System and method for dynamic electronic program guide (EPG) data downloads
US8245257B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/482
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Set top boxes (STBs) query a source of electronic program guide (EPG) data to request only the EPG data that it needs. Thus, instead of downloading the entire set of EPG data, the STBs query the source for only a limited amount of EPG data, such as data for the next 2-3 hours of programming. STBs can dynamically request additional EPG data if it needs to do so while a user is perusing the EPG, such as when the user requests additional EPG data that may not have been previously downloaded. Updates and corrections to pieces of EPG data can be efficiently made and sent to the STB, when that EPG data is needed, rather than being sent only during regularly scheduled times along with the entire set of EPG data.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.