Interactive television program guide with remote access

• US 9,204,184 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2011
• Issued: 12/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: UV Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Ellis, Michael D., Thomas, William L., Hassell, Joel G., Lemmons, Thomas R., Berezowski, David M., Knee, Robert A., McCoy, Robert H.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUYNH, AN SON PHI
• Application Number:
  US13/195,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20120060189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,583 Days
• Field of Search: 725 39- 46
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26283 for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• 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 21/4227 Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• 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 21/44224 Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• 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 21/47214 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 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• 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 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• 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 21/4826 using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 : for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 : IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8126 : involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 : for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

An interactive television program guide with remote access is provided. The interactive television program guide is implemented on interactive television program guide equipment. A remote program guide access device is connected to the interactive television program guide equipment by a remote access link to provide a user with remote access to program guide functions. An interactive television program guide system based on multiple user television equipment devices in a single household is provided. The system provides a user with an opportunity to adjust program guide settings with a given one of the interactive television program guides. Program guide setting include features related to setting program reminders, profiles, program recording features, messaging features, favorites features, parental control features, program guide set up features (e.g., audio and video and language settings), etc.

Claims

1. A method for using an interactive media guide system by communicating data over an Internet communications path, the method comprising:

receiving, with a first user equipment device, a user input from a user selecting a video identifier from a first plurality of video identifiers being displayed by a first interactive media guide on a first electronic display device for scheduling a recording, the first interactive media guide being implemented on the first user equipment device, the first electronic display device and the first user equipment device being located at a same first location associated with the user, wherein the first plurality of video identifiers are generated for display on the first electronic display device by control circuitry of the first user equipment device, the same first location being remote from a user'"'"'s home;

in response to receiving the user input selecting the video identifier, communicating an indication associated with the video identifier selected by the user,

from the first user equipment device over the Internet communications path, for receipt by a second user equipment device;

receiving by a second interactive media guide implemented on the second user equipment device, data corresponding to the indication communicated over the Internet communication path;

in response to receiving the data corresponding to the indication communicated over the Internet communication path, the second interactive media guide identifies and selects the video identifier as one of a second plurality of video identifiers for inclusion in an interactive media guide display for display on a second electronic display device, the second electronic display device being coupled to the second user equipment device;

after identifying and selecting the video identifier as one of the second plurality of video identifiers, generating for display by the second electronic display device, by control circuitry of the second user equipment device, the interactive media guide display; and

tuning to and recording, by the second user equipment device, video content associated with the selected video identifier, based on the data corresponding to the indication received over the Internet communications path, wherein;

the first interactive media guide is interactive independently of the second interactive media guide, the video identifier is selected by the user input prior to the interactive media guide display being displayed on the second electronic display device, the second user equipment device and the second electronic display device are located within a same second location associated with the user, the first electronic display device is different from the second electronic display device, the same second location is within the user'"'"'s home, and the same second location is remote from the same first location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user equipment device is a user equipment device of a first type and the second user equipment device is user equipment device of a second type.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device is a user television equipment, personal computer, handheld computer, handheld video player, personal digital assistant (PDA), or cellular telephone.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a display of content on one of a plurality of user equipment devices in a format that is appropriate for the one of the plurality of user equipment devices, wherein the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device are respective ones of the plurality of user equipment devices.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the interactive media guide display for display on the second electronic display device comprises at least one of generated interactive content, video schedule data, video information, and advertisements.

6. An interactive media guide system that communicates data over an Internet communications path, the system comprising:

a first user equipment device for receiving a user input from a user selecting a video identifier from a first plurality of video identifiers being displayed by a first interactive media guide on a first electronic display device for scheduling a recording, the first interactive media guide being implemented on the first user equipment device, the first electronic display device and the first user equipment device being located at a same first location associated with the user, wherein the first plurality of video identifiers are generated for display on the first electronic display device by control circuitry of the first user equipment device, the same first location being remote from a user'"'"'s home, wherein;

the first user equipment device communicates an indication associated with the video identifier selected by the user, in response to receiving the user input selecting the video identifier,

over the Internet communications path, for receipt by a second user equipment device;

the second user equipment device, on which a second interactive media guide is implemented, receives data corresponding to the indication communicated over the Internet communications path;

in response to receiving the data corresponding to the indication communicated over the Internet communications path, the second interactive media guide identifies and selects the video identifier as one of a second plurality of video identifiers for inclusion in an interactive media guide display for display on a second electronic display device, the second electronic display device being coupled to the second user equipment device;

control circuitry of the second user equipment device generates the interactive media guide display, for display by the second electronic display device, after identifying and selecting the video identifier as one of the second plurality of video identifiers;

the second user equipment device tunes to and records video content associated with the selected video identifier based on the data corresponding to the indication received over the Internet communications path; and

the first interactive media guide is interactive independently of the second interactive media guide, the video identifier is selected by the user input prior to the interactive media guide display being displayed on the second electronic display device, the second user equipment device and the second electronic display device are located within a same second location associated with the user, the first electronic display device is different from the second electronic display device, the same second location is within the user'"'"'s home, and the same second location is remote from the same first location.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first user equipment device is a user equipment device of a first type and the second user equipment device is user equipment device of a second type.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device is a user television equipment, personal computer, handheld computer, handheld video player, personal digital assistant (PDA), or cellular telephone.

9. The system of claim 6 further comprising generating a display of content on one of a plurality of user equipment devices in a format that is appropriate for the one of the plurality of user equipment devices, wherein the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device are respective ones of the plurality of user equipment devices.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the interactive media guide for display on the second electronic display device comprises at least one of generated interactive content, video schedule data, video information, and advertisements.

11. A method for using an interactive media guide system by communicating data over an Internet communications path, the method comprising:

receiving, with a first user equipment device on which a first interactive media guide is implemented, a user input from a user selecting a video identifier from a first plurality of video identifiers being displayed by the first interactive media guide on a first electronic display device for scheduling a recording, the first electronic display device and the first user equipment device being located at a same first location associated with the user, wherein the first plurality of video identifiers are generated for display on the first electronic display device by control circuitry of the first user equipment device, the same first location being remote from a user'"'"'s home, the video identifier being selected by the user input prior to a second interactive media guide display being displayed on a second electronic display device, the second electronic display device being coupled to a second user equipment device, a second interactive media guide being implemented on the second user equipment device, and the first interactive media guide being interactive independently of the second interactive media guide; and

communicating, by the first user equipment device, an indication associated with the video identifier selected by the user, in response to receiving the user input selecting the video identifier, from the first user equipment device over the Internet communications path for receipt by the second user equipment device,

wherein;

the second interactive media guide receives, over the Internet communications path, data corresponding to the indication in response to receiving user input selecting the video identifier;

the second user equipment device tunes to and records video content associated with the selected video identifier based on the data corresponding to the indication received over the Internet communications path;

the second interactive media guide identifies and selects the video identifier as one of a second plurality of video identifiers for inclusion in the second interactive media guide display being displayed on the second electronic display device;

control circuitry of the second user equipment device generates, for display by the second electronic display device, the second interactive media guide display being displayed on the second electronic display device, after identifying and selecting the video identifier as one of the second plurality of video identifiers; and

the control circuitries of the first and the second user equipment devices output respective first and second information respectively to the first and second electronic display devices, the second user equipment device and the second electronic display device are located within a same second location associated with the user, the same second location is within the user'"'"'s home, and the same second location is remote from the same first location.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first user equipment device is a user equipment device of a first type and the second user equipment device is user equipment device of a second type.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device is a user television equipment, personal computer, handheld computer, handheld video player, personal digital assistant (PDA), or cellular telephone.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating a display of content on one of a plurality of user equipment devices in a format that is appropriate for the one of the plurality of user equipment devices, wherein the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device are respective ones of the plurality of user equipment devices.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the second interactive media guide display being displayed on the second electronic display device comprises at least one of generated interactive content, video schedule data, video information, and advertisements.

16. An interactive media guide system that communicates data over an Internet communications path, the system comprising:

a first user equipment device, on which a first interactive media guide is implemented, for;

receiving a user input from a user selecting a video identifier from a first plurality of video identifiers being displayed by the first interactive media guide on a first electronic display device for scheduling a recording, the first electronic display device and the first user equipment device being located at a same first location associated with the user, wherein the first plurality of video identifiers are generated for display on the first electronic display device by control circuitry of the first user equipment device, the same first location being remote from a user'"'"'s home, the video identifier being selected by the user input prior to a second interactive media guide display being displayed on a second electronic display device, the second electronic display device being coupled to a second user equipment device, a second interactive media guide being implemented on the second user equipment device, and the first interactive media guide being interactive independently of the second interactive media guide; and

communicating, by the first user equipment device, an indication associated with the video identifier selected by the user, in response to receiving the user input selecting the video identifier, from the first user equipment device over the Internet communications path for receipt by the second user equipment device,

wherein;

the second interactive media guide receives, over the Internet communications path, data corresponding to the indication in response to receiving user input selecting the video identifier;

the second user equipment device tunes to and records video content associated with the selected video identifier based on the data corresponding to the indication received over the Internet communications path;

the second interactive media guide identifies and selects the video identifier as one of a second plurality of video identifiers for inclusion in the second interactive media guide display being displayed on the second electronic display device;

control circuitry of the second user equipment device generates for display by the second electronic display device the second interactive media guide display being displayed on the second electronic display device, after identifying and selecting the video identifier as one of the second plurality of video identifiers; and

the control circuitries of the first and the second user equipment devices output respective first and second information respectively to the first and second electronic display devices, the second user equipment device and the second electronic display device are located within a same second location associated with the user, the same second location is within the user'"'"'s home, and the same second location is remote from the same first location.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first user equipment device is a user equipment device of a first type and the second user equipment device is user equipment device of a second type.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device is a user television equipment, personal computer, handheld computer, handheld video player, personal digital assistant (PDA), or cellular telephone.

19. The system of claim 16 further comprising generating a display of content on one of a plurality of user equipment devices in a format that is appropriate for the one of the plurality of user equipment devices, wherein the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device are respective ones of the plurality of user equipment devices.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the second interactive media guide display being displayed on the second electronic display device comprises at least one of generated interactive content, video schedule data, video information, and advertisements.

21. A method for using an interactive media guide system by communicating data over an Internet communications path, the method comprising:

receiving, from a first user equipment device on which a first interactive media guide is implemented, a user input from a user selecting a video identifier from a first plurality of video identifiers being displayed by the first interactive media guide on a first electronic display device for scheduling a recording, the first electronic display device and the first user equipment device being located at a same first location associated with the user, wherein the first plurality of video identifiers are generated for display on the first electronic display device by control circuitry of the first user equipment device, the same first location being remote from a user'"'"'s home, the video identifier being selected by the user input prior to a display of a second interactive media guide being displayed on a second electronic display device, the second electronic display device being coupled to a second user equipment device, a second interactive media guide being implemented on the second user equipment device, and the first interactive media guide being interactive independently of the second interactive media guide;

identifying and selecting the video identifier as one of a second plurality of video identifiers for inclusion in the second interactive media guide display being displayed on the second electronic display device;

communicating an indication associated with the video identifier selected by the user, for receipt over the Internet communications path by the second user equipment device, wherein;

control circuitry of the second user equipment device generates, for display by the second electronic display device, the second interactive media guide display;

the second user equipment device tunes to and records video content associated with the selected video identifier based on data corresponding to the indication communicated over the Internet communications path; and

causing the control circuitries of the first and the second user equipment devices to output respective first and second information respectively to the first and second electronic display devices, the second user equipment device and the second electronic display device are located within a same second location associated with the user, the same second location is within the user'"'"'s home, and the same second location is remote from the same first location.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the causing control circuitries of the first and the second user equipment devices to output respective first and second information comprises sending the respective first and second information from a server to the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device respectively.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the causing control circuitries of the first and the second user equipment devices to output respective first and second information comprises receiving the respective first and second information at the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device respectively from a server.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the first user equipment device is a user equipment device of a first type and the second user equipment device is user equipment device of a second type.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein at least one of the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device is a user television equipment, personal computer, handheld computer, handheld video player, personal digital assistant (PDA), or cellular telephone.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising generating a display of content on one of a plurality of user equipment devices in a format that is appropriate for the one of the plurality of user equipment devices, wherein the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device are respective ones of the plurality of user equipment devices.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the second interactive media guide display being displayed on the second electronic display device comprises at least one of generated interactive content, video schedule data, video information, and advertisements.

28. An interactive media guide system that communicates data over an Internet communications path, the system comprising:

control circuitry that;

receives, from a first user equipment device on which a first interactive media guide is implemented, a user input from a user selecting a video identifier from a first plurality of video identifiers being displayed by the first interactive media guide on a first electronic display device for scheduling a recording, the first electronic display device and the first user equipment device being located at a same first location associated with the user, wherein the first plurality of video identifiers are generated for display on the first electronic display device by control circuitry of the first user equipment device, the same first location being remote from a user'"'"'s home, the video identifier being selected by the user input prior to a display of a second interactive media guide being displayed on a second electronic display device, the second electronic display device being coupled to a second user equipment device, a second interactive media guide being implemented on the second user equipment device, and the first interactive media guide being interactive independently of the second interactive media guide;

identifies and selects the video identifier as one of a second plurality of video identifiers for inclusion in the second interactive media guide display being displayed on the second electronic display device;

communicates an indication associated with the video identifier selected by the user, for receipt over the Internet communications path by the second user equipment device, wherein;

control circuitry of the second user equipment device generates, for display by the second electronic display device, the second interactive media guide display;

the second user equipment device tunes to and records video content associated with the selected video identifier based on data corresponding to the indication communicated over the Internet communications path; and

causes the control circuitries of the first and the second user equipment devices to output respective first and second information respectively to the first and second electronic display devices, the second user equipment device and the second electronic display device are located within a same second location associated with the user, the same second location is within the user'"'"'s home, and the same second location is remote from the same first location.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the causing control circuitries of the first and the second user equipment devices to output respective first and second information comprises sending the respective first and second information from a server to the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device respectively.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the causing control circuitries of the first and the second user equipment devices to output respective first and second information comprises receiving the respective first and second information at the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device respectively from a server.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the first user equipment device is a user equipment device of a first type and the second user equipment device is user equipment device of a second type.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein at least one of the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device is a user television equipment, personal computer, handheld computer, handheld video player, personal digital assistant (PDA), or cellular telephone.

33. The system of claim 28, further comprising generating a display of content on one of a plurality of user equipment devices in a format that is appropriate for the one of the plurality of user equipment devices, wherein the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device are respective ones of the plurality of user equipment devices.

34. The system of claim 28, wherein the second interactive media guide display for display on the second electronic display device comprises at least one of generated interactive content, video schedule data, video information, and advertisements.