Program guide information providing device, program device information providing system, information receiving device, remote operating system, and method thereof

• US 7,587,731 B1
• Filed: 07/28/2000
• Issued: 09/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hanai, Tomoyuki, Nagasaka, Mitsuru, Koyabu, Aki, Oyabu, Tomoko
• Primary Examiner(s): HUYNH, AN SON PHI
• Application Number:
  US09/627,725
• Time in Patent Office: 3,329 Days
• Field of Search: 725/46, 705/10, 705/14, 348/734, 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 370/331
• US Class Current: 725/46
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/46 for recognising users' preferences
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/65 for using the result on users' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/72 using electronic programme guides [EPG] focusing on identifying broadcast space time H04H60/39 ; menu type display of EPG in television receivers H04N21/47
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/91 Mobile communication networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/85
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/254 Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server arrangements for maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00; network services using third party service providers H04L67/53
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4108 characterised by an identification number or address, e.g. local network address protecting specific internal or external computer components using identification number G06F21/73; network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4227 Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• 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 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information

Abstract

A program guide information providing device is arranged so that reference information corresponding to identification information transmitted from a communication terminal device is read from preference information storage, programs matching the preferences of the user are searched from the program guide information based on the read preference information, searched program guide information is generated from the searched programs, and the searched program guide information is transmitted to the communication terminal device, thereby allowing the user to be provided with program guide information matching the preferences of the user, regardless of the location of the user using the communication terminal device.

Claims

1. A program guide information providing device that communicates with a communication terminal device;

said program guide information providing device comprising;

program guide information storing means for storing program guide information indicating contents of programs to be supplied by predetermined program supplying means;

preference information storing means for storing preference information indicating preferences of each of one or more users,

wherein the preference information comprises information linking;

each of the one or more users;

a corresponding personal remote terminal device having a user operable input selector; and

program information preferred by each of the users,

wherein the personal remote terminal device is a cellular telephone communicates with the program guide information providing device via one of a plurality of communication terminal devices as a function of a cell area that the personal remote terminal device is located in, and generates a user registration screen as a function of pre-registered preference information, guides the one or more users to sequentially input program preference information, receives the program information preferred by the associated user, correlates the program preference information with an associated cellular telephone number, displays the program information, selects a program from the program guide information in response to user operation of said input selector, and displays audio and visual data of the selected program,

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be used at any of a plurality of program guide information providing devices, and

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be operated at a remote location from any of the plurality of program information providing devices,

wherein the preference information is stored in a manner correlated with a telephone number of the personal remote terminal device of each of the one or more users;

a receiver for receiving identification information from said communication terminal device indicative of the identification thereof,

wherein the receiver is positioned in a predetermined position in the home allowing an information exchange with the communication terminal device via infrared and an information exchange with each of the plurality of personal remote terminal devices,

wherein, when the personal remote terminal device is unable to communicate with the program guide information providing device, the personal remote terminal device communicates with a second personal remote terminal device which is able to communicate with the program guide information providing device and relay the information between the program guide information providing device and the personal remote terminal device;

searching means for;

reading from said preference information storing means said preference information corresponding to said identification information transmitted from said communication terminal device,

searching programs matching the preferences of said user from said program guide information based on said read preference information, and

generating searched program guide information comprising said searched programs; and

transmitting means for transmitting said searched program guide information to said communication terminal device;

wherein a program selection apparatus receives program selection information upon selection of one of said programs listed in said program guide information, a list of programs in said program guide is previously created and stored by said user and said previously created and stored list of programs in said program guide is remotely accessed by said user upon request on said communication terminal device.

2. The program guide information providing device according to claim 1, further comprising receiving means for receiving programs supplied from said program supplying means.

3. The program guide information providing device according to claim 1, wherein said preference information storing means is located adjacent said program selection apparatus.

4. The program guide information providing device according to claim 1, wherein said preference information is located at a remote location apart from said program selection apparatus.

5. The program guide information providing device according to claim 4, wherein said preference information is retrieved over a public network.

6. The program guide information providing device according to claim 4, wherein said preference information is stored at a website.

7. A program guide information providing system comprising a communication terminal device and a program guide information providing device adapted to communicate with each other;

wherein said program guide information providing device comprises;

program guide information storing means for storing program guide information indicating the contents of programs to be supplied by predetermined program supplying means;

preference information storing means for storing preference information indicating the preferences of each of one or more users,

wherein the preference information comprises information linking;

each of the one or more users;

a corresponding personal remote terminal device having a user operable input selector; and

program information preferred by each of the users,

wherein the personal remote terminal device is a cellular telephone communicates with the program guide information providing device via one of a plurality of communication terminal devices as a function of a cell area that the personal remote terminal device is located in, and generates a user registration screen as a function of pre-registered preference information, guides the one or more users to sequentially input program preference information, receives the program information preferred by the associated user, correlates the program preference information with an associated cellular telephone number, displays the program information, selects a program from the program guide information in response to user operation of said input selector, and displays audio and visual data of the selected program,

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be used at any of a plurality of program guide information providing devices, and

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be operated at a remote location from any of the plurality of program information providing devices,

wherein the preference information is stored in a manner correlated with a telephone number of the personal remote terminal device of each of the one or more users;

a receiver for receiving identification information from said communication terminal device indicative of the identification thereof,

wherein the receiver is positioned in a predetermined position in the home allowing an information exchange with the communication terminal device via infrared and an information exchange with each of the plurality of personal remote terminal devices,

wherein, when the personal remote terminal device is unable to communicate with the program guide information providing device, the personal remote terminal device communicates with a second personal remote terminal device which is able to communicate with the program guide information providing device and relay the information between the program guide information providing device and the personal remote terminal device;

searching means for;

reading from said preference information storing means said preference information corresponding to said received identification information,

searching programs matching the preferences of said user from said program guide information based on said read preference information, and

generating searched program guide information comprising said searched programs; and

transmitting means for transmitting said searched program guide information to said communication terminal device;

and wherein said communication terminal device comprises;

transmitting means for transmitting to said guide information providing device said identification information associated with said communication terminal device;

receiving means for receiving said searched program guide information transmitted from said program guide information providing device;

notifying means for notifying the user of said received searched program guide information; and

transmitting means for transmitting to a program selection apparatus program selection information upon selection of said program listed in said program guide information, a list of programs in said program guide is previously created and stored by said user and said previously created and stored list of programs in said program guide is remotely accessed by said user upon request on said communication terminal device.

8. The program guide information providing system according to claim 7, said program guide information providing device further comprising receiving means for receiving programs supplied from said program supplying means.

9. The program guide information providing system according to claim 7, wherein said preference information storing means is located adjacent said program selection apparatus.

10. The program guide information providing system according to claim 7, wherein said preference information is located at a remote location apart from said program selection apparatus.

11. The program guide information providing system according to claim 10, wherein said preference information is retrieved over a public network.

12. The program guide information providing system according to claim 10, wherein said preference information is stored at a website.

13. An information receiving device for communicating with a communication terminal device, said information receiving device comprising:

program guide information storing means for storing program guide information indicating the contents of programs to be supplied by predetermined program supplying means;

preference information storing means for storing preference information indicating the preferences of each of one or more users,

wherein the preference information comprises information linking;

each of the one or more users;

a corresponding personal remote terminal device having a user operable input selector; and

program information preferred by each of the users,

wherein the personal remote terminal device is a cellular telephone communicates with the information receiving device via one of a plurality of communication terminal devices as a function of a cell area that the personal remote terminal device is located in, and generates a user registration screen as a function of pre-registered preference information, guiding the one or more users to sequentially input program preference information, receives the program information preferred by the associated user, correlates the program preference information with an associated cellular telephone number, displays the program information, selects a program from the program guide information in response to user operation of said input selector, and displays audio and visual data of the selected program,

