Set top terminal for generating an interactive electronic program guide for use with television delivery system
First Claim
1. A terminal comprising:
- an interface configured to receive a signal comprising video programs and digital audio programs;
program reception circuitry configured to extract and present the video programs received in the signal;
a hardware upgrade port configured to output the digital audio programs received in the signal to upgrade circuitry simultaneously with the presentation of the video programs, wherein the upgrade circuitry is external to the terminal and wherein the outputted digital audio programs are compressed and presentable by the upgrade circuitry independent from and uncorrelated to the presentation of the video programs;
a processor; and
memory storing computer readable instructions, that when executed by the processor, cause the terminal to generate an electronic program guide for controlling display of content on a video screen, the guide comprising a plurality of menus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A set top terminal is disclosed for use with a television delivery system. The terminal receives a television signal and extracts from the signal individual programs for display on a user'"'"'s television associated with the terminal. The terminal receives a selection of a program or interactive feature from an interactive electronic program guide displayed on the television. An interactive electronic program guide is disclosed for use with a television delivery system. The guide includes a plurality of interconnected menus having display information. The guide also includes a cursor controlled by the user input device for sequencing through the menus and selecting a menu item. The menus include an introductory menu displayed when the guide is started, a main menu that allows access to program submenus and interactive submenus, and during program menus. The during program menus include both overlay menus that are displayed during a program and hidden menus that are not displayed. The interactive features of the guide include a logo displayed during a program indicating that interactive features are available for the program. Upon user selection, a menu of the interactive features is displayed during the program as an overlay window. Interactive features include, for example, additional information related to the program, quizzes, facts, etc. Upon selection of an interactive feature, the feature is displayed in a menu during the program.
357 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A terminal comprising:
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an interface configured to receive a signal comprising video programs and digital audio programs; program reception circuitry configured to extract and present the video programs received in the signal; a hardware upgrade port configured to output the digital audio programs received in the signal to upgrade circuitry simultaneously with the presentation of the video programs, wherein the upgrade circuitry is external to the terminal and wherein the outputted digital audio programs are compressed and presentable by the upgrade circuitry independent from and uncorrelated to the presentation of the video programs; a processor; and memory storing computer readable instructions, that when executed by the processor, cause the terminal to generate an electronic program guide for controlling display of content on a video screen, the guide comprising a plurality of menus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 24)
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9. A terminal comprising:
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an interface configured to receive a signal comprising a composite data stream; program reception circuitry configured to extract and present video programs and program control information received in the composite data stream; a hardware upgrade port configured to output digital audio programs received in the composite data stream to upgrade circuitry simultaneously with the presentation of the video programs, wherein the upgrade circuitry is external to the terminal and wherein the outputted digital audio programs are compressed and presentable by the upgrade circuitry independent from and uncorrelated to the presentation of the video programs; a processor; and memory storing computer readable instructions, that when executed by the processor, cause the terminal to generate an electronic program guide for controlling display of content on a video screen, the guide comprising; a plurality of menus, wherein at least one of the menus comprises the program control information; a logo that is displayed with a presented video program in response to the presented video program having an interactive feature; and an overlay menu that is displayed with the presented video program in response to a user selection received by the terminal, the overlay menu including the interactive feature. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A terminal comprising:
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an interface configured to receive a signal comprising a composite data stream; program reception circuitry configured to extract and present video programs received in the composite data stream; a hardware upgrade port configured to output digital audio channels received in the composite data stream to upgrade circuitry simultaneous to the presentation of the video programs, wherein the upgrade circuitry is external to the terminal and wherein the upgrade circuitry tunes, decompresses, and presents the audio channels independent from and uncorrelated to the presentation of the video programs; a processor; and memory storing computer readable instructions, that when executed by the processor, cause the terminal to generate an electronic program guide for controlling display of content on a video screen, the guide comprising a plurality of menus. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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25. A method comprising:
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receiving, at a terminal, a signal comprising a plurality of channels; extracting, at the terminal, a video channel from the signal; outputting, from the terminal, a presentation signal including the video channel for display; extracting program control information from the signal; outputting, from the terminal to external circuitry, compressed audio channels received in the signal, wherein the outputted audio channels are uncorrelated to the video channel, wherein the upgrade circuitry is external to the terminal, and wherein the external circuitry tunes and decompresses the audio channels remotely and independently from the presentation of the video channel; and outputting on the presentation signal a plurality of program menus, wherein at least one of the menus comprises the program control information. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification