US6005631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for organizing and searching an electronic programming guide
Assignee: Synamedia Ltd
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Filing: 1997-11-26
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Granted: 1999-12-21
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Expires: 2017-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A single program descriptor is assigned to each program in electronic programming guide (EPG) data which is transmitted to home communications terminals in a communications network. A relationship is then separately established between these descriptors and criteria which may be used by a subscriber to search the EPG data for programs of interest to that subscriber. Data for defining this relationship is also stored in the home communications terminal. The subscriber may then provide one or more of the above-mentioned criteria to search the EPG data for programs meeting the criteria. The programs which are determined to meet the criteria may be displayed on the television of the subscriber.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce A. Anderson
- 👤 Peter B. Houser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:24
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/80; H04N21/83; H04N21/84; H04N21/40; H04N21/47; H04N21/482; H04N21/4828; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163; H02; H02K; H02K2201/00; H02K2201/18; H04N21/43; H04N21/436; H04N21/43615
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for organizing program information comprising the steps of: obtaining a program list; generating a first program descriptor for the first program of said program list and assigning the first program descriptor to the first program; comparing a second program of the program list to the first program descriptor; assigning the first program descriptor to the second program based on a first result of the comparing; and generating a second program descriptor for the second program and assigning the second program descriptor to the second program based on a second result of the comparing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for organizing program information comprising the steps of: obtaining a program list; generating a first program descriptor for the first program of said program list and assigning the first program descriptor to the first program; comparing a second program of the program list to the first program descriptor; assigning the first program descriptor to the second program based on a first result of the comparing; and generating a second program descriptor for the second program and assigning the second program descriptor to the second program based on a second result of the comparing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the program list includes program names and program summaries.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first program descriptor is the title of the first program.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first program descriptor is an alphanumeric program descriptor.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of organizing program information in which programs are associated with program descriptors, the method comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of criteria; comparing each criterion to the program descriptors; assigning program descriptors to a criterion based on the results of the comparison; and generating a list which relates the program descriptors to the criteria.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of organizing program information in which programs are associated with program descriptors, the method comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of criteria; comparing each criterion to the program descriptors; assigning program descriptors to a criterion based on the results of the comparison; and generating a list which relates the program descriptors to the criteria.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein the program descriptors are program titles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein the program descriptors are alphanumeric program descriptors.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of searching program information in which programs are associated with program descriptors, the method comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of criteria; comparing each criterion to the program descriptors; assigning program descriptors to a criterion based on the results of the comparison; generating a list which relates the program descriptors to the criteria; supplying one or more criteria; and selecting programs based on the supplied criteria using the list.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of searching program information in which programs are associated with program descriptors, the method comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of criteria; comparing each criterion to the program descriptors; assigning program descriptors to a criterion based on the results of the comparison; generating a list which relates the program descriptors to the criteria; supplying one or more criteria; and selecting programs based on the supplied criteria using the list.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein the program descriptors are program titles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein the program descriptors are alphanumeric program descriptors.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for organizing and searching program information comprising the steps of: obtaining a program list; generating a first program descriptor for the first program of said program list and assigning the first descriptor to the first program; comparing a second program of the program list to the first program descriptor; assigning the first program descriptor to the second program based on a first result of the program to program descriptor comparison; generating a second program descriptor for the second program and assigning the second program descriptor to the second program based on a second result of the program to program descriptor comparison; generating a plurality of criteria; comparing each criteria to each program descriptor; assigning each program descriptor to a criterion based on the results of the criterion comparison; generating a list that relates the program descriptors to the criteria; supplying one or more criteria; and selecting programs based on the supplied criteria using the list.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for organizing and searching program information comprising the steps of: obtaining a program list; generating a first program descriptor for the first program of said program list and assigning the first descriptor to the first program; comparing a second program of the program list to the first program descriptor; assigning the first program descriptor to the second program based on a first result of the program to program descriptor comparison; generating a second program descriptor for the second program and assigning the second program descriptor to the second program based on a second result of the program to program descriptor comparison; generating a plurality of criteria; comparing each criteria to each program descriptor; assigning each program descriptor to a criterion based on the results of the criterion comparison; generating a list that relates the program descriptors to the criteria; supplying one or more criteria; and selecting programs based on the supplied criteria using the list.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the program list includes program names and program summaries.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the program descriptors are program titles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the program descriptors are alphanumeric program descriptors.
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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) | 2002-12-20 | 2003-06-21 | 2003-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-20 | 2007-06-21 | 2007-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-20 | 2011-06-21 | 2011-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |