Electronic television program guide data naming system and method

• US 6,728,966 B1
• Filed: 02/23/2000
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Leminh, Tam T., Seibert, Kenneth D., Arsenault, Robert G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoye, Michael W.
• Application Number:
  US09/511,614
• Time in Patent Office: 1,525 Days
• Field of Search: 725/39-56, 725/134, 725/142, 725/139
• US Class Current: 725/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9024 Graphs; Linked lists G06F16/9027 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23617 by inserting additional data into a data carousel, e.g. inserting software modules into a DVB carousel arrangements for broadcast or for distribution of identical information repeatedly in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42692 for reading from or writing on a volatile storage medium, e.g. Random Access Memory [RAM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4332 by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository interfaces, Database management systems or updating for information retrieval G06F16/23; details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video database G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• 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 7/16 Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems

Abstract

Electronic television program guide information is downloaded, stored and searched by a local device. A plurality of linked lists are used to remove redundancy, increase search speed, and allow dynamic categories. When a new category is encountered a new head node for a link list data structure is created. When a first program guide object containing information related to that category is downloaded, a link is made (i.e., a pointer is stored) from the head node to the guide object. When subsequent program guide objects containing information related to that category are downloaded, links are added to the end of the list or inserted in alphabetical order. As guide objects expire the links are removed. When no links remain in a particular category the head node for that category is deleted.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing digital content records used to create informational displays in an electronic television program guide comprising:

a satellite receiver for receiving a first content record;

a memory for storing the first content record; and

,

a control circuit operatively coupled to the receiver and the memory for determining (a) if the first content record is new;

(b) if the first content record is associated with a new label, wherein the new label categorizes the first content record; and

(c) if the first content record is associated with a title, wherein the title categorizes the label;

the control circuit creating a new storage category based on the new label;

setting a reference pointer associated with the first content record pointing to a referencing display object; and

,

setting a first content pointer associated with the first content record pointing to a second content record associated with the label.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a direct to home satellite receiver.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the control circuit creates a new title comprising an array of linked lists.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the control circuit inserts a head node into the array of linked lists indicative of the label.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the control circuit sets a second content pointer in the head node pointing to the first content record.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the control circuit sets a second content pointer in a third content record pointing to the first content record.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the control circuit creates a new title comprising a linked list of linked lists.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the control circuit inserts a head node into the linked list of linked lists indicative of the label.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the control circuit sets a second content pointer in the head node pointing to the first content record.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the control circuit sets a second content pointer in a third content record pointing to the first content record.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first content record comprises the reference pointer.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first content record comprises the first content pointer.

13. A method for storing digital content records used to create informational displays in an electronic television program guide, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first content record from a satellite receiver;

determining if the first content record is new;

determining if the first content record is associated with a new label, wherein the new label categorizes the first content record;

determining if the first content record is associated with a title, wherein the title categorizes the label;

creating a new storage category based on the new label;

setting a reference pointer associated with the first content record pointing to a referencing display object; and

,

setting a first content pointer associated with the first content record pointing to a second content record associated with the label.

14. A method as defined in claim 13, further comprising the step of creating a new title comprising an array of linked lists.

15. A method as defined in claim 14, further comprising the step of inserting a head node into the array of linked lists indicative of the label.

16. A method as defined in claim 15, further comprising the step of setting a second content pointer in the head node pointing to the first content record.

17. A method as defined in claim 15, further comprising the step of setting a second content pointer in a third content record pointing to the first content record.

18. A method as defined in claim 13, further comprising the step of creating a new title comprising a linked list of linked lists.

19. A method as defined in claim 18, further comprising the step of inserting a head node into the linked list of linked lists indicative of the label.

20. A method as defined in claim 19, further comprising the step of setting a second content pointer in the head node pointing to the first content record.

21. A method as defined in claim 19, further comprising the step of setting a second content pointer in a third content record pointing to the first content record.

22. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein the step of setting a reference pointer comprises assigning a value to a field included in the first content record.

23. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein the step of setting a first content pointer comprises assigning a value to a field included in the first content record.