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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A method for communicating on a pay-per-view basis multimedia programs
from a source information network to a local set-top control means having
local storage means, the communication method comprising the steps of:
providing a source information network selection menu of at least one media
program;
communicating to the source information network a readiness control signal
indicating local storage means readiness to receive a media program;
transmitting the media program to the local set-top control means;
storing the transmitted media program on the local storage means; and
communicating to the source information network a billing signal in
response to presentation of the stored media program.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further including the step of
controlling the presentation of the stored media program.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of storing the media
program includes the step of modulating an information signal of the
transmitted media program.
4. A multimedia communication system comprising:
a source information system for distributing source information signals;
a local control system for communicating with the source information system
over a communication channel;
a local storage device for storing source information signals received from
the source information system; and
local monitoring means for communicating a billing signal to the source
information system upon presentation of the stored information signals;
wherein the local control system communicates with the source information
system to coordinate transmission of the source information signals
between the source information system and the local storage device, and to
communicate the billing signal to the source information system upon
presentation of the stored information signals.
5. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the source information system
comprises menu selection means for providing selection of a media program
from a plurality of media programs stored in the source information
system.
6. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the local storage device
comprises a data storage system having at least one data storage disk.
7. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein:
the local storage device comprises a video cassette recorder/player; and
the local control system comprises means for controlling the video cassette
recorder/player.
8. A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for controlling the
video cassette recorder/player comprises an infrared transmitter for
transmitting control signals between the local control system and an
infrared detector disposed on the video cassette recorder/player.
9. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
the local control system comprises a local control card adapted for
installation in a host computer system; and
the local storage device comprises a data storage system having at least
one data storage disk.
10. A local information control system adapted for communicating with a
separate local storage device and a remotely located source information
system over a television communication channel, the local information
control system comprising:
a controller for communicating with the source information system;
a storage device interface for communicating between the controller and the
local storage device source information signals received from the source
information system; and
monitoring circuitry for communicating a billing signal to the source
information system upon presentation of the stored information signals;
wherein the controller communicates with the source information system to
coordinate transmission of the source information signals between the
source information system and the local storage device, and communicates
the billing signal to the source information system upon presentation of
the stored information signals.
11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the controller produces a
local readiness control signal indicative of controller readiness to
receive the source information signals from the source information system.
12. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the controller produces a
local status control signal to the source information system indicative of
the status of the local storage device.
13. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the local storage device
comprises a video cassette recorder/player.
14. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the local storage device
comprises a data storage system having at least one data storage disk.
15. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein:
the local storage device comprises a video cassette recorder/player; and
the controller comprises means for controlling the video cassette
recorder/player.
16. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein:
the controller comprises a local control card adapted for installation in a
host computer system; and
the local storage device comprises a data storage system having at least
one data storage disk.
17. A local information control system adapted for communicating with a
remotely located source information system over a television communication
channel comprising:
local control means for communicating with the source information system;
local storage means for storing source information signals received from
the source information system; and
local monitoring means for communicating a billing signal to the source
information system upon presentation of the stored information signals;
wherein the local control means communicates with the source information
system to coordinate transmission of the source information signals
between the source information system and the local storage means, and
communicates the billing signal to the source information system upon
presentation of the stored information signals.
18. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the source information signals
are representative of a source media program comprising at least one of a
video signal portion, an audio signal portion, and a multiplexed video and
audio signal portion.
19. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the local control means
comprises means for communicating a local readiness control signal to the
source information system indicative of local control means readiness to
receive the source information signals from the source information system.
20. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the local control means
comprises means for communicating a local status control signal to the
source information system indicative of the status of the local storage
means.
21. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the local control means
comprises means for modulating the received source information signal.
22. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the source information signals
comprise a source control signal, and the local control means comprises
means for configuring the local storage means for storing the source
information signals in response to the source control signal.
23. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the local storage means
comprises a video cassette recorder/player for storing the source
information signals.
24. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the local storage means
comprises a data storage system having at least one data storage disk for
storing the source information signals.
25. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein:
the local storage means comprises a video cassette recorder/player; and
the local control means comprises means for controlling the video cassette
recorder/player.
26. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the means for controlling the
video cassette recorder/player comprises an infrared transmitter for
transmitting control signals between the local control means and an
infrared detector disposed on the video cassette recorder/player.
27. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein:
the local control means comprises a local control card adapted for
installation in a host computer system; and
the local storage means comprises a data storage system having at least one
data storage disk for storing the source information signals.
28. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the local information control
system further comprises interface means for communicating audio and video
signals over a telephone communication line.
29. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the local information control
system further comprises interface means for communicating with a local
information system. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to communication systems, and, more
particularly, to a set-top control method and apparatus for providing
customer selected multimedia programming on a pay-per-view basis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Advancements in communications technology and increased consumer
sophistication have challenged the distributors of multimedia programming
to provide the public with entertainment services more convenient and
accessible than those traditionally made available over cable television
and telephone systems. An improving communications infrastructure has
resulted in the proliferation of pay-per-view media services in most of
the larger broadcast markets. Most pay-per-view systems permit the
consumer to choose from a relatively small number of motion picture
selections for home viewing, which are generally presented only at
pre-scheduled viewing times.
A number of on-demand video services have been developed that permit the
consumer to order desired programs for home viewing through the household
telephone line. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,347, assigned to Bell
Atlantic Network Services, discloses a sophisticated video-on-demand
telephone service that provides consumer ordered video programming to a
plurality of households through use of a public switched telephone network
(PSTN). An extensive discussion regarding the inherent deficiencies of
communicating video and other multimedia signals over standard bandwidth
limited analog telephone lines is provided in the '347 patent.
The video-on-demand system disclosed in the '347 patent and other
conventional telephony-based multimedia services fail to satisfactorily
address the adverse impact to home communications during periods of
prolonged program viewing. For example, a typical theatrical motion
picture can tie up the household telephone line for over two hours.
Further, such sophisticated telephony-based multimedia services generally
require procurement of expensive communications and diagnostic equipment
by the pay-per-view provider to ensure a reasonable level of signal
quality and system reliability. These and other related operating
expenses, however, are typically passed on to the consumer.
Importantly, conventional telephony-based multimedia services fail to
provide media presentation control features now expected by the
sophisticated consumer after enjoying more than a decade of home
entertainment through the use of the video cassette recorder (VCR).
Functions such as fast forward, reverse, and pause, for example, are
standard presentation control functions now provided by all or most home
VCRs, and are typically effectuated by use of an infrared (IR) remote
control handset. The inherent limitations in the transmission bandwidth of
conventional telephone lines, as well as conventional cable television
channels, generally can not accommodate full VCR-type control
functionality when employed to support a multimedia communication system
adapted to provide pay-per-view service to a large number of subscribing
customers.
In FIG. 1, there is illustrated a conceptualized block diagram of a
conventional pay-per-view communication service for providing multimedia
program distribution to a plurality of households over a public switched
telephone network. Movies are typically stored on one or more media
servers 10, each of which is multiplexed to the PSTN 16. A telephonic
ordering system 14 is generally coupled to the PSTN 16 and provides a
means for accepting a pay-per-view order from a customer or user 20. Upon
verifying the account status of a user 20, the media server 10 typically
transmits the ordered movie or program to a decoder box 22 coupled to the
customer's telephone line 18. The transmitted program is continuously
decoded by the decoder box 22 during the presentation of the selected
program on the customer's television 24. Limitations in the transmission
bandwidth of the telephone lines 18, as well as limitations in the
switching capability of the PSTN 16, generally preclude the use of a PSTN
16 to support a multimedia communication system that provides high
quality, full motion video signal transmission with full VCR-type control
functionality.
It is believed that approximately seventy-three percent (73%) of all homes
in the United States have at least one VCR. Most VCRs have a purchase
price in the range of $250 to $400, representing a sizable luxury
investment for most consumers. As discussed previously, most VCRs are
controlled by use of an IR remote control handset, allowing the user to
control the presentation of a video program using various control modes
such as reverse, pause, and fast forward, for example. Conventional
pay-per-view communication services, in contrast to viewing programs on a
home VCR, generally require the customer to pay relatively large premiums
on a monthly basis and yet do not provide basic VCR-type functionality
inherent in the customer's home VCR.
There exists a need in the pay-per-view communications industry for a
relatively simple system that capitalizes on the investment made by most
consumer's in their home VCR, and one that provides VCR-type control over
the presentation of a selected program. There exists a further need to
provide a multimedia communication system that can efficiently distribute
programming to a plurality of customers without requiring complex and
typically expensive networking hardware and software at the communication
distribution center. The present invention fulfills these and other needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a method and apparatus for effectuating the
reception and local storage of source information signals representative
of a media program transmitted from a source information network
preferably over a television communication channel on a pay-per-view
basis. A local intelligent set-top control unit communicates with a remote
information network and a local storage device to coordinate the
transmission of customer ordered media programs from the information
network for storage on the local storage device. The local storage device
is preferably a standard video cassette recorder (VCR) providing full VCR
control functionality when presenting a stored media program on a
television. A digital or optical data storage disk drive system may
alternatively be employed to store source information signals downloaded
from the remote information network. The intelligent set-top control unit
communicates a pay-per-view billing signal to the information network upon
playing of a downloaded media program, and provides protection against
unauthorized copying. In an alternative configuration, a set-top control
card is installed into a host computer system to coordinate the reception
and local storage of downloaded media programs, and preferably provides a
platform for interfacing with other home communication and electronic
systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional communication system for
distributing selected programs to a plurality of users on a pay-per-view
basis;
FIG. 2 is a generalized block diagram of a multimedia communication system
employing a novel intelligent set-top control unit for coordinating
transmission and presentation of user-selected programs on a pay-per view
basis;
FIG. 3 is an illustration of the system components of a novel intelligent
set-top control unit adapted for communicating with an information network
and a video cassette recorder to coordinate the transfer of selected
multimedia programs from the information network to the video cassette
recorder;
FIG. 4 is a generalized block diagram of a multimedia communication system
employing a novel intelligent set-top control card installed in a host
computer system adapted for coordinating the transfer of user-selected
programs from an information network to a mass storage device on a pay-per
view basis, and for communicating with other home information systems;
FIG. 5 is a depiction of various home information systems which can be
interfaced with a novel intelligent set-top control unit or set-top
control card installed in a host computer system and configured as a home
communication server; and
FIG. 6 is a generalized flow diagram of a method for effectuating true
pay-per-view distribution of user-selected programs from an information
network to a plurality of customers having in their home a novel
intelligent set-top control unit or set-top control card installed in a
host computer system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 2, there is
shown a multimedia communication system employing a novel set-top control
unit 34 adapted for communicating with an information network 30 over a
communication channel 32. In one embodiment, the intelligent set-top
control unit 34 preferably coordinates the transmission of source
information signals between the source information system 30 and a local
information storage system. In a preferred embodiment, the local
information storage system comprises a standard VCR 44 which is preferably
controlled by the set-top control unit 34 to receive and store source
information signals, typically representative of multimedia programs, from
the source information network 30.
The set-top control unit 34 also coordinates the presentation of source
media programs received from the source information network 30 and stored
on the VCR 44. Local pay-per-view broadcasting or presentation of a
received source media program is preferably facilitated by a home
television 24 for viewing video programs, or a home stereo system for
listening to audio programs. Alternatively, the source information signals
received from the information network 30 are preferably stored in digital
form on an internal data storage disk drive 36 or an external digital
storage unit 40, for example.
At the customer's convenience, the source program stored in the VCR 44 or
digital storage device is presented on the television 24 or stereo system
on a pay-per-view basis. Full VCR functionality over the presentation of
the program stored in either analog or digital form is provided by the
intelligent set-top control unit 34 operating in cooperation with the VCR
44 or digital storage device 36 or 40. Control functionality generally
provided by most compact disk (CD) players is also provided by the set-top
control unit 34 when broadcasting an audio program stored on the VCR 44 or
other storage device.
Customer program orders are preferably made through a menu system presented
on the customer's television 24, with menu selections being communicated
to the information network 30 through the cable or standard television
channel. The menu system may be implemented using known methods similar to
those employed for providing on-screen VCR programming. More elaborate
menu systems may be implemented in a Windows.RTM.-type environment when
employing a novel set-top control card 72 in combination with a
Windows.RTM.-based or Macintosh.RTM.-based host computer system 70. As
such, the household telephone line is not required to facilitate
communication between the pay-per-view multimedia communication system and
a plurality of subscribing customer households.
A dramatic decrease in the complexity and cost of operating and maintaining
a source information network 30 adapted for distributing multimedia
programming to a plurality of customers is realized by employing the novel
set-top control unit 34 at each customer location. It is noted that a
customer location may be a household, a business location, such as a
restaurant or bar, or other private or public forum. VCR-type control
functionality, including rewind, fast forward, pause, and other
presentation modes are coordinated directly by the set-top control unit
34. By providing local control over the media presentation, the source
information network 30 need not be configured to effectuate VCR-type
control functions typically desired by the customer during the
presentation of a movie or other media program.
Those skilled in the art can readily appreciate the significant difficulty
of simultaneously servicing VCR-type control function requests at a
central media distribution site during the communication of user-selected
programs transmitted to a plurality of customers on a real-time basis.
Providing the customer local control of a media presentation directly
through the set-top control unit 34 provides for a significant decrease in
the bandwidth of the communication channel 32 and the amount of
information network 30 processing overhead required to service a plurality
of pay-per-view customers.
In a preferred embodiment, the source information signals are
representative of a video program, such as a theatrical movie, an audio
program, such as a classical symphony recording, or other type of
multimedia program, and may include a combination of video, audio,
graphical, and textual information. The source information signals are
preferably stored in a compressed digital format on one or more media
servers 10 comprising the information network 30. The media servers 10 may
comprise one or more digital data storage systems, optical data storage
systems or digital tape systems. In one embodiment, the media servers 10
may be configured as an array of digital data storage systems operating in
accordance with a known RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks)
architecture and protocol.
The source information signals comprising the source multimedia programs
and stored on the media servers 10 are preferably initially converted from
an analog format into a digital format, and then compressed or coded in
accordance with an established compression algorithm or methodology. The
compressed digital source information signals, typically structured in the
form of a multiplexed audio/video bitstream, generally comprise a video
signal portion, an audio signal portion, and other information signal
portions, such as a data and graphics signal portion. When a program is
ordered by a subscriber to the novel pay-per-view communication service, a
multiplexed source bitstream representative of the selected program is
transmitted from the information network 30 to the customer's set-top
control unit 34, preferably over an existing television channel, cable
television channel, or satellite communication channel 32.
A compression algorithm standard suitable for use in the novel pay-per-view
communication system is one developed by the Moving Pictures Experts
Group, and is generally referred to as the MPEG video compression
standard. The MPEG-1 standard (ISO/IEC IS 11172-1) defines a format for
compressed digital video which supports data rates of approximately 1.2 to
1.5 megabits per second (Mbps), resolutions of about 352 pixels (picture
elements) horizontally to about 288 lines vertically, picture rates of
about 24 to 30 pictures per second, and several VCR-like viewing functions
such as normal forward, play, slow forward, fast forward, fast reverse,
and freeze. MPEG coding typically provides compression ratios on the order
of 150:1. A new developing MPEG standard, referred to in the art as MPEG-2
(ISO/IEC IS 11172-2), is expected to support data rates on the order of
approximately 2 to 15 Mbps over cable, satellite, and other broadcast
channels. MPEG-2 will additionally support both non-interlaced and
interlaced video signal formats, increased image quality, multiple picture
aspect ratios, and a number of other advanced features, including features
to support High Definition Television (HDTV).
