Electronic program guide with integrated program listings

• US 8,082,568 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2003
• Issued: 12/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Ellis, Michael D
• Primary Examiner(s): LONSBERRY, HUNTER B
• Application Number:
  US10/383,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20030149980A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,212 Days
• Field of Search: 725/44, 725/48, 725/51, 725/141, 725/59
• US Class Current: 725/48
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/41 Flat as opposed to hierarchical combination, e.g. library of tapes or discs, CD changer, or groups of record carriers that together store one title
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/002 Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/102 Programmed access in sequence to addressed parts of tracks of operating record carriers access by moving the head G11B3/08, G11B5/54, G11B7/085, G11B21/022; by moving the record carrier G11B15/005, G11B17/005, by driving of both record carrier and head G11B15/1816
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/107 of operating tapes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/327 Table of contents
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/328 on a tape [TTOC]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/329 on a disc [VTOC]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2387 Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42224 Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42661 for reading from or writing on a magnetic storage medium, e.g. hard disk drive
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4332 : by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository interfaces, Database management systems or updating for information retrieval G06F16/23; details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video database G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 : Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4335 : Housekeeping operations, e.g. prioritizing content for deletion because of storage space restrictions storage management, e.g. defragmentation G06F3/0604; unloading stored programs G06F9/445; storage management in file systems G06F16/10; buffering arrangements in a network node or in an end terminal in packet networks H04L49/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 : Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4358 : for generating different versions, e.g. for different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43622 : Interfacing an external recording device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; 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 21/458 : Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• 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 21/47217 : for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 : for requesting additional data associated with the content
• 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 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4825 : using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 : End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4856 : for language selection, e.g. for the menu or subtitles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 : involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 : involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8455 : involving pointers to the content, e.g. pointers to the I-frames of the video stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 : by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/85406 : involving a specific file format, e.g. MP4 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 : Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 : between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 : between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 : on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 : on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only

Abstract

An interactive television program guide system with digital storage is provided. The program guide gives users the ability to store information associated with recorded programs in a directory in the digital storage device thereby providing easy access to program information. The program guide may also provide a global media library for indicating the programs stored on removable storage media used with the program guide. The guide may also allow the user to manage and maintain a user media library to do the same. Non-time-sensitive data associated with recorded programs may be stored in a way that allows the user to interact with the data on playback as if the program were being originally aired. The program guide also allows the user to define “super-programs” for playback of a sequence of stored programs or program segments.

Claims

1. A method for use in an interactive television program guide system that provides a user with access to broadcast television programs and recorded programs stored on a digital storage device in the user'"'"'s equipment, the method comprising:

recording programs and associated program information on a digital storage device;

allowing a user to access a list of recorded programs stored on the digital storage device;

displaying a display of selectable options, wherein the selectable options include an option for a broadcast television program and an option for a recorded program stored on the digital storage device, and wherein the option for the recorded program is associated with a designated channel that identifies the digital storage device on which the recorded program is stored;

receiving a user selection of a selectable option for a recorded program; and

displaying program information associated with the recorded program in response to receiving the user selection.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing to the user a program information screen in response to the user selecting one of the selectable options.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing to the user stored program data associated with a recorded program in response to the user selecting the option for the recorded program.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing the user with an opportunity to navigate the display of selectable options using a moveable highlight region.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectable options represent television program listings.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the selectable options are arranged in a grid of television program listings.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the user to access a list of programs scheduled to be recorded on the digital storage device.

8. An interactive television program guide system that provides a user with access to broadcast television programs and recorded programs stored on a digital storage device in the user'"'"'s equipment, the system comprising:

means for recording programs and associated program information on a digital storage device;

means for allowing a user to access a list of recorded programs stored on the digital storage device;

means for displaying a display of selectable options, wherein the selectable options include an option for a broadcast television program and an option for a recorded program stored on the digital storage device, and wherein the option for the recorded program is associated with a designated channel that identifies the digital storage device on which the recorded program is stored;

means for receiving a user selection of a selectable option for a recorded program; and

means for displaying program information associated with the recorded program in response to receiving the user selection.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

means for providing to the user a program information screen in response to the user selecting one of the selectable options.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

means for providing to the user stored program data associated with a recorded program in response to the user selecting the option for the recorded program.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

means for providing the user with an opportunity to navigate the display of selectable options using a moveable highlight region.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the selectable options represent television program listings.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the selectable options are arranged in a grid of television program listings.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

means for allowing the user to access a list of programs scheduled to be recorded on the digital storage device.

15. An interactive television program guide system that provides a user with access to broadcast television programs and recorded programs stored on a digital storage device in the user'"'"'s equipment, the system comprising:

a digital storage device;

a display device; and

an interactive program guide implemented at least partially on circuitry, wherein the interactive program guide is programmed to;

record programs and associated program information;

allow a user to access a list of recorded programs stored on the digital storage device;

display a display of selectable options, wherein the selectable options include an option for a broadcast television program and an option for a recorded program stored on the digital storage device, and wherein the option for the recorded program is associated with a designated channel that identifies the digital storage device on which the recorded program is stored;

receive a user selection of a selectable option for a recorded program; and

display program information associated with the recorded program in response to receiving the user selection.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the display device provides to the user a program information screen in response to the user selecting one of the selectable options.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the digital storage device provides to the user stored program data associated with a recorded program in response to the user selecting the option for the recorded program.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the display device provides the user with an opportunity to navigate the display of selectable options using a moveable highlight region.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the selectable options represent television program listings.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the selectable options are arranged in a grid of television program listings.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the display device allows the user to access a list of programs scheduled to be recorded on the digital storage device.

22. A machine readable medium for providing a user with access to broadcast television programs and recorded programs stored on a digital storage device in the user'"'"'s equipment, comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:

recording programs and associated program information on a digital storage device;

allowing a user to access a list of recorded programs stored on the digital storage device;

displaying a display of selectable options, wherein the selectable options include an option for a broadcast television program and an option for a recorded program stored on the digital storage device, and wherein the option for the recorded program is associated with a designated channel that identifies the digital storage device on which the recorded program is stored;

receiving a user selection of a selectable option for a recorded program; and

displaying program information associated with the recorded program in response to receiving the user selection.

23. The machine readable medium of claim 22, further comprising machine program logic for:

providing to the user a program information screen in response to the user selecting one of the selectable options.

24. The machine readable medium of claim 22, further comprising machine program logic for:

providing to the user stored program data associated with a recorded program in response to the user selecting the option for the recorded program.

25. The machine readable medium of claim 22, further comprising machine program logic for:

providing the user with an opportunity to navigate the display of selectable options using a moveable highlight region.

26. The machine readable medium of claim 22, wherein the selectable options represent television program listings.

27. The machine readable medium of claim 26, wherein the selectable options are arranged in a grid of television program listings.

28. The machine readable medium of claim 22, further comprising machine program logic for:

allowing the user to access a list of programs scheduled to be recorded on the digital storage device.

29. A method for use in an interactive television program guide system that provides a user with access to broadcast television programs and recorded programs stored on a digital storage device in the user'"'"'s equipment, the method comprising:

allowing a user to access a list of recorded programs stored on the digital storage device;

displaying a display of selectable options for both broadcast television programs and recorded programs stored on the digital storage device, wherein options for broadcast television programs are associated with one or more television channels, and an option is associated with a channel that identifies the digital storage device; and

displaying information associated with the recorded programs stored on the digital storage device in response to the user selecting the option associated with the channel that identifies the digital storage device.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

providing to the user a program information screen in response to the user selecting one of the selectable options.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

storing program data associated with a recorded program on the digital storage device.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

providing to the user stored program data associated with the recorded program in response to the user selecting the option for the recorded program.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

providing the user with an opportunity to navigate the display of selectable options using a moveable highlight region.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the selectable options represent television program listings.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the selectable options are arranged in a grid of television program listings.

36. The method of claim 29, further comprising allowing the user to access a list of programs scheduled to be recorded on the digital storage device.

37. An interactive television program guide system that provides a user with access to broadcast television programs and recorded programs stored on a digital storage device in the user'"'"'s equipment, the system comprising:

means for allowing a user to access a list of recorded programs stored on the digital storage device;

means for displaying a display of selectable options for both broadcast television programs and recorded programs stored on the digital storage device, wherein options for broadcast television programs are associated with one or more television channels, and wherein an option is associated with a channel that identifies the digital storage device; and

means for displaying information associated with the recorded programs stored on the digital storage device in response to the user selecting the option associated with the channel that identifies the digital storage device.

38. The system of claim 37, further comprising:

means for providing to the user a program information screen in response to the user selecting one of the selectable options.

39. The system of claim 37, further comprising:

means for storing program data associated with a recorded program on the digital storage device.

40. The system of claim 39, further comprising:

means for providing to the user stored program data associated with the recorded program in response to the user selecting the option for the recorded program.

41. The system of claim 37, further comprising:

means for providing the user with an opportunity to navigate the display of selectable options using a moveable highlight region.

42. The system of claim 37, wherein the selectable options represent television program listings.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the selectable options are arranged in a grid of television program listings.

44. The system of claim 37, further comprising:

means for allowing the user to access a list of programs scheduled to be recorded on the digital storage device.

45. An interactive television program guide system that provides a user with access to broadcast television programs and recorded programs stored on a digital storage device in the user'"'"'s equipment, the system comprising:

allowing a user to access a list of recorded programs stored on the digital storage device;

a display device for displaying a display of selectable options for both broadcast television programs and recorded programs stored on the digital storage device, wherein options for broadcast television programs are associated with one or more television channels, and wherein an option is associated with a channel that identifies the digital storage device, and wherein the display device displays information associated with the recorded programs stored on the digital storage device in response to the user selecting the option associated with the channel that identifies the digital storage device.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the display device provides to the user a program information screen in response to the user selecting one of the selectable options.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein the digital storage device stores program data associated with a recorded program on the digital storage device.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the display device provides to the user stored program data associated with the recorded program in response to the user selecting the option for the recorded program.

49. The system of claim 45, wherein the display device provides the user with an opportunity to navigate the display of selectable options using a moveable highlight region.

50. The system of claim 45, wherein the selectable options represent television program listings.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the selectable options are arranged in a grid of television program listings.

52. The system of claim 45, wherein the display device allows the user to access a list of programs scheduled to be recorded on the digital storage device.

53. A machine readable medium for providing a user with access to broadcast television programs and recorded programs stored on a digital storage device in the user'"'"'s equipment, comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:

allowing a user to access a list of recorded programs stored on the digital storage device;

displaying a display of selectable options for both broadcast television programs and recorded programs stored on the digital storage device, wherein options for broadcast television programs are associated with one or more television channels, and wherein an option is associated with a channel that identifies the digital storage device; and

displaying information associated with the recorded programs stored on the digital storage device in response to the user selecting the option associated with the channel that identifies the digital storage device.

54. The machine readable medium of claim 53, further comprising machine program logic for:

providing to the user a program information screen in response to the user selecting one of the selectable options.

55. The machine readable medium of claim 53, further comprising machine program logic for:

storing program data associated with a recorded program on the digital storage device.

56. The machine readable medium of claim 55, further comprising machine program logic for:

providing to the user stored program data associated with the recorded program in response to the user selecting the option for the recorded program.

57. The machine readable medium of claim 53, further comprising machine program logic for:

providing the user with an opportunity to navigate the display of selectable options using a moveable highlight region.

58. The machine readable medium of claim 53, wherein the selectable options represent television program listings.

59. The machine readable medium of claim 58, wherein the selectable options are arranged in a grid of television program listings.

60. The machine readable medium of claim 53, further comprising machine program logic for:

allowing the user to access a list of programs scheduled to be recorded on the digital storage device.

61. A method for use in an interactive program guide system that provides a user with access to broadcast programs and recorded programs stored on a digital storage device in the user'"'"'s equipment, the method comprising:

recording programs and associated program information on a digital storage device;

allowing a user to access a list of recorded programs stored on the digital storage device;

displaying a display of selectable options, wherein the selectable options include an option for a broadcast program and an option for a recorded program stored on the digital storage device;

receiving a user selection of a selectable option for a recorded program; and

displaying program information associated with the recorded program in response to receiving the user selection.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising providing to the user stored program data associated with the recorded program in response to receiving the user selection.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising allowing the user to interact with the stored associated program data during playback of the recorded program.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein the stored program data includes an indication of whether the recorded program has been viewed.

65. The method of claim 61, wherein the displayed program information includes a description of the recorded program.

66. The method of claim 61, wherein the displayed program information includes associated Internet web sites.

67. The method of claim 61, further comprising displaying a program information screen in response to the user selecting the option for the broadcast program.

68. The method of claim 61, wherein the displayed program information is displayed in a program information screen.

69. The method of claim 61, wherein the selectable options represent program listings.

70. The method of claim 61, wherein the selectable options are arranged in a grid of program listings.

71. The method of claim 61, further comprising allowing the user to access a list of programs scheduled to be recorded on the digital storage device.

72. An interactive program guide system that provides a user with access to broadcast programs and recorded programs stored on a digital storage device in the user'"'"'s equipment, the system comprising:

means for recording programs and associated program information on a digital storage device;

means for allowing a user to access a list of recorded programs stored on the digital storage device;

means for displaying a display of selectable options, wherein the selectable options include an option for a broadcast program and an option for a recorded program stored on the digital storage device;

means for receiving a user selection of a selectable option for a recorded program; and

means for displaying program information associated with the recorded program in response to receiving the user selection.

73. The system of claim 72, further comprising means for providing to the user stored program data associated with the recorded program in response to receiving the user selection.

74. The system of claim 73, further comprising means for allowing the user to interact with the stored associated program data during playback of the recorded program.

75. The system of claim 73, wherein the stored program data includes an indication of whether the recorded program has been viewed.

76. The system of claim 72, wherein the displayed program information includes a description of the recorded program.

77. The system of claim 72, wherein the displayed program information includes associated Internet web sites.

78. The system of claim 72, further comprising means for displaying a program information screen in response to the user selecting the option for the broadcast program.

79. The system of claim 72, wherein the displayed program information is displayed in a program information screen.

80. The system of claim 72, wherein the selectable options represent program listings.

81. The system of claim 72, wherein the selectable options are arranged in a grid of program listings.

82. The system of claim 72, further comprising means for allowing the user to access a list of programs scheduled to be recorded on the digital storage device.

83. An interactive program guide system that provides a user with access to broadcast programs and recorded programs stored on a digital storage device in the user'"'"'s equipment, the system comprising:

a digital storage device;

a display device; and

an interactive program guide implemented at least partially on circuitry, wherein the interactive program guide is programmed to;

record programs and associated program information;

allow a user to access a list of recorded programs stored on the digital storage device;

display a display of selectable options, wherein the selectable options include an option for a broadcast program and an option for a recorded program stored on the digital storage device;

receive a user selection of a selectable option for a recorded program; and

display program information associated with the recorded program in response to receiving the user selection.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein the interactive program guide is further programmed to provide to the user stored program data associated with the recorded program in response to receiving the user selection.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein the interactive program guide is further programmed to allow the user to interact with the stored associated program data during playback of the recorded program.

86. The system of claim 84, wherein the stored program data includes an indication of whether the recorded program has been viewed.

87. The system of claim 83, wherein the displayed program information includes a description of the recorded program.

88. The system of claim 83, wherein the displayed program information includes associated Internet web sites.

89. The system of claim 83, wherein the interactive program guide is further programmed to display a program information screen in response to the user selecting the option for the broadcast program.

90. The system of claim 83, wherein the displayed program information is displayed in a program information screen.

91. The system of claim 83, wherein the selectable options represent program listings.

92. The system of claim 83, wherein the selectable options are arranged in a grid of program listings.

93. The system of claim 83, wherein the interactive program guide is further programmed to allow the user to access a list of programs scheduled to be recorded on the digital storage device.