Electronic program guide system using images of reduced size to identify respective programs

Claim 1

A method of transmitting an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; and transmitting the combined data; wherein said EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with said identified programs; wherein said EPG text data comprises program table data formed of title and broadcast data and program content data formed of description data; wherein said program table data is associated with programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a predetermined time period, and said program content data is associated with said programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a portion of said predetermined time period; and wherein, upon receipt of said transmitted combined data, a user may select one of a plurality of images of a reduced size superimposed on a first displayed full size image, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said plurality of reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a full size image associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed full size image, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 2

A method of transmitting an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; and transmitting the combined data; wherein said EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with said identified programs; wherein said EPG text data comprises program table data formed of title and broadcast data and program content data formed of description data; wherein said program table data is associated with programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a predetermined time period, and said program content data is associated with said programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a portion of said predetermined time period; and wherein, upon receipt of said transmitted combined data, a user may select one of a plurality of images of a reduced size superimposed on a first displayed full size image, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said plurality of reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a full size image associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed full size image, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 10

A method of receiving electronic program guide (EPG) and program data transmitted on plural broadcast channels, said EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal size to identify respective programs which currently are and will be transmitted on several broadcast channels and said program data including video and audio data of plural programs currently being transmitted on respective broadcast channels, said method comprising the steps of: receiving the program data transmitted on different broadcast channels and the EPG data transmitted with said program data; separating the receiving EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 11

A method of receiving electronic program guide (EPG) and program data transmitted on plural broadcast channels, said EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal size to identify respective programs which currently are and will be transmitted on several broadcast channels and said program data including video and audio data of plural programs currently being transmitted on respective broadcast channels, said method comprising the steps of: receiving the program data transmitted on different broadcast channels and the EPG data transmitted with said program data; separating the receiving EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 45

A method of transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to be transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; transmitting the combined data; receiving the combined program and EPG data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 46

A method of transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to be transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; transmitting the combined data; receiving the combined program and EPG data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 55

A method of transmitting an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted and text data representing information associated with said identified programs, said information comprising at least one of title data identifying the title of a program to be transmitted, broadcast data identifying date and time at which said program is to be transmitted and description data providing a description of the program to be transmitted, in which the step of generating EPG data includes updating said EPG data periodically; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted, in which said step of providing program data comprises supplying video and audio data of plural programs, each being transmitted over a respective broadcast channel, and compressing said video and audio data to produce compressed program data of said plural programs; combining said EPG data and said program data, in which the step of combining comprises multiplexing the EPG image and text data with said compressed program data of said plural programs; and transmitting the combined data; wherein the number of programs identified by said EPG data is substantially greater than the number of programs with which said EPG data is multiplexed; wherein said EPG text data comprises program table data formed of said title and broadcast data and program content data formed of said description data, in which said program table data is associated with programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a predetermined time period and in which said program content data is associated with said programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a fraction of said predetermined time period; and wherein, upon receipt of said transmitted combined data, a user may select one of a plurality of images of a reduced size superimposed on a first displayed full size image, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said plurality of reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a full size image associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed full size image, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 56

A method of transmitting an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted and text data representing information associated with said identified programs, said information comprising at least one of title data identifying the title of a program to be transmitted, broadcast data identifying date and time at which said program is to be transmitted and description data providing a description of the program to be transmitted, in which the step of generating EPG data includes updating said EPG data periodically; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted, in which said step of providing program data comprises supplying video and audio data of plural programs, each being transmitted over a respective broadcast channel, and compressing said video and audio data to produce compressed program data of said plural programs; combining said EPG data and said program data, in which the step of combining comprises multiplexing the EPG image and text data with said compressed program data of said plural programs; and transmitting the combined data; wherein the number of programs identified by said EPG data is substantially greater than the number of programs with which said EPG data is multiplexed; wherein said EPG text data comprises program table data formed of said title and broadcast data and program content data formed of said description data, in which said program table data is associated with programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a predetermined time period and in which said program content data is associated with said programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a fraction of said predetermined time period; and wherein, upon receipt of said transmitted combined data, a user may select one of a plurality of images of a reduced size superimposed on a first displayed full size image, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said plurality of reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a full size image associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed full size image, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 57

A method of transmitting an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted and text data representing information associated with said identified programs, said information comprising at least one of title data identifying the title of a program to be transmitted, broadcast data identifying date and time at which said program is to be transmitted and description data providing a description of the program to be transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; and transmitting the combined data; wherein said program data is provided by supplying audio data and a single frame of video data of respective programs to form promotional programs data, each promotional program being transmitted over a respective broadcast channel, and compressing said audio and video data to produce compressed promotional program data of plural promotional programs; wherein said EPG data and the compressed promotional data are combined by multiplexing the EPG image and text data with said compressed promotional data, the title and broadcast data of said EPG text data constituting program table data and the description data of said EPG text data constituting program content data, such that the multiplexed program table data is associated with programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a predetermined time period and the multiplexed program content data is associated with said programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a fraction of said predetermined time period; and wherein, upon receipt of said transmitted combined data, a user may select one of a plurality of images of a reduced size superimposed on a first displayed full size image, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said plurality of reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a full size image associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed full size image, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 58

A method of transmitting an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted and text data representing information associated with said identified programs, said information comprising at least one of title data identifying the title of a program to be transmitted, broadcast data identifying date and time at which said program is to be transmitted and description data providing a description of the program to be transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; and transmitting the combined data; wherein said program data is provided by supplying audio data and a single frame of video data of respective programs to form promotional programs data, each promotional program being transmitted over a respective broadcast channel, and compressing said audio and video data to produce compressed promotional program data of plural promotional programs; wherein said EPG data and the compressed promotional data are combined by multiplexing the EPG image and text data with said compressed promotional data, the title and broadcast data of said EPG text data constituting program table data and the description data of said EPG text data constituting program content data, such that the multiplexed program table data is associated with programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a predetermined time period and the multiplexed program content data is associated with said programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a fraction of said predetermined time period; and wherein, upon receipt of said transmitted combined data, a user may select one of a plurality of images of a reduced size superimposed on a first displayed full size image, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said plurality of reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a full size image associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed full size image, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 59

A method of receiving electronic program guide (EPG) and program data transmitted on plural broadcast channels, said EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal size to identify respective programs which currently are and will be transmitted on several broadcast channels and said program data including video and audio data of plural programs currently being transmitted on respective broadcast channels, said method comprising the steps of: receiving the program data transmitted on different broadcast channels and the EPG data transmitted with said program data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; and displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; wherein the received EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with each program identified by said image data, said text data comprising program table data formed of title, data, time and broadcast channel data for each of the respective programs to be transmitted and program content data providing a summary of the content of each of the respective programs to be transmitted and said text data being selectively retrieved from said stored EPG data and displayed; wherein said program table data is associated with programs currently being transmitted and programs to be transmitted during a predetermined time period, and said program content data is associated with said programs currently being transmitted and said programs to be transmitted during a fraction of said predetermined time period; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 60

A method of receiving electronic program guide (EPG) and program data transmitted on plural broadcast channels, said EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal size to identify respective programs which currently are and will be transmitted on several broadcast channels and said program data including video and audio data of plural programs currently being transmitted on respective broadcast channels, said method comprising the steps of: receiving the program data transmitted on different broadcast channels and the EPG data transmitted with said program data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; and displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; wherein the received EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with each program identified by said image data, said text data comprising program table data formed of title, data, time and broadcast channel data for each of the respective programs to be transmitted and program content data providing a summary of the content of each of the respective programs to be transmitted and said text data being selectively retrieved from said stored EPG data and displayed; wherein said program table data is associated with programs currently being transmitted and programs to be transmitted during a predetermined time period, and said program content data is associated with said programs currently being transmitted and said programs to be transmitted during a fraction of said predetermined time period; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 61

A method of receiving electronic program guide (EPG) and program data transmitted on plural broadcast channels, said EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal size to identify respective programs which currently are and will be transmitted on several broadcast channels and said program data including video and audio data of plural programs currently being transmitted on respective broadcast channels, said method comprising the steps of: receiving the program data transmitted on different broadcast channels and the EPG data transmitted with said program data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; and displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; wherein the received EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with each program identified by said image data, said text data comprising program table data formed of title, time and broadcast channel data for each of the respective programs to be transmitted and program content data providing a summary of the content of each of the respective programs to be transmitted and said text data being selectively retrieved from said stored EPG data and displayed; wherein the received program data is compressed and is multiplexed with the received EPG data; wherein the step of receiving the program data includes the step of expanding the compressed program data; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 62

A method of receiving electronic program guide (EPG) and program data transmitted on plural broadcast channels, said EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal size to identify respective programs which currently are and will be transmitted on several broadcast channels and said program data including video and audio data of plural programs currently being transmitted on respective broadcast channels, said method comprising the steps of: receiving the program data transmitted on different broadcast channels and the EPG data transmitted with said program data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; and displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; wherein the received EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with each program identified by said image data, said text data comprising program table data formed of title, time and broadcast channel data for each of the respective programs to be transmitted and program content data providing a summary of the content of each of the respective programs to be transmitted and said text data being selectively retrieved from said stored EPG data and displayed; wherein the received program data is compressed and is multiplexed with the received EPG data; wherein the step of receiving the program data includes the step of expanding the compressed program data; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 63

A method of receiving electronic program guide (EPG) and program data transmitted on plural broadcast channels, said EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal size to identify respective programs which currently are and will be transmitted on several broadcast channels and said program data including video and audio data of plural programs currently being transmitted on respective broadcast channels, said method comprising the steps of: receiving the program data transmitted on different broadcast channels and the EPG data transmitted with said program data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; and displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; wherein the received EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with each program identified by said image data, said text data comprising program table data formed of title, time and broadcast channel data for each of the respective programs to be transmitted and program content data providing a summary of the content of each of the respective programs to be transmitted and said text data being selectively retrieved from said stored EPG data and displayed; wherein the received EPG data is multiplexed with the received program data; wherein the EPG data and program data are received via satellite transmission channels, each satellite transmission channel comprising plural broadcast channels multiplexed with the EPG data; wherein the step of separating comprises demultiplexing each satellite transmission channel to recover said EPG data and the program data transmitted on each of said broadcast channels; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 64

A method of receiving electronic program guide (EPG) and program data transmitted on plural broadcast channels, said EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal size to identify respective programs which currently are and will be transmitted on several broadcast channels and said program data including video and audio data of plural programs currently being transmitted on respective broadcast channels, said method comprising the steps of: receiving the program data transmitted on different broadcast channels and the EPG data transmitted with said program data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; and displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; wherein the received EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with each program identified by said image data, said text data comprising program table data formed of title, time and broadcast channel data for each of the respective programs to be transmitted and program content data providing a summary of the content of each of the respective programs to be transmitted and said text data being selectively retrieved from said stored EPG data and displayed; wherein the received EPG data is multiplexed with the received program data; wherein the EPG data and program data are received via satellite transmission channels, each satellite transmission channel comprising plural broadcast channels multiplexed with the EPG data; wherein the step of separating comprises demultiplexing each satellite transmission channel to recover said EPG data and the program data transmitted on each of said broadcast channels; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 66

A method of receiving electronic program guide (EPG) and program data transmitted on plural broadcast channels, said EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal size to identify respective programs which currently are and will be transmitted on several broadcast channels and said program data including video and audio data of plural programs currently being transmitted on respective broadcast channels, said method comprising the steps of: receiving the program data transmitted on different broadcast channels and the EPG data transmitted with said program data, in which the received EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with each program identified by said image data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data and selectively retrieving said text data from said stored EPG data; displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program and displaying the text data selectively retrieved from said stored EPG data; displaying a text window superimposed over said first displayed program; selecting one of the displayed reduced size images; displaying in said text window said text data representing information associated with the program identified by said selected reduced size image; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 67

A method of receiving electronic program guide (EPG) and program data transmitted on plural broadcast channels, said EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal size to identify respective programs which currently are and will be transmitted on several broadcast channels and said program data including video and audio data of plural programs currently being transmitted on respective broadcast channels, said method comprising the steps of: receiving the program data transmitted on different broadcast channels and the EPG data transmitted with said program data, in which the received EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with each program identified by said image data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data and selectively retrieving said text data from said stored EPG data; displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program and displaying the text data selectively retrieved from said stored EPG data; displaying a text window superimposed over said first displayed program; selecting one of the displayed reduced size images; displaying in said text window said text data representing information associated with the program identified by said selected reduced size image; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 69

A method of receiving electronic program guide (EPG) and program data transmitted on plural broadcast channels, said EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal size to identify respective programs which currently are and will be transmitted on several broadcast channels and said program data including video and audio data of plural programs currently being transmitted on respective broadcast channels, said method comprising the steps of: receiving the program data transmitted on different broadcast channels and the EPG data transmitted with said program data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; pre-storing predetermined display indicia; receiving as part of said EPG data access information for accessing selected display indicia; reading out said selected display indicia in response to the received access information; displaying said selected display indicia in superposition over said first displayed program; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 70

A method of receiving electronic program guide (EPG) and program data transmitted on plural broadcast channels, said EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal size to identify respective programs which currently are and will be transmitted on several broadcast channels and said program data including video and audio data of plural programs currently being transmitted on respective broadcast channels, said method comprising the steps of: receiving the program data transmitted on different broadcast channels and the EPG data transmitted with said program data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; pre-storing predetermined display indicia; receiving as part of said EPG data access information for accessing selected display indicia; reading out said selected display indicia in response to the received access information; displaying said selected display indicia in superposition over said first displayed program; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 89

A method of transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; transmitting the combined data; receiving the combined program and EPG data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; and displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; wherein said EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with said identified programs, said information comprising at least one of title data identifying the title of a program to be transmitted, broadcast data identifying date and time at which said program is to be transmitted and description data providing a description of the program to be transmitted, wherein said step of providing program data comprises supplying video and audio data of plural programs, each being transmitted over a respective broadcast channel, and compressing said video and audio data to produce compressed program data of said plural programs; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 90

A method of transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; transmitting the combined data; receiving the combined program and EPG data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; and displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; wherein said EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with said identified programs, said information comprising at least one of title data identifying the title of a program to be transmitted, broadcast data identifying date and time at which said program is to be transmitted and description data providing a description of the program to be transmitted, wherein said step of providing program data comprises supplying video and audio data of plural programs, each being transmitted over a respective broadcast channel, and compressing said video and audio data to produce compressed program data of said plural programs; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 92

A method of transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; transmitting the combined data; receiving the combined program and EPG data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; and displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; wherein said EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with said identified programs, said information comprising at least one of title data identifying the title of a program to be transmitted, broadcast data identifying date and time at which said program is to be transmitted and description data providing a description of the program to be transmitted, wherein said program data is provided by supplying audio data and a single frame of video data of respective programs to form promotional programs data, each promotional program being transmitted over a respective broadcast channel, and compressing said audio and video data to produce compressed promotional program data of plural promotional programs; wherein said EPG data and the compressed promotional data are combined by multiplexing the EPG image and text data with said compressed promotional data, the title and broadcast data of said EPG text data constituting program table data and the description data of said EPG text data constituting program content data, such that the multiplexed program table data is associated with programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a predetermined time period and the multiplexed program content data is associated with said programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a fraction of said predetermined time period; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 93

A method of transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; transmitting the combined data; receiving the combined program and EPG data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; and displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; wherein said EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with said identified programs, said information comprising at least one of title data identifying the title of a program to be transmitted, broadcast data identifying date and time at which said program is to be transmitted and description data providing a description of the program to be transmitted, wherein said program data is provided by supplying audio data and a single frame of video data of respective programs to form promotional programs data, each promotional program being transmitted over a respective broadcast channel, and compressing said audio and video data to produce compressed promotional program data of plural promotional programs; wherein said EPG data and the compressed promotional data are combined by multiplexing the EPG image and text data with said compressed promotional data, the title and broadcast data of said EPG text data constituting program table data and the description data of said EPG text data constituting program content data, such that the multiplexed program table data is associated with programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a predetermined time period and the multiplexed program content data is associated with said programs currently being transmitted and to be transmitted during a fraction of said predetermined time period; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 94

