Channel control system for exiting from an interactive program guide

• US 20040168191A1
• Filed: 02/20/2004
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synamedia Limited
• Original Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta LLC (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jerding, Dean F., Banker, Robert O., Rodriguez, Arturo A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,020,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/52
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8545 for generating interactive applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

An apparatus and method for browsing and viewing television programs while viewing a television program guide. In other words, a user is able to remain inside the program guide while viewing various television programs. In another aspect, a server system operator is provided an interface with flexible options for configuring user controls for viewing television programs while inside program guides in client devices.

Claims

1. A method for providing video content via a television, comprising the steps of:

providing a user with a menu that includes a plurality of options corresponding to respective control settings for controlling functionality of a channel navigation key, wherein the menu is displayed via the television;

receiving a first user input corresponding to one of the plurality of options that is configured to terminate provision of an interactive program guide (IPG) having a plurality of television program listings;

providing the IPG;

receiving a second user input corresponding to the channel navigation key; and

responsive to receiving the second user input and responsive to having previously received the first user input;

terminating providing of the IPG; and

providing a video presentation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a video display area is provided in conjunction with the IPG, and wherein the video presentation that is provided responsive to receiving the second user input is different from a video presentation that is displayed in the video display area immediately prior to receiving the second user input.

3. A method for providing video content via a television, comprising the steps of:

providing a user with a menu that includes a plurality of options corresponding to respective control settings for controlling functionality of numeral input keys, wherein the menu is displayed via the television;

receiving a first user input corresponding to one of the plurality of options that is configured to terminate provision of an interactive program guide (IPG) having a plurality of television program listings;

providing the IPG;

receiving a second user input corresponding to at least one of the numeral input keys; and

responsive to receiving the second user input and responsive to having previously received the first user input;

terminating provision of the IPG; and

providing a video presentation.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein a video display area is provided in conjunction with the IPG, and wherein the video presentation that is provided responsive to receiving the second user input is different from a video presentation that is displayed in the video display area immediately prior to receiving the second user input.

5. A television set-top terminal (STT) configured to output video signals to a television, the STT comprising:

at least one tuner configured to receive video signals corresponding to video presentations;

memory having stored therein program code; and

at least one processor that is programmed by the program code to enable the STT to;

provide a user with a menu that includes a plurality of options corresponding to respective control settings for controlling functionality of a channel navigation key, wherein the menu is displayed via the television;

receive a first user input corresponding to one of the plurality of options that is configured to terminate provision of an interactive program guide (IPG) having a plurality of television program listings;

provide the IPG;

receiving a second user input corresponding to the channel navigation key; and

responsive to receiving the second user input and responsive to having previously received the first user input;

terminate provision of the IPG; and

provide a video presentation.

6. The television STT of claim 5, wherein a video display area is provided in conjunction with the IPG, and wherein the video presentation that is provided responsive to receiving the second user input is different from a video presentation that is displayed in the video display area immediately prior to receiving the second user input.

7. A television set-top terminal (STT) configured to output video signals to a television, the STT comprising:

at least one tuner configured to receive video signals corresponding to video presentations;

memory having stored therein program code; and

at least one processor that is programmed by the program code to enable the STT to;

provide a user with a menu that includes a plurality of options corresponding to respective control setting for controlling functionality of numeral input keys, wherein the menu is displayed via the television;

receive a first user input corresponding to one of the plurality of options that is configured to terminate provision of an interactive program guide (IPG) having a plurality of television program listings;

provide the IPG;

receive a second user input corresponding to at least one of the numeral input keys; and

responsive to receiving the second user input and responsive to having previously received the first user input;

terminate provision of the IPG; and

provide a video presentation.

8. The television set-top terminal of claim 7, wherein a video display area is provided in conjunction with the IPG, and wherein the video presentation that is provided responsive to receiving the second user input is different from a video presentation that is displayed in the video display area immediately prior to receiving the second user input.