JP2004514333A - Programming guide that can be adapted to networked devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for scheduling and delivering programs is disclosed. The schedule (150/350) used in the system and method preferably includes a source field and at least one corresponding content data field. The source field describes the program provider and the content field describes the programs available from the program provider. Preferably, the appointment is preferably configured to describe programs having different ranges of start times or delay times or both within the same column of entries. In the preferred method of the present invention, the schedule has been generated from user preferences that include the selected program provider. In the system of the present invention, the appointment is a displayable electronic appointment, where the user may appropriately schedule the programs listed in the appointment to begin distribution of the selected program to a user location on the network. It can be selected by the control device (411).
[Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

[0001]
[Related application]
This patent application is a partial pending application of pending US patent application Ser. No. 09 / 906,676 (filed Jul. 19, 2001, titled "Mechanism for Distributing Content Data"). This U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 906,676 (filed Jul. 19, 2001, entitled "Mechanism for Distributing Content Data") is incorporated herein by reference.
[0002]
This patent application is filed from pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 244,790 (filed October 31, 2000, entitled "Adaptable Programming Guide for Network Devices") to U.S. Patent Section 119 (e). Claims priority based on This U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 244,790 (filed October 31, 2000, entitled "Adaptable Programming Guide for Network Devices") is also incorporated herein by reference.
[0003]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and method for distributing content data. More specifically, the present invention relates to program distribution from a customized program schedule.
[0004]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various media services that provide scheduled programs on viewing devices (eg, television sets). There are standard broadcast services that provide a channel that can be received as if it were some TV tuner through an antenna connector. Typically, there is a cable service that provides a preselected batch channel to the viewer, which requires a decoder at the television tuner or on an externally located cable line. The cable continuously provides scheduled broadcast programs through a preselected set of channels that can be received through a cable connector in the television set. There are also a number of pay-per-view services, which allow viewers to receive unscheduled one-off program distributions over a cable network. Other available services include satellite programming, which allows the viewer to select an application for a pay-per-view program from a set of available programs.
[0005]
Each of these programming services requires a viewer to monitor program availability to determine whether a desired program has been provided. Current programming services do not provide a single convenient system that allows the user to select programs offered from different program providers.
[0006]
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides a system and method for conveniently viewing and selecting programs provided by multiple program providers. Preferably, the systems and methods of the present invention allow a user to view a program schedule that is customized for the user's program interests or requests, or both. Further, it would be desirable for a user to be able to control a program schedule to change the schedule in various ways to reflect changes in the interests and / or requirements of the program.
[0007]
Accordingly, the schedule utilized in the present invention is configured to display content information for content data available from a plurality of content providers. Preferably, the appointment includes the name and / or symbol of the available content provider as a description in the source field. The entries in the source field and the corresponding entries in the content field are preferably arranged in parallel rows and aligned with one another, so that the person viewing the appointment can see the name and / or symbol of the content provider and / or both. Allows the corresponding available content to be read from left to right.
[0008]
The available content data described in the content field preferably includes the time at which the content data is available from each provider. For example, the schedule may describe a start time and an end time for the content data available from the scheduled content data provider. In addition, the appointment can list the duration for available content data from an on-demand content data provider. The appointment used in the present invention is particularly useful for organizing and displaying available content data from both the scheduled content provider and the instant response content provider in a single viewable or readable frame. . Preferably, the portion of the described content data describes an immediate answer digital video program available from at least one content provider.
[0009]
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the content field is configured to describe the first set of entries corresponding to the program time as described above. The first set of entries may also describe the title, name or entries or both of the available programs. Whether the second set of entries in the content field can describe additional available programs, or can provide additional information about the programs listed in the first set of entries, or You can do both of them. For example, the second set of entries may describe the cost and / or download time of a video program available from at least one content provider. Preferably, the second set of entries is arranged in parallel rows matching the first set of entries and their respective corresponding entries from the source provider.
