Abstract: This invention provides a television schedule system and process that allows an electronic programming guide designer to add a capability to change program listing appearance adaptively, based on a signal from a user or broadcaster.

Abstract: A system for identifying prior selection of specific display information on an EPG. In one embodiment, a user selects an object on a screen, and upon selection of the object, an attribute of the object (e.g., color, transparency, etc.) is modified. The modified value is saved into memory so the user may later identify that the specific object was selected. Each subsequent selection will modify the attribute further, allowing the user to identity that the object was selected a number of times. In one embodiment, the attribute will continue to be modified until a specific expiration limit has been reached.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a television electronic programming guide that allows users to combine multiple search criteria within a single search. The electronic program guide receives a television program search criteria set containing a plurality of search criteria and provides a search result set containing television programs that meet the television program search criteria set. The search criteria in the television program search criteria set may be combined in various ways to form a complex search. For one embodiment the search criteria are combined in a Boolean AND combination. One embodiment of the present invention provides a television electronic programming guide that allows users to dynamically add or remove search criteria from a programming guide search without initiating a new programming guide search. The electronic program guide receives a revision to the television program search criteria set, and revises the search result based upon the revision.

Abstract: A method and system for replacing and obscuring titles and/or descriptions pertaining to individual pieces of recorded content. In one embodiment, the method enables a user, such as a parent, to rename titles and replace descriptions for selected pieces of content, thereby obscuring the content information for those pieces of content from other users, such as children. In another embodiment, the method enables an administrative user (e.g., a parent) to define allowed access levels and assign the same to various users of the system. The administrative user is also enabled to assign access levels to individual pieces of content. In response to a user selection to view content information pertaining to recorded content, the system identifies the user and determines whether to display an original title/description or a new title/description based on the allowed access levels assigned to the user and the respective access levels assigned to the pieces of content.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which information obtained from a uniform resource locator is converted into at least one texture. The texture is mapped onto a surface of a three-dimensional object located in the virtual three-dimensional space thereby forming a three-dimensional navigation mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided by which a television viewer can view other images e.g. during commercials or main program. For example, during a commercial, a viewer may channel surf or surf the internet. A banner is provided on a viewing screen while the viewer watches these other images. In this way the advertiser providing those commercials can still reach those viewers who are channel or internet surfing. Also, the banner will indicate to the viewer when the commercial is over and the normal programming has resumed. In another embodiment, during the main program user can activate one or more small commercial windows and position them on the screen based on his preference, e.g. using a remote device. Information is communicated to a broadcaster by the viewer's video system indicating the above-mentioned commercial windows are open on the viewer's screen.

Abstract: An EPG to display programming information in a variety of ways including using 3-D images, alphanumeric text, and video data. In addition, non-EPG objects, such as interaction objects, may be conflated with the presentation of the world and with the program schedule information. A communication module in the EPG receives localized content containing multiple objects from one or more servers coupled to a network. Users may interact with the content (e.g., buy and sell goods and services from local franchises) through a user-interface coupled to the EPG.

Abstract: Characters represented within a frame of a television presentation are identified. A pattern formed by a subset of the characters is identified if the pattern is indicative of an addressing datum. A provision is made for a selection of characters that form the pattern indicative of the addressing datum. In one embodiment, a web page is displayed upon a selection of characters that form a pattern indicative of a uniform resource locator for the web page.

Abstract: A system for identifying prior selection of specific display information on an EPG. In one embodiment, a user selects an object on a screen, and upon selection of the object, an attribute of the object (e.g., color, transparency, etc.) is modified. The modified value is saved into memory so the user may later identify that the specific object was selected. Each subsequent selection will modify the attribute further, allowing the user to identity that the object was selected a number of times. In one embodiment, the attribute will continue to be modified until a specific expiration limit has been reached.

Abstract: A multimedia broadcast system provides program schedule information simulcast as a Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) data stream including commands and displayable, selectable indicia associated with the commands, along with programs for display. A set top box is adapted to separate the HTML data stream and to store that data in a cache as WEB pages retrievable by a WEB browser in the set top box, whereupon the program schedule information is displayed including the displayable, selectable indicia. Selecting the indicia directs the set top box via the associated command to tune to a program associated with the displayable indicia. The indicia may be any text, icon, dynamic figurine, and the like. In a preferred embodiment program schedule WEB pages, including the commands and displayable indicia, are stored especially marked on a WEB server coupled to the Internet and to a scanner adapted to scan the WEB server for marked pages, and to upload the marked pages to a satellite broadcast system.

Abstract: An EPG displays programming information in a variety of ways including using 3-D images, alphanumeric text, and video data. A presentation engine allows viewers and/or programmers to select between varying programming worlds. In addition, non-EPG objects, such as interaction objects, may be conflated with the presentation of the world and with the program schedule information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for viewing desired portions of a multimedia presentation. Desired portions of a multimedia presentation are determined. In one embodiment, an editor may determine which portions of the presentation are desired. Alternatively, or additionally, specified criteria may be applied to the presentation to determine the desired portions. An annotation file is then created based upon the determine desired portions of the multimedia presentation. The annotation file contains pointers corresponding to the desired potions of the multimedia presentation. Annotation management software may use the annotation file to cause a display device to display only desired portions of the multimedia presentation. The annotation file may be applied to a broadcast presentation or a recorded program file. In one embodiment the annotation file may contain information related to the desired portions of the multimedia presentation and/or the remainder of the multimedia presentation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of displaying an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG). In one embodiment, an EPG is constructed of a three dimensional virtual mesh, in which independent objects representing television programs are situated. The virtual mesh is displayed perpendicularly, so that the hardware requirements of the set top box (STB) may be reduced. A user can navigate the mesh to find television programs that they wish to view. A user can designate the types of television programs that they prefer, and these programs will be displayed more prominently. In addition, the mesh is constructed of at least two planes. The first plane is flat, while all other planes are hyperbolic to correct for a viewer's line of sight.

Abstract: Method and system for enabling users to perform self-service operations in interactive TV environments. In one embodiment, the method enables users to select and activate programming packages via a set-top box, thereby eliminating the need for the users to have to call a call center to activate the unit. Using a set of interactive screens, the user is enabled to view various programming package information, including comparative information. In one embodiment, the method assists users who are moving to activate/reactive broadcast services. For example, options are provided to enable the user to schedule service work, disconnect and activate services, and other activities connected with the move. In another embodiment, the method enables a user to select a programming package based on packages that are recommended by the system. Historic usage patterns, including viewing habits and attempts to access unavailable content are analyzed to determine which programming packages should be recommended for the user.

Abstract: A system for identifying prior selection of specific display information on an EPG. In one embodiment, a user selects an object on a screen, and upon selection of the object, an attribute of the object (e.g., color, transparency, etc.) is modified. The modified value is saved into memory so the user may later identify that the specific object was selected. Each subsequent selection will modify the attribute further, allowing the user to identity that the object was selected a number of times. In one embodiment, the attribute will continue to be modified until a specific expiration limit has been reached.

Abstract: A method to separately assign and modify multiple attributes of information and structure to an individual block or to a larger unitary whole comprised of multiple blocks is disclosed. A number of block instances of a block is determined. Each block instance is associated with one or more structure attributes. A number of data elements is determined. Each data element is associated with one or more information attributes. The data elements are mapped to the block instances. The mapped block instances are displayed contiguously.

Abstract: Methods and system for controlling access to viewable content on an individual title basis. In one embodiment, the method enables a user, such as a parent, to assign passwords to individual titles, thereby preventing unauthorized users, such as children, from viewing content corresponding to a selected title while enabling authorized users to view the content via correct entry of the password. In another embodiment, the method enables an administrative user (e.g., parent) to define allowed access levels and assign the same to various users of the system. The administrative user is also enabled to assign access levels to individual titles. In response to a user selection to view a title, the system identifies the user and determines whether the user is authorized to view the content based on the access level assigned to the title and any allowed access levels assigned to the user. The system includes set-top boxes and the like that may be used to implement the methods.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a method for operating a decoder. The method comprises receiving, on a first channel, an electronic program guide data stream comprising multiple video streams which have been encoded and multiplexed for transmission on the first channel, each video stream comprising a low resolution version of a high resolution video stream which is being simultaneously received on a separate channel; decoding the electronic program guide data stream into frames, each frame defining a mosaic-style image comprising image areas for images in the electronic program guide data stream corresponding to images from each of the multiple video streams; and displaying each of the frames on a display screen coupled to the decoder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for set top box (STB) receiving a single selection or actuation, and in response to a single selection from a user, transferring a program and auxiliary data related to the program from a first storage device of the STB to a removable storage device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a method for operating a decoder. The method comprises receiving, on a first channel, an electronic program guide data stream comprising multiple video streams which have been encoded and multiplexed for transmission on the first channel, each video stream comprising a low resolution version of a high resolution video stream which is being simultaneously received on a separate channel; decoding the electronic program guide data stream into frames, each frame defining a mosaic-style image comprising image areas for images in the electronic program guide data stream corresponding to images from each of the multiple video streams; and displaying each of the frames on a display screen coupled to the decoder.