US5635989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for sorting and searching a television program guide
Assignee: The AT&T MVPD Group LLC
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Filing: 1996-02-13
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Granted: 1997-06-03
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Expires: 2016-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for searching a program guide comprising program information for a plurality of different program sources. The program information includes the titles of the programs, the channel on which each program is to be shown, and the time at which each program is to be shown. The viewer first enters the title of a desired program. The program guide is then reviewed so as to identify each occurrence of the title of the desired program. If the desired program is contained in the guide, the time and channel associated with each identified occurrence of the program is displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Rothmuller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:50
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/442; H04N21/44213; H04N21/44222; H04N21/45; H04N21/4508; H04N21/4532; H04N21/47; H04N21/482; H04N21/4821; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/445; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/165; H04N7/173
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of generating a favorite program list from a program guide comprising program information for a plurality of different program sources, said program information includes the titles of the programs, said method comprising the steps of: enabling a viewer to designate the title of a program to be included on said favorite program list; and storing the title of the viewer-designated program in memory means, said titles of programs stored in said memory means forming said favorite program list.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of generating a favorite program list from a program guide comprising program information for a plurality of different program sources, said program information includes the titles of the programs, said method comprising the steps of: enabling a viewer to designate the title of a program to be included on said favorite program list; and storing the title of the viewer-designated program in memory means, said titles of programs stored in said memory means forming said favorite program list.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of generating a favorite program list according to claim 1, wherein designating the title of a program comprises selecting the desired program from said program guide via user input means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of generating a favorite program list according to claim 1, wherein designating the title of a program comprises depression of a predetermined key on said user input means while viewing the desired program.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of generating a favorite program list according to claim 1, wherein said favorite program list includes the channel on which each program is to be shown, and the time at which each program is to be shown.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of generating a favorite program list according to claim 4, wherein said favorite program list is displayed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of generating a favorite program list according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: storing the title of the program in memory means if said program is selected for viewing for a prespecified period of time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of generating a favorite program list according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: deleting a title of a program stored in said memory means if said program is not selected for viewing for a prespecified period of time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of generating a favorite program list according to claim 1, wherein said favorite program list is utilized to create a timer event.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for generating a favorite program list from a television program guide, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving a signal, said signal including program information for a plurality of different program sources, said program information including the titles of the programs, the channel on which each program is to be shown, and the time at which each program is to be shown; memory means coupled to said receiving means; user input means for enabling a viewer to designate a title of a program to be included on said favorite program list, said title being stored in said memory means; a system controller coupled to said memory means and said user input means, said system controller operative for storing the title of the program designated by said viewer in said memory means; and display means coupled to said system controller, said display means operative for displaying said titles of programs stored in said memory means forming said favorite program.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for generating a favorite program list from a television program guide, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving a signal, said signal including program information for a plurality of different program sources, said program information including the titles of the programs, the channel on which each program is to be shown, and the time at which each program is to be shown; memory means coupled to said receiving means; user input means for enabling a viewer to designate a title of a program to be included on said favorite program list, said title being stored in said memory means; a system controller coupled to said memory means and said user input means, said system controller operative for storing the title of the program designated by said viewer in said memory means; and display means coupled to said system controller, said display means operative for displaying said titles of programs stored in said memory means forming said favorite program.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus for generating a favorite program list according to claim 9, wherein designating the title of a program comprises selecting the desired program from said program guide via user input means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus for generating a favorite program list according to claim 9, wherein said favorite program list includes the channel on which each program is to be shown, and the time at which each program is to be shown.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said titles of programs forming said favorite program list are arranged on the basis of which programs are most frequently watched.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said titles of programs forming said favorite program list are arranged on the basis of which programs are most frequently watched.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of generating a favorite program list from a program guide comprising program information for a plurality of different program sources, said program information including the titles of the programs, said method comprising the steps of: monitoring the duration of time a program is selected for viewing; and storing the title of the program in memory means if said program is selected for viewing for a prespecified period of time, said titles of programs stored in said memory means forming said favorite program list, and wherein a viewer can store the title of a program in said memory means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of generating a favorite program list from a program guide comprising program information for a plurality of different program sources, said program information including the titles of the programs, said method comprising the steps of: monitoring the duration of time a program is selected for viewing; and storing the title of the program in memory means if said program is selected for viewing for a prespecified period of time, said titles of programs stored in said memory means forming said favorite program list, and wherein a viewer can store the title of a program in said memory means.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for generating a favorite program list from a television program guide, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving a signal, said signal including program information for a plurality of different program sources, said program information including at least the titles of the programs, the channel on which each program is to be shown, and the time at which each program is to be shown; memory means coupled to said receiving means; user input means for selecting a program for viewing; a system controller coupled to said memory means and said user input means, said system controller operative for monitoring the duration of time a program is selected for viewing, and for storing the title of the program in said memory means if said program is selected for viewing for a prespecified period of time; and display means coupled to said system controller, said display means operative for displaying said titles of programs stored in said memory means forming said favorite program list, wherein said user input means further operates to allow an operator input a title of a program in said memory means.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for generating a favorite program list from a television program guide, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving a signal, said signal including program information for a plurality of different program sources, said program information including at least the titles of the programs, the channel on which each program is to be shown, and the time at which each program is to be shown; memory means coupled to said receiving means; user input means for selecting a program for viewing; a system controller coupled to said memory means and said user input means, said system controller operative for monitoring the duration of time a program is selected for viewing, and for storing the title of the program in said memory means if said program is selected for viewing for a prespecified period of time; and display means coupled to said system controller, said display means operative for displaying said titles of programs stored in said memory means forming said favorite program list, wherein said user input means further operates to allow an operator input a title of a program in said memory means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-06-02 | 2000-12-02 | 2001-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-02 | 2004-12-02 | 2005-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-02 | 2008-12-02 | 2009-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |