US20100251299A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20100251299A1
Application number: US12/413,822
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles Scott; Scott White; Ankur Mukerji
Original assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP
Current assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP
Priority date: 2009-03-30
Filing date: 2009-03-30
Publication date: 2010-09-30
Also published as: US20120222073A1; US9137580B2

Abstract

A method includes accessing an electronic program guide (EPG). The method includes identifying recommended media content items using the EPG and selecting one or more addresses of recipients. The method further includes sending information identifying recommended media content items to the selected addresses.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to sending information identifying recommended media content items.

BACKGROUND

A user may desire to send information identifying recommended media content items to one or more recipients. For example, a teacher may desire to send information identifying recommended media content items to students. The user may identify recommended media content items and deliver a hardcopy or an email that includes information identifying the recommenced media content items to particular recipients. Each recipient may then review the recommended media content items and determine how to view each item. For example, each recipient may manually schedule a recording of media content items at a digital video recorder, manually select video on demand items, and manually schedule download of downloadable media content. When a recipient is not technically knowledgeable, the recipient may encounter difficulties viewing each recommended media content item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first particular embodiment of a system to send information identifying recommended media content items;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second particular embodiment of a system to send information identifying recommended media content items;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a first particular embodiment of a method to send information identifying recommended media content items;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a second particular embodiment of a method to send information identifying recommended media content items;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a third particular embodiment of a method to send information identifying recommended media content items; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a particular embodiment, a method includes accessing an electronic program guide (EPG) at a computing device (e.g. at a set-top box device or a personal computer). The method includes identifying recommended media content items using the EPG. The method further includes selecting addresses of one or more recipients and sending information identifying the recommended media content items to the selected addresses.

In another particular embodiment, a method includes receiving information identifying recommended media content items at a computing device. The method includes receiving a user selection selecting at least one item of media content from the recommended media content items. When the at least one item of media content is a scheduled broadcast program, the method includes automatically scheduling recording of the at least one item of media content at a media recorder device. When the at least one item of media content includes on demand media content, the method includes automatically placing the at least one item of media content in an on demand queue.

In another particular embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium includes operational instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to send a first graphical user interface (GUI) to a first computing device. The first GUI enables selection of recommended media content items and enables access to an electronic program guide (EPG). The computer-readable storage medium includes operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, via the first GUI, selections identifying recommended media content items. The computer-readable storage medium includes operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, via the first GUI, addresses of recipients. The computer-readable storage medium further includes operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to send the information identifying the recommended media content items to the addresses of the recipients.

In another particular embodiment, a system includes a first computing device to access an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify recommended media content items based on selections from the EPG and to send information identifying the recommended media content items to addresses associated with selected recipients. The EPG includes information identifying scheduled media content and on demand media content.

Referring toFIG. 1, a block diagram of a first particular embodiment of a system to send information identifying recommended media content items is depicted and generally designated100. Thesystem100 includes afirst computing device102 coupled to amedia content server104 via anetwork106. An electronic program guide (EPG)108, asecond computing device110, athird computing device112, and adownload device114 may also be coupled to thenetwork106.

Thefirst computing device102 is operable to access theEPG108 and to create information identifying recommendedmedia content items118 using theEPG108. Thefirst computing device102 is further operable to send the information identifying recommendedmedia content items118 to selectedaddresses120 of recipients. For example, a teacher may identify recommended media content items and send the information identifying recommendedmedia content items118 to students. Thefirst computing device102 may be a mobile telephony device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a personal computing device, a set-top box (STB) device, other computing device, or any combination thereof. Thefirst computing device102 may includeaddress data154 from which asender116 may select theselected addresses120. Theaddress data154 may include addresses associated with recipients that thesender116 selects to receive the information identifying recommendedmedia content items118. Thesender116 may modify theaddress data154 by enteringrecipient address data150 at thefirst computing device102. A particular address from theaddress data154 may be a phone number, an email address, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, other address, or any combination thereof. For example, theaddress data154 may include an address of therecipient136 that is associated with a mobile telephony device.

In a particular embodiment, thesender116 uses aremote control device156 to interact with thefirst computing device102. For example, when thefirst computing device102 is a STB device, theremote control device156 may be used to interact with the STB device to create the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218, to selectrecipients152 and to send the information identifying recommendedmedia content items118 to the selectedaddresses120 of the selectedrecipients152. In a particular embodiment, theremote control device156 enables thesender116 to browse theEPG108 to identify recommended media content items by selecting media content items from theEPG108. Theremote control device156 may also enable thesender116 to selectrecipients152 from theaddress data154. Theremote control device156 may enable thesender116 to add, delete, or modify a recipient and an address associated with the recipient.

Themedia content server104 is operable to provide media content to various devices, such as thefirst computing device102, thesecond computing device110, thethird computing device112, and thedownload device114. Themedia content server104 may include various types of media content, including scheduledmedia content160, ondemand media content162, anddownloadable media content164. For example, the scheduledmedia content160 may include media content, such as television programs or movies, scheduled for broadcast at a particular date and time. The ondemand media content162 may include media content that may be streamed upon request from themedia content server104 to one or more of the

devices

102,110,112, and114. Thedownloadable media content164 may include media content that may be download from themedia content server104 to one or more of the

devices

102,110,112, and114. Although themedia content server104 is illustrated as a single server inFIG. 1, in various embodiments themedia content sever104 may include a plurality of servers. For example, the plurality of servers may be a part of a particular service provider network or each server may belong to a separate service provider network.

In a particular embodiment, thesecond computing device110 is associated with one of the selectedaddresses120 and receives the information identifying recommendedmedia content items118. Thesecond computing device110 may display the information identifying recommendedmedia content items118 at adisplay device122 as displayed recommendedmedia content124. Thesecond computing device110 may be a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephony device, a set-top box device, other computing device, or any combination thereof. Thesecond computing device110 is further operable to receive auser selection128 from arecipient136. Theuser selection128 may select at least one item from the displayed recommendedmedia content124. In response to theuser selection128, thesecond computing device110 may automatically make the media content associated with theuser selection128 available for playback at thethird computing device112. For example, in response to theuser selection128, thesecond computing device110 may automatically schedule a recording of scheduledmedia content160, automatically schedule a download ofdownloadable media content164, and automatically place ondemand media content162 in a queue. Thethird computing device112 may be a digital video recorder (DVR) device, personal computing device, STB device, other computing device, or any combination thereof.

When theuser selection128 selects a scheduled program, thesecond computing device110 may instruct thethird computing device112 to automatically schedule recording of the selected media content at thethird computing device112. For example, therecipient136 may view the displayed recommendedmedia content124 at thedisplay device122 of a mobile telephony device, and theuser selection128 may cause the mobile telephony device to automatically schedule recording of the selected media content at a DVR device. When theuser selection128 selects an on demand media content item, the on demand media content item may be automatically placed in an ondemand queue132 of thethird computing device112. When theuser selection128 selects a downloadable media content item, thedownload device114 may automatically place the selected media content item in adownload queue134 of thedownload device114. In a particular embodiment, the download device may be a personal computing device or a STB device.

Thesecond computing device110 may determine whether a selected item of media content is theschedule media content160, thedownloadable media content164, or the ondemand media content162 and perform an appropriate action to provide the selected item of media content for playback. For example, when theuser selection128 includes a scheduled program from the scheduledmedia content160, thesecond computing device110 may automatically schedule recording of the scheduled program at thethird computing device112. In a particular embodiment, thesecond computing device110 automatically schedules recording of a scheduled program by accessing theEPG108. When theuser selection128 includes the ondemand media content162, thesecond computing device110 may automatically place the ondemand media content162 in an ondemand queue132 associated with thethird computing device112. For example, thesecond computing device110 may send a request to purchase the on demand media content to themedia content server104, and in response themedia content server104 may place the ondemand media content162 in the ondemand items queue132 associated with thethird computing device112. When theuser selection128 includes thedownloadable media content164, thesecond computing device110 may automatically schedule thedownloadable media content164 for download at thedownload device114. In a particular embodiment, thedownload device114 is integrated with thethird computing device112. For example, when the third computing device is a STB, thedownload device114 may be internal to the STB. In another particular embodiment, thedownload device114 is a device separate from thethird computing device112. For example, thethird computing device112 may be a set-top box device while thedownload device114 may be a personal computing device. In a particular embodiment, scheduling a download of at least one item of media content at thedownload device114 includes setting a priority of the item of media content and placing the item of media content in thedownload queue134 associated with thedownload device114. In this way, thesecond computing device110 may perform appropriate actions to make each selected item of media content available to therecipient136.

When theuser selection128 conflicts with one or more scheduledrecordings126 at thethird computing device112, thesecond computing device110 may automatically identify a second presentation of a program associated with either the previously scheduledrecording126 or associated with the selected media content. Thesecond computing device110 may prompt therecipient136 to select which of the second presentations to record. For example, the information identifying recommendedmedia content items118 may include a program X that is scheduled at the same time as a program A in the scheduledrecordings112. Thesecond computing device110 may automatically determine a second presentation of either program X or program A. Thesecond computing device110 may prompt therecipient136 to select from among the second alternatives. Thesecond computing device110 may receive asecond user selection130 and schedule the second presentation for recording at thethird computing device112.

Thus, thesender116 can efficiently send the information identifying recommendedmedia content items118 to the selected addresses120 of one or more recipients. For example, a teacher may create the information identifying recommendedmedia content items118 and send the information identifying recommendedmedia content items118 to students. An example of information identifying recommendedmedia content items118 is a list of content item titles. In addition, each of the recipients of the information identifying recommendedmedia content items118 may select only those media content items that they wish to view and thesecond computing device110 performs various actions to automatically make the selected items available. Furthermore, thesecond computing device110 automatically determines whether a particular media content item is scheduledmedia content160,downloadable media content164, or ondemand media content164 and then takes an appropriate action to make the particular media content available to therecipient136. In this way, therecipient136 can automatically obtain multiple media content items from the information identifying recommendedmedia content items118 via a single selection.

Referring toFIG. 2, a block diagram of a second particular embodiment of a system to send information identifying recommended media content items is depicted and generally designated200. Thesystem200 includes afirst computing device202 coupled to amedia content server204 via anetwork206. In the illustrated embodiment, an electronic program guide (EPG)208, asecond computing device210, athird computing device212, and arecommendation server270 are also coupled to thenetwork206.

Themedia content server204 is operable to provide media content to various devices, such as thefirst computing device202, thesecond computing device210, and thethird computing device212. Themedia content server204 may include various types of media content, such as scheduled media content, on demand media content, downloadable media content, other media content, or any combination thereof. Although themedia content server204 is illustrated as a single server inFIG. 2, in various embodiments themedia content server204 may include a plurality of servers. For example, the plurality of servers may be a part of a particular service provider network, or each server may belong to a separate service provider network.

Therecommendation server270 is operable to sendfirst data280 representing a first graphical user interface (GUI)242 to thefirst computing device202 and is operable to sendsecond data282 representing asecond GUI224 to thesecond computing device210. In the embodiment illustrated, therecommendation server270 includes aprocessor272, an input/output interface274, and amemory276. Thememory276 includesoperational instructions278 that are executable by theprocessor272 to perform the various functions of therecommendation server270.

Thefirst computing device202 is operable to receive thefirst data280 from therecommendation server270 and to display thefirst GUI242 at afirst display device240. Thefirst GUI242 may include one or more of a scheduled program listing244, a video ondemand listing246, and adownloadable content listing248. In a particular embodiment, the functions described as being performed by thefirst computing device202 are performed by a combination of thefirst computing device202 and therecommendation server270. For example, thefirst computing device202 may access theEPG208 via therecommendation server270.

Asender216 may use thefirst GUI242 to create information identifying recommendedmedia content items218. For example, thesender216 may create the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218 by accessing theEPG208 via thefirst GUI242. Thefirst computing device202 is operable to receive, via thefirst GUI242, a selection of selectedmedia content250 to create the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218. Thefirst computing device202 is further operable to receive, via thefirst GUI242, a selection of selectedrecipients252 and to identify the selected addresses220 associated with the selectedrecipients252. Thefirst computing device202 is further operable to send the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218 to the selected addresses220. Thefirst computing device202 may be a mobile telephony device, a personal computing device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a set-top box (STB) device, or any other computing device.

Thesecond computing device210 is further operable to automatically determine whether scheduling recording of the at least one item of media content would conflict with a previously scheduled recording at thethird computing device212. Thesecond computing device210 is operable to automatically identify a second presentation of a program associated with the previously scheduled recording or the at least one item of media content. Thesecond computing device210 is further operable to automatically schedule the second presentation for recording at thethird computing device212. For example, the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218 may identify a program X that is scheduled for recording at the same time that a program A is scheduled for recording. Thesecond computing device210 may automatically identify a second presentation of either program X or program A and automatically schedule the second presentation for recording at thethird computing device112.

Thesecond computing device210 may automatically perform various actions to make each selected item of media content available to therecipient236. For example, thesecond computing device210 may automatically schedule recording of at least one item of media content from the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218 at thethird computing device212 when the selected media content includes a scheduled program. Thesecond computing device210 may automatically identify at least one item of media content in anactive content list232 associated with thethird computing device212 when the selected item of media content includes on demand media content. Thesecond computing device210 may automatically schedule download of the selected item of media content at thethird computing device212 when the selected item of media content includes downloadable media content. For example, the selected media content item may be automatically placed in adownload queue234 associated with thethird computing device212.

In operation, therecommendation server270 may send thefirst data280 to thefirst computing device202 for display at thefirst display device240. Thefirst computing device202 may display, via thefirst GUI242, the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218 and selectedaddresses220 of selectedrecipients252. Thefirst computing device202 may send the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218 to the selected addresses220.

A computing device associated with each of the selected addresses220 may receive the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218. For example, the selected addresses220 may include an address associated with thesecond computing device210. Thesecond computing device210 may receive the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218 and display the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218 via thesecond GUI224, at thesecond display device222. Thesecond computing device210 may, via thesecond GUI224, receive auser selection228 of one or more of the items of the recommendedmedia content224. Thesecond computing device210 may automatically make the selected one or more items of media content available for playback at thethird computing device212. For example, when the item of media content is a scheduled program, the item of media content may be automatically scheduled for recording at thethird computing device212. When the selected item of media content includes on demand media content, the selected item of media content may be automatically identified in theactive content list232 associated with thethird computing device212. When the item of media content includes downloadable media content, the downloadable media content may be automatically scheduled for download at thethird computing device212. For example, the downloadable media content may be placed in thedownload queue234 associated with thethird computing device212.

Thus, therecipient236 may receive the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218, select one or more items of the recommended media content, and have the selections automatically made available for playback at thethird computing device212. Therecipient236 does not have to determine whether a particular item from the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218 is downloadable media content or video-on demand media content or scheduled media content. Instead, thesecond computing device210 determines how each selected item of media content may be obtained for viewing and automatically schedules recording of scheduled programs, automatically places on demand items in theactive content list232, and automatically places downloadable media content items in thedownload queue234. By receiving and performing various actions after receiving theuser selection228, thesecond computing device210 makes selected items from the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218 available to therecipient236. In this way, the amount of effort required to make each selected item of media content available to therecipient236 is reduced.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a first particular embodiment of a method to send information identifying recommended media content items. The method may be performed by a computing device, such as thefirst computing device102 ofFIG. 1, thefirst computing device202 ofFIG. 2, or therecommendation server270 ofFIG. 2.

The method begins by accessing an electronic program guide (EPG) at a computing device, at302. Moving to304, recommended media content items are identified using the EPG. Advancing to306, an address of one or more recipients is selected. Proceeding to308, information identifying the recommended media content is sent to the selected addresses. For example, inFIG. 1, thesender116 may access theEPG108 via thefirst computing device102 to create the recommendedmedia content items118. Thesender116 may use thefirst computing device102 to select selectedrecipients152 and send the recommendedmedia content items118 to the selected addresses120. The method ends at310.

Thus, a sender can access an EPG to easily identify recommended media content items from scheduled programs, on demand media content, and downloadable media content, and can send information identifying the recommended media content to one or more recipients.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a second particular embodiment of a method to send information identifying recommended media content items. The method may be performed by thesecond computing device110 ofFIG. 1, thesecond computing device210 ofFIG. 2, or therecommendation server270 ofFIG. 2.

Advancing to412, a determination may be made whether scheduling a recording of the at least one item of media content would conflict with a previously scheduled recording at the media recorder device. Proceeding to414, a second presentation of one of the programs associated with the previously scheduled recording and the at least one item of media content may be automatically identified. Advancing to416, a second user selection may be received indicating that the second presentation should be scheduled for recording. Continuing to418, the second presentation may be scheduled for recording at the media recorder. The method ends at420. Thus, a recipient can select at least one item of media content from information identifying recommended media content items and have the selected at least one item of media content automatically made available for viewing.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a third particular embodiment of a method to send information identifying recommended media content items. The method may be performed by thefirst computing device102 ofFIG. 1, thesecond computing device110 ofFIG. 1, thefirst computing device202 ofFIG. 2, thesecond computing device210 ofFIG. 2, or therecommendation server270 ofFIG. 2.

The method begins by sending a first graphical user interface (GUI) to a first computing device, at502. The first GUI may be used to identify recommended media content items. The first GUI may enable access to an electronic program guide (EPG). Moving to504, selections identifying recommended media content items are received via the first GUI. Moving to506, addresses of recipients are received via the first GUI. Advancing to508, information identifying the recommended media content items is sent to the addresses of the recipients. For example, inFIG. 2, therecommendation server270 sends thefirst GUI242 to thefirst computing device202. Therecommendation server270 may receive the information identifying recommendedmedia content items218 and the selected addresses220 via thefirst GUI242.

When the at least one item of media content includes on demand media content, at514, the at least one item of media content may be automatically identified in an active content list associated with the third computing device, at522. The method ends at526.

When the at least one item of media content includes downloadable media content, at514, a download of the at least one item of media content may be automatically scheduled at the third computing device, at524. The method then ends at526.

Referring toFIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system is shown and is designated600. Thecomputer system600 includes a set of instructions that can be executed to cause thecomputer system600 to perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein. Thecomputer system600, or any portion thereof, may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.

In a networked deployment, thecomputer system600 may operate in the capacity of a computing device, such as thefirst computing device102 ofFIG. 1, thesecond computing device110 ofFIG. 1, thethird computing device112 ofFIG. 1, thedownload device114 ofFIG. 1, thefirst computing device202 ofFIG. 2, thesecond computing device210 ofFIG. 2, thethird computing device212 ofFIG. 2, and therecommendation server270 ofFIG. 2. Thecomputer system600 can also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a network router, a wireless telephone, a land-line telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, thecomputer system600 can be implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video or data communication. Further, while asingle computer system600 is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, thecomputer system600 may include aprocessor602, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics-processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, thecomputer system600 can include amain memory604 and astatic memory606 that can communicate with each other via abus608. As shown, thecomputer system600 may further include avideo display unit610, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid-state display, or a projection display. Additionally, thecomputer system600 may include aninput device612, such as a keyboard or a remote control, and acursor control device614, such as a mouse or a remote control. Thecomputer system600 can also include adisk drive unit616, asignal generation device618, such as a speaker, and anetwork interface device620.

In a particular embodiment, as depicted inFIG. 6, thedisk drive unit616 may include a computer-readable medium622 in which one or more sets ofinstructions624, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, theinstructions624 may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. In a particular embodiment, theinstructions624 may reside completely, or at least partially, within themain memory604, thestatic memory606, and/or within theprocessor602 during execution by thecomputer system600. Themain memory604 and theprocessor602 also may include computer-readable media.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented by software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods or functionality as described herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium that includesinstructions624 or receives and executesinstructions624 so that a device connected to anetwork626 can communicate voice, video or data over thenetwork626. Further, theinstructions624 may be transmitted or received over thenetwork626 via thenetwork interface device620.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, or encoding a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmission medium. A digital file attachment to an email or other self-contained information archive or set of archives may be considered equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable storage medium and other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored. It should also be noted that software that implements the disclosed methods may optionally be stored on a tangible storage medium, such as: a magnetic medium, such as a disk or tape; a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk; or a solid state medium, such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories.

Although the present specification describes components and functions that may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to such standards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP, MPEG, SMPTE, H.264) represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed herein are considered equivalents thereof.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method, comprising:

accessing an electronic program guide (EPG) at a computing device;

identifying recommended media content items using the EPG;

selecting one or more addresses of recipients; and

sending information identifying the recommended media content items to the selected addresses.

2. The computer implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein at least one item of media content from the recommended media content items is scheduled for recording at a media recorder device associated with the recipient.

3. The computer implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein all of the recommended media content items are scheduled for recording at a media recorder device associated with at least one of the recipients in response to receiving a user selection selecting all items of the recommended media content items.

4. The computer implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein at least one item of media content from the recommended media content items is automatically scheduled for download at a media recorder device.

5. The computer implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein the computing device comprises a mobile telephony device.

6. The computer implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the addresses is associated with a mobile telephony device.

7. The computer implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the addresses is associated with a set-top box device.

8. The computer implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the addresses comprises an email address.

9. A computer implemented method comprising:

receiving information identifying recommended media content items at a computing device;

receiving a user selection of at least one item of media content from the recommended media content items;

when the at least one item of media content is a scheduled program, automatically scheduling recording of the at least one item of media content at a media recorder device; and

when the at least one item of media content includes on demand media content, automatically placing the at least one item of media content in an on demand items queue.

10. The computer implemented method ofclaim 9, further comprising automatically scheduling a download of the at least one item of media content at a media download device in response to the user selection when the at least one item of media content includes downloadable media content.

11. The computer implemented method ofclaim 10, wherein scheduling the at least one item of media content for download comprises:

setting a priority of the at least one item of media content; and

placing the at least one item of media content in a download queue.

12. The computer implemented method ofclaim 9, further comprising:

determining whether scheduling a recording of the at least one item of media content would conflict with a previously scheduled recording at the media recorder device; and

automatically identifying a second presentation of a program associated with the previously scheduled recording or the at least one item of media content.

13. The computer implemented method ofclaim 12, further comprising:

receiving a second user selection indicating that the second presentation should be scheduled for recording; and

scheduling the second presentation for recording at the media recorder.

14. The computer implemented method ofclaim 9, wherein scheduling a recording of the at least one item of media content comprises accessing an electronic program guide.

15. The computer implemented method ofclaim 9, wherein the computing device comprises a set-top box (STB) device.

16. A computer-readable storage medium comprising operational instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

send a first graphical user interface (GUI) to a first computing device, wherein the first GUI enables selection of recommended media content items, and wherein the first GUI enables access to an electronic program guide (EPG);

receive, via the first GUI, selections identifying recommended media content items;

receive, via the first GUI, addresses of recipients; and

send information identifying the recommended media content items to the addresses of the recipients.

17. The computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 16, further comprising operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to send a second GUI to a second computing device, wherein the second GUI enables selection of at least one item of media content from the recommended media content items.

18. The computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 16, further comprising operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

receive, via the second GUI, a user selection of at least one item of media content from the recommended media content items; and

send data to a third computing device, wherein the data causes the third computing device to schedule recording of the at least one item of media content.

19. The computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 18, further comprising operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

before sending the data, determine whether scheduling a recording of the at least one item of media content would conflict with a previously scheduled recording at the third computing device; and

when scheduling the recording of the at least one item of media content would conflict with the previously scheduled recording, identify a second presentation of a program associated with the previously scheduled recording or the at least one item of media content, wherein the data sent to the third computing device causes the third computing device to automatically schedule the second presentation for recording at the third computing device.

20. The computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 17, further comprising operational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

receive, via the second GUI, a user selection selecting all of the recommended media content items;

when the at least one item of media content includes a scheduled program, automatically instruct a third computing device to record at least one item of media content from the recommended media content items;

when the at least one item of media content includes on demand media content, automatically identify the at least one item of media content in an active content list associated with the third computing device; and

when the at least one item of media content includes downloadable media content, automatically instruct the third computing device to schedule download of the at least one item of media content at the third computing device.

21. A system, comprising:

a first computing device, to access an electronic program guide (EPG), to identify recommended media content based on selections from the EPG, and to send information identifying the recommended media content to addresses associated with selected recipients;

wherein the EPG includes data identifying scheduled media content and on demand media content.

22. The system ofclaim 21, wherein the first computing device is responsive to a remote control device to enable a user to browse the EPG and to identify the recommended media content by selecting media content items from the EPG.

23. The system ofclaim 22, wherein the remote control device is further operable to enable the user to select the recipients from a set of recipients.

24. The system ofclaim 22, wherein the remote control device is further operable to enable the user to add a recipient and an address associated with the recipient to the set of recipients.

25. The system ofclaim 21, further comprising:

a second computing device associated with one of the addresses to receive the information identifying the recommended media content and to automatically make the media content items associated with the user selection available for playback at a set-top box (STB) device.