Electronic television program guide schedule system and method

• US 6,418,556 B1
• Filed: 09/09/1993
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.), TCI-TVGOS INC
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Davis, Bruce, Backer, George, Cooper, Bill, Green, Shawn, Spell, Dave, Rogers, Rosetta, Bennington, Gerard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael
• Application Number:
  US08/119,367
• Time in Patent Office: 3,225 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.7087, H04/N.704, H04/N.708, H04/N.550, H04/N.544, H04/N.714, 348/906, 348/460, 348/461, 348/463, 348/464, 348/465, 348/466, 348/467, 348/468, 348/731, 348/732, 348/734, 348/6, 348/7, 348/8, 348/10, 348/12, 348/13, 348/563, 348/569, 348/570, 348/473, 348/474, 455/186.1, 455/186.2, 725/39, 725/40, 725/43
• US Class Current: 725/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/338 using television networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/409 Data transfer via television network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43 Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/431 Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• 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 21/4345 Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440263 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for displaying on a connected PDA
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4524 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; systems specially adapted for using geographical information in broadcast systems H04H60/70; protocols in which the network application is adapted for the location of the user terminal in communication control or processing H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47208 for requesting near-video-on-demand content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47211 for requesting pay-per-view content payment schemes payment architectures or payment protocols G06Q20/00, G07F
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• 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 21/4786 : e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• 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 21/4828 : for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 : Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 : in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

Abstract

An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information from the memory and displays a portion of the program schedule information in overlaying relationship with a television program appearing on a television channel in at least one mode of operation of the television programming guide. The data processor controls the video display generator with video control commands, issued in response to the user control commands, to display program schedule information for any chosen one of the plurality of television programs in overlaying relationship with at least one television program then appearing on any chosen one of the plurality of channels on the television receiver.

Claims

1. An electronic programming guide for use with a television receiver having a plurality of television channels for displaying television programs and program schedule information for said television programs comprising:

memory means for storing television program schedule information for a set of television programs scheduled to appear on said plurality of television channels;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including television tuning, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a video display generator adapted to receive video control commands from said data processing means and program schedule information from said memory means for displaying interactively-selected successive portions of said program schedule information in overlaying relationship with another display signal currently appearing on a selected channel in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide;

said data processing means controlling said video display generator with said video control commands in response to said user control commands to display each said portion of program schedule information for any chosen one of said television programs for a predetermined display period in partial overlaying relationship with another display signal currently being received on said television receiver;

each said portion being displayed in response to corresponding consecutive ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information is stored in said memory means, said data processing means being responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

6. The electronic programming guide according to claims 1 or 5 wherein said predetermined display period is a user-selectable variable time period chosen in response to a user control command.

7. The electronic programming guide according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 wherein said schedule information displayed by said video display generator comprises at least program title and program channel.

10. The electronic programming guide according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 wherein said another display signal is a television program.

36. The electronic programming guide according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 20 wherein said another display signal is an advertisement.

37. The electronic programming guide according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 20 wherein said another display signal is a promotional video clip.

2. An electronic programming guide for use with a television receiver having a plurality of television channels for displaying television programs and program schedule information for said television programs comprising:

memory means for storing television program schedule information for a set of television programs scheduled to appear on said plurality of television channels;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including television tuning and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a video display generator adapted to receive video control commands from said data processing means and program schedule information from said memory means for displaying interactively-selected successive portions of said schedule information for a currently tuned channel in overlaying relationship with another display signal currently appearing on said channel in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide;

said data processing means controlling said video display generator to display each said portion of program schedule information in partial overlaying relationship with said currently appearing display signal, each said portion comprising listing information for each successive one of said television programs scheduled to appear on said currently tuned channel and being consecutively displayed in response to corresponding consecutive ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods for which program schedule information is stored in said memory means, said data processing means being responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said programs for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

3. An electronic programming guide for use with a television receiver having a plurality of television channels for displaying television programs and program schedule information for said television programs comprising:

memory means for storing television program schedule information for a set of television programs scheduled to appear on said plurality of television channels;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including television tuning, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a video display generator adapted to receive video control commands from said data processing means and program schedule information from said memory means for displaying interactively-selected successive portions of said schedule information for a set of channels, including ones different from a currently tuned channel, in overlaying relationship with another display signal currently appearing on said tuned channel in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide;

said data processing means controlling said video display generator to display each said portion of program schedule information in partial overlaying relationship with said currently appearing display signal, each said portion comprising listing information for each successive one of said television programs scheduled to appear on said set of channels and being consecutively displayed in response to corresponding consecutive ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information is stored in said memory means, said data processing means being responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

4. An electronic programming guide for use with a television receiver having a plurality of television channels for displaying television programs and program schedule information for said television programs comprising:

memory means for storing television program schedule information for a set of television programs scheduled to appear on said plurality of television channels;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including television tuning, guide time-control and guide channel-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands;

a video display generator adapted to receive video control commands from said data processing means and program schedule information from said memory means for displaying interactively-selected successive portions of said program schedule information in overlaying relationship with another display signal currently appearing on a currently tuned channel in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide; and

said data processing means controlling said video display generator to display each said portion of program schedule information in partial overlaying relationship with said currently appearing display signal, each said portion comprising listing information

for each successive one of said television programs scheduled to appear on a channel different from said currently tuned channel and being consecutively displayed in response to corresponding consecutive ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information is stored in said memory means, said data processing means being responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

5. An electronic programming guide for use with a video display for displaying program schedule information for television programs appearing on a plurality of television channels comprising:

means for receiving television program schedule information for a set of television programs scheduled to appear on said plurality of television channels;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including channel-control and time-control commands, including selection commands, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a video display generator adapted to receive video control commands from said data processing means and program schedule information from said receiving means for displaying interactively-selected successive portions of said program schedule information in overlaying relationship with another display signal appearing on said video display;

said data processing means being adapted to control said video display generator with said video control commands in response to said user control commands to display for a predetermined display period each said selected portion of program schedule information in partial overlaying relationship with said another display signal currently appearing on said video display, each said portion displayed in response to corresponding consecutive ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information has been received;

said data processing means controlling said video display generator to also selectively display reminder selection messages in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide, for allowing said user to choose selection commands in response to said reminder selection messages for selecting a reminder associated with a chosen future program, each said selected reminder message also to be displayed on said display at a predetermined time prior to the time of occurrence of each chosen future one of said television programs, said reminder message being displayed in overlaying relationship with another display signal being displayed at said time said reminder message is displayed.

8. The electronic programming guide according to claim 5 wherein said data processing means is further adapted to control said video display generator to selectively display second reminder selection messages, in at least one further mode of operation of said programming guide, for allowing said user to choose selection commands in response to said second reminder selection messages for selecting said predetermined amount of time prior to said time of occurrence of each said chosen future television program each said reminder message is to be displayed.

9. The electronic programming guide according to claim 5 wherein said video display generator displays each said reminder message in a partial overlaying relationship with said another display signal.

11. A process for use with a television receiver having a plurality of television channels for displaying television programs and program schedule information for said television programs comprising:

storing in a memory television program schedule information for a set of television programs scheduled to appear on said plurality of television channels;

providing user control means for issuing user control commands, including television tuning and guide time-control commands, and for transmitting signals in response thereto;

receiving by a data processor said user control commands;

controlling a video display generator with the data processor for displaying interactively-selected successive portions of said schedule information for a currently tuned channel in overlaying relationship with another display signal currently appearing on said tuned channel in at least one mode of operation said process; and

configuring said data processor to control said video display generator with video control commands in response to said user control commands to display each said portion of program schedule information, in partial overlaying relationship with said currently appearing display signal, for each successive one of said television programs scheduled to appear on said channel, and consecutively displaying each said portion in response to corresponding consecutive ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods for which program schedule information is stored in said memory means, and also configuring said data processor to be responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

13. The process of claims 11 or 12 wherein said another display signal is chosen from the group consisting of a television program, promotional video clip or an advertisement.

27. The process according to claims 11, 12, 22, 23, 24, or 25 further comprising the step of displaying said program schedule information for a display period and wherein said display period is a user-selectable variable time period chosen in response to a user control command.

12. A process for use with a television receiver having a plurality of television channels for displaying television programs and program schedule information for said television programs comprising:

storing in a memory television program schedule information for a set of television programs scheduled to appear on said plurality of television channels;

providing user control means for issuing user control commands, including television tuning, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

receiving by a data processor said user control commands;

controlling a video display generator with the data processor for displaying interactively-selected successive portions of said schedule information for a set of channels, including ones different from a currently tuned channel, in overlaying relationship with another display signal currently appearing on said tuned channel in at least one mode of operation of said process; and

configuring said data processor to control said video display generator with video control commands in response to said user control commands to display each said portion of program schedule information, in partial overlaying relationship with said currently appearing display signal, for each successive one of said television programs scheduled to appear on said set of channels, and consecutively displaying each said portion in response to corresponding consecutive ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information is stored in said memory, and also configuring said data processor to be responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

14. An electronic programming guide for displaying television schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a display signal, said programming guide comprising:

memory means for storing television program schedule information;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including television tuning, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a program schedule display generator coupled to said data processing means and said memory means for displaying, in a partial overlay on said display signal, user-selected portions of said schedule information comprising listing information for at least one program different from said display signal, each said portion of said schedule information being interactively selected by a user and consecutively displayed in response to consecutive user-activated ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which schedule information is stored in said memory means, said data processing means being responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

18. The television schedule system according to claims 14, 15, 16, or 17 wherein the navigation is controlled by user-activated direction keys provided on said user control means.

35. The television schedule system according to claims 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18 wherein said display signal is chosen from the group consisting of a television program, promotional video clip or an advertisement.

38. The electronic programming guide according to claims 2, 3, 4, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 20 wherein said program schedule information is displayed for a display period and wherein said display period is a user-selectable variable time period chosen in response to a user control command.

15. An electronic programming guide for displaying television schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a display signal, said programming guide comprising:

memory means for storing television program schedule information;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including selection commands, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a program schedule display generator coupled to said data processing means and said memory means for displaying, in a partial overlay on said display signal, user-selected portions of said schedule information comprising listing information for at least one program different from said display signal, each said portion of said schedule information being interactively selected by a user and consecutively displayed in response to consecutive user-activated ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information is stored in said memory means;

said data processing means controlling said program schedule display generator to also selectively display reminder selection messages in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide, for allowing said user to choose selection commands in response to said reminder selection messages for selecting a reminder associated with a chosen future program, each said selected reminder message also to be displayed on said display at a predetermined time prior to the time of occurrence of each chosen future one of said television programs, said reminder message being displayed in overlaying relationship with another display signal being displayed at said time said reminder message is displayed.

16. An electronic programming guide for displaying television schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a display signal, said programming guide comprising:

memory means for storing television program schedule information;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including television tuning, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a program schedule display generator coupled to said data processing means and said memory means for displaying, in a partial overlay on said display signal, user-selected portions of said schedule information comprising listing information for at least one program different from said display signal, each said portion of said schedule information being interactively selected by a user and consecutively displayed in response to consecutive user-activated ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which schedule information is stored in said memory means, said navigation including deleting at least one program listing appearing in the overlay and adding at least another program listing in the overlay, and said data processing means being responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

17. An electronic programming guide for displaying television schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a display signal, said programming guide comprising:

memory means for storing television program schedule information;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including selection commands, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a program schedule display generator coupled to said data processing means and said memory means for displaying, in a partial overlay on said display signal, user-selected portions of said schedule information comprising listing information for at least one program different from said display signal, each said portion of said schedule information being interactively selected by a user and consecutively displayed in response to consecutive user-activated ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information is stored in said memory means, said navigation including deleting at least one program listing appearing in the overlay and adding at least another program listing in the overlay;

said data processing means controlling said program schedule display generator to also selectively display reminder selection messages in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide, for allowing said user to choose selection commands in response to said reminder selection messages for selecting a reminder associated with a chosen future program, each said selected reminder message also to be displayed on said display at a predetermined time prior to the time of occurrence of each chosen future one of said television programs, said reminder message being displayed in overlaying relationship with another display signal being displayed at said time said reminder message is displayed.

19. An electronic programming guide for displaying television schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a display signal, said television programming guide comprising:

means for receiving television program schedule information;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including television tuning commands and guide control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a program schedule display generator coupled to said data processing means and said receiving means for displaying program schedule information in a browse mode of operation of said electronic programming guide for allowing a user to interactively select display listing information, including for programs other than a currently appearing display signal, using said guide control commands, said program schedule display generator displaying said selected program schedule information in a partial overlay on said currently appearing display signal in said browse mode, said data processing means being responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

20. An electronic television programming guide for use with a television receiver having a plurality of television channels for displaying television programs and program schedule information for said television programs comprising:

memory means for storing television program schedule information for a set of television programs scheduled to appear on said plurality of television channels;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including television tuning and guide channel-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a video display generator adapted to receive video control commands from said data processing means and program schedule information from said memory means for displaying interactively-selected successive portions of said schedule information for programs appearing on channels different from a currently tuned channel, in overlaying relationship with another display signal currently appearing on said tuned channel in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide;

said data processing means controlling said video display generator to display each said portion of program schedule information in partial overlaying relationship with said currently appearing display signal, each said portion comprising listing information for each successive one of said television programs scheduled to appear on a channel different from said currently tuned channel at the same time as the currently appearing display signal on said currently tuned channel and being consecutively displayed in response to corresponding consecutive ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential programs for which program schedule information is stored in said memory means, said data processing means being responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

21. The electronic programming guide according to claim 20 wherein said portion of displayed program schedule information comprises at least program title and program channel.

22. A process for displaying television schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a display signal comprising:

storing in a memory television program schedule information;

providing user control means for issuing user control commands, including television tuning, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and for transmitting signals in response thereto;

receiving by a data processor said user control commands;

controlling a program schedule display generator with the data processor for displaying, in a partial overlay on a portion of said display signal, interactively-selected successive portions of said schedule information comprising listing information for at least one program different from said display signal; and

consecutively displaying each said portion of said schedule information in response to consecutive user-activated ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information is stored in said memory, and also configuring said data processor to be responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

26. The process of claims 22, 23, 24, or 25 wherein said display signal is chosen from the group consisting of a television program, promotional video clip or an advertisement.

23. A process for displaying television schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a display signal comprising:

storing in a memory television program schedule information;

providing user control means for issuing user control commands, including selection commands, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and for transmitting signals in response thereto;

receiving by a data processor said user control commands;

controlling a program schedule display generator with the data processor for displaying, in a partial overlay on a portion of said display signal, interactively-selected successive portions of said schedule information comprising listing information for at least one program different from said display signal; and

consecutively displaying each said portion of said schedule information in response to consecutive user-activated ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information is stored in said memory means; and

also configuring said data processor to control said display generator to also selectively display reminder selection messages in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide, for allowing said user to choose selection commands in response to said reminder selection messages for selecting a reminder associated with a chosen future program, each said selected reminder message also to be displayed on said display at a predetermined time prior to the time of occurrence of each chosen future one of said television programs, said reminder message being displayed in overlaying relationship with another display signal being displayed at said time said reminder message is displayed.

24. A process for displaying television schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a display signal comprising:

storing in a memory television program schedule information;

providing user control means for issuing user control commands, including television tuning, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and for transmitting signals in response thereto;

receiving by a data processor said user control commands;

controlling a program schedule display generator with the data processor for displaying, in a partial overlay on a portion of said display signal, interactively-selected successive portions of said schedule information comprising listing information for at least one program different from said display signal; and

consecutively displaying each said portion of said schedule information in response to consecutive user-activated ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information is stored in said memory means, said navigation including deleting one program listing appearing in the overlay and adding another program listing in the overlay, and also configuring said data processor to be responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

25. A process for displaying television schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a display signal comprising:

receiving television program schedule information;

providing user control means for issuing user control commands, including selection commands, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

receiving by a data processor said user control commands;

controlling a program schedule display generator with the data processor for displaying, in a partial overlay on a portion of said display signal, interactively-selected successive portions of said schedule information comprising listing information for at least one program different from said display signal; and

consecutively displaying each said portion of said schedule information in response to consecutive user-activated ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information is received; and

also configuring said data processing means to control said display generator to also selectively display reminder selection messages in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide, for allowing said user to choose selection commands in response to said reminder selection messages for selecting a reminder associated with a chosen future program, each said selected reminder message also to be displayed on said display at a predetermined time prior to the time of occurrence of each chosen future one of said television programs, said reminder message being displayed in overlaying relationship with another display signal being displayed at said time said reminder message is displayed.

28. An electronic programming guide for displaying television schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a display signal, said programming guide comprising:

means for receiving television program schedule information;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including television tuning, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a program schedule display generator coupled to said data processing means and said means for receiving for displaying, in a partial overlay on said display signal, user-selected portions of said schedule information comprising listing information for at least one program different from said display signal, each said portion of said schedule information being interactively selected by a user and consecutively displayed in response to consecutive user-activated ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which schedule information has been received, said data processing means being responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

29. An electronic programming guide for displaying television schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a display signal, said programming guide comprising:

means for receiving television program schedule information;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including selection commands, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a program schedule display generator coupled to said data processing means and said means for receiving for displaying, in a partial overlay on said display signal, user-selected portions of said schedule information comprising listing information for at least one program different from said display signal, each said portion of said schedule information being interactively selected by a user and consecutively displayed in response to consecutive user-activated ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information has been received;

said data processing means controlling said program schedule display generator to also selectively display reminder selection messages in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide, for allowing said user to choose selection commands in response to said reminder selection messages for selecting a reminder associated with a chosen future program, each said selected reminder message also to be displayed on said display at a predetermined time prior to the time of occurrence of each chosen future one of said television programs, said reminder message being displayed in overlaying relationship with another display signal being displayed at said time said reminder message is displayed.

31. The electronic programming guide according to claim 29 wherein said data processing means further controls said display generator to selectively display second reminder selection messages, in at least one further mode of operation of said programming guide, for allowing said user to choose second selection commands in response to said second reminder selection messages for selecting said predetermined amount of time prior to said time of occurrence of each said chosen future television program each said reminder message is to be displayed.

32. The electronics programming guide according to claim 29 wherein said display generator displays each said reminder message in a partial overlaying relationship with said another display signal.

30. An electronic programming guide for displaying television schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a display signal, said programming guide comprising:

means for receiving television program schedule information;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including television tuning, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a program schedule display generator coupled to said data processing means and said means for receiving for displaying, in a partial overlay on said display signal, user-selected portions of said schedule information comprising listing information for at least one program different from said display signal, each said portion of said schedule information being interactively selected by a user and consecutively displayed in response to consecutive user-activated ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which schedule information has been received, said navigation including deleting at least one program listing appearing in the overlay and adding at least another program listing in the overlay, and said data processing means being responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

33. An electronic guide for displaying schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a television display signal, said guide comprising:

memory means for storing information regarding scheduled events;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including television tuning, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

an event schedule display generator coupled to said data processing means and said memory means for displaying, in a partial overlay on said display signal, user-selected portions of said schedule information comprising listing information for at least one receivable signal different from said display signal, each said portion of said schedule information being interactively selected by a user and consecutively displayed in response to consecutive user-activated ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which schedule information is stored in said memory means, said data processing means being responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing said user to select any one of said receivable signals for which listing information is displayed in said partially overlayed portion of said schedule information.

34. An electronic guide for displaying schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a television display signal, said guide comprising:

memory means for storing information regarding scheduled events;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including selection commands, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

an event schedule display generator coupled to said data processing means and said memory means for displaying, in a partial overlay on said display signal, user-selected portions of said schedule information comprising listing information for at least one receivable signal different from said display signal, each said portion of said schedule information being interactively selected by a user and consecutively displayed in response to consecutive user-activated ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which schedule information is stored in said memory means, said data processing means controlling said event schedule display generator to also selectively display reminder selection messages in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide, for allowing said user to choose selection commands in response to said reminder selection messages for selecting a reminder associated with a chosen future event, each said selected reminder message also to be displayed on said display at a predetermined time prior to the time of transmission of each chosen future one of said events, said reminder message being displayed in overlaying relationship with another display signal being displayed at said time said reminder message is displayed.

39. An electronic programming guide for use with a video display for displaying program schedule information for television programs appearing on a plurality of television channels comprising:

means for receiving television program schedule information for a set of television programs scheduled to appear on said plurality of television channels;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including television tuning, guide time-control and guide channel control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a video display generator adapted to receive video control commands from said data processing means and program schedule information from said receiving means for displaying interactively-selected successive portions of said program schedule information for a set of channels, including ones different from a currently tuned channel, simultaneously with another display signal appearing on said video display in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide;

said data processing means controlling said video display generator with said video control commands in response to said user control commands to display each said selected portion of program schedule information, each said portion comprising listing information for each successive one of said television programs scheduled to appear on said set of channels, simultaneously with said another display signal currently appearing on said video display, each said portion consecutively displayed in response to corresponding consecutive ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information has been received, said data processing means being responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed.

40. An electronic programming guide for displaying television schedule information on a video display on which is displayed a display signal, said programming guide comprising:

memory means for storing television program schedule information;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including television tuning, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a program schedule display generator coupled to said data processing means and said memory means for displaying, simultaneously with said display signal, user-selected portions of said schedule information comprising listing information for at least one program different from said display signal, each said portion of said schedule information being interactively selected by a user and consecutively displayed in response to consecutive user-activated ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which schedule information is stored in said memory means, said data processing means being responsive to said television tuning commands for allowing a user to select any one of said television programs for which listing information is displayed.

41. An electronic programming guide for use with a television receiver having a plurality of television channels for displaying television programs and program schedule information for said television programs comprising:

memory means for storing television program schedule information for a set of television programs scheduled to appear on said plurality of television channels;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including selection commands and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands;

a video display generator adapted to receive video control commands from said data processing means and program schedule information from said memory means for displaying interactively-selected successive portions of said schedule information for a currently tuned channel in overlaying relationship with another display signal currently appearing on said channel; and

said data processing means controlling said video display generator to display each said portion of program schedule information in partial overlaying relationship with said currently appearing display signal, each said portion comprising listing information for each successive one of said television programs scheduled to appear on said currently tuned channel and being consecutively displayed in response to corresponding consecutive ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods for which program schedule information is stored in said memory means;

said data processing means controlling said video display generator to also selectively display reminder selection messages in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide, for allowing said user to choose selection commands in response to said reminder selection messages for selecting a reminder associated with a chosen future program, each said selected reminder message also to be displayed on said television receiver at a predetermined time prior to the time of occurrence of each chosen future one of said television programs, said reminder message being displayed in overlaying relationship with another display signal being displayed at said time said reminder message is displayed.

44. The electronic programming guide according to claim 41, 42, or 43 wherein said data processing means is further adapted to control said video display generator to selectively display second reminder selection messages, in at least one further mode of operation of said programming guide, for allowing said user to choose selection commands in response to said second reminder selection messages for selecting said predetermined amount of time prior to said time of occurrence of each said chosen future television program each said reminder message is to be displayed.

45. The electronic programming guide according to claim 41, 42, or 43 wherein said video display generator displays each said reminder message in a partial overlaying relationship with said another display signal.

46. The electronic programming guide according to claim 41, 42, or 43 wherein said another display signal is an advertisement.

47. The electronic programming guide according to claim 41, 42, or 43 wherein said another display signal is a promotional video clip.

48. The electronic programming guide according to claim 41, 42, or 43 wherein said program schedule information is displayed for a display period and wherein said display period is a user-selectable variable time period chosen in response to a user control command.

42. An electronic programming guide for use with a television receiver having a plurality of television channels for displaying television programs and program schedule information for said television programs comprising:

memory means for storing television program schedule information for a set of television programs scheduled to appear on said plurality of television channels;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including selection commands, guide channel-control and guide time-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a video display generator adapted to receive video control commands from said data processing means and program schedule information from said memory means for displaying interactively-selected successive portions of said schedule information for a set of channels, including ones different from a currently tuned channel, in overlaying relationship with another display signal currently appearing on said tuned channel;

said data processing means controlling said video display generator to display each said portion of program schedule information in partial overlaying relationship with said currently appearing display signal, each said portion comprising listing information for each successive one of said television programs scheduled to appear on said set of channels and being consecutively displayed in response to corresponding consecutive ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information is stored in said memory means;

said data processing means controlling said video display generator to also selectively display reminder selection messages in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide, for allowing said user to choose selection commands in response to said reminder selection messages for selecting a reminder associated with a chosen future program, each said selected reminder message also to be displayed on said television receiver at a predetermined time prior to the time of occurrence of each chosen future one of said television programs, said reminder message being displayed in overlaying relationship with another display signal being displayed at said time said reminder message is displayed.

43. An electronic programming guide for use with a television receiver having a plurality of television channels for displaying television programs and program schedule information for said television programs comprising:

memory means for storing television program schedule information for a set of television programs scheduled to appear on said plurality of television channels;

user control means for choosing user control commands, including selection commands, guide time-control and guide channel-control commands, and transmitting signals in response thereto;

data processing means for receiving said signals in response to said user control commands; and

a video display generator adapted to receive video control commands from said data processing means and program schedule information from said memory means for displaying interactively-selected successive portions of said program schedule information in overlaying relationship with another display signal currently appearing on a currently tuned channel;

said data processing means controlling said video display generator to display each said portion of program schedule information in partial overlaying relationship with said currently appearing display signal, each said portion comprising listing information for each successive one of said television programs scheduled to appear on a channel different from said currently tuned channel and being consecutively displayed in response to corresponding consecutive ones of said guide control commands for successively navigating through listing information for sequential time periods or programs for which program schedule information is stored in said memory means;

said data processing means controlling said video display generator to also selectively display reminder selection messages in at least one mode of operation of said programming guide, for allowing said user to choose selection commands in response to said reminder selection messages for selecting a reminder associated with a chosen future program, each said selected reminder message also to be displayed on said television receiver at a predetermined time prior to the time of occurrence of each chosen future one of said television programs, said reminder message being displayed in overlaying relationship with another display signal being displayed at said time said reminder message is displayed.