US 7,322,038 B2
Program guide system for recording television programs
Edward B. Knudson, Littleton, Colo. (US); Michael D. Ellis, Boulder, Colo. (US); William L. Thomas, Bixby, Okla. (US); and Bruce L. Davis, Lake Oswego, Oreg. (US)
Assigned to United Video Properties, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif. (US)
Filed on Jul. 24, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/627,379.
Application 09/654856 is a division of application No. 08/924239, filed on Sep. 05, 1997, granted, now 6,141,488.
Application 10/627379 is a continuation of application No. 10/202280, filed on Jul. 22, 2002, granted, now 6,748,596.
Application 10/202280 is a continuation of application No. 09/654856, filed on Sep. 05, 2000, granted, now 6,473,559.
Prior Publication US 2004/0019903 A1, Jan. 29, 2004
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H04N 7/16 (2006.01); H04N 5/445 (2006.01); H04N 5/91 (2006.01); G06F 3/00 (2006.01); G06F 13/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 725—25  [725/30; 725/39; 725/58; 386/83] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An interactive program guide system including user equipment with which an interactive television program guide is provided and which includes a video recorder and a television, comprising:
means for receiving television program guide information for use in the interactive television program guide;
means for selecting a program for recording from the interactive television program guide;
means for locking the selected program, wherein when the selected program is locked access to the selected program is blocked;
means for displaying a message when the selected program becomes locked to ask the user whether to retain the recording selection;
means for receiving a response from the user that indicates whether the user desires to retain the recording selection; and
means for unlocking the selected program and directing the video recorder to record the selected program when the response received from the user indicates that the user desires to retain the recording selection.