Apparatus and methods for deriving a television guide from audio signals

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for a television guide are provided. The method includes the steps of transmitting a television guide encoded as audio tones, starting to record the transmitted television guide on a VCR tape, decoding audio signals from an audio output on the VCR, commanding the VCR to stop recording in response to a first decoded audio signal, and storing a television guide decoded from audio signals while the VCR is stopped. In another embodiment of the invention a method includes the steps of providing a VCR having a signal input line and a clock having an output as a function of time, entering and storing a channel, time-of-day and length for a program to be recorded by the VCR, comparing the clock output with the time-of-day, commanding the VCR to start recording the channel when the clock output compares with the time-of-day, switching a first signal source to the signal input line when the clock output compares with the time-of-day, decoding a television guide from television signals on the signal input line, storing the television guide, commanding the VCR to stop recording the channel when the clock output minus the time-of-day compares with the length, and switching from the first signal source to a second signal source when the clock output minus the time-of-day compares with the length.