Systems and methods for providing real-time services in an interactive television program guide application

• US 20050015803A1
• Filed: 11/18/2003
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Macrae, Douglas B., Westberg, Thomas E., Ward, Thomas E.
• Application Number:
  US10/717,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20050015803A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/41
• 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 21/4438 Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• 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 21/488 Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4886 for displaying a ticker, e.g. scrolling banner for news, stock exchange, weather data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8126 involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/16 Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/162 Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing

Abstract

An interactive television program guide application is provided that displays real-time information to a user. The interactive television program guide application may display alerts for indicating to the user the availability of real-time information. The interactive television program guide application may also display program listings with real-time information. In response to the user selecting a program listing, the interactive television program guide application may provide the user with an indication that real-time content related to the selected listing is available. In some embodiments, the real-time content is not the program corresponding to the selected program listing.

Claims

1. A method for providing real-time information to users using an interactive television program guide application, the method comprising:

receiving real-time information;

displaying program listings that include the received real-time information and a highlight region, wherein one of the program listings is highlighted with the highlight region;

displaying a video clip, wherein the video clip is related to the highlighted listing and wherein the video clip is selectable by a user; and

displaying a program that corresponds to the video clip in response to the user selecting the video clip.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving real-time information further comprises receiving real-time information from a remote source.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the user with an indication that real-time information is available.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the displaying the video clip further comprises determining whether the video clip corresponding to the highlighted listing is available.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising providing an alternate video clip of a related program if the video clip corresponding to the highlighted listing is not available.

6. A method for providing users with real-time information using an interactive television program guide application, the method comprising:

providing a user with an opportunity to designate at least one type of available real-time content as a preferred real-time content type;

automatically displaying an alert that real-time information of the preferred real-time content type is available, wherein the alert is selectable by the user; and

providing the user with real-time information in response to the user selecting the alert.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising allowing the user to select real-time information to receive for the preferred real-time content type.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising providing the user with a list of real-time information.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising allowing the user to remove the alert.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising allowing the user to remove alerts for the preferred real-time content type for a given time.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein the providing the user with real-time information further comprises providing the user with an information window that includes the real-time information.

12. The method of claim 6 wherein the providing the user with real-time information further comprises providing the user with a program that is currently being broadcast, wherein the program is discussing the real-time information.

13. The method of claim 6 wherein the providing the user with real-time information further comprises providing the user with an overlay that includes the real-time information.

14. A method for providing users with real-time information using an interactive television program guide application, the method comprising:

displaying at least one program listing having real-time information, wherein the at least one program listing corresponds to a program;

providing the user with an indication that real-time content related to the real-time information is available, wherein the indication is selectable and wherein the real-time content is not the program that corresponds to the at least one program listing; and

in response to selecting the indication, displaying the real-time content.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the indication is a video clip.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the indication is an icon.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the indication is an alert.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising allowing the user to remove the indication.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the displaying the real-time content further comprises providing the user with a program that is currently being broadcast, and wherein the program that is currently being broadcast is discussing the real-time information.

20. A method for providing program information to users using an interactive television program guide application, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of program listings and a highlight region in a program listings display, wherein one of the plurality of program listings is highlighted with the highlight region;

receiving an indication from a user that the user wishes to receive information associated with the highlighted program listing; and

in response to receiving the indication, displaying an information area that is within the highlighted program listing, that does not obstruct the plurality of program listings, and that has a size, wherein the arrangement of program listings in the program listings display is adjusted based on the size of the information area.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the program listings include real-time information.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the real-time information is received from a remote source.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the information window is adjacent to the highlighted program listing.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein the arrangement of the program listings is adjusted by removing program listings below the highlighted program listing.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein the displaying the information area further comprises expanding the highlighted program listing to include the information area.

26. A system for providing real-time information to users using an interactive television program guide application, the system comprising:

means for receiving real-time information;

means for displaying program listings that include the received real-time information and a highlight region, wherein one of the program listings is highlighted with the highlight region;

means for displaying a video clip, wherein the video clip is related to the highlighted listing and wherein the video clip is selectable by a user; and

means for displaying a program that corresponds to the video clip in response to the user selecting the video clip.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the means for receiving real-time information further comprises means for receiving real-time information from a remote source.

28. The system of claim 26 further comprising means for providing the user with an indication that real-time information is available.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the means for displaying the video clip further comprises means for determining whether the video clip corresponding to the highlighted listing is available.

30. The system of claim 29 further comprising means for providing an alternate video clip of a related program if the video clip corresponding to the highlighted listing is not available.

31. A system for providing users with real-time information using an interactive television program guide application, the system comprising:

means for providing a user with an opportunity to designate at least one type of available real-time content as a preferred real-time content type;

means for automatically displaying an alert that real-time information of the preferred real-time content type is available, wherein the alert is selectable by the user; and

means for providing the user with real-time information in response to the user selecting the alert.

32. The system of claim 31 further comprising means for allowing the user to select real-time information to receive for the preferred real-time content type.

33. The system of claim 31 further comprising means for providing the user with a list of real-time information.

34. The system of claim 31 further comprising means for allowing the user to remove the alert.

35. The system of claim 31 further comprising means for allowing the user to remove alerts for the preferred real-time content type for a given time.

36. The system of claim 31 wherein the means for providing the user with real-time information further comprises means for providing the user with an information window that includes the real-time information.

37. The system of claim 31 wherein the means for providing the user with real-time information further comprises means for providing the user with a program that is currently being broadcast, wherein the program is discussing the real-time information.

38. The system of claim 31 wherein the means for providing the user with real-time information further comprises means for providing the user with an overlay that includes the real-time information.

39. A system for providing users with real-time information using an interactive television program guide application, the system comprising:

means for displaying at least one program listing having real-time information, wherein the at least one program listing corresponds to a program;

means for providing the user with an indication that real-time content related to the real-time information is available, wherein the indication is selectable and wherein the real-time content is not the program that corresponds to the at least one program listing; and

means for displaying the real-time content in response to selecting the indication.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein the indication is a video clip.

41. The system of claim 39 wherein the indication is an icon.

42. The system of claim 39 wherein the indication is an alert.

43. The system of claim 39 further comprising means for allowing the user to remove the indication.

44. The system of claim 39 wherein the means for displaying the real-time content further comprises means for providing the user with a program that is currently being broadcast, and wherein the program that is currently being broadcast is discussing the real-time information.

45. A system for providing program information to users using an interactive television program guide application, the system comprising:

means for displaying a plurality of program listings and a highlight region in a program listings display, wherein one of the plurality of program listings is highlighted with the highlight region;

means for receiving an indication from a user that the user wishes to receive information associated with the highlighted program listing; and

means for displaying an information area that is within the highlighted program listing, that does not obstruct the plurality of program listings, and that has a size, in response to receiving the indication, wherein the arrangement of program listings in the program listings display is adjusted based on the size of the information area.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein the program listings include real-time information.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein the real-time information is received from a remote source.

48. The system of claim 45 wherein the information window is adjacent to the highlighted program listing.

49. The system of claim 45 wherein the arrangement of the program listings is adjusted by removing program listings below the highlighted program listing.

50. The system of claim 45 wherein the means for displaying the information area further comprises means for expanding the highlighted program listing to include the information area.

51. Machine-readable media for providing real-time information to users using an interactive television program guide application, the machine-readable media comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for:

receiving real-time information;

displaying program listings that include the received real-time information and a highlight region, wherein one of the program listings is highlighted with the highlight region;

displaying a video clip, wherein the video clip is related to the highlighted listing and wherein the video clip is selectable by a user; and

in response to the user selecting the video clip, displaying a program that corresponds to the video clip.

52. The machine-readable media of claim 51 further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for receiving real-time information further comprises receiving real-time information from a remote source.

53. The machine-readable media of claim 51 further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for providing the user with an indication that real-time information is available.

54. The machine-readable media of claim 51 further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon-for determining whether the video clip corresponding to the highlighted listing is available.

55. The machine-readable media of claim 54 further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for providing an alternate video clip of a related program if the video clip corresponding to the highlighted listing is not available.

56. Machine-readable media for providing users with real-time information using an interactive television program guide application, the machine-readable media comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for:

providing a user with an opportunity to designate at least one type of available real-time content as a preferred real-time content type;

automatically displaying an alert that real-time information of the preferred real-time content type is available, wherein the alert is selectable by the user; and

providing the user with real-time information in response to the user selecting the alert.

57. The machine-readable media of claim 56 further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for allowing the user to select real-time information to receive for the preferred real-time content type.

58. The machine-readable media of claim 56 further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for providing the user with a list of real-time information.

59. The machine-readable media of claim 56 further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for allowing the user to remove the alert.

60. The machine-readable media of claim 56 further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for allowing the user to remove alerts for the preferred real-time content type for a given time.

61. The machine-readable media of claim 56 further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for providing the user with an information window that includes the real-time information.

62. The machine-readable media of claim 56 further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for providing the user with a program that is currently being broadcast, wherein the program is discussing the real-time information.

63. The machine-readable media of claim 56 further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for providing the user with an overlay that includes the real-time information.

64. Machine-readable media for providing users with real-time information using an interactive television program guide application, the machine-readable media comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for:

displaying at least one program listing having real-time information, wherein the at least one program listing corresponds to a program;

providing the user with an indication that real-time content related to the real-time information is available, wherein the indication is selectable and wherein the real-time content is not the program that corresponds to the at least one program listing; and

in response to selecting the indication, displaying the real-time content.

65. The machine-readable media of claim 64 wherein the indication is a video clip.

66. The machine-readable media of claim 64 wherein the indication is an icon.

67. The machine-readable media of claim 64 wherein the indication is an alert.

68. The machine-readable media of claim 64 further comprising machine readable instructions recorded thereon for allowing the user to remove the indication.

69. The machine-readable media of claim 64 further comprising machine readable instructions recorded thereon for providing the user with a program that is currently being broadcast, wherein the program that is currently being broadcast is discussing the real-time information.

70. Machine-readable medium for providing program information to users using an interactive television program guide application, the machine-readable media comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for:

displaying a plurality of program listings and a highlight region in a program listings display, wherein one of the plurality of program listings is highlighted with the highlight region;

receiving an indication from a user that the user wishes to receive information associated with the highlighted program listing; and

in response to receiving the indication, displaying an information area that is within the highlighted program listing, that does not obstruct the plurality of program listings, and that has a size, wherein the arrangement of program listings in the program listings display is adjusted based on the size of the information area.

71. The machine-readable media of claim 70 wherein the program listings include real-time information.

72. The machine-readable media of claim 71 wherein the real-time information is received from a remote source.

73. The machine-readable media of claim 70 wherein the information window is adjacent to the highlighted program listing.

74. The machine-readable media of claim 70 wherein the arrangement of the program listings is adjusted by removing program listings below the highlighted program listing.

75. The machine-readable media of claim 70 further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for expanding the highlighted program listing to include the information area.

76. A system for providing real-time information to users, the system comprising:

a user input interface;

a display device; and

an interactive television program guide application implemented at least partially on control circuitry configured to;

receive real-time information;

display program listings that include the received real-time information and a highlight region, wherein one of the program listings is highlighted with the highlight region;

display a video clip, wherein the video clip is related to the highlighted listing and wherein the video clip is selectable by a user; and

display a program that corresponds to the video clip in response to the user selecting the video clip.

77. The system of claim 76 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to receive real-time information from a remote source.

78. The system of claim 76 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to provide the user with an indication that real-time information is available.

79. The system of claim 76 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determine whether the video clip corresponding to the highlighted listing is available.

80. The system of claim 79 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to provide an alternate video clip of a related program if the video clip corresponding to the highlighted listing is not available.

81. A system for providing users with real-time information, the system comprising:

a user input interface;

a display device; and

an interactive television program guide application implemented at least partially on control circuitry configured to;

provide a user with an opportunity to designate at least one type of available real-time content as a preferred real-time content type;

automatically display an alert that real-time information of the preferred real-time content type is available, wherein the alert is selectable by the user; and

provide the user with real-time information in response to the user selecting the alert.

82. The system of claim 81 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow the user to select real-time information to receive for the preferred real-time content type.

83. The system of claim 81 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to provide the user with a list of real-time information.

84. The system of claim 81 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow the user to remove the alert.

85. The system of claim 81 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow the user to remove alerts for the preferred real-time content type for a given time.

86. The system of claim 81 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to provide the user with an information window that includes the real-time information.

87. The system of claim 81 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to provide the user with a program that is currently being broadcast, wherein the program is discussing the real-time information.

88. The system of claim 81 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to provide the user with an overlay that includes the real-time information.

89. A system for providing users with real-time information, the system comprising:

a user input interface;

a display device; and

an interactive television program guide application implemented at least partially on control circuitry configured to;

display at least one program listing having real-time information, wherein the at least one program listing corresponds to a program;

provide the user with an indication that real-time content related to the real-time information is available, wherein the indication is selectable and wherein the real-time content is not the program that corresponds to the at least one program listing; and

display the real-time content in response to selecting the indication.

90. The system of claim 89 wherein the indication is a video clip.

91. The system of claim 89 wherein the indication is an icon.

92. The system of claim 89 wherein the indication is an alert.

93. The system of claim 89 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow the user to remove the indication.

94. The system of claim 89 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to provide the user with a program that is currently-being broadcast, and wherein the program that is currently being broadcast is discussing the real-time information.

95. A system for providing program information to users, the system comprising:

a user input interface;

a display device; and

an interactive television program guide application implemented at least partially on control circuitry configured to;

display a plurality of program listings and a highlight region in a program listings display, wherein one of the plurality of program listings is highlighted with the highlight region;

receive an indication from a user that the user wishes to receive information associated with the highlighted program listing; and

display an information area that is within the highlighted program listing, that does not obstruct the plurality of program listings, and that has a size, in response to receiving the indication, wherein the arrangement of program listings in the program listings display is adjusted based on the size of the information area.

96. The system of claim 95 wherein the program listings include real-time information.

97. The system of claim 96 wherein the real-time information is received from a remote source.

98. The system of claim 95 wherein the information window is adjacent to the highlighted program listing.

99. The system of claim 95 wherein the arrangement of the program listings is adjusted by removing program listings below the highlighted program listing.

100. The system of claim 95 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to expand the highlighted program listing to include the information area.