Locally stored content previews: representative of programming content in an electronic programming guide through a graphic image accessed from the hard drive of a set top box
First Claim
1. An apparatus for displaying information to a user via a television, comprising:
- a computer readable medium for storing a video file; and
a first processing element adapted to receive programming broadcasted over and received from a communication medium, the first processing element communicatively coupled to the computer readable medium for retrieving the video file from the computer readable medium, and communicatively coupled to the television for displaying one of a television program and a graphic image on the television, wherein the graphic image is displayed in response to an execution of the video file by the first processing element, where the first processing element comprises a digital satellite system (DSS) processing element, an internet processing element communicatively connected with the internet, and a buffer logic circuit that coupled with both the DSS processing element and the internet processing element, where the DSS processing element is configured to receive the programming broadcasted over and received from the communication medium, the internet processing element is configured to transmit and receive data over the internet, wherein the buffer logic circuit comprises a video processor configured to process at least a portion of video data received from the DSS processing element, and wherein the buffer logic circuit is configured to facilitate communication between the DSS processing element and the internet processing element;
the first processing element is configured to display, through the internet processing element, a graphical user interface displaying, on a single display screen, selectable representations of television programs that are currently being broadcast over the communication medium and selectable representations of television programs that are to be broadcast in the future, wherein the video file corresponds to one of the selectable representations that is currently selectable in the graphical user interface where the one of the selectable representations corresponds to a date and time indicated in the graphical user interface,the first processing element is configured to display a first television program on the television in response to a user selecting a selectable representation of a first television program if the first television program has been received from the communication medium,the first processing element is configured to display a first graphic image on the television and additional textual information about the content of the first television program in response to the user selecting the selectable representation of the first television program corresponding to and intended to be played back at the specific time and date indicated in the graphical user interface and corresponding to the selectable representation if the first television program has not been received from the communication medium;
wherein the first processing element is configured to update the video file stored in the computer readable medium such that the updated video file corresponds to the one of the selectable representations that is currently selectable.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated DSS/WebTV receiver is communicatively connected to an Internet service provider, a DSS service provider, and (optionally) a local broadcast station to provide a display of DSS programs, Internet web sites, and local broadcast channels in a seamless fashion. The DSS/WebTV receiver downloads graphic images, corresponding to DSS programs, from a DSS communication medium or the Internet into a local memory. The graphic images are periodically updated by the DSS service provider or Internet service provider. The DSS/WebTV receiver generates a graphical user interface (GUI), displayed on a television screen, for facilitating a user'"'"'s navigation through the DSS, Internet, and local broadcast data. The GUI includes a selectable DSS program listing that displays DSS programs that are curl being broadcast or that will be broadcasted in the future. If a user selects a currently broadcasted program, the DSS/WebTV receiver displays the selected program on the television. If the user selects a program that is broadcasted in the future, the DSS/WebTV receiver displays a downloaded graphic image, corresponding to the selected program, on the television. The graphic image may be the selected program'"'"'s name or logo, still shots from the selected program, short video clips related to the selected program, or advertisements related to the selected program.
27 Citations
64 Claims
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1. An apparatus for displaying information to a user via a television, comprising:
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a computer readable medium for storing a video file; and a first processing element adapted to receive programming broadcasted over and received from a communication medium, the first processing element communicatively coupled to the computer readable medium for retrieving the video file from the computer readable medium, and communicatively coupled to the television for displaying one of a television program and a graphic image on the television, wherein the graphic image is displayed in response to an execution of the video file by the first processing element, where the first processing element comprises a digital satellite system (DSS) processing element, an internet processing element communicatively connected with the internet, and a buffer logic circuit that coupled with both the DSS processing element and the internet processing element, where the DSS processing element is configured to receive the programming broadcasted over and received from the communication medium, the internet processing element is configured to transmit and receive data over the internet, wherein the buffer logic circuit comprises a video processor configured to process at least a portion of video data received from the DSS processing element, and wherein the buffer logic circuit is configured to facilitate communication between the DSS processing element and the internet processing element; the first processing element is configured to display, through the internet processing element, a graphical user interface displaying, on a single display screen, selectable representations of television programs that are currently being broadcast over the communication medium and selectable representations of television programs that are to be broadcast in the future, wherein the video file corresponds to one of the selectable representations that is currently selectable in the graphical user interface where the one of the selectable representations corresponds to a date and time indicated in the graphical user interface, the first processing element is configured to display a first television program on the television in response to a user selecting a selectable representation of a first television program if the first television program has been received from the communication medium, the first processing element is configured to display a first graphic image on the television and additional textual information about the content of the first television program in response to the user selecting the selectable representation of the first television program corresponding to and intended to be played back at the specific time and date indicated in the graphical user interface and corresponding to the selectable representation if the first television program has not been received from the communication medium; wherein the first processing element is configured to update the video file stored in the computer readable medium such that the updated video file corresponds to the one of the selectable representations that is currently selectable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of displaying information to a user via a television, comprising the steps of:
