Systems, methods, and apparatus for associating applications with an electronic program guide
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- generating, by a data server, an electronic program guide comprising television schedule information organized in a grid by time and channel, wherein the electronic program guide is presented to a user by an electronic program guide application executed by a programming processing component associated with the user;
associating, by the data server with an entry in the grid of the electronic program guide, a second application different from the electronic program guide application, wherein the association comprises embedding entirely the second application comprising executable instructions in a data file that includes the electronic program guide presented to the user, wherein the executable instructions are executable by the programming processing component to execute the second application based at least in part upon the user selecting the entry; and
directing, by the data server, the data file for receipt by the programming processing component.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for associating applications with an electronic program guide are provided. An electronic program guide that includes television schedule information organized in a grid by time and channel may be generated. The electronic program guide may be configured for presentation to a user by an electronic program guide application executed by a programming processing component associated with the user. A second application different from the electronic program guide application may be associated with an entry in the grid of the electronic program guide. The second application may be configured for execution by the programming processing component based at least in part upon the user selecting the entry. Once generated, the electronic program guide may be output for receipt by the programming processing component.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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generating, by a data server, an electronic program guide comprising television schedule information organized in a grid by time and channel, wherein the electronic program guide is presented to a user by an electronic program guide application executed by a programming processing component associated with the user; associating, by the data server with an entry in the grid of the electronic program guide, a second application different from the electronic program guide application, wherein the association comprises embedding entirely the second application comprising executable instructions in a data file that includes the electronic program guide presented to the user, wherein the executable instructions are executable by the programming processing component to execute the second application based at least in part upon the user selecting the entry; and directing, by the data server, the data file for receipt by the programming processing component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 20, 21)
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10. A data server, comprising:
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at least one communications interface configured to communicate an electronic program guide to a programming processing component associated with a user, wherein the electronic program guide is presented to the user by an electronic program guide application executed by the programming processing component; and at least one processor configured to (i) generate the electronic program guide, the guide comprising television schedule information organized in a grid by time and channel, (ii) associate, with an entry in the grid, a second application different from the electronic program guide application, wherein the association comprises embedding entirely the second application comprising executable instructions in a data file that includes the electronic program guide presented to the user, wherein the executable instructions are executable by the programming processing component to execute the second application based at least in part upon the user selecting the entry, and (iii) direct the at least one communications interface to communicate the data file to the programming processing component. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A programming processing component comprising:
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at least one communications interface configured to receive a data file comprising (i) electronic program guide data, the electronic program guide data comprising television schedule information that is organized in a grid by time and channel for presentation to a user, and (ii) an entire second application comprising executable instructions different from an electronic program guide application associated with the programming processing component, wherein the executable instructions are executable by the programming processing component to execute the second application; at least one user interface configured to receive user input associated with a displayed grid associated with the electronic program guide data; and at least one processor configured to execute the electronic program guide application which (i) formats the grid for display to the user, wherein an entry of the grid is associated with the second application, (ii) outputs the grid for display to the user, and (iii) receives a user selection of the entry of the grid, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the second application based upon the received user selection.
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Specification