US5801787A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Television schedule system and method of operation for multiple program occurrences
Assignee: Adeia Guides Inc
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Filing: 1996-06-14
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Granted: 1998-09-01
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Expires: 2016-06-14
Abstract
Abstract An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven M. Schein
- 👤 David P. Warden
- 👤 Molly K. King
- 👤 Theresa A. Alba
- 👤 Robert E. Russman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/47; H04N21/482; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4622; H04N21/4828; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/8126; H04N21/8133; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/765; H04N21/41; H04N21/4104; H04N21/4135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of generating television guide information for a viewer comprising the steps of: inputting schedule guide information into a guide system, said schedule guide information is input from multiple television signal sources; merging the guide information from said multiple television signal sources; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; and identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of generating television guide information for a viewer comprising the steps of: inputting schedule guide information into a guide system, said schedule guide information is input from multiple television signal sources; merging the guide information from said multiple television signal sources; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; and identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said show is a movie and said identified other times comprise repeated presentations of the movie.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said show is a particular segment of a series show.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of generating television guide information for a viewer comprising the steps of: inputting schedule guide information into a guide system; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown; and recording said particular show at one of said other times.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of generating television guide information for a viewer comprising the steps of: inputting schedule guide information into a guide system; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown; and recording said particular show at one of said other times.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said multiple television signal sources comprise sources selected from the group consisting of a DBS source, a cable source, an antenna source, and a computer network source.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of generating television guide information for a viewer comprising the steps of: inputting schedule guide information into a guide system; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown; receiving the user input to record said particular show at one of said other times; and controlling a video recording device to record said particular show at said one of said other times.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of generating television guide information for a viewer comprising the steps of: inputting schedule guide information into a guide system; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown; receiving the user input to record said particular show at one of said other times; and controlling a video recording device to record said particular show at said one of said other times.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of moving a satellite dish to a selected satellite source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of merging is performed at a central broadcast location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said step of controlling a video recording device comprises the step of controlling said video recording device via infrared control signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said user identifies said other times via a remote controller, said remote controller controlling a system coordinator, said system coordinator controlling a television via infrared signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of identifying generates a list of shows from a present time when said identified particular show is at a future time.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of generating television guide information for a viewer comprising the steps of: inputting schedule guide information into a guide system; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown; receiving the user input to specify a particular one of said other times; and reminding said user when said particular one of said other times arises.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of generating television guide information for a viewer comprising the steps of: inputting schedule guide information into a guide system; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown; receiving the user input to specify a particular one of said other times; and reminding said user when said particular one of said other times arises.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of filtering said schedule information by theme, wherein said particular show is identified from said filtered schedule information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said method is performed in a personal computer.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of generating television guide information for a viewer comprising the steps of: inputting schedule guide information into a guide system; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown; and identifying the availability of said particular show in videotape form.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of generating television guide information for a viewer comprising the steps of: inputting schedule guide information into a guide system; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown; and identifying the availability of said particular show in videotape form.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of providing said user with information regarding said particular show over an internet network.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
69 words
Software on a computer readable medium for performing the steps of inputting schedule guide information into a guide system, wherein said schedule guide information is input from multiple television signal sources; merging the schedule guide information from said multiple television signal sources; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; and identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown;.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
Software on a computer readable medium for performing the steps of inputting schedule guide information into a guide system, wherein said schedule guide information is input from multiple television signal sources; merging the schedule guide information from said multiple television signal sources; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; and identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown;.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
Software as recited in claim 17 wherein said show is a movie and said identified other times comprise repeated presentations of the movie.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
Software as recited in claim 17 wherein said show is a particular segment of a series show.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
56 words
Software on a computer readable medium for performing the steps of inputting schedule guide information into a guide system; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown; and recording said particular show at one of said other times.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
Software on a computer readable medium for performing the steps of inputting schedule guide information into a guide system; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown; and recording said particular show at one of said other times.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
Software as recited in claim 17 wherein said multiple television signal sources comprise sources selected from the group consisting of a DBS source, a cable source, an antenna source, and a computer network source.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
78 words
Software on a computer readable medium for performing the steps of: inputting schedule guide information into a guide system; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown; receiving the user input to record said particular show at one of said other times; and controlling a video recording device to record said particular show at said one of said other times.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
78 words
Software on a computer readable medium for performing the steps of: inputting schedule guide information into a guide system; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown; receiving the user input to record said particular show at one of said other times; and controlling a video recording device to record said particular show at said one of said other times.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
Software as recited in claim 17 further performing the step of moving a satellite dish to a selected satellite source.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
Software as recited in claim 17 wherein said step of merging is performed at a central broadcast location.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
Software as recited in claim 22 wherein said step of controlling a video recording device comprises the step of controlling said video recording device via infrared control signals.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
Software as recited in claim 17 wherein said user identifies said other times via a remote controller, said remote controller controlling a system coordinator, said system coordinator controlling a television via infrared signals.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
Software as recited in claim 17 wherein said step of identifying generates a list of shows from a present time when said identified particular show is at a future time.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
71 words
Software on a computer readable medium for performing the steps of inputting schedule guide information into a guide system; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown; receiving the user input to specify a particular one of said other times; and reminding said user when said particular one of said other times arises.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
71 words
Software on a computer readable medium for performing the steps of inputting schedule guide information into a guide system; receiving user input to identify a particular show in said schedule guide information; identifying for said user other times when said particular show will be shown; receiving the user input to specify a particular one of said other times; and reminding said user when said particular one of said other times arises.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
Software as recited in claim 17 further performing the step of filtering said schedule information by theme, wherein said particular show is identified from said filtered schedule information.
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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) | 2001-08-31 | 2002-03-02 | 2002-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-31 | 2006-03-02 | 2006-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-31 | 2010-03-02 | 2010-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |