Electronic television program guide with calendar tool
US6742184B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 24, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 25, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/84
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is described by an electronic program guide with a calendar tool, and a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving the electronic program guide. The apparatus includes a transmission station and a plurality of receiver stations. The transmission station creates program guide data that is in an “object” format. The transmission station combines the program guide objects with digital audio and video television signals, and transmits an output stream to the plurality of receiver stations. Each of the plurality of receiver stations stores electronic program guide objects. Using data from the electronic program guide objects, the plurality of receiver stations generate a listing of television program representations, and a calendar image separate from and adjacent to the plurality of television program representations. The calendar image includes a selection indicator for selecting a date and time, and includes a plurality of program indicators that provide indications of the dates on which a set of television programs will be broadcast.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.