[0010]
The schedule used in the present invention is preferably an electronic program schedule, which is an electronic program schedule that can be displayed on an electronic device such as a computer screen or a television screen. Since the user preferably has the ability to select a program from the schedule, the selected program is received and / or viewed at a particular user location, or both. Preferably, the portion of the selected program is transmitted to the user location over a suitable network, such as a cable network or the Internet.
[0011]
In a further embodiment of the invention, the schedule is configured with a descriptor field. The descriptor field is configured to display a detailed description of at least one program available from the content provider. Preferably, the descriptor field provides a description of the program selected by the user from the schedule and / or is valid at the time of viewing the schedule, or both.
[0012]
In a further embodiment of the invention, the schedule has a search field, which allows the user to search for available programs from the content provider. Preferably, the search field allows the user to enter a subject, item, set of items, time or range of time, or both, and the subject, item, set of items, time or time entered in the search field. Search for programs related to the range or both. The system of the present invention preferably searches a database that retrieves available programs for scheduled content providers and / or unscheduled network content providers, or both. Including.
[0013]
In a further embodiment of the invention, the appointment comprises at least one device field, which preferably includes a description describing the networked device. The device field preferably includes a status entry that describes the status of the networked device. In this embodiment, the schedule preferably includes a control field for selectively controlling the networked equipment.
[0014]
The appointment can also have a filter field with at least one filter selection. The filter selection is configured to adjust or filter the providers and / or available programs listed as scheduled entries. The filter selection can be programmed so that, for example, not all Western plays are scheduled. By selecting this filter, the program including the western play content data is excluded from the program schedule.
[0015]
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the program schedule is generated from a list of user preferences. User preferences can include, but are not limited to, the selected content provider, the user's preferences, what the user does not like and / or the user's capabilities. Thus, user preferences are used to select programs that match. Preferably, the user preferences are stored on a remote server, and the user can access the user account and modify the user preferences to generate the communicated program schedule. In another embodiment of the invention, the program schedule is updated automatically. For example, a program schedule may be configured to be updated automatically and periodically based on a program selected from the schedule.
[0016]
Preferably, the system of the present invention has a suitable controller device for selecting a program from a program schedule, as described above. Preferably, the program schedule is displayable on a monitor or television, and the user can view the schedule and select a section of the screen that describes at least one subject entry to provide information or information about the immediate answer program or program. Both of them can be selected. Suitable controller devices include, but are not limited to, a mouse, keyboard, and infrared remote control. The control device can include a touch-sensitive screen so that the user can select an immediate answer program or information about the program, or both, by touching a section of the screen that describes at least one subject entry. it can. In operation, the selected program is transmitted to Internet equipment, preferably at a user location, where the program is viewed directly or downloaded to a memory device.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, a schedule 100 used in the present invention is configured to display content information about content data available from a plurality of content providers. Preferably, the appointment 100 has an entry S in the source field 101. ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ And S _n As the content provider's name or symbol or both. Preferably, the appointment 100 includes the entry C in the content field 103. ₁ , C ₂ And C ₃ The corresponding available content data is described. Entries S in source field 101 ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ And S _n And description item C in the content data field 103 ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃ And C _n This means that the viewer of the appointment 100 may place the name and / or symbol of the content provider and the corresponding available content data from left to right, preferably by arranging them as parallel rows 102 and 104 as shown. To be readable.
[0018]
Still referring to FIG. 1, the schedule 100 is a description item C in the second column 105 of the content data field 103. ₁ ', C ₂ ', C ₃ 'And C _n A second set of 'is also described. Item C ₁ ', C ₂ ', C ₃ 'And C _n 'Is also the content provider S listed in the source field 101. ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ And S _n Available programs C listed in column 104 or additional programs available from ₁ ', C ₂ ', C ₃ 'And C _n You can give additional information about 'or do both.
[0019]
C ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃ And C _n At or C ₁ ', C ₂ ', C ₃ 'And C _n The available content data listed as entries in the 'or both of them is preferably the respective provider S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ And S _n Includes time available for programs from. For example, schedule 100 may describe a start time and an end time for a program available from a scheduled program provider, and may describe a duration for a program available from an immediate answer program provider. For entries in the column 104 describing the immediate answer program, the download time and / or cost of the immediate answer program, or both, are preferably listed as adjacent entries in the column 105.
[0020]
Because the program schedule 100 of the present invention is configured to list program time and / or duration as individual entries from each program, the schedule program provider and the immediate answer provider in a single viewable frame Schedule 100 is particularly useful for organizing and displaying programs available from both.
[0021]
FIG. 2 shows a schedule format 200, which is described in the source field 201 as a content provider S. ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ Or S _n And an arbitrary number thereof, and each of the content providers stores the corresponding entry C in the content data field 203. ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃ Or C _n Any number is described. According to this embodiment, the appointment 200 has a search field 211, which is described below in the program provider S listed in the source field 201. ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ Or S _n Or allow the user to search for programs available from other networked program providers or both.
[0022]
In operation, the user enters a subject, phrase, set of phrases, time or range of time, or both, in the data window 215. The search is preferably initiated by selecting an input button on a keyboard or by clicking on a search icon 213 displayed in search field 211 using a suitable control device such as a mouse.
[0023]
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the appointment 200 is configured with a plurality of windows, the 207 and 209 of which are public and / or streaming information, such as weather information, sports scores, or local events. Alternatively, it is configured to describe all of them. Preferably, the program schedule 200 also displays local time in one of the schedule windows 207 and 209, or other suitable location on the schedule 200.
[0024]
FIG. 3 shows a program schedule 300 describing program providers and available programs according to a further embodiment of the present invention. The program schedule 300 is, as already described with reference to FIG. ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ Or S _n Described in the source field 301, and the corresponding content description item C _n And C _n 'Is written in the content data field 303. Schedule 300 preferably describes the content data entries in columns 304 and 305 of content data field 303. For example, a program provider S that has scheduled entry A for Show in column 304 ₁ It will be listed as available from. The show A (Show A) has a start time of 1:00 pm and an end time of 1:30 pm. In column 305, the scheduled program provider S ₁ Show B will be described as available after Show A. The show B has a start time of 1:30 pm and an end time of 2:00 pm. Similarly, in column 304a, the scheduled program provider S ₂ Show C is described as being available from. The show C has a start time of 12:30 pm and an end time of 4:30 pm. In the column 305, the scheduled program provider S ₂ Show D will be described as available after Show C. The show D has a start time of 4:30 pm and an end time of 5:00 pm. Obviously, additional columns can be represented.
[0025]
Still referring to FIG. 3, the program schedule 300 includes at least one on-demand (On Demand) program provider in the source field 301 and a corresponding immediate-response content data entry in columns 304 and 305 of the content data field 303. It is also preferable to describe along. For example, in the source field 301, the immediate response content provider S ₃ Is described. In the column 304a, the movie X (Film X) has the immediate response provider S ₃ It is described as available from. In column 305 is provided additional information about movie X, for example, an estimate of the download time required to download the movie in digital form to an Internet device on the Internet. In this example, movie X is described as having an estimated download time of 4 hours, 34 minutes, and 12 seconds. In column 305, additional information such as the cost of receiving the program transmission can be described. In this example, the cost of receiving a program transmission is described as a cost of $ 4.95. In operation, since the user can select a program from the schedule 300, the user's account is automatically registered for program selection as described below.
[0026]
In a further embodiment of the invention, schedule 300 includes at least one device field 315 and 320. The device field 315 is a networked device D ₁ , D ₂ Or D _n Describe the format. Preferably, the device field 320 contains the networked device D as a data entry in columns 323 and 325. ₁ , D ₂ Or D _n Provide additional information about The additional information may include the location, description and / or status of at least one networked device, as described in the examples below.
[0027]
In FIG. 3, device D ₁ Is described in row 323 as a Kitchen Fridge. In the same data description items, the state of the kitchen refrigerator is described as “OK”. The device data entry can be configured to be updated continuously or periodically to reflect a state change in the device. For example, if the kitchen refrigerator is turned off, the status entry in column 323 should include "Please confirm,""Servicerequired," or any other appropriate entry that alerts the viewer to a change in circumstances. So that they are updated through the appropriate network.
[0028]
Still referring to FIG. 3, in the second set of entries in column 325, the networked device D ₁ , D ₂ Or D _n Additional information can be provided. For example, D in column 325 ₁ The item corresponding to the above alerts the viewer that the kitchen refrigerator is "Low on Eggs". The entry can be configured to provide other information to the viewer regarding the operation of the kitchen refrigerator, such as alerting the viewer when the kitchen refrigerator door is open or remains open.
[0029]
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a networked device D ₁ , D ₂ Or D _n At least one is an entertainment device for watching or recording a program selected from the schedule 300. In the illustrated example, the entertainment device D ₁ Is described as a Living Room VCR. In the device entry in column 323, the VCR is described as "No Tape", alerting the user that a cassette tape must be loaded before recording the program. Schedule 300 preferably includes a selectable control field 314 that allows a user to operate a VCR or other networked entertainment device that plays, records and / or watches programs. For example, the user may select Show C using an appropriate control device as described below and program the VCR to automatically record Show C by selecting the record icon described in the control field. The second entry in column 325 describes the detailed status of the VCR. In this example, the second entry in column 325 tells the viewer that the VCR is on and that the VCR is programmed to record show C at 12:30 pm Tell
[0030]
According to a further embodiment of the invention, schedule 300 includes at least one filter selection F ₁ , F ₂ , F ₃ , F ₄ , F ₅ And F _n And a filter field 310 having Filter selection F ₁ , F ₂ , F ₃ , F ₄ , F ₅ And F _n Can preferably be selected to exclude or adjust any of the content providers and / or available programs listed in the program schedule 300. For example, the selectable filter selection can be programmed to remove all western plays from those listed in content field 303. Alternatively, the selectable filter selection can be programmed to exclude all sports program providers from those listed in source field 310. The appointment format 300 may include a header or footer for posting announcements, continuously providing weather information, reporting sports scores, and / or reporting local events and providing local time.
[0031]
In a further embodiment of the present invention, schedule 300 is configured with descriptor field 317. Descriptor field 317 is configured to provide a detailed description of at least one program available from the content provider. For example, if the user enters a search for History programs in search field 315, as described below, descriptor field 317 may be available from the provider listed in schedule 300 and / or other networked providers, or both. It can be configured to describe history programs.
[0032]
Referring now to FIG. 4, the schedules used in the present invention are preferably electronic program schedules 150 and 350, which can be displayed on an electronic device, such as a television screen 401 or a computer screen 403. Schedules 150/350 are provided with information through computer 450, which hosts the hardware and software to assist and display program schedules 150/350 on screens 410 and / or 403. Let it. The user can preferably select a program from the available programs listed on schedule 150/350 by a suitable control device including mouse 406, keyboard 407 and / or infrared remote control 411 or both. The monitor can include one or both of infrared sensors 410 and 410 'responsive to commands from infrared remote control 411.
[0033]
Referring to FIG. 4, local area network 430 connects computer 405 to a media playback device (eg, a VCR player and / or a DVD player). Computer 405 preferably connects to the Internet 415 through an appropriate connection so that the selected immediate answer program is transmitted from the remote server to computer 405 via the Internet. Television 401 can connect to a program provider via cable network 435 and receive scheduled programs listed in program schedules 150/350.
[0034]
In the preferred method of the present invention, the electronic program schedule 150/350 has been generated from a list of user preferences. User preferences may include, but are not limited to, selected content providers, user preferences, what the user does not like and / or the capabilities of the user. The distribution network provides a link between the user location and the remote server, and the remote server stores user preferences and electronic program schedules in the user account. The user can access the user's account through the network to view the schedule or change the account to create an updated program schedule, or both. In another embodiment of the invention, the program schedule is updated automatically. For example, the system and network can be configured to automatically update program schedules based on the user's habits, and such automatic updates are added to programs selected from a prior version of the user's schedule.
[0035]
The distribution architecture of the present invention preferably utilizes a server unit connected to a remote content provider. The server unit provides a central hub for content data distribution. The server unit monitors the available content data from the content provider and organizes the available programs into customized program schedules according to the user code.
[0036]
Preferably, the user code provides a selection of a desired service from the content provider. The user code can also provide a selection of content data based on information about the intended user, where the content data corresponds to a scheduled or immediate-response program that can be viewed or played at the user location.
[0037]
Preferably, the user can view or access the user's account, select programs to be sent to a given location, change account preferences, or both, and Changes in preferences include changes in content providers and / or services provided thereto. 5a-5c are used here to illustrate several different ways in which a system server can be connected to a content provider for delivering content data to a user location in accordance with the present invention.
[0038]
FIG. 5a illustrates an architecture 500 for content data distribution according to an embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, this architecture 500 includes a central network 503. This central network 503 can be either a private or public access network such as the Internet. The system server 505 is connected to at least one content provider 511 through the network 503. In the architecture 500 shown in FIG. 5a, a user can access a user's account on a server 505 from a device 501 via a network 503, and the device 501 can also be configured to receive program transmissions. Alternatively, the user can access the user's account on server 505 from a separate device (not shown). Preferably, the user can change preferences 507 and 509 and / or can select programs in the user's personal account, or both. Preferably, the system server 505 supports the content provider 511 via the network 503 to route the program transmission to the device 501.
[0039]
According to one embodiment of the present invention, system server 505 authorizes and initiates program transmission to device 501 by providing content provider 511 with the logical address or location of device 501 on the network. Alternatively, the server causes device 501 to authorize and initiate program transmission from provider 511 to device 501.
[0040]
In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, program delivery is performed from content provider 511 to device 501 based on preferences 507 and 509 and / or program schedules without the need for the user to make program selections. To start automatically.
[0041]
FIG. 5b shows an alternative architecture 520 for delivering content data. The architecture 520 includes a server 525, which stores preferences 527 and 529 used to form a program schedule as described above. The architecture 520 has a first network 533, which is preferably a public network such as the Internet, and users can access their accounts through the public network 533. The system server 525 and the content provider 531 are connected through another network 535, which may be a local area network or other limited access network. This network 535 is preferably configured to provide server 525 with content data available from content data provider 531. Network 534 provides a mechanism for distribution of program data from content provider 531 to receiving device 521. Preferably, network 533 is a pay per view user network.
[0042]
FIG. 5c illustrates an architecture 540 for content data distribution according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention. The architecture 540 preferably includes a server unit 549 connected to the receiving device 541 via the network 543. The server unit 549 includes a content source 547 and a system server 545, which provides programs to the device 541 through the system server 545. The system server 545 automatically transmits the program by assigning the available content data to the program schedule according to the stored preferences 546 and 548 according to a user selection from the schedule or a combination thereof.
[0043]
FIG. 6 shows an architecture 600 for delivering content data from multiple content providers 611, 613, and 615 to multiple devices 601 and 602. The content providers 611 and 613 transmit the content data to the devices 601 and 602 via the network 603. Network 603 is preferably a private-use-payment network, or, alternatively, a public network such as an internetwork. Preferably, each of the devices 601 and 602 has a receiver for receiving the content data and a display for displaying the processed or unprocessed content data received at the user location.
[0044]
With continued reference to FIG. 6, the broadcast content provider 615 broadcasts content data 617, such as a television program transmission or any other type of broadcast content data. The broadcast content provider 615 can be selectively operated independently of the system server 607, or alternatively, can be connected to operate in cooperation with the server 607, where the server 607 communicates with the broadcast content provider 615 at least one time. One of the devices 601 and 602 is selectively instructed to start broadcasting. Accordingly, server 607 is configured to program receiving device 601 to receive broadcast data 617 from broadcast content provider 615 on a schedule. Preferably, server 607 stores the customized program schedule generated according to user preferences 610 and 609.
[0045]
FIG. 7 shows an architecture 700 for distributing content data according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, where the receiving device 704 includes a personal computer 702 and a television set 705. Personal computer 702 can be configured to connect to network 703 and access server 707, where the program schedule is stored in a personal account. The content provider 711 is preferably connected to the network 703 and is configured to transmit a program to the device 704 via the network 703 according to the program schedule. As described above, the program schedule is preferably generated according to user preferences 709 and 711 also stored on server 707.
[0046]
FIG. 8 illustrates an architecture 800 for distributing content data according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. This architecture 800 can include multiple servers 807 and 811. The architecture 800 preferably includes a network 803, which is preferably a private network for users subscribing to accounts on at least one of servers 807 and 811. Preferably, each of the servers 807 and 811 is connected to a content data provider 815 and 817, respectively. Servers 807 and 811 monitor the availability of their respective content providers 815 and 817 content data and compile customized appointments for each set of user preferences 810 and 812. Each of the Internet devices 801 and 802 preferably has a receiver for receiving a program and a display for displaying processed program data. The user can access the user's account via the Internet 820 from at least one of the Internet appliances 801 and 802 or a separate device (not shown) to view the user's program schedule there. The user can either send programs to the Internet devices 801 and 802, change account information, or both. Preferably, each user account has its own associated preference user list, and the server stores multiple accounts corresponding to multiple user locations.
[0047]
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the program schedule is assigned to the Internet appliances 801 and 802 according to the program schedule assigned to the device. Accordingly, the user may select a preference list for each Internet device 801 and 802 and a program distribution receivable at each Internet device 801 and 802, as determined by the program schedule generated for each Internet device 801 or 802. Set. Preferably, servers 807 and 811 are responsive to control authorization of devices 801 and 802 to receive program transmissions from providers 812 and 815.
[0048]
FIG. 9 shows an alternative architecture 900 for content data distribution according to the present invention. In architecture 900, server 910 receives broadcast content data 917 and 918 from broadcast content providers 915 and 916, respectively. In this scheme, server 910 is a “mediation content provider” that indirectly provides content data distribution 917 and 918 to receiving device 901. Delivery of broadcast content data is preferably determined by the program schedule stored on server 910 based on the corresponding user or device preference list as described above.
[0049]
With continued reference to FIG. 9, content providers 911 and 913 are connected to a network 903 that distributes programs to receiving devices 901. The program is preferably a digital video program. Receiving device 901 preferably includes computer 904 and television 902. The user accesses the user's schedule via the network 903 and changes preferences 908 and 909, including the user's selection of either provider 911 or 913, to select programs received from each provider 911 and 913. can do.
[0050]
The architecture 900 may provide the ability to select a second receiving location 909 to receive the program transmission. The second receiving location 909 is preferably connected to the network 903 or configured to selectively receive broadcast content data from at least one provider 915 and 916 or from providers 911 and 913 control, or both. Or connected and configured as described herein. If the program transmission is a digital video program transmission, the second location is preferably identified by providing server 910 with a logical address corresponding to second receiving location 909.
[0051]
FIG. 10 shows a schematic block diagram 625 outlining the steps of distributing content data according to the method of the present invention. When the user first sets up an account on the system server in step 631, there is preferably a request for user information. The request for user information can be made by telephone, e-mail, mail, inquiry, or other suitable means, including unsolicited means. Preferably, the user can visit the website and set up his own account. User information can include, but is not limited to, provider selection and service selection. Further, preferably, the user information includes a list of preferences. The user preferences may include information such as the type of program the user is interested in, the likes and dislikes of the user, or the preferred time to receive the program transmission, or both. User preferences can also specify a user location to receive program transmissions. After the account is established, the system preferably provides the user with an estimated cost, a list of subscription services, and a personal identification number.
[0052]
In step 633, a program schedule criteria is being developed. The program scheduling criteria can be a simple or complex algorithm, but preferably includes a weighting of the user preferences obtained in step 631. For example, in step 631, the user enters that the professional interest includes health. Accordingly, the distribution of programs dealing with health may be given a higher priority in the customized program schedule generated in step 639. If the user enters that he does not like sports in step 631, the sports program can be selectively removed from the customized program schedule or the customized program schedule created for the user in step 639 Can be given a lower priority.
[0053]
After the program schedule criteria have been generated in step 633, in step 635 the server reviews the available programs for all designed content providers. The server can automatically obtain available programs from the content provider or extract available programs on the network. In a further embodiment, the available programs can be manually entered into the server. The available programs are preferably updated at the server as new programs become available or as available programs change. In step 637, after the available programs have been compiled at the server, the server classifies the programs into customized program schedules according to user criteria and organizes them into a display format, as shown in FIGS. Is preferred. The customized program schedule is preferably viewable on the system network, and the user program schedule is displayed on a display device having a graphical user interface. To ensure privacy, the system can set a password that secures user preferences and program schedules.
[0054]
FIG. 11 shows a flowchart 650 outlining the steps of selecting a program according to the preferred method of the present invention. In step 651, the user can log to the user's personal account, preferably by providing a secure user code, such as a user identification number. Then, in step 653, the user can view the personal programming schedule. At step 655, the user can select a program from the schedule. Preferably, the program schedule is supported by a graphical user interface that allows a user to point and click on a program icon displayed to select a program. Once the program has been selected in step 655, then in step 657, transmission of the program content data to the user location begins.
[0055]
After viewing the personal programming in step 653, the user can preferably change the account and / or user preferences. Upon refreshing the account, the server recompiles the available programs based on the new account information or the changed preferences. It would also be desirable for a user to be able to search the server database using a simple search engine based on alternative programs not displayed in the personal program schedule.
[0056]
After the program has been selected in step 653, the distribution of the program to the user location is started in step 657 by any number of conventional mechanisms, which start broadcasting the program, the data of the local receiver receiving the confidential broadcast. Coding, sending data to a port on the system network, or routing from the server to the receiving device, or alternatively, directly from the content provider that receives the authorization for the server to send the program to the user location . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system for distributing content data is a pay-per-view system, where the user is automatically billed for each program transmission.
[0057]
The customized program schedule utilized in the present invention can be supported by a number of network architectures, hardware and software. Accordingly, the present invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments that include details to facilitate understanding of the principles of its structure and operation. The above references to particular embodiments and their details herein are not intended to limit the purpose of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such changes can be made in the embodiments selected for illustration without departing from the spirit and purpose of the invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a scheduled format describing a program provider and corresponding available programs according to the present invention.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2 shows a scheduled format having a search field for searching for a program provider according to the present invention.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3 shows a scheduled format describing program providers, available programs, and networking equipment according to the present invention.
FIG. 4
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a system for displaying a program schedule and selecting a program from displayable program schedules according to the present invention.
FIG. 5
5a to 5c show some network configurations for distributing content data according to the present invention.
FIG. 6
FIG. 6 shows an architecture for delivering content over a network connected to multiple content providers.
FIG. 7
FIG. 7 shows a personal computer for viewing content data on a network by interfacing with a receiving television according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8
FIG. 8 illustrates an architecture for distributing content data over a private network according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9
FIG. 9 illustrates an architecture for controlling transmission of content data from a first location to a second location according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of a stage of distributing content data according to the method of the present invention.
FIG. 11
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the outline of the step of selecting a program according to the preferred method of the present invention.

Claims (47)

An electronic program,
a. A source field that describes the content provider,
b. A content field describing a first set of variable program times corresponding to times when content data is available from the content provider. 2. The electronic program schedule of claim 1, wherein the content field is configured to list a program title available from the content provider corresponding to a first set of entries having program time. 3. The electronic program schedule of claim 2, wherein the source field and the content provider are displayable in parallel columns, each of the content providers being matched to a corresponding program title and a corresponding program time. plans. 2. The electronic program schedule of claim 1, further comprising a second set of entries in the content field. 5. The electronic program schedule of claim 4, wherein when a second set of content data is available from the content provider, the second set of entries describes program time corresponding to time. 6. The electronic program schedule according to claim 5, wherein the second set of items further describes a program title corresponding to the second set of content data. 2. The electronic program schedule of claim 1, further comprising a descriptor field for displaying a detailed description of the portion of the content data available from at least one content provider. 8. The electronic program schedule according to claim 7, wherein the portion of the content data is selected by a user. The electronic program schedule of claim 1, further comprising a filter field having at least one filter selection, wherein each filter selection is configured to select a content provider described in the source field. 3. The electronic program schedule of claim 2, further comprising a filter field having at least one filter selection, wherein each filter selection is configured to select a program title listed in the source data field. 2. The electronic program schedule according to claim 1, further comprising a search field for searching for content data available from the content provider. The electronic program schedule according to claim 1, further comprising a device field for providing a list of at least one networked device. 13. The electronic program schedule according to claim 12, wherein the device field is configured to describe a status of each networked device. 13. The electronic program schedule according to claim 12, further comprising a control field for selectively operating each networked device. An electronic program schedule that simultaneously displays programs available from the scheduled content provider and the immediate response content provider,
a. A source field that describes the scheduled content provider and describes the immediate response content provider;
b. An electronic program schedule comprising a content field describing available programs. 16. The electronic program schedule of claim 15, wherein the source field lists the content provider in a first column and a corresponding available program in an adjacent second column. 17. The electronic program schedule of claim 16, wherein the content field further comprises a third column listing additional available programs. 16. The electronic program schedule of claim 15, wherein the content field is configured to list a variable program time from the scheduled program provider. 16. The electronic program schedule of claim 15, wherein the content field is configured to provide a description of the selected available program. The electronic program schedule according to claim 15, wherein the available program is selectable by a control device. 16. The electronic program schedule of claim 15, further comprising a filter field having at least one filter selection for filtering content providers listed in the source field. 16. The electronic program schedule of claim 15, further comprising a filter field having at least one filter selection for filtering available programs listed in the content field. 16. The electronic program schedule according to claim 15, further comprising a search field for searching for an available program from the content provider. 24. The electronic program schedule of claim 23, further comprising a search field configured to search for available programs from the selected content provider. 16. The electronic program schedule of claim 15, wherein the content field is further configured to describe at least one device and a state corresponding to the at least one device. The electronic program schedule according to claim 24, further comprising a control field for selectively controlling the at least one device. A system for providing content data to a user,
a. A displayable program schedule for displaying available content data,
b. A controller for selecting available content data from the displayable program schedule, wherein the displayable program schedule is generated from user preferences. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the user preferences include a content provider selected from a plurality of content providers. 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the displayable program schedule is updated periodically. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the displayable program schedule is updated based on content data selected from the program schedule. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the displayable program schedule is displayable on a monitor. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the controller includes a screen, and wherein the content data is selected through the screen. 32. The system of claim 31, wherein the controller comprises a device selected from the group consisting of a mouse, a keyboard, and an infrared remote. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein user preferences are automatically updated based on available content data selected from the displayable program schedule. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the available content data comprises a digital video program. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the available content data includes a scheduled program. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the user preferences are stored in a web server database and the displayable program schedule is configured to be viewable over at least one remote user location over a network. A program scheduling system,
a) means for generating a customized electronic program schedule;
b) means for selecting a program from the customized electronic program schedule, wherein the customized electronic program schedule displays programs available from a plurality of pre-selected content providers. 39. The system of claim 38, wherein the means for generating the customized electronic program schedule includes a graphical user interface operable on a web server on the Internet. 40. The system of claim 39, wherein said means for selecting a program includes Internet equipment. 41. The system of claim 40, wherein said Internet device is a personal computer. A method of scheduling a show,
a. Generating program preferences;
b. Classifying programs from a plurality of content providers based on the program preferences;
c. Displaying the classified program in the scheduled program;
d. Transmitting a program from the classified program. 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of transmitting the program is initiated by a user selecting the program from the program schedule. 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the program is transmitted to a user location on the Internet. The method of claim 44, wherein the program is transmitted over a network to an Internet device connected to the network. 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the program is a digital video program. 47. The method of claim 46, wherein the digital video program has been downloaded to a storage device connected to the Internet appliance.

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