Patent · US Active

Methods and apparatus for providing electronic program guides

US8381246B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
5References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 20, 2010
Grant dateFeb 19, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 10, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N21/4314
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method of generating on a display device an electronic program guide for broadcast channels. Electronic program guide information for a plurality of broadcast channels is received at an electronic terminal from a broadcast media server. The electronic program guide information includes live video streams and/or snapshot pictures from programs that are presently being broadcast on a plurality of broadcast channels. A graphical arrangement of a plurality of objects is generated on the display device. Each of the objects is associated with a different one of the broadcast channels. The live video stream and/or the snapshot picture from the program that is presently being broadcast on the associated broadcast channel is displayed on a defined surface of each of the associated objects. A three-dimensional graphical arrangement may be generated from the objects. Each of the objects may extend with a respective virtual depth into the display device that is controlled to indicate to a user how much time remains in the program that is presently being broadcast on the associated broadcast channel. Related electronic terminals and media servers are disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.