US6243142B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for displaying time and program status in an electronic program guide
Assignee: Sony Corp
•
Filing: 1997-10-17
•
Granted: 2001-06-05
•
Expires: 2017-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for displaying graphic images to indicate a status of programs in an electronic program guide are provided. A multiple channel broadcasting system generates an electronic program guide including graphic images to indicate a status of the programs in the electronic program guide. The status includes whether a user has selected pay-per-view broadcasts for purchase, whether a broadcast system timer has been set to tune to a particular channel program at a designated time, whether a channel program has been set for recording, and whether a program is designated as a favorite program. The broadcast system displays the graphic images or icons within an electronic program guide in areas delineating particular programs that a user has selected for purchase so that the user can view the status of the programs while viewing the electronic program guide. A method and apparatus for displaying a graphical representation of time in relation to programming times are also provided. A time bar is displayed with the electronic program guide that identifies times of programming on the channels in the broadcasting system. A graphical representation of time is generated and displayed in proximity to the time bar to indicate the current time so the user can view the current time in relation to the times of programming on the channels of the broadcast system.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuto Mugura
- 👤 Yuko Nishikawa
- 👤 Joseph Saib
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/443; H04N21/4438; H04N21/20; H04N21/25; H04N21/266; H04N21/2665; H04N21/433; H04N21/4334; H04N21/434; H04N21/4345; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/47202; H04N21/47214; H04N21/80; H04N21/83; H04N21/84; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163; H04N21/41; H04N21/422; H04N21/42204; H04N21/431; H04N21/4312; H04N21/4316; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/445; H04N5/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
In a multiple channel broadcasting system in which programs are broadcasted for display on a screen, a method for generating an on-screen guide for a user to select channels to view, comprising the steps of: generating an electronic program guide identifying channels and corresponding programs in the broadcasting system; generating at least one graphic image to indicate a status of said programs, said status including whether said user has selected pay-per-view broadcasts for purchase; displaying said at least one graphic image within said electronic program guide in areas delineating particular programs that a user has selected for purchase; wherein the user can view the status of said programs while viewing said electronic program guide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a multiple channel broadcasting system in which programs are broadcasted for display on a screen, a method for generating an on-screen guide for a user to select channels to view, comprising the steps of: generating an electronic program guide identifying channels and corresponding programs in the broadcasting system; generating at least one graphic image to indicate a status of said programs, said status including whether said user has selected pay-per-view broadcasts for purchase; displaying said at least one graphic image within said electronic program guide in areas delineating particular programs that a user has selected for purchase; wherein the user can view the status of said programs while viewing said electronic program guide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said graphic image to indicate said status of selected pay-per-view broadcast resembles a dollar sign.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said status of said programs further includes the selection of a corresponding program for recording.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 3 , wherein said graphic image to indicate said status of selected for recording resembles a videocassette.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said status of said programs further includes the setting of a broadcasting system timer to the time of a corresponding program, said graphic image to indicate said status of setting of said system timer resembling a clock.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said status of said programs further includes favorite programs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said step of generating an electronic program guide further comprises the step of generating a plurality of electronic menus, said plurality of electronic menus controlling pay-per-view broadcast purchases, selection of programs for recording, and setting of a broadcasting system timer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the at least one graphic image serves as an electronic link between the electronic program guide and a corresponding menu of said plurality of electronic menus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the at least one graphic image serves as an electronic link between said plurality of electronic menus and a display information packet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 , wherein said multiple channel broadcasting system includes a computer network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: displaying a time bar identifying times of programming on the channels in the broadcasting system; generating a graphical representation of time; displaying said graphical representation in proximity to said time bar, placement of said graphical representation indicative of the current time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as set forth in claim 11 , wherein said graphical representation of time is displayed as an inverted triangle.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
114 words
A system comprising: a processor configured to be coupled to a display device, said processor, configured to control the system to display an electronic program guide identifying channels and corresponding programs in a multiple channel broadcasting system; configured to control the system to generate at least one graphic image to indicate a status of said programs, said status including whether a user has selected pay-per-view broadcasts for purchase; configured to control the system to display the at least one graphic image within said electronic program guide in areas delineating particular programs that said user has selected for purchase; wherein said user can view the status of said programs while viewing said electronic program guide.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
114 words
A system comprising: a processor configured to be coupled to a display device, said processor, configured to control the system to display an electronic program guide identifying channels and corresponding programs in a multiple channel broadcasting system; configured to control the system to generate at least one graphic image to indicate a status of said programs, said status including whether a user has selected pay-per-view broadcasts for purchase; configured to control the system to display the at least one graphic image within said electronic program guide in areas delineating particular programs that said user has selected for purchase; wherein said user can view the status of said programs while viewing said electronic program guide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system as set forth in claim 13 , wherein said status of said programs further includes: status to indicate selection of a corresponding program for recording; status to indicate setting of a broadcasting system timer to the time of a corresponding program; status to indicate selection of favorite programs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system as set forth in claim 13 , wherein said processor is configured to control the system to generate a plurality of electronic menus, said plurality of electronic menus controlling pay-per-view broadcast purchases, selection of programs for recording, and setting of a broadcasting system timer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the at least one graphic image serves as an electronic link between said electronic program guide, a display information packet and a corresponding menu of said plurality of electronic menus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to: display a time bar identifying times of programming on the channels in the broadcasting system; generate a graphical representation of time; display said graphical representation in proximity to said time bar, placement of said graphical representation indicative of the current time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as set forth in claim 17 , wherein said graphical representation of time is displayed as an inverted triangle.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
100 words
A system for generating an on-screen guide for a user to select channels to view in a multiple channel broadcasting system, comprising: an electronic program guide identifying channels and corresponding programs in the broadcasting system; at least one graphic image indicating a status of said programs, said status including whether said user has selected pay-per-view broadcasts for purchase; a display of the at least one graphic image within said electronic program guide in areas delineating particular programs that a user has selected for purchase; wherein the user can view the status of said programs while viewing said electronic program guide.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
100 words
A system for generating an on-screen guide for a user to select channels to view in a multiple channel broadcasting system, comprising: an electronic program guide identifying channels and corresponding programs in the broadcasting system; at least one graphic image indicating a status of said programs, said status including whether said user has selected pay-per-view broadcasts for purchase; a display of the at least one graphic image within said electronic program guide in areas delineating particular programs that a user has selected for purchase; wherein the user can view the status of said programs while viewing said electronic program guide.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as set forth in claim 19 , wherein said graphic image to indicate said status of selected pay-per-view broadcast resembles a dollar sign.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
45 words
The system as set forth in cl aim 19 , wherein said status of said programs further includes a status to indicate a select ion of a corresponding program for recording, said graphic image to indicate said status of selected for recording resembles a videocassette.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
45 words
The system as set forth in cl aim 19 , wherein said status of said programs further includes a status to indicate a select ion of a corresponding program for recording, said graphic image to indicate said status of selected for recording resembles a videocassette.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system as set forth in claim 19 , wherein said status of said programs further includes a status to indicate a setting of a broadcasting system timer to the time of a corresponding program, said graphic image to indicate said status of setting of said system timer resembling a clock.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system as set forth in claim 19 , wherein a plurality of electronic menus are generated, said plurality of electronic menus controlling pay-per-view broadcast purchases, selection of programs for recording, and setting of a broadcasting system timer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system as set forth in claim 23 , wherein the at least one graphic image serves as an electronic link between said electronic program guide, a display information packet and a corresponding menu of said plurality of electronic menus.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system as set forth in claim 19 , further comprising: a time bar identifying times of programming on the channels in the broadcasting system; a graphical representation of time displayed in proximity to said time bar, placement of said graphical representation indicative of the current time.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as set forth in claim 25 , wherein said graphical representation of time is displayed as an inverted triangle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
120 words
A computer readable medium containing executable instructions which, when executed in a processing system, causes the system to perform the steps for generating an on-screen guide for a user to select channels to view in a multiple channel broadcasting system comprising: generating an electronic program guide identifying channels and corresponding programs in the broadcasting system; generating at least one graphic image to indicate a status of said programs, said status including whether said user has selected pay-per-view broadcasts for purchase; displaying the at least one graphic image within said electronic program guide in areas delineating particular programs that a user has selected for purchase; wherein the user can view the status of said programs while viewing said electronic program guide.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
120 words
A computer readable medium containing executable instructions which, when executed in a processing system, causes the system to perform the steps for generating an on-screen guide for a user to select channels to view in a multiple channel broadcasting system comprising: generating an electronic program guide identifying channels and corresponding programs in the broadcasting system; generating at least one graphic image to indicate a status of said programs, said status including whether said user has selected pay-per-view broadcasts for purchase; displaying the at least one graphic image within said electronic program guide in areas delineating particular programs that a user has selected for purchase; wherein the user can view the status of said programs while viewing said electronic program guide.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
53 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 27 , wherein said executable instructions further includes: providing status to indicate selection of a corresponding program for recording; providing status to indicate setting of a broadcasting system timer to the time of a corresponding program; providing status to indicate selection of favorite programs.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 27 , wherein said generating an electronic program guide further comprises generating a plurality of electronic menus, said plurality of electronic menus controlling pay-per-view broadcast purchases, selection of programs for recording, and setting of a broadcasting system timer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 29 , wherein the at least one graphic image serves as an electronic link between said electronic program guide, a display information packet and a corresponding menu of said plurality of electronic menus.
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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) | 2004-06-04 | 2004-12-04 | 2005-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-04 | 2008-12-04 | 2009-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-04 | 2012-12-04 | 2013-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |