Patent Filing Reveals Apple TV DVR Plans

A recently uncovered Apple patent application could hint at DVR capabilities to be added to the next generation of Apple TV. The patent application was filed in October 2006.

The patent application describes a system that has three parts: a video processing portion, a storage device and a remote control that resembles an iPod (see above).

Some of the detail in the patent around section [0092]:

For example, program data for upcoming programs, e.g., for the next month, can be downloaded and stored on the remote control device. Thereafter, a user of the remote control device can search programs that are to be broadcast and determine which programs to record.

The recording settings can be programmed onto the remote control device, and then be provided to the video device when data communication is established between the remote control device and the video device.

Sounds like a DVR all right, but the reason the "guide" is downloaded to the remote is so the user can do the following:

For example, a user may download programming data for the next four weeks, and while at a remote location determine what programs to record, e.g., during a commute on a train. Thus, when the user arrives home, the user can place the remote control device within the vicinity of the video device or within the docking port 432, and the recording data is downloaded into the video device. Thereafter the specified programs are recorded.

So, they expect I'm going to want to, in my idle time while on the go, figure out what I want to record and then "sync" the selections to the Apple TV when I get home. Sounds kinda silly to me, but that's just my opinion.

It should be noted that a patent application doesn't necessarily mean the technology involved will ever be produced, assuming the patent is even awarded.

I'm not going to go into detail over all the functionality; AppleInsider has a very detailed examination of the patent here. What do you readers think? Reception of Apple TV has been kind of lukewarm; would DVR functionality interest you?