It is noted that the MPEG-1 (ISO/IEC IS 11172-3) and developing MPEG-2
audio compression standards set forth audio compression specifications
suitable for coding audio programs stored in the information system 30. It
is further noted that the developing MPEG-2 Systems Standard (ISO/IEC IS
11172-2) is expected to support a wide range of broadcast,
telecommunications, computing, and storage applications by combining
multiple video, audio, and various types of data streams into a single
multiplexed stream, thus providing for the transmission, storage, access,
and retrieval of the original streams, while maintaining accurate
synchronization.
For example, the MPEG-2 Systems Standard will define two kinds of data
streams, a Program Stream and a Transport Stream. The Program Stream will
provide for the creation of an audiovisual program, for example, which
could have multiple views and multichannel audio. The Transport Stream
will multiplex a number of programs, typically comprising video, audio,
and private data, for transmission and storage using a wide variety of
media. The Transport Stream will support multi-program broadcast, storage
of single programs on digital videotape, robust performance against
channel transmission errors, conditional access to programs, and the
maintenance of synchronization over complex communication networks. It is
to be understood that compression and system standards other than those
conforming to one or more of the above-described MPEG standards may be
employed to facilitate communications between the information system 30
and a plurality of customer set-top control units 34 without departing
from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, source
information signals transmitted over the communication channel 32 may be
of a format other than a compressed format.
With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a user of the intelligent set-top
control unit 34 preferably communicates with the information network 30
over an existing communication channel 32, such as a cable television
connection. It is understood that a plurality of customers can
simultaneously communicate with the information network 30 by use of the
set-top control unit 34 preferably situated proximate a television 24
within the customer's home. A communications interface 56 preferably
couples the set-top control unit 34 to a cable line 58 or other
communication line interfacing with the communication channel 32. The
communications interface 56 is preferably a transceiver capable of both
receiving and transmitting information, control, and other electrical
signals communicated over the communication channel 32. Alternatively, the
communications interface 56 may include a receiver and a transmitter for
effectuating communication over the communication channel 32.
The set-top control unit 34 preferably communicates control signals to the
information network 30 to coordinate the transmission, storage, and
presentation of source information program signals. The intelligent
set-top control unit 34 also communicates with the VCR 44 or other storage
device 40 and 36 to provide the customer with full VCR-type control
functionality, such as fast forward, reverse, and pause functions, and to
ensure that the customer is billed for each presentation of a source
program downloaded from the information network 30 and stored on the VCR
44.
An important feature of the present invention concerns the preservation of
a consumer's investment in a previously purchased VCR 44. As previously
mentioned, it is estimated that seventy-three percent (73%) of all homes
having a television in the United States also contain at least one analog
VCR 44. The present invention preserves a customer's $250 to $400
investment in the VCR 44 by incorporating the VCR 44 as a storage device
for the source information signals received from the information network
30. Full VCR control functionality is thus afforded locally to the
customer by cooperative operation between the set-top control unit 34 and
the VCR 44. Additionally, traditional use of the VCR 44 remains
unaffected, allowing for playback of consumer recorded or rental tapes
directly through the set-top control unit 34.
Further, media programs downloaded from the information network 30 are
preferably received and stored on the VCR 44 in the background, thus
allowing the consumer to simultaneously review other information network
programming selections or to enjoy traditional television programming.
Protection against unauthorized copying of downloaded programs is also
provided to preserve the production and distribution investment of the
copyright owner of the media presentation. Other home electronic and
communication systems are also preferably controlled through the set-top
control unit 34 through the use of various add-on cards 38 for interfacing
with such other systems.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown various components of the
intelligent set-top control unit 34 which communicate with a customer's
VCR television 24, and the information network 30 over the communication
channel 32. A controller 54 preferably coordinates the transfer of source
information signals from the information network 30 to the VCR 44, and the
presentation of source programs on the television 24. A communications
interface 56 preferably receives source information signals from the
communication channel 32 representative of a pre-selected media program.
The source information signals are preferably received in a compressed
format which are then decoded by the coder/decoder (CODEC) 60. A
compressed source information signal is generally a multiplexed source
bitstream typically comprising both audio and video signal information.
The CODEC 60 preferably extracts the video and audio bitstreams from the
multiplexed source bitstream, decodes the audio and video bitstreams, and
synchronizes the decoded analog video and audio signals for storage on the
VCR 44. The CODEC 60 also decodes and parses graphical, textual, and other
data streams from the multiplexed source bitstream.
In one embodiment, the controller 54 includes an NTSC (National Television
Systems Committee) decoder for decoding NTSC formatted video signals. In
another embodiment, the controller 54 includes a PAL (Phase Alternating
Line) decoder for decoding video signals conforming to the european PAL
standard. Alternatively, a combined NTSC/PAL decoder may be employed to
detect and decode either NTSC or PAL formatted video signals. The NTSC
standard specifies a video frame rate of thirty video frames per second,
while the PAL standard prescribes a video frame rate of twenty-five video
frames per second, to maintain full-motion video. The NTSC/PAL decoder
preferably decodes NTSC video signals to corresponding CIF240 resolution
image data (352.times.244), and PAL video signals to corresponding CIF
resolution image data (352.times.288). A CIF240 resolution image is
recognized as a standard image format for domestic video display devices,
while a CIF (and QCIF) resolution image is recognized as an international
or european standard image format.
A modulator/demodulator 62 is preferably employed to modulate or scramble
the decoded analog audio and video signals prior to being stored on the
VCR 44 in accordance with a predetermined security format. In one
embodiment, each set-top control unit 34 is identified by a unique serial
number. This serial number is preferably used as an address when routing
source information signals from the information network 30 to the set-top
control unit 34 of the subscribing customer who placed the pay-per-view
order. Additionally, the serial number unique to a specific set-top
control unit 34 may be used to determine the method and manner of
modulating the decoded analog presentation signal before being transmitted
to the VCR 44. Alternatively, any one of a number of known signal
modulation techniques may be employed to scramble the decoded source
information signal to prevent copying of the downloaded program. As such,
any attempt to copy the downloaded program or play the downloaded program
on another VCR 44 or otherwise bypass the set-up control unit 34 will
result in a significantly degraded or unintelligible program signal. The
modulator/demodulator 62 preferably descrambles the modulated source
information signal stored on the VCR 44 prior to being transmitted to the
television 24 for presentation.
An advantageous feature of the intelligent set-top control unit 34 concerns
a true pay-per-view billing capability previously unaddressed by prior art
pay-per-view communication systems. Such prior art systems typically
charge a subscribing customer for viewing a particular media presentation
at the time of transmitting the program to the customer, and thereafter
are incapable of billing the customer for subsequent replaying of the
program. Other systems, for example, provide for automatic erasure of a
transmitted program after an initial viewing, thereby precluding future
viewing by other members of the family or audience not present at the time
of the initial viewing.
The present invention incorporates a pay-per-view controller 66 which
detects each playing of the downloaded presentation from the VCR 44, and
communicates a billing signal to the information network 30 in response to
each presentation of a downloaded source program. Accordingly, each
subsequent viewing of the downloaded presentation is detected by the
intelligent set-top control unit 34, thus allowing for automatic billing
of each program presentation to the customer's account. The true
pay-per-view control feature of the present invention is particularly
advantageous when the set-top control unit 34 is employed as part of a
media entertainment installation at a public forum, such as a restaurant
or bar, where repetitive presentation of media programs, such as music
videos, is desirable.
In a preferred embodiment, the intelligent set-top control unit 34
communicates a VCR control signal to the VCR 44 over a VCR control channel
or line 50, and communicates a local readiness control signal to the
information network 30 indicating that the VCR 44 is configured for
receiving and storing source information signal transmissions from the
information network 30. The set-top control unit 34 preferably
communicates with the VCR 44 to verify, for example, that a video cassette
is loaded into the VCR 44, and that the VCR 44 record mode has been
selected. A local readiness | | |
