US007684673B2
`
`(12) Ulllted States Patent
`Monroe
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,684,673 B2
`Mar. 23, 2010
`
`(54) MANAGING A DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER
`VIA A NETWORK
`
`JP
`
`8/2003
`2003224671 A
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`_
`(75) Inventor' Belton L‘ Monroe’ Durham’ NC (Us)
`.
`_
`_
`_
`_
`(73) Asslgnee' Internatlqnal Busmess Machmes
`cerperatlellr Armenk, NY (Us)
`_
`_
`_
`_
`SubJeCI to any dlselalmer, the term of thls
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1116 days,
`
`_
`( * ) Nome:
`
`(21) App1_ NO; 11/324,870
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan. 3, 2006
`
`(65)
`
`prior publication Data
`
`US 2007/0154170 A1
`
`Jul. 5, 2007
`
`(51) Int- Cl-
`(2006.01)
`H04N 5/91
`(200601)
`H04N 5/00
`(52) us. Cl. ....................................... .. 386/83- 386/125
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search ................. .. 386/83
`386/124 125 4 6 4 5 92 95’
`See a lication ?le for Com lete gearcl’l hi’sto ’
`’
`pp
`p
`ry'
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U'S' PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6,658,663 B1
`12/2003 Bruynsteen ............... .. 725/134
`6,788,882 B1
`9/2004 Geer et al. ................ .. 386/116
`2005/0210395 A1 *
`9/2005 Wakita etal. ............. .. 715/753
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Chorianopoulos et al., “Affective Usability Evaluation for an Inter
`active Music Television Channel”, ACM Computers in Entertain
`ment, vol. 2, No. 3, Jul. 2004, Article 7b, pp. l-ll.
`Mani et al., “The Networked Home as a User-Centric Multimedia
`System”, ACM Digital Library, ACM 1-58113-935-7/04/0010,
`NRBC’04, Oct. 2004, New York, USA, pp. 19-30.
`Cranor et al., “Design and Implementation of a Distributed Content
`Management System”,ACM Digital Library, ACM 1-58113-694-03/
`03/0006, NOSSDAV’03, Jun. 2003, California USA, pp. 4-11.
`Tokmakoff, “Avatars, interaction and next-generation television”,
`INSPEC AN-7540767, Proceedings 2002 IEEE International Con
`ference on Multimedia and Expo, Lausanne, Switzerland Aug. 2002.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary ExamineriRobert Chevalier
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiYee & Associates, P.C.; John
`R_ Pivnichny
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`_
`_
`_
`The aspects of the present 1nvent10n prov1de a computer
`implemented me‘hed’ system’ and eemPmer usable Pregram
`Code for managing Programming for a digital Video recorder
`via a network. The method includes receiving user instruc
`tions at a content manager, wherein the content manager
`receives the user instructions through a network. The method
`also includes executing the user instructions to schedule
`recording of content for the user. The method further includes
`responsive to a plurality of users designating the content,
`ste?ng only a single instanee efthe eemem designated by the
`plurality of user s to form eemmen stored eemem The
`method is also responsive Ye a request to VieW the Cement
`from a user in the plurality of users, transmitting the common
`stored content to the user in the plurality of users over the
`network.
`
`EP
`
`1152609
`
`11/2001
`
`18 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`G@
`
`RECEIVE CONSOLIDATED
`LISTING OF PROGRAM CHOICES
`FROM AGGREGATION ENGINE
`
`900\
`
`910
`
`DOES THE
`CONSOLIDATED LISTING
`REQUIRE A PROGRAM TO
`BE ADDED OR
`
`920
`
`930
`
`940 f
`
`RECEIVE CONTENT FROM
`BROADCASTING UNIT
`I
`SELECT AND FILTER WHICH
`CONTENT TO RECORD
`I
`SEND CONTENT TO THE
`SHARED STORAGE UNIT TO
`BE RECORDED AND STORED
`
`DELETE CONTENT I4 915
`
`
`
`Page 1 of 17
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`Unified Exhibit 1006
`Unified Patents v Rothschild
`IPR2015-01181
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`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2010
`
`Sheet 1 of8
`
`US 7,684,673 B2
`
`120
`/
`BROADCASTING
`UNIT
`
`100
`!/
`
`110
`N /
`
`CLIENT
`
`[112
`
`‘I'>>>>>>>>
`CLIENT
`
`“ \1T4
`
`CLIENT
`
`108
`
`FIG. 2
`
`206\ PROCESSING
`UNIT
`
`208
`202
`210
`/
`\
`\
`IvIAIN
`GRAPHICS
`PROCESSOR <:> NB/MCH <I> MEMORY
`
`200
`/
`
`216
`/
`AUDIO
`ADAPTER
`
`236
`
`8'0
`
`240
`
`BUS
`
`204
`\
`
`SB/ICH
`
`BUS
`
`238
`/
`
`U
`
`Q
`
`3
`
`ll
`
`l£>
`
`D'SK
`
`CD'ROM
`
`NETWORK
`ADAPTER
`
`USB AND
`25$:
`
`PCI/PCle
`DEvICES
`
`/
`226
`
`/
`230
`
`/
`212
`
`/
`232
`
`/
`234
`
`KEYBOARD
`AND
`MOUSE
`ADAPTER
`\
`220
`
`MODEM ROM
`
`\
`222
`
`\
`224
`
`
`
`Page 2 of 17
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`IPR2015-01181
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`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2010
`
`Sheet 2 of8
`
`US 7,684,673 B2
`
`FIG. 3
`
`330
`
`AGGREGATION
`ENGINE
`CONSOLIDATED
`LISTING
`/
`332
`
`3/40
`CONTENT
`FILTER
`
`SECOND
`CONTENT
`> MANAGER
`\
`322
`
`SHARED
`STQRAGE
`UN"
`
`350
`
`__ BROADCASTING
`UNIT
`\
`360
`
`FIRST CONTENT
`/
`320
`IVAIkANAGER
`
`APPLICATION
`SERVER
`
`\310
`
`FIG. 4
`ConienI Manager
`
`400
`'/
`
`—-—~ —_ RECORDINGS
`
`FUNCTIONS
`430\ 432
`410
`lm
`418
`| m
`416
`420 412 424
`431" ICIL
`|1 Name I Expi‘resT ShareO
`Delete
`Share
`E Show1
`3days
`Yes
`433
`434 437
`438
`/
`/
`E IE Show2
`Saved
`N0
`Save
`UTEIJLI
`El
`Sh0w10 News
`No
`Longer
`ViewOther‘S
`IE1
`snowIs
`Iday
`Yes
`D°W"'Qad I
`CW3“
`El E
`435
`439
`
`‘
`
`i
`
`v
`
`
`
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`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2010
`
`Sheet 3 of8
`
`US 7,684,673 B2
`
`
`
`500\ RECEIVE REQUEST TO ACCESS CONTENT MANAGER FROM USER
`
`AT A DATA PROCESSING UNIT
`I
`510\ SEND SIGNAL TO DISPLAY THE
`GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR
`USER'S CONTENT MANAGER
`
`520\
`
`I
`RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS FROM USER
`
`530
`
`ARE THE
`INSTRUCTIONS
`TO vIEW, LISTEN TO,
`OR DOWNLOAD
`CONTENT?
`
`YES
`
`ARE THE
`INSTRUCTIONS
`TO ADD A NEW PROGRAM
`REQUEST, TO DELETE A PROGRAM
`REQUEST, OR REOUEST THAT A
`SHOW'S DELETION DATE
`BE EXTENDED
`?
`
`540
`
`YES
`
`I
`RETRIEvE CONTENT EROM
`SHARED STORAGE UNIT \532
`I
`SEND CONTENT TO DATA
`\534
`PROCESSING UNIT
`;
`SEND CHANGED
`PERSONAL LISTING To _,
`AGGREGATION ENGINE
`
`\
`542
`
`THE INSTRUCTIONS
`TO GRANT ACCESS TO
`A SECOND USER TO vIEW THE
`INFORMATION ON THE
`CONTENT MANAGER
`
`TO FIG. 5B
`
`YES
`
`552
`/
`CHANGE STATUS TO "YES"
`UNDER THE SHARE COLUMN
`
`(END)
`
`
`
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`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2010
`
`Sheet 4 of8
`
`US 7,684,673 B2
`
`FIG. 5B
`
`5/62
`CHANGE STATUS T0 "NO"
`UNDER THE SHARE COLUMN
`
`FROM FIG. 5A
`
`560
`
`ARETHE
`'NSTRUCT'ONS
`TO TAKE A PROGRAM
`OFF A SHARED
`STATUS?
`
`570
`
`ARE THE
`INSTRUCTIONS
`TO VIEW A THIRD USER'S
`CONTENT MANAGER
`7
`
`NO
`
`572 \ SEND REQUEST TO ACCESS
`A THIRD CONTENT MANAGER
`
`ACCESS
`GRANTED?
`
`NO
`
`580
`
`V
`
`SEND MESSAGE TO USER
`DENYING ACCESS
`\
`590
`
`DOWNLOAD INFORMATION FROM
`582 / THIRD CONTENT MANAGER
`I
`RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS TO VIEW,
`f LISTEN T0, 0R DOWNLOAD CONTENT
`584
`LISTED ON THIRD CONTENT MANAGER
`I
`RETRIEVE CONTENT FROM THE
`SHARED STORAGE UNIT
`I
`SEND CONTENT TO USER
`
`586/
`
`588/
`
`(EIIID)
`
`
`
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`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2010
`
`Sheet 5 of8
`
`US 7,684,673 B2
`
`FIG. 6
`( START )
`
`60[)\
`
`RECEIVE PERSONAL LISTING
`OF PROGRAM CHOICES
`FROM A CONTENT MANAGER
`
`610
`
`IS THIS
`PERSONAL LISTING
`FROM A NEW USER
`ACCOUNT?
`
`YES
`
`V
`COMPARE PERSONAL LISTING
`620/ WITH CONSOLIDATED LISTING
`
`HAS THE
`PERSONAL LISTING
`FROM THE CONTENT
`MANAGER BEEN
`MODIFIED?
`
`IS THERE AT
`LEAST ONE PROGRAM
`LISTED ON THE PERSONAL
`LISTING THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN
`THE OONsOLIOATEO
`LISTING?
`
`MODIFY
`CONSOLIDATED
`LISTING
`
`\
`645
`
`650/
`
`SEND NEW CONSOLIDATED LISTING
`TO SHARED STORAGE UNIT
`
`@
`
`
`
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`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2010
`
`Sheet 6 of8
`
`US 7,684,673 B2
`
`FIG. 7
`
`@
`
`RECEIVE REQUEST TO ACCESS
`CONTENT MANAGER FROM A SECOND
`CONTENT MANAGER OF A SECOND
`USER'S DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM
`
`710
`
`IS THE
`REQUESTED INFORMATION
`DESIGNATED TO BE SHARED WITH
`THE SECOND CONTENT
`MANAGER?
`
`ALLOW SECOND CONTENT MANAGER
`720/ TO ACCESS CONTENT MANAGER
`v
`
`730/
`
`SEND INFORMATION TO SECOND
`CONTENT MANAGER
`
`(END)
`
`v
`SEND MESSAGE DENYING
`ACCESS TO SECOND
`CONTENT MANAGER \740
`
`
`
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`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2010
`
`Sheet 7 of8
`
`US 7,684,673 B2
`
`FIG. 8
`
`800\ ESTABLISH CONNECTION
`TO A NETWORK
`I
`81 U\ LOG ON TO BROADCASTING
`SERVICE PROVIDER
`I
`ACCESS CONTENT MANAGER
`
`830
`
`DOES
`THE USER WISH
`TO MODIFY PROGRAMMING,
`OR VIEW, LISTEN TO,
`OR DOWNLOAD
`CONTENT?
`
`USER CHANGES PERSONAL
`LISTING OF PROGRAM CHOICES \832
`
`VIEW’ LISTEN To‘
`OR DOWNLOAD
`
`UPLOAD NEW PEIRSONAL LISTING
`‘
`
`\ 834
`
`WHAT
`MEDIA DOES
`THE USER PLAN TO USE
`TO VIEW OR LISTEN
`TO CONTENT
`
`840
`
`ALL OTHER
`MEDIA
`
`RECEIVE CONTENT THROUGH
`STREAMING vIDEO OR AUDIO
`860 / vIA THE NETWORK OR
`DOWNLOAD TO LOCAL STORAGE
`
`g
`
`CID
`
`SEND NEW PERSONAL LISTING
`TO CONTENT MANAGER
`
`\836
`
`TELEVISION
`
`DOWNLOAD CONTENT TO
`DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER
`OR LOCAL STORAGE OR
`RECEIVE CONTENT DIRECTLY
`FROM SHARED STORAGE
`\
`
`850
`
`II
`
`
`
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`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 2010
`
`Sheet 8 of8
`
`US 7,684,673 B2
`
`FIG. 9
`( START )
`
`9[)[]\
`
`RECEIVE CONSOLIDATED
`LISTING OF PROGRAM CHOICES
`FROM AGGREGATION ENGINE
`
`910
`
`DOES THE
`CONSOLIDATED LISTING
`REQUIRE A PROGRAM TO
`BE ADDED OR
`DELETED?
`
`DELETED
`
`RECEIVE CONTENT FROM
`920 / BROADCASTTNO UNIT
`
`DELETE CONTENT
`
`IT
`SELECT AND FILTER WHICH
`CONTENT TO RECORD
`
`930/
`
`SEND CONTENT TO THE
`/ SHARED STORAGE UNIT T0
`940
`BE RECORDED AND STORED
`
`II
`
`(END)
`
`
`
`Page 9 of 17
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`Unified Exhibit 1006
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`IPR2015-01181
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`

`
`US 7,684,673 B2
`
`1
`MANAGING A DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER
`VIA A NETWORK
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates generally to an improved data
`processing system, and in particular to a method and appara
`tus for managing data. Still more particularly, the present
`invention relates to a computer implemented method, appa
`ratus, and computer usable program code for managing a
`digital video recorder system via the internet.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`The digital video recorder (DVR) is an electronic device
`that records television programs in a digital format. The digi
`tal video recorder, also known as a personal video recorder or
`digital personal video recorder, was ?rst introduced into the
`market as a replacement for the traditional videocassette
`recorder (VCR). The digital video recorder operates like a
`small computerithe device records to a hard drive and has a
`consumer-friendly interface device.
`A user interfaces with a digital video recorder using a
`remote control and programs the digital video recorder
`through an interface screen, provided by a component in the
`digital video recorder, such as a content manager. The content
`manager uses a graphical user interface (GUI) as an interface
`to receive input and present output to a user. The programmed
`information is stored in a hard-wired media such as a non
`replaceable hard drive. In general, the digital video recorder
`storage capacity is limited to the hard drive siZe and addi
`tional storage space is di?icult to add. Furthermore, any pro
`gram information stored on the hard-wired media is non
`transferable. Therefore, whenever the digital video recorder
`unit is replaced for maintenance, repair, or upgrade, the pro
`gram information currently stored in the digital video
`recorder is lost. The user reprograms all the lost information
`back into the replacement digital video recorder each time the
`digital video recorder is replaced.
`The digital video recorder permits users to program and
`view recorded content through the digital video recorder unit
`itself. Content can be anything that can be sent digitally or by
`video or audio. Thus, content includes things that have a
`scheduled time for broadcasting, such as an episode of a
`show, a song, a movie, a music video, a documentary, or a
`news broadcast. Content can also be a digital picture in which
`a user can upload. Typically, a user connects the digital video
`recorder unit to a television set and views the recorded content
`through the television set. A digital video recorder is not
`adapted to connect with other media units, such as a personal
`computer, a cell phone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA)
`unit. Thus, a user is limited to watching recorded content at a
`location where the digital video recorder unit is connected to
`a television set. Furthermore, since programs can only be
`viewed through the digital video recorder unit itself, a user
`cannot easily share a recorded program with other users.
`Unlike a video cassette recorder, a digital video recorder does
`not have a separate video cartridge to record programs on and
`easily loan to another user. Instead, a user must borrow the
`entire digital video recorder unit itself to watch a recorded
`program, which is cumbersome and inconvenient. A digital
`video recorder, however, does allow users to download to a
`video recorder then give the video to a friend, but then a user
`would need access to both a digital video recorder and video
`recorder.
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The aspects of the present invention provide a computer
`implemented method, system, and computer usable program
`code for managing programming for a digital video recorder
`via a network. The method includes receiving user instruc
`tions at a content manager, wherein the content manager
`receives the user instructions through a network. The method
`also includes executing the user instructions to schedule
`recording of content for the user. The method further includes
`responsive to a plurality of users designating the content,
`storing only a single instance of the content designated by the
`plurality of users to form common stored content. The
`method is also responsive to a request to view the content
`from a user in the plurality of users, transmitting the common
`stored content to the user in the plurality of users over the
`network.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
`are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,
`however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives
`and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference
`to the following detailed description of an illustrative
`embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompany
`ing drawings, wherein:
`FIG. 1 depicts a network of data processing systems in
`which aspects of the present invention may be implemented;
`FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a data processing system
`in which aspects of the present invention may be imple
`mented;
`FIG. 3 illustrates a digital video recording system in which
`aspects of the present invention may be implemented;
`FIG. 4 depicts a graphical user interface for the content
`manager in which aspects of the present invention may be
`implemented;
`FIGS. 5A and 5B are a ?owchart of a process for managing
`a digital video recording system within a content manager, in
`accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 6 is a ?owchart of a process for managing a digital
`video recording system within an aggregation engine, in
`accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 7 is a ?owchart of a process for sharing a content
`manager with another user, in accordance with an illustrative
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 8 is a ?owchart of a process for managing a data
`processing system within a data processing system, in accor
`dance with an illustrative embodiment of the present inven
`tion; and
`FIG. 9 is a ?owchart of a process for managing a data
`processing system within a shared storage unit, in accordance
`with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`With reference now to the ?gures and in particular with
`reference to FIGS. 1-2, exemplary diagrams of data process
`ing environments are provided in which embodiments of the
`present invention may be implemented. It should be appreci
`ated that FIGS. 1-2 are only exemplary and are not intended to
`assert or imply any limitation with regard to the environments
`in which aspects or embodiments of the present invention
`may be implemented. Many modi?cations to the depicted
`
`65
`
`
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`
`US 7,684,673 B2
`
`3
`environments may be made Without departing from the spirit
`and scope of the present invention.
`With reference noW to the ?gures, FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial
`representation of a netWork of data processing systems in
`Which aspects of the present invention may be implemented.
`Network data processing system 100 is a netWork of comput
`ers in Which embodiments of the present invention may be
`implemented. Network data processing system 100 contains
`netWork 102, Which is the medium used to provide commu
`nications links betWeen various devices and computers con
`nected together Within netWork data processing system 100.
`NetWork 102 may include connections, such as Wire, Wireless
`communication links, or ?ber optic cables.
`In the depicted example, server 104 and server 106 connect
`to netWork 102 along With storage unit 108. In addition, users
`110, 112, and 114 connect to netWork 102. These users 110,
`112, and 114 may be, for example, personal computers or
`netWork computers. In the depicted example, server 104 pro
`vides data, such as boot ?les, operating system images, and
`applications to users 110, 112, and 114. Users 110, 112, and
`114 are users to server 104 in this example. NetWork data
`processing system 100 may include additional servers, users,
`and other devices not shoWn.
`In the depicted example, broadcasting unit 120 is also
`connected to netWork 102. Broadcasting unit 120 is any
`media broadcasting station Which broadcasts media through
`netWork 102. Broadcasting unit 120 may broadcast over the
`air or through other media, such as a cable netWork system.
`In the depicted example, netWork data processing system
`100 is the Internet With netWork 102 representing a World
`Wide collection of netWorks and gateWays that use the Trans
`mission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite of
`protocols to communicate With one another. At the heart of
`the Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication
`lines betWeen major nodes or host computers, consisting of
`thousands of commercial, governmental, educational and
`other computer systems that route data and messages. Of
`course, netWork data processing system 100 also may be
`implemented as a number of different types of netWorks, such
`as for example, an intranet, a local area netWork (LAN), or a
`Wide area netWork (WAN). FIG. 1 is intended as an example,
`and not as an architectural limitation for different embodi
`ments of the present invention.
`With reference noW to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a data
`processing system is shoWn in Which aspects of the present
`invention may be implemented. Data processing system 200
`is an example of a computer, such as server 104 or user 110 in
`FIG. 1, in Which computer usable code or instructions imple
`menting the processes for embodiments of the present inven
`tion may be located.
`In the depicted example, data processing system 200
`employs a hub architecture including north bridge and
`memory controller hub (NB/MCH) 202 and south bridge and
`input/output (I/O) controller hub (SB/ICH) 204. Processing
`unit 206, main memory 208, and graphics processor 210 are
`connected to NB/MCH 202. Graphics processor 210 may be
`connected to NB/MCH 202 through an accelerated graphics
`port (AGP).
`In the depicted example, local area netWork (LAN) adapter
`212 connects to SB/ICH 204. Audio adapter 216, keyboard
`and mouse adapter 220, modern 222, read only memory
`(ROM) 224, hard disk drive (HDD) 226, CD-ROM drive 230,
`universal serial bus (USB) ports and other communication
`ports 232, and PCI/PCIe devices 234 connect to SB/ICH 204
`through bus 238 and bus 240. PCI/PCIe devices may include,
`for example, Ethernet adapters, add-in cards, and PC cards for
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`20
`
`25
`
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`notebook computers. PCI uses a card bus controller, While
`PCIe does not. ROM 224 may be, for example, a ?ash binary
`input/output system (BIOS).
`HDD 226 and CD-ROM drive 230 connect to SB/ICH 204
`through bus 240. HDD 226 and CD-ROM drive 230 may use,
`for example, an integrated drive electronics (IDE) or serial
`advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface. Super I/ O
`(SIO) device 236 may be connected to SB/ICH 204.
`An operating system runs on processing unit 206 and coor
`dinates and provides control of various components Within
`data processing system 200 in FIG. 2. As a user, the operating
`system may be a commercially available operating system
`such as Microsoft® WindoWs® XP (Microsoft and WindoWs
`are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States,
`other countries, or both). An object-oriented programming
`system, such as the JavaTM programming system, may run in
`conjunction With the operating system and provides calls to
`the operating system from JavaTM programs or applications
`executing on data processing system 200 (Java is a trademark
`of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States, other coun
`tries, or both).
`As a server, data processing system 200 may be, for
`example, an IBM® eServerTM pSeries® computer system,
`running the Advanced Interactive Executive (AIX®) operat
`ing system or the LINUX® operating system (eServer,
`pSeries and AIX are trademarks of International Business
`Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries,
`or both While LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds in the
`United States, other countries, or both). Data processing sys
`tem 200 may be a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) system
`including a plurality of processors in processing unit 206.
`Alternatively, a single processor system may be employed.
`Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented
`programming system, and applications or programs are
`located on storage devices, such as HDD 226, and may be
`loaded into main memory 208 for execution by processing
`unit 206. The processes for embodiments of the present
`invention are performed by processing unit 206 using com
`puter usable program code, Which may be located in a
`memory such as, for example, main memory 208, ROM 224,
`or in one or more peripheral devices 226 and 230.
`Those of ordinary skill in the art Will appreciate that the
`hardWare in FIGS. 1 -2 may vary depending on the implemen
`tation. Other internal hardWare or peripheral devices, such as
`?ash memory, equivalent non-volatile memory, or optical
`disk drives and the like, may be used in addition to or in place
`of the hardWare depicted in FIGS. 1-2. Also, the processes of
`the present invention may be applied to a multiprocessor data
`processing system.
`In some illustrative examples, data processing system 200
`may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), Which is con?g
`ured With ?ash memory to provide non-volatile memory for
`storing operating system ?les and/or user-generated data.
`A bus system may be comprised of one or more buses, such
`as bus 238 or bus 240 as shoWn in FIG. 2. Of course, the bus
`system may be implemented using any type of communica
`tion fabric or architecture that provides for a transfer of data
`betWeen different components or devices attached to the fab
`ric or architecture. A communication unit may include one or
`more devices used to transmit and receive data, such as
`modern 222 or netWork adapter 212 of FIG. 2. A memory may
`be, for example, main memory 208, ROM 224, or a cache
`such as found in NB/MCH 202 in FIG. 2. The depicted
`examples in FIGS. 1-2 and above-described examples are not
`meant to imply architectural limitations. For example, data
`
`
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`IPR2015-01181
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`

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`US 7,684,673 B2
`
`5
`processing system 200 also may be a tablet computer, laptop
`computer, or telephone device in addition to taking the form
`of a PDA.
`The aspects of the present invention provide a computer
`implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable pro
`gram code for managing, recording, and playback of content.
`The aspects of the present invention receive user instructions
`from a content manager, Where the content manager receives
`the instructions through a netWork. The aspects of the present
`invention also include executing the user instructions to
`schedule the recording of the content for the user. The aspects
`further include storing only a single instance of the content
`designated by a plurality of users to form common stored
`content. The illustrative embodiments are also responsive to a
`request to vieW the content from a user in the plurality of users
`and transmit the common stored content to the user over the
`netWork. In the manner presented, the aspects of the present
`invention also provide a system and computer usable program
`code for managing the digital video recorder via a netWork.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a digital video recording system in Which
`aspects of the present invention may be implemented. The
`digital video recording system includes television 300, per
`sonal digital assistant (PDA) 302, application server 310,
`shared storage unit 350, and broadcasting unit 360. In the
`illustrative embodiment, data processing systems such as
`television 300 and personal digital assistant 302 are con
`nected to a netWork such as the one depicted in FIG. 1.
`Television 300 and personal digital assistant 302 provide an
`interface for managing a user’s personal content manager.
`Television 300 is connected to a local digital video record
`ing unit, local cable box unit, or any other local storage unit,
`Which in turn is connected to the netWork. A user creates,
`updates, and modi?es programming using a content manager
`Which is displayed as a graphical user interface (GUI) on
`television 300. The digital video recording unit, local cable
`box unit, or any other local storage unit obtains the user’s
`individual account and content manager from the netWork
`and displays the information through television 300. Users
`also vieW recorded content on television 300.
`Portable data processing systems, such as personal digital
`assistant 302, offer users ?exibility and mobility in managing
`programming and vieWing recorded content. Much like tele
`vision 300, users create, update, and modify programming
`through a content manager on personal digital assistant 302.
`HoWever, personal digital assistant 302 can connect directly
`With the netWork and doWnload account information and a
`user’s content manager. Additionally, personal digital assis
`tant 302 is portable and alloWs users to vieW recorded content
`Wherever the user is located, as long as a netWork connection
`capable of reaching application server 310 exists.
`In the illustrative embodiment, application server 310
`includes ?rst content manager 320, second content manager
`322, aggregation engine 330, and content ?lter 340. Applica
`tion server 310 can have more or less content managers, but
`typically has at least one content manager. A content manager
`is initiated each time a user logs on to a data processing
`system, such as television 300 or personal digital assistant
`3 02, to make programming changes or vieW recorded content.
`Multiple users can pull up their individual content managers
`on the same data processing system. A data processing system
`is not limited to a single user or a single content manager.
`First content manager 320 and second content manager
`322 provide the users of television 300 and personal digital
`assistant 302 respectively With a set of program choices. A set
`of program choices can be a list of either one or more pro
`grams.A program can be any broadcast, such as an episode of
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`a television shoW, a song from a radio program, a movie, neWs
`commentary, or any combination thereof, transmitted
`through a media unit.
`Each user selects What programs to record from the set of
`program choices. From the list of selected programs, ?rst
`content manager 320 and second content manager 322 gen
`erate either a neW personal listing of program choices for each
`user or add to a current list if a personal listing of program
`choices already exists. The personal listing may include the
`channel of the shoW to record, the name of the program to be
`recorded, and the date and time of the content to be recorded.
`The personal listing may also include a request to record all
`shoWs With the same title shoWn during a period of time on
`any channel or only the episodes shoWing for the ?rst time. In
`some cases, the personal listing may also include preference
`recommendations in Which the digital video recording system
`analyZes the vieWing preferences of the user and recommends
`additional programs that the user may be interested in.
`The personal listing of program choices recorded in ?rst
`content manager 320 and second content manager 322 are
`consolidated into a single list (consolidated listing 332) using
`aggregation engine 330. Aggregation engine 330 sorts the
`information from ?rst content manager 320 and second con
`tent manager 322 and creates a single list of content to be
`recorded. The list of content is a complete list of programs
`requested to be recorded. Each program from ?rst content
`manager 320 and second content manager 322 appears only
`once in the list, even if both content managers request the
`same content. For example, if ?rst content manager 320
`requests to record content A, B, and C and second content
`manager 322 requests to record content A, C, and D, the list
`generated by aggregation engine 330 Will shoW a request to
`record content A, B, C, and D. The list Will not display a
`request to record content A, A, B, C, C, and D. In these
`illustrative examples, each content item, A, B, C, and D, Will
`only be listed once even if the same content is requested by
`multiple content managers. As a result, only a single instance
`of a particular content is recorded and stored.
`Information in ?rst content manager 320 and second con
`tent manager 322 can be shared among different users. Thus,
`the user for television 300 can give the user for personal
`digital assistant 302 permission to vieW information in ?rst
`content manager 320. The user for television 300 can also
`limit What information can be accessed by the user for per
`sonal digital assistant 302. Additionally, the user for personal
`digital assistant 302 can doWnload and vieW content
`requested in ?rst content manager 320. Thus, if user for
`personal digital assistant 302 fails to list a particular content
`item in second content manager 322, the user for personal
`digital assistant 302 can still doWnload and Watch the content
`because the user for television set 300 has already requested
`it.
`
`Content ?lter 340 resides in application server 310 and
`interfaces With application engine 33 0. Content ?lter 340 may
`be any data processing system With the capability of receiving
`digital, video, or audio content. Content ?lter 340 has a
`mechanism to ?lter content and is able to separate desirable
`and undesirable content based on a pre-determined list, or
`according to the aspects of the present invention, based on
`consolidated listing 332.
`Aggregation engine 330 sends consolidated listing 332 to
`content ?lter 340. Content ?lter 340 uses consolidated listing
`332 to determine What content to record. Content ?lter 340
`receives content from broadcasting unit 360 and ?lters the
`received content for content listed on consolidated listing
`332. Content ?lter 340 then sends the ?ltered content to
`shared storage unit 350.
`
`
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`Page 12 of 17
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`Unified Exhibit 1006
`Unified Patents v Rothschild
`IPR2015-01181
`
`

`
`US 7,684,673 B2
`
`7
`Shared storage unit 350 interfaces With application server
`310 and stores content requested by ?rst content manager 320
`and second content manager 322. Content ?lter 340 sends
`content requested on consolidated listing 332 to shared stor
`age unit 350. Shared storage unit 350 only stores a single
`instance of the content in order to maximize shared storage
`space. Shared storage unit 350 acts as a repository of content
`for all users. When an individual user Wishes to Watch a
`particular content item, the user doWnloads the content from
`shared storage unit 350. Each individual shares the content
`from shared storage unit 350. Thus, a single instance of a
`particular content can be doWnloaded multiple times by mul
`tiple users.
`Shared storage unit 350 allocates a certain amount of stor
`age space for each user. Based on a user’s subscription, each
`user is alloWed to store a certain amount of co