Managing favorite channels

• US 8,171,514 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2002
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synamedia Limited
• Original Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta LLC (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bernier, Nicklas P.
• Primary Examiner(s): LONSBERRY, HUNTER B
• Application Number:
  US10/224,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20040040039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,541 Days
• Field of Search: 725/39, 725/43, 725/45, 725/46, 725/44, 725/47, 725/52, 345/821, 345/823, 345/838
• US Class Current: 725/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4221 Dedicated function buttons, e.g. for the control of an EPG, subtitles, aspect ratio, picture-in-picture or teletext
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• 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 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• 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

Abstract

A system is described that provides for scrolling among favorite channels with a remote control device, preferably through user interaction with channel keys. Some embodiments also provide for enhanced management of favorite channels.

Claims

1. A method for prompting and navigating favorite channels with a remote control device, the method comprising the steps of:

while presenting either an interactive program guide or a media content instance presentation, receiving a first keypress indication associated with commencing a display favorites mode;

responsive to receiving the first keypress indication, determining whether more than one favorites category exists; and

responsive to the determination, providing a user interface screen when more than one favorites category exists, wherein a message in the user interface screen prompts the user to select a favorites category before commencing the display favorites mode, otherwise commencing the display favorites mode for a default favorites category responsive to the determination.

2. The method of claim 1, further including

receiving a second keypress indication to select the favorites category.

3. The method of claim 2, further including, responsive to receiving the second keypress indication, commencing the display favorites mode for the selected favorites category.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the display favorites mode for the selected favorites category is configured to enable a user to scroll among favorite channels in increasing and decreasing channel number directions.

5. The method of claim 4, further including the steps of scrolling to a next higher numbered favorite channel in response to receiving a channel up keypress indication.

6. The method of claim 4, further including the steps of scrolling to a next lower numbered favorite channel in response to receiving a channel down keypress indication.

7. The method of claim 3, further including the steps of receiving a third keypress indication, similar to the first keypress indication, and responsively exiting from the display favorites mode for the selected favorites category.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the steps of receiving the first keypress indication and the third keypress indication are responsive to the user activating a favorites button located on a remote control device.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of receiving the first keypress indication and the third keypress indication are responsive to the user activating a display favorites button located on a remote control device.

10. The method of claim 3, further including the steps of, responsive to commencing the display favorites mode for the selected favorites category, presenting favorites symbols in proximity to the favorite channels presented in an interactive program guide screen.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein one of the favorite channels presented in the interactive program guide screen is highlighted.

12. The method of claim 3, further including the steps of, responsive to commencing the display favorites mode for the selected favorites category, presenting a favorites symbol in proximity to a media content instance presentation screen associated with the favorite channel that is tuned to and displayed in response to commencing the display favorites mode for the selected favorites category.

13. A method for prompting favorite channels with a remote control device, the method comprising the steps of:

while presenting either an interactive program guide or a media content instance presentation, receiving a first keypress indication associated with commencing a display favorites mode; and

receiving an alphanumeric keypress indication a defined threshold duration after receiving the first keypress indication, wherein the alphanumeric keypress indication is associated with a favorites category, wherein the alphanumeric keypress indication is associated with a key corresponding to entry of a number, single letter, or a combination of a letter and number.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein responsive to receiving the first keypress indication and the alphanumeric keypress indication, the display favorites mode that commences is associated with the favorites category.

15. A method for adding and deleting favorite channels, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first keypress indication associated with adding a first favorite channel to a favorite channel list that is transparent to a user at a time corresponding to the reception of the first keypress indication; and

responsive to the first keypress indication, adding the first favorite channel to the favorite channel list; and

presenting a media content instance presentation on a screen display associated with the first favorite channel corresponding to a time of receiving the first keypress indication and to a time of adding the first favorite channel to the favorite channel list.

16. The method of claim 15, further including the step of deleting a second favorite channel from the favorite channel list by receiving a second keypress indication associated with deleting the second favorite channel from the favorite channel list, wherein the favorite channel list is transparent to the user.

17. The method of claim 16, further including the step of presenting a media content instance presentation on a screen display associated with the second favorite channel corresponding to a time of receiving the second keypress indication and to a time of deleting the second favorite channel from the favorite channel list.

18. A method for adding and deleting favorite channels, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first keypress indication associated with adding a first favorite channel to a favorite channel list that is transparent to a user at a time corresponding to the reception of the first keypress indication;

responsive to the first keypress indication, adding the first favorite channel to the favorite channel list; and

presenting the first favorite channel as a highlighted entry in an interactive program guide screen corresponding to a time of receiving the first keypress indication and to a time of adding the first favorite channel to the favorite channel list.

19. The method of claim 18, further including the steps of deleting a second favorite channel by receiving a second keypress indication associated with deleting the second favorite channel from the favorite channel list, wherein the favorite channel list is transparent to the user.

20. The method of claim 19, further including the step of presenting a user interface screen that includes a message that advises a user that a keypress corresponding to the second keypress indication will result in the deletion of the second favorite channel, wherein the user interface further provides the user with options that include at least one of continuing to proceed with the deletion, disregarding the last keypress, adding to another favorites channel category, and deleting from another favorites channel category.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the second keypress indication results from a user activating a favorites button for a sustained duration.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the second keypress indication results from a user activating an add/delete favorites button.

23. The method of claim 19, further including the step of presenting the second favorite channel as a highlighted entry in an interactive program guide screen corresponding to a time of receiving the second keypress indication and to a time of deleting the second favorite channel from the favorite channel list.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the first keypress indication results from a user activating a favorites button for a sustained duration.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the first keypress indication results from a user activating an add/delete favorites button.

26. The method of claim 18, further including the step of receiving an alphanumeric keypress indication a defined threshold duration after receiving the first keypress indication, wherein the alphanumeric keypress indication is associated with a favorites category.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein responsive to receiving the first keypress indication and the alphanumeric keypress indication, the channel list the first favorite channel is added to is associated with the favorites category.

28. The method of claim 18, wherein the steps of receiving and adding occur while in a display favorites mode.

29. The method of claim 18, further including the step of presenting feedback to the user when the first favorite channel is successfully added to the favorite channel list.

30. The method of claim 18, further including the step of providing a user interface screen when more than one favorites category exists and the first keypress indication is not followed after a defined threshold an alphanumeric keypress indication associated with a favorites channel category, wherein the user interface screen instructs the user to select a favorites category.

31. A system for prompting and navigating favorite channels with a remote control device, the system comprising:

a memory with logic; and

a processor configured with the logic to receive a first keypress indication associated with commencing a display favorites mode while presenting either an interactive program guide or a media content instance presentation, wherein responsive to receiving the first keypress indication, the processor is further configured with the logic to determine whether more than one favorites category exists, wherein responsive to the determination, the processor is configured with the logic to provide a user interface screen, when more than one favorites category exists, wherein a message in the user interface screen prompts the user to select a favorites category before commencing the display favorites mode, otherwise the processor is configured with the logic to commence the display favorites mode for a default favorites category responsive to the determination.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to enable a user to scroll among favorite channels in increasing and decreasing channel number directions.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to scroll to a next higher numbered favorite channel in response to receiving a channel up keypress indication.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to scroll to a next lower numbered favorite channel in response to receiving a channel down keypress indication.

35. The system of claim 31, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to receive a second keypress indication to select the favorites category.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the processor is further configured to commence the display favorites mode in response to the second keypress indication.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to receive a third keypress indication, similar to the first keypress indication, and responsively exit from the display favorites mode for the selected favorites category.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to receive the first keypress indication and the third keypress indication responsive to the user activating a favorites button located on a remote control device.

39. The system of claim 37, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to receive the first keypress indication and the third keypress indication responsive to the user activating a display favorites button located on a remote control device.

40. The system of claim 36, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to, responsive to commencing the display favorites mode for the selected favorites category, present favorites symbols in proximity to the favorite channels presented in an interactive program guide screen.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to highlight one of the favorite channels presented in the interactive program guide screen.

42. The system of claim 36, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to, responsive to commencing the display favorites mode for the selected favorites category, present a favorites symbol in proximity to a media content instance presentation screen associated with the favorite channel that is tuned to and displayed in response to commencing the display favorites mode for the selected favorites category.

43. A system for prompting favorite channels with a remote control device, the system comprising:

a memory with logic; and

a processor configured with the logic to receive a first keypress indication associated with commencing a display favorites mode while presenting either an interactive program guide or a media content instance presentation, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to receive an alphanumeric keypress indication a defined threshold duration after receiving the first keypress indication, wherein the alphanumeric keypress indication is associated with a favorites category, wherein the alphanumeric keypress indication is associated with a key corresponding to entry of a number, single letter, or a combination of a letter and number.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to, responsive to receiving the first keypress indication and the alphanumeric keypress indication, to associate the display favorites mode that commences with the favorites category.

45. A system for adding and deleting favorite channels, the system comprising:

a memory with logic; and

a processor configured with the logic to receive a first keypress indication associated with adding a first favorite channel to a favorite channel list that is transparent to a user at a time corresponding to the reception of the first keypress indication, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to, responsive to the first keypress indication, add the first favorite channel to the favorite channel list, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to present a media content instance presentation on a screen display associated with the first favorite channel corresponding to a time of receiving the first keypress indication and to a time of adding the first favorite channel to the favorite channel list.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to delete a second favorite channel from the favorite channel list by receiving a second keypress indication associated with deleting the second favorite channel from the favorite channel list, wherein the favorite channel list is transparent to the user.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to present a media content instance presentation on a screen display associated with the second favorite channel corresponding to a time of receiving the second keypress indication and to a time of deleting the second favorite channel from the favorite channel list.

48. A system for adding favorites channels, the system comprising:

a memory with logic; and

a processor configured with the logic to receive a first keypress indication associated with adding a first favorite channel to a favorite channel list that is transparent to a user at a time corresponding to the reception of the first keypress indication, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to, responsive to the first keypress indication, add the first favorite channel to the favorite channel list, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to present the first favorite channel as a highlighted entry in an interactive program guide screen corresponding to a time of receiving the first keypress indication and to a time of adding the first favorite channel to the favorite channel list.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to delete a second favorite channel by receiving a second keypress indication associated with deleting the second favorite channel from the favorite channel list, wherein the favorite channel list is transparent to the user.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to present a user interface screen that includes a message that advises a user that a keypress corresponding to the second keypress indication will result in the deletion of the second favorite channel, wherein the user interface further provides the user with options that include at least one of continuing to proceed with the deletion, disregarding the last keypress, adding to another favorite channel category, and deleting from another favorite channel category.

51. The system of claim 49, wherein the second keypress indication results from a user activating a favorites button for a sustained duration.

52. The system of claim 49, wherein the second keypress indication results from a user activating an add/delete favorites button.

53. The system of claim 49, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to present the second favorite channel as a highlighted entry in an interactive program guide screen corresponding to a time of receiving the second keypress indication and to a time of deleting the second favorite channel from the favorite channel list.

54. The system of claim 48, wherein the first keypress indication results from a user activating a favorites button for a sustained duration.

55. The system of claim 48, wherein the first keypress indication results from a user activating an add/delete favorites button.

56. The system of claim 48, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to receive an alphanumeric keypress indication a defined threshold duration after receiving the first keypress indication, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to associate the alphanumeric keypress indication with a favorites category.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to, responsive to receiving the first keypress indication and the alphanumeric keypress indication, add the first favorite channel to the favorite channel list associated with the favorites category.

58. The system of claim 48, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to receive the first keypress indication and add to and delete from the favorite channel list while in a display favorites mode.

59. The system of claim 48, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to present feedback to the user when the first favorite channel is successfully added to the favorite channel list.

60. The system of claim 48, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to provide a user interface screen when more than one favorites category exists and the first keypress indication is not followed after a defined threshold an alphanumeric keypress indication associated with a favorites channel category, wherein the user interface screen instructs the user to select a favorites category.