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Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with pop-up hints

  • US 5,822,123 A
  • Filed: 06/24/1996
  • Issued: 10/13/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An electronic television program guide system comprising:

  • means for receiving user control commands for controlling the operation of said guide;

    timing means for determining the elapsed time since the most recent received user control command;

    storage means for storing i) program schedule information for a plurality of television programs, and ii) a plurality of predetermined hints for operating said guide wherein each of said hints is associated with at least one of said user control commands;

    data processing means coupled to said receiving means and said storage means for generating i) a first video display control command in response to a first user control command to display a program guide information screen representative of a program guide operating point, and ii) a second video display control command to display a predetermined hint in partial overlaying relationship with said information screen, said second video display command being generated when said elapsed time equals a first predetermined amount of time or in response to a second user control command that is not valid for said program guide operating point; and

    video display generator means coupled to said data processing means and said storage means for receiving said video display control commands from said data processing means, and generating a display signal comprising said predetermined hint in partial overlaying relationship with said information screen.

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