Method and apparatus for receiving customized television programming information by transmitting geographic location to a service provider through a wide-area network
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. In a television distribution arrangement wherein a plurality of geographically dispersed television viewing locations receive television programming from a source of such programming, a method of receiving information specific to the type of programming available to a particular one of the viewing locations, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a computerized unit at the particular viewing location, the unit including an operator input and a modem;
establishing a connection to a wide-area network through the modem;
transmitting, from the computerized unit, information to a service provider through the wide-area network regarding the geographical location of the particular viewing location; and
receiving, from the service provider, information specific to the type of programming available to the particular viewing location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A personal computer is used to assist in the selection of television programs to be recorded at future times and to control a video tape recorder to implement the selected recordings. An application program allows the computer to receive data representing a schedule of future programs. The operator can perform data base operations on the data to obtain listings of programs of particular interest. A program to be recorded is selected by moving a cursor into position with the display of the program listing on the computer. An output device generates infrared signals to control the video tape recorder and a cable box to tune and record a selected program.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. In a television distribution arrangement wherein a plurality of geographically dispersed television viewing locations receive television programming from a source of such programming, a method of receiving information specific to the type of programming available to a particular one of the viewing locations, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a computerized unit at the particular viewing location, the unit including an operator input and a modem; establishing a connection to a wide-area network through the modem; transmitting, from the computerized unit, information to a service provider through the wide-area network regarding the geographical location of the particular viewing location; and receiving, from the service provider, information specific to the type of programming available to the particular viewing location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of receiving customized television programming schedule information, comprising the steps of:
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providing, at a television viewing location, a controller interfaced to a bidirectional modem and a display device; establishing a connection to a wide-area network through the modem; transmitting, from the television viewing location, information to a service provider through the wide-area network regarding the geographical area of the viewing location; receiving, from the service provider, television programming schedule information specific to the viewing location; and viewing the information on the display device. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A system enabling a viewer of a television receiver to download information specific to the type of television programming available to the receiver, the system comprising:
an electronic terminal unit including an operator input, a bidirectional modem, and a controller in communication with the operator input and the modem, the controller being programmed to perform the following functions; a) establish a connection to a service provider through the modem, b) receive information through the operator input pertaining to the geographic location of the television receiver, c) transmit the information pertaining to the geographic location of the television receiver to the service provider, and d) receive, from the service provider, the information specific to the type of television programming available to the receiver. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
Specification