Electronic program guide using markup language

• US 6,442,755 B1
• Filed: 01/08/1999
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: UV Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Lemmons, Thomas R., Zaring, Jon C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Application Number:
  US09/227,358
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• Field of Search: 345/327, 345/328, 345/719, 345/723, 725/39, 725/40, 725/41, 725/47, 725/44, 725/48, 725/51, 725/50, 725/118
• US Class Current: 725/47
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2353 specifically adapted to content descriptors, e.g. coding, compressing or processing of metadata
• 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 21/4355 involving reformatting operations of additional data, e.g. HTML pages on a television screen optimising the visualization of content for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/9577; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/066; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4756 for rating content, e.g. scoring a recommended movie
• 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 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• 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 21/8543 using a description language, e.g. Multimedia and Hypermedia information coding Expert Group [MHEG], eXtensible Markup Language [XML] information retrieval of semistructured data, the underlying structure being taken into account, e.g. mark-up language structure data G06F16/80

Abstract

An interactive television program guide is provided. Program guide display elements are arranged and styled using markup language documents. These markup language documents may also indicate and select program guide functions. The program guide interprets the markup language documents and generates the display screens and program guide functionality without user intervention. The program guide may also be updated by supplying new markup language documents that modify display screens and program guide functionality. The markup language documents may be supplied by a main facility or a television distribution facility.

Claims

1. A system for allowing an operator to update the display characteristics of interactive television program guide display screens that are generated by an interactive television program guide for display on a user'"'"'s user television equipment, wherein television programming is displayed on the user television equipment and television program listings information is displayed on the user television equipment in a program guide display screen having at least one display element that is preprogrammed into the interactive television program guide, the system comprising:

means for allowing the operator to supply a first markup language document to the interactive television program guide without intervention by the user, wherein the first markup language document indicates how the preprogrammed display element is to be displayed by the interactive television program guide on the user television equipment;

means for interpreting the first markup language document using the interactive program guide; and

means for generating and displaying a first program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element displayed as indicated by the interpreted first markup language document using the interactive television program guide;

means for allowing the operator to supply a second markup language document to the interactive television program guide without intervention by the user when the operator desires to update the display characteristics of the first interactive program guide display screen, wherein the second markup language document indicates how the preprogrammed display element is to be displayed by the interactive television program guide on the user television equipment;

means for interpreting the second markup language document using the interactive program guide; and

means for generating and displaying a second program guide display screen to replace the first program guide display screen, the second program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element displayed as indicated by the interpreted second markup language document using the interactive television program guide, wherein the display characteristics of the second program guide display screen are different from the display characteristics of the first program guide display screen.

2. The system defined in claim 1 wherein:

the first markup language document indicates a first position for the preprogrammed display element;

the means for generating and displaying the first program guide display screen comprises means for generating and displaying the first program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element at the first position using the interactive television program guide;

the second markup language document indicates a second position for the preprogrammed display element; and

the means for generating and displaying the second program guide display screen comprises means for generating and displaying the second program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element at the second position using the interactive television program guide.

3. The system defined in claim 1 wherein:

the first markup language document indicates a first size for the preprogrammed display element;

the means for generating and displaying the first program guide display screen comprises means for generating and displaying the first program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element with the first size using the interactive television program guide;

the second markup language document indicates a second size for the preprogrammed display element; and

the means for generating and displaying the second program guide display screen comprises means for generating and displaying the second program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element with the second size using the interactive television program guide.

4. The system defined in claim 1 wherein:

the first markup language document indicates a first style for the preprogrammed display element;

the means for generating and displaying the first program guide display screen comprises means for generating and displaying the first program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element with the first style using the interactive television program guide;

the second markup language document indicates a second style for the preprogrammed display element; and

the means for generating and displaying the second program guide display screen comprises means for generating and displaying the second program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element with the second style using the interactive television program guide.

5. The system defined in claim 1 wherein:

the means for interpreting the first markup language document further comprises means for interpreting HyperText Markup Language documents; and

the means for interpreting the second markup language document further comprises means for interpreting HyperText Markup Language documents.

6. The system defined in claim 1 wherein:

the means for interpreting the first markup language document further comprises means for interpreting Dynamic HyperText Markup Language documents; and

the means for interpreting the second markup language document further comprises means for interpreting Dynamic HyperText Markup Language documents.

7. The system defined in claim 1 wherein:

the means for interpreting the first markup language documents further comprises means for interpreting Extensble Markup Language documents; and

the means for interpreting the second markup language documents further comprises means for interpreting Extensible Markup Language documents.

8. A system for allowing an operator to update the functionality of an interactive television program guide that generates program guide display screens for display on a user'"'"'s television equipment, wherein television programming is displayed on the user television equipment and television program listings information is displayed on the user television equipment in a program guide display screen having at least one display element having at least one associated action that is preprogrammed into the interactive television program guide, the system comprising:

means for allowing the operator to supply a first markup language document to the interactive television program guide without intervention by the user, wherein the first markup language document assigns a first preprogrammed action to the display element;

means for interpreting the first markup language document using the interactive program guide;

means for generating a program guide display screen containing the display element and selecting the first preprogrammed action for the display element as assigned by the interpreted first markup language document using the interactive television program guide;

means for allowing the operator to supply a second markup language document to the interactive television program guide without intervention by the user when the operator desires to update the functionality of the interactive television program guide, wherein the second markup language document assigns a second preprogrammed action to the display element that is different than the first preprogrammed action;

means for interpreting the second markup language document using the interactive program guide; and

means for generating and displaying a program guide display screen containing the display element and selecting the second preprogrammed action for the display element as assigned by the interpreted second markup language document using the interactive television program guide.

9. The system defined in claim 8 wherein:

the means for interpreting the first markup language document further comprises means for interpreting Hyper Text Markup Language documents; and

the means for interpreting the second markup language document further comprises means for interpreting Hyper Text Markup Language documents.

10. The system defined in claim 8 wherein:

the means for interpreting the first markup language document further comprises means for interpreting Dynamic HyperText Markup Language documents; and

the means for interpreting the second markup language document further comprises means for interpreting Dynamic HyperText Markup Language documents.

11. The system defined in claim 8 wherein:

the means for interpreting the first markup language document further comprises means for interpreting Extensible Markup Language documents; and

the means for interpreting the second markup language document further comprises means for interpreting Extensible Markup Language documents.

12. A method for allowing an operator to update the display characteristics of interactive television program guide display screens that are generated by an interactive television program guide for display on a user'"'"'s user television equipment, wherein television programming is displayed on the user television equipment and television program listings information is displayed on the user television equipment in a program guide display screen having at least one display element that is preprogrammed into the interactive television program guide, the method comprising the steps of:

allowing the operator to supply a first markup language document to the interactive television program guide without intervention by the user, wherein the first markup language document indicates how the preprogrammed display element is to be displayed by the interactive television program guide on the user television equipment;

interpreting the first markup language document using the interactive program guide; and

generating and displaying a first program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element displayed as indicated by the interpreted first markup language document using the interactive television program guide;

allowing the operator to supply a second markup language document to the interactive television program guide without intervention by the user when the operator desires to update the display characteristics of the first interactive program guide display screen, wherein the second markup language document indicates how the preprogrammed display element is to be displayed by the interactive television program guide on the user television equipment;

interpreting the second markup language document using the interactive program guide; and

generating and displaying a second program guide display screen to replace the first program guide display screen, the second program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element displayed as indicated by the interpreted second markup language document using the interactive television program guide, wherein the display characteristics of the second program guide display screen are different from the display characteristics of the first program guide display screen.

13. The method defined in claim 12 wherein:

the first markup language document indicates a first position for the preprogrammed display element;

the step of generating and displaying the first program guide display screen comprises the step of generating and displaying the first program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element at the first position using the interactive television program guide;

the second markup language document indicates a second position for the preprogrammed display element; and

the step of generating and displaying the second program guide display screen comprises the step of generating and displaying the second program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element at the second position using the interactive television program guide.

14. The method defined in claim 12 wherein:

the first markup language document indicates a first size for the preprogrammed display element;

the step of generating and displaying the first program guide display screen comprises the step of generating and displaying the first program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element with the first size using the interactive television program guide;

the second markup language document indicates a second size for the preprogrammed display element; and

the step of generating and displaying the second program guide display screen comprises the step of generating and displaying the second program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element with the second size using the interactive television program guide.

15. The method defined in claim 12 wherein:

the first markup language document indicates a first style for the preprogrammed display element;

the step of generating and displaying the first program guide display screen comprises the step of generating and displaying the first program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element with the first style using the interactive television program guide;

the second markup language document indicates a second style for the preprogrammed display element; and

the step of generating and displaying the second program guide display screen comprises the step of generating and displaying the second program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element with the second style using the interactive television program guide.

16. The method defined in claim 12 wherein:

the step of interpreting the first markup language document comprises the step of interpreting HyperText Markup Language documents; and

the step of interpreting the second markup language document comprises the step of interpreting HyperText Markup Language documents.

17. The method defined in claim 12 wherein:

the step of for interpreting the first markup language document comprises the step of interpreting Dynamic HyperText Markup Language documents; and

the step of interpreting the second markup language document comprises the step of interpreting Dynamic HyperText Markup Language documents.

18. The method defined in claim 12 wherein:

the step of interpreting the first markup language documents comprises the step of interpreting Extensible Markup Language documents; and

the step of interpreting the second markup language documents comprises the step of interpreting Extensible Markup Language documents.

19. A method for allowing an operator to update the functionality of an interactive television program guide that generates program guide display screens for display on a user'"'"'s television equipment, wherein television programming is displayed on the user television equipment and television program listings information is displayed on the user television equipment in a program guide display screen having at least one display element having at least one associated action that is preprogrammed into the interactive television program guide, the method comprising the steps of:

allowing the operator to supply a first markup language document to the interactive television program guide without intervention by the user, wherein the first markup language document assigns a first preprogrammed action to the display element;

interpreting the first markup language document using the interactive program guide;

generating the program guide display screen containing the display element and selecting the first preprogrammed action for the display element as assigned by the interpreted first markup language document using the interactive television program guide;

allowing the operator to supply a second markup language document to the interactive television program guide without intervention by the user when the operator desires to update the functionality of the interactive television program guide, wherein the second markup language document assigns a second preprogrammed action to the display element that is different than the first preprogrammed action;

interpreting the second markup language document using the interactive program guide; and

generating and displaying the program guide display screen containing the display element and selecting the second preprogrammed action for the display element as assigned by the interpreted second markup language document.

20. The method defined in claim 19 wherein:

the step of interpreting the first markup language document comprises the step of interpreting Hyper Text Markup Language documents; and

interpreting the second markup language document further comprises means for interpreting Hyper Text Markup Language documents.

21. The method defined in claim 19 wherein:

the step of interpreting the first markup language document further comprises the step of interpreting Dynamic HyperText Markup Language documents; and

the step of interpreting the second markup language document further comprises the step of interpreting Dynamic HyperText Markup Language documents.

22. The method defined in claim 19 wherein:

the step of interpreting the first markup language document comprises the step of interpreting Extensible Markup Language documents; and

the step of interpreting the second markup language document comprises the step of interpreting Extensible Markup Language documents.

23. A system for allowing an operator to update the display characteristics of interactive television program guide display screens that are generated by an interactive television program guide for display on a user'"'"'s user television equipment, wherein television programming is displayed on the user television equipment and television program listings information is displayed on the user television equipment in a program guide display screen having at least one display element that is preprogrammed into the interactive television program guide, the system comprising:

means for allowing the operator to supply a first markup language document to the interactive television program guide without intervention by the user, wherein the first markup language document indicates how the preprogrammed display element is to be displayed by the interactive television program guide on the user television equipment;

control circuitry configured to interpret the first markup language document using the interactive program guide, and to generate a first program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element displayed as indicated by the interpreted first markup language document using the interactive television program guide;

means for allowing the operator to supply a second markup language document to the interactive television program guide without intervention by the user when the operator desires to update the display characteristics of the first interactive program guide display screen, wherein the second markup language document indicates how the preprogrammed display element is to be displayed by the interactive television program guide on the user television equipment; and

control circuitry configured to interpret the second markup language document using the interactive program guide and configured to generate a second program guide display screen to replace the first program guide display screen, the second program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element displayed as indicated by the interpreted second markup language document using the interactive television program guide, wherein the display characteristics of the second program guide display screen are different from the display characteristics of the first program guide display screen.

24. The system defined in claim 23 wherein:

the first markup language document indicates a first position for the preprogrammed display element;

the control circuitry is further configured to generate the first program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element at the first position using the interactive television program guide;

the second markup language document indicates a second position for the preprogrammed display element; and

the control circuitry is further configured to generate the second program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element at the second position using the interactive television program guide.

25. The system defined in claim 23 wherein:

the first markup language document indicates a first size for the preprogrammed display element;

the control circuitry is further configured to generate first program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element with the first size using the interactive television program guide;

the second markup language document indicates a second size for the preprogrammed display element; and

the control circuitry is further configured to generate the second program guide display screen comprises means for generating and displaying the second program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element with the second size using the interactive television program guide.

26. The system defined in claim 23 wherein:

the first markup language document indicates a first style for the preprogrammed display element;

the control circuitry is further configured to generate the first program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element with the first style using the interactive television program guide;

the second markup language document indicates a second style for the preprogrammed display element; and

the control circuitry is further configured to generate the second program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element with the second style using the interactive television program guide.

27. The system defined in claim 23 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to interpret HyperText Markup Language documents.

28. The system defined in claim 23 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to interpret Dynamic HyperText Markup Language documents.

29. The system defined in claim 23 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to interpret Extensible Markup Language documents.

30. A system for allowing an operator to update the functionality of an interactive television program guide that generates program guide display screens for display on a user'"'"'s television equipment, wherein television programming is displayed on the user television equipment and television program listings information is displayed on the user television equipment in a program guide display screen having at least one display element having at least one associated action that is preprogrammed into the interactive television program guide, the system comprising:

means for allowing the operator to supply a first markup language document to the interactive television program guide without intervention by the user, wherein the first markup language document assigns a first preprogrammed action associated with the display element;

control circuitry configured to interpret the first markup language document using the interactive program guide and to generate the program guide display screen containing the display element and selecting the first preprogrammed action for the display element as assigned by the interpreted first markup language document using the interactive television program guide;

means for allowing the operator to supply a second markup language document to the interactive television program guide without intervention by the user when the operator desires to update the functionality of the interactive television program guide, wherein the second markup language document assigns a second preprogrammed action to the display element that is different than the first preprogrammed action; and

control circuitry configured to interpret the second markup language document using the interactive television program guide and to generate the program guide display screen containing the display element and selecting the second preprogrammed action for the display element as assigned by the interpreted second markup language document.

31. The system defined in claim 30 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to interpret Hyper Text Markup Language documents.

32. The system defined in claim 30 wherein control circuitry is further configured to interpret Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language documents.

33. The system defined in claim 30 wherein control circuitry is further configured to interpret Extensible Markup Language documents.