System and method for generating customized EPG data and EPG application programs
First Claim
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1. A method for operating a set top box (STB), the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of electronic program guide (EPG) preferences to an EPG provider;
receiving at the STB an EPG application program, wherein the EPG application program is configured according to at least one of the plurality of EPG preferences provided to the EPG provider;
storing the EPG application program in a memory associated with the STB;
receiving at the STB a programming information data structure, wherein the programming information data structure includes program listing information and wherein the programming information data structure is configured according to at least one of the plurality of EPG preferences; and
rendering at least a portion of the program listing information using the EPG application program.
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Abstract
A system and method for generating and displaying customized electronic programming (EPG) data is described. One embodiment includes a method for generating a customized program listing for a set top box (STB). This method includes the steps of receiving a user preference for operating an EPG; retrieving programming information; sorting the retrieved programming information according to the user preference; formatting the sorted program information according to the user preference; and providing the formatted program information to the STB.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for operating a set top box (STB), the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of electronic program guide (EPG) preferences to an EPG provider;
receiving at the STB an EPG application program, wherein the EPG application program is configured according to at least one of the plurality of EPG preferences provided to the EPG provider;
storing the EPG application program in a memory associated with the STB;
receiving at the STB a programming information data structure, wherein the programming information data structure includes program listing information and wherein the programming information data structure is configured according to at least one of the plurality of EPG preferences; and
rendering at least a portion of the program listing information using the EPG application program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A set top box (STB) comprising:
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a processor; and
a memory device connected to the processor, the memory device comprising;
an electronic program guide (EPG) application program, wherein the EPG application program is configured according to a first EPG preference provided from the STB to an EPG provider; and
a program listing data item configured to be processed by the EPG application program, wherein the program listing data item comprises listing information and is configured according to a second EPG preference.
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12. An electronic programming guide (EPG) system comprising:
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a processor;
a memory connected to the processor; and
a plurality of instructions stored on the memory, the plurality of instructions configured to be executable by the processor to;
generate an EPG application program, wherein the EPG application program is configured according to a plurality of EPG preferences selected at a set top box (STB);
provide the EPG application program to the STB;
generate a programming information data structure, wherein the programming information data structure includes program listing information and wherein the programming information data structure is configured according to the plurality of the EPG preferences; and
provide the programming information data structure to the STB.
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13. A method for dynamically generating a customized electronic program guide (EPG) program, the method comprising:
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receiving an identifier for a set top box (STB);
determining a characteristic for the STB;
generating a list of EPG options available to the STB, wherein the list is generated according to the determined characteristic for the STB;
providing the list of EPG options to the STB;
receiving a plurality of selected EPG modules from the STB;
retrieving a plurality of EPG program options corresponding to the selected EPG options;
assembling the retrieved plurality of EPG program modules to form the customized EPG program; and
providing the customized EPG program to the STB. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for dynamically generating a customized EPG program, the method comprising:
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receiving EPG preference data;
retrieving program modules corresponding to the received EPG preference data;
assembling the retrieved program modules into an EPG program; and
providing the assembled EPG program to a viewer.
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20. A method for generating a customized program listing for a set top box (STB), the method comprising:
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receiving from an STB a user preference for operating an electronic program guide (EPG);
retrieving programming information;
sorting the retrieved programming information according to the user preference;
formatting the sorted program information according to the user preference; and
providing the formatted program information to the STB. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification