Transfer of data related to broadcast programming over a communication network

摘要

A broadcast programming receiver is provided which includes a broadcast programming interface, a memory, a communication network interface, and output circuitry. The broadcast programming interface is configured to receive broadcast programming, while the output circuitry is configured to transfer the broadcast programming to an output device. The memory is configured to store data related to the broadcast programming. In one embodiment, the communication network interface is configured to receive the data related to the broadcast programming over a communication network from a second broadcast programming receiver and transfer the data to the memory. In another implementation, the communication network interface is configured to receive the data from the memory and send the data over the communication network to a second broadcast programming receiver.

主权项

1. A broadcast programming system, comprising:
a first broadcast programming receiver, comprising:
a first communication network interface for communicating with a second broadcast programming receiver via a communication network;a first broadcast programming interface for receiving broadcast programming via a broadcast system from a content provider and obtaining data related to broadcast programming, comprising: electronic programming guide event information, security information associated with access to the broadcast programming, and status information associated with operational status of at least one component of the broadcast system; anda first memory for storing the data related to the broadcast programming; and a second broadcast programming receiver, comprising:
a second communication network interface for communicating with the first broadcast programming receiver via the communication network;a second broadcast programming interface for receiving broadcast programming via the broadcast system from the content provider;control logic that generates a request for data from the first broadcast programming receiver, wherein the request is generated after the first broadcast programming receiver receives the broadcast programming and the request is transmitted to the first broadcast programming receiver via the second communication network interface and the communication network, wherein
in response to the request, receiving, via the second communication network interface, from the first broadcast programming receiver at least one type of data selected from the group consisting of: the event information, recording settings of the first broadcast programming receiver, security information for the broadcast programming, the status information, and the broadcast programming.