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receiving, through a digital satellite system (DSS) processing element, programming broadcasted over and received from a communication medium; receiving, through an internet processing element data over the internet; facilitating, through a buffer logic circuit, a transfer of commands and at least some of the programming between the DSS processing element and the internet processing element; processing, through a video processor of the buffer logic circuit, at least a portion of data received from the DSS processing element providing processed video data and forwarding the processed video data to the internet processing element; displaying, through the internet processing element, a graphical user interface on the television, the graphical user interface displaying on a single display screen selectable representations of television programs that are currently being broadcast over communication medium and selectable representations of television programs that are to be broadcast over the communication medium in the future; receiving a video file, wherein the video file corresponds to one of the selectable representations of television programs that is currently selectable in the graphical user interface where the one of the selectable representations corresponds to a specific television program corresponding to a specific date and time identified in the graphical user interface and intended to be played back at the specified date and time; storing the video file on a computer readable medium, wherein a graphic image is displayed in response to an execution of the video file; receiving a request for a television program based on a user'"'"'s interaction with the graphical user interface; displaying additional textual information about the content of the television program on the television; displaying a first graphic image on the television in the graphical user interface if the request for the television program is received before the television program is broadcast over the communication medium; displaying the television program on the television in the graphical user interface if the request for the television program is received while the television program is being broadcast; updating the stored video file such that the updated video file corresponds to the one of the selectable representations that is currently selectable and corresponds to the specific date and time that the corresponding television program is intended to be played back; displaying a planner option; and displaying a planner screen in response to detecting a selection of the planner option that displays multiple time periods, and further displays, within the multiple time periods and according to times corresponding to playback times, programs previously selected by a user to be purchased and programs previously selected by a user to be recorded, and further distinguishes between the programs selected to be purchased and the programs selected to be recorded. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. An apparatus for displaying information to a user via a television, comprising:
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a digital satellite system (DSS) processing element configured to receive programming broadcasted over and received from a communication medium; an internet processing element configured to receive data over the internet; a buffer logic circuit comprising a video processor configured to process at least a portion of the programming received from the DSS processing element, and wherein the buffer logic circuit is configured to facilitate a transfer of commands and at least some of the programming between the DSS processing element and the internet processing element; means for displaying, through the internet processing element, a graphical user interface on the television, the graphical user interface displaying on a single display screen selectable representations of television programs of the programming that are currently being broadcast over the communication medium and selectable representations of television programs that are to be broadcast over the communication medium in the future; means for receiving a video file, wherein the video file corresponds to one of the selectable representations of television programs that is currently selectable in the graphical user interface; means for storing the video file on a computer readable medium, wherein a graphic image is displayed in response to an execution of the video file; means for receiving a request for a television program based on a user'"'"'s interaction with the graphical user interface; means for displaying additional textual information about the content of the television program on the television; means for displaying a first graphic image on the television in the graphical user interface if the request for the television program is received before the television program is broadcast over the communication medium; means for displaying the television program on the television in the graphical user interface if the request for the television program is received while the television program is being broadcast; means for updating the stored video file such that the updated video file corresponds to the one of the selectable representations that is currently selectable where the one of the selectable representations corresponds to a specific date and time identified in graphical user interface identifying a specific date and time for which the corresponding television program is intended to be played back; means for displaying a planner option; and means for displaying a planner screen in response to detecting a selection of the planner option that displays multiple time periods, and further displays, within the multiple time periods and according to times corresponding to playback times, programs previously selected by a user to be purchased and programs previously selected by a user to be recorded, and further distinguishes between the programs selected to be purchased and the programs selected to be recorded.
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43. A method of displaying information to a user via a television, comprising the steps of:
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receiving, through a digital satellite system (DSS) processing element, programming broadcasted over and received from a communication medium; receiving, through an internet processing element data over the internet; facilitating, through a buffer logic circuit, a transfer of commands and at least some of the programming between the DSS processing element and the internet processing element; processing, through a video processor of the buffer logic circuit, at least a portion of data received from the DSS processing element providing processed data and forwarding the processed data to the internet processing element; displaying, through the internet processing element, an electronic program guide on the television, the electronic program guide displaying selectable representations of television programs of the programming that are currently being broadcast over the communication medium and selectable representations of television programs that are to be broadcast in the future over the communication medium in a single display screen of the electronic program guide; receiving a graphic image related to a representation of a television program corresponding to a specific date and time as designated in the electronic program guide and further corresponding to a specific television program intended to be played back at the specific date and time; storing the graphic image; receiving a request for a television program based on a users interaction with the electronic program guide; displaying additional textual information about the content of the television program in the single display screen of the electronic program guide on the television; and in the event that the request for the television program is received before the television program is broadcast over the communication medium, displaying the graphic image on the television in the single display screen of the electronic program guide; in the event that the request for the television program is received when the television program is being broadcast over the communication medium, displaying the television program in the single display screen of the electronic program guide; wherein the electronic program guide screen is adapted to display the graphic image if the user request for the television program occurs before the television program is broadcast while not displaying any graphic images corresponding to ones of the selectable television programs actively displayed within the single display screen of the electronic program guide that have not been requested; periodically updating the stored graphic image; displaying a user interface comprising a mail listing, wherein the mail listing comprises a list of electronic mail messages directed to the user; displaying a planner option; and displaying a planner screen in response to detecting a selection of the planner option that displays multiple time periods, and further displays, within the multiple time periods and according to times corresponding to playback times, programs previously selected by a user to be purchased and programs previously selected by a user to be recorded, and further distinguishes between the programs selected to be purchased and the programs selected to be recorded. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. An apparatus for displaying information to a user via a television, comprising:
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a digital satellite system (DSS) processing element configured to receive programming broadcasted over and received from a communication medium; an internet processing element configured to receive data over the internet; a buffer logic circuit comprising a video processor configured to process at least a portion of the programming received from the DSS processing element, wherein the buffer logic circuit is configured to facilitate a transfer of commands and at least some of the programming between the DSS processing element and the internet processing element; means for displaying, through the internet processing element, an electronic program guide on the television, the electronic program guide displaying selectable representations of television programs of the programming that are currently being broadcast over the communication medium and selectable representations of television programs that are to be broadcast in the future over the communication medium in a single display screen of the electronic program guide; means for receiving a graphic image related to a representation of a television program corresponding to a specific date and time as designated in the electronic program guide and further corresponding to a specific television program intended to be played back at the specific date and time; means for storing the graphic image; means for receiving a request for a television program based on a user'"'"'s interaction with the electronic program guide; means for displaying additional textual information about the content of the television program in the single display screen of the electronic program guide on the television; and in the event that the request for the television program is received before the television program is broadcast over the communication medium, means for displaying the graphic image on the television in the single display screen of the electronic program guide; in the event that the request for the television program is received when the television program is being broadcast over the communication medium, means for displaying the television program in the single display screen of the electronic program guide; wherein the electronic program guide screen is adapted to display the graphic image if the user request for the television program occurs before the television program is broadcast while not displaying any graphic images corresponding to ones of the selectable television programs actively displayed within the single display screen of the electronic program guide that have not been requested; means for periodically updating the stored graphic image; means for displaying a user interface comprising a mail listing, wherein the mail listing comprises a list of electronic mail messages directed to the user; means for displaying a planner option; and means for displaying a planner screen in response to detecting a selection of the planner option that displays multiple time periods, and further displays, within the multiple time periods and according to times corresponding to playback times, programs previously selected by a user to be purchased and programs previously selected by a user to be recorded, and further distinguishes between the programs selected to be purchased and the programs selected to be recorded.
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49. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing executable instructions that when executed by a processor causes the processor to implement the following steps, comprising:
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receiving, through a digital satellite system (DSS) processing element, programming broadcasted over and received from a communication medium; receiving, through an internet processing element data over the internet; facilitating, through a buffer logic circuit, a transfer of commands and at least some of the programming between the DSS processing element and the internet processing element; processing, through a video processor of the buffer logic circuit, at least a portion of data received from the DSS processing element providing processed video data and forwarding the processed video data to the internet processing element; displaying a graphical user interface for display on a television, the graphical user interface comprising; an electronic program guide screen adapted to be displayed on the television; a first portion of the electronic program guide screen adapted to display selectable television programs of the programming that are currently being broadcast over the communication medium and selectable television programs that are to be broadcast in the future over the communication medium; a second portion of the electronic program guide screen adapted to display additional textual information about the content of a television program, the television program requested by a user;
a third portion of the electronic program guide screen adapted to display the television program if a user request for the television program occurs while the television program is being broadcast; andthe third portion of the electronic program guide screen adapted to display a graphic image stored on a computer readable medium if the user request for the television program occurs before the television program is broadcast, the graphic image related to the requested television program, wherein the stored graphic image is periodically updated; wherein the electronic program guide screen is adapted to display the graphic image if the user request for the television program corresponding to a specific date and time as identified in the electronic program guide screen and intended to be played back at the specific date and time occurs before the television program is broadcast while not displaying any graphic images corresponding to ones of the selectable television programs actively displayed within the electronic program guide screen that have not been requested; and a user interface comprising a mail listing, wherein the mail listing comprises a list of electronic mail messages directed to the user; and a planner screen displayed in response to detecting a selection of a planner option, wherein the planner screen displays multiple time periods, and further displays, within the multiple time periods and according to times corresponding to playback times, programs previously selected by a user to be purchased and programs previously selected by a user to be recorded, and further distinguishes between the programs selected to be purchased and the programs selected to be recorded. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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Specification