U.S. patent application number 13/173800 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-20 for interactive program guide system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rovi Technologies Corporation. Invention is credited to David M. Berezowski, Kenneth F. Carpenter, JR., Michael D. Ellis, Daniel C. Hagenbuch, W. Benjamin Herrington, Edward B. Knudson, Pamela L. McKissick, Steven J. Reynolds, Jeffrey A. Ross, David M. Rudnick, William L. Thomas, Steven C. Williamson.
Application Number | 20110258661 13/173800 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26807862 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110258661 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Knudson; Edward B. ; et
al. |
October 20, 2011 |
INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
An interactive television program guide system and method is
provided. Time separators are displayed within lists of program
listings to allow users to more easily view the program listings.
On-screen arrows have their display characteristics changed
according to user actions. Similar program listings are displayed
only once when using search program listings. Users are provided
with an opportunity to view channel information before setting
channels as favorites. Information from local information services
is provided in program guide display screens that are configurable
by a main facility. Users are provided with an opportunity to
centrally lock and unlock programs, and to bypass locks when
desired.
Inventors: |
Knudson; Edward B.;
(Littleton, CO) ; Ellis; Michael D.; (Boulder,
CO) ; Herrington; W. Benjamin; (Tulsa, OK) ;
Williamson; Steven C.; (Broken Arrow, OK) ;
McKissick; Pamela L.; (Tulsa, OK) ; Thomas; William
L.; (Malvern, PA) ; Berezowski; David M.;
(Tulsa, OK) ; Carpenter, JR.; Kenneth F.; (Mount
Laurel, NJ) ; Ross; Jeffrey A.; (Littleton, CO)
; Hagenbuch; Daniel C.; (Holland, PA) ; Reynolds;
Steven J.; (Littleton, CO) ; Rudnick; David M.;
(Denver, CO) |
Assignee: |
Rovi Technologies
Corporation
Santa Clara
CA
|
Family ID: |
26807862 |
Appl. No.: |
13/173800 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12632471 |
Dec 7, 2009 |
8001563 |
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13173800 |
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11788002 |
Apr 17, 2007 |
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12632471 |
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10929361 |
Aug 26, 2004 |
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11788002 |
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09357941 |
Jul 16, 1999 |
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10929361 |
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60110262 |
Nov 30, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/23614 20130101;
H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N 7/17318 20130101; H04N 21/4348 20130101;
H04N 21/478 20130101; H04N 7/17327 20130101; H04N 21/6547 20130101;
H04N 21/4755 20130101; H04N 21/8586 20130101; G06F 3/0482 20130101;
H04N 21/4542 20130101; H04N 21/488 20130101; H04N 5/44543 20130101;
H04N 21/42204 20130101; H04N 21/4828 20130101; H04N 21/812
20130101; H04N 21/4622 20130101; H04N 21/47211 20130101; H04N
21/47214 20130101; H04N 21/4135 20130101; H04N 21/4782 20130101;
H04N 21/4316 20130101; H04N 21/472 20130101; H04N 21/4532
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/39 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/445 20110101
H04N005/445 |
Claims
1-81. (canceled)
82. An interactive program guide system comprising: an interactive
program guide implemented on interactive program guide equipment
having user equipment, the interactive program guide configured to
auto-tune channels when a user indicates a desire to change
channels; and display at least a portion of the program listings
with the interactive program guide on the user equipment in a
program guide display screen.
83. The system of claim 82, wherein the interactive program guide
is further configured to: provide the user with an opportunity to
enter a predefined number of digits corresponding to desired
channel numbers.
84. The system of claim 83, wherein the interactive program guide
is further configured to: auto-tune channels when the user enters
channel numbers using at least the predefined number of digits.
85. The system of claim 84, wherein the predefined number of digits
is equal to 1.
86. The system of claim 84, wherein the predefined number of digits
is equal to 2.
87. The system of claim 82, wherein the interactive program guide
is further configured to: not auto-tune channels when the user
indicates a desire to change channels.
88. The system of claim 87, wherein the user indicates a desire to
change channels by entering at least a predefined number of digits
corresponding to desired channel numbers.
89. The system of claim 88, wherein the predefined number of digits
is equal to 1.
90. The system of claim 88, wherein the predefined number of digits
is equal to 2.
91. A method for use in an interactive program guide system
comprising the steps of: receiving program guide data comprising
program listings; and configuring an interactive program guide
implemented on interactive program guide equipment having user
equipment to auto-tune channels when a user indicates a desire to
change channels, and display at least a portion of the program
listings with the interactive program guide on the user equipment
in a program guide display screen.
92. The method of claim 91, wherein configuring the interactive
program guide includes: providing the user with an opportunity to
enter a predefined number of digits corresponding to desired
channel numbers.
93. The method of claim 92, wherein configuring the interactive
program guide includes: auto-tuning channels when the user enters
channel numbers using at least the predefined number of digits.
94. The method of claim 93, wherein the predefined number of digits
is equal to 1.
95. The method of claim 93, wherein the predefined number of digits
is equal to 2.
96. The method of claim 91, further comprising: configuring the
interactive program guide to not auto-tune channels when the user
indicates a desire to change channels.
97. The method of claim 96, wherein the user indicates a desire to
change channels by entering at least a predefined number of digits
corresponding to desired channel numbers.
98. The method of claim 97, wherein the predefined number of digits
is equal to 1.
99. The method of claim 97, wherein the predefined number of digits
is equal to 2.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application No. 60/110,262, filed Nov. 30, 1998.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to interactive television program
guide systems, and more particularly, to interactive television
program guide systems with enhanced features and user
interface.
[0003] Cable, satellite, and broadcast television systems provide
viewers with a large number of television channels. Users have
traditionally consulted printed television program schedules to
determine the programs being broadcast at a particular time. More
recently, interactive television program guides have been developed
that allow television program information to be displayed on a
user's television. Interactive television program guides, which are
typically implemented on set-top boxes, allow the user to navigate
through television program listings using a remote control. In a
typical program guide, various groups of television program
listings are displayed in predefined or user-selected categories.
Program listings are typically displayed in a grid or table.
[0004] Interactive television systems to this point have displayed
program related information in less than optimal ways. Some program
guides do not allow users to continue to watch television while
viewing program guide data. Other program guide systems display too
much data for the user at once, overwhelming the user.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an interactive television program guide system in which
users are provided with easier access to various program guide
functions through an enhanced user interface.
[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an interactive television program guide system in which users are
provided with the opportunity to access program related
information, and other information in new ways.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] These and other objects of the present invention are
accomplished in accordance with the principles of the present
invention by providing an interactive television program guide
system in which television program listings and other television
related information is displayed in a way that is visually pleasing
to users and that is user friendly. In addition, the electronic
television program guide of the present invention provides
functions that have not been provided before by other electronic
program guide systems.
[0008] In the electronic program guide system of the present
invention, a main facility (e.g., a satellite uplink facility)
provides data from a data source to a number of television
distribution facilities (e.g., a cable system headend, a broadcast
distribution facility, a satellite television distribution
facility, or any other suitable distribution facility). There may
be multiple data sources, some of which may be located at different
facilities and have their data provided to the main facility for
localization and distribution. The data transmitted by main
facility to television distribution facility includes television
programming data (e.g., titles, channels, content information,
rating information, or any other information associated with
television programming), and other program guide data for
additional services other than television program listings (e.g.,
weather information, associated Internet web links, computer
software, etc.).
[0009] The electronic program guide of the present invention may be
provided in systems in which program guide data is distributed from
a main facility to an interactive television program guide
implemented on user television equipment, via a television
distribution facility. Other suitable systems involve systems in
which data is distributed to a program guide on user television
equipment using other suitable distribution schemes, such as
schemes involving data transmission over the Internet or the like.
If desired, the interactive television program guide application
may be implemented using a client-server architecture in which the
primary processing power for the application is provided by a
server located at, for example, the television distribution
facility or the main facility and user television equipment acts as
a client processor.
[0010] Further features of the invention, its nature and various
advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and
the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative
system in accordance with the present invention.
[0012] FIGS. 2a-2d show illustrative arrangements for the
interactive program guide equipment of FIG. 1 in accordance with
the principles of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an illustrative schematic block diagram of a user
television equipment of FIGS. 2a-2d in accordance with the
principles of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a generalized schematic block diagram of portions
of the illustrative user television equipment of FIG. 3 in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
[0015] FIGS. 5a and 5b show illustrative "FLIP" overlays or banners
that the program guide may display when the user indicates a desire
to change television channels.
[0016] FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c show illustrative "BROWSE" overlays or
banners that the program guide may display in response to an
indication by a user to browse through program listings for a given
time slot.
[0017] FIG. 6b shows how a channel may be indicated as a favorite
in a BROWSE overlay.
[0018] FIG. 7 shows an illustrative music flip overlay that the
program guide may display when the user indicates a desire to
change channels to a digital music channel.
[0019] FIG. 8 shows an illustrative program guide display screen
for providing a user with access to title, track, and artist
information for a digital music channel.
[0020] FIG. 9 shows an illustrative program guide main menu screen
for providing a user with an opportunity to navigate through
program guide features.
[0021] FIG. 10 shows an illustrative program listings by time
screen.
[0022] FIGS. 11a and 11b show illustrative program listings by
channel screens.
[0023] FIGS. 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, and 12e show illustrative program
listings by category screens.
[0024] FIGS. 13a, 13b and 13c are illustrative program guide
display screens for providing a user with an opportunity to
textually search through program listings in various ways.
[0025] FIG. 14 shows a default display screen that may be displayed
by the program guide when the user indicates a desire to display a
listings screen for which there is no matching data.
[0026] FIGS. 15-16 are additional illustrative program guide
display screens for providing a user with access to a passive
electronic television program guide channel.
[0027] FIG. 17 shows another illustrative main menu screen for
providing a user with an opportunity to navigate through program
guide features.
[0028] FIGS. 18-22, and 24 show illustrative program guide display
screens for providing a user with access to pay-per-view, event,
premium offers, and adult listings.
[0029] FIG. 23 shows an illustrative program guide display screen
for providing a user with access to digital music channel
information.
[0030] FIG. 25 shows an illustrative free pay-per-view overlay for
providing a user with access to free pay-per-view previews.
[0031] FIGS. 26-29 show illustrative display screens with
informational overlays for providing a user with access to
information on channels, services, and programs that have not been
subscribed to by a user.
[0032] FIGS. 30-31 show illustrative program guide display screens
for providing a user with access to promotional channels.
[0033] FIG. 32 is another illustrative main menu screen for
providing a user with an opportunity to navigate through program
guide features.
[0034] FIGS. 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, and 33e show illustrative program
guide display screens for providing a user with access to local
information services.
[0035] FIGS. 34, 35, and 36 show illustrative program guide display
screens for providing a user with access to messaging features of
the program guide.
[0036] FIGS. 37-40 show illustrative program guide display screens
for providing a user with access to favorite channel features of
the program guide.
[0037] FIG. 41 is an illustrative program guide setup screen.
[0038] FIGS. 42-47 show illustrative program guide display screens
for providing a user with access to setting up various program
guide features.
[0039] FIGS. 48 and 49 show illustrative program guide display
screens for providing a user with an opportunity to select
languages for programming audio and program guide display screen
text.
[0040] FIGS. 50 and 51 show illustrative program guide display
screens for providing a user with an opportunity to set parental
control codes.
[0041] FIGS. 52-54 show illustrative program guide display screens
for providing a user with an opportunity to define parental control
criteria.
[0042] FIG. 55 shows an illustrative program guide display screen
for providing a user with an opportunity to turn off the bypass of
parental control locks.
[0043] FIGS. 56-65 show illustrative overlays for requiring a user
to enter a parental control code to access features of the program
guide.
[0044] FIG. 66 shows an illustrative overlay for providing a user
with an opportunity to lock by example.
[0045] FIG. 67 shows an illustrative overlay that the program guide
may display when a user has locked a maximum number of program
titles.
[0046] FIG. 68 shows an illustrative overlay for indicating to a
user that a program is locked and for prompting the user for a
parental control code.
[0047] FIGS. 69-76 show illustrative program guide display screens
for providing a user with access to programming, pay-per-view,
package, channel, and digital music information.
[0048] FIGS. 77a and 77b show illustrative phone ordering
information overlays.
[0049] FIGS. 78-93 show illustrative program guide display screens
for providing a user with access to program guide pay-per-view
program and package ordering functionality.
[0050] FIGS. 94-102 show illustrative program guide display screens
for providing a user with access to program guide reminder
functionality.
[0051] FIG. 103 shows an illustrative program guide display screen
for providing a user with access to in-band messages provided by
the system operator.
[0052] FIG. 104 shows an illustrative program guide display screen
for providing a user with access to help information.
[0053] FIGS. 105 and 106 show illustrative banners or overlays for
indicating to a user that the program guide has been deactivated by
a main facility or other interested entity.
[0054] FIGS. 107 and 108 are flowcharts of illustrative steps
involved in operating the program guide of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0055] An illustrative system 10 in accordance with the principles
of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. Main facility 12
provides program guide data from program guide data source 14 to
interactive television program guide equipment 17 via
communications link 18. There may be multiple program guide data
sources but only one has been shown to avoid overcomplicating the
drawing. If desired, program guide data sources may be located at
facilities separate from main facility 12, such as at local
information services 15, and have their data provided to main
facility 12 for localization and distribution. Data sources 14 may
be any suitable computer or computer based system for obtaining
data (e.g., manually from an operator, electronically via a
computer network or other connection, or via storage media) and
putting the data into electronic form for distribution by main
facility 12. Link 18 may be a satellite link, a telephone network
link, a cable or fiber optic link, a microwave link, an Internet
link, a combination of such links, or any other suitable
communications link. Video signals may also be transmitted over
link 18 if desired.
[0056] Local information service 15 may be any suitable facility
for obtaining data particular to a localized region and providing
the data to main facility 12 over communications link 41. Local
information source 41 may be, for example, a local weather station
that measures weather data, a local newspaper that obtains local
high school and college sporting information, or any other suitable
provider of information. Local information source 15 may be a local
business with a computer for providing main facility 12 with, for
example, local ski reports, fishing conditions, menus, etc., or any
other suitable provider of information. Link 41 may be a satellite
link, a telephone network link, a cable or fiber optic link, a
microwave link, an Internet link, a combination of such links, or
any other suitable communications link.
[0057] The program guide data transmitted by main facility 12 to
interactive television program guide equipment 17 may include
television programming data (e.g., program identifiers, times,
channels, titles, and descriptions) and other data for services
other than television program listings (e.g., help text,
pay-per-view information, weather information, sports information,
music channel information, associated Internet web links,
associated software, etc.). There are preferably numerous pieces or
installations of interactive television program guide equipment 17,
although only one is shown in FIG. 1 to avoid over-complicating the
drawing.
[0058] Program guide data may be transmitted by main facility 12 to
interactive television program guide equipment 17 using any
suitable approach. Data files may, for example, be encapsulated as
objects and transmitted using a suitable Internet based addressing
scheme and protocol stack (e.g., a stack which uses the user
datagram protocol (UDP) and Internet protocol (IP)). Systems in
which program guide data is transmitted from a main facility to
television distribution facilities are described, for example, in
Gollahon et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Jun.
11, 1999 (Attorney Docket No. UV-106), which is hereby incorporated
by reference herein in its entirety.
[0059] An interactive television program guide is implemented on
interactive television program guide equipment 17. Four
illustrative arrangements for interactive television program guide
equipment 17 are shown in FIGS. 2a-2d. As shown, interactive
television program guide equipment 17 may include program guide
distribution equipment 21 located at television distribution
facility 16, and user television equipment 22.
[0060] The interactive television program guide may run totally on
user television equipment 22 as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2c, or may
run partially on user television equipment 22 and partially on
interactive television program guide equipment 17 using a suitable
client-server or distributed processing approach as shown in FIGS.
2b and 2d. Television distribution facility 16 may be any suitable
distribution facility (e.g., a cable system headend, a broadcast
distribution facility, a satellite television distribution
facility, or any other suitable type of television distribution
facility). Television distribution facility 16 may have
distribution equipment 21.
[0061] Distribution equipment 21 of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d may be
any equipment suitable for providing program guide data to user
television equipment 22 over communications path 20. Distribution
equipment 21 may include, for example, suitable transmission
hardware for distributing program guide data on a television
channel sideband, in the vertical blanking interval of a television
channel, using an in-band digital signal, using an out-of-band
digital signal, or by any other suitable data transmission
technique. Analog or digital video signals (e.g., television
programs) may also be distributed by distribution equipment 21 to
user television equipment 22 over communications paths 20 on
multiple television channels.
[0062] Communications paths 20 may be any communications paths
suitable for distributing program guide data. Communications paths
20 may include, for example, a satellite link, a telephone network
link, a cable or fiber optic link, a microwave link, an Internet
link, a data-over-cable service interface specification (DOCSIS)
link, a combination of such links, or any other suitable
communications link. Communications paths 20 preferably have
sufficient bandwidth to allow television distribution facility 16
to distribute television programming to user television equipment
22. There are typically multiple pieces of user television
equipment 22 and multiple associated communications paths 20,
although only one piece of user television equipment 22 and
communications path 20 are shown in FIGS. 2a-2d to avoid over
complicating the drawings. If desired, television programming may
be provided over separate communications paths (not shown).
[0063] FIG. 2b shows an illustrative arrangement for interactive
television program guide equipment 17 in a client-server based or
distributed interactive program guide system. As shown in FIG. 2b,
distribution equipment 21 may include program guide server 25.
Program guide server 25 may be any suitable software, hardware, or
combination thereof for providing a client-server based program
guide. Program guide server 25 may, for example, run a suitable
database engine (e.g., SQL Server by Microsoft) and provide program
guide data in response to queries generated by a program guide
client implemented on user television equipment 22. If desired,
program guide server 25 may be located at main facility 12 (not
shown).
[0064] The program guide may retrieve program guide data from
program guide server 25 using any suitable client-server based
approach. The program guide may, for example, pass SQL requests as
messages to program guide server 25. In another suitable approach,
the program guide may invoke remote procedures that reside on
program guide server 25 using one or more remote procedure calls.
Program guide server 25 may execute SQL statements for such invoked
remote procedures. In still another suitable approach, client
objects executed by the program guide may communicate with server
objects executed by program guide server 25 using, for example, an
object request broker (ORB). This may involve using, for example,
Microsoft's Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) approach.
[0065] The program guide may communicate with program guide server
25 or Internet service system 61 over communications path 20 using
any suitable network and transport layer protocols, if desired. A
protocol stack may be used which includes, for example, Sequenced
Packet Exchange/Internetwork Packet Exchange (SPX/IPX) layers,
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) layers,
AppleTalk Transaction Protocol/Datagram Delivery Protocol (ATP/DDP)
layers, or any other suitable network and transport layer
protocols. If desired DOCSIS may also be used.
[0066] FIGS. 2c and 2d show illustrative Internet based interactive
television program guide systems. Television distribution facility
16 may, for example, include Internet service system 61. Internet
service system 61 may use any suitable combination of hardware and
software capable of providing program guide data to the guide using
an Internet based approach (e.g., the HyperText Transfer Protocol
(HTTP)). If desired, Internet service system 61 may be located at a
facility that is separate from program guide distribution facility
16.
[0067] If the program guide is implemented on user television
equipment 22 of interactive television program guide equipment 17
as shown in FIG. 2c, Internet service system 61 (or other suitable
equipment at program guide distribution facility 16 that is
connected to Internet service system 61) may provide program guide
data to user television equipment 22 via the Internet, or via
program guide distribution equipment 21 using any suitable
Internet-based approach (e.g., using the HyperText Transfer
Protocol (HTTP) or File Transfer Protocol (FTP) over a Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) type link). If the
program guide implemented on interactive television program guide
equipment 17 is a client-server guide as shown in FIG. 2d, program
guide server 25 may obtain program guide data from Internet service
system 61. The program guide may also, however, obtain program
guide data from Internet service system 61 via an Internet
connection.
[0068] In still another embodiment, distribution equipment 21 may
include suitable hardware (not shown) on which a first portion or
version of the interactive television program guide is implemented.
A second portion or version of the program guide may be implemented
on user television equipment 22. The two versions or portions of
the interactive program guide may communicate using any suitable
peer-to-peer communications scheme (e.g., messaging, remote
procedure calls, etc.) and perform interactive program guide
functions distributively between television distribution facility
16 and user television equipment 22.
[0069] An illustrative arrangement for user television equipment 22
is shown in FIG. 3. User television equipment 22 of FIG. 3 receives
video or a digital video stream and data from television
distribution facility 16 (FIG. 1) at input 26. During normal
television viewing, a user tunes set-top box 28 to a desired
television channel. The signal for that television channel is then
provided at video output 30. The signal supplied at output 30 is
typically either a radio-frequency (RF) signal on a predefined
channel (e.g., channel 3 or 4), or a analog demodulated video
signal, but may also be a digital signal provided to television 36
on an appropriate digital bus (e.g., a bus using the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 standard, (not
shown)). The video signal at output 30 is received by optional
secondary storage device 32.
[0070] The interactive television program guide may run on set-top
box 28, on television 36 (if television 36 has suitable processing
circuitry and memory), on a suitable analog or digital receiver
connected to television 36, or on digital storage device 31 if
digital storage device 31 has suitable processing circuitry and
memory. The interactive television program guide may also run
cooperatively on a suitable combination of these devices.
Interactive television application systems in which a cooperative
interactive television program guide application runs on multiple
devices are described, for example, in Ellis U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/186,598, filed Nov. 5, 1998, which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0071] Secondary storage device 32 can be any suitable type of
analog or digital program storage device or player (e.g., a
videocassette recorder, a digital versatile disc (DVD) player,
etc.). Program recording and other features may be controlled by
set-top box 28 using control math 34. If secondary storage device
32 is a videocassette recorder, for example, a typical control path
34 involves the use of an infrared transmitter coupled to the
infrared receiver in the videocassette recorder that normally
accepts commands from a remote control such as remote control 40.
Remote control 40 may be used to control set-top box 28, secondary
storage device 32, and television 36.
[0072] If desired, a user may record programs, program guide data,
or a combination thereof in digital form on optional digital
storage device 31. Digital storage device 31 may be a writeable
optical storage device (such as a DVD player capable of handling
recordable DVD discs), a magnetic storage device (such as a disk
drive or digital tape), or any other digital storage device.
Interactive television program guide systems that have digital
storage devices are described, for example, in Hassell et al. U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/157,256, filed Sep. 17, 1998, which
is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0073] Digital storage device 31 can be contained in set-top box 28
or it can be an external device connected to set-top box 28 via an
output port and appropriate interface. Digital storage device 31
may, for example, be contained in local media server 29. If
necessary, processing circuitry in set-top box 28 formats the
received video, audio and data signals into a digital file format.
Preferably, the file format is an open file format such as the
Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) MPEG-2 standard or the Moving
Joint Photographic Experts Group (MJPEG) standard. The resulting
data is streamed to digital storage device 31 via an appropriate
bus (e.g., a bus using the Institute Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) 1394 standard), and is stored on digital storage
device 31. In another suitable approach, an MPEG-2 data stream or
series of files may be received from distribution equipment 21 and
stored.
[0074] Television 36 receives video signals from secondary storage
device 32 via communications path 38. The video signals on
communications path 38 may either be generated by secondary storage
device 32 when playing back a prerecorded storage medium (e.g., a
videocassette or a recordable digital video disc), by digital
storage device 31 when playing back a pre-recorded digital medium,
may be passed through from set-top box 28, may be provided directly
to television 36 from set-top box 28 if secondary storage device 32
is not included in user television equipment 22, or may be received
directly by television 36. During normal television viewing, the
video signals provided to television 36 correspond to the desired
channel to which a user has tuned with set-top box 28. Video
signals may also be provided to television 36 by set-top box 28
when set-top box 28 is used to play back information stored on
digital storage device 31.
[0075] Set-top box 28 may have memory 44. Memory 44 may be any
memory or other storage device, such as a random access memory
(RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, a hard disk drive, a
combination of such devices, etc., that is suitable for storing
program guide application instructions and program guide data for
use by the program guide.
[0076] Set-top box 28 may have communications device 37 for
communicating directly with program guide server 25 or Internet
service system 61 over communications path 20. Communications
device 37 may be a modem (e.g., any suitable analog or digital
standard, cellular, or cable modem), network interface card (e.g.,
an Ethernet card, Token ring card, etc.), or other suitable
communications device. Communications device 37 may also be a
personal computer with an Internet connection in, for example, the
arrangement shown in FIGS. 2c and 2d. Television 36 may also have
such a suitable communications device if desired. In an alternative
approach, user television equipment 22 may communicate with
Internet service system 61 via distribution equipment 21 using a
suitable return path.
[0077] A more generalized embodiment of user television equipment
22 of FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, program guide
data from television distribution facility 16 (FIG. 1) is received
by control circuitry 42 of user television equipment 22. The
functions of control circuitry 42 may be provided using the set-top
box arrangement of FIGS. 2a and 2b. Alternatively, these functions
may be integrated into an advanced television receiver, personal
computer television (PC/TV), or any other suitable arrangement. If
desired, a combination of such arrangements may be used.
[0078] User television equipment 22 may also have secondary storage
device 47 and digital storage device 49 for recording programming.
Secondary storage device 47 can be any suitable type of analog or
digital program storage device (e.g., a videocassette recorder, a
digital versatile disc (DVD), etc.). Program recording and other
features may be controlled by control circuitry 42. Digital storage
device 49 may be, for example, a writeable optical storage device
(such as a DVD player capable of handling recordable DVD discs), a
magnetic storage device (such as a disk drive or digital tape), or
any other digital storage device.
[0079] User television equipment 22 may also have memory 63. Memory
63 may be any memory or other storage device, such as a random
access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, a hard
disk drive, a combination of such devices, etc., that is suitable
for storing program guide application instructions and program
guide data for use by control circuitry 42.
[0080] User television equipment 22 of FIG. 4 may also have
communications device 51 for supporting communications between the
program guide and distribution equipment 21 or Internet service
system 61 via communications path 20. Communications device 51 may
be a modem (e.g., any suitable analog or digital standard,
cellular, or cable modem), network interface card (e.g., an
Ethernet card, Token ring card, etc.), or other suitable
communications device.
[0081] A user controls the operation of user television equipment
22 with user interface 46. User interface 46 may be a pointing
device, wireless remote control, keyboard, touch-pad, voice
recognition system, or any other suitable user input device. To
watch television, a user instructs control circuitry 42 to display
a desired television channel on display device 45. Display device
45 may be any suitable television, monitor, or other suitable
display device. To access the functions of the program guide, a
user instructs the program guide implemented on interactive
television program guide equipment 17 to generate a main menu or
other desired program guide display screen for display on display
device 45.
[0082] The program guide may, for example, provide a user with an
opportunity to view program listings while watching a television
program. In response to a user indicating a desire to view program
listings while watching a program, the program guide may overlay a
"FLIP" or "BROWSE" overlays over a television program. FIGS. 5a and
5b show illustrative FLIP overlays 200 and 207 the program guide
may display whenever a user changes television channels. This
feature may provide a user with information on the television
program that is being displayed by the new channel. FLIP overlays
200 and 207 may be displayed for a predefined period of time, or
for a user configurable period of time, if desired. The FLIP
overlay may instantaneously disappear, may slide downward off of
the screen, or may be removed from the screen using any other
suitable approach.
[0083] FLIP overlays 200 and 207 may display information associated
with the current program, such as the program title 210, run time
215, rating 227, the current channel number 216, and the current
channel's call letters 225. The FLIP overlays may also include a
number of graphics, such as brand logo 230, a sponsorship graphic,
a channel logo graphic, mail indicator, reminder indicator or any
other suitable graphic. The current time may also be displayed. If
desired, brand logo 230 may be replaced by or displayed together
with selectable advertisement 221. A user may select selectable
advertisement 221 to obtain additional program information for the
program currently displayed in FLIP overlays 200 and 210.
[0084] FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c show illustrative "BROWSE" overlays 230
that the program guide may display when a user opts to browse
through program listings for a given time slot while watching a
program. A user may browse through program listings by, for
example, using remote control arrow keys. Unlike the FLIP overlay,
the BROWSE overlay allows a user to continue to watch a program on
a particular channel (e.g., channel 178) while browsing for
information on programs that are playing on other channels and at
other times.
[0085] The program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to
change time slots and channels in order to browse through
additional program listings. A user may indicate a desire to browse
through additional program listings by, for example, pressing "up",
"down", "left", and "right" arrows to access additional channels
and time slots. The program guide may, for example, highlight an
on-screen arrow 232 to indicate to a user that a particular arrow
has been pressed. This aspect of the invention may be performed in
any display screen in which an arrow is used to indicate to a user
an available action.
[0086] If desired, FLIP and BROWSE overlays may indicate to a user
that a user has flagged a channel as a favorite. Favorite channels
may be indicated using any suitable technique. A specific color,
such as sky-blue, may be used. FIG. 6b shows the use of shading 235
to denote that a channel has been selected as a favorite in BROWSE
overlay 237. FIG. 6c shows a further illustrative embodiment of
BROWSE overlay 237.
[0087] FLIP and BROWSE overlays may also include selectable
advertisements, such as selectable advertisements 221. Selectable
advertisements 221 may, for example, include text and graphics
advertising the program being played or other television programs,
channels, or products. When a user selects a selectable
advertisement 221, the program guide may display information (e.g.,
pay-per-view information) or take other actions related to the
content of the advertisement.
[0088] FIG. 7 shows an illustrative music flip overlay 240 that the
program guide may generate for display in response to a user
changing channels to a digital music channel. Music flip overlay
240 may be displayed, for example, over a black background or over
a graphic if desired. The current artist and title playing may be
displayed along with the category of music played on the
channel.
[0089] Music information regarding the currently playing selection
may be transmitted with the rest of the program guide data provided
by main facility 12 to television distribution facility 16, or may
be part of an in-band data stream provided by a third party over
the digital music channel. If desired, music flip overlay 240 may
be used as a BROWSE overlay when, for example, a user indicates a
desire to browse through music program listings for other music
channels. To provide a user with an opportunity to BROWSE through
music program listings for other channels, set-top box 28 of user
television equipment 22 may require two-tuners; one for playing the
music from one channel while in-band data is retrieved from another
for display in a BROWSE overlay. Program guides that provide users
with an opportunity to browse music program listings using multiple
tuners are described, for example, in Ellis U.S. patent application
Ser. No. ______, filed Jun. 11, 1999 (Attorney Docket No. UV-69),
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
[0090] As the program on a music channel changes, the program guide
may display music information about the new program, such as the
title, track, and artist information. The program guide may also
display this information when, for example, a user presses an
"info" key on remote control 40. An illustrative music information
screen is shown in FIG. 8. The music information screen of FIG. 8
may display one or more selectable advertisements 245. Selectable
advertisements 245 may, for example, include text and graphics
advertising the music being played or other television programs or
products. When a user selects a selectable advertisement 245, the
program guide may display information (e.g., pay-per-view
information) or take other actions related to the content of the
advertisement.
[0091] Some program guide display screens may display FLIP or
BROWSE style overlays or banners that include logo advertisements
(such as logo advertisement 230). The logo advertisements may
change within the same overlay or banner if a user displays the
overlay or banner for a defined time. The logo advertisement may,
for example, rotate through a list of logo advertisements,
returning to the first advertisement after each advertisement the
list has been displayed.
[0092] The FLIP and BROWSE overlays of FIGS. 5, 6a, 6b, 6c, and 7
have been shown as including a brand logo advertisement 230
displayed at the left of the overlay.
[0093] The logo may also, for example, promote different sponsors
as a user browses program listings or flips between channels. The
logos may change within the same overlay or banner if a user
displays the overlay or banner for a predefined time. The logo may,
for example, automatically rotate through a list of logo
advertisements, returning to the first advertisement after each
advertisement in the list has been displayed. The brand logo may
also be replaced by a text based advertisement.
[0094] The logo may change position as it is displayed if desired.
The logo may, for example, initially appear at the side of the
overlay. After a predefined period (e.g., six seconds), the logo
may slide off the top of the overlay and pull the mail indicator
and time indicator to the upper right of the display.
[0095] The program guide may provide users with an opportunity to
access other program guide features through a main menu. A main
menu screen, such as illustrative main menu screen 100 of FIG. 9,
may include menu 102 of selectable program guide features 106. If
desired, program guide features 106 may be organized according to
feature type. In menu 102, for example, program guide features 106
have been organized into three columns. The column labeled "TV
GUIDE" is for listings related features, the column labeled "MSO
SHOWCASE" is for multiple service organization (MSO) related
features, and the column labeled "VIEWER SERVICES" is for viewer
related features. The interactive television program guide may
generate a display screen for a particular program guide feature
when a user selects that feature from menu 102.
[0096] Main menu screen 100 may include one or more selectable
advertisements 108. Selectable advertisements 108 may, for example,
include text and graphics advertising pay-per-view programs or
other programs, channels, or products. When a user selects a
selectable advertisement 108, the program guide may display
information (e.g., pay-per-view information) or take other actions
related to the content of the advertisement. Pure text
advertisements may be presented, if desired, as illustrated by
selectable advertisement banner 110.
[0097] Main menu screen 100 may also include other screen elements.
The brand of the program guide product may be indicated, for
example, using a product brand logo graphic such as product brand
logo graphic 112. The identity of the television service provider
may be presented, for example, using a service provider logo
graphic such as service provider logo graphic 114. The logos may be
included in the program guide data allowing for on-the-fly
configurability of the display screens. The current time may be
displayed in clock display region 116. In addition, a suitable
indicator such as indicator graphic 118 may be used to indicate to
a user that mail from a cable operator or program guide provider is
waiting for a user if the program guide supports messaging
functions.
[0098] The interactive television program guide may provide a user
with an opportunity to view television program listings. A user may
indicate a desire to view program listings by, for example,
positioning highlight region 120 over a desired program guide
feature 106. Alternatively, the program guide may present program
listings when a user presses a suitable key (e.g., a "guide" key)
on remote control 40. When a user indicates a desire to view
television program listings, the program guide generates an
appropriate program listings screen for display on display device
45 (FIG. 4). A program listings screen may contain one or more
groups or lists of program listings organized according to one or
more organization criteria (e.g., by time, by channel, by program
category, etc.).
[0099] Program listings screens may be overlaid on a program being
viewed by a user or overlaid on a portion of the program in a
"browse" mode. The program guide may, for example, provide a user
with an opportunity to view listings by time, by channel, according
to a number of categories (e.g., movies, sports, children, etc.),
or may allow a user to search for a listing by title. Program
listings may be displayed using any suitable list, table, grid, or
other suitable display arrangement. If desired, program listings
screens may include selectable advertisements, product brand logo
graphics, service provider brand graphics, clocks, or any other
suitable indicator or graphic.
[0100] A user may indicate a desire to view program listings by
time, channel, or category by, for example, selecting a selectable
feature 106 from menu 102. In response, the program guide may
display program listings in a suitable program listings screen.
FIG. 10 illustrates the display of program listings by time.
Program listings screen 130 of FIG. 10 may include highlight region
151, which highlights the current program listing 150. A user may
position highlight region 151 by entering appropriate commands with
user interface 46. For example, if user interface 46 has a keypad,
a user can position highlight region 151 using "up" and "down"
arrow keys on remote control 40. A user may select a listing by,
for example, pressing on the "OK" or "info" key on remote control
40. Alternatively, a touch sensitive screen, trackball, voice
recognition device, or other suitable device may be used to move
highlight region 151 or to select program listings without the use
of highlight region 151. In still another approach, a user may
speak a television program listing into a voice request recognition
system. These methods of selecting program listings are merely
illustrative. Any other suitable approach for selecting program
listings may be used if desired.
[0101] A user may view additional listings for the time slot
indicated in timebar 111 by, for example, pressing an "up" or
"down" arrow, or a "page up" or "page down" key on remote control
40. The user may also see listings for the next 24 hour period, or
the last 24 hour period, by pressing a "day forward" or "day
backward" key on remote control 40, respectively. If there are no
listings starting exactly 24 hours in the indicated direction, the
program guide may pick programs starting at either closer or
further than 24 hours away. If desired, the program guide may
require a user to scroll through advertisement banner 110. A user
may view program listings for other time slots by, for example,
pressing "right" and "left" arrows on remote control 40, or by
scrolling up or down until listings for the next time slot are
displayed. Timebar 111 may change its display to the previous or
next time slot accordingly.
[0102] FIGS. 11a and 11b illustrate the display of program listings
by channel. A user may scroll up and down to view program listings
for additional time slots, and may scroll left and right to view
program listings for other channels. In listings by channel screen
140 of FIG. 11a, each program is listed with its air time and day.
If desired, the day for which program listings are displayed may be
included in display area 147 with the channel number as shown in
FIG. 11b. Preferably, the day displayed corresponds to the day of
the program associated with the first displayed listing.
[0103] The program guide may display a clear demarcation of
programs starting at or near the same time. For example, separator
149 may be displayed to indicate when a user scrolls or pages from
one day's listings to the next. FIG. 11b also illustrates how the
program guide may display an advertisement banner so that a user is
required to scroll past the banner to access additional program
listings. If desired, a listings by channel screen may indicate
that a channel is set as a favorite by, for example, displaying the
channel number in a pre-defined color such as sky blue (not
shown).
[0104] The program guide may provide users with an opportunity to
view program listings sorted by category. A user may, for example,
press a special category key on remote control 40 (e.g., "movies",
"sports", "children", etc.), select a selectable category feature
from main menu screen 100 (FIG. 9), or may indicate a desire to
view program listings by category using any other suitable
approach. FIG. 12a is an illustrative program listings screen in
which program listings for movies are displayed. FIG. 12b is an
illustrative program listings screen in which program listings for
sports-related programming are displayed. FIG. 12c is an
illustrative program listings screen in which program listings for
children's' programs are displayed.
[0105] A further example of a program listings by category screen
is shown in FIG. 12d. The illustrative screen of FIG. 12d includes
program listings for sports, but the screen of FIG. 12d may be used
to display program listings for any suitable category. The program
listings by category screen of FIG. 12d shows an alternative way in
which program listings may be displayed and navigated through for
any display screen in which listings are displayed for multiple
time slots (e.g., FIGS. 10, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, and 12c.) Program
listings within list 129 may be divided into predefined time slots,
such as into 30 minute time slots. Users may quickly change between
time slots by, for example, pressing a "right" or "left" arrows on
remote control 40. Between each time slot, separator 128 may be
displayed to indicate to a user that a user has scrolled or paged
program listings from one time slot to the next. In FIG. 12d, for
example, a user is scrolling from program listings for sports in
the 12:30 PM time slot to program listings for sports in the 1:00
PM time slot. When the user scrolls within listings, highlight
region 151 may skip separator 128. FIG. 12d also illustrates how
the program guide may display an advertisement banner so that a
user is required to scroll past the banner to access additional
program listings. FIG. 12e shows an illustrative program listings
by category screen for adult programs. If desired, separators 128
may be displayed only for those timeslots for which there are
listings. In this example, there are no adult programs starting at
1:00 PM or 1:30 PM. If desired, there may be a watch previews
selectable feature that users may select to view a preview for a
highlighted listing. Users may also view additional information for
a listing by, for example, highlighting the listing and pressing an
"info" key on remote control 40.
[0106] In the program listings screens of FIGS. 10-12e, program
listing may be displayed within each time slot sorted in any
suitable manner. Listings may be displayed, for example, by title,
channel, start time; or using any other suitable approach. The
program listings screens of FIGS. 10, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d,
and 12e have also been shown as including various other screen
elements. Program listings display screens may include, for
example, selectable advertisements, advertisement banners, brand
logos, service provider logos, clocks, message indicators, arrow
indicators 913, or any other suitable screen element. The program
guide may provide users with access to selectable advertisements in
response to, for example, a user arrowing left to move highlight
region 151 to highlight a selectable advertisement. Pressing left,
right, up, or down arrows in the listings screens of FIGS. 10-12e,
or any other suitable display screen, may cause the guide to
temporarily change the display characteristics, (e.g. highlight,
bold, enlarge, change its color, etc.) of an on screen arrow, such
as arrows 913. In the illustrative program listings screens of
FIGS. 11b, 12d and 12e, the program guide may also adjust the time
displayed in timebar 123 as the user scrolls or pages through
program listings to reflect the time of the program listing at the
top of the list.
[0107] The program guide may also provide users with an opportunity
to set reminders for programs and to parentally control programs.
The program listings screens of FIGS. 10, 11a-11c, and 12a-12e
illustrate, for example, the display of reminder indicator 155 and
parental lock 161 to indicate to a user that a program has a
reminder set or that a program is parentally locked, respectively.
The ratings of the programs may also be indicated by, for example,
displaying rating indicators 159. Duration arrows 153 and 157 may
be displayed to indicate if programs started before or finish after
a time block.
[0108] The program guide may provide users with an opportunity to
textually search for particular program listings. The program guide
may display a search screen in response to a user indicating a
desire to textually search through program listings by, for
example, pressing a suitable key on remote control 40 (e.g., a
"search" key), or selecting a selectable search feature 106 from
main menu 102 (FIG. 9). Illustrative search screens are shown in
FIGS. 13a-13c.
[0109] As shown in FIGS. 13a-13c, the program guide may prompt a
user to enter up to a predefined number of letters into entry boxes
149 (in this example up to five letters). A user may enter a letter
in each entry box 149 by, for example, using "up" and "down" arrow
keys on remote control 40 to scroll through the alphabet. To enter
an additional letter, a user may, for example, press a "right"
arrow on remote control 40. The program guide may highlight an
appropriate on-screen arrow 153 to indicate to a user the arrow
that a user has pressed.
[0110] In the example shown in FIG. 13b, a user has selected the
letter "O" as the first letter of the program listing that is being
searched for and has been prompted for an additional letter. After
a user enters each letter, the program guide may search through
available program listings and display the program listings
starting with first letters that match the letters that a user has
entered. In this example, the program guide has displayed listings
beginning with the letters "Oa". In practice, it may be desirable
for only one listing of a program to be displayed even though it
may have multiple showings. Otherwise, a user may be presented with
a screen full of listings with the same title. The program guide
may, therefore, display multiple airings of the same program using
one listing.
[0111] When a user is finished entering letters, a user may
indicate a desire to scroll through listings by, for example,
pressing an "OK" or "enter" key on remote control 40. In response,
the program guide may display a full screen of listings as shown in
FIG. 13c. From within a screen such as that shown in FIG. 13c, a
user may select a selectable advertisement by, for example,
pressing a "left" arrow key on remote control 40 to select a
selectable advertisement. A user may page or scroll through
listings by, for example, pressing suitable keys on remote control
40 (e.g., "page up", "page clown", "up" arrow, "down" arrow,
etc.).
[0112] A user may indicate a desire to view additional information
about a particular program, such as all of the times a program
airs, by selecting its listing and pressing "OK" or "info" on
remote control 40. The program guide may respond by displaying a
program information screen in which a user is provided with the
opportunity to view the air times for a program and to view other
suitable information (e.g., the title, a brief description, rating
information, actor information, etc.). The guide may allow a user
to perform other functions from within the screen, such as setting
a reminder, setting a lock, ordering a program, or any other
suitable function.
[0113] The program guide of the present invention may download
program guide data continuously, periodically, using a
client-server based approach, via the Internet, or using any other
suitable approach. There may be instances, however, when
downloading program guide data may take long enough for users to
experience a wait. The program guide may, if desired, display a
default screen indicating that the program guide is downloading
data. An illustrative default screen 180 that the program guide may
display, for example, when there are no program listings, is shown
in FIG. 14. Default screen 180 may also be displayed generally when
a user indicates a desire to view a listings screen for which there
is no matching data (e.g., when there are no movies listings for a
movies listings screen).
[0114] The interactive program guide may provide users with access
to a passive program guide channel (e.g. the TV Guide Channel) so
that a user is provided with a guide and television viewing
experience that combines the features of both a passive and an
interactive guide. Systems in which interactive guides are overlaid
on passive program guide channels are described, for example, in
Marshall et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/225,246, filed
Apr. 8, 1994, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety. Illustrative hybrid passive/interactive display
screens are shown in FIGS. 15-16.
[0115] As shown in FIG. 15, for example, the top portion of the
display screen may contain the video that is provided as part of a
passive television program guide channel that a user has tuned to.
The bottom portion of the screen may, for example, display program
listings that have been generated by the interactive program guide.
The video of the passive television program guide channel may be
sized to fit in the top portion of the screen, or, the television
program listings portion of the screen may be overlaid onto a full
screen video.
[0116] The passive portion of FIGS. 15 and 16 may include
promotional videos. Promotional videos may promote programs,
channels, services, goods, or any other suitable subject matter. In
practice, it may be desirable to have promotions distributed to
users so as to attempt to maximize their effectiveness. Promotions
may be selected for distribution by television distribution
facility 16 according, for example, to promotional philosophies.
Promotional philosophies are selection algorithms that attempt to
maximize the effectiveness of promotions by selecting them for
distribution during times for which expected audiences will view
the promotions.
[0117] For example, when promotions are selected for distribution
on a national basis, some promotions may not be apropos for a given
area at a given-time. It would therefore be desirable to "play
something better", i.e., play a promotion that is more suitable for
the expected audience than the promotion selected on a national
basis. Promotional philosophies may be used to effect this. Systems
in which promotional philosophies may be used to "play something
better" are described, for example, in Kern et al. U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______, filed Jun. 11, 1999 (Attorney Docket
No. UV-102), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety.
[0118] An operator at main facility 12 may, for example, generate
one or more promotional philosophy templates that are used by main
facility 12 to generate a national play list of promotional events.
The promotional philosophy templates and national playlist may be
provided to television distribution facility 16 as part of the
program guide data.
[0119] Television distribution facility 16 may generate a local
playlist of promotional events according to the promotional
philosophy templates and the local database. If the promotional
events scheduled by the national playlist are unavailable or
undesirable to a television distribution facility, the local
playlist may schedule store-and-forward promotional material
instead of a national promotional video. The television
distribution facilities generate program guide display screens with
the promotional material, national promotional videos, and program
guide data according to the local playlist. The display screens are
distributed to users for viewing on their televisions.
[0120] The program guide may display the portion of the display
screen with the program listings in two modes: a passive mode and
an interactive mode. When displaying listings in the passive mode,
the program guide may display television program listings in pages
that automatically change periodically at a user configurable rate,
as shown in FIG. 15. The listings may also scroll, rather than
page, and may be displayed in any suitable format, such as a grid
or list.
[0121] In the interactive mode (FIG. 16), the program listings are
displayed and the program guide may provide a user with an
opportunity to navigate through the listings by, for example, using
arrow keys on a remote control. The program guide may display the
listings in the interactive mode in response to a user command to
do so. For example, a user may press a suitable key on remote
control 40, such as an "OK" or arrow key, while viewing listings in
the passive mode. The program guide may return to the passive mode
from the interactive mode after a period of time during which the
program guide has not received commands from a user (e.g., five
minutes).
[0122] The program guide portions of the screens of FIGS. 15-16 may
also indicate the rating of a program and whether a program is
locked by displaying rating indicators 159 or parental lock
indicators 161, respectively. The program guide may also indicate
that a program has had a reminder set.
[0123] The program guide may also be configurable by a system
operator that operates television distribution facility 16, such as
a multiple system operator (MSO). The program guide may provide
users with an opportunity to access MSO provided services through,
for example, a main menu screen. Illustrative main menu screen 100
of FIG. 9 has been redrawn in FIG. 17 to illustrate that a user has
moved highlight region 120 to the MSO showcase column of menu 102.
MSO provided services may include, for example, access to
pay-per-view (PPV) program listings, ordering of pay-per-view
programs and packages, listing and ordering sporting events or
other sports related programming, listing and ordering special
offers, access to music channels, listing and ordering adult
programs, or any other suitable service that may be provided by an
MSO. Interactive television program guide systems that provide a
configurable operator showcase are described, for example, in Ellis
et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/944,162, filed Oct. 6,
1997, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
[0124] A user may, for example, indicate a desire to view listings
for pay-per-view programs by selecting the "PPV Time" on-screen
option. In response, the program guide may display pay-per-view
program listings by time, as is illustrated by pay-per-view
listings by time screens 201 and 203 of FIGS. 18 and 19. As with
other listings screens, a user may scroll up and down to view
pay-per-view program listings for additional channels. In response
to a user selecting a pay-per-view program listing, the program
guide may, for example, display an additional information screen
for the selected pay-per-view, such as shown in FIG. 72. The
additional information screen may, for example, display additional
air-times for the pay-per-view and provide the user with an
opportunity to order it. A user may watch previews by, for example,
selecting watch preview feature 191.
[0125] In pay-per-view program listings by time screen 201 of FIG.
18, a user may view program listings for additional time slots by
arrowing right. A user may also, for example, select selectable
advertisements by arrowing to the left. If desired, however,
pay-per-view program listings may be divided into predefined time
slots (e.g., 30 minutes). As shown in the pay-per-view programs by
time screen 203 of FIG. 19, the program guide may display separator
207 to indicate to a user that a user has scrolled or paged between
time slots. When the user scrolls within pay-per-view program
listings, highlight region 209 may skip separator 207. FIG. 19 also
illustrates how the program guide may display an advertisement
banner such that a user is required to scroll through an
advertisement banner in order to access additional listings. The
program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to highlight a
selectable advertisement by, for example, arrowing left. The
program guide may also provide a user with an opportunity to watch
previews by, for example, selecting watch previews feature 191.
[0126] The program guide may also provide a user with an
opportunity to view pay-per-view program listings by title. A user
may indicate a desire to view pay-per-view program listings by
title by, for example, selecting a "PPV Title" selectable feature
from menu 102 of FIG. 17. In response, the program guide may
display pay-per-view program listings by title as shown, for
example, in pay-per-view program listings by title screen 211 of
FIG. 20. If desired, an advertisement banner may be made part of
the program listings as shown. In this approach, a user may be
required to scroll through advertisement banner 110 to access
additional program listings. The program guide may provide a user
with an opportunity to highlight a selectable advertisement by, for
example, arrowing left. The program guide may also provide a user
with an opportunity to watch previews by, for example, selecting
watch previews feature 191.
[0127] The program guide may also provide a user with an
opportunity to view listings for special events. A user may
indicate a desire to view program listings for special events by,
for example, selecting an "Events" selectable feature from menu 102
of FIG. 17. The program guide may respond by displaying program
listings for upcoming special events, for example, in special
events program listings by title screen 221 of FIG. 21. If desired,
a system operator may configure the guide to sort the events by
time rather than by title. If desired, an advertisement banner may
be made part of the program listings as shown. In this approach, a
user may be required to scroll through the advertisement banner to
access additional program listings. The program guide may provide a
user with an opportunity to select a selectable advertisement by,
for example, arrowing left. Users may also view additional
information for an event by, for example, highlighting a listing
and pressing an "info" key on remote control 40. In response, the
program guide may, for example, display an additional information
screen that provides the user with an opportunity to view
additional air-times for the event and order an airing of the
event.
[0128] The program guide may also provide a user with an
opportunity to view a list of available premium services. A user
may indicate a desire to view a list of available premium services
by, for example, selecting a "Premium" selectable feature from menu
102 of FIG. 17. In another suitable embodiment, a user may select
an "Offers" feature from menu 102 (not shown). When a user
indicates a desire to view a list of available premium services,
the program guide may display program listings for premium services
as shown, for example, in premium offers listings screen 231 of
FIG. 22. If desired, an advertisement banner may be made part of
the program listings. In this approach, a user may be required to
scroll through the advertisement banner to access additional
program listings. The program guide may provide a user with an
opportunity to highlight a selectable advertisement by, for
example, arrowing left. When the user selects a listing, the
program guide may display a channel information screen which may
include a description of the channel and may provide the user with
an opportunity to watch the channel, get ordering information, lock
the channel, see listings for the channel, set the channel as a
favorite, or perform any other suitable action related to the
channel.
[0129] The program guide may also provide a user with an
opportunity to view music channel information for available music
channels. Music channel information may include, for example, the
channel, call letters, and music type of a music channel. A user
may indicate a desire to view music channel information by, for
example, selecting a "Music" selectable feature from menu 102 of
FIG. 17 or press a "music" key on remote control 40. When a user
indicates a desire to view music channel information, the program
guide may display a list of music channels as displayed in music
channel listing screen 241 of FIG. 23. If desired, an advertisement
banner may be made part of the program listings as shown. In this
approach, a user may be required to scroll through the
advertisement banner to access additional program listings. The
program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to highlight a
selectable advertisement by, for example, arrowing left. A user may
select a listing to display a channel information screen for the
selected music channel. Channel information screens, such as the
music channel information screens of FIGS. 76a and 76b, may display
a brief description of the music channel, provide a user with an
opportunity to listen to the music channel, to order the channel,
to lock the channel, to set the channel as a favorite, or to
perform any other suitable action.
[0130] The program guide may also provide a user with an
opportunity to view adult pay-per-view program listings by title. A
user may indicate a desire to view adult program listings by, for
example, selecting an "Adult" selectable feature from menu 102 of
FIG. 18. In response, the program guide may display adult
pay-per-view program listings for upcoming adult pay-per-view
programs, for example, in adult pay-per-view program listings by
time screen 251 of FIG. 24. A system operator may configure the
guide to display program listings assorted by title, if desired. If
desired, an advertisement banner may be made part of the program
listings. In this approach, a user may be required to scroll
through the advertisement banner to access additional program
listings. The program guide may provide a user with an opportunity
to highlight a selectable advertisement by, for example, arrowing
left. The program guide may tune to a channel carrying previews
when, for example, the user selects the watch previews feature 191.
In response to a user selecting an adult pay-per-view listing, the
program guide may, for example, display an information screen for
the listing, such as shown in FIG. 73. The information screen may,
for example, display additional air times for the adult
pay-per-view, provide the user with an opportunity to order the
pay-per-view, lock the pay-per-view, set a reminder for the
pay-per-view, tune to the pay-per-view, or perform any other
suitable function.
[0131] Some operators of television distribution facility 16 may
offer their customers free previews of pay-per-view programs. The
program guide may display an overlay indicating that what a user is
currently watching is a free portion of a pay-per-view program. An
illustrative overlay 261 is shown in FIG. 25.
[0132] FIGS. 26-29 show illustrative informational overlays for
providing a user with access to information on channels, services,
and programs which have not been subscribed to by a user. The
program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to obtain
ordering information and to subscribe to a channel, service, or
program by, for example, pressing an "OK" key on remote control 40.
If desired, these screens may also include a product brand graphic,
cable service provider graphic, a message or reminder graphic, or
any other suitable graphic. These screens may include FLIP overlays
as shown.
[0133] FIG. 26 shows an illustrative overlay 271 that the program
guide may display when a user tunes to a channel that is
broadcasting a pay-per-view program that a user has not ordered. A
user may obtain ordering information by, for example, pressing an
"OK" key on remote control 40. In response the guide may display a
pay-per-view information screen such as shown in FIG. 72.
[0134] FIG. 27 shows an illustrative overlay 281 that the program
guide may display when a user tunes to a subscription service, in
this example a premium channel, to which a user has not subscribed.
A user may obtain ordering information by, for example, pressing an
"OK" key on remote control 40. In response, the program guide may
display a channel information screen for the premium channel, such
as the channel information screen shown in FIG. 75b.
[0135] FIG. 28 shows illustrative overlay 301 that the program
guide may display when a user tunes to a subscription service, in
this example a digital music channel, to which a user has not
subscribed. A user may obtain ordering information by, for example,
pressing an "OK" key on remote control 40. In response, the program
guide may display a music channel information screen, for the music
channel such as the music channel information screen shown in FIG.
76b.
[0136] FIG. 29 shows illustrative overlay 311 that the program
guide may display when, for example, a user tunes to a channel with
an in-band promotion. A user may obtain ordering information
related to the pay-per-view program indicated in a FLIP overlay by,
for example, pressing an "OK" key on remote control 40.
[0137] FIGS. 30-31 show illustrative program guide display screens
for providing a user with an opportunity to view ordering
information for programs promoted by promotional channels.
Promotional channels are channels that are dedicated to promoting
television channels or television programming that meet a
particular theme. Promotional channels typically promote
pay-per-view programs, but may also promote, for example, comedies,
adult programming, children's programming, movies, sports, premium
channels, or any other suitable channel type or programming type. A
programming system may carry one or more promotional channels.
[0138] When a user tunes or flips to a promotional channel, the
program guide may recognize the channel as such and may display a
suitable display screen such as that shown in FIG. 30. The display
screen may have two portions, a first portion that displays all or
part of the real-time video displayed by the promotional channel,
and a second portion that provides a user with an opportunity to
obtain ordering information. If a user indicates a desire to access
ordering information, the program guide may respond by displaying a
listings screen, such as those shown in FIGS. 18-24, that displays
listings and provides a user with the opportunity to access
ordering information for the programming or channels promoted by
the promotional channel. Each promotional channel may have
different listings screens if desired.
[0139] FIG. 31 shows an illustrative overlay 331 that may be
displayed by the program guide over a promotional channel that is
tuned to by the guide when a user indicates a desire to watch a
preview. Overlay 331 may be displayed, for example, after a user
has selected a watch previews feature from the listings screens of
FIGS. 12e, 19, 20 and 24, and the program guide has tuned to the
appropriate promotional or pay-per-view channel. Overlay 331 may
indicate to a user how to return to the listings screen from which
a user selected the watch previews feature. Watch preview features
may be displayed in the screens shown in FIGS. 21, 22 and 23, if
desired.
[0140] The program guide may also provide a user with an
opportunity to access information services that have data
configurable by main facility 12. Local information service 15 of
FIG. 1, for example, may have its data localized by main facility
12 and sent to specific television distribution facilities 16,
groups of television distribution facilities 16 (e.g., those only
within a specific geographical area), specific users, groups of
users (e.g., users within a specific geographical area), or other
subsets of television distribution facilities 16 or viewers.
Systems that localize program guide data are described, for
example, in commonly assigned Ellis et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,821,
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
[0141] In another suitable approach, for example, localized data
may have a mapping applied to it. Multiple real-time sources of
data, such as local information service 15 of FIG. 1, may provide
data to main facility 12. Such data may be mapped to specific
television distribution facilities 16 so that the television
distribution facilities 16 receive data that was supplied to main
facility 12 by sources relevant to the television distribution
facilities 16. Local information service 15 may also provide its
data directly to television distribution facility 16. For example,
weather data may be provided by a number of weather stations to
main facility 12. The data may be mapped to the specific television
distribution facilities 16 that service users in those areas.
Program guide systems in which multiple real-time data sources are
described, for example, in Knudson et al. U.S. patent application
Ser. No. ______ filed Jan. 12, 1999 (Attorney Docket No. UV-51),
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
[0142] Main facility 12 may configure information service data for
the program guide using any suitable approach. Main facility 12
may, for example, indicate through program guide data or commands
to the program guide what feature to present in menu 102 if data
for a particular information service is not available (e.g.,
replace "Weather" option with a "Browse" option on main menu 102).
Alternatively, this determination may be made by the program guide
without commands or other indicators from main facility 12. Main
facility 12 may also provide feature names for display in main menu
102, the number of sub-selections within an information service,
and their feature names. Main facility 12 may also provide
advertisements displayed by the guide with an information service,
sub-selection, or groups of sub-selections. Main facility 12 may
also provide information to be displayed within sub-selections of
an information service (e.g., formatted text, graphics, video,
audio, or any suitable combination thereof).
[0143] Main menu screen 100 has been redrawn in FIG. 34 to
illustrate how a user may navigate within main menu 102 to access
such services. FIG. 32 shows how the program guide may provide a
user with access to local weather service data, but other services
may be provided if desired (e.g., local events, local high school
and college sports, school lunches, lottery results, ski
conditions, etc.) A user may indicate a desire to access a weather
service by, for example, selecting a "Weather" feature from main
menu 102. When a user indicates a desire to access a weather
service, the program guide may display a weather information
services screen. An illustrative weather information services
screen 351 is shown in FIG. 33a. If there are multiple information
services, the program guide may provide a user with an opportunity
to select other services by, for example, selecting an on-screen
feature. In FIG. 33b, for example, a user is presented with an
opportunity to access two information services, local weather
information and local events.
[0144] FIGS. 33c and 33d show an alternative format in which the
program guide may display weather information from a local weather
service. The display of weather information for separate days, as
opposed to displaying weather information for a number of days
simultaneously as shown in FIG. 33b, may be configured, for
example, by main facility 12. In FIG. 33c, for example, a user has
indicated a desire to see "today's" weather by selecting today
feature 351. A user may view weather information for other days by
selecting a different feature. In FIG. 33d, for example, a user has
selected "FRI" feature 353. FIG. 33e shows an illustrative display
screen that may be displayed by the program guide in response to a
user highlighting, for example, an "EXIT" feature (FIG. 33e).
[0145] If desired, the weather information services screens of
FIGS. 33a-33e may be formatted based on the country in which they
are displayed. For example, they may display degrees Centigrade and
kilometers-per-hour in some counties, and degrees Fahrenheit and
miles-per-hour in others.
[0146] The program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to
view and manage messages sent to a user from a cable service
provider or guide provider. A user may indicate a desire to view
available messages by, for example, selecting a "Message" feature
from main menu 102 of FIG. 32. When a user indicates a desire to
view messages, the program guide may display a message listings
screen, such as message listings screen 361 of FIG. 34. If there
are no messages, the program guide may display a suitable overlay
such as overlay 371 shown in FIG. 36.
[0147] The program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to
scroll or page through messages by, for example, pressing an "up"
arrow, "down" arrow, "page up" key, "page down" key, or another
suitable key, on remote control 40. If desired, an advertisement
banner may be made part of the message listings. In this approach,
a user may be required to scroll through the advertisement banner
to access additional program listings. The program guide may also
provide a user with an opportunity to highlight a selectable
advertisement by, for example, arrowing left.
[0148] When a user selects a message, the program guide may display
the selected message or a portion of it in a message screen such as
illustrative message screen 362 of FIG. 35. Within message screen
362 the program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to
scroll within a message, keep the message, or delete the message. A
user may also be provided with an opportunity to highlight a
selectable advertisement by, for example, arrowing left.
[0149] The program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to
set channels as favorites. A user may indicate a desire to set a
channel as a favorite using any suitable approach. A user may, for
example, press a suitable key on remote control 40 (e.g., a "FAV"
key) while watching television, while in a BROWSE overlay, after
highlighting a program listing, while within an information screen
for the channel, or from within any other suitable program guide
display screen in which channels or program listings are displayed.
A user may also indicate a desire to set a channel as a favorite by
selecting a "Favorites" feature from menu 102 of FIG. 32.
[0150] In response to a user selecting a "Favorites" feature from
main menu 102 of FIG. 32, for example, the program guide may
display a favorites screen, such as illustrative favorites screen
381 of FIG. 37. Favorites screen 381 may list available channels
according to user selected sorting criteria. A user may, for
example, sort channels by number or name by pressing "left" and
"right" arrow keys on remote control 40. In this example, a user
has selected sorting by channel number as indicated by criteria bar
383. If desired, favorites screen 381 may display the channel names
and their network affiliations. Multiple network affiliations for a
single channel may be displayed if desired. The program guide may
also provide a user with an opportunity to tune to a channel, or
parentally lock the channel by, for example, selecting a channel
listing and pressing an "OK" OR "lock" key on remote control 40,
respectively.
[0151] The program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to
scroll through channel listings within favorites screen 381 by, for
example, pressing an "up" arrow, "down" arrow, "page up" key, "page
down" key, or another suitable key on remote control 40. If
desired, an advertisement banner may be made part of the program
listings. In this approach, a user may be required to scroll
through the advertisement banner to access additional program
listings. The program guide may also provide a user with an
opportunity to highlight a selectable advertisement by, for
example, arrowing left.
[0152] A user may set a channel as a favorite by for example,
positioning highlight region 151 over a channel listing 150 and
pressing a "fav" key on remote control 40. A user may also indicate
a desire to obtain more information about a channel before setting
it to a favorite by, for example, pressing a suitable key on remote
control 40 (e.g., an "info" key"). In response, the program guide
may display additional information about a channel in a channel
information screen such as illustrative channel information screens
shown in FIGS. 75a, 75b, 76a, and 76b. Channel information screens
may display brief descriptions of channels and provide users with
an opportunity to lock channels, set channels as favorites, view
listings for channels, order channels, watch the channel or perform
other suitable actions. When a user has entered a channel
information screen from a favorites feature, the guide may provide
users with an opportunity to sort channels by name or number by,
for example, arrowing left right to display "Sort by Number" or
"Sort by Name" in criteria bar 383. FIG. 38 shows an illustrative
favorites screen 381 in which channels are sorted by name.
[0153] The program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to
clear all favorites. A user may indicate a desire to clear all
favorites by, for example, pressing a suitable key on remote
control 40 (e.g., a "clear" key), or by arrowing right while in the
channel listings to display "Clear all favorites" in criteria bar
383. When a user indicates a desire to clear all favorites, the
program guide may display a clear all favorites overlay, such as
clear all favorites overlay 391 of FIG. 39. The program guide may
prompt a user to confirm the clear all favorites, and may clear all
favorites after a user selects "Yes".
[0154] A user may indicate a desire to access favorite channels
while, for example, watching television. If there are no favorite
channels set, the program guide may display a suitable overlay.
FIG. 40 shows an illustrative overlay 401 that the program guide
may display when there are no favorites set and a user indicates a
desire to access favorite channels.
[0155] The program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to
set up various aspects of program guide operation. A user may
indicate a desire to set up features of the program guide and user
television equipment 22 by, for example, selecting a "Setup"
feature from main menu 102 of FIG. 32. When a user indicates a
desire to set up features of the program guide or user television
equipment 22, the program guide may display a setup screen, such as
illustrative setup screen 411 of FIG. 41. Set up screen 411 may
provide a user with an opportunity to set up various guide
features, set parental control features, set features of set-top
box 28 (FIG. 3), set audio features, set the screen position, set
languages for program guide operation, or to set up any other
feature or suitable combination of features.
[0156] A user may indicate a desire to set various guide feature
by, for example, selecting a "guide" option from setup screen 411.
When a user indicates a desire to set guide features, the program
guide may display a guide setup screen, such as illustrative guide
setup screen 421 of FIG. 42. From within guide setup screen 421,
the program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to, for
example, set a pop-up bar position on the screen for FLIP and
BROWSE overlays, such as FLIP overlay 200 (FIGS. 5a and 5b) and
BROWSE overlay 230 (FIGS. 6a and 6b). The program guide may also
provide a user with an opportunity to set how long a FLIP overlay
is displayed by setting its pop-up bar time. For example, the guide
may allow a user to select a time-out value between 3 and 15
seconds in one-second increments.
[0157] The program guide may also provide a user with an
opportunity to set an auto-tune function. An auto-tune function may
eliminate the need for a user to press a "select," "enter," or "OK"
key after a 1 or 2-digit channel number entry. Some devices that
control set-top box 28 (e.g., a VCR) may send two digits without
sending a select command. Setting the auto-tune feature on
eliminates the need to press the select so that the control of
set-top box 28 is possible by other devices in user television
equipment 22 which do not emit the select command. Setting the
auto-tune feature to off will cause the program guide to ignore
channel numbers using less than three digits unless the user
presses select.
[0158] The program guide may also provide a user with an
opportunity to set whether a message indicator is displayed when
there are new messages, and to set how long before the start of
programs reminder notices are displayed. The program guide may also
provide a user with an opportunity to view information about the
program guide. In response to a user indicating a desire to view
information about the program guide, the program guide may display
an about us screen, such as illustrative about us screen 431 of
FIG. 43. This screen is preferably configurable by the program
guide provider.
[0159] The program guide may also provide users with an opportunity
to set up features of set-top box 28 of FIG. 3. FIG. 44 shows an
illustrative cable box setup screen 441 that the program guide may
display when a user indicates a desire to set up features of
set-top box 28 by, for example, selecting Cable Box feature 414 of
Setup screen 411. Illustrative cable box setup screen 441 shows how
the program guide may provide users with an opportunity to set
whether a time display is displayed, when an AC output is switched
or unswitched, when a radio frequency (RF) bypass is turned on or
off, and to view configuration information. Cable box setup screen
501 is only illustrative, as the program guide may provide users
with an opportunity to setup any suitable settop box feature.
[0160] The RF Bypass feature operates in two modes, which may be
configurable by the program guide provider on behalf of each
individual operator of television distribution facility 16. The
first mode supports users who do not wish to watch one program and
record another program simultaneously. These users may have an RF
Bypass switch on their set-top boxes 28 (FIG. 3) which, when
engaged, allows the input signal from television distribution
facility 16 to be passed to secondary storage device 32 and
television 36 unprocessed by set-top box 28. When in this position;
a cable-ready storage drive, such as a VCR, may be used to
automatically record specific channels at specific times.
[0161] To use this first mode, the viewer first sets RF Bypass
feature 443 in cable box setup screen 441 of FIG. 44 to Enabled.
Then, whenever the viewer turns set-top box 28 off, the RF Bypass
switch will be engaged, and a tuner in secondary storage device 32
or television 36 may be used to select any channel that may be
decoded for recording or viewing, typically unscrambled analog
programming. When set-top box 28 is turned back on, the RF Bypass
switch is disengaged, and the processed output from set-top box 28
is routed to secondary storage device 32 and television 36. If the
viewer sets the RF Bypass feature 443 to Disabled, set-top box 28
will remove all signals from secondary storage device 32 and
television 36 whenever the set-top box 28 is turned off.
[0162] The second mode supports users who wish to watch one program
while simultaneously recording a different program. These users may
have an RF Bypass switch on their set-top boxes 28 that, when
engaged, allows the input signal from the television distribution
facility 16 to be passed to television 36 unprocessed by set-top
box 28 while continuing to send the processed signal from set-top
box 28 to secondary storage device 32. When not engaged, the
processed signal set-top box 28 is routed to television 36 after
being processed by secondary storage device 32. When engaged, this
configuration allows the user to record any program that can be
processed by set-top box 28 while simultaneously allowing the user
to watch any program that television 36 is capable of decoding,
typically an unscrambled analog channel, without guide features.
When not engaged, the user may record the program that is currently
being viewed.
[0163] To use this second mode, the viewer first sets the RF Bypass
feature 443 in cable box setup screen 441 of FIG. 44 to Enabled.
Then, whenever the user presses a suitable key, such as a Bypass
key on remote control 40 or set-top box 28, the RF Bypass switch
will be engaged and the viewer may use secondary storage device 32
to record the output of set-top box 28, while using television 36
to continue to watch a different channel. Because set-top box 28
output is not being sent to television 36, guide features may not
be usable in this state, and preferably the guide will disable most
functions. For example, the guide may allow the user to change
channels or the volume, but without any displays on the screen. The
guide may disable any program listing displays or program
reminders. The guide may enable parental control functions, but may
not allow the user to enter a PIN to watch controlled programming.
Pressing the Bypass key again will return the switch to its normal
state, and allow the user to watch the same program that is being
recorded and resume the use of guide functions.
[0164] The second mode includes features similar to the first mode.
When the viewer turns set-top box 28 off, the RF Bypass switch will
be engaged, and the user may record the program that was tuned
prior to set-top box 28 being turned off, while watching any
channel that television 36 can decode. When set-top box 28 is
turned back on, the RF Bypass switch is disengaged, and normal
functions resume. This will allow the user to easily exit from
Bypass mode, for example if accidentally engaged, simply by turning
set-top box 28 off and on. If the viewer sets the RF Bypass feature
443 to Disabled, set-top box 28 will remove all signals from
secondary storage device 32 and television 36 when set-top box 28
is turned off, and will ignore the Bypass key.
[0165] Some cable systems distribute programming on two separate
cables. In these dual-cable systems, set-top box 28 selects between
the A cable and the B cable based on commands from the user, or
based on programming that the user has selected. In those systems,
when the Bypass switch is engaged, set-top box 28 will preferably
bypass the input cable which is currently selected. If the Bypass
switch is engaged while set-top box 28 is off, then the A and B
cables will preferably be alternately bypassed as the user presses
the Bypass key or the A/B key on remote control 40 or set-top box
28. If the Bypass switch is engaged while set-top box 28 is on,
then pressing an A/B key may preferably alternate between the two
inputs. Pressing the Bypass key may first select the alternate
input, and then on a subsequent press it may disengage the RF
Bypass switch.
[0166] FIG. 45 shows illustrative configuration screen 451 that the
program guide may display when a user indicates a desire to view
the configuration of settop box 28 by, for example, setting See
Configuration feature 445 of cable box setup screen 441 to "Yes". A
user may return to cable box setup screen 441 by, for example,
selecting last feature 453. If desired, pressing a "fav" key
displays hidden screens with debugging information useful to
program guide providers.
[0167] The program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to
set up audio features of the guide and user television equipment
22. The program guide may display audio setup screen 461 of FIG. 46
when a user indicates a desire to set up audio feature of the guide
or user television equipment 22. A user may indicate such a desire
by, for example, selecting audio feature 415 of setup screen 411
(FIG. 41). The program guide may provide users with an opportunity
to set, for example, the optimal stereo volume, the type of audio
output, whether audio output is in stereo, the degree of Dolby
compression, or any other suitable audio feature.
[0168] If desired, the program guide may provide the an user with
opportunity to set the stereo output and Dolby compression settings
when, for example, the user sets the audio output setting to
"Advanced." When the audio output setting is set to something other
than "Advanced," (e.g., "TV," or "Stereo"), the guide may hide the
stereo output and Dolby compressing settings display elements (not
shown) and use default settings (e.g., "Stereo" and "Light").
[0169] The program guide may provide users with an opportunity to
set the screen position. The program guide may display, for
example, position screen 471 when a user selects screen position
feature 416 of setup screen 411 (FIG. 41). A user may set the
screen position by, for example, pressing "right," "left", "up,"
and "down" keys on remote control 40. A user may return to setup
screen 411 by, for example, pressing last feature 472. Adjustments
made in this screen will apply in all subsequent guide screens.
[0170] The program guide may provide users with the opportunity to
select languages for programming audio and program guide display
screen text. Program guide systems in which programming audio is
played and program guide display screen text is displayed in
selected languages are described, for example, in concurrently
filed Ellis et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed
______, (Attorney Docket No. UV-115), which is hereby incorporated
by reference herein in its entirety. The program guide may display
languages screen 481 as shown in FIG. 48 when a user indicates a
desire to select a language by, for example, selecting language
option 417 of setup screen 41. When a user selects a language, in
this example Canadian English, the program guide may indicate to a
user that the programming audio and program guide display screen
text will be in the selected language, as shown in FIG. 49, and
prompt a user to confirm the selection.
[0171] FIG. 50 shows an illustrative parental control setup screen
501 that the program guide may display when a user indicates a
desire to parentally control programs but has not previously set a
parental control code or purchase code by, for example, selecting a
parental control feature 413 from setup screen 411 (FIG. 41).
Parental control codes are codes that the program guide requires a
user to enter before a user is allowed to access channels,
programs, program information, other program guide data, or any
suitable combination thereof, when such material or information
does not meet predefined control criteria. Purchase codes are codes
that the program guide requires a user to enter before a user may
purchase a pay-per-view program or package.
[0172] FIG. 51 shows parental control setup screen 511 that the
program guide may display when a user has previously set a parental
control or purchase code and indicates a desire to change it by,
for example, highlighting a parental control option from setup
screen 411 (FIG. 41) and presses an "OK" key on remote control 40.
Parental control screen 511 may, for example, prompt a user for a
parental control code in order to clear or otherwise modify
parental control settings. After a user enter a valid parental
control or purchase code, the program guide may clear the current
code. A user may then set the code by entering a new code in
parental control setup screen 501 of FIG. 50.
[0173] When program guide data is stored by the program guide,
power outages may cause program guide data to be erased from the
program guide. Normal parental control may be temporarily lost
until the program guide data is restored. FIG. 51 also shows how
the program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to set
whether all programs are locked when power is lost. When a user has
set option 513 to "Yes" and the program guide loses its data, the
program guide may lock all programs until program guide data is
restored.
[0174] FIG. 52 shows illustrative parental control screen 521 that
the program guide may display when a user indicates a desire to
parentally control programs. The program guide may display parental
control screen 521 when, for example, a user selects a "Parents"
option from main menu 102 of FIG. 32 and enters a valid parental
control code. The program guide may, for example, provide a user
with an opportunity to parentally control programming by title,
channel, rating, or any other suitable criteria. A user may lock
programs by, for example, selecting a criteria, arrowing left or
right to display a particular selection, and pressing a "lock" key
on remote control 40. For example, FIG. 52 shows a user locking
programs by channel. By pressing "left" and "right" arrow keys on
remote control 40, a user may scroll through the channels. As the
channel numbers and call letters are displayed, they may be
accompanied by a lock icon, highlighted, colored, or presented in
another suitable manner to indicate to a user that a particular
channel number is locked. A user may lock unlocked channels, or
unlock locked channels, by, for example, pressing a "lock" key on
remote control 40 as the channels are displayed.
[0175] The program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to
hide adult titles. When a user activates the "hide adult titles"
feature by, for example, setting it to "Yes", the program guide may
display a default string such as "Adult Programming" instead of
adult program title wherever program titles are displayed (e.g.,
FIGS. 1-16, 19-22, and 25-29). In addition, the program guide may
replace any undesirable programming information with a default
string information. Program guide systems in which adult titles and
descriptions are hidden or blocked are described, for example, in
Ellis et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/201,105 filed Nov.
30, 1998, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
[0176] The program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to
globally remove or deactivate locks using a "master locks" feature.
In response to a user selection of the "master locks" feature shown
in FIG. 52, the program guide may display a master locks program
guide display screen.
[0177] FIG. 53 shows an illustrative master locks display screen
531 for providing a user with opportunities to clear all parental
control locks and to bypass parental control locks. When a user
sets clear all locks feature 533 to "Yes", the program guide may
provide a user with an opportunity to confirm the clearing of all
locks by, for example, displaying overlay 541 of FIG. 54.
[0178] A user may activate the bypass locks feature by setting
bypass locks feature 535 to "Yes". When activated, the bypass
feature of the program guide temporarily deactivates the parental
control locks and allows a user to view television programming that
would otherwise be locked without entering a parental control code.
In addition, when a suitable listing screen is displayed, the
program guide may change the "padlock" icon of lock indicator 161
(e.g., FIG. 10) to an "open padlock" or other suitable icon to
indicate that the bypass feature is activated.
[0179] Parental control may be reactivated and bypass disabled
when, for example, the set-top box is turned off and then on again,
when a user tries to access the parental control features of the
program guide (e.g., by pressing a lock button on a remote
control), or when any other suitable condition occurs. If the
set-top box is reset (e.g., turned off and on), the program guide
may automatically reenable the parental control feature to prevent
the inadvertent disabling of the parental control locks. If a user
tries to access the parental control features of the program guide,
the program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to confirm
reenabling the parental control locks, as shown in FIG. 55. If-a
user confirms reenabling the locks, the program guide may reenable
them and allow user to use the parental control feature.
[0180] The program guide may provide users with an opportunity to
parentally control programs and to set purchase codes for
purchasing pay-per-view programs and packages. A user may indicate
a desire to parentally control programs by, for example, pressing a
"lock" key on remote control 40 while watching a program or while
highlighting its listing, by selecting a parental control option
from setup screen 411 of FIG. 41, by selecting a "Parents" feature
from main menu 102 of FIG. 32, or when a user is in any other
suitable program guide display screen.
[0181] FIG. 56 shows an illustrative overlay 561 that the program
guide may display when, for example, a user indicates a desire to
parentally control programs by selecting a "Parents" feature from
main menu 102 of FIG. 32. The program guide may prompt a user for
the correct parental control code before providing a user with
access to setting parental control functions. FIG. 57 shows an
illustrative overlay 571 that the program guide may display when a
user enters an incorrect parental control code after indicating a
desire to access the parental control feature of the guide from
main menu 102. FIG. 58 shows an illustrative overlay 581 that the
program guide may display when a user enters a wrong code a number
of times in a row (e.g., five). Overlay 581 may be displayed until
the program guide is reset by, for example, television distribution
facility 16. Alternatively, overlay 581 may disappear but the guide
may prevent the user from attempting to enter a code until
television distribution facility 16 clears the code or a
pre-defined period of time has passed.
[0182] The program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to
set a parental control code when, for example, a user indicates a
desire to access the parental control feature of the program guide
but a code is not set. FIG. 59 shows illustrative overlay 591 that
the program guide may display when, for example, a user selects a
"Parents" feature from main menu 102 of FIG. 32 and no parental
control code is set. After a user enters a new code, the program
guide may provide a user with an opportunity to confirm the code as
shown in FIG. 60.
[0183] FIGS. 61-65 show illustrative program guide display screens
that the program guide may display when, for example, a user
indicates a desire to lock a program from within a program
information screen. Program information screens are display screens
that display additional information about a program for a user.
Program information screens may, for example, tell a user the
story-line of plot of a program, its actors, its rating, or any
other suitable information. FIG. 61 shows illustrative overlay 611
that the program guide may display when, for example, a user
indicates a desire to lock a program from within a program
information screen but there is no parental code set. A user is
prompted to enter a new code, and the program guide may provide a
user with an opportunity to confirm the code, as is shown in FIG.
62.
[0184] When a parental code is set and a user indicates a desire to
lock a program from within a program information screen, the
program guide may prompt a user for the parental control code as is
shown in FIG. 63. If a user enters an incorrect code, the program
guide may prompt a user to reenter it, as shown in FIG. 64. FIG. 65
shows an illustrative overlay 651 that the program guide may
display when a user enters a wrong code a number of times in a row
(e.g., five). Overlay 651 may be displayed until the program guide
is reset by, for example, television distribution facility 16.
Overlay 651 may also be displayed any time a user enters a wrong
code too many times (e.g., from within the overlay shown in FIG.
56).
[0185] The program guide may also provide a user with an
opportunity to lock programs "by example." A user may indicate a
desire to lock programs by example by, for example, pressing a
"lock" key while watching a program or after highlighting a program
listing, or by selecting an on screen lock feature within a display
screen (e.g., within a program information screen). When a user
indicates a desire to lock programs by example, the program guide
may allow the user to lock the title, rating, or channel of the
program. By locking the title, rating, or channel of a program, the
program guide locks programs (and episodes of a program) with
similar characteristics.
[0186] FIG. 66 shows an illustrative overlay 661 that the program
guide may display when a user indicates a desire to lock programs
by example. Users may lock the title, rating, or channel of the
program by, for example, arrowing to each selection or pressing a
"lock" button on remote control 40. When the user locks a
selection, the guide may display a lock indicator. Users may unlock
selections by, for example, pressing a "lock" button. The program
guide may respond by unlocking the selected title, rating, or
channel and removing the displayed lock indicator. If desired or
when system resources require, the program guide may limit the
number of titles a user may lock. FIG. 67 shows illustrative
overlay 671 that prompts a user to clear a title lock before adding
another.
[0187] Once a user has setup parental control features of the
program guide, the program guide may require a user to enter a
parental control code when a user indicates a desire to access
programs, program information, or other program guide data that
meet the parental control criteria. FIG. 68 shows an illustrative
overlay 681 that the program guide may display when a user attempts
to tune to a channel that is parentally restricted or that is
broadcasting a program that is restricted.
[0188] The program guide may provide a user with opportunities to
view information about programs and to access related features from
within program information screens. Systems in which program guides
provide users with opportunities to access program guide features
from within information screens are described, for example, in
concurrently filed Rudnick et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ (Attorney Docket No. UV-113), which is hereby incorporated
by reference herein in its entirety. Program information screens
may include, for example, a brief description of a program, the
actors of a program, the rating of a program, when a program is
aired, or any other suitable information related to a program. The
program guide may display a program information screen when a user
indicates a desire to view program information by, for example,
pressing an "info" key on remote control 40 while watching a
program or after selecting its listing, by selecting a selectable
advertisement that promotes a program for which program information
is available, or using any other suitable approach.
[0189] FIGS. 69 and 70a show illustrative program information
screens 691 and 701. The program guide may display program
information screen 691 when, for example, a user selects a
selectable advertisement for a program from within any program
guide display screen. An advertisement for the program that is
displayed as part of program information screen 691 may not be
selectable. Otherwise, selecting the advertisement would just bring
a user back to the same screen. Program information screen 701 may
be displayed when, for example, a user indicates a desire to view
program information while watching a program or after selecting its
listing.
[0190] Program information screens, such as program information
screens 691 and 701, may also include features that a user may
select for the subject program. A user may, for example, set a
reminder for the subject program by selecting remind feature 695. A
user may also, for example, lock the subject program by example by
selecting lock feature 697. A user may return to the last screen
by, for example, selecting last feature 693. A user may also select
a watch feature (not shown), to watch the program.
[0191] A user may view other air times for a program by, for
example, selecting a times feature (as shown, for example, in FIGS.
73 and 74) and then pressing left and right arrow keys on remote
control 40 to navigate through air times. FIG. 70b shows the air
times, for example, for Mad About You. The program guide may
display additional air times when, for example, a user arrows right
or left. When a user selects an air time, the program guide may
display a program information screen with the new air time and
corresponding channel and program information.
[0192] The program guide may provide users with an opportunity to
view program information for other types of programs, such as
movies, pay-per-view programs and programs which are part of
orderable packages, or for channels such as premium and music
channels. FIGS. 71 and 72 show illustrative program information
screens 711 and 721 for pay-per-view programs. The program guide
may display program information screen 711 when, for example, a
user selects a selectable advertisement for a pay-per-view program.
The program guide may display program information screen 721 when,
for example, a user is watching a pay-per-view program, or
highlights a pay-per-view program listing, and presses an "info" or
"OK" key on remote control 40. As shown in FIGS. 71 and 72, the
program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to view the
times at which a pay-per-view program airs. When a user selects an
air time, the program guide may allow the viewer to purchase that
showing. If a program is not impulse purchasable, the guide may
display a screen such as display 691 of FIG. 69 or 701 of FIG. 70a
and include an order feature (not shown). When a user selects the
order feature, the guide may instruct the user to purchase the
selection by telephone as shown, for example, in FIG. 92.
[0193] FIGS. 73 and 74 show illustrative program information
screens 731 and 741 for a program which is part of an orderable
package of pay-per-view programs. The program guide may display
program information screen 731 when, for example, a user selects a
selectable advertisement for a program which is part of a
pay-per-view package. The program guide may display program
information screen 741 when, for example, a user is watching a
pay-per-view program that is within a package, or highlights its
listing, and presses an "info" or "OK" key on remote control 40. As
shown in FIGS. 73 and 74, the program guide may indicate to a user
that the pay-per-view program is part of a package by displaying
package name 735.
[0194] The program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to
order pay-per-view programs and pay-per-view packages from within
program information screens. A user may indicate a desire to order
a pay-per-view package, for example, by selecting order feature 737
of program information screen 731. When a user selects order
feature 737, the program guide may display an order confirmation
screen, such as the order confirmation screens shown in FIGS. 80
and 81. A user may also see other air-times for a pay-per-view
program within a package by, for example, selecting times option
739.
[0195] FIGS. 75a and 75b show illustrative channel information
screens for a channel that the program guide may display when a
user indicates a desire to view information for a channel. The
program guide may display channel information screen 751 when, for
example, a user selects a selectable advertisement for a channel.
The program guide may display channel information screen 761 when,
for example, a user highlights a listing for the channel (e.g., as
in the display screen of FIG. 23 or FIG. 38), and presses an "info"
key on remote control 40.
[0196] Channel information screens, such as channel information
screen 751 or 761, may indicate that a channel has been designated
as a favorite by, for example, displaying "Favorite" in the second
text line of the screen. Channel information screens may also
include listings option 753. When a user selects listings option
753, the program guide may display a program listings screen for
the channel (e.g., listings by channel screen 140 of FIG. 11a). The
program guide may also tune to the channel when, for example, a
user selects watch feature 755. The guide may also allow users to
perform other functions from the information screens of FIGS. 75a
and 75b. The program guide may, for example, designate a channel as
a favorite channel when the user selects an on-screen favorite
feature (now shown). The guide may, also, for example, allow the
user to parentally control the channel when the user selects an
on-screen lock feature (not shown). The guide may display ordering
information when the user selects an on-screen order feature (not
shown).
[0197] FIGS. 76a and 76b show illustrative channel information
screens 771 and 781 for music channels that the program guide may
display when a user indicates a desire to view information for a
music channel. The program guide may display music channel
information screen 771 when, for example, a user selects a
selectable advertisement for a music channel. The program guide may
display music channel information screen 781 when, for example, a
user highlights its listing (e.g., as in the display screen of FIG.
23), and presses an "info" key on remote control 40.
[0198] Music channel information screens, such as music channel
information screens 771 and 781, may include selectable features,
such as favorite feature 773. Music channel information screens may
also include a listen feature, such as listen feature 771. The
program guide may tune to a music channel when, for example, a user
selects listen feature 771. The guide may also allow users to
perform other functions from the information screens of FIGS. 76a
and 76b. The program guide may, for example, allow the user to
parentally control the channel when the user selects an on-screen
lock feature (not shown). The guide may also display ordering
information when the user selects an on-screen order feature (not
shown).
[0199] Situations may arise where the user has not ordered a
channel to which the user has tuned (as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28)
or for which a user has displayed channel information (shown, for
example, in FIGS. 75a, 75b, 76a, and 76b). The guide may instruct a
user how to order a channel as shown in FIGS. 77 and 78 when, for
example, a user selects an order feature (not shown) from the
screens shown in FIGS. 75a, 75b, 76a, and 76b. As mentioned, users
may access the information screens of FIGS. 75b and 76b after
tuning to a channel to which the user has not subscribed and
indicating a desire to view information, such as in response to the
overlay of FIGS. 27 and 28.
[0200] The program guide may provide users with the opportunity to
order pay-per-view programs and pay-per-view program packages. A
user may indicate a desire to order a pay-per-view program by, for
example, selecting a start time within a pay-per-view program
information screen for the pay-per-view program (e.g., FIGS. 71 and
72). The program guide may respond by displaying an order
confirmation screen, such as order confirmation screen 791 of FIG.
78. Order confirmation screen 791 may prompt a user for a purchase
code, such as the purchase code set up in parental control setup
screen 501 of FIG. 50. After a user enters a correct purchase code,
the program guide may allow the user to watch the program and
register the purchase with television distribution facility 16. If
no purchase code has been set, the program guide may instead prompt
a user to confirm the purchase, as shown in FIG. 79.
[0201] When a user indicates a desire to order a pay-per-view
package by, for example, selecting order feature 737 of FIG. 73,
the program guide may display a package order confirmation screen,
such as package order confirmation screen 811 of FIG. 80. Package
order confirmation screen 811 may prompt a user for a purchase
code, such as the purchase code set up in parental control setup
screen 501 of FIG. 50. After a user enters a correct purchase code,
the program guide may register the purchase with television
distribution facility 16. If no purchase code has been set, the
program guide may instead prompt a user to confirm the purchase, as
shown in FIG. 81. The user may also select an individual listing
from the screens shown in FIGS. 80 and 81 to get information on the
individual pay-per-view program within the package.
[0202] Once a user has entered a purchase code or confirmed an
order, the program guide may display an overlay indicating that the
program has been ordered, as shown in FIG. 82. If desired, the
program guide may also set a reminder for the pay-per-view program
or for the programs in a package. If the program is about to start
or has already started, the program guide may tune to the channel
on which the program, or a program in an ordered package, is
carried. FIG. 83 shows illustrative overlay 841 that the program
guide may display after tuning to the channel. If desired, a FLIP
overlay also may be displayed as shown.
[0203] The program guide may indicate to a user that an ordered
program, or program in a package, has already started or has
already been ordered, and may prompt a user to confirm the current
order, as shown in FIGS. 84, 85, and 86. The program guide may also
indicate to a user that an ordered pay-per-view program or package
conflicts with a pay-per-view program or with programs in a package
that a user has already ordered. FIG. 87 shows an illustrative
overlay 871 that the program guide may display when a user has an
order conflict. Overlay 871 provides a user with an opportunity to
cancel the order or to order both programs.
[0204] The program guide may also provide a user with an
opportunity to cancel an order of a pay-per-view program or
package. A user may indicate a desire to cancel-an-order by, for
example, selecting last features 793 of FIGS. 78 and 80, or no
features 803 of the screens shown in FIGS. 79, 81, 84, and 87. The
user may also indicate a desire to cancel an order by selecting the
"Yes" features of FIGS. 85 and 86. The program guide may respond by
displaying an overlay indicating to a user that the order has been
canceled. An illustrative overlay 881 is shown in FIG. 88.
[0205] The program guide may be unable to order a pay-per-view
program or package of programs because, for example, a user has
ordered too many pay-per-view programs or packages, because a user
has an insufficient amount of credit with an operator of television
distribution facility 16, or because the program or package is no
longer available. FIG. 89 shows an illustrative overlay 891 that
the program guide may display when, for example, a user has ordered
too many pay-per-view programs or packages. FIG. 90 shows an
illustrative overlay 901 that the program guide may display when,
for example, a user orders a pay-per-view program or package and
has insufficient credit with an operator of television distribution
facility 16. FIG. 91 shows an illustrative overlay 911 that the
program guide may display when, for example, a user orders a
pay-per-view program or package and the program or programs in the
package are no longer available.
[0206] Set-top box 28 of FIG. 3 may not be configured so that the
program guide can order pay-per-view programs or packages directly
from television distribution facility 16. Also, a particular
program may not be available for impulse purchase. When a user
indicates a desire to order a pay-per-view program, the program
guide may Indicate to a user that a user must order the
pay-per-view program or package by phone. FIGS. 92 and 93 show
illustrative overlays 921 and 931 that the program guide may
display when a user must order a program or package by phone,
respectively.
[0207] The program guide may set reminders for programs when a user
indicates a desire to set a reminder by, for example, selecting an
on-screen reminder feature. On-screen reminder features 695 are
shown, for example, in FIGS. 69, 70a, and 74. When a user indicates
a desire to set a reminder for a program from within a program
information screen by selecting a reminder feature, the program
guide may prompt a user to set the reminder as shown in FIG. 94. If
a user selects a reminder feature when a reminder has already been
set for a program, the guide may present the prompt shown in FIG.
95, thereby giving the user the opportunity to cancel the reminder.
If desired or when system resources require, the program guide may
limit the number of reminders a user can set. FIG. 96 shows
illustrative overlay 961 that prompts a user to clear a reminder
before adding another.
[0208] The program guide may remind a user that a program is airing
at the time a program airs. In an alternative approach, the program
guide may remind a user at some predetermined period of time before
the program airs that a program is going to air. FIGS. 97 and 98
show illustrative program reminder lists 971. In FIG. 97, reminder
list 971 is overlaid on top of the currently display television
program to provide a user with the opportunity to view a reminder
while still viewing a portion of the television program that a user
is watching. In FIG. 98, reminder list 971 is shown overlaid on top
of a program listings display screen. The program guide may provide
a user with an opportunity to scroll through reminder list 971 by,
for example, using remote control arrow keys. The program guide may
hide the reminder list when, for example, a user selects hide
reminder feature 972. The guide may also display reminder list 971
if, for example, the user presses an "OK" key at any time while
watching TV.
[0209] The program guide may also display reminders that indicate
to a user that a user has missed an ordered pay-per-view program.
The program guide may, for example, determine that a pay-per-view
program started too long in the past and that the viewer never
watched it. FIGS. 99 and 100 show illustrative overlay 991 overlaid
on a television program and a program guide display screen,
respectively that indicate to a user that a user has missed a
pay-per-view program. Overlay 991 displays the missed pay-per-view
program and prompts a user to indicate whether a user wishes to
reschedule. A user may reschedule the missed program by, for
example, selecting "Yes" button 993.
[0210] If the user ignores a reminder for a pay-per-view program,
the program guide may display a reminder for when the ordered
pay-per-view programs are starting. FIGS. 101 and 102 show
illustrative overlays 1011 that indicate to a user that a
pay-per-view program is starting. The program guide may overlay
overlays 1011 over a television program or a program guide display
screen as shown in FIGS. 101 and 102, respectively. Overlay 1011
displays the starting pay-per-view program and prompts a user to
indicate whether a user wishes to tune to the program. A user may
tune to the starting pay-per-view program by, for example,
selecting "Yes" button 1012.
[0211] The program guide may also display overlays that indicate
in-band messages sent by the operator of television distribution
facility 16. FIG. 103, for example, shows overlay 1031 that
indicates to a user that a user's account is past due. FIG. 29, for
example, shows an illustrative overlay that indicates that a
special pay-per-view promotion is being offered. The content of
overlay 1031 (or the overlay of FIG. 29) is typically sent by an
operator when the operator has a message that they want the user to
see immediately. The content may also be preprogrammed into the
program guide or may be downloaded as part of the program guide
data.
[0212] Users may forget how to access various features of the
program guide. The program guide may provide users with the
opportunity to view help text by, for example, pressing a "help"
key on remote control 40. FIG. 104 shows an illustrative help
overlay 1041 that may be displayed by the program guide to provide
a user with help text. The content of overlay 1041 may be context
sensitive thereby providing a user with help text for the program
guide display screen currently being displayed by the program
guide.
[0213] The program guide may be disabled by main facility 12 when,
for example, an operator is not current with his or her account.
FIGS. 105 and 106 show illustrative overlays 1051 that the program
guide may display when it is disabled. FIG. 106 illustrates how
television viewing may also be disabled if desired. FIG. 106 shows
overlay 1051 overlaid on the video that a user is watching.
[0214] FIGS. 107 and 108 are illustrative flowcharts of steps
involved in operating the program guide of the present invention.
The steps shown in FIGS. 107 and 108 may be performed in any
suitable order, and may be omitted if desired.
[0215] FIG. 107 shows illustrative steps involved in providing a
user with an opportunity to access program guide features. At step
1071, the program guide provides a user with an opportunity to
access a program guide feature by, for example, selecting a
selectable feature 106 from main menu 102 of FIGS. 7, 18, and 34.
When a user selects a "Setup" feature from main menu 102 for
example, the program guide may provide a user with the opportunity
to set parental control locks as discussed with respect to FIGS.
50-66. At step 1073, the program guide may provide a user with an
opportunity to configure the guide to temporarily bypass locks. The
guide may temporarily bypass (or disable) locks at step 1075. At
step 1077, the program guide may reenable parental control locks
because, for example, user television equipment 22 was reset.
[0216] The program guide may also provide a user with an
opportunity to access a setup feature whereby a user may set the
program guide to auto-tune when the user enters a channel number
using, for example, remote control 40 of FIG. 3. At step 1079, the
program guide provides a user with an opportunity to set the
program guide to auto-tune. When the user sets the program guide to
auto-tune, user television equipment 22 will tune to a channel that
the user enters without requiring the user to enter three digits or
to press "select" or "OK", on remote control 40.
[0217] The program guide may provide a user with an opportunity to
navigate within program listings (step 1081). The user may, for
example, scroll or page through listings that are displayed as part
of a program listings screen. The program guide may display, within
the listings, a demarcation (e.g., a separator) between listings
that start at the same time or near the same time (step 1083). As
the user navigates within listings, the program guide may skip the
demarcation (step 1085), and require the user to navigate through
an advertisement banner (step 1089), if desired. In by time
screens, the guide may change the time bar display (or other
suitable time display) to indicate that the user has changed time
slots (step 1087). Users may change time slots by, for example,
scrolling up or down until a new time slot is reached, or by
arrowing left or right to quickly change time slots.
[0218] FIG. 108 is a flowchart of illustrative steps involved in
providing a user with access to local information service data
using the program guide. At step 1200, local information data is
provided by program guide data source 14 by, for example, local
information service 15 (FIG. 1). The local information data may be
provided to main facility 12 or local television distribution
facility 16. At step 1210, the local information data is configured
so that it may be used by the program guide and may indicate to the
program guide how display screens are to be configured. For
example, the local information data may indicate that the program
guide should use the format shown in FIG. 35c instead of FIG. 35a.
In another suitable approach, the local information data may
indicate to the program guide that a user should be provided an
opportunity to access data from multiple information services as
shown, for example, in FIG. 35b. The program guide provides a user
with an opportunity to access a suitably configured display screen
at step 1220.
[0219] Step 1220 may include indicating to the user the type of
local information services available to the user based on the local
information data (step 1225). For example, main facility 12 may
configure the local information data to indicate to the program
guide that the program guide is providing a user with access to
local weather information. Accordingly, the program guide may
display "Weather" as a selectable feature within main menu 102. At
step 1230, the program guide displays the local information data in
a suitable configured display screen.
[0220] The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of
this invention and various modifications can be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of
the invention.
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