System for automatically forming a program guide from information derived from multiple sources
First Claim
1. In a video decoder system for receiving program guide information from a first source, a method for forming a composite program guide for program content available from a plurality of sources, comprising the steps of:
- a) retrieving access data from memory;
b) initiating communication automatically between said decoder and a second source external to said video decoder using said access data;
said communication being initiated by said decoder independently of a user command associated with a program or service selection, whereinsaid second source is a peripheral device coupled to said video decoder;
said second source stores programming content and program information related to said program content available from said peripheral devicec) retrieving said program information from said second source; and
d) incorporating said program information provided by said first and second sources into a program guide for display.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A video decoder system automatically acquires program guide information from local and remote peripheral devices to form a composite program guide. Program guide information is received from a first source and access data is retrieved from memory. The access data is used to initiate communication automatically between the video decoder and a second source external to the video decoder. Program guide information retrieved from the second source together with program guide information provided by the first source is incorporated into a composite program guide for display. The communication may be initiated upon different conditions and a peripheral device and associated communication protocol may be identified from various sources of configuration information.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a video decoder system for receiving program guide information from a first source, a method for forming a composite program guide for program content available from a plurality of sources, comprising the steps of:
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a) retrieving access data from memory; b) initiating communication automatically between said decoder and a second source external to said video decoder using said access data;
said communication being initiated by said decoder independently of a user command associated with a program or service selection, whereinsaid second source is a peripheral device coupled to said video decoder; said second source stores programming content and program information related to said program content available from said peripheral device c) retrieving said program information from said second source; and d) incorporating said program information provided by said first and second sources into a program guide for display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16)
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7. In a video decoder system for receiving program guide information from a first source, a method for forming a program guide for program content available from a plurality of sources, comprising the steps of:
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a) automatically identifying a peripheral device attached to said decoder, said identification being initiated by said decoder independently of a user command associated with a program or service selection; b) initiating communication between said decoder and said peripheral device attached to said decoder, wherein said peripheral device stores programming content and program information related to said program content available from said peripheral device; c) retrieving said program information stored in said peripheral device; and d) incorporating said program information provided by said first source and peripheral device into a program guide for display. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18)
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13. In a video decoder system for receiving program guide information from a first source, a method for forming a program guide for program content available from a plurality of sources, comprising the steps of:
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a) automatically initiating communication between said decoder and a peripheral device attached to said decoder in response to at least one of the following conditions;
i) power-up of said decoder, ii) power-up of said attached peripheral device, iii) repetitive pre-programmed command from a decoder processor, iv) change in number of attached peripheral devices, and v) change in type of attached peripheral devices;b) retrieving program information from said peripheral device, wherein said peripheral device stores programming content and program information related to said program content available from said peripheral device; and c) incorporating said program guide information provided by said first source and peripheral device into a program guide for display, wherein said first source is accessed via the Internet using access data. - View Dependent Claims (14, 19, 20)
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Specification