is unlocked and unmarked. If not, then block 1805 repeats. Otherwise, the future time is set to the estimated deletion time of Y at block 1830, Y is marked at block 1840, and block 1825 repeats.

[0095] When block 1805 eventually becomes false, it is determined at block 1845 if any recordings match series X. If not, then the algorithm is finished. Otherwise, at block 1850, count is incremented by 1. At block 1855, Y is set to the next matching episode in the future recordings queue. At block 1860 it is determined if count is greater than or equal to N and Y is unlocked and unmarked. If not, then block 1845 repeats. Otherwise, the future time is set to the estimated time of deletion for Y at block 1865, Y is marked at block 1870, and block 1860 repeats.

[0096] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing how one embodiment of the present invention handles estimating the deletion times when only an inexact method can be used. This occurs, for instance, at block 1715 of FIG. 17. It is important to use this algorithm when there are no recordings in the future recording queue and the disk is not full. In this scenario, the only way to estimate a show's deletion time is to estimate the speed in which the disk will fill up based on the user's pattern of activity. For instance, if a user records 3 hours of shows per day on average, than this value can be used to estimate when the disk will fill up, and consequently when shows will need to be deleted.

[0097] The process begins at block 1900 where it is determined if the average recordings per day exceed zero. The average recordings per day (avg_rpd) are found, for instance, by taking the total length of all shows in the schedule and dividing it by the total number of days in the schedule. This gives a space/time figure. For instance, if the recording schedule has 6 hours of shows over a period of 3 days, the avg_rpd is set to 2 hours. If the avg_rpd equals zero the process is complete. Otherwise at block 1910, it is determined if any unmarked shows remain. If not, the process is complete.

[0098] If unmarked shows remain, then at block 1915, the future time is set ahead by 24 hours. At block 1920, the pool of available disk space has the avg_rpd subtracted from it. At block 1925, it is determined if the pool is less than zero and any unmarked shows remain. If not, then block 1910 repeats If block 1925 is true, then at block 1930 (Y) is set to the last unmarked show in the record queue. At block 1935 it is determined if Y is locked for deletion. If not, then at block 1940 the future time to start estimating is set to the estimated time of deletion for Y. At block 1945 the pool of available disk space has the length of show Y added to it. At block 1950, Y is marked and block 1925 repeats. If block 1935 was true, then Y is marked at block 1950 and block 1925 repeats.

[0099] Overall System

[0100] The overall system used by the present invention allows a user to transfer shows to a storage device, manage a library of saved programs, apply VCR-like functionality to TV programming, and view television in a time shifted mode. FIG. 15 is a flowchart that provides an overview of the screens, menus, and functions that are provided for the user. Blocks 1500, 1510, and 1520 are for live television, delayed television, and recorded television respectively. The broadcast signal comprises the live television input to the system. Delayed television block 1510 shows the viewer the broadcast signal that is offset from real time and displayed from a cache. Recorded television block 1520 is used to show a pre-recorded program that is displayed from the disk. The user may rewind, pause, or perform an instant replay on the live signal, as well as fast forwarding the signal, which causes the system to adjust the video stream accordingly.

[0101] From the main screens 1500-1520, the user may invoke an interactive program guide 1530, which allows them to browse program information, select and display programs, and set up single instance and series recordings. To this end, a recording schedule screen 1540 may be invoked to review a scheduled recording's information, cancel scheduled recordings, change recording priorities, change recording parameters, and schedule manual recordings. A saved shows screen 1550 may also be invoked, whether from recording schedule screen 1540 or from main screens 1500-1520. The saved shows screen lets the user review a pre-recorded program's information, play pre-recorded programs, archive pre-recorded programs, change storage priorities, delete pre-recorded programs, and schedule manual recordings.

[0102] From saved shows screen 1550, a series manager screen 1560 may be invoked. The series manager screen shows a list of scheduled series recordings and allows the user to review a series' recording information, cancel series recordings, change series recording priorities, change series recording parameters, and schedule manual series recordings. From main screens 1500-1520 the user may also invoke a service menu 1570 to launch applications, control the video stream 1580, either by fast forward, rewind, stop, play, instant replay, etc., record 1590, obtain additional information 1592 and perform a swap, 1594.

[0103] If the user performs a swap 1594 the display foreground and background tuners are swapped. If the user prompts the system for more information 1592, a channel banner with a timeline 1596 is invoked. The channel banner provides a brief summary of information about the show, such as the time left, the title, the channel, etc. If the user requires more information that the channel banner shows, they may initiate a quick information screen 1598 that displays additional information.

