Multimedia system for processing program guides and associated multimedia objects
First Claim
1. Apparatus for decoding packetized program data from at least a first source to provide a program guide, comprising:
- a processor for acquiring program guide information and for acquiring ancillary information in said packetized program data, said ancillary information including,(a) a directory of executable software application files associated with objects, and(b) a non-displayed map for associating an object with a program guide information item;
a processor for executing a software application to create an object and linking said object to a program guide information item; and
a display processor for forming a composite image including said image object and said program guide information item to provide a program guide for display.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A program guide information data structure and processing system facilitates both decoding and selectable program guide generation by a decoder. A decoder acquires a directory of object files associated with program guide information items and a map for associating the object files (e.g. representing channel, program or control information or software) with the program guide information items. The decoder creates an image object from an object file and links the image object to a program guide information item. The decoder executes an application software object to form a special program guide for display and executes another application software object to command a device in processing a program listed in a program guide.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. Apparatus for decoding packetized program data from at least a first source to provide a program guide, comprising:
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a processor for acquiring program guide information and for acquiring ancillary information in said packetized program data, said ancillary information including, (a) a directory of executable software application files associated with objects, and (b) a non-displayed map for associating an object with a program guide information item; a processor for executing a software application to create an object and linking said object to a program guide information item; and a display processor for forming a composite image including said image object and said program guide information item to provide a program guide for display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Apparatus for decoding packetized program data from at least a first source, comprising:
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a processor for acquiring packetized program information including ancillary information and program guide information, said ancillary information including, (a) an object file comprising application software for use in commanding a device, and (b) a directory for associating said application software with a program listed in said program guide information; and a processor using said ancillary information and for executing said application software to command said device in processing said listed program. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Apparatus for decoding packetized program data from at least a first source to provide a program guide, comprising:
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a processor for acquiring program guide information and for acquiring ancillary information in said packetized program data, said ancillary information including, (a) a directory of object files associated with program guide information items, and (b) an object file decoding complexity level indicator, and a processor for disregarding object files of complexity level exceeding a predetermined level and for creating an image object from an object file and linking said image object to a program guide information item; and a display processor for forming a composite image including said image object and said program guide information item to provide a program guide for display.
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13. A method for decoding packetized program data from at least a first source to provide a program guide, comprising the steps of:
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acquiring program guide information and for acquiring ancillary information in said packetized program data, said ancillary information including, (a) a directory of executable software application files associated with objects, and (b) a non-displayed map for associating an object with a program guide information item; and executing a software application to create an object; linking said image object to a program guide information item; and forming a composite image including said image object and said program guide information item to provide a program guide for display.
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14. A method for decoding packetized program data from at least a first source, comprising the steps of:
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acquiring packetized program information including ancillary information and program guide information, said ancillary information including, (a) an object file comprising application software for use in commanding a device, and (b) a directory for associating said application software with a program listed in said program guide information; and using said ancillary information to determine a program for processing by a device; and executing said application software to command said device in processing said listed program.
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15. A method for forming packetized program data to be suitable for processing in a decoder, comprising the steps of:
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forming program guide information and ancillary information including, (a) a directory of object files associated with program guide information items, and (b) a non-displayed map for associating said object files with said program guide information items; incorporating said ancillary information and said program guide information into packetized data for output to a transmission channel.
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Specification