A method of transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; transmitting the combined data; receiving the combined program and EPG data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; and displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; wherein the step of providing program data comprises supplying groups of program data, each group including video and audio data associated with plural programs, each program being transmitted over a respective broadcast channel, and compressing the video and audio data of each group to produce groups of compressed program data; wherein the step of combining said EPG data and said program data comprises multiplexing said EPG data with each group of compressed program data to produce respective data output channels; wherein the step of transmitting comprises supplying each data output channel to a respective satellite transponder for satellite transmission over respective transponder channels; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 95

A method of transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; transmitting the combined data; receiving the combined program and EPG data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; and displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; wherein the step of providing program data comprises supplying groups of program data, each group including video and audio data associated with plural programs, each program being transmitted over a respective broadcast channel, and compressing the video and audio data of each group to produce groups of compressed program data; wherein the step of combining said EPG data and said program data comprises multiplexing said EPG data with each group of compressed program data to produce respective data output channels; wherein the step of transmitting comprises supplying each data output channel to a respective satellite transponder for satellite transmission over respective transponder channels; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 96

A method of transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; transmitting the combined data; receiving the combined program and EPG data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; selecting one of the displayed reduced size images and displaying the program identified by the selected reduced size image; wherein the EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with each program identified by said image data, said text data being selectively retrieved from said stored EPG data and displayed; and displaying the selected reduced size image and the text data associated with the program identified by said selected reduced size image; wherein the combined EPG and program data are multiplexed together and the received program data is compressed; wherein the step of receiving the program data includes the step of expanding the compressed program data; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 97

A method of transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; transmitting the combined data; receiving the combined program and EPG data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; selecting one of the displayed reduced size images and displaying the program identified by the selected reduced size image; wherein the EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with each program identified by said image data, said text data being selectively retrieved from said stored EPG data and displayed; and displaying the selected reduced size image and the text data associated with the program identified by said selected reduced size image; wherein the combined EPG and program data are multiplexed together and the received program data is compressed; wherein the step of receiving the program data includes the step of expanding the compressed program data; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 99

A method of transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; transmitting the combined data; receiving the combined program and EPG data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; selecting one of the displayed reduced size images and displaying the program identified by the selected reduced size image; wherein the EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with each program identified by said image data, said text data being selectively retrieved from said stored EPG data and displayed; displaying the selected reduced size image and the text data associated with the program identified by said selected reduced size image; displaying a text window superimposed over said first displayed program; selecting one of the displayed reduced size images; displaying in said text window said text data representing information associated with the program identified by said selected reduced size image; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 100

A method of transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; transmitting the combined data; receiving the combined program and EPG data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; selecting one of the displayed reduced size images and displaying the program identified by the selected reduced size image; wherein the EPG data further includes text data representing information associated with each program identified by said image data, said text data being selectively retrieved from said stored EPG data and displayed; displaying the selected reduced size image and the text data associated with the program identified by said selected reduced size image; displaying a text window superimposed over said first displayed program; selecting one of the displayed reduced size images; displaying in said text window said text data representing information associated with the program identified by said selected reduced size image; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 102

A method of transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; pre-storing predetermined display indicia; transmitting the combined data; transmitting as part of said EPG data access information for accessing selected display indicia; receiving the combined program and EPG data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; reading out said selected display indicia in response to received access information; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; displaying said selected display indicia in superposition over said displayed program; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.

Claim 103

A method of transmitting and receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) to identify programs which are to be transmitted, comprising the steps of: generating EPG data including image data representing images of reduced, less than normal, size to identify respective programs which are to transmitted; providing program data constituting at least one program currently being transmitted; combining said EPG data and said program data; pre-storing predetermined display indicia; transmitting the combined data; transmitting as part of said EPG data access information for accessing selected display indicia; receiving the combined program and EPG data; separating the received EPG data from the received program data; storing the separated EPG data; reading out said selected display indicia in response to received access information; displaying a first program represented by the separated program data; selectively retrieving said stored EPG data; displaying said images of reduced, less than normal size represented by said retrieved EPG data, the reduced size images being displayed in superposition over the first displayed program; displaying said selected display indicia in superposition over said displayed program; and wherein, a user may select one of said images of a reduced size superimposed on the first displayed program, said title information for said selected image being displayed along with said reduced size images, and wherein upon further operation, said user may display a new program associated with said selected image in place of said first displayed program, or display additional information regarding said selected image.