Television schedule system and method of operation for multiple program occurrences

• US 7,543,320 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2006
• Issued: 06/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Starsight Telecast Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Warden, David P., Russman, Robert E., Schein, Steven M., King, Molly K., Alba, Theresa A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HSIA, SHERRIE Y
• Application Number:
  US11/639,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20070094684A1
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 725 43- 45, 725 48- 49, 725/53, 725/58, 725/141, 725/39, 725/40, 348/563, 348/564, 348/569, 348/600, 348/589
• US Class Current: 725/43
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/462 Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
• 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 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8133 specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus

Abstract

An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.

Claims

1. A method for providing to a viewer a listing of instances of a program accessible from a plurality of sources, the method comprising:

displaying a consolidated program guide, the program guide comprising listings of programs accessible from a plurality of sources;

receiving a viewer selection of a particular instance of a program accessible from a first source of the plurality of sources;

searching the listings of programs for additional instances of the particular program accessible from sources of the plurality of sources other than the first source; and

displaying to the viewer the instances of the particular program accessible from sources other than the first source.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sources comprises an Internet source.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sources comprises a video vendor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sources comprises at least one broadcast source and one source other than a broadcast source.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying to the viewer the instances of the particular program comprises displaying to the viewer information about the program.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying to the viewer instances of the particular program comprises downloading the program.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a viewer selection to set a reminder for a program.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the viewer selection of the particular program; and

alerting the viewer when another instance of the program becomes accessible from the plurality of sources.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

retrieving guide information from an electronic program guide database; and

wherein the displaying a consolidated program guide comprises displaying guide information retrieved from the electronic program guide database.

10. A program guide system for providing to a viewer a listing of instances of a program accessible from a plurality of sources, the system comprising:

a program guide implemented at least partially on circuitry configured to;

display a consolidated program guide, the program guide comprising listings of programs accessible from a plurality of sources;

receive a viewer selection of a particular instance of a program accessible from a first source of the plurality of sources;

search listings of programs for additional instances of the particular program accessible from sources of the plurality of sources other than the first source; and

display to the viewer the instances of the particular program accessible from sources other than the first source.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sources comprises sources of different types.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sources comprises an Internet source.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sources comprises a video vendor.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sources comprises at least one broadcast source and one source other than a broadcast source.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the displaying to the viewer the instances of the particular program comprises displaying to the viewer information about the program.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the displaying to the viewer instances of the particular program comprises downloading the program.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:

receive a viewer selection to set a reminder for a program.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:

store the viewer selection of the particular program; and

alert the viewer when another instance of the program becomes accessible from the plurality of sources.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:

retrieve guide information from an electronic program guide database; and

wherein the displaying a consolidated program guide comprises displaying guide information retrieved from the electronic program guide database.