Server-centric customized interactive program guide in an interactive television environment
US6904610B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 27, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 7, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 3, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N5/45
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Techniques to create, generate, and deliver customized interactive program guide (custom-IPG). In one method, selections indicative of a set of channels to be included in the custom-IPG are received. In response, one or more custom-IPG screens having included therein the set of selected channels are rendered at a head end. The custom-IPG screens can be formed as subsets of the regular IPG screens, or as new screens. The rendered custom-IPG screens are provided from the head end to a set top terminal upon receiving a viewer request for the custom-IPG. Command indicative of a particular location at which to overlay the custom-IPG screens may also be received. In this case, the custom-IPG screens are re-rendered at the indicated location. The custom-IPG screens can be overlaid on a video sequence provided on a particular channel, which can be the channel currently being viewed, the channel used to carry regular program guide, or a channel that is independent of the channels used to carry regular programming and program guide. For example, either the custom or regular IPG can be provided on the program guide channel, depending on the viewer's selection.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.