Patent · US Active

Server-centric customized interactive program guide in an interactive television environment

US8578419B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
474References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 16, 2005
Grant dateNov 5, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 31, 2028

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 embodiment, selections indicative of a set of channels to be included in the custom-IPG are received. In response, one or more custom-IPG screens including the set of selected channels are rendered at a headend. 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. Commands indicative of a particular location at which to overlay the custom-IPG screens may also be received, and the custom-IPG screens are re-rendered at the indicated location. Custom-IPG screens can be overlaid on a video sequence provided on a particular channel being viewed, used to carry regular program guide, or a channel independent of the channel used to carry regular programming and program guide.

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