Interactive computer system for providing television schedule information
First Claim
1. An interactive program guide (IPG) comprising:
- a database electrically coupled to a first network for storing television schedule information;
a television tuner electrically coupled to a second network, wherein the second network is in communication with the first network;
a display monitor electrically coupled to the second network;
a storage device electrically coupled to the second network for storing television programs;
an input device electrically coupled to the second network for receiving user inputs; and
a processor electrically coupled to the second network programmed for accessing the database to display a portion of the television schedule information on the display monitor in a guide format and for controlling the storage device to store a television program selected from the displayed television schedule information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer'"'"'s computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer'"'"'s computer, television or PCTV.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. An interactive program guide (IPG) comprising:
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a database electrically coupled to a first network for storing television schedule information;
a television tuner electrically coupled to a second network, wherein the second network is in communication with the first network;
a display monitor electrically coupled to the second network;
a storage device electrically coupled to the second network for storing television programs;
an input device electrically coupled to the second network for receiving user inputs; and
a processor electrically coupled to the second network programmed for accessing the database to display a portion of the television schedule information on the display monitor in a guide format and for controlling the storage device to store a television program selected from the displayed television schedule information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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25. A method for displaying an interactive program guide (IPG) comprising the steps of:
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storing television schedule information in a database electrically coupled to a first network;
accessing the database to display a portion of the television schedule information in a guide on a display monitor electrically coupled to a second network, wherein the second network is in communication with the first network;
receiving user inputs via an input device electrically coupled to the second network;
tuning a television tuner electrically coupled to the second network to a television program selected from the displayed television schedule information; and
controlling a storage device electrically coupled to the second network for storing a television program selected from the displayed television schedule information.
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42. A networked television schedule system comprising:
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a database accessible via the Internet for storing television schedule information;
a television tuner electrically coupled to a network, wherein the network is in communication with the Internet;
a storage device electrically coupled to the network for storing television programs received from the network; and
a processor electrically coupled to the network programmed for accessing the database to display a portion of the television schedule information on a display monitor and for controlling the storage device to store via the network a television program selected from the displayed television schedule information.
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Specification