System and method for an interactive electronic program guide
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An end user device for receiving an electronic program guide from a head end, said end user device comprising:
- data entry interface for receiving an input of a program request;
memory for receiving said electronic program guide from said head end; and
search means for searching said electronic program guide for said program request, wherein if said program request is not in said memory, said search means sends said program request to said head end.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for digital video featuring an interactive electronic program guide (“EPG”) is disclosed. The present invention permits an end user to request a program, and using the EPG notify the end user whether the program is scheduled for broadcast in the near future, where missed requests are continually queried. The present invention also selectively adds program(s) requested into the EPG for broadcast based upon the quantity of requests for the program.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. An end user device for receiving an electronic program guide from a head end, said end user device comprising:
-
data entry interface for receiving an input of a program request;
memory for receiving said electronic program guide from said head end; and
search means for searching said electronic program guide for said program request, wherein if said program request is not in said memory, said search means sends said program request to said head end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A head end for receiving a program request from an end user device, said head end comprising:
-
a first memory for storing an electronic program guide, said electronic program guide being sent from said first memory to said end user device; and
a second memory for receiving a program request from said end user device. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
-
-
8. A system for an interactive electronic program guide, said system comprising:
-
an end user device, said end user device receiving a program request to query an electronic program guide; and
a head end coupled to said end user device, said head end supplying an electronic program guide to said end user device, said end user device searching said electronic program guide for said program request, wherein if said program request is not in said electronic program guide said end user sends said program request to said head end. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for providing an interactive electronic program guide, said method comprising:
-
receiving a program request;
querying an electronic program guide for said request;
supplying a result of said request, wherein said result provides a matched indication, said matched indication providing a next broadcast time period in said electronic program guide for said request;
or a miss indication, said miss indication providing data indicating that said request was not found in said electronic program guide; and
selectively adding said request of said miss indication to at least one of said electronic program guide or extended database in response to a quantity of said miss indications for said request. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification