SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE USAGE

• US 20090199238A1
• Filed: 01/31/2008
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dish Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Echostar Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Kummer, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,745,663 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/39
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• 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 21/44222 Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• 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 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods provide information to a user in response to usage of an electronic program guide provided by an appliance coupled to a display. Usage of the electronic program guide is observed from within the appliance, and any triggering events in the usage of the electronic program guide are identified. An instruction is then executed in response to the triggering event to thereby provide the information on the display. Information provided may include a graphic display, a video clip, a highlight of any portion of the electronic program guide, or other information as appropriate.

Claims

1. A method of providing information in response to usage of an electronic program guide in communication with a display comprising:

receiving an instruction associated with a triggering event;

observing usage of the electronic program guide;

detecting a triggering event wherein the triggering event is based at least in part upon the usage of the electronic program guide; and

executing an instruction on the appliance to thereby provide the information on the display.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the triggering event comprises the viewing of a predetermined portion of the electronic program guide.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the predetermined portion of the electronic program guide comprises content associated with at least one television channel.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the predetermined portion of the electronic program guide comprises a television program.

5. The method of claim 1 comprising receiving an instruction to produce imagery on the display.

6. The method of claim 11 wherein the executing step comprises highlighting a portion of the electronic program guide.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the executing step comprises enlarging a portion of the electronic program guide.

8. The method of claim 1 comprising receiving an instruction to adjust a scrolling speed of the electronic program guide.

9. The method of claim 1 comprising receiving an instruction to provide an advertisement.

10. The method of claim 1 comprising receiving an instruction via a satellite link.

11. The method of claim 1 comprising receiving an instruction via one of a cable link and a wireless link.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the executing step further comprises determining the information to be provided on the display in response to user preferences.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the executing step comprises determining the information to be provided on the display in response to additional information about the user, wherein the additional information is selected from a group consisting of:

content stored on a digital video recorder, demographic information, a date, a time, and historical data about usage of the electronic program guide.

14. A method of providing an advertisement in response to usage of an electronic program guide comprising:

observing a usage of an electronic program guide from within an appliance;

identifying when a portion of the electronic program guide is presented to a user; and

in response to the portion of the electronic program guide being presented to the user, executing an instruction to thereby present an advertisement in conjunction with the electronic program guide.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the advertisement comprises a static image.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the advertisement comprises a video clip.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the advertisement comprises a highlight of the portion of the electronic program guide.

18. A system for displaying an electronic program guide comprising:

a receiving interface configured to receive an instruction from a remote source, wherein the instruction is associated with a triggering event;

a data storage device configured to store a received instruction;

a user input interface configured to receive an indication of an input from a user; and

a controller configured to direct the production of an image of the electronic program guide on the display, to observe the inputs from the user while the electronic program guide is active, and, in response to an occurrence of the triggering event, to execute the instruction to thereby provide information to the user on the display.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the information is selected from a group consisting of a video clip and a static image.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the information comprises a highlighted portion of the electronic program guide.