US6469753B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Information system
Assignee: Adeia Guides Inc
•
Filing: 1997-04-30
•
Granted: 2002-10-22
•
Expires: 2017-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for displaying an electronic program schedule guide is provided. The system has areas for displaying program schedule information. In addition, the system also has areas that may be used for advertising programs, products or services. In another embodiment, the system has areas for displaying messages to the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Lee Klosterman
- 👤 Steven Schein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0484; G06F3/04842; H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/431; G06F3/0481; H04N21/4312; H04N21/4314; H04N21/4316; H04N21/443; H04N21/4438; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4622; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/47214; H04N21/4722; H04N21/4725; H04N21/478; H04N21/4782; H04N21/482; H04N21/4821; H04N21/488; H04N21/4886; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/812; H04N21/8126; H04N21/83; H04N21/84; H04N21/85; H04N21/858; H04N21/8586; H04N7/00; H04N7/08; H04N7/087; H04N7/088; H04N7/0882; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163; H04N7/165; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318; H04N7/17345; H04N7/17354; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/445; H04N5/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of displaying an interactive electronic program guide on a display comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of selectable television program listings in a first area of the display; selecting a television program from the plurality of selectable television program listings; responsive to the selected program, displaying a new screen positioned in place of at least a portion of the displayed television program listings; displaying in the new screen detailed information about the selected program, a tune option for tuning to the selected program, and a record option for recording the selected program at the scheduled telecast time; waiting for a user to confirm tuning or recording the selected program at the scheduled telecast time by selecting the tune option or the record option respectively; and displaying a second promotional information different from the detailed information about the selected program and independent of the selected program in the new screen while waiting for the user to confirm tuning or recording a program, wherein the detailed information about the selected program and the second promotional information are continuously displayed in the new screen until the user confirms tuning or recording the selected program.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of displaying an interactive electronic program guide on a display comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of selectable television program listings in a first area of the display; selecting a television program from the plurality of selectable television program listings; responsive to the selected program, displaying a new screen positioned in place of at least a portion of the displayed television program listings; displaying in the new screen detailed information about the selected program, a tune option for tuning to the selected program, and a record option for recording the selected program at the scheduled telecast time; waiting for a user to confirm tuning or recording the selected program at the scheduled telecast time by selecting the tune option or the record option respectively; and displaying a second promotional information different from the detailed information about the selected program and independent of the selected program in the new screen while waiting for the user to confirm tuning or recording a program, wherein the detailed information about the selected program and the second promotional information are continuously displayed in the new screen until the user confirms tuning or recording the selected program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of concealing the new screen when the user confirms tuning or recording the selected program at the scheduled telecast time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the displaying promotional information comprises displaying advertisement for products.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the displaying promotional information comprises displaying advertisement for a second current or future television program.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the displaying promotional information comprises displaying advertisement for services.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the television program listings include titles, channels, times, and program lengths.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first area is the only area of the display, and the new screen is the only area of the display displayed in place of the first area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of selecting a television program comprises of moving an on-screen cursor to highlight a program listing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
199 words
An electronic program guide system comprising: a display screen; a storage medium for storing information about the electronic program guide; means for displaying a plurality of selectable television program listings in a first area of the display; means for selecting a television program from the plurality of selectable television program listings; means for displaying in a new screen positioned in place of at least a portion of the displayed television program listings detailed information about the selected program, a tune option for tuning to the selected program, and a record option for recording the selected program at the scheduled telecast time; means for waiting for a user to confirm tuning or recording the selected program at the scheduled telecast time by selecting the tune option or the record option respectively; and means for displaying a second promotional information different from the detailed information about the selected program and independent of the selected program in the new screen while waiting for the user to confirm tuning or recording a program, wherein the detailed information about the selected program and the second promotional information are continuously displayed in the new screen until the user confirms tuning or recording the selected program.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
199 words
An electronic program guide system comprising: a display screen; a storage medium for storing information about the electronic program guide; means for displaying a plurality of selectable television program listings in a first area of the display; means for selecting a television program from the plurality of selectable television program listings; means for displaying in a new screen positioned in place of at least a portion of the displayed television program listings detailed information about the selected program, a tune option for tuning to the selected program, and a record option for recording the selected program at the scheduled telecast time; means for waiting for a user to confirm tuning or recording the selected program at the scheduled telecast time by selecting the tune option or the record option respectively; and means for displaying a second promotional information different from the detailed information about the selected program and independent of the selected program in the new screen while waiting for the user to confirm tuning or recording a program, wherein the detailed information about the selected program and the second promotional information are continuously displayed in the new screen until the user confirms tuning or recording the selected program.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electronic program grid of claim 9 further comprising means for concealing the new screen when the user confirms tuning or recording the selected program at the scheduled telecast time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electronic program grid of claim 9 wherein the promotional information includes advertisement for products.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electronic program grid of claim 9 wherein the promotional information includes advertisement for a different current or future television program.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electronic program grid of claim 9 wherein the promotional information includes advertisement for services.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electronic program grid of claim 9 wherein the television program listings include titles, channels, times, and program lengths.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electronic program grid of claim 9 wherein the first area is the only area of the display, and the new screen is the only area of the display displayed in place of the first area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electronic program grid of claim 9 wherein means for selecting a television program comprises of moving an on-screen cursor to highlight a program listing.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
274 words
A method of arranging and managing information for an on-screen electronic program guide having a display screen comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of television program listings in a first area of the screen; selectively marking the program listings in the first area with a cursor to schedule the programs corresponding to the respective marked listings for recording or viewing; simultaneous with the program listings, displaying a first promotional information about a current or future-scheduled television program in a second area of the screen, wherein the second area of the screen is responsive to inputs from the user; activating the second area to display detailed information about the current or future-scheduled television program; responsive to the activating the second area, displaying a new screen positioned in place of at least a portion of the displayed television program listings; displaying in the new screen detailed information about the current or future-scheduled television program, a tune option for tuning to the selected program, and a record option for recording the selected program at the scheduled telecast time; waiting for a user to confirm tuning or recording the selected current or future-scheduled television program at the scheduled telecast time by selecting the tune option or the record option respectively; and displaying a second promotional information different from the detailed information about the selected program and independent of the selected program in the new screen while waiting for the user to confirm tuning or recording a program, wherein the detailed information about the selected program and the second promotional information are continuously displayed in the new screen until the user confirms tuning or recording the selected program.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
274 words
A method of arranging and managing information for an on-screen electronic program guide having a display screen comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of television program listings in a first area of the screen; selectively marking the program listings in the first area with a cursor to schedule the programs corresponding to the respective marked listings for recording or viewing; simultaneous with the program listings, displaying a first promotional information about a current or future-scheduled television program in a second area of the screen, wherein the second area of the screen is responsive to inputs from the user; activating the second area to display detailed information about the current or future-scheduled television program; responsive to the activating the second area, displaying a new screen positioned in place of at least a portion of the displayed television program listings; displaying in the new screen detailed information about the current or future-scheduled television program, a tune option for tuning to the selected program, and a record option for recording the selected program at the scheduled telecast time; waiting for a user to confirm tuning or recording the selected current or future-scheduled television program at the scheduled telecast time by selecting the tune option or the record option respectively; and displaying a second promotional information different from the detailed information about the selected program and independent of the selected program in the new screen while waiting for the user to confirm tuning or recording a program, wherein the detailed information about the selected program and the second promotional information are continuously displayed in the new screen until the user confirms tuning or recording the selected program.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the displaying a second promotional information comprises displaying advertisements for products or services.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the displaying a second promotional information comprises displaying advertisement for a second current or future television program.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the displaying detail information about the selected program comprises displaying one or more of text, still image, and video clip about the selected program.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electronic program grid of claim 9 wherein the detail information about the selected program includes one or more of text, still image, and video clip about the selected program.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the displaying detail information about the current or future-schedule program comprises displaying one or more of text, still image, and video clip about the current or future-schedule program.
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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) | 2005-10-21 | 2006-04-22 | 2006-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-21 | 2010-04-22 | 2010-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-21 | 2014-04-22 | 2014-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |