WO1999035841A1 - System for managing favorite channels - Google Patents
System for managing favorite channels Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1999035841A1 WO1999035841A1 PCT/US1999/000101 US9900101W WO9935841A1 WO 1999035841 A1 WO1999035841 A1 WO 1999035841A1 US 9900101 W US9900101 W US 9900101W WO 9935841 A1 WO9935841 A1 WO 9935841A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- channels
- computerized system
- favorite
- user
- channel
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
- H04N21/4113—PC
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/433—Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
- H04N21/4332—Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/434—Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream
- H04N21/4345—Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/442—Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk
- H04N21/44213—Monitoring of end-user related data
- H04N21/44222—Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity
- H04N21/44224—Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
- H04N21/4508—Management of client data or end-user data
- H04N21/4532—Management of client data or end-user data involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
- H04N21/454—Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/475—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
- H04N21/4755—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
- H04N7/162—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
- H04N7/163—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing by receiver means only
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
- H04N5/50—Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
Definitions
- This application is related to the co-assigned and co-filed applications, "Method for managing multiple channel maps from multiple input devices in a multimedia system,” “Previous, favorite, and frequent channel management system,” “System for time-shifting events in a multi-channel convergence system,” “System, apparatus, and method for tuning a television to a selected channel,” and “A system for resolving channel selection in a multi-channel convergence system,” all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
- the present invention relates generally to a computerized system for managing favorite channels and more specifically to dynamically managing favorite channel lists based on a user-specified theme or actual usage by the user.
- TV television
- Internet computing systems For example, present digital satellite system (DSS) set- top boxes provide favorite TV channel lists that support a user specifically selecting a set of favorite channels.
- Internet web browsers such as Netscape Navigator, available from Netscape Communications Corp., of Mountain View, California, and Microsoft Internet Explorer, available from Microsoft Corporation, of Redmond, Washington, allow the user to specifically select a set of favorite channels.
- Such user selected sets of favorite Internet channels are referred to as "Bookmarks" by Netscape Navigator and "Favorites” by Internet Explorer.
- the presently available favorite channel lists (“favorites lists”) are created by the user specifically selecting which channels are to be in the favorites list. For example, most DSS set-top boxes will display user interfaces for specifying a channel and adding it to the favorites list. However, creating the favorites list initially takes time for the user. Additionally, to maintain an up-to-date list, the user must continually add channels to the list or remove channels from the list.
- One disadvantage of present systems for managing favorite channels is that performing the functions to add favorite channels to lists or remove favorite channels from lists requires the user's time. Accordingly, there is a need for favorite channel lists that are dynamically created and updated by a TV, a computer or an integrated personal computer and television system.
- the invention describes a computerized system in which favorite channel lists are automatically and dynamically managed.
- the contents of favorite channel lists are based on a user specified theme.
- the computerized system automatically identifies channels showing events relating to the user specified theme and includes the events in the favorites list.
- the user specified theme corresponds to the contents of an EPG (electronic program guide) content database which stores events available on the channels for a period of time.
- EPG electronic program guide
- the contents of a favorites list are based on the user's actual usage of the computerized system.
- the computerized system monitors the users actual usage of the channels.
- the most frequently used channels are stored in a favorite channel list for the particular user.
- Figure 1 is a diagram of a typical convergence system in conjunction with which embodiments of the invention may be implemented.
- Figure 2 is a diagram of the computerized system for managing collections of favorite channels in the convergence system of Figure 1 according to one embodiment of the invention
- Figure 3 is an illustration of a channel map database of the system of Figure 2
- Figure 4 is an illustration of an EPG content database of the system of Figure 2
- Figure 5 is an illustration of a favorites database of the system of Figure 2
- Figures 6A, 6B and 6C together are a table identifying themes and sub-themes specified in the Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) content descriptors.
- DBS Direct Broadcast Satellite
- Integrated personal computer and television systems are known in the art as a "convergence environment" in which a personal computer (PC) is integrated with other capability, such as and usually including at least television (TV) capability.
- PC personal computer
- TV television
- Such hardware components are known and available within the art.
- the Gateway Destination PC/TV system available from Gateway 2000, Inc., provides a convergence environment across two primary modes of operation: TV viewing, and PC operation (i.e., such that the system provides TV and PC capability).
- FIG. 1 is a diagram of a typical computer in conjunction with which embodiments of the invention may be implemented.
- Computer 110 is operatively coupled to monitor 112, pointing device 114, and keyboard 116.
- the computerized system provides the hardware component and the software architecture as has been described herein.
- Computer 110 includes a processor (preferably, an Intel Pentium processor), random-access memory (RAM) (preferably, at least thirty-two megabytes), read-only memory (ROM), and one or more storage devices, such as a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive (into which a floppy disk can be inserted), an optical disk drive, and a tape cartridge drive.
- the memory, hard drives, floppy disks, etc. are types of computer- readable media.
- the invention is not particularly limited to any type of computer 110.
- Computer 110 preferably is a PC-compatible computer running a version of the
- Computer 110 includes integrated therein or coupled thereto hardware to provide for what is known in the .art as a "convergence environment" such that computer 110 provides capability beyond ordinary PC operation. Such capability preferably including TV capability.
- the Gateway Destination PC/TV system available from Gateway 2000, Inc., provides a convergence environment across two primary mode.-, of operation: TV viewing, and PC operation.
- Computer 110 desirably provides for integration with or includes audio/video (i.e., multimedia) devices including but not limited to: a sound card, a digital video disc (DVD) player, a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) receiver, a TV tuner (for broadcast and/or cable TV), audio/video inputs for external or auxiliary devices, a CD-ROM player, an audio/video tuner having at least radio tuning capability, a cable decoder, a video cassette recorder, a laser disc player, a compact disc player, a DBS integrated receiver-decoder (IRD), and a video camera.
- Computer 110 may also be communicatively connected to the Internet in any particular manner, by which the invention is not limited to and which is not shown in Figure 1. Internet connectivity is well known within the art.
- the computer includes a modem and corresponding communication drivers to connect to the Internet via what is known in the art as a "dial-up connection.”
- the computer includes an Ethernet or similar hardware card to connect to a local-area network (LAN) that itself is connected to the Internet via what is know in the art as a "direct connection” (e.g., Tl line, etc.).
- LAN local-area network
- direct connection e.g., Tl line, etc.
- the computer may be connected to the Internet using a cable modem or satellite Internet connectivity.
- Monitor 112 permits the display of information, including computer, video and other information, for viewing by a user of the computer.
- monitors include cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, as well as flat panel displays such as liquid crystal displays (LCD's).
- the monitor is, however, desirably a 31 " VGA monitor.
- Pointing device 114 permits the control of the screen pointer provided by the graphical user interface of operating systems such as versions of Microsoft Windows.
- the invention is not limited to any particular pointing device 114.
- Such pointing devices include mouses, touch pads, trackballs, remote controls and point sticks.
- keyboard 116 permits entry of textu information into computer 110, as known within the art, and the invention is not limited to any particular type of keyboard.
- keyboard 116 is a wireless keyboard.
- a channel refers to a communications path between devices.
- TV channels refer to particular frequencies at which radio waves are transmitted.
- an event refers to a specific happening or occurrence on a particular channel.
- an event on a TV channel may be a specific TV program.
- An event on an Internet channel may be a scheduled
- Figure 2 is a diagram of the computerized system for managing collections of favorite channels in a television or a convergence environment. As illustrated in Figure 2, the system consists of: application user interfaces 2, channel map services 4, electronic program guide (EPG) data services 6 and favorites services 8. The system also includes a channel map database 10, an EPG content database 14 and a favorites database 12.
- EPG electronic program guide
- the application user interfaces 2 provide a means for the user to access the system.
- Channel Map Services manages the channel map database 10 that describes the channels available to the system.
- Channel map services 4 provides functions for creating a logical tuning space that maps logical channel numbers to physical tuning devices .and the specific channel, sub-channel, etc., on the device.
- a given hardware component in conjunction with which the software architecture operates may have access to a number of channel sources, such as cable TV, broadcast TV, and one or more satellite TV sources. Each of these sources may also have a similar channel mapping, such that cable TV has channels 2-50, broadcast TV has channels 2-13, and satellite TV has channels 2-194.
- specifying a particular channel for example "channel 2" — does not uniquely identify a given channel, since there may be three channel 2's.
- channel map services 4 alleviates this problem by mapping logical channel numbers to actual channel numbers accessible on the number of channel sources.
- channel map services 4 may map cable TV channels 2-50 as logical channels 1-49, broadcast TV channels 2-13 as logical channels 50-61, and satellite TV channels 2-194 as logical channels 62-254. Therefore, specifying a particular logical channel always uniquely identifies a given channel.
- Channel map services 4 is thus called to determine the corresponding physical channel number and the corresponding physical device for a given logical channel number, and vice- versa.
- the favorites services 8 manages the favorites database 12 that describes the collection of favorite channel lists and the channels that compose these lists.
- Favorites services 8 provides favorites list management functions, and also a set of common user interfaces for selecting a favorite item from a list, adding an item to a favorite list, and removing an item from a favorite list.
- an application calls favorites services 8 when it wishes to add or delete an item such as a channel from a given favorites list.
- the favorites services 8 provides both the functionality to maintain the favorites list, as well as the user interface to allow a user to add or delete an item from the list, name lists, rename lists, add lists and remove lists. Thus, regardless of which application calls favorites services, the interface presented to the user remains consistent.
- EPG Data Services The EPG data services 6 function manages the EPG content database 14 that describes the events available on the channels for a period of time.
- EPG data services 6 provides functions for loading electronic program guide-type data from data services. Such data services may be communicated with through a modem, over the Internet, over a satellite, through the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a TV program, etc.; the invention is not so particularly limited.
- EPG data services 6 also provides a database API (Application Program Interface) for accessing the data and common user interfaces for configuring the loading functions.
- database API Application Program Interface
- an application may use EPG data services 6 to determine what is programmed to be televised on a given logical channel at a given time; the EPG data services 6 may then call channel map services 4 to determine the corresponding physical channel and physical device, and then load the relevant EPG if necessary before returning the requested information to the application.
- the architecture of the EPG data services 6 is based on a modular approach, such that EPG providers may be added to the EPG database.
- EPG data services 6 thus provides an abstraction layer between the providers of the EPG data and the applications that use the data. If the provider of a given set of EPG data changes, for example, only the relevant EPG data services 6 need to be modified; the applications that utilize these data services do not.
- the modular nature of the EPG data services 6 also permits the integration of EPG data from multiple sources. For example, EPG data relating to satellite TV may originate from one particular provider, whereas EPG data relating to broadcast TV may originate from another particular provider.
- FIG 3 is an illustration of how the channels available on each device in the system are stored in a database of channel and device associations referred to herein as the channel map database 10. Since some devices -nay provide the same channel, duplicates may appear in the channel map database 10.
- the channels are identified in linear tuning space and numbered using logical channel numbers.
- the first channel 16 is logical channel 1 while the last channel 32 is logical channel 358.
- Logical channel 1 16 is identified as being available on physical channel 4 on device dl; logical channel l's call letters are "FOX.” In real world terms, this means that the FOX channel is available on the internal TV tuner when it is tuned to channel 4.
- Logical channel 2 18 is identified as being available on physical channel 4 on device d2; its call letters are also "FOX.” In real world terms, this means that the FOX channel is also available through the first VCR when the first VCR is tuned to channel 4.
- the FOX channel is also found at logical channel 3 20 and logical channel 358 32.
- the NBC channel can be found on logical channel 4 22, logical channel 5 24, logical channel 6 26, and logical channel 356 28.
- the west coast version of NBC (NBCW) can be found on logical channel 357 30.
- Figure 4 is an illustration of how the events available on the different channels may be stored in a database referred to herein as the EPG content database 14.
- the first event 34 has the title 36 of "The Simpsons,” and the theme 38 is “comedy series.”
- the second event 40 has the title 42 "Over the Hill,” and the theme 44 is -also "comedy series.”
- the third event 46 has the title 48 "X-Files,” and its theme 50 is "thriller series.”
- FIG 5 is .an illustration of how channels might be stored in a database of favorite channels referred to herein as the favorites database 12.
- the favorites database 12 contains a collection of favorite lists. The first favorite list 52, the second favorite list 54 and the last favorite list 56 are shown.
- the favorite list identifier 58 is a unique identifier for the record.
- the name 60 corresponds to the person who created the list.
- the type 62 indicates the type of favorites list; in this case, it is a "user-specified" list of favorite channels.
- the channel identifiers 64, 66, 68, 70 indicate the first few and last channels in the favorite list.
- the first channel in the favorite list 64 is channel "1 " and the last channel 70 is channel "357”.
- the user has specifically identified which channels are in the favorite list.
- Theme-Bjised Favorites List In the second favorite list 54, the type 72 of favorite list is a "theme-based" favorites list and the name 74 of the favorites list is "Sports.”
- a theme-based favorites list the user specifies the type of events that the user wishes to include in the list, and the system dynamically, and automatically, determines what channels are showing an event of that type; these channels are then included in the favorites list.
- the theme-based favorites list requires that the favorites list correspond to the current contents of the EPG content guide. There are several primary parameters that affect what channels are in the favorites list, including: the selected theme, selected sub- theme, matching of generic sub-themes, number of time slots to consider for inclusion and update frequency.
- the selected theme and selected sub-theme may be from a set of predefined keywords (as is the case with DSS, DBS, and Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standards) that may or may not include sub-themes.
- Figures 6A, 6B and 6C are a table of direct broadcast satellite (DBS) content descriptors.
- Figures 6A, 6B and 6C identify the themes .and sub-themes specified in the DBS st.andard.
- the film "12 Monkeys" might be classified with a "movie” theme and a "science fiction/fantasy/horror” sub-theme. Some events may be classified with a theme but not with a sub-theme (or classified with the generic sub-theme).
- the film “Brazil” might be classified with a “movie” theme and a “movie/drama (general)" sub- theme. If generic sub-themes are considered to match, if a search is made for "science fiction movies," the generically classified “Brazil” will match.
- the number of time slots to consider constrains how far ahead in time to consider in identifying matching channels. If the EPG content database 14 contains programming for the next two weeks, the system may constrain the search to include only channels that are showing the themed event within the next several hours.
- the update frequency indicates how often and when to search and recompute the theme-based favorite list. In general, this parameter is coupled with the granularity of the time slots.
- the system will likely want to update no less than every 30 minutes in order to maintain a consistent duration of events.
- the system may update more frequently if the EPG content delivery system updates events in the database more frequently than the time slot granularity.
- the system for determining favorite lists based on theme could also be extended to build dynamic favorite lists based on searching the event description. For example, a favorite channel list could be created to show all channels showing movies with "John Wayne” in the description. Usage-Based Favorites List
- the type 76 of favorite list is a "usage-based" favorite list, and the name 78 is "Monday.”
- a usage-based favorites list the user specifies a day or set of time slots and the system monitors actual usage of the system during that day or time slot, generating a list of the channels most watched on that day or time slots.
- Sets of time slots may include "prime time,” “morning,” and “late night.” Further, a description of a system for identifying frequently used channels is described in the co- pending, co-filed and co-assigned application entitled “Previous, Favorite, and Frequer ⁇ Channel Management System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.
- the previously described embodiments of the present invention have many advantages, including creating and updating favorite channel lists automatically rather than requiring a user to have to create and update the favorite channel lists manually.
- the user can have favorites lists organized by theme or by the user's actual usage of the computerized system.
Abstract
A system for managing favorite channel lists on a television, personal computer or PC/TV convergence environment is disclosed. The favorite channel lists are dynamically created by a computerized system rather than manually created by a user who specifically identifies a set of channels to be included in the favorite channel list. In one embodiment of the invention, the computerized system generates a list of favorite channels based on a theme selected by the user. In another embodiment of the invention, the computerized system generates a list of favorite channels based on the channels most frequently viewed by the user.
Description
System for Managing Favorite Channels
Related Applications This application is related to the co-assigned and co-filed applications, "Method for managing multiple channel maps from multiple input devices in a multimedia system," "Previous, favorite, and frequent channel management system," "System for time-shifting events in a multi-channel convergence system," "System, apparatus, and method for tuning a television to a selected channel," and "A system for resolving channel selection in a multi-channel convergence system," all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a computerized system for managing favorite channels and more specifically to dynamically managing favorite channel lists based on a user-specified theme or actual usage by the user.
Background of the Invention Favorite channel lists are becoming a common feature on television (TV) systems and Internet computing systems. For example, present digital satellite system (DSS) set- top boxes provide favorite TV channel lists that support a user specifically selecting a set of favorite channels. Likewise, Internet web browsers such as Netscape Navigator, available from Netscape Communications Corp., of Mountain View, California, and Microsoft Internet Explorer, available from Microsoft Corporation, of Redmond, Washington, allow the user to specifically select a set of favorite channels. Such user
selected sets of favorite Internet channels are referred to as "Bookmarks" by Netscape Navigator and "Favorites" by Internet Explorer.
The presently available favorite channel lists ("favorites lists") are created by the user specifically selecting which channels are to be in the favorites list. For example, most DSS set-top boxes will display user interfaces for specifying a channel and adding it to the favorites list. However, creating the favorites list initially takes time for the user. Additionally, to maintain an up-to-date list, the user must continually add channels to the list or remove channels from the list.
One disadvantage of present systems for managing favorite channels is that performing the functions to add favorite channels to lists or remove favorite channels from lists requires the user's time. Accordingly, there is a need for favorite channel lists that are dynamically created and updated by a TV, a computer or an integrated personal computer and television system.
Another disadvantage of present systems is that the favorites lists can only be created by the user specifically identifying which channels are to be in the favorites list.
Present systems do not offer favorite channel lists dynamically organized by theme for example. Thus, the present favorites lists are only as organized as the user who created them. This presents an inconvenience to users of such systems.
Summary of the Invention
The above-identified shortcomings as well as other shortcomings are addressed by the present invention, which will be understood by leading and studying the following specification.
The invention describes a computerized system in which favorite channel lists are automatically and dynamically managed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention,
the contents of favorite channel lists are based on a user specified theme. The computerized system automatically identifies channels showing events relating to the user specified theme and includes the events in the favorites list. In order to identify channels showing events related to the user specified theme, the user specified theme corresponds to the contents of an EPG (electronic program guide) content database which stores events available on the channels for a period of time.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the contents of a favorites list are based on the user's actual usage of the computerized system. The computerized system monitors the users actual usage of the channels. The most frequently used channels are stored in a favorite channel list for the particular user.
Therefore, the user does not have to create and update the favorites lists manually because the lists are created and updated automatically by the computerized system. In addition, the user can have favorites lists organized by theme or by the user's actual usage of the computerized system. In different embodiments of the invention, computers and computerized systems of varying scope are described. Still other and further embodiments, aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by reading the following detailed description.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a diagram of a typical convergence system in conjunction with which embodiments of the invention may be implemented.
Figure 2 is a diagram of the computerized system for managing collections of favorite channels in the convergence system of Figure 1 according to one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is an illustration of a channel map database of the system of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an illustration of an EPG content database of the system of Figure 2; Figure 5 is an illustration of a favorites database of the system of Figure 2; Figures 6A, 6B and 6C together are a table identifying themes and sub-themes specified in the Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) content descriptors.
Description of the Embodiments In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present inventions. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
The embodiments described in the present application can be implemented on a computerized system architecture for an integrated personal computer and television system such as provided by the co-filed, co-pending and co-assigned U.S. patent application entitled "Architecture for Convergence Systems," which is hereby incorporated by reference. Integrated personal computer and television systems, are known in the art as a "convergence environment" in which a personal computer (PC) is integrated with other capability, such as and usually including at least television (TV) capability. Such hardware components are known and available within the art. For
example, the Gateway Destination PC/TV system, available from Gateway 2000, Inc., provides a convergence environment across two primary modes of operation: TV viewing, and PC operation (i.e., such that the system provides TV and PC capability).
Typical Convergence Environment Figure 1 is a diagram of a typical computer in conjunction with which embodiments of the invention may be implemented. Computer 110 is operatively coupled to monitor 112, pointing device 114, and keyboard 116. The computerized system provides the hardware component and the software architecture as has been described herein. Computer 110 includes a processor (preferably, an Intel Pentium processor), random-access memory (RAM) (preferably, at least thirty-two megabytes), read-only memory (ROM), and one or more storage devices, such as a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive (into which a floppy disk can be inserted), an optical disk drive, and a tape cartridge drive. The memory, hard drives, floppy disks, etc., are types of computer- readable media. The invention is not particularly limited to any type of computer 110. Computer 110 preferably is a PC-compatible computer running a version of the
Microsoft Windows operating system. The construction and operation of such computers are well known within the art.
Computer 110 includes integrated therein or coupled thereto hardware to provide for what is known in the .art as a "convergence environment" such that computer 110 provides capability beyond ordinary PC operation. Such capability preferably including TV capability. For example, the Gateway Destination PC/TV system, available from Gateway 2000, Inc., provides a convergence environment across two primary mode.-, of operation: TV viewing, and PC operation. Computer 110 desirably provides for integration with or includes audio/video (i.e., multimedia) devices including but not limited to: a sound card, a digital video disc (DVD) player, a direct broadcast satellite
(DBS) receiver, a TV tuner (for broadcast and/or cable TV), audio/video inputs for external or auxiliary devices, a CD-ROM player, an audio/video tuner having at least radio tuning capability, a cable decoder, a video cassette recorder, a laser disc player, a compact disc player, a DBS integrated receiver-decoder (IRD), and a video camera. Computer 110 may also be communicatively connected to the Internet in any particular manner, by which the invention is not limited to and which is not shown in Figure 1. Internet connectivity is well known within the art. In one embodiment, the computer includes a modem and corresponding communication drivers to connect to the Internet via what is known in the art as a "dial-up connection." In another embodiment, the computer includes an Ethernet or similar hardware card to connect to a local-area network (LAN) that itself is connected to the Internet via what is know in the art as a "direct connection" (e.g., Tl line, etc.). In further embodiments, the computer may be connected to the Internet using a cable modem or satellite Internet connectivity.
Monitor 112 permits the display of information, including computer, video and other information, for viewing by a user of the computer. The invention is not limited to any particular monitor 112. Such monitors include cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, as well as flat panel displays such as liquid crystal displays (LCD's). The monitor is, however, desirably a 31 " VGA monitor. Pointing device 114 permits the control of the screen pointer provided by the graphical user interface of operating systems such as versions of Microsoft Windows. The invention is not limited to any particular pointing device 114. Such pointing devices include mouses, touch pads, trackballs, remote controls and point sticks. Finally, keyboard 116 permits entry of textu information into computer 110, as known within the art, and the invention is not limited to any particular type of keyboard. Desirably, keyboard 116 is a wireless keyboard.
In a convergence environment, a channel refers to a communications path between devices. For example, TV channels refer to particular frequencies at which radio waves are transmitted. In a convergence environment, an event refers to a specific happening or occurrence on a particular channel. For example, an event on a TV channel may be a specific TV program. An event on an Internet channel may be a scheduled
Internet chat session. However, the invention is not so limited to such channels or events.
Figure 2 is a diagram of the computerized system for managing collections of favorite channels in a television or a convergence environment. As illustrated in Figure 2, the system consists of: application user interfaces 2, channel map services 4, electronic program guide (EPG) data services 6 and favorites services 8. The system also includes a channel map database 10, an EPG content database 14 and a favorites database 12.
The application user interfaces 2 provide a means for the user to access the system.
Channel Map Services The channel map services 4 manages the channel map database 10 that describes the channels available to the system. Channel map services 4 provides functions for creating a logical tuning space that maps logical channel numbers to physical tuning devices .and the specific channel, sub-channel, etc., on the device. For example, a given hardware component in conjunction with which the software architecture operates may have access to a number of channel sources, such as cable TV, broadcast TV, and one or more satellite TV sources. Each of these sources may also have a similar channel mapping, such that cable TV has channels 2-50, broadcast TV has channels 2-13, and satellite TV has channels 2-194.
Thus, specifying a particular channel — for example "channel 2" — does not uniquely identify a given channel, since there may be three channel 2's. Therefore, channel map services 4 alleviates this problem by mapping logical channel numbers to actual channel numbers accessible on the number of channel sources. For example, channel map services 4 may map cable TV channels 2-50 as logical channels 1-49, broadcast TV channels 2-13 as logical channels 50-61, and satellite TV channels 2-194 as logical channels 62-254. Therefore, specifying a particular logical channel always uniquely identifies a given channel. Channel map services 4 is thus called to determine the corresponding physical channel number and the corresponding physical device for a given logical channel number, and vice- versa.
Favorites Services The favorites services 8 manages the favorites database 12 that describes the collection of favorite channel lists and the channels that compose these lists. Favorites services 8 provides favorites list management functions, and also a set of common user interfaces for selecting a favorite item from a list, adding an item to a favorite list, and removing an item from a favorite list. Thus, an application calls favorites services 8 when it wishes to add or delete an item such as a channel from a given favorites list. The favorites services 8 provides both the functionality to maintain the favorites list, as well as the user interface to allow a user to add or delete an item from the list, name lists, rename lists, add lists and remove lists. Thus, regardless of which application calls favorites services, the interface presented to the user remains consistent.
EPG Data Services The EPG data services 6 function manages the EPG content database 14 that describes the events available on the channels for a period of time. EPG data services 6 provides functions for loading electronic program guide-type data from data services.
Such data services may be communicated with through a modem, over the Internet, over a satellite, through the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a TV program, etc.; the invention is not so particularly limited. EPG data services 6 also provides a database API (Application Program Interface) for accessing the data and common user interfaces for configuring the loading functions. Thus, an application may use EPG data services 6 to determine what is programmed to be televised on a given logical channel at a given time; the EPG data services 6 may then call channel map services 4 to determine the corresponding physical channel and physical device, and then load the relevant EPG if necessary before returning the requested information to the application. The architecture of the EPG data services 6 is based on a modular approach, such that EPG providers may be added to the EPG database. EPG data services 6 thus provides an abstraction layer between the providers of the EPG data and the applications that use the data. If the provider of a given set of EPG data changes, for example, only the relevant EPG data services 6 need to be modified; the applications that utilize these data services do not. The modular nature of the EPG data services 6 also permits the integration of EPG data from multiple sources. For example, EPG data relating to satellite TV may originate from one particular provider, whereas EPG data relating to broadcast TV may originate from another particular provider.
Channel Map Database Figure 3 is an illustration of how the channels available on each device in the system are stored in a database of channel and device associations referred to herein as the channel map database 10. Since some devices -nay provide the same channel, duplicates may appear in the channel map database 10. The channels are identified in linear tuning space and numbered using logical channel numbers. In Figure 3, the first channel 16 is logical channel 1 while the last channel 32 is logical channel 358. Logical
channel 1 16 is identified as being available on physical channel 4 on device dl; logical channel l's call letters are "FOX." In real world terms, this means that the FOX channel is available on the internal TV tuner when it is tuned to channel 4. Logical channel 2 18 is identified as being available on physical channel 4 on device d2; its call letters are also "FOX." In real world terms, this means that the FOX channel is also available through the first VCR when the first VCR is tuned to channel 4. The FOX channel is also found at logical channel 3 20 and logical channel 358 32. The NBC channel can be found on logical channel 4 22, logical channel 5 24, logical channel 6 26, and logical channel 356 28. The west coast version of NBC (NBCW) can be found on logical channel 357 30. EPG Database
Figure 4 is an illustration of how the events available on the different channels may be stored in a database referred to herein as the EPG content database 14. In Figure 4, three events are shown in the database. The first event 34 has the title 36 of "The Simpsons," and the theme 38 is "comedy series." The second event 40 has the title 42 "Over the Hill," and the theme 44 is -also "comedy series." The third event 46 has the title 48 "X-Files," and its theme 50 is "thriller series."
Favorites Database Figure 5 is .an illustration of how channels might be stored in a database of favorite channels referred to herein as the favorites database 12. In Figure 5, the favorites database 12 contains a collection of favorite lists. The first favorite list 52, the second favorite list 54 and the last favorite list 56 are shown.
In the first favorite list 52, the favorite list identifier 58 is a unique identifier for the record. The name 60 corresponds to the person who created the list. The type 62 indicates the type of favorites list; in this case, it is a "user-specified" list of favorite channels. The channel identifiers 64, 66, 68, 70 indicate the first few and last channels
in the favorite list. The first channel in the favorite list 64 is channel "1 " and the last channel 70 is channel "357". In a user-specified favorite list, the user has specifically identified which channels are in the favorite list.
Theme-Bjised Favorites List In the second favorite list 54, the type 72 of favorite list is a "theme-based" favorites list and the name 74 of the favorites list is "Sports." In a theme-based favorites list, the user specifies the type of events that the user wishes to include in the list, and the system dynamically, and automatically, determines what channels are showing an event of that type; these channels are then included in the favorites list. The theme-based favorites list requires that the favorites list correspond to the current contents of the EPG content guide. There are several primary parameters that affect what channels are in the favorites list, including: the selected theme, selected sub- theme, matching of generic sub-themes, number of time slots to consider for inclusion and update frequency. The selected theme and selected sub-theme may be from a set of predefined keywords (as is the case with DSS, DBS, and Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standards) that may or may not include sub-themes. Figures 6A, 6B and 6C are a table of direct broadcast satellite (DBS) content descriptors. Figures 6A, 6B and 6C identify the themes .and sub-themes specified in the DBS st.andard. The film "12 Monkeys" might be classified with a "movie" theme and a "science fiction/fantasy/horror" sub-theme. Some events may be classified with a theme but not with a sub-theme (or classified with the generic sub-theme). In this case, the film "Brazil" might be classified with a "movie" theme and a "movie/drama (general)" sub- theme. If generic sub-themes are considered to match, if a search is made for "science fiction movies," the generically classified "Brazil" will match.
The number of time slots to consider constrains how far ahead in time to consider in identifying matching channels. If the EPG content database 14 contains programming for the next two weeks, the system may constrain the search to include only channels that are showing the themed event within the next several hours. The update frequency indicates how often and when to search and recompute the theme-based favorite list. In general, this parameter is coupled with the granularity of the time slots. If the time slots are in 30 minute increments, the system will likely want to update no less than every 30 minutes in order to maintain a consistent duration of events. The system may update more frequently if the EPG content delivery system updates events in the database more frequently than the time slot granularity.
The system for determining favorite lists based on theme could also be extended to build dynamic favorite lists based on searching the event description. For example, a favorite channel list could be created to show all channels showing movies with "John Wayne" in the description. Usage-Based Favorites List
In the third favorite list 56, the type 76 of favorite list is a "usage-based" favorite list, and the name 78 is "Monday." In a usage-based favorites list, the user specifies a day or set of time slots and the system monitors actual usage of the system during that day or time slot, generating a list of the channels most watched on that day or time slots. Sets of time slots may include "prime time," "morning," and "late night." Further, a description of a system for identifying frequently used channels is described in the co- pending, co-filed and co-assigned application entitled "Previous, Favorite, and Frequerύ Channel Management System," which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The previously described embodiments of the present invention have many advantages, including creating and updating favorite channel lists automatically rather
than requiring a user to have to create and update the favorite channel lists manually. In addition, the user can have favorites lists organized by theme or by the user's actual usage of the computerized system.
The embodiments of the invention described in the present application can be implemented in a television user interface (either digital or analog), a web TV set-top box, a PC/TV convergence platform, a computer or information handling system. However, the present invention is not limited to such implementations and alternate implementations are contemplated and are within the scope of this invention.
Other mechanisms for managing favorite channel lists will be apparent to those skilled in the ait. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Claims
1. A computerized system for managing favorite channels based on a user specified theme, the computerized system comprising: one or more favorite channel lists, the favorite channel lists comprising one or more logical channels relating to the user specified theme, wherein the computerized system identifies the logical channels showing an event of the user specified theme and includes each of the logical channels in the favorite channel list; and a favorites database for storing one or more favorite channel lists.
2. The computerized system of claim 1, further comprising an EPG content database storing a plurality of events available on one or more channels for a period of time.
3. The computerized system claim 2, wherein the user specified theme corresponds to a theme field of the events in an EPG content database.
4. The computerized system of claim 3, further comprising an EPG data service for managing the EPG content database, the EPG data service providing functions for loading electronic program guide-type data from one or more data services.
5. The computerized system of claim 1, further comprising a favorites service providing one or more user interfaces and a plurality of management functions for each one of the favorite channel lists.
6. The computerized system of claim 5, wherein the management functions include at least one function selected from the group of functions consisting of: adding a favorite event to one of the favorite channel lists, removing a favorite event from one of the favorite channel lists, and selecting a favorite event from one of the favorite channel lists.
7. The computerized system of claim 1 , further comprising a channel map service for determining a physical channel number and a corresponding physical device for each one of the logical channels.
8. A computerized system for managing favorite channels comprising: one or more favorite channel lists, the favorite channel lists comprising one or more logical channels relating to a user specified theme, wherein the computerized system identifies the logical channels showing an event of the user specified theme and includes such logical channels in the favorite channel list; application user interfaces for allowing a user to access the computerized system; channel map services for mapping a logical channel number in the favorite channel list to a physical channel number on a physical device available to the computerized system; favorites services providing user interfaces and management functions for each one of the favorite channel lists; and electronic program guide content services for determining what is programmed on the logical channel and for calling channel map services to determine the corresponding physical channel and physical device.
9. The computerized system of claim 8, further comprising a channel map database for storing an association between each one of the logical channels and a physical channel and a corresponding physical device.
10. The computerized system of claim 8, wherein the management functions of the favorites service include at least one function selected from the group of functions consisting of: adding one of the logical channels to one of the favorite channel lists, removing one of the logical channels from one of the favorite channel lists, .and selecting one of the logical channels from one of the favorite channel lists.
11. The computerized system of claim 8, further comprising a favorites database for storing one or more favorite channel lists.
12. The computerized system of claim 8, further comprising an electronic program guide content database for storing events available on the one or more channels for a period of time.
13. A computerized system for managing channels, comprising: one or more channels; a means for storing one or more events occurring on each one of the channels, each one of the events having a means for identifying a theme; and one or more means for maintaining a set of channels, each means for maintaining the set of channels comprising the channels having the events relating to a user-specified theme, wherein the computerized system identifies the set of channels by matching the user specified theme to the means for identifying the theme of the event.
14. The computerized system as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a means for maintaining a database, the database consisting of each one of the means for maintaining the set of channels.
15. The computerized system as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a means for loading data about the events from one or more data services.
16. The computerized system as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a means for providing one or more user interfaces and a plurality of management functions for each one of the means for maintaining one or more sets of channels.
17. The computerized system of claim 16, wherein the channel is a logical channel.
18. The computerized system of claim 17, further comprising a means for determining a physical number and a corresponding physical device for each one of the logical channels.
19. A method of using a computerized system to dynamically managing favorite channel lists relating to a user specified theme, the method comprising the steps of: identifying one or more channels showing an event of a user specified theme, wherein the step of identifying is achieved by matching one or more event themes from an EPG content database to the user-specifie theme, and including each one of the channels in a favorite channel list.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of identifying is achieved by matching one or more event sub-themes from an EPG content database to the user-specified theme.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of identifying is achieved by matching one or more generic event sub-themes from an EPG content database to the user- specified theme.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the logical channels identified during the step of identifying depend on an update frequency of the EPG content database and a number of time slots included in the favorite channels list.
23. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of identifying is achieved by matching one or more words in a event description from the EPG content database to the user- specified theme.
24. A computer comprising: a processor; a computer-readable medium; and a plurality of computer instructions executed from the computer readable medium by the processor for performing the steps of identifying one or more channels showing an event of a user specified theme and including each one of the channels in a favorite channd list.
25. A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions stored thereon for execution on a computer, the computer executable instructions comprising the steps of: identifying one or more channels showing an event of a user specified theme, wherein the step of identifying is achieved by matching one or more event themes from an EPG content database to the user-specified theme, and including each one of the channels in a favorite channel list.
26. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein the step of identifying is achieved by matching one or more event sub-themes from an EPG content database to the user-specified theme.
27. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein the step of identifying is achieved by matching one or more generic event sub-themes from an EPG content database to the user-specified theme.
28. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein the channels identified during the step of identifying depend on an update frequency of the EPG content database and a number of time slots included in the favorite channels list.
29. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein the step of identifying is achieved by matching one or mere words in a event description from the EPG content database to the user-specified theme.
30. A computerized system for managing favorite channels based on actual usage comprising: one or more favorite channel lists, the favorite channel lists comprising one or more logical channels relating to a users actual usage, wherein the computerized system monitors usage of a plurality of physical channels for a predetermined time and includes the logical channel identifier for the physical channels used most frequently in the favorite channel list; and a favorites database for storing one or more favorite channel lists.
31. The computerized system of claim 24, wherein the predetermined time is a twenty-four period.
32. The computerized system of claim 24, wherein the predetermined time is a time slot.
33. A computerized system for dynamically managing favorite channels based on actual usage by a user, the computerized system comprising: one or more favorite channel lists, the favorite channel lists comprising one or more logical channels, wherein the computerized system identifies the logical channels that have been viewed most often by the user; and a favorites database for storing one or more favorite channel lists.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU22120/99A AU2212099A (en) | 1998-01-05 | 1999-01-05 | System for managing favorite channels |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/002,906 | 1998-01-05 | ||
US09/002,906 US20030056216A1 (en) | 1998-01-05 | 1998-01-05 | System for managing favorite channels |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1999035841A1 true WO1999035841A1 (en) | 1999-07-15 |
Family
ID=21703134
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1999/000101 WO1999035841A1 (en) | 1998-01-05 | 1999-01-05 | System for managing favorite channels |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20030056216A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2212099A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999035841A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2003052554A2 (en) * | 2001-12-17 | 2003-06-26 | Tvgateway Llc | System and method for automatically flagging a channel as a favorite channel |
WO2002087243A3 (en) * | 2001-04-20 | 2004-05-06 | Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv | Automatic selection of favorite media selections of a user of an media presentation device |
FR2857201A1 (en) * | 2003-07-03 | 2005-01-07 | Thomson Licensing Sa | METHOD FOR CONSTITUTION OF FAVORITE SERVICE LISTS IN A DECODER |
WO2006126988A1 (en) | 2005-05-23 | 2006-11-30 | Thomson Licensing | Method for providing an electronic program guide based on user preference data |
EP1786110A1 (en) * | 2004-09-01 | 2007-05-16 | Fujitsu Ten Limited | Broadcasting receiver |
US7380263B2 (en) | 2003-10-17 | 2008-05-27 | Sony Corporation | Apparatus and method for use in television channel mapping |
EP1956841A3 (en) * | 2007-02-09 | 2010-04-14 | Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. | Preferable program allocation |
EP2575373A1 (en) * | 2011-09-30 | 2013-04-03 | Technisat Digital Gmbh | Digital television receiver with means for the efficient management of program services |
Families Citing this family (105)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7168084B1 (en) | 1992-12-09 | 2007-01-23 | Sedna Patent Services, Llc | Method and apparatus for targeting virtual objects |
US9286294B2 (en) | 1992-12-09 | 2016-03-15 | Comcast Ip Holdings I, Llc | Video and digital multimedia aggregator content suggestion engine |
US6720745B2 (en) * | 1997-08-26 | 2004-04-13 | Color Kinetics, Incorporated | Data delivery track |
JP4200393B2 (en) * | 1997-11-25 | 2008-12-24 | ソニー株式会社 | Information processing apparatus and information processing method |
US8352984B2 (en) | 1998-06-12 | 2013-01-08 | Thomson Licensing | System and method for generating and managing user preference information for scheduled and stored television programs |
US6614987B1 (en) * | 1998-06-12 | 2003-09-02 | Metabyte, Inc. | Television program recording with user preference determination |
US9924234B2 (en) | 1998-07-23 | 2018-03-20 | Comcast Ip Holdings I, Llc | Data structure and methods for providing an interactive program |
BR9912385A (en) | 1998-07-23 | 2002-01-15 | Diva Systems Corp | User interface generated on a head end, interactive program guide, and processes for generating and distributing a user interface, and interacting with an interactive program guide |
US6754905B2 (en) | 1998-07-23 | 2004-06-22 | Diva Systems Corporation | Data structure and methods for providing an interactive program guide |
US6628302B2 (en) * | 1998-11-30 | 2003-09-30 | Microsoft Corporation | Interactive video programming methods |
US6804825B1 (en) * | 1998-11-30 | 2004-10-12 | Microsoft Corporation | Video on demand methods and systems |
US7168086B1 (en) * | 1998-11-30 | 2007-01-23 | Microsoft Corporation | Proxy for video on demand server control |
US6754271B1 (en) | 1999-04-15 | 2004-06-22 | Diva Systems Corporation | Temporal slice persistence method and apparatus for delivery of interactive program guide |
US6904610B1 (en) | 1999-04-15 | 2005-06-07 | Sedna Patent Services, Llc | Server-centric customized interactive program guide in an interactive television environment |
US7096487B1 (en) | 1999-10-27 | 2006-08-22 | Sedna Patent Services, Llc | Apparatus and method for combining realtime and non-realtime encoded content |
US7058965B1 (en) * | 1999-04-15 | 2006-06-06 | Sedna Patent Services, Llc | Multiplexing structures for delivery of interactive program guide |
US7024676B1 (en) * | 1999-05-25 | 2006-04-04 | Thomson Licensing | System for acquiring and processing broadcast programs, program guide and channel identification data |
JP2001022785A (en) * | 1999-07-12 | 2001-01-26 | Sony Corp | Device and method for receiving information |
WO2001031914A1 (en) | 1999-10-27 | 2001-05-03 | Diva Systems Corporation | Picture-in-picture and multiple video streams using slice-based encoding |
US7284064B1 (en) | 2000-03-21 | 2007-10-16 | Intel Corporation | Method and apparatus to determine broadcast content and scheduling in a broadcast system |
US20010030667A1 (en) * | 2000-04-10 | 2001-10-18 | Kelts Brett R. | Interactive display interface for information objects |
US8087051B2 (en) * | 2000-06-30 | 2011-12-27 | Thomson Licensing | Database management system and method for electronic program guide and television channel lineup organization |
US8302127B2 (en) * | 2000-09-25 | 2012-10-30 | Thomson Licensing | System and method for personalized TV |
US20020083450A1 (en) * | 2000-12-01 | 2002-06-27 | Yakov Kamen | Method and system for content-based broadcasted program selection |
US7284256B2 (en) * | 2000-12-04 | 2007-10-16 | Sony Corporation | Method and system to maintain relative statistics for creating automatically a list of favorites |
US7721310B2 (en) * | 2000-12-05 | 2010-05-18 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Method and apparatus for selective updating of a user profile |
US20020075231A1 (en) * | 2000-12-18 | 2002-06-20 | Philips Eelectronics North America | Adaptable remote control with exchangeable controls |
US20080060011A1 (en) * | 2000-12-22 | 2008-03-06 | Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc. | Zoomable user interfaces for television |
US20020143591A1 (en) * | 2001-03-30 | 2002-10-03 | Connelly Jay H. | Method and apparatus for a hybrid content on demand broadcast system |
US7185352B2 (en) * | 2001-05-11 | 2007-02-27 | Intel Corporation | Method and apparatus for combining broadcast schedules and content on a digital broadcast-enabled client platform |
US20020194603A1 (en) * | 2001-06-15 | 2002-12-19 | Jay H. Connelly | Method and apparatus to distribute content using a multi-stage broadcast system |
US20030005465A1 (en) * | 2001-06-15 | 2003-01-02 | Connelly Jay H. | Method and apparatus to send feedback from clients to a server in a content distribution broadcast system |
US20030005451A1 (en) * | 2001-06-15 | 2003-01-02 | Connelly Jay H. | Method and apparatus to distribute content descriptors in a content distribution broadcast system |
US8818871B2 (en) * | 2001-06-21 | 2014-08-26 | Thomson Licensing | Method and system for electronic purchases using an intelligent data carrier medium, electronic coupon system, and interactive TV infrastructure |
US7299484B2 (en) * | 2001-07-20 | 2007-11-20 | The Directv Group, Inc. | Method and apparatus for adaptive channel selection |
US7793326B2 (en) | 2001-08-03 | 2010-09-07 | Comcast Ip Holdings I, Llc | Video and digital multimedia aggregator |
US7908628B2 (en) | 2001-08-03 | 2011-03-15 | Comcast Ip Holdings I, Llc | Video and digital multimedia aggregator content coding and formatting |
US7047456B2 (en) * | 2001-08-28 | 2006-05-16 | Intel Corporation | Error correction for regional and dynamic factors in communications |
US20030046633A1 (en) * | 2001-08-28 | 2003-03-06 | Jutzi Curtis E. | Data error correction based on reported factors and predicted data interference factors |
US8365230B2 (en) | 2001-09-19 | 2013-01-29 | Tvworks, Llc | Interactive user interface for television applications |
US8413205B2 (en) | 2001-09-19 | 2013-04-02 | Tvworks, Llc | System and method for construction, delivery and display of iTV content |
US8042132B2 (en) | 2002-03-15 | 2011-10-18 | Tvworks, Llc | System and method for construction, delivery and display of iTV content |
US8429688B1 (en) * | 2001-09-19 | 2013-04-23 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | Broadcast programming guide |
US11388451B2 (en) | 2001-11-27 | 2022-07-12 | Comcast Cable Communications Management, Llc | Method and system for enabling data-rich interactive television using broadcast database |
US20030061611A1 (en) * | 2001-09-26 | 2003-03-27 | Ramesh Pendakur | Notifying users of available content and content reception based on user profiles |
US8943540B2 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2015-01-27 | Intel Corporation | Method and apparatus to provide a personalized channel |
US20030066090A1 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2003-04-03 | Brendan Traw | Method and apparatus to provide a personalized channel |
US10235873B2 (en) * | 2001-12-20 | 2019-03-19 | Universal Electronics Inc. | System and method to facilitate configuration of a controlling device |
US8707354B1 (en) | 2002-06-12 | 2014-04-22 | Tvworks, Llc | Graphically rich, modular, promotional tile interface for interactive television |
US7703116B1 (en) | 2003-07-11 | 2010-04-20 | Tvworks, Llc | System and method for construction, delivery and display of iTV applications that blend programming information of on-demand and broadcast service offerings |
US8799501B2 (en) * | 2002-04-30 | 2014-08-05 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L. P. | System and method for anonymously sharing and scoring information pointers, within a system for harvesting community knowledge |
US20040002947A1 (en) * | 2002-06-26 | 2004-01-01 | De La Fuente Ramon | Favorites for internet-access appliances |
US8352983B1 (en) | 2002-07-11 | 2013-01-08 | Tvworks, Llc | Programming contextual interactive user interface for television |
US8046793B2 (en) * | 2002-07-29 | 2011-10-25 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Favorites program selection |
US11070890B2 (en) | 2002-08-06 | 2021-07-20 | Comcast Cable Communications Management, Llc | User customization of user interfaces for interactive television |
US8220018B2 (en) | 2002-09-19 | 2012-07-10 | Tvworks, Llc | System and method for preferred placement programming of iTV content |
US8578411B1 (en) | 2003-03-14 | 2013-11-05 | Tvworks, Llc | System and method for controlling iTV application behaviors through the use of application profile filters |
US10664138B2 (en) | 2003-03-14 | 2020-05-26 | Comcast Cable Communications, Llc | Providing supplemental content for a second screen experience |
US11381875B2 (en) | 2003-03-14 | 2022-07-05 | Comcast Cable Communications Management, Llc | Causing display of user-selectable content types |
US8416952B1 (en) * | 2003-07-11 | 2013-04-09 | Tvworks, Llc | Channel family surf control |
US8347333B1 (en) * | 2003-08-13 | 2013-01-01 | The Directv Group, Inc. | Modified electronic program guide |
US8819734B2 (en) | 2003-09-16 | 2014-08-26 | Tvworks, Llc | Contextual navigational control for digital television |
JP2005094668A (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2005-04-07 | Orion Denki Kk | Television set |
KR100520929B1 (en) * | 2003-11-07 | 2005-10-17 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Apparatus for receiving digital broadcasting and method for receiving digital broadcasting thereof |
KR100597399B1 (en) * | 2004-01-12 | 2006-07-06 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Apparatus and method for managing user's preference channel dynamically |
KR101002838B1 (en) * | 2004-02-05 | 2010-12-21 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | An image display device and method for working contents of the same |
CN100463504C (en) * | 2004-03-02 | 2009-02-18 | 鸿富锦精密工业(深圳)有限公司 | System and method for favored TV channel control by single turnbutton |
TWI343750B (en) * | 2004-03-02 | 2011-06-11 | Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd | System and method for controlling favorite television channels with a single knob |
US7634792B2 (en) * | 2004-09-20 | 2009-12-15 | Comcast Cable Holdings, Llc | Method and system for acquiring and converting electronic programming guide signals from multiple vendors |
US7509663B2 (en) | 2005-02-14 | 2009-03-24 | Time Warner Cable, Inc. | Technique for identifying favorite program channels for receiving entertainment programming content over a communications network |
US7818667B2 (en) | 2005-05-03 | 2010-10-19 | Tv Works Llc | Verification of semantic constraints in multimedia data and in its announcement, signaling and interchange |
KR20060115806A (en) * | 2005-05-06 | 2006-11-10 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Display apparatus and control method thereof |
EP1763171A1 (en) * | 2005-09-13 | 2007-03-14 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Identification of network channels |
BRPI0621447A2 (en) * | 2006-03-06 | 2011-12-13 | Thomson Licensing | method and apparatus for updating favorite channel number list |
US8392947B2 (en) * | 2006-06-30 | 2013-03-05 | At&T Intellectual Property I, Lp | System and method for home audio and video communication |
JP4187029B2 (en) * | 2006-09-28 | 2008-11-26 | 船井電機株式会社 | Digital broadcast receiver, digital broadcast recorder |
US8621537B2 (en) * | 2007-01-08 | 2013-12-31 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Method of processing channel information and receiver |
US8687128B2 (en) | 2007-04-19 | 2014-04-01 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | System and method of navigating previously viewed channels |
US8804052B2 (en) * | 2008-02-12 | 2014-08-12 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | System and method for filtering a television channel list based on channel characteristics |
US11832024B2 (en) | 2008-11-20 | 2023-11-28 | Comcast Cable Communications, Llc | Method and apparatus for delivering video and video-related content at sub-asset level |
US20110145865A1 (en) * | 2009-12-15 | 2011-06-16 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | Personal channel preferences for multimedia programs |
US9148612B2 (en) * | 2010-06-25 | 2015-09-29 | Echostar Technologies L.L.C. | Apparatus and methods for accessing content using alternative identifiers |
US9955202B2 (en) | 2011-02-11 | 2018-04-24 | Sony Network Entertainment International Llc | Removal of unavailable services and/or content items from a list of favorite and/or recently viewed services and/or content items associated with a user account |
US9161073B2 (en) | 2011-02-11 | 2015-10-13 | Sony Corporation | System and method to remove outdated or erroneous assets from favorites or recently-viewed lists |
US20120210224A1 (en) * | 2011-02-11 | 2012-08-16 | Sony Network Entertainment International Llc | System and method to add an asset as a favorite for convenient access or sharing on a second display |
US10200756B2 (en) | 2011-02-11 | 2019-02-05 | Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC | Synchronization of favorites and/or recently viewed lists between registered content playback devices |
US9112623B2 (en) | 2011-06-06 | 2015-08-18 | Comcast Cable Communications, Llc | Asynchronous interaction at specific points in content |
US9154813B2 (en) | 2011-06-09 | 2015-10-06 | Comcast Cable Communications, Llc | Multiple video content in a composite video stream |
US8996650B2 (en) | 2011-08-26 | 2015-03-31 | Accenture Global Services Limited | Preparing content packages |
US9799046B2 (en) | 2012-05-17 | 2017-10-24 | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | Zero click commerce systems |
US10346895B2 (en) | 2012-05-17 | 2019-07-09 | Walmart Apollo, Llc | Initiation of purchase transaction in response to a reply to a recommendation |
US10210559B2 (en) | 2012-05-17 | 2019-02-19 | Walmart Apollo, Llc | Systems and methods for recommendation scraping |
US10181147B2 (en) | 2012-05-17 | 2019-01-15 | Walmart Apollo, Llc | Methods and systems for arranging a webpage and purchasing products via a subscription mechanism |
US10580056B2 (en) | 2012-05-17 | 2020-03-03 | Walmart Apollo, Llc | System and method for providing a gift exchange |
US11368760B2 (en) | 2012-08-17 | 2022-06-21 | Flextronics Ap, Llc | Applications generating statistics for user behavior |
US20160119675A1 (en) | 2012-09-06 | 2016-04-28 | Flextronics Ap, Llc | Programming user behavior reporting |
CN103748889A (en) * | 2012-08-17 | 2014-04-23 | 弗莱克斯电子有限责任公司 | EPG aggregation from multiple sources |
US11115722B2 (en) | 2012-11-08 | 2021-09-07 | Comcast Cable Communications, Llc | Crowdsourcing supplemental content |
US9553927B2 (en) | 2013-03-13 | 2017-01-24 | Comcast Cable Communications, Llc | Synchronizing multiple transmissions of content |
US10880609B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2020-12-29 | Comcast Cable Communications, Llc | Content event messaging |
EP2787740A1 (en) * | 2013-04-03 | 2014-10-08 | Spotlightbros, Inc. | Control of a multimedia output device by a multimedia communication apparatus connected via a router |
KR20150051770A (en) * | 2013-11-05 | 2015-05-13 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Apparatus and method for controlling of image display device |
US11783382B2 (en) | 2014-10-22 | 2023-10-10 | Comcast Cable Communications, Llc | Systems and methods for curating content metadata |
US10674200B1 (en) * | 2015-11-18 | 2020-06-02 | Cox Communications, Inc. | Enabling a last viewed zone |
US11601712B2 (en) * | 2016-02-24 | 2023-03-07 | Nos Inovacao, S.A. | Predictive tuning system |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0572090A2 (en) * | 1992-05-27 | 1993-12-01 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | System and method for automatically correlating user preferences with a TV program information database |
WO1997049237A1 (en) * | 1996-06-17 | 1997-12-24 | Starsight Telecast, Inc. | Television schedule system with enhanced features |
Family Cites Families (34)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5592551A (en) * | 1992-12-01 | 1997-01-07 | Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing interactive electronic programming guide |
US5798785A (en) * | 1992-12-09 | 1998-08-25 | Discovery Communications, Inc. | Terminal for suggesting programs offered on a television program delivery system |
US5600364A (en) * | 1992-12-09 | 1997-02-04 | Discovery Communications, Inc. | Network controller for cable television delivery systems |
US5659350A (en) * | 1992-12-09 | 1997-08-19 | Discovery Communications, Inc. | Operations center for a television program packaging and delivery system |
US5485221A (en) * | 1993-06-07 | 1996-01-16 | Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. | Subscription television system and terminal for enabling simultaneous display of multiple services |
US5585866A (en) * | 1993-09-09 | 1996-12-17 | Miller; Larry | Electronic television program guide schedule system and method including virtual channels |
US5589892A (en) * | 1993-09-09 | 1996-12-31 | Knee; Robert A. | Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access |
US5425101A (en) * | 1993-12-03 | 1995-06-13 | Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. | System and method for simultaneously authorizing multiple virtual channels |
US6583825B1 (en) * | 1994-11-07 | 2003-06-24 | Index Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for transmitting and downloading setup information |
JP3508784B2 (en) * | 1994-11-11 | 2004-03-22 | ソニー株式会社 | Image reception control device and image reception control method |
US5774859A (en) * | 1995-01-03 | 1998-06-30 | Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. | Information system having a speech interface |
US6426779B1 (en) * | 1995-01-04 | 2002-07-30 | Sony Electronics, Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing favorite station and programming information in a multiple station broadcast system |
JP4001942B2 (en) * | 1995-02-06 | 2007-10-31 | ソニー株式会社 | Receiving apparatus and receiving method, and broadcasting system and broadcasting method |
US5801753A (en) * | 1995-08-11 | 1998-09-01 | General Instrument Corporation Of Delaware | Method and apparatus for providing an interactive guide to events available on an information network |
US6323911B1 (en) * | 1995-10-02 | 2001-11-27 | Starsight Telecast, Inc. | System and method for using television schedule information |
US5635989A (en) * | 1996-02-13 | 1997-06-03 | Hughes Electronics | Method and apparatus for sorting and searching a television program guide |
WO1997046006A1 (en) * | 1996-05-29 | 1997-12-04 | Sony Corporation | Program guide controller |
US5945988A (en) * | 1996-06-06 | 1999-08-31 | Intel Corporation | Method and apparatus for automatically determining and dynamically updating user preferences in an entertainment system |
US6118492A (en) * | 1996-08-14 | 2000-09-12 | Starsight Telecast, Inc. | Guide system and method of operation |
US5978043A (en) * | 1996-08-14 | 1999-11-02 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | TV graphical user interface that provides customized lists of programming |
JPH10126752A (en) * | 1996-10-23 | 1998-05-15 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Broadcast system |
US5801747A (en) * | 1996-11-15 | 1998-09-01 | Hyundai Electronics America | Method and apparatus for creating a television viewer profile |
US6177931B1 (en) * | 1996-12-19 | 2001-01-23 | Index Systems, Inc. | Systems and methods for displaying and recording control interface with television programs, video, advertising information and program scheduling information |
WO1998028906A2 (en) * | 1996-12-20 | 1998-07-02 | Princeton Video Image, Inc. | Set top device for targeted electronic insertion of indicia into video |
US5850218A (en) * | 1997-02-19 | 1998-12-15 | Time Warner Entertainment Company L.P. | Inter-active program guide with default selection control |
US6141003A (en) * | 1997-03-18 | 2000-10-31 | Microsoft Corporation | Channel bar user interface for an entertainment system |
US6286141B1 (en) * | 1997-05-22 | 2001-09-04 | Soundview Technologies Incorporated | Personal editing system |
US6072535A (en) * | 1997-06-10 | 2000-06-06 | Kearns; Donovan E. | Sidebox display channel loop controller |
IL121230A (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 2004-05-12 | Nds Ltd | Intelligent electronic program guide |
US6049829A (en) * | 1997-07-22 | 2000-04-11 | At&T Corp. | Information access system and method |
US6018372A (en) * | 1997-09-04 | 2000-01-25 | Liberate Technologies | Electronic program guide with multiple day planner |
US6021419A (en) * | 1997-09-16 | 2000-02-01 | International Business Machines Corporation | System for filtering broadcast digital information in accordance with channel identifiers stored in preference list which can be dynamically updated via command through network |
US6243142B1 (en) * | 1997-10-17 | 2001-06-05 | Sony Corporation | Method and apparatus for displaying time and program status in an electronic program guide |
US6005597A (en) * | 1997-10-27 | 1999-12-21 | Disney Enterprises, Inc. | Method and apparatus for program selection |
-
1998
- 1998-01-05 US US09/002,906 patent/US20030056216A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1999
- 1999-01-05 WO PCT/US1999/000101 patent/WO1999035841A1/en active Application Filing
- 1999-01-05 AU AU22120/99A patent/AU2212099A/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0572090A2 (en) * | 1992-05-27 | 1993-12-01 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | System and method for automatically correlating user preferences with a TV program information database |
WO1997049237A1 (en) * | 1996-06-17 | 1997-12-24 | Starsight Telecast, Inc. | Television schedule system with enhanced features |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
EHRMANTRAUT M ET AL: "THE PERSONAL ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE - TOWARDS THE PRE-SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL TV PROGRAMS", PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT CIKM, 12 November 1996 (1996-11-12), pages 243 - 250, XP002071337 * |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6934917B2 (en) | 2001-04-20 | 2005-08-23 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V. | Automatic selection of favorite media selections of a user of a media presentation device |
WO2002087243A3 (en) * | 2001-04-20 | 2004-05-06 | Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv | Automatic selection of favorite media selections of a user of an media presentation device |
WO2003052554A3 (en) * | 2001-12-17 | 2003-09-12 | Tvgateway Llc | System and method for automatically flagging a channel as a favorite channel |
WO2003052554A2 (en) * | 2001-12-17 | 2003-06-26 | Tvgateway Llc | System and method for automatically flagging a channel as a favorite channel |
CN100448277C (en) * | 2003-07-03 | 2008-12-31 | 汤姆森许可贸易公司 | Method and receiver for generation of lists of favourite services |
WO2005006755A3 (en) * | 2003-07-03 | 2005-05-12 | Thomson Licensing Sa | Method and receiver for generation of lists of favourite services |
WO2005006755A2 (en) * | 2003-07-03 | 2005-01-20 | Thomson Licensing | Method and receiver for generation of lists of favourite services |
FR2857201A1 (en) * | 2003-07-03 | 2005-01-07 | Thomson Licensing Sa | METHOD FOR CONSTITUTION OF FAVORITE SERVICE LISTS IN A DECODER |
US7380263B2 (en) | 2003-10-17 | 2008-05-27 | Sony Corporation | Apparatus and method for use in television channel mapping |
EP1786110A1 (en) * | 2004-09-01 | 2007-05-16 | Fujitsu Ten Limited | Broadcasting receiver |
EP1786110A4 (en) * | 2004-09-01 | 2008-10-22 | Fujitsu Ten Ltd | Broadcasting receiver |
WO2006126988A1 (en) | 2005-05-23 | 2006-11-30 | Thomson Licensing | Method for providing an electronic program guide based on user preference data |
JP2008543169A (en) * | 2005-05-23 | 2008-11-27 | トムソン ライセンシング | Method for providing an electronic program guide based on user preference data |
US8122470B2 (en) | 2005-05-23 | 2012-02-21 | Thomson Licensing | Method for providing an electronic program guide based on user preference data |
EP1956841A3 (en) * | 2007-02-09 | 2010-04-14 | Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. | Preferable program allocation |
EP2575373A1 (en) * | 2011-09-30 | 2013-04-03 | Technisat Digital Gmbh | Digital television receiver with means for the efficient management of program services |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20030056216A1 (en) | 2003-03-20 |
AU2212099A (en) | 1999-07-26 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20030056216A1 (en) | System for managing favorite channels | |
US7152236B1 (en) | Integration of internet sources into an electronic program database list | |
US11089364B2 (en) | Causing display of user-selectable content types | |
US9237203B2 (en) | Integrated media content server system and method for the customization of metadata that is associated therewith | |
JP4249764B2 (en) | Query-based electronic program guide | |
US5990883A (en) | Unified presentation of programming from different physical sources | |
US20030035007A1 (en) | Architecture for convergence systems | |
US20090172544A1 (en) | Interactive media guidance application with access to multiple data sets | |
WO1999035849A1 (en) | System for combining electronic program guide data | |
EP1326437A2 (en) | System and method for preparing a tv viewing schedule | |
EP1046294A1 (en) | Associating web sites to television programs | |
KR20050098304A (en) | Deletion order list for automatic video recorders | |
WO1999035828A1 (en) | Channel tuner for television | |
EP2232853A1 (en) | Interactive media guidance application with access to multiple data |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AU CA JP |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
DFPE | Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101) | ||
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase |