JP2003502921A - Interactive TV application system using handheld application device - Google Patents

Abstract

SUMMARY A handheld application device provides a user with an opportunity to access television related or other applications to control television related applications running on user television equipment. A handheld application device may have a touch-sensitive screen with controls that work in conjunction with the functionality of a television-related application or other application. The method of providing access to a user, wherein the interactive television application data includes program listings and further programming information, the interactive television application data is received at a handheld access device having one or more touch-sensitive controls, A handheld application device provides a user with an opportunity to access interactive television application data using touch-sensitive controls.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to interactive television application systems, and more particularly to television application functionality provided by or coordinated between a handheld device and a user's television equipment. Interactive television application system.

Interactive television applications typically run on a user's set top box. Examples of interactive television applications include interactive television program guide applications, email applications, home shopping applications, betting applications and other e-commerce applications, financial applications, TV web browser applications, gaming applications and other televisions. There are applications etc. Running these applications typically prevents other users from seeing television other than the application you are watching. Furthermore, running such an application on a fixed platform on a set-top box
Users are not able to access the functionality of such systems when they are away from a fixed platform.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an interactive television application system having a handheld application device with a display.

It is a further object of the present invention to coordinate interactive television application functionality between applications running on the user's television equipment and applications running on the handheld application device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a portable handheld application device with a display as described above. Portable handheld application devices with such displays are described, for example, in US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 138,868 by Herrington et al. Ellis in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 164,648. The entire application is incorporated herein by reference.

The handheld application device can be any suitable handheld device, such as a remote display device, a touch screen remote device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, an e-book device or other handheld device. The handheld application device provides a user with remote access to interactive television application functionality or access to interactive television application functionality while watching a television program. In one suitable approach, the handheld application device may cause a client version of the interactive television application to request application data from an application server running on the user's television equipment. In another suitable approach, the handheld application device may act as an independent platform that runs interactive applications that run independently and may communicate with similar interactive applications running on the user's television equipment. . The handheld application device may provide, for example, a portable electronic program guide (eg, various features of an interactive program guide, a program guide using the Internet, and a printed program guide).

Interactive television applications include, for example, applications that provide information related to television program content or applications that provide interactive functionality associated with television program content (eg, interactive television program guides, home shopping applications). , Home gambling applications, email and financial transaction applications). Interactive television applications may also include applications provided to user television equipment.

Since this handheld application device can be ad supported,
It can be offered to consumers free of charge or at a very low price. The screens or pages displayed by the device may include passive ads or interactive ads. Providing devices at low prices to consumers will enable mass distribution of devices. This can increase the value of the device to the advertiser. The user of the device does not have to live in a special area, does not have to subscribe to any kind of digital cable or satellite service, or does not have an internet account to use the device at any time You can Once such a platform is distributed, it will continue to provide opportunities for growth. New software can be downloaded, supporting future marketing opportunities and the ability to add user functionality (for free or at a price) at a later time.

Handheld application devices include pockets or purses (p
urse). The device can have a touch screen LCD display that is a two-way paging interface and can run on a standard battery. The paging interface may continuously collect TV listing data and store the collected data in local memory. The paging interface may also download advertisements while the device is in normal use. This is done, for example, by purchasing a time slot from a national paging service,
Can be done.

The device may have a foldable cover that protects the display from damage or accidental activation. When the cover is removed, the device may automatically boot and activate the device's display. The initial display may be, for example, a main menu, which may include interactive advertisements. One of the items on the menu may be a television guide. When you select the guide function, the guide main menu,
A program listings display or any other suitable guide display may appear. When the user selects a listing, the device may display the details of the program associated with the listing. The advertisement may be associated with the program content, in which case selecting the advertisement will reveal more detailed information about the program and allow setting reminders or any other suitable features. Advertising on other products may allow users to get more information or purchase products.

The portable handheld application device has many features of an interactive program guide (eg, listing by time, listing by channel, listing by category, favorite channel or any other guiding feature). ) May be included. This allows the user to set a reminder and have the reminder displayed on the device (both by voice alert and display). Through paging return, for example,
The device can be used to set reminders or schedule recordings remotely. Data can be collected using a portable device. For example, a portable device can be used to send surveys. It is also possible to collect viewer rating information using a portable device. For example, electronic coupons may be delivered using an appropriate point of purchase advertising device.

The device may also include an infrared emitter. This allows the user to use the device as a remote control to operate the interactive television program guide on television sets and other home entertainment equipment. The paging system can be used, for example, to upload device type information and download infrared codes. When used in this mode, the keys can be displayed on the device and the user can touch the screen to generate commands. These keys can be context sensitive, and only the relevant key is displayed at any time.

The portable device may also provide other PDA-type functionality (perhaps with added cost). For example, the portable device may support email applications, calendar applications, contact list applications, web browsing applications, calculator applications or any other suitable application. The portable device is a data service (eg, news, weather, sports, traffic or any other suitable data service).
Can support. This device can be used as a pager. Appropriate hardware resources allow portable program guides to have advanced communication capabilities. For example, a user can remotely monitor home appliances to see if the system is up, which channel is on, and so on. It also enables the user to listen to or provide audio channels from the selected TV channel. The portable device can also function as an e-book.

Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. In the drawings, like reference numbers refer to like components in the drawings.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments An exemplary system 10 according to the principles of the present invention is shown in FIG. The system 10 may include a main facility 12. Main facility 12 provides interactive television application data from application data source 14 to interactive television application equipment 17 via communication link 18. Although a plurality of main facilities 12 may be provided when providing data to a plurality of applications, only one main facility 12 is shown in FIG. 1 in order to avoid making the drawing excessively complicated. A number of interactive television application devices 17 are preferably installed, each interactive television application device 17 being linked to the main facility 12 by a respective communication link 18. But,
Only one such interactive television application device 17 installed is shown in FIG. 1 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. Link 18 may be a satellite link, a telephone network link, a cable or fiber optic link, a microwave link, an internet link, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a combination of such links, or any other suitable communication link. possible.
In another suitable approach, interactive television application data may be generated by interactive television application equipment 17, in which case main facility 12
May be unnecessary. In yet another suitable approach, main facility 12 may provide interactive television application data directly to handheld application device 24 via an appropriate link (eg, a two-way paging frequency link), in which case Television application equipment may be wholly or partially unnecessary. For clarity, the remaining description describes an approach in which main facility 12 provides interactive television application data to one or more interactive television application devices 17.

The interactive television application data sent by main facility 12 to interactive television application equipment 17 may include appropriate data for applications supported by main facility 12. When the main facility 12 provides interactive television program guide data, for example, the data includes television program content data (eg, program identifier, time, channel, title and details) and other services than television program listings. Data (eg, help text, pay bar view information, weather information, sports information, music channel information, Internet web link related information, software related information, etc.). The interactive television program guide data may also be a unique identifier for each show of each program, an identifier for a program grouping (eg, series, mini-series, orderable program packages, network line-up, etc.) or any other suitable. Identifiers may also be included.

Interactive television applications may be implemented on interactive television application equipment 17 and handheld application devices 24.
The term “primary application” as used herein is intended to mean an interactive application running on interactive television application equipment 17. The primary application is a server application that provides application data to the handheld application device 24 in response to one or more application communications, or cooperates with a version of the application running on the handheld application device 24. It can be a version of the application. "Secondary" as used herein
The term application is intended to mean an interactive application running on the handheld application device 24. The secondary application is a client application that obtains data from the primary application or, in cooperation with the primary application, the main facility 12
Can be a version of an interactive application that gets application data from.

The primary application and the secondary application may communicate by exchanging one or more application communications. Application communication, to name a few, exchanges bi-directional application data or other data (eg, digital frames for display by the handheld application device 24) between the primary and secondary applications via the communication link 19. There can be any client-server or peer-to-peer communication construct suitable for the application. Application communications may include, for example, requests, commands, messages or remote procedure calls.

Application communication may also include complex communication between application constructs executing on handheld application device 24 and interactive television application equipment 17. Application communication can be, for example, object-based. Objects operating in the primary and secondary guides may communicate using, for example, an Object Request Broker (ORB). The interactive application data may be encapsulated, for example, as a Component Object Model (COM) object, and the communication link 19
Can survive until the stream is sent over. Application communication is also
For example, it may include HTML formatted markup language documents (eg, web pages) exchanged between the handheld application device 24 and the Internet service system.

2a-2f show six exemplary configurations of interactive television application equipment 17 and handheld application device 24. As shown, interactive television application equipment 17 may include distribution equipment 21 located in application distribution facility 16 and user television equipment 22. The primary application may run entirely on the user television equipment 22 using the arrangements of Figures 2a and 2b, or partially on the user television equipment 22 and have a suitable client-server configuration. Alternatively, it may partially operate on the application server 25 or the Internet service system 61 using the distribution processing configuration as shown in FIGS. 2c, 2d, 2e and 2f. The application distribution facility 16
It may be any suitable distribution facility and may include distribution equipment 21.

The distribution equipment 21 of FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e and 2f is suitable for providing interactive television application data to the user television equipment 22 via the communication link 20. The distribution device 21 may include, for example, suitable transmission hardware for distributing the interactive television application data. Delivery of interactive television application data may be accomplished over the television channel sidebands, during the vertical blanking interval of the television channel, with in-band digital signals, with out-of-band digital signals, or any other suitable. This is done using data transmission technology. Analog video signal or digital video signal (
For example, television programs) may also be delivered by the delivery equipment 21 to the user television equipment 22 via the communication links 20 on multiple television channels. Alternatively, the video may be delivered directly from the television distribution facility 29 to the user television equipment 22. Television distribution facility 29 may be any suitable distribution facility (eg, cable system headend, broadcast distribution facility, satellite television distribution facility or any other suitable type of television distribution facility). If desired, television distribution facility 29 and application distribution facility 16 may be the same facility.

Communication link 20 may be any communication link suitable for delivering interactive television application data to user television equipment 22. The communication link 20 is, for example, a satellite link, a telephone network link, a cable link or an optical fiber link, a microwave link, an internet link, a data-over-cable service interface specification (data-over-cable service).
ce interface specification (DOCSIS) link, digital subscriber line (DSL), paging frequency or other radio frequency link, a combination of such links, or any other suitable communication link). There are typically multiple user television equipments 22 and multiple associated communication links 20, but in order to avoid overcomplicating the drawings, the user television equipments 22 and communication links 20 are shown in FIGS. 2a-2f. Only one is shown. If desired, television program content and interactive television application data may be provided via separate communication links.

User television equipment 22 and handheld application device 24 are
Communication may be via communication link 19. For example, if the handheld application device 24 obtains application data from the user television only, as shown in Figures 2a, 2c and 2e, then there is only one communication link 1. Alternatively,
There may be multiple communication links 19 when the handheld application device 24 obtains data directly from the application distribution facility 16 as shown in FIGS. 2b, 2d and 2f. In yet another suitable approach, the handheld application device 24 may run completely independently and not communicate with the user television equipment 22 at all.

Communication link 19 may be any suitable wired or wireless communication link, or between handheld application device 24 and user television equipment 22, application distribution facility 17 or main facility 12. Can be a link capable of digital communication or analog communication. The communication link 19 is, for example, a serial cable or a parallel cable, a dial-up telephone line, a computer network or an Internet link (for example, 10Base2, 10).
Base5, 10BaseT, 100BaseT, 10BaseF, T1, T3
Etc.), home network links, infrared links), radio frequency links (eg 900 MHz links, paging frequency links or other radio frequency links), satellite links, or any other suitable transmission link or combination of links. Can be included. Communication link 19 may include a docking station that connects handheld device 24 to user television equipment 22 either directly or via a home network. Any suitable transmission or access method can be used, examples of such methods are standard serial or parallel communication, Ethernet, Token Ring, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Circuit Switch Cellular (CSC), Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (
CDMA), any other suitable transmission or access scheme, or any suitable combination of these schemes.

It is envisioned that the transmission media and schemes used are suitable for a particular implementation, and if there are multiple communication links 19, different media and schemes can be used for different communication links 19. For home use, it may be more appropriate, for example, for the communication link 19 to be an RF or infrared link rather than some of the more complex links that are better suited for data transmission over a large geographical area. Also, for example, where the handheld application device 24 communicates directly with the application distribution facility 16, it may be more appropriate for the communication link 19 to be a suitable link for transmitting data over a wider geographical area (eg, an Internet link). obtain.

If desired, handheld application device 24 and user television equipment 22 may communicate using any suitable network and transport layer protocols. Handheld application device 24 and user television equipment 22 may communicate using, for example, a protocol stack. Listed below are protocol stacks: sequenced packet exchange / internetwork packet exchange (SPX / IPX) layer, transmission control protocol / Internet protocol (TCP / IP) layer, AppleTalk transaction protocol / datagram distribution protocol (ATP / DDP) layer. , Wireless access protocol (W
AP) layer, or any other suitable network or transport layer protocol. The handheld application device 24 and the user television equipment 22 may also be connected to a home network (eg, Sun Microsystem).
Home network using Jini networking protocol by ms)
Can be a part of. Network protocols and transport layer protocols may be omitted from the system if desired.

The distribution of application data by distribution device 21 may be performed using any suitable scheme (eg, as shown in FIGS. 2a, 2c and 2e) to user television device 22.
Only the user television equipment 2 (eg, as shown in FIGS. 2b, 2d and 2f).
2 and the handheld application device 24 together, or only the handheld application device 24. For example,
The application data can be provided as a continuous stream or sent at appropriate time intervals (eg, once an hour). For continuous transmission, it may not be necessary to store the data locally on the user television equipment 22 or the handheld application device 24.
2 or the handheld application device 24 will be able to extract "in progress" data when needed. If desired, the application distribution facility 16 may provide user television equipment 22 or handheld devices with specific information (eg, pay program account information or information regarding programs purchased and watched using locally generated authentication techniques). You can poll on a regular basis.
Application data may also be provided using a suitable client-server approach or the internet.

FIG. 2 a illustrates an exemplary configuration of interactive television application equipment 17 and handheld application device 24. In this configuration, the primary application runs entirely on the user television equipment 22. The secondary application running on the handheld application device 24 obtains application data via the user television equipment 22. The secondary application may obtain application data from the primary application, which acts as a server, via application communication sent to user television equipment 22 via communication link 19. In another suitable approach, the secondary application may include the user television equipment 2 without involving the primary application.
The application data can be obtained directly from 2.

User television equipment 22 may receive application data, eg, as part of a continuous data stream, either periodically or in response to a polling request from application distribution facility 17. With such an approach, the application data may be automatically provided to the handheld application device 24 without the secondary application requesting the application data from the primary application. User television equipment 22 may include, for example, a tap antenna and associated circuitry for demodulating the application data signal and decoding if necessary. The tap antenna may retransmit the data to the handheld application device 24 via the communication link 19. Alternatively, user television equipment 22 may receive application data from application distribution facility 16 and send the data to handheld application device 24 using any other suitable transmission scheme.

In yet another suitable approach, application data may be stored by user television equipment 22 and transferred to handheld application device 24. This approach may be desirable, for example, if the data rates between the application distribution facility 16 and the user television equipment 22 and the user television equipment 22 and the handheld application device 24 are not equal.

FIG. 2 b shows an exemplary configuration of interactive television application equipment 17 and handheld application device 24. In FIG. 2b, the handheld application device obtains application data directly from the application distribution facility 16. The application distribution facility 16 may include a communication device 27 that provides the handheld application device 24 with access to application data from the distribution equipment 21.

Communication device 27 may be any suitable communication device for communication link 19. Communication device 27 may be, for example, a modem (eg, any suitable analog or digital modem, cellular modem or cable modem) used when communication link 19 is a telephone dial-up link or an Internet link. The communication device 27 includes a network interface card (for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) card, which is used when the communication link 19 is a wide area-network (WAN) link or an Internet link.
Token ring card, etc.). Communication device 27 may be a wireless transceiver (eg, radio frequency transceiver or infrared transceiver or other suitable transceiver) used when communication link 19 is a wireless analog or digital link (eg, paging frequency link). . A secondary application running on the handheld application device 24 communicates with the user television equipment 22 via a separate communication link 19, or
If desired, this can be done via communication device 27, distribution equipment 21 and communication link 20. The application distribution facility 16 may have a plurality of communication devices 27. It is possible to use one communication device 27 for communication with the handheld application device 24 and another communication device 27 for communication with the user television equipment 22. Each communication device 27 has a different type of link 19 or 2
It can be used for 0. For example, one communication device 27 may be used for downloading application data or otherwise for access communication switching via a paging frequency link or 900 MHz link, and another communication device may be used for application data or other information or programming. It can be used to send content to user television equipment 22 (eg, via a cable television link).

2c and 2d show further exemplary configurations of interactive television application equipment 17 and handheld application device 24. In FIG. 2c, the primary application runs partially on user television equipment 22 (eg, a client application) and partially on application server 25.
It is executed by the above application distribution facility 16. In FIG. 2d, the secondary application runs partially on the handheld application device 24,
It partially executes in the application distribution facility 16 on the application server 25. A combination of these two approaches may be used if desired. The application server 25 may provide client-server based primary or secondary applications using any suitable combination of hardware and software. The application server 25 may be, for example, a suitable database engine (eg, Microsoft
The interactive television application data may be provided in response to a query generated by a primary application client implemented on user television equipment 22. If desired, application server 25 may be located at main facility 12 or some other location (eg, television distribution facility 29).

The primary and secondary applications in these approaches may retrieve the interactive television application data from the application server 25 using any suitable client-server based approach. The application may send a SQL request, for example, as a message to the application server 25. In another suitable approach, the application may use one or more remote procedure calls to call remote procedures that reside on the application server 25. The application server 25 sends an S to the called remote procedure.
The QL statement may be executed. In yet another suitable approach, the client object executed by the application may communicate with the server object executed by the application server 25 using, for example, an Object Request Broker (ORB). In this step, for example, M
A distributed component object model of Microsoft (registered trademark) (D
COM) approach may be used.

The primary and secondary applications may communicate with the application server 25 via communication links 20 or 19 using any suitable network and transport layer protocols, if desired. The primary application and the secondary application may communicate using a protocol stack, for example. Examples of protocol stacks include Sequenced Packet Switching / Internetwork Packet Switching (SPX / IPX) layer, Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP) layer, AppleTalk Transaction Protocol / Datagram Delivery Protocol (ATP / DDP). )layer,
WAP, DOCSIS or any other suitable network protocol and transport layer protocol and the like.

2e and 2f show an exemplary internet-based interactive television application system. The application distribution facility 16 may include, for example, the internet service system 61. Internet service system 61
Uses an Internet-based approach (eg, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) over Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP) type links) to transfer interactive television application data to primary or secondary applications. Any suitable combination of hardware and software that can be provided to the next application may be used. If desired, the Internet service system 61 may be replaced by the application distribution facility 16
It may be placed in a separate facility.

When the primary application is implemented on the user television equipment 22 of the interactive television application equipment 17 as shown in FIG. 2e, the internet service system 61 (or the application distribution facility 16 connected to the internet service system 61) is installed. Any other suitable device), via the Internet or via the application distribution device 21, any suitable Internet-based approach (eg HTTP over TCP / IP links).
May be used to provide interactive television application data to user television equipment 22. If the primary application is a client-server application as shown in FIG. 2e, or if the secondary application is a client-server application that obtains data directly from the application distribution facility 16 as shown in FIG. 2f, The primary or secondary application may obtain interactive television application data from the internet service system 61 via an internet connection on the communication link 20 or 19.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary configuration of the handheld application device 24. Handheld application device 24 may be any suitable display remote, personal digital assistant (PDA), e-book, or other suitable portable handheld device. The functions that the handheld application device 24 can provide to the user can depend on the processing circuitry, communication circuitry, and memory of the device. The handheld application device 24 is a device compatible with Windows (registered trademark) CE or JAVA (R).
) It is envisioned that it is a base handheld PDA-type device or can be enabled by any other suitable software operating system for handheld devices. Handheld application device 24
May have a user interface 52, processing circuitry 54, storage 56 and communication device 58.

The user interface 52 can be any suitable input or output device or system, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), touch sensitive screen, stylus, voice recognition and synthesis circuitry, microphone, speaker. , Manual input buttons or keys, keyboard, or any other suitable user input or output hardware and software. The user interface 52 preferably includes a touch sensitive screen. Touch sensitive screens can simplify navigation in various types of interactive television applications. Fixed button remote control in a program guide system may have as many as 48 buttons to select from, for example. Remote control of these systems,
An alternative is a handheld application device 24 enabled by a touch sensitive screen. The touch-sensitive screen of the handheld application device 24 need only display the buttons or controls that apply to the particular screen the user is looking at or the particular task the user is performing. In addition, the interface displayed on the touch sensitive screen can be modified to suit the type of data entry the user intends to make in the television application. For example, a keyboard may be displayed to provide the user with an opportunity to enter one or more characters, or a numeric keypad may be displayed to facilitate numeric entry. The user interface 52 also
It may also include suitable handwriting recognition software that runs on the handheld device.

In yet another suitable approach, the handheld application device 24 may have a combination of push buttons and displays. The display may label each push button with text or a graphic to indicate to the user the functionality associated with the push button. When a user accesses a different interactive application, the display may change based on the accessed application. For example, when an interactive betting application is accessed, "
Two displays, read as "BET" and "Details", may be provided. When the user changes the application to, for example, an interactive program guide, displays that read "Channel Up" and "Channel Down" may be provided on the same display. In each application, pressing a given push button executes the displayed function. The control code may be downloaded, for example, from the user television equipment 22 to the handheld application device 24 via a 900 MHz link, thereby indicating to the handheld application device 24 the appropriate label and function for each push button.

The processing circuitry 54 may include any suitable processor (eg, Intel® Pentium®, AMD or other microprocessor). The handheld application device 24 may also have a storage 56. Storage 56 may be any suitable memory or other storage device (eg, RA
M, ROM, flash memory or other storage suitable for handheld devices).

Handheld application device 24 may also include a communication device 58. Communication device 58 may be any device suitable for use in supporting communication between handheld application device 24 and user television equipment 22 or interactive television application equipment 17 via link 19. Communication device 58 may be, for example, a communication port (eg, serial port, parallel port, universal serial bus (USB) port, etc.), modem (eg, any suitable analog standard digital standard modem or cellular modem).
, Network interface cards (eg Ethernet cards, token ring cards, etc.), wireless transceivers (eg infrared transceivers, wireless transceivers or other suitable analog or digital transceivers) or for handheld devices Other suitable communication devices. In particular, communication device 58 may be a paging frequency transceiver. If desired, the handheld application device 24
There may be multiple communication devices 58. One communication device 58 is used for communication with the application distribution facility 16, and another communication device 58 is used for the user television equipment 2.
2 can be used for communication with. Each communication device 58 may be used for a different type of link 19. For example, one communication device 58 may be used for application data download applications or in other cases for access communication switching applications over a paging frequency or 900 MHz link, and another communication device (eg, infrared emitter) may be used for user television equipment 22. And can be used for controlling other home entertainment devices using infrared control. The paging frequency emitter can be used to upload device type information and download infrared code, for example. For use in this mode, keys may be displayed on the device and the user may touch the screen to generate commands. These keys can be context sensitive, only the key of interest is displayed at any time.

In operation, the handheld application device obtains a user command from the user interface 52, processes the command using processing circuitry 54, and outputs an appropriate display screen to the user on the user interface 52. When the user indicates that he / she wants to access the function of the secondary application that needs to obtain the application data, the processing circuit 54 causes the communication device 5
8 may be instructed to initiate a session with user television equipment 22 or application distribution facility 16.

The handheld application device can be sized to fit in a pocket or purse. The device may have a touch screen LCD display that is a two-way paging interface and may operate on a standard battery.
The paging interface may continuously collect TV listing data and store that data in local memory. The device may also download advertisements while the device is in normal use. This can be done, for example, by purchasing a time slot from a national paging service.

The device may have a foldable cover that protects the display from damage or accidental activation. When the cover is removed, the device may automatically boot and activate the device's display. The initial display may be, for example, a main menu, which may include interactive advertisements. One of the items on the menu may be a television guide. When you select the guide function, the guide main menu,
A program listings display or any other suitable guide display may appear. When the user selects a listing, the device may display the details of the program associated with the listing. The advertisement may be associated with the program content, in which case selecting the advertisement will reveal more detailed information about the program and allow setting reminders or any other suitable features. Advertising on other products may allow users to get more information or purchase products.

Since this handheld application device can be ad supported,
It can be offered to consumers free of charge or at a very low price. The screens or pages displayed by the device may include passive ads or interactive ads. Providing devices at low prices to consumers will enable mass distribution of devices. This can increase the value of the device to the advertiser. The user of the device does not have to live in a special area, does not have to subscribe to any kind of digital cable or satellite service, or does not have an internet account to use the device at any time You can Once such a platform is distributed, it will continue to provide opportunities for growth. New software can be downloaded, supporting future marketing opportunities and the ability to later enhance user functionality (either for free or at a price increase).

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary configuration of user television equipment 22. User television equipment 22 of FIG. 4 receives at input 26 an analog or digital video stream from a distribution facility. Data from the application distribution facility 16
Received at input 26. During normal television viewing, the user tunes the set top box 28 to the desired (analog or digital) television channel. The signal for that television channel is then provided at the video output 30. The signal provided at output 30 is typically either a radio frequency (RF) signal on a pre-defined channel (eg, channel 3 or 4) or an analog demodulated video signal, although suitable It may be a digital signal provided to the television 36 via a digital bus (for example, a bus using the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 1394 (not shown)). The video signal at output 30 is received by an optional secondary storage device 32.

The primary application or the primary application client may operate on the set-top box 28, on the television 36, and on the optional digital storage device 31 (provided that the television 36 or the optional digital storage is used). Device 31 with appropriate processing circuitry and memory), or television 36
On a suitable analog or digital receiver connected to. Interactive television applications may also work cooperatively on both television 36 and set top box 28. An interactive television application system in which an interactive television program guide application operates cooperatively on multiple devices is described, for example, in US patent application Ser. No. 09 / 186,598 filed Nov. 5, 1998 by Ellis. There is a description in the issue. The entire application is incorporated herein by reference.

The secondary storage device 32 can be any suitable type of analog or digital program storage device or player (eg, video cassette recorder, digital versatile disc (DVD) player, etc.). Program recording and other functions can be controlled by the set top box 28 using the control link 34. If the secondary storage device 32 is a videocassette recorder, for example, a typical control link 34 would use an infrared transmitter coupled to an infrared receiver in the videocassette recorder, and such a wired transmitter would be Normally, a command from a remote control (for example, remote control 40) is received.

The handheld application device 24 can be used to control the set top box 28, the secondary storage device 32 and the television 36. The handheld application device 24 may, for example, have different modes of operation, thereby acting as an interface to the application and controlling the user television equipment 22 like a remote control. The handheld application device 24 can be programmable based on the devices in the user television equipment 22, for example. The user can select the device type from an appropriate settings display, for example. In another suitable approach,
Handheld application device 24 may download configuration information from an application running on user television equipment 22 (eg, an interactive television program guide). Any other suitable approach may be used.

If desired, the user can record the program, application data or an appropriate combination thereof in digital form on the optional digital storage device 31. The user can also download the software to the digital storage device 31 from the Internet or some other medium. Digital storage device 31 may be a writable optical storage device (eg, a DVD player capable of processing recordable DVD discs), a magnetic storage device (eg, a disc drive or digital tape), or any other digital storage. It can be a device. Interactive television application systems that include a digital storage device in the program guide are described, for example, by Hassell et al. 1998.
It is described in US patent application Ser. No. 09 / 157,256, filed September 17, 2013. The entire application is incorporated herein by reference.

The digital storage device 31 can be housed in the set top box 28 or can be an external device connected to the set top box 28 via an output port and a suitable interface. If necessary, the processing circuitry in the set top box 28 is used to format the received video and the audio and data signals into a digital file format. Preferably, the file format is an open file format (eg, Moving Picture Specialization Group (MPEG) MPEG-2 standard or Moving Joint Photot).
It is a standard for Experts Group (MJPEG)).
The resulting data is then transferred to a suitable bus (eg, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IE
It is streamed to the digital storage device 31 via a bus using the standard 1394 of EE) and stored in the digital storage device 31. In another suitable approach, the MPEG-2 data stream or series of files may be delivered to the distribution device 21.
From the digital storage device 31 and stored in the digital storage device 31. For example, a user may use a remote media server to store files from recorded programs on television distribution facility 29. Such digital files can be played back to the user when desired.

The television 36 receives the video signal from the secondary storage device 32 via the communication path 38. The video signal on the communication path 38 is stored in a prerecorded storage medium (for example,
A program prerecorded by the secondary storage device 32 during playback of a videocassette or a digital video disc that can be recorded by the user (eg, a program recorded by the user on a media server away from or in the user's home). Video) of the digital storage device 31 during playback. This video signal may be sent through the set top box 28 and provided directly to the television 36 through the set top box 28 if there is no secondary storage device 32 in the user television equipment 22, or by the television 36. Can be received directly. During normal TV viewing, the video signal provided to the TV 36 is provided by the user to the set top box 2.
8 corresponds to the desired channel tuned. When using the set top box 28 when reproducing the information stored in the digital storage device 31 or when using the set top box 28 when decoding the digital video stream or the digital file transmitted from the television distribution facility 29 Video The signal may also be provided to the television 36 by the set top box 28.

The set top box 28 has a communication device 37 for direct communication with the application server 25 or the internet service system 61 via the communication link 20 or with the handheld application device 24 via the communication link 19. You can The communication device 37 is, for example, a communication port (for example, serial port, parallel port, universal serial bus (USB)).
Port, etc.), modem (eg, any suitable analog standard modem or digital standard modem or cellular modem), network interface card (eg, Ethernet card, token ring card, etc.)
, A wireless transceiver (eg, infrared transceiver, wireless transceiver or other suitable analog or digital transceiver), or other suitable communication device. Television 36 may also have such suitable communication devices, if desired. In particular, the communication device 37 may be a paging frequency or 900 MHz transceiver. If desired, the set top box 28 may have multiple communication devices 37. One communication device 37
May be used for communication with the application distribution facility 16 and another communication device may be used for communication with the handheld application device 24. Each communication device 37 may be used for a different type of link 20. For example, one communication device 37 may be used for application data download applications or in other cases access communication switching applications over a paging frequency or 900 MHz link, and another communication device may be used for user television equipment 22 with infrared control. It may be used for control applications.

FIG. 5 shows a more generalized embodiment of the user television equipment 22 of FIG. Figure 5
As shown therein, the interactive application data from the application distribution facility 16 (FIG. 1) is received by the control circuit 42 of the user television equipment 22.
The functionality of control circuit 42 may be provided using the set top box configuration of FIG. Alternatively, these features may be integrated to provide an advanced television receiver (eg, digital television receiver or high definition television (HDTV) receiver), personal computer television (PC / TV), or any other suitable configuration. You may Combinations of such configurations may be used if desired.

The user television equipment 22 of FIG. 5 may have a secondary storage device 47, a digital storage device 49, or any suitable combination thereof for recording program content. Secondary storage device 47 and digital storage device 4 if desired
9 can be omitted. The secondary storage device 47 may be any suitable type of analog program storage device or digital program storage device (eg, video cassette recorder, digital versatile disc (DVD), etc.). Program recording and other functions may be controlled by the control circuit 42. Digital storage device 49 may be, for example, a writable optical storage device (eg, a DVD player capable of processing recordable DVD discs), a magnetic storage device (eg, a disc drive or digital tape), or any other. It can be a digital storage device.

The memory 63 can be any memory or other storage device (eg, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard disk drive, combinations of such devices, etc.), It may be suitable for storing primary application instructions and application data used by control circuit 42.

User television equipment 22 of FIG. 5 is a user television equipment 2 via communication link 20.
2 may have a communication device 51 that supports communication between the application server 25 or the internet service system 61 or between the user television equipment 22 and the handheld application device 24 via the communication link 19. The communication device 51 includes, for example, a communication port (for example, a serial port, a parallel port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, etc.), a modem (
For example, any suitable analog standard or digital standard or cellular modem), network interface card (eg, Ethernet card, token ring card, etc.), wireless transceiver (
For example, an infrared transceiver, wireless transceiver or other suitable analog or digital transceiver), or other suitable communication device. In particular, the communication device 51 may be a paging frequency transceiver or a 900 MHz transceiver. User television equipment 22 if desired
A plurality of communication devices 51 may be provided in each. One communication device 51 may be used for communication with the application distribution facility 16 and another communication device may be used for communication with the handheld application device 24. Each communication device 37
May be used for different types of links 20. For example, one communication device 5
1 is used for downloading application data or, in another case, for access communication exchange via a bidirectional cable link, paging frequency link or 900 MHz link, and another communication device is used for TV program content, application data or other Information may be used for providing the information to the handheld application device 24 via an infrared link or a 900 MHz link.

The primary application and the secondary application can be any suitable application (eg, a home shopping application, a web browser application, a to-do list application, a home gambling application, or any other application, but not limited thereto. Not be done). For clarity, the present invention is described as a connection to a system that implements an interactive television program guide application on interactive television application equipment 17 and handheld application device 24. In one suitable configuration of such a system, program guide data is distributed from the main facility via an application distribution facility to an interactive television program guide implemented on user television equipment. In another suitable arrangement, the interactive television program guide application may provide the primary processing power for the application, eg, the application distribution facility 16 or the main facility 12 (eg, the program guide server 2).
5) and provided by the server located at 5) to allow the user television equipment 22 to function as a client processor as shown in FIGS. 2c and 2d. In yet another alternative configuration, the program guide application may obtain program guide data from the Internet, as shown in Figures 2e and 2f.

Program guides typically require the user's ability to select interactive objects on the screen because they require selection of objects to be made by positioning them in the highlight area or by positioning the cursor over the objects. limit. For example, if a user is in a program listing in a column, the user cannot move the arrow up or down from that column to select interactive objects. Further, the user may be forced to tap a key multiple times when navigating from one object to another. However, on a touch-sensitive screen (eg, the preferred display of handheld application device 24), any area can be selected, which provides the user with a high degree of ability to access interactive objects. The handheld application device 24 may display a menu based on, for example, the menu displayed on the user television equipment 22 by the interactive application. The user
It is possible to select a particular menu option in a single action, without having to tap the key multiple times to position the highlighted area as in the case of a normal remote control.

A portable handheld application device may have many features of an interactive program guide (eg, listings by time, listings by channel, listings by category, favorite channels or any other guiding features. ) May be included. This allows the user to set reminders and display the reminders on the device using both audio alerts and displays. Through the return on paging, it is possible to set a reminder using a device or to schedule a recording remotely, for example. Data can be collected using a portable device. For example, a portable device can be used to send surveys. It is also possible to collect viewer rating information using a portable device. For example, electronic coupons may be delivered using an appropriate point of purchase advertising device.

The secondary program guide operating on the handheld device 24 sends the program guide data directly from the application distribution facility 16 (eg, distribution device 21, application server 25 or Internet service system 61) or user television device 22. It may be obtained from the primary program guide application running above, or using a combination of these approaches. Whatever approach is used, the secondary program guide application running on the handheld application device 24 provides the user with an opportunity to coordinate the functionality of the primary guide with the functionality of the secondary guide, whereby The interactivity of the secondary guide and the secondary guide may be improved.

The display of the handheld application device 24 is preferably a touch sensitive screen and is an integral part of the on-screen guide. Complementary interactivity between primary and secondary guides can be provided in various program guide features without disturbing television viewing. For example, a user can browse channels and times, access program information, order pay bar view programs, set reminders, and lock programs, all at handheld application device 24.
For features that are highly user-involved (eg, setting favorite channels, watching more than one channel at a time, or setting global parental controls), the display on the handheld application device 24 can be seamlessly converted to a remote control. The user can navigate the primary guide display screen to perform the function. Handheld application device 2
4 can provide independent access to program guides or other interactive television application features, if desired.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary menu screen 601 that may be displayed by the handheld application device 24 when the device 24 is activated, for example. Menu screen 601 may include a plurality of icons 603 indicating a secondary application having a function coordinated with the primary application running on user television equipment 22. If desired, the menu screen 601 also includes icons 605 showing other applications running only on the handheld application device 24.
Can also include. The user may access the secondary program guide application, for example, by touching the TV guide icon with their finger or stylus.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary browse display screen 701 that may be displayed by a secondary program guide operating on the handheld access device 24. Browse display screen 7
01 may be displayed, for example, at startup or after the user selects the appropriate icon from menu screen 601. Browse display screen 701 may include a browse area 703 that displays the program title 715 and time slot 719 of browsed channel 717. Browse area 703 may also include the airtime of the program associated with the listing and its rating. The current time 711 and channel 713 may also be displayed.

The user may browse program listings for other time slots and channels by touching the right arrow, left arrow, up arrow, and down arrow 721. The user may tune to the browsed channel, for example, by touching channel 717. When the user touches channel 717, the secondary program guide may notify the primary guide via the communication link 19 that the user has indicated that he / she wants to tune to a particular channel. Application communications may be exchanged for primary guides. The primary guide may tune user television equipment 22 to the notified channel. In another suitable approach, the handheld application device 24 may be programmed to change channels on the television 36 using the set top box 28 (FIG. 4).

The controls in browse display screen 701 may also be used to perform any other suitable function. The user can touch time 719 or channel 717 to enter, for example, hourly listings or channel listings on the screen. In yet another suitable approach, the user touches time 719,
The handheld application device 24 may be a numeric keypad or eg 1
A time list divided into half-hour slots may be presented to provide the user with an opportunity to indicate when they want to browse the list items. User channel 71
In response to touching 7, the handheld application device 24 may present a numeric keypad or channel list to provide the user with an opportunity to be notified of the channels on which he wishes to browse the listings.

Browse display screen 701 may include selectable advertisements 705. Selectable advertisements 705 may include, for example, text and graphics promoting programs or other television or non-TV goods or services. Upon the user selecting the selectable advertisement 705, the secondary guide may display information (eg, pay bar view ordering information, program information, etc.) or perform other actions related to the content of the advertisement. You can do it. The secondary guide may, for example, cause the user television equipment 22 to tune to a Barker-type channel displaying a trailer of the advertised Pay Bar View program. Alternatively, the secondary guide may use one or more application communications to notify the primary guide that the user has selected to advertise the Pay Bar View program. The primary guide may then tune user television equipment 22 to the associated Barker channel. While the Barker channel is being displayed on the user television equipment 22, the secondary guide may provide the user with the opportunity to order pay bar view programming.

Browse display screen 701 may also include a logo 707 that provides the user with an opportunity to access a primary program guide running on interactive television application equipment 17. The user may touch exit icon 709 to return handheld application device 24 to its default state (eg, power off, return to main menu screen 601, etc.). If desired, browse display screen 701
May include other controls suitable for browsing list items. The browse display screen 701 includes, for example, control of the next program, control of the previous program, control of the program one hour later, control of the program one hour earlier, control of the program one day later, control of the program one day earlier, and It may include control of the current time program. When selecting a channel, the browse display screen 701 may include, for example, a "next favorite" button and a "previous favorite" button, which allows the user to indicate that he or she wants to browse a listing of favorite programs. You can Any other suitable control may also be used.

FIG. 8 may be displayed by the secondary program guide, for example, when the user touches the program title 715 from the browse display screen 701 of FIG. 7 or when the user selects a selectable advertisement 705. An exemplary information screen 801 is shown. The information screen 801 is
Information 803 may be included about the program indicated by the selected listing. Information screen 801 shows selectable advertisement 705, current time 711, current channel 7
13, logo 707 and exit icon 709 may also be included. When the user accesses the information screen 801 by selecting the selectable advertisement 705, only the selected selectable advertisement may remain on the screen. The secondary program guide gives the user an opportunity to access other well-known program guide features for the program notified from the information screen 801 (eg, an opportunity to tune to the program (by touching the viewing controls 807)). Can be provided.

The secondary guide may provide the user with an opportunity to set reminders. The user can set a reminder for the notified program by, for example, touching the reminder control 809. User holds handheld application device 2
When setting a reminder using 4, the secondary guide may align the reminder with the primary guide. The secondary guide may notify the primary guide of the program for which the reminder has been set, for example by exchanging one or more application communications via link 19. At the appropriate time (eg, 10 minutes before the program starts), the secondary guide displays a reminder on the handheld access device 24 and the primary guide displays the reminder on the display device 45 (FIG. 5). Can be displayed above.
To save memory on the handheld application device 24, the reminder is set to the primary guide using the secondary guide so that the reminder is not stored in the secondary guide. When the reminder is displayed by the first guide,
The primary guide exchanges one or more application communications with the secondary guide,
It may indicate that a reminder is due for a given program. The secondary guide may display reminders accordingly.

The handheld application device 24 may provide the user with an opportunity to set the time at which the reminder is displayed. The user may schedule a reminder, for example, between 1 and 15 minutes before the program is available. If desired, reminders may be provided by the handheld application device 24 and the user television equipment 22 with different defaults or at times set by the user. In yet another approach, the reminder may be provided by only one of the handheld application device 24 and the user television equipment 22.

The secondary guide may provide the user with the opportunity to restrict or remove viewing of program titles, channels, ratings, or times of day. The user may indicate, for example, by touching the parental control 811, a desire to parentalize the indicated program or one of its attributes (eg, title, rating, channel, etc.). Restricting or disallowing viewing of program titles, channels, ratings, or times of day may be a feature included as part of the program guide from the point of view of the user's interaction. If the user indicates that he wants to restrict or remove viewing of a program title, channel, rating, or time zone, the secondary program guide will allow the user to view the program title, channel, rating, or time zone of a given program title. One or more application communications may be made with the primary program guide that indicate to the primary program guide what it desires to be restricted or lifted. The secondary guide may then be converted to a remote control that allows the user to navigate within the primary guide parental control display screen. In guides where program viewing restrictions are less involved, the secondary guide may provide the user with the opportunity to restrict or remove viewing of program titles, channels, genres, ratings, and the like.

The secondary guide may provide the user with an opportunity to change the parental control code. If the user changes the parental control code, the secondary guide may use one or more application communications to indicate the code change and the new code to the primary guide. The primary guide may then change the parental control code accordingly.

If desired, the information screen 801 displays controls 807, 809, and 8
In addition to, or instead of, 11, a mower control may be included. In response to the user touching the mower controls, the handheld application device 24 may provide control for additional functionality. The additional controls may include, for example, pay bar view order controls, other airtime controls, or any other suitable controls.

A secondary guide running on the handheld application device 24 may provide the user with an opportunity to order pay bar view programming. The user, for example,
Touching the selectable advertisement 705 advertising a pay bar view program may indicate a desire to order a pay bar view program. FIG. 9 shows an exemplary pay bar view order screen. The pay bar, as well as other display screens displayed by the secondary guide on the handheld application device 24.
The view order screen may include a brand logo 707, an end control 709, a current time 711, and a current channel 713. The pay bar view order screen 901 may also include order information 907. Ordering information 907 may include the title of the selected program, air time 911 of the selected program, price, short commentary, pay bar view program rating, and any other suitable information.

The pay bar view ordering screen 901 may also include selectable advertisements 705. The single selectable advertisement 705 may be displayed when the user accesses the pay bar view ordering screen, for example, by selecting the selectable advertisement. A single selectable ad may not be actionable. Two selectable advertisements 705 may be displayed when the user accesses the screen, for example, by selecting a pay bar view program title. If the user selects one of the two selectable advertisements 705, the secondary guide may display a program information screen for the advertised program.

When the screen 901 is initially displayed, the broadcast time 911 of the Pay Bar View program shown may start at the next available start time 913. The user may watch additional broadcast times by, for example, touching left arrow 903 or right arrow 905. If the user selects a different start time 913, the secondary guide may display order information 907 for the selected start time.

The secondary guide may provide the user with the opportunity to navigate within the primary guide and the access features of the primary guide using the handheld application device 24. The user may indicate a desire to access the primary guide, for example, by touching logo 707. FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary remote screen 1000.
Indicates. The remote screen 1000 includes, for example, a logo 707, a selectable advertisement 705,
The current time 711 and the current channel 713 may be included. If the user selects the logo 707 from within the remote screen 1000, the secondary guide may instruct the primary guide to display the program listings screen on the display device 54 (FIG. 5). Control of the remote screen 1000 is controlled by screens displayed by the primary guide or other application, options highlighted on a particular primary application screen, the content or type of information displayed on the primary application screen, or any other. It may be displayed according to and based on the appropriate feature, features, or content.

The user can navigate within the primary guide display screen, for example, by touching arrow 1003. Navigation within the program guide display screen using the handheld application device may occur within any primary guide display screen. For purposes of illustration, navigation within the primary guide main menu screen and within the primary guide program listings screen will be described.

An exemplary primary guide main menu screen 100 is shown in FIG. The main menu screen 100 may include a menu 102 of selectable program guide functions 106. If desired, the program guide functions 106 are categorized by function type. For example, in the menu 102, the program guide function 106 is classified into three columns. The column named "TV Guide" is for the list of related functions, the column named "MSO Showcase" is for the Multiple System Operator (MSO), and is named "Audience Service". Columns are for viewer-related functions. The interactive television program guide may generate a display screen for a particular program guide feature when the user selects it from menu 102.

The main menu screen 100 may include one or more selectable advertisements 108. Selectable ads 108 may include, for example, text and graphics advertising a Pay Bar View program, or other programs or products. If the user selects the selectable advertisement 108, the program guide may display information (eg, pay bar view information) or take other actions regarding the content of the advertisement. If desired, a pure text ad may be presented, as indicated by the selectable ad banner 110.

Further, the main menu screen 100 may include other screen elements. For example, a brand of program guide product may be indicated by using a product brand logo graphic, such as product brand logo graphic 112. For example, by using a service provider logo graphic, such as service provider logo graphic 114, television service provider identification information may be presented.
The current time may be displayed in the clock display area 116. In addition, an appropriate indicator, such as indicator graphic 118, may be used to indicate to the user that mail from the cable operator is waiting for the user if the program guide supports the messaging feature. In addition, TV email reminders
It may allow the user to know when there are pending email messages from the internet, intranet or other computer related email accounts. The user is connected to, for example, a virtual keyboard displayed on the handheld application device 24, voice commands received and processed by the handheld application device 24, or connected to the handheld application device 24 or user television equipment 22 (eg, a wireless keyboard). Using the appropriate input device
Can be interactive.

The user may, for example, place the highlight area 120 over the function to
The function 106 may be selected. The user can arrange the highlight area 120 by touching the arrow 1003, for example. When the user touches arrow 1003, the secondary guide may use one or more application communications to indicate to the primary guide the desired action (ie, placement of highlighted area 120). The primary guide may receive the application communication and place the highlight area 120 on the display device 45 accordingly.

When the user places the highlight area 120 on the desired function, the user:
For example, a function may be selected by touching OK 1005 on the handheld application device 24. The secondary guide may indicate to the primary guide that the user has selected a feature using one or more application communications. The primary guide may receive the application communication and perform the desired function.

The user may desire to watch the program listings using the primary guide, for example, by selecting the “By Hour” feature. Alternatively, the user may indicate a desire to view program listings, for example, by selecting an hourly option from the primary guide main menu screen 100. The secondary guide may use one or more application communications to indicate the desired functionality to the primary guide, which may display the program listings screen.

The primary guide displays the program list item screen on the program being viewed by the user,
Or it may overlay over a portion of the program in "browse" mode. Program listings may be displayed using any suitable listing, table, grid, or other suitable display arrangement. If desired, the program listings screen may include selectable ads, product brand logo graphics, service provider brand graphics, clocks, or any other suitable indicator or graphic.

FIG. 12 shows a display of time-based program list items. Program listings screen 130 of FIG. 12 may include a highlight area 151 for highlighting the current program listings 150. The user can arrange the highlighted display area 151 by touching the arrow 1003, for example. The user, for example, highlights the list item and clicks "OK" 1
You can tune to the show by touching 005. The user may move the highlight area 120 up or down past the top or bottom list item, for example by touching arrow 1003, to further list items in the time frame shown in time bar 111. You can watch. The user may watch program listings for other time frames, for example, by touching the right and left arrows 1003. In this example, the handheld application device has other controls appropriate to the program listings screen 130, such as previous page, next page, previous day,
Tomorrow, or any other suitable control may be included.

The secondary program guide may otherwise provide the user with an opportunity to navigate within the primary program guide. The secondary guide may provide the user with an opportunity to set the channel as a favorite, secondary guide, primary guide, or both. The user can navigate among the list items set as favorites, for example by touching "FAV" 1007. Alternatively, the secondary guide may reclassify the program listings to the most prominent and convenient location when the favorite channel is displayed on the handheld application device 24 or user television equipment 22.

The user can take a backup of the previous primary guide display screen by touching “previous” 1009, for example. The user may, for example, "menu" 1
Touching 011 may return to the primary guide main menu screen 100. The user may return to watching television, for example, by touching “End” 709. The user may, for example, place the highlight area 150 over a list item,
Touching "Information" 1013 may indicate a desire to view program information for a particular listing. If the user highlights a program listings from within the listings screen or other display screen, other exemplary controls that may be displayed on the handheld application device 24 by the secondary guide include reminder settings, programming. Viewing restrictions, ordering programs in the case of pay-bar-view programs, watching other air times of the programs, or program-related merchandise, such as soundtrack CDs, video tapes of programs, or brand of programs. Controls for sale of clothing may be included.

The primary guide may also provide the user with an opportunity to view a listing of channels as shown in the exemplary specials program screen 231 of FIG. The secondary guide may modify the display on the handheld application device to display the appropriate controls on such a screen. The secondary guide may be, for example, a subscription control for subscribing to the channel, a favorites setting control for setting the channel as a favorite, a parental control for restricting the viewing of the channel, or for providing information about the channel. Information controls can be displayed.

The secondary guide may also provide the user with an opportunity to determine which objects are always displayed on the handheld application device 24. The user has a help control that invokes context sensitive help, a message flag that the handheld application device 24 or the user's television equipment has received an email, a VCR button, a DVD button, or
A power off button may be selected that turns off all of the user television equipment 22 and devices connected to the user television equipment 22.

The functionality of the primary guide may be extended to the secondary guide or adjusted according to the secondary guide for any number of other suitable program guides associated with the functionality.
The secondary guide uses the handheld application device 24, for example,
Send and receive e-mails (which may or may not be related to a guide, such as a promotional message from a cable operator, or personalized messages), and to purchase goods Bid on TV auctions, order subscription services like HBO, pay cable fees, make financial transactions with people in different households (eg lend pay bar view movies to others) Opportunity to perform financial transactions based on, or any other guide), perform Internet-based e-commerce (eg, order merchandise, participate in online or reverse auctions), or surf the Internet. Can be provided to the user. These and other features can be incorporated into the handheld access device 24 as a standalone device if desired.

Another feature that may be adjusted between the primary or secondary guides using the handheld application device 24 is the control of the image-in-image (PIP) display. A PIP display is a small partial screen video window of a channel's video that is overlaid on another channel's video in full screen view. By using the secondary guide's browse feature, the user can browse for channels and program titles on the handheld application device 24,
Other viewers may continue to watch the matched channel on the main screen while viewing that channel within the PIP. The secondary guide may use the handheld application device 24 to provide the user with an opportunity to call on-demand movie trailers, television advertisements, and other downloaded videos in a PIP window.

The secondary guide (or other software running on the handheld application device 24) may also provide the user with the opportunity to control the PIP in a multi-person video conference. For example, in a three-way video conference, the user
By touching the appropriate controls on the handheld application device 24, the viewpoint can be switched between the other two user positions. In a two-way video conference, for example, the user may use the handheld application device 24.
Can be used to change the viewer position in the PIP display.

Handheld application device 24 may have suitable processing circuitry for displaying video. The video signal may be streamed to the handheld application device 24 for display, eg, as an MPEG-2 data stream. A video display may also be streamed to the handheld application device 24 as the user browses the program listings using the secondary guide. In this approach, the video display may include video for the program in which listings are displayed and being broadcast at the time of browsing. If video streaming is not possible on the system resources, still images may be transferred from the interactive television application device 17 to the handheld application device 24 instead of being displayed. In another suitable approach, more compressed video may be used, taking into account bandwidth constraints. Using more compressed video is also desirable, for example, when the display resolution of the handheld application device 24 does not support high resolution video.

Other applications may run exclusively on the handheld application device 24. Handheld application device 24 may execute, for example, an online program guide client. The user may indicate a desire to access the online program guide, for example, by touching TV Guide Online from menu screen 601 (FIG. 6). If the user indicates a desire to access the online program guide, the handheld application device 24 may launch a standard internet browser and access the appropriate website. Alternatively, a proprietary web browser, or other remote access software, may be launched to access a website or other proprietary site that provides web access to the handheld device.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary home page 1401 for a handheld access device website. When the user selects hypertext link 1403, or another suitable type of anchor, handheld access device 24 downloads a hypertext markup language (HTML) page using hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). obtain. Any other suitable protocol can be used. In yet another suitable approach, the handheld access device 24 uses a suitable remote access software, eg, a Windows® remote access software (RAS) client, to access the server (ie, Internet access via the remote access client). Internet server) that provides a screen shot or screen shot command. FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary page that the handheld access device 24 may display, for example, when the user selects the “Editor's Recommendations” anchor.

16a and 16b show example pages that the handheld application device 24 may display, for example, when the user selects my television list anchor 1403. Online guide client, as shown in the figure
A web browser, or other access application running on the handheld application device 24, may provide the opportunity to view program listings categorized according to one of a plurality of user selection criteria. If the user selects criteria, the online guide client, web browser, or other Internet access application may retrieve program listings based on the criteria selected and display the listings as shown in FIG. 16c. . If desired, the program listings may be downloaded and available to the user based on the user's zip code, cable system, satellite service, or other suitable criteria, and the program listings at the appropriate times. Is viewed by the user. In addition, the user can choose by time, genre, favorites, or any other suitable criteria.
An opportunity may be provided to limit the list items.

Also, the online guide client, web browser, or other access application running on the handheld application device 24
The user may be provided with the opportunity to view information about the application. FIG. 17
For example, from the home page 1401 of FIG. 14, the TVG wireless anchor 1
403, or a page about a TVG that the handheld application device 24 may display if the user selects a suitable anchor.

18-20 are flow charts of exemplary steps involved in providing stand-alone and tailored application functionality on a handheld application device 24. The steps shown in FIGS. 18-20 are exemplary and, in practice, may be performed in any suitable order. FIG. 18 is a flow chart of exemplary steps in providing interactive television and other application functionality using the handheld application device 24. At step 1800, application data, such as interactive television application data or other application data, is provided to handheld application data 24. The data may be provided directly from the main facility 12 via the interactive television application device 17 to the handheld application device 24 or directly from the interactive television application device 17 (ie, the data is (Generated from the interactive television application device 17). Interactive television application data may include, for example, any data suitable for interactive television or other applications. Interactive TV applications include
For example, an application that provides information related to television programming, or an application that provides interactive features related to television programming, such as interactive television program guides, home shopping applications, email, home gambling and financial trading applications. May be included. In addition, interactive television applications may include applications provided to user television equipment 22. For example, home shopping applications and financial transaction applications may be interactive television applications where the functionality of such applications is provided via user television equipment. The functionality of these applications may be provided with the television programming associated with the functionality. Home shopping applications may provide, for example, the opportunity to purchase products and services advertised on home shopping television channels.

Handheld application device 24 receives the interactive television application data (step 1810) and provides the user with an opportunity to access television related applications using handheld access device 24 (step 1).
820). The interactive television application may be run as a stand-alone device, may be run as a client requesting data from a server (eg, server on main facility 12 or interactive television application device 17), or both. It may be executed in cooperation with the primary application executed in the television application device 17. At step 1830, the handheld application device 24 may provide the user with an opportunity to access other applications, such as PDA-type functionality. For example, the handheld application device 24 may support email, calendars, dating lists, web browsing, calculators and the like. The handheld application device 24 may be used for data services such as news, weather forecasts, sports, traffic information,
Or it may support any other suitable data service. Also, such applications may be provided as stand-alone or server applications running on user television equipment 22 and accessible by handheld application device 24. Handheld application device 2
4 can be used as a pager. The portable program guide may include advanced communication capabilities, along with appropriate hardware resources. Portable program guides, for example,
It allows users to remotely monitor their home devices to see if the system is on, which channels are on, and so on. The portable program guide also allows the user to listen to or provide audio from the selected TV channel.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart of exemplary steps in coordinating functionality between a primary application running in interactive television application equipment 17 and an auxiliary application running on handheld access device 24. is there. At step 1900, main facility 12 or interactive television application device 17 provides application data to a primary application running on interactive television application device 17. The primary application may be an interactive television application or may not be associated with television programming. At step 1910, the primary application provides the application data to the secondary application executing on handheld access device 24 using, for example, one or more access communications. At step 1920, the secondary application running on the handheld application device 24 provides a display of the interface controls adjusted according to the functionality of the primary application. For example, the interface control may correspond to the navigation function of the primary application. For example, the exemplary remote screen 1000 of FIG. 10 includes navigation arrows 1003 corresponding to the navigation features of the interactive television program guide running on the user television equipment 22. The user interface also includes controls for interactive guide functions, eg, controls for favorites, previous, further information, and menus. For example, in a home shopping application, the user interface controls are
Similar navigation controls may be included and may include other controls for home shopping features, such as purchasing, information, adding items to a wish list, or any other suitable home shopping feature. For example,
In a home equity trading application, the user interface may include similar navigation controls, such as other controls for the home equity trading function, such as buying shares, selling shares, additional information, or any other suitable home equity trading. It may include controls for trading functions. For example, in a web browser application, similar navigation controls may be provided, as well as other controls, such as controls for back, next, home, bookmarks, or any other suitable function. For example, in a betting application, user interface controls may be provided for betting, providing additional information about a betting opportunity, or any other suitable function.

The interface controls may be adjusted according to the functionality of the secondary application with the data provided by the primary application. In this way, the user interface controls are dynamically configured based on the primary application. If desired, a library of standard controls may be stored by the handheld application device 24 to provide the user with a consistent interface across primary applications.
Controls specific to a particular primary application may be downloaded if desired.

Another example of coordinating the functionality and interface controls of the primary application is to provide the primary application content on the handheld application device 24. For example, in an interactive program guide application, handheld access device 24 may display television programming, for example, when a user browses listings while watching a program on user television equipment 22.

At step 1930, the secondary application controls the functionality of the primary application based on the user controls selected by the user, as shown on the handheld application device 24. This may be accomplished, for example, by exchanging one or more access communications with the primary application. In the example of FIG. 10, the user may select arrow 1003 to position highlight region 120 or 151 of FIGS. 11 and 12. For example, in a home shopping application, the primary application may initiate a purchase sequence in response to a user selecting purchase control on the handheld application device 24. For example, in a stock trading application, a primary application may sell stock in response to a user selecting sales controls on the handheld application device 24. For example, in a web browser, the system may return to a previously visited web page in response to the user selecting the return control.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of exemplary steps involved in providing interactive television program guide functionality. At step 2100, the program guide data is provided to the handheld application device 24. The data may be provided directly from the main facility 12 to the handheld application device 24, may be provided from the main facility 12 to the handheld application device 24 via the interactive television application device 17, or the interactive television device 17 may be provided. May be provided directly (i.e., the data is generated from the interactive television application equipment 17). At step 2110, the handheld application device 24 provides the user with an opportunity to browse program listings. This may be accomplished independently as a client to a primary application running on a portion of the interactive television application device 17 or in cooperation with a primary server application running on a portion of the interactive television application device 17. May be achieved. Handheld application device 24 or user television equipment 2
2 may provide television programming in response to the user selecting the browsed listing (step 2115).

At step 2120, the handheld application device 24 may provide the user with an opportunity to set reminders. Reminders may appear on the handheld access device 24 along with voice alerts and indications (step 2125). For example, through returning paging, the device may be used and user television equipment 2
A reminder is set up remotely using the interactive television program guide at 2.

At step 2130, the handheld application device 24 may provide the user with an opportunity to order pay bar view programming. The user may view the pay bar view program by, for example, selecting a listing on the handheld application device 24, selecting an advertisement on the handheld application device, or performing any other suitable function. May indicate a desire to order. The ordered pay bar view program may be provided to the handheld application device 24 or the user television equipment 22 (step 2135).

At step 2140, handheld application device 24 may provide the user with an opportunity to view additional programming information. The user may, for example, select program listings, select an advertisement (eg, as shown in FIG. 9), or
The selection of any other suitable control may indicate a desire to view additional programming information. Further information may be provided to handheld application device 24 or user television equipment 22 (step 2145).

The above are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]   FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary system according to the present invention.

2a illustrates an exemplary configuration of the interactive television application equipment and handheld application device of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention.

2b shows an exemplary configuration of the interactive television application equipment and handheld application device of FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

2c illustrates an exemplary configuration of the interactive television application equipment and handheld application device of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention.

2d illustrates an exemplary configuration of the interactive television application equipment and handheld application device of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention.

2e illustrates an exemplary configuration of the interactive television application equipment and handheld application device of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention.

2f shows an exemplary configuration of the interactive television application equipment and handheld application device of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the handheld application device of FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

[Figure 4]   Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the user television equipment of Figures 2a to 2f according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a more generalized schematic diagram of the user television equipment of FIGS. 2a-2f according to the present invention.

[Figure 6]   FIG. 6 shows an exemplary menu screen according to the present invention.

[Figure 7]   FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary browse display according to the present invention.

[Figure 8]   FIG. 8 shows an exemplary information screen according to the present invention.

[Figure 9]   FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary pay bar view ordering screen according to this invention.

[Figure 10]   FIG. 10 shows an exemplary remote screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 11   FIG. 11 shows an exemplary primary guide main menu screen according to the present invention.

[Fig. 12]   FIG. 12 shows an hourly display of an exemplary program listings according to this invention.

[Fig. 13]   FIG. 13 shows an exemplary premium screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 14   FIG. 14 shows an exemplary home page according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary editor's recommendation (Editor's Pic) in accordance with the present invention.
ks) page.

Figure 16a is an exemplary My TV List (My TV List) according to the present invention.
tings) page.

FIG. 16b is an exemplary My TV List (My TV Lis) according to the present invention.
tings) page.

FIG. 16c   FIG. 16c shows an exemplary page of program listings by criteria, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 17   FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary detail page according to the present invention.

18 is a flow chart of exemplary steps of providing interactive television functionality and other application functionality to the handheld application device of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an illustration of exemplary steps for coordinating functionality between a primary application executing within the interactive television application device of FIG. 1 and a supplemental application executing on the handheld access device of FIG. It is a flowchart.

20 is a flow chart of exemplary steps for providing interactive television program guide functionality with the handheld application device of FIG.

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 12, 2001 (2001.12.12)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0002

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

Interactive television applications typically run on a user's set top box. Examples of interactive television applications include interactive television program guide applications, email applications, home shopping applications, betting applications and other e-commerce applications, financial applications, TV web browser applications, gaming applications and other televisions. There are applications etc. Running these applications typically prevents other users from seeing television other than the application you are watching. Furthermore, running such an application on a fixed platform on a set-top box
Users are not able to access the functionality of such systems when they are away from a fixed platform. Remote control device describes a few of the systems contemplated for use in conjunction with the cable system, U.S. Patent Application No. 3,410,326, U.S. Patent Application No. 5,668,591, WO No. 98/16062 A No. 5,898,398 and WO 98/43158.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 7/081 H04Q 9/00 311P H04Q 9/00 301 311Q 311 331A H04N 7/08 Z 331 (81) designation Country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG) , CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW) ), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, A , BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX , MZ, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72) Inventor Thomas, William El. United States Oklahoma 74008, Bixby, South 70 Teast East Avenue 11611 (72) Inventor Kelly, Robert El. United States New York 10023, New York, Number 191, Amsterdam Avenue 163 (72) Inventor Allison, Donald W .. United States Oklahoma 74134, Tulsa, South 132 Nd East Avenue 3411 (72) Inventor Williamson, Stephen Sea. United States Oklahoma 74137, Tulsa, S. Toledo 8226 (72) Inventor Anderson, Lyle Sea. United States New York 10514, Chappapure, Hamilton Road 45 (72) Inventor Dimmers, Timothy Bee. United States Oklahoma 74136, Tulsa, South Hudson Avenue 7724 (72) Inventor Diweeds, Toby United States Oklahoma 74137, Tulsa, East 87 THS Treat 4721 (72) Inventor Ellis, Michael Dee. United States Colorado 80304, Boulder, Kingwood Place 1300 (72) Inventor Boylan, Petersea. The Third United States Oklahoma 74136, Thursa, South Timberlane Road 6600 F Term (Reference) 5C056 AA05 AA07 BA01 CA06 CA08 DA06 EA02 EA06 EA09 EA12 5C063 AB03 AC01 AC05 AC10 DA20 DB09 5C064 BA07 BB01 BD23 BC08 BC02 BD02 5K048 AA04 BA03 DB01 DB04 EB06 FB10 FB15 FC01 GC01 HA04

Claims (73)

[Claims] 1. A method for providing a user with access to an interactive television application at a handheld application device (24), the method comprising: providing interactive television application data, the interactive television application data comprising: , A program listing (150) and further programming information (803, 907), and receiving the interactive television application data at a handheld access device (24) having one or more touch-sensitive controls. Providing the user with an opportunity to access the interactive television application data using the touch-sensitive control at the handheld application device (24). 2. The step of providing interactive television application data comprises the step of providing interactive television application data from a main facility (12) for reception by the handheld application device (24). The method of claim 1. 3. The step of providing interactive television application data comprises the step of providing interactive television application data from an interactive television application device (17) for reception by the handheld application device (24). The method of claim 1 comprising. 4. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is a television program listing (150).
Providing the user with an opportunity to access interactive television application data using touch-sensitive controls on the handheld application device (24). The method of claim 1, comprising providing the user with an opportunity to browse 150). 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising providing to the handheld application device (24) a television program associated with a browsed program listing. 6. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is a television program listing (150).
) Including providing a user with an opportunity to access interactive television application data using touch-sensitive controls on the handheld application device (24) to set reminders using the touch-sensitive controls. The method of claim 1, comprising providing an opportunity to the user. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising providing the reminder to the handheld access device (24) as set by the user. 8. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is a television program listing (150).
And providing a user with an opportunity to access interactive television application data using touch-sensitive controls on the handheld application device (24).
The method of claim 1, comprising providing a user with an opportunity to order a view program. 9. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, providing a user with an opportunity to access interactive television application data using touch-sensitive controls at the handheld access device (24). The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing comprises providing a user with an opportunity to access further programming information (803, 903) of a television program using the touch-sensitive control. 10. The method further comprises: receiving the interactive television application data at a user television equipment (22) for use by a primary application; and adjusting the touch-sensitive control with the function of the primary application. The method of claim 1 comprising. 11. Adjusting touch-sensitive controls as a function of the primary application includes the handheld application device (24).
11. The method according to claim 10, comprising the step of exchanging one or more access communications between a user and the user television equipment (22). 12. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, a home shopping application, a home equity trading application,
11. The method of claim 10, which is a home gambling application or a television-related email application. 13. Providing interactive application data for non-television applications, receiving the interactive application data at the handheld access device (24), and at the handheld access device (24). 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: providing a user with an opportunity to access the interactive application data using the touch-sensitive control. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the interactive application is a calendar, a dating list, a web browser, a calculator, or a to-do list. 15. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, the interactive television application data includes television program listings, and adjusting touch-sensitive controls in a function of the primary application. Adjusting the touch-sensitive control with the function of the interactive television program guide, providing an opportunity to access interactive television application data using touch-sensitive control at the handheld access device (24). 11. The method of claim 10, wherein providing a user comprises providing the user with an opportunity to browse program listings using the touch-sensitive controls. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing to the handheld application device (24) a television program associated with a browsed program listing. 17. Providing at least one access communication to said user television equipment (22) indicating browsed program listings (151) to said user television equipment (22), and said at least one access communication. In response to the user television equipment (22), providing a television program associated with the browsed program item (151).
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: 18. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is a television program listing (150).
Adjusting the touch-sensitive control with the function of the primary application includes adjusting the touch-sensitive control with the function of the interactive television program guide, the handheld access device (24) comprising: Providing the user with an opportunity to access the interactive television application data using the touch-sensitive control includes providing the user with an opportunity to set a reminder using the touch-sensitive control. Item 11. The method according to Item 10. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of providing a reminder to the handheld access device (24) as set by the user. 20. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is a television program listing (150).
Adjusting the touch-sensitive control with the function of the primary application includes adjusting the touch-sensitive control with the function of the interactive television program guide, the handheld access device (24) comprising: Providing the user with an opportunity to access the interactive television application data using touch-sensitive controls provides the user with an opportunity to order pay bar view programming using the touch-sensitive controls. 11. The method of claim 10, including the steps. 21. A pay bar view program ordered by a user using the handheld application device (24) to the user television equipment (22).
Providing at least one access communication to the user television equipment (22) as shown in Figure 3, and the pay bar ordered on the user television equipment (22) in response to the at least one access communication. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: providing a view program. 22. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the step of adjusting touch-sensitive controls with a function of a primary application includes the touch-sensitive controls with a function of the interactive television program guide. Providing the user with an opportunity to access interactive television application data using touch-sensitive controls on the handheld application device (24), including adjusting. 11. The method of claim 10, comprising providing the user with an opportunity to access additional program information (803, 907) for the program. 23. Providing the interactive television application data comprises providing interactive television application data from a main facility (12) for reception by the handheld application device (24). The method according to claim 10. 24. The interactive television application data comprises providing interactive television application data from an interactive television application device (17) for reception by the handheld application device (24). Item 11. The method according to Item 10. 25. A system for providing a user with access to an interactive television application in a handheld application device (24), means for providing interactive television application data, the interactive television application data comprising: , Program listings and further programming information (8
03, 907), means for receiving the interactive television application data at the handheld application device (24) having one or more touch-sensitive controls, and at the handheld application device (24): Means for providing the user with an opportunity to access the interactive television application data using the touch-sensitive control. 26. The means for providing interactive television application data comprises means for providing interactive television application data from a main facility (12) for reception by the handheld application device (24). Item 26. The system according to Item 25. 27. Means for providing the interactive television application data from the interactive television application equipment (17) for reception by the handheld application device (24). 26. The system of claim 25, including. 28. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is a television program listing (150).
), The means for providing a user with an opportunity to access interactive television application data using touch-sensitive controls on the handheld access device (24), using the touch-sensitive controls to view program listings. 26. The system of claim 25, including means for providing the user with an opportunity to browse. 29. The system of claim 28, further comprising means for providing to the handheld application device (24) a television program associated with a browsed program listing. 30. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, the interactive television application data includes television program listings, and the handheld access device (24) uses touch-sensitive control. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the means for providing a user with an opportunity to access interactive television application data comprises means for providing a user with an opportunity to set a reminder using the touch-sensitive control. 31. The system of claim 30, further comprising means for providing the reminder to the handheld access device (24) as set by the user. 32. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, the interactive television application data includes television program listings, and touch-sensitive control is used on the handheld access device (24). 26. And, the means for providing a user with an opportunity to access interactive television application data comprises means for providing the user with an opportunity to order a pay bar view program using the touch-sensitive control. The system described in. 33. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, providing a user with an opportunity to access interactive television application data using touch-sensitive controls at the handheld access device (24). 26. The system of claim 25, wherein means for providing includes means for providing the user with an opportunity to access further programming information (803, 903) of a television program using the touch-sensitive control. 34. Means for receiving the interactive television application data at a user television equipment (22) for use by a primary application; and means for adjusting the touch-sensitive control with the function of the primary application. 26. The system of claim 25, including. 35. Means for adjusting touch-sensitive controls as a function of the primary application comprises the handheld application device (24).
35. The system of claim 34, including means for exchanging one or more access communications between the and the user television equipment (22). 36. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, a home shopping application, a home equity trading application,
The system of claim 34, which is a home betting application or a television-related email application. 37. Means for providing interactive application data for non-television applications, means for receiving the interactive application data at the handheld application device (24), and at the handheld application device (24), 35. The system of claim 34, further comprising: means for providing a user with an opportunity to access the interactive television application data using the touch-sensitive controls. 38. The system of claim 37, wherein the interactive application is a calendar, a dating list, a web browser, a calculator, or a to-do list. 39. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is a television program listing (150).
), The means for adjusting touch-sensitive controls in the function of the primary application includes means for adjusting the touch-sensitive controls in the function of the interactive television program guide, the handheld access device (24), Means for providing a user with an opportunity to access interactive television application data using touch-sensitive controls includes means for providing the user with an opportunity to browse program listings using the touch-sensitive control. The system of claim 34. 40. The system of claim 39, further comprising means for providing to the handheld application device (24) a television program associated with a browsed program listing. 41. Means for providing said user television equipment (22) with said at least one access communication indicating to said user television equipment (22) a browsed program listings (150); and said at least one access. Means for providing, on the user television equipment (22), a television program associated with the browsed program item (151) in response to the communication;
40. The system of claim 39, further comprising: 42. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is a television program listing (150).
), The means for adjusting touch-sensitive controls in the function of the primary application includes means for adjusting the touch-sensitive controls in the function of the interactive television program guide, the handheld access device (24), 35. Means for providing a user with the opportunity to access interactive television application data using touch-sensitive controls includes means for providing the user with an opportunity to set reminders using the touch-sensitive controls. The system described in. 43. The method of claim 4, further comprising means for providing a reminder to the handheld access device (24) as set by the user.
The system according to 2. 44. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is a television program listing (150).
), The means for adjusting touch-sensitive controls in the function of the primary application includes means for adjusting the touch-sensitive controls in the function of the interactive television program guide, the handheld access device (24), Means for providing a user with an opportunity to access interactive television application data using touch-sensitive controls, and means for providing the user with an opportunity to order pay bar view programming using the touch-sensitive controls 35. The system of claim 34, including. 45. The user television equipment (22) for pay bar view programs ordered by a user using the handheld application device (24).
And means for providing at least one access communication to the user television equipment (22), and the pay bar view ordered to the user television equipment (22) in response to the at least one access communication. 45. The system of claim 44, further comprising: means for providing programming. 46. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the means for adjusting touch-sensitive controls in the function of the primary application is the touch-sensitive control in the function of the interactive television program guide. Means for providing a user with an opportunity to access interactive television application data using touch-sensitive controls on the handheld access device (24), the means for adjusting televisions using the touch-sensitive controls. 35. The system of claim 34, including means for providing the user with an opportunity to access additional program information (803, 907) for the program. 47. The means for providing interactive television application data comprises means for providing interactive television application data from a primary facility (12) for reception by the handheld application device (24). Item 34. The system according to Item 34. 48. The interactive television application data comprises means for providing interactive television application data from an interactive television application device (17) for reception by the handheld application device (24). The system according to 34. 49. A system for providing a user with access to an interactive television application at a handheld application device (24), the system being a first communication device configured to provide interactive television application data. The interactive television application data is a first communication device including a program listing and further programming information (803, 907) and a handheld application device (24), the interactive television application data being A second communication device configured to receive; a user interface having one or more touch-sensitive controls that provides a user with an opportunity to access the interactive television application data; Application Processing circuitry configured to instruct the second communication device to receive the user interface data, and (ii) instruct the user interface to display the one or more touch-sensitive controls. A system including a handheld application device including. 50. The first communication device is located in a main facility (12),
The system of claim 49. 51. The system of claim 49, wherein the first communication device is located on an interactive television application equipment (17). 52. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is a television program listing (150).
50. The system of claim 49, wherein the touch-sensitive control is further configured to provide the user with an opportunity to browse program listings. 53. The second communication device is further configured to receive a television program associated with a browsed program listings (151), and the user interface is a handheld application device (2).
53. The system of claim 52, further configured to display television programs associated with program listings browsed in 4). 54. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is a television program listing (150).
50. The system of claim 49, wherein the touch-sensitive control is further configured to provide the user with an opportunity to set a reminder. 55. The system of claim 54, wherein the handheld access device (24) is further configured to direct the user interface to provide the reminder as set by the user. 56. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is a television program listing (150).
50. The system of claim 49, wherein the touch-sensitive control is further configured to provide the user with an opportunity to order pay bar view programming. 57. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the touch-sensitive control is further programming information for a television program (8).
53. The system of claim 49, further configured to provide the user with an opportunity to access (03, 903). 58. The system further comprises a primary application running at least partially on the user television equipment (22), wherein the first communication device is located within the user television equipment (22), And further configured to receive interactive television application data for use by the primary application, the processing circuitry further configured to adjust the touch-sensitive control at the function of the primary application. 50. The system of claim 49, further comprising. 59. The processing circuit unit comprises:
59. The system of claim 58, further configured to instruct the second communications device to exchange one or more access communications. 60. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, a home shopping application, a home equity trading application,
59. The system of claim 58, which is a home gambling application or a television-related email application. 61. A first communication device further configured to provide interactive application data for a non-television application, and a second communication device further configured to receive the interactive application data. 59. The system of claim 58, further comprising: and a touch-sensitive control further configured to provide a user with an opportunity to access the interactive television application data. 62. The system of claim 61, wherein the interactive application is a calendar, a dating list, a web browser, a calculator, or a to-do list. 63. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is a television program listing (150).
), The processing circuitry is further configured to adjust the touch-sensitive controls with the functionality of the interactive television program guide, the touch-sensitive controls providing a user with an opportunity to browse program listings. 59. The system of claim 58, further configured to provide. 64. The second communication device is further configured to receive a television program associated with a browsed program listings (151), the user interface on the handheld application device (24). 64. The system of claim 63, further configured to display the television program. 65. At least the first communication device is located on a user television equipment (22) and the processing circuitry indicates to the user television equipment (22) the browsed program listings (151). One access communication is performed by the user TV device (
22), the user television equipment (22) being further configured to instruct the second communication device to provide the browsed program item (151) in response to the at least one access communication. 66. The system of claim 64, further configured to provide television programming associated with. 66. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is a television program listing (150).
), The processing circuitry is further configured to adjust the touch-sensitive controls with the functionality of the interactive television program guide, the touch-sensitive controls providing a user with an opportunity to set reminders. 59. The system of claim 58, further configured to: 67. The handheld application device (24) comprises:
The handheld device device (24) as configured by the user.
67. The system of claim 66, further configured to instruct the user interface to provide a reminder to. 68. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the interactive television application data is television program listings (150).
), The processing circuitry is further configured to adjust the touch-sensitive control with the function of the interactive television program guide, the touch-sensitive control having an opportunity to order a pay bar view program. 59. The system of claim 58, further configured to provide to a user. 69. The first communication device is located in a user television equipment (22), and the processing circuitry includes a pay bar view program ordered by the user using a handheld application device (24). The user television equipment (22) is further configured to instruct the second communication device to provide the user television equipment (22) with at least one access communication shown to the user television equipment (22). 69. The system of claim 68, further comprising: configured to provide the ordered Pay Bar View program in response to the at least one access communication. 70. The interactive television application is an interactive television program guide, and the processing circuitry is further configured to adjust the touch-sensitive controls with the function of the interactive television program guide. Touch-sensitive controls provide additional program information (803,
59. The system of claim 58, further configured to provide a user with an opportunity to access 907). 71. The first communication device is located in a main facility (12),
The system of claim 58. 72. The system of claim 58, wherein the first communication device is located on an interactive television application equipment (17). 73. The first communication device is further configured to provide the interactive television application data on a 900 MHZ link, and the second communication device receives the interactive television application data on a 900 MHZ link. 50. The system of claim 49, further configured to: