Client-server electronic program guide
First Claim
1. A method for use in a client-server interactive television program guide system for scheduling reminders according to user defined expressions, comprising:
- providing a user with an opportunity to define an expression with an interactive television program guide client implemented on user television equipment without requiring the user to navigate the Internet;
storing the expression on a program guide server;
processing the expression with the program guide server to find programs that satisfy the expression; and
scheduling with the program guide server reminders for programs that satisfy the expression.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A client-server interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide client is implemented on user television equipment. The interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to define expressions that are processed by the program guide server. The program guide server may provide program guide data, schedules reminders, schedules program recordings, and parentally locks programs based on the expressions. Users'"'"' viewing histories may be tracked. The program guide server may analyze the viewing histories and generates viewing recommendations, targets advertising, and collects program ratings information based on the viewing histories.
200 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for use in a client-server interactive television program guide system for scheduling reminders according to user defined expressions, comprising:
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providing a user with an opportunity to define an expression with an interactive television program guide client implemented on user television equipment without requiring the user to navigate the Internet;
storing the expression on a program guide server;
processing the expression with the program guide server to find programs that satisfy the expression; and
scheduling with the program guide server reminders for programs that satisfy the expression.
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4. A method for use in a client-server interactive television program guide system for scheduling programs for recording according to user defined expressions, comprising:
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providing a user with an opportunity to define an expression with an interactive television program guide client implemented on user television equipment without requiring the user to navigate the Internet;
storing the expression on a program guide server;
processing the expression with the program guide server to find programs that satisfy the expression; and
scheduling with the program guide server the programs that satisfy the expression for recording.
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7. A client-server interactive television program guide system for scheduling reminders according to user defined expressions, comprising:
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means for providing a user with an opportunity to define an expression with an interactive television program guide client implemented on user television equipment, without requiring the user to navigate the Internet;
means for processing the expression with a program guide server to find programs that satisfy the expression; and
means for scheduling with the program guide server reminders for programs that satisfy the expression.
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8. The system defined in claim 25 wherein the means for scheduling with the program guide server reminders for programs that satisfy the expression comprises means for providing at least one message from the program guide server to the program guide client before each of the programs that satisfy the expression begin.
- 9. The system defined in claim 25 wherein the means for scheduling with the program guide server reminders for programs that satisfy the expression comprises means for providing program identifiers for each of the programs that satisfy the expression from the program guide server to the program guide client.
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10. A client-server interactive television program guide system for scheduling programs for recording according to user defined expressions, comprising:
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means for providing a user with an opportunity to define an expression with an interactive television program guide client implemented on user television equipment, without requiring the user to navigate the Internet;
means for processing the expression with a program guide server to find programs that satisfy the expression; and
means for scheduling with the program guide server the programs that satisfy the expression for recording.
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11. The system defined in claim 28 wherein the means for scheduling with the program guide server the programs that satisfy the expression for recording comprises means for scheduling with the program guide server the programs that satisfy the expression for recording by the user television equipment.
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12. The system defined in claim 28 wherein the means for scheduling with the program guide server the programs that satisfy the expression for recording comprises means for scheduling with the program guide server the programs that satisfy the expression for recording by the program guide server.
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13. A client-server interactive television program guide system for scheduling reminders according to user defined expressions, comprising:
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user television equipment on which an interactive television program guide client is implemented, wherein the program guide client is programmed to provide a user with an opportunity to define an expression without requiring the user to navigate the Internet;
a communications path over which the expression is provided by the interactive television program guide client to a program guide server, wherein the program guide server is programmed to find programs that satisfy the expression and schedule reminders for programs that satisfy the expression.
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14. The system defined in claim 44 wherein scheduling with the program guide server reminders for programs that satisfy the expression comprises providing at least one message from the program guide server to the program guide client before each of the programs that satisfy the expression begin.
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15. The system defined in claim 44 wherein the program guide server is further programmed to provide program identifiers for each of the programs that satisfy the expression to the interactive television program guide client over the communications path.
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16. A client-server interactive television program guide system for scheduling programs for recording according to user defined expressions, comprising:
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user television equipment on which an interactive television program guide client is implemented, wherein the interactive television program guide client is programmed to provide a user with an opportunity to define an expression without requiring the user to navigate the Internet;
a communications path over which the expression is provided by the interactive television program guide client to a program guide server, wherein the program guide server is programmed to find programs that satisfy the expression and schedule the programs that satisfy the expression for recording.
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17. The system defined in claim 47 wherein:
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the user television equipment comprises a storage device; and
the program guide server is further programmed to schedule the programs that satisfy the expression for recording by the storage device.
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18. The system defined in claim 47 wherein the program guide server comprises a storage device on which the programs that satisfy the expression are stored.
Specification