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be used at any of a plurality of program guide information providing devices, and

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be operated at a remote location from any of the plurality of program information providing devices,

wherein the preference information is stored in a manner correlated with a telephone number of the personal remote terminal device of each of the one or more users;

a receiver for receiving identification information from said communication terminal device indicative of the identification thereof,

wherein the receiver is positioned in a predetermined position in the home allowing an information exchange with the communication terminal device via infrared and an information exchange with each of the plurality of personal remote terminal devices,

wherein, when the personal remote terminal device is unable to communicate with the program guide information providing device, the personal remote terminal device communicates with a second personal remote terminal device which is able to communicate with the program guide information providing device and relay the information between the program guide information providing device and the personal remote terminal device;

searching means for;

reading from said preference information storing means said preference information corresponding to said received identification information,

searching programs matching the preferences of said user from said program guide information based on said read preference information, and

generating searched program guide information comprising said searched programs;

transmitting means for transmitting said searched program guide information to a remote commander; and

said remote commander having first transmitting/receiving means for directly exchanging information between said receiving means and said transmitting means, and second transmitting/receiving means for exchanging information via said communication terminal device and said communicating means;

wherein a program selection apparatus receives program selection information upon selection of one of said programs listed in said program guide information, a list of programs in said program guide is previously created and stored by said user and said previously created and stored list of programs in said program guide is remotely accessed by said user upon request on said communication terminal device.

14. The information receiving device according to claim 13, further comprising recording control means for recording to recording means programs specified by said communication terminal device from a plurality of programs supplied from said program supplying means.

15. The information receiving device according to claim 13, wherein said preference information storing means is located adjacent said program selection apparatus.

16. The information receiving device according to claim 13, wherein said preference information is located at a remote location apart from said program selection apparatus.

17. The information receiving device according to claim 16, wherein said preference information is retrieved over a public network.

18. The information receiving device according to claim 16, wherein said preference information is stored at a website.

19. A remote operating system wherein a communication terminal device and an information receiving device are for communicating with each other;

wherein said information receiving device comprises;

program guide information storing means for storing program guide information indicating the contents of programs to be supplied by predetermined program supplying means;

preference information storing means for storing preference information indicating the preferences of each of one or more users,

wherein the preference information comprises information linking;

each of the one or more users;

a corresponding personal remote terminal device having a user operable input selector; and

program information preferred by each of the users,

wherein the personal remote terminal device is a cellular telephone communicates with the information receiving device via one of a plurality of communication terminal devices as a function of a cell area that the personal remote terminal device is located in, and generates a user registration screen as a function of pre-registered preference information, guides the one or more users to sequentially input program preference information, receives the program information preferred by the associated user, correlates the program preference information with an associated cellular telephone number, displays the program information, selects a program from the program guide information in response to user operation of said input selector, and displays audio and visual data of the selected program,

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be used at any of a plurality of program guide information providing devices, and

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be operated at a remote location from any of the plurality of program information providing devices,

wherein the preference information is stored in a manner correlated with a telephone number of the personal remote terminal device of each of the one or more users;

a receiver for receiving identification information from said communication terminal device indicative of the identification thereof,

wherein the receiver is positioned in a predetermined position in the home allowing an information exchange with the communication terminal device via infrared and an information exchange with each of the plurality of personal remote terminal devices,

wherein, when the personal remote terminal device is unable to communicate with the program guide information providing device, the personal remote terminal device communicates with a second personal remote terminal device which is able to communicate with the program guide information providing device and relay the information between the program guide information providing device and the personal remote terminal device;

searching means for;

reading from said preference information storing means said preference information corresponding to said received identification information,

searching programs matching the preferences of said user from said program guide information based on said read preference information, and

generating searched program guide information comprising said searched programs;

transmitting means for transmitting said searched program guide information to a remote commander; and

said remote commander having first transmitting/receiving means for directly exchanging information between said receiving means and said transmitting means, and second transmitting/receiving means for exchanging information via said communication terminal device and said communicating means;

and wherein said communication terminal device comprises;

transmitting means for transmitting to said remote commander said identification information associated with said communication terminal device;

receiving means for receiving said searched program guide information transmitted from said remote commander;

notifying means for notifying the user of said received searched program guide information; and

transmitting means for transmitting to a program selection apparatus program selection information upon selection of said program listed in said program guide information, a list of programs in said program guide is previously created and stored by said user and said previously created and stored list of programs in said program guide is remotely accessed by said user upon request on said communication terminal device.

20. The remote operating system according to claim 19, wherein said information receiving device further comprises recording control means for recording to recording means programs specified by said communication terminal device from a plurality of programs supplied from said program supplying means.

21. The remote operating system according to claim 19, wherein said preference information storing means is located adjacent said program selection apparatus.

22. The remote operating system according to claim 19, wherein said preference information is located at a remote location apart from said program selection apparatus.

23. The remote operating system according to claim 22, wherein said preference information is retrieved over a public network.

24. The remote operating system according to claim 22, wherein said preference information is stored at a website.

25. A program guide information providing method for a program guide information providing device for communicating with a communication terminal device, said method comprising the following steps:

storing in program guide information storing means program guide information indicating the contents of programs to be supplied by predetermined program supplying means;

storing preference information indicating the preferences of each of one or more users,

wherein the preference information comprises information linking;

each of the one or more users;

a corresponding personal remote terminal device having a user operable input selector; and

program information preferred by each of the users,

wherein the personal remote terminal device is a cellular telephone communicates with the program guide information providing device via one of a plurality of communication terminal devices as a function of a cell area that the personal remote terminal device is located in, and generates a user registration screen as a function of pre-registered preference information, guides the one or more users to sequentially input program preference information, receives the program information preferred by the associated user, correlates the program preference information with an associated cellular telephone number, displays the program information, selects a program from the program guide information in response to user operation of said input selector, and displays audio and visual data of the selected program,

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be used at any of a plurality of program guide information providing devices, and

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be operated at a remote location from any of the plurality of program information providing devices,

wherein the preference information is stored in a manner correlated with a telephone number of the personal remote terminal device of each of the one or more users;

receiving identification information from said communication terminal device indicative of the identification thereof,

wherein the receiving step is in a predetermined position in the home allowing an information exchange with the communication terminal device via infrared and an information exchange with each of the plurality of personal remote terminal devices,

wherein, when the personal remote terminal device is unable to communicate with the program guide information providing device, the personal remote terminal device communicates with a second personal remote terminal device which is able to communicate with the program guide information providing device and relay the information between the program guide information providing device and the personal remote terminal device;

reading from said preference information storing means said preference information corresponding to said identification information transmitted from said communication terminal device;

searching programs matching the preferences of said user from said program guide information based on said read preference information;

generating searched program guide information comprising said searched programs; and

transmitting said searched program guide information to said communication terminal device;

wherein a program selection apparatus receives program selection information upon selection of one of said programs listed in said program guide information, a list of programs in said program guide is previously created and stored by said user and said previously created and stored list of programs in said program guide is remotely accessed by said user upon request on said communication terminal device.

26. The program guide information providing method for a program guide information providing device according to claim 25, further receiving programs supplied from said program supplying means.

27. The program guide information providing method according to claim 25, wherein said preference information storing means is located adjacent said program selection apparatus.

28. The program guide information providing method according to claim 25, wherein said preference information is located at a remote location apart from said program selection apparatus.

29. The program guide information providing method according to claim 28, wherein said preference information is retrieved over a public network.

30. The program guide information providing method according to claim 28, wherein said preference information is stored at a website.

31. A program guide information providing method for a program guide information providing system comprising a communication terminal device and a program guide information providing device for communicating with each other, said method comprising the following steps:

storing in program guide information storing means of said program guide information providing device, program guide information indicating the contents of programs to be supplied by predetermined program supplying means;

storing preference information indicating the preferences of each of one or more users,

wherein the preference information comprises information linking;

each of the one or more users;

a corresponding personal remote terminal device having a user operable input selector; and

program information preferred by each of the users,

wherein the personal remote terminal device is a cellular telephone communicates with the program guide information providing device via one of a plurality of communication terminal devices as a function of a cell area that the personal remote terminal device is located in, and generates a user registration screen as a function of pre-registered preference information, guides the one or more users to sequentially input program preference information, receives the program information preferred by the associated user, correlates the program preference information with an associated cellular telephone number, displays the program information, selects a program from the program guide information in response to user operation of said input selector, and displays audio and visual data of the selected program,

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be used at any of a plurality of program guide information providing devices, and

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be operated at a remote location from any of the plurality of program information providing devices,

storing the preference information in a manner correlated with a telephone number of the personal remote terminal device of each of the one or more users;

receiving identification information from said communication terminal device indicative of the identification thereof,

wherein the receiving step is in a predetermined position in the home allowing an information exchange with the communication terminal device via infrared and an information exchange with each of the plurality of personal remote terminal devices,

wherein, when the personal remote terminal device is unable to communicate with the program guide information providing device, the personal remote terminal device communicates with a second personal remote terminal device which is able to communicate with the program guide information providing device and relay the information between the program guide information providing device and the personal remote terminal device;

transmitting said identification information from said communication terminal device to said program guide information providing device;

reading from said preference information storing means said preference information corresponding to said received identification information,

searching programs matching the preferences of said user from said program guide information based on said read preference information, and

generating searched program guide information comprising said searched programs;

transmitting said searched program guide information to said communication terminal device from said guide information providing device;

receiving said searched program guide information transmitted from said program guide information providing device with said communication terminal device;

notifying the user of said received searched program guide information via notifying means; and

transmitting to a program selection apparatus program selection information upon selection of one of said program listed in said program guide information, a list of programs in said program guide is previously created and stored by said user and said previously created and stored list of programs in said program guide is remotely accessed by said user upon request on said communication terminal device.

32. The program guide information providing method for a program guide information providing system according to claim 31, wherein said information providing device receives programs supplied from said program supplying means.

33. The program guide information providing method according to claim 31, wherein said preference information storing means is located adjacent said program selection apparatus.

34. The program guide information providing method according to claim 31, wherein said preference information is located at a remote location apart from said program selection apparatus.

35. The program guide information providing method according to claim 34, wherein said preference information is retrieved over a public network.

36. The program guide information providing method according to claim 34, wherein said preference information is stored at a website.

37. A program guide information providing method for an information receiving device for communicating with a communication terminal device, said method comprising the following steps:

storing program guide information indicating the contents of programs to be supplied by predetermined program supplying means to program guide information storing means of said information receiving device;

storing preference information indicating the preferences of each of one or more users,

wherein the preference information comprises information linking;

each of the one or more users;

a corresponding personal remote terminal device having a user operable input selector; and

program information preferred by each of the users,

wherein the personal remote terminal device is a cellular telephone communicates with the information receiving device via one of a plurality of communication terminal devices as a function of a cell area that the personal remote terminal device is located in, and generates a user registration screen as a function of pre-registered preference information, guides the one or more users to sequentially input program preference information, receives the program information preferred by the associated user, correlates the program preference information with an associated cellular telephone number, displays the program information, selects a program from the program guide information in response to user operation of said input selector, and displays audio and visual data of the selected program,

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be used at any of a plurality of program guide information providing devices, and

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be operated at a remote location from any of the plurality of program information providing devices,

storing the preference information in a manner correlated with a telephone number of the personal remote terminal device of each of the one or more users;

receiving identification information from said communication terminal device indicative of the identification thereof,

wherein the receiving step is in a predetermined position in the home allowing an information exchange with the communication terminal device via infrared and an information exchange with each of the plurality of personal remote terminal devices,

wherein, when the personal remote terminal device is unable to communicate with the program guide information providing device, the personal remote terminal device communicates with a second personal remote terminal device which is able to communicate with the program guide information providing device and relay the information between the program guide information providing device and the personal remote terminal device;

transmitting said received identification information from a remote commander to said information receiving device;

receiving said identification information transmitted from said remote commander with said information receiving device;

reading from said preference information storing means said preference information corresponding to said received identification information;

searching programs matching the preferences of said user from said program guide information based on said read preference information;

generating searched program guide information comprising said searched programs;

transmitting said searched program guide information from said information receiving device to said remote commander;

receiving said searched program guide information transmitted from said information receiving device with said remote commander; and

transmitting said received searched program guide information from said remote commander to said communication terminal device;

wherein a program selection apparatus receives program selection information upon selection of one of said programs listed in said program guide information, a list of programs in said program guide is previously created and stored by said user and said previously created and stored list of programs in said program guide is remotely accessed by said user upon request on said communication terminal device.

38. The program guide information providing method for an information receiving device according to claim 37, wherein said information receiving device records to recording means programs specified by said communication terminal device from a plurality of programs supplied from said program supplying means.

39. A remote operating method for a remote operating system wherein a communication terminal device and an information receiving device are for communicating with each other, said method comprising the following steps:

storing program guide information indicating the contents of programs to be supplied by predetermined program supplying means to program guide information storing means of said information receiving device;

storing preference information indicating the preferences of each of one or more users,

wherein the preference information comprises information linking;

each of the one or more users;

a corresponding personal remote terminal device having a user operable input selector; and

program information preferred by each of the users,

wherein the personal remote terminal device is a cellular telephone communicates with the information receiving device via one of a plurality of communication terminal devices as a function of a cell area that the personal remote terminal device is located in, and generates a user registration screen as a function of pre-registered preference information, guides the one or more users to sequentially input program preference information, receives the program information preferred by the associated user, correlates the program preference information with an associated cellular telephone number, displays the program information, selects a program from the program guide information in response to user operation of said input selector, and displays audio and visual data of the selected program,

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be used at any of a plurality of program guide information providing devices, and

wherein the personal remote terminal device can be operated at a remote location from any of the plurality of program information providing devices,

storing the preference information in a manner correlated with a telephone number of the personal remote terminal device of each of the one or more users;

receiving identification information from said communication terminal device indicative of the identification thereof,

wherein the receiving step is in a predetermined position in the home allowing an information exchange with the communication terminal device via infrared and an information exchange with each of the plurality of personal remote terminal devices,

wherein, when the personal remote terminal device is unable to communicate with the program guide information providing device, the personal remote terminal device communicates with a second personal remote terminal device which is able to communicate with the program guide information providing device and relay the information between the program guide information providing device and the personal remote terminal device;

transmitting said identification information from said communication terminal device to a remote commander connected to said communication means;

transmitting said received identification information from said remote commander to said information receiving device;

receiving said identification information transmitted from said remote commander with said information receiving device;

reading from said preference information storing means said preference information corresponding to said received identification information;

searching programs matching the preferences of said user from said program guide information based on said read preference information;

generating searched program guide information comprising said searched programs;

transmitting said searched program guide information from said information receiving device to said remote commander;

receiving said searched program guide information transmitted from said information receiving device with said remote commander;

transmitting said received searched program guide information from said remote commander to said communication terminal device;

receiving said searched program guide information transmitted from said remote commander with said communication terminal device;

notifying the user of said received searched program guide information via notifying means; and

transmitting to a program selection apparatus program selection information upon selection of one of said program listed in said program guide information, a list of programs in said program guide is previously created and stored by said user and said previously created and stored list of programs in said program guide is remotely accessed by said user upon request on said communication terminal device.

40. The remote operating method for a remote operating system according to claim 39, wherein said information receiving device further records to recording means programs specified by said communication terminal device from a plurality of programs supplied from said program supplying means.