[0104] FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram that illustrates the components of an embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIG. 16 is intended to be a conceptual diagram and does not necessarily reflect the exact physical construction and interconnections of these components. Set-top box 10 includes processing and control circuitry 1600, which controls the overall operation of the system. Coupled to the processing and control circuitry 1600 are one or more TV tuners 1610, a storage device 1620, a communication device 1630, and a remote interface 1640.

[0105] Tuners 1610 receive the television signals on transmission line 1660, which may originate from an antenna, a cable television outlet, or other broadcast input source. The set-top box 10 may have any number of tuners in block 1610. This includes, for instance, multiple tuners in a single box or the sharing of tuners between several interconnected set-top boxes (not shown). Processing and control circuitry 1600 provides audio and video output to output device 160 via a line 1670. Remote interface 1640 receives signals from remote control 60 via wireless connection 70. Communication device 1630 is used to transfer data between set-top box 10 and one or more remote processing systems, such as a web server 1680, via a data path 1690.

[0106] Processing and control circuitry 1600 may include one or more of devices such as general-purpose microprocessors, digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits, various types of signal conditioning circuitry, including analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, input/output buffers, etc. Storage device 1620 may include one or more physical memory devices, which may include volatile storage devices, non-volatile storage devices, or both. For example, storage device 1620 may include both random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk drives, various forms of programmable and/or erasable ROM, flash memory, or any combination of these devices.

[0107] Communication device 1630 may be a conventional telephone modem, an Integrated Services Digital Network adapter, a Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) adapter, a cable television modem, or any other suitable data communication device. Logic 1695 typically resides in storage device 1620. Logic 1695 may be used when the video recorder has been given instructions to transfer a show to the storage device and there is insufficient space on the storage device to perform such an action.

[0108] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A storage manager for a video recorder comprising: a user interface component for selecting one or more shows to be broadcast; a storage device for receiving said shows when they are broadcast; and a manager for monitoring said storage device and for ensuring that said storage device does not overflow and for removing a subset of said shows when said manager determines said storage device will overflow by examining one or more priorities related to each show and deleting a show associated with a lowest of said priorities when said manager determines said storage device will overflow.

2. The storage manager of claim 1 further comprising a manual resolution process wherein a user is presented with said priorities and said user changes said priorities when said manager determines said storage device will overflow.

3. The storage manager of claim 1 further comprising: an interface screen having each of said shows; and one or more estimated times until deletion corresponding to each of said shows wherein each of said estimated times until deletion indicate a time when each of said shows will cause said storage device to overflow.

4. The storage manager of claim 3 further comprising a keep longer message associated with a specific show wherein a user may respond to said keep longer message and wherein said response of said user causes said specific show to not overflow said storage device.

5. The storage manager of claim 4 wherein said interface screen comprises a list of said shows, further comprising: a dragging mechanism configured to allow a user to access one of said shows in said list; and a dropping mechanism configured to allow a user to reorder said list by dropping said one of said shows in a new location in said list.

6. The storage manager of claim 1 further comprising: an interface screen having each of said shows; and one or more icons corresponding to each of said shows wherein each of said icons provides a user with a visual indication as to when each of said shows will cause said storage device to overflow.

7. The storage manager of claim 1 wherein said manager examines said shows to determine of one or more of said shows is a series, further comprising a limit to a number of said series that are to be saved by said manager wherein said manager deletes said series from said storage device if said number exceeds said limit.

8. The storage manager of claim 1 further comprising: a saved show queue comprising an entry for each show currently on said storage device or scheduled to be transferred to said storage device; a front of said saved show queue wherein said manager places a new show into said saved show queue; and an end of said saved show queue wherein said manager removes a show from said saved show queue when all of said entries in said saved show queue are full.

9. The storage manager of claim 8 further comprising a locked for deletion flag associated with an entry in said saved show queue, wherein a show associated with an entry in said saved show queue associated with said locked for deletion flag will never be placed in said end of said saved show queue.

10. The storage manager of claim 1 wherein said interface component comprises an interactive program guide (IPG).

11. The storage manager of claim 10 wherein said shows are represented by one or more cells in said interactive program guide.

12. A method for managing a storage device comprising: selecting one or more shows that are to be broadcast using an interface component; receiving said shows in said storage device when they are broadcast; assigning priorities to each of said shows, monitoring said storage device; and removing a subset of said shows when said storage device will overflow, comprising examining said priorities and deleting a show associated with a lowest of said priorities when said storage device will overflow.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising: presenting said priorities to a user; and changing said priorities.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising: viewing an interface screen having each of said shows; and viewing one or more estimated times until deletion corresponding to each of said shows wherein each of said estimated times until deletion indicate a time when each of said shows will cause said storage device to overflow.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising: sending a keep longer message associated with a specific show to a user; and responding to said keep longer message wherein said response of said user causes said specific show to not overflow said storage device.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said interface screen comprises a list of said shows, further comprising: dragging one of said shows in said list; dropping said one of said shows in a new location in said list; and re-ordering said list.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising: accessing an interface screen having each of said shows; and viewing one or more icons corresponding to each of said shows wherein each of said icons provides a user with a visual indication as to when each of said shows will cause said storage device to overflow.

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising: examining said shows; determining if one or more of said shows is a series; obtaining a limit to a number of said series that are to be saved; and deleting said series from said storage device if said number exceeds said limit.

19. The method of claim 12 further comprising: obtaining a saved show queue comprising an entry for each show currently on said storage device or scheduled to be transferred to said storage device; placing a new show in a front of said saved show queue; and removing a show from an end of said saved show queue when all of said entries in said saved show queue are full.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising associating a locked for deletion flag with an entry in said saved show queue, wherein a show associated with an entry in said saved show queue associated with said locked for deletion flag will never be placed in said end of said saved show queue.

21. The method of claim 12 wherein said interface component comprises an interactive program guide.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said shows are represented by one or more cells in said interactive program guide.

23. A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a computer to manage a storage device, comprising, computer readable program code means for causing a computer to select one or more shows to be broadcast using an interface component; computer readable program code means for causing a computer to receive said shows when they are broadcast in said storage device; computer readable program code means for causing a computer to assign priorities to each of said shows; computer readable program code means for causing a computer to monitor said storage device; and computer readable program code means for causing a computer to ensure that said storage device does not overflow by examining said priorities and deleting a show associated with a lowest of said priorities when said storage device will overflow.

24. The computer program product of claim 23 further comprising: computer readable program code means for causing a computer to present said priorities to a user; and computer readable program code means for causing a computer to change said priorities.

25. The computer program product of claim 23 further comprising: computer readable program code means for causing a computer to show an interface screen having each of said shows; and computer readable program code means for causing a computer to show one or more estimated times until deletion corresponding to each of said shows wherein each of said estimated times until deletion indicate a time when each of said shows will cause said storage device to overflow.

26. The computer program product of claim 23 further comprising: computer readable program code means for causing a computer to send a keep longer message associated with a specific show to a user; and computer readable program code means for causing a computer to receive a response of said user to said keep longer message wherein said response of said user causes said specific show to not overflow said storage device.

27. The computer program product of claim 23 wherein said interface screen comprises a list of said shows, further comprising: computer readable program code means for causing a computer to drag one of said shows in said list; computer readable program code means for causing a computer to drop said one of said shows in a new location in said list; and computer readable program code means for causing a computer to re-order said list.

28. The computer program product of claim 23 further comprising: computer readable program code means for causing a computer to display an interface screen having each of said shows; and computer readable program code means for causing a computer to display one or more icons corresponding to each of said shows wherein each of said icons provides a user with a visual indication as to when each of said shows will cause said storage device to overflow.

29. The computer program product of claim 23 further comprising: computer readable program code means for causing a computer to examine said shows; computer readable program code means for causing a computer to determine if one or more of said shows is a series; computer readable program code means for causing a computer to obtain a limit to a number of said series that are to be saved; and computer readable program code means for causing a computer to delete said series from said storage device if said number exceeds said limit.

30. The computer program product of claim 23 further comprising: computer readable program code means for causing a computer to obtain a saved show queue comprising an entry for each show currently on said storage device or scheduled to be transferred to said storage device; computer readable program code means for causing a computer to place a new show in a front of said saved show queue; and computer readable program code means for causing a computer to remove a show from an end of said saved show queue when all of said entries in said saved show queue are full.

31. The computer program product of claim 30 further comprising computer readable program code means for causing a computer to associate a locked for deletion flag with an entry in said saved show queue, wherein a show associated with an entry in said saved show queue associated with said locked for deletion flag will never be placed in said end of said saved show queue.

32. The computer program product of claim 23 wherein said interface component comprises an interactive program guide.

33. The computer program product of claim 23 wherein said shows are represented by one or more cells in said interactive program guide.