System and method for managing television programs within an entertainment system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for providing access to television programs and related information, the method comprising:
- storing program interface objects (PIOs) within at least two set top boxes, each PIO comprising a plurality of attributes carrying information about a television program, a plurality of user-selectable actions performable by the set top boxes in connection with the television program, and at least one visual indicator displayable in a graphical user interface (GUI) to facilitate user interaction with the PIO;
linking the stored PIOs, such that an operation performed in connection with one PIO in one set top box may also be performed in connection with the other PIO in each of the other set top boxes.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Television programs are represented by program interface objects (PIOs) within an interactive television system. The PIOs provide a visual indicator for quick identification of the represented television program, attributes providing information concerning the represented television program, and actions that may be performed on or in connection with the represented television program. The PIOs may be sorted, filtered, and/or managed based on user-provided criteria. The PIOs may also be linked to allow an operation performable in connection to one PIO to be performed in connection with the linked PIO(s).
-
Citations
50 Claims
-
1. A method for providing access to television programs and related information, the method comprising:
-
storing program interface objects (PIOs) within at least two set top boxes, each PIO comprising a plurality of attributes carrying information about a television program, a plurality of user-selectable actions performable by the set top boxes in connection with the television program, and at least one visual indicator displayable in a graphical user interface (GUI) to facilitate user interaction with the PIO;
linking the stored PIOs, such that an operation performed in connection with one PIO in one set top box may also be performed in connection with the other PIO in each of the other set top boxes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. A system for providing access to television programs and related information, the system comprising:
at least two set top boxes, each set top box including;
a computer-readable medium that stores a program interface object (PIO) comprising a plurality of attributes carrying information about a television program, a plurality of user-selectable actions performable by an entertainment system in connection with the television program, and at least one visual indicator displayable in a graphical user interface (GUI) to facilitate user interaction with the PIO; and
a linking component that links the PIO with a PIO in another set top box, such that an operation performed in connection with one PIO may also be performed in connection with the other PIO. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
Specification