Peter J Potrebic

US Patent:

6798971, Sep 28, 2004

Filed:

Feb 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/781096

Inventors:

Peter J. Potrebic - Calistoga CA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H04N 591

US Classification:

386 46, 386 86

Abstract:

Systems and methods for continuously and selectively recording a repeating program to provide a viewer instant access to a recent version of the repeating program without having to wait until the next start time, and to allow the viewer to only view the specific segments of the repeating program that the viewer desires to watch. Programming information used to control the recording of the repeating programs is obtained from an electronic programming guide (âEPGâ). Alternatively, the programming information, such as information relating to emergency warnings, is not scheduled and thus is not included in a programming guide. Repeating programs may be divided into segments and an overlay may be used to allow a viewer to quickly and easily view a segment of interest. The recording can be performed by home entertainment systems that include one tuner or systems that include multiple tuners. When a plurality of tuners are available, a viewer may use one tuner to watch or record programming, while at the same time the other tuners may be used to perform the continuous recording of repeating programs.

US Patent:

6804824, Oct 12, 2004

Filed:

Jun 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/607045

Inventors:

Peter Potrebic - Calistoga CA
Jeffrey D. Yaksick - Sunnyvale CA
Geoffrey R. Smith - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 300

US Classification:

725 38, 348732

Abstract:

The present invention enhances a user experience by using multiple tuners to simultaneously tune multiple channels. The multiple tuners channels included in programming content, so that a user is able to rapidly tune the channels without having to wait. Other features include the ability to simultaneously record conflicting programs. Each tuner can tune to a separate channel and either display and/or record that channel. The multiple tuners also allow a snapshot of recent channels to be maintained and updated such that a user can be apprised of the current content of those channels without having to separately tune each channel.

US Patent:

6897904, May 24, 2005

Filed:

Jan 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/039225

Inventors:

Peter J. Potrebic - Calistoga CA, US
Geoffrey Smith - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H04N005/50

US Classification:

348731, 348732

Abstract:

A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.

US Patent:

7088910, Aug 8, 2006

Filed:

Feb 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/781111

Inventors:

Peter J. Potrebic - Calistoga CA, US
Steven M. Horowitz - Los Altos CA, US
Geoffrey R. Smith - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H04N 7/025
H04N 5/91

US Classification:

386 83, 386 95, 386 96, 725 32, 725 33, 725 34

Abstract:

Systems and methods for optimizing the use and availability of storage space in a video data recording system. An intelligent disk recording and management system selectively assigns tags to determine the manner and/or priority of recording programs onto a storage device and the priority of maintaining the programs on the storage device once the programs are recorded. The tags are automatically assigned based on known user preferences or are assigned by the viewer, and can be modified once a program is replayed. The tags allow the system to automatically determine whether or not to record over a previously recorded program and which previously recorded program to record over so as to allow the storage device to be more efficiently and optimally used. The system further includes an interface that provides improved assistance and explanations that relate to the recording of programs and the maintaining of the recorded programs on the storage device.

US Patent:

7200611, Apr 3, 2007

Filed:

May 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/145461

Inventors:

Peter J. Potrebic - Calistoga CA, US
Thomas H. Taylor - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

7071041, 707 10, 707101, 707102, 707103 X, 707202, 707203, 707204

Abstract:

Before a programming guide is created, a unique code is assigned to each TV program that can be identified in the programming guide. Prior to the creation of the programming guide, a viewer selects the unique code corresponding to the TV show that the viewer would like to record whenever that TV show is broadcast. When the programming guide is created, the corresponding unique codes are associated with each TV program in the programming guide. The TV program corresponding to the viewer-selected unique code is then scheduled to be recorded in accordance with the announced broadcast schedule in the programming guide. A recording is made of the TV program corresponding to the viewer-selected unique code as the TV program is broadcast in accordance with the announced broadcast schedule in the programming guide.

US Patent:

7277137, Oct 2, 2007

Filed:

Nov 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/997423

Inventors:

Peter J. Potrebic - Calistoga CA, US
Geoffrey R Smith - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H04N 5/50

US Classification:

348731, 348732

Abstract:

A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.

US Patent:

7298960, Nov 20, 2007

Filed:

May 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/144087

Inventors:

Thomas H. Taylor - Redmond WA, US
Peter J. Potrebic - Calistoga CA, US
Steven Horowitz - Los Altos CA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H04N 5/76
H04N 7/00

US Classification:

386 46, 386 83

Abstract:

A request is received to create a program event to record a program from a broadcast start time through a broadcast end time on a broadcast channel. The program event is created to record the program in a recording for a playback of the program from the recording. Upon an occurrence of an incident likely to prevent the play back, a diagnostic descriptive of the incident is output.

US Patent:

7380264, May 27, 2008

Filed:

Aug 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/918010

Inventors:

Peter J. Potrebic - Calistoga CA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H04N 7/18
H04N 7/16
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

725 74, 725 59, 725 78, 725 85, 725149, 725151, 709229

Abstract:

A system for unifying heterogeneous multimedia tuners. The system produces a unified channel lineup and coordinates multiple diverse tuners to perform multimedia tasks associated with the unified lineup. In one implementation, tuner allocation policy allows behind-the-scenes tuner assignment and on-the-fly tuner swapping so that the user experience is seamless, access quality is continuously optimized, and tuners with the most bandwidth are kept available.