US5751372A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for navigating an on-screen program guide
Assignee: The AT&T MVPD Group LLC
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Filing: 1996-02-19
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Granted: 1998-05-12
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Expires: 2016-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for generating and navigating an on-screen program guide comprising current and future scheduling information for a plurality of different program sources. The method comprises the steps of entering a date and a time which defines a reference time for the on-screen program guide, and generating the on-screen program guide containing scheduling information for the plurality of different program sources including the user-entered reference time.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Forson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:23
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/47214
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of navigating an on-screen program guide comprising current and future scheduling information for a plurality of different program sources, said method comprising the steps of: entering a date and a time, said date and a time defining a reference time for said on-screen program guide, and generating said on-screen program guide containing scheduling information for a subset of said plurality of different program sources including said reference time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of navigating an on-screen program guide comprising current and future scheduling information for a plurality of different program sources, said method comprising the steps of: entering a date and a time, said date and a time defining a reference time for said on-screen program guide, and generating said on-screen program guide containing scheduling information for a subset of said plurality of different program sources including said reference time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of navigating an on-screen program guide according to claim 1, wherein said on-screen program guide displays scheduling information for programs currently broadcasting at said reference time and for programs being broadcast before said reference time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of navigating an on-screen program guide according to claim 1, wherein said on-screen program guide displays scheduling information for programs currently broadcasting at said reference time and for programs being broadcast after said reference time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of navigating an on-screen program guide according to claim 1, wherein said step of entering a date and a time defining a reference time for said program guide comprises: generating a selection display including a plurality of times within a given day, selecting a single time from said plurality of times, wherein said selected time represent said reference time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of navigating an on-screen program guide according to claim 1, wherein said step of entering a date and a time defining a reference time for said program guide comprises: generating a selection display, said selection display including a plurality of days and a plurality of times within a given day, selecting a single day from said plurality of days and a single time from said plurality of times, wherein said selected day and said selected time represent said reference time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of navigating an on-screen program guide according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of times within a given day are designated by name.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of navigating an on-screen program guide according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of times within a given day are designated by names including morning, afternoon, evening, and late night.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus for generating an on-screen program guide comprising current and future scheduling information for a plurality of different program sources, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving a signal, said signal including said current and future scheduling information for a plurality of different program sources; memory means coupled to said receiving means, said scheduling information being stored in said memory means; user input means for entering a date and a time, said date and time defining a reference time for said on-screen program guide; a system controller coupled to said memory means and said user input means, said system controller operative for generating said on-screen program guide containing scheduling information for a subset of said plurality of different program sources including said reference time.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus for generating an on-screen program guide comprising current and future scheduling information for a plurality of different program sources, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving a signal, said signal including said current and future scheduling information for a plurality of different program sources; memory means coupled to said receiving means, said scheduling information being stored in said memory means; user input means for entering a date and a time, said date and time defining a reference time for said on-screen program guide; a system controller coupled to said memory means and said user input means, said system controller operative for generating said on-screen program guide containing scheduling information for a subset of said plurality of different program sources including said reference time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus for generating an on-screen program guide according to claim 8, further comprising a display means coupled to said system controller, said display means operative for displaying said on-screen program guide generated by said system controller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus for generating an on-screen program guide according to claim 8, wherein said on-screen program guide displays scheduling information for programs currently broadcasting at said reference time and for programs being broadcast before said reference time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus for generating an on-screen program guide according to claim 8, wherein said on-screen program guide displays scheduling information for programs currently broadcasting at said reference time and for programs being broadcast after said reference time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus for generating an on-screen program guide according to claim 8, wherein: said system controller is operative for generating a selection display, said selection display including a plurality of times within a given day, and said user input means is operative for allowing a viewer to select a single time from said plurality of times; said selected time representing said reference time of said on-screen program guide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus for generating an on-screen program guide according to claim 8, wherein: said system controller is operative for generating a selection display, said selection display including a plurality of days and a plurality of times within a given day, and said user input means is operative for allowing a viewer to select a single day from said plurality of days and a single time from said plurality of times; said selected day and said selected time representing said reference time of said on-screen program guide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus for generating an on-screen program guide according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of times within a given day are designated by name.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus for generating an on-screen program guide according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of times within a given day are designated by names including morning, afternoon, evening, and late night.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus for generating an on-screen program guide according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of days includes a week of consecutive days, said days being designated by name.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-11 | 2001-11-10 | 2002-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-11 | 2005-11-10 | 2006-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-11 | 2009-11-10 | 2010-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |