Interactive program guide with selectable updating
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for providing an interactive program guide (IPG) via a digital home communication terminal (DHCT) located at a customer premises, the method comprising steps of:
- receiving a plurality of listings of a first type via a subscriber television network;
receiving data related to at least one local device capable of communicating with the DHCT;
providing a user with an IPG, the IPG including a first IPG menu screen that includes the plurality of listings of the first type and at least one listing of a second type corresponding to the data related to the at least one local device, wherein the plurality of listings of the first type and the at least one listing of the second type are displayed as elements in an IPG grid;
providing, within the IPG, a user selectable option on the first IPG menu screen for a user to access a second IPG menu screen, the second IPG menu screen including at least one designation associated with the at least one local device, wherein the second IPG menu screen enables the user to select the at least one designation to be provided to a user on the first IPG menu screen;
receiving user input requesting that a functionality instance be provided by the at least one local device, wherein the functionality instance is displayed in the second IPG menu screen and wherein the functionality instance describes an action the local device is capable of performing; and
responsive to receiving the user input, transmitting to the at least one local device a message requesting that the functionality instance be provided.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for providing an interactive program guide (IPG) includes receiving from a user a request for an IPG, and providing the user with an IPG that includes listings that were received by a digital home communication terminal (DHCT) via a subscriber television network, as well as other listings that were not received by the DHCT via the subscriber television network.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method for providing an interactive program guide (IPG) via a digital home communication terminal (DHCT) located at a customer premises, the method comprising steps of:
-
receiving a plurality of listings of a first type via a subscriber television network; receiving data related to at least one local device capable of communicating with the DHCT; providing a user with an IPG, the IPG including a first IPG menu screen that includes the plurality of listings of the first type and at least one listing of a second type corresponding to the data related to the at least one local device, wherein the plurality of listings of the first type and the at least one listing of the second type are displayed as elements in an IPG grid; providing, within the IPG, a user selectable option on the first IPG menu screen for a user to access a second IPG menu screen, the second IPG menu screen including at least one designation associated with the at least one local device, wherein the second IPG menu screen enables the user to select the at least one designation to be provided to a user on the first IPG menu screen; receiving user input requesting that a functionality instance be provided by the at least one local device, wherein the functionality instance is displayed in the second IPG menu screen and wherein the functionality instance describes an action the local device is capable of performing; and responsive to receiving the user input, transmitting to the at least one local device a message requesting that the functionality instance be provided. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A Digital Home Communication Terminal (DHCT) located at a customer premises, the DHCT comprising:
-
a communications interface that receives functionality information from at least one local device, wherein the functionality information is related to a functionality of the at least one local device; logic configured to provide an Interactive Program Guide (IPG) that includes a first IPG menu screen including; at least one television program listing; and at least one listing related to the at least one local device; logic configured to provide a user selectable option to access a second IPG menu screen, the second IPG menu screen including; at least one functionality listing related to the at least one local device; and at least one user selectable option for displaying at least one of the functionality listings from the second IPG menu screen in the first IPG menu screen; logic configured to receive user input requesting that a functionality instance be provided by the at least one local device, wherein the functionality instance is displayed in the second IPG menu screen and wherein the functionality instance describes an action the local device is capable of performing; and logic configured to transmit to the at least one local device a message requesting that the functionality instance be provided responsive to receiving the user input. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of providing an interactive program guide (IPG) via a set top terminal (STT) located at a customer premises, the method comprising:
-
receiving a plurality of television presentation listings via a subscriber television network; receiving data related to at least one local device; storing the data related to the at least one local device in a database; creating a functionality listing related to the data related to the at least one local device; providing the user with an IPG that includes a first IPG menu screen, the first IPG menu screen including at least a portion of the television presentation listings in addition to at least one local device listing, the at least one local device listing including data relating to the at least one local device, the first IPG menu screen further including at least one user selectable option to provide a second IPG menu screen; receiving first user input requesting display of the second IPG menu screen, the second IPG menu screen including at least one functionality listing related to the at least one local device, and at least one user selectable option of displaying, in the first IPG menu page, any number of functionality listings; providing the user with the second IPG menu screen, wherein the subscriber television network is one of a cable television network or a satellite television network, wherein the at least one local device is at least one of the following;
a thermostat, an alarm clock, and a home security system;receiving second user input requesting that a functionality instance be provided by the at least one local device, wherein the functionality instance is displayed in the second IPG menu screen and wherein the functionality instance describes an action the local device is capable of performing; and responsive to receiving the second user input, transmitting to the at least one local device a message requesting that the functionality instance be provided.
-
Specification