Abstract: An implementation, described herein, provides a highly discoverable mechanism for the user to quickly look-ahead in the EPG grid while still using the familiar and intuitive scroll-forward look-ahead user interaction. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for intelligent default selection of characters to be entered via an on-screen keyboard. Based on one to several criteria, a character most likely to be selected for entry via the on-screen keyboard during a search request is determined and a selector is positioned at that particular character. If that character is indeed the character the user wishes to enter, the user does not have to execute any navigation steps to enter the character, but can—with a single actuation—enter that character. In many instances, the user will only have to enter the selection without first having to navigate to the selection. As a result, the number of times buttons need to be actuated by the user to enter a character string can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for broadcasting interactive content without using triggers embedded in the broadcast content. When a viewer sees an item of interest while viewing a program, the viewer can initiate a request for information (RFI) about that item with a single button actuation. When the RFI is entered, a client device, such as a set-top box, detects the RFI and transmits RFI data to a server, including the channel viewed, a time stamp and—in at least one implementation—a system-defined amount of closed captioning data. The RFI data is cross-referenced with program time code information, programming guide information, program information and/or advertiser information to determine the context of the RFI, i.e. what the user saw that made the user enter the RFI. Information about the item is then sent to the viewer as a system message, an e-mail message, a post, or by way of any other delivery mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for using broadcast television systems as an implicit portal for solicitation of video on demand programs. A viewing device is monitored for the occurrence of a specific event, such as a channel change or the detection of a trigger mechanism programmed into a content program. When the event is detected, a user is prompted to notify the user of the availability of video on demand content related to the channel or program the user is watching. If the user indicates that he is interested in such content, available video on demand programs are presented to the user for selection. Means are also provided to prevent redundant and other unwanted prompts from appearing on the user's display.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for displaying purchased content information in a high-level menu display of a server-client broadcast system. Purchased content information is stored locally and is changed according to viewing parameters. The menu display reflects the current purchased content information. When the client accesses the server for other purposes, purchased content information is exchanged between the client and the server. Accordingly, only existing bandwidth is utilized and no additional load is placed on the system as a result of maintaining purchased content information in a high-level menu.

Abstract: A media recommendation system gathers negative user feedback associated with media content. Based on the gathered feedback, the media recommendation system extracts a list of recommended media content from program data describing available media content.

Abstract: The described implementations provide for referencing locally and remotely deployed resources in a television-based entertainment system. The entertainment system includes a content provider or network server. The network server accesses a digital broadcast network via any one of multiple different digital broadcasting protocols. The network server distributes source content to a head end component of the system, which in turn distributes the source content to a client device such as a set-top box. The source content includes a number of embedded references to resources such as those deployed locally by the set-top box and/or deployed remotely by the network server. The set-top box utilizes a mapping table to determine actual values of syntactical abstractions in syntax of the embedded references to access and/or launch at least one locally or remotely deployed resource.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for presenting a plurality of options for selection. Each option is organized into either a category or a sub-category that is associated with a category. The association between categories and sub-categories is independent of time. Categories are displayed along one axis and sub-categories are displayed simultaneously along another orthogonal axis. The axis chosen for categories may depend on the direction that text associated with the categories is written. Categories and sub-categories are available for immediate selection, without first having to highlight or select any option. To account for a large number of options, categories and sub-categories may scroll as needed. The appearance of categories and sub-categories may be distinguished in some way, such as through colors, fonts, or borders.

Abstract: Signals are transmitted over a multiplexed channel for receipt by a plurality of client devices. One of the signals carries content data and another signal carries message data associated with an identifier. The message data can be output only by those client devices identified by the identifier.

Abstract: A device receives a request to update displayed information. The displayed information is updated and multiple information groups are progressively displayed. The display of the multiple information groups are terminated if a second request to update the displayed information is received. The multiple information groups are prioritized and the highest priority information groups are displayed prior to lower priority information groups.

Abstract: In a system that includes a processor and a display device on which video programming can be displayed, a method for transitioning to a video advertisement by displaying a related banner advertisement. The method includes generating, on the display device, a display screen on which a video advertisement is to be displayed, the display screen being generated at a time before a time at which the video advertisement is available to be displayed. A banner advertisement is displayed on the display screen at a region that coincides with a region where the video advertisement is to be displayed. The banner advertisement can have a subject matter that is related to that of the video advertisement or alternatively have any subject matter. When the video advertisement becomes available to be displayed, the method can include replacing the banner advertisement with the video advertisement.

Abstract: Reducing the amount of input required by a user to enter an electronic message. When an electronic message is received, one or more language expressions associated with the electronic message are displayed to a user. The user may select one or more of the language expressions and have the full text of all the selected language expressions included in a reply electronic message. Icons, which represent a user's capability to engage in an electronic messaging session, may also be displayed. When a user changes their capability to engage in an electronic messaging session, for instance when they go offline, a command may be sent to other users. This command may take the form of a character sequence not normally occurring in written language, which is interpreted by network devices and changes the display of the icon associated with a the user who went offline.

Abstract: A method for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer. The method includes displaying one or more data slices representative of broadcast programming to a viewer. In response to input from the viewer, the displayed number of data slices is increased, for example, from one slice to two slices. In browser mode the viewer can scroll through multiple EPG data slices without selecting to view full mode EPG, while in full mode the EPG can expand from a single column of data slices to multiple columns of data slices based upon viewer selections. The EPGs of the present invention can display programming that a viewer is more likely to watch at a particular time than other programming. A data slice representing the predicted programming can be inserted into the EPG so that the viewer can identify programming that is likely to be of interest.