WO2001074063A1 - Interface avec un contenu televisuel et internet pouvant etre personnalisee par l'utilisateur - Google Patents

Interface avec un contenu televisuel et internet pouvant etre personnalisee par l'utilisateur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001074063A1
WO2001074063A1 PCT/US2001/009568 US0109568W WO0174063A1 WO 2001074063 A1 WO2001074063 A1 WO 2001074063A1 US 0109568 W US0109568 W US 0109568W WO 0174063 A1 WO0174063 A1 WO 0174063A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
user interface
content
controls
context
user
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/009568
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Anthony F. Istvan
Original Assignee
Digeo Broadband, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Digeo Broadband, Inc. filed Critical Digeo Broadband, Inc.
Priority to AU2001250985A priority Critical patent/AU2001250985A1/en
Publication of WO2001074063A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001074063A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
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    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4782—Web browsing, e.g. WebTV
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    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
    • G—PHYSICS
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    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
    • G06F3/0482—Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
    • G—PHYSICS
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    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
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    • G—PHYSICS
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    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
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    • H01L29/66227—Multistep manufacturing processes of devices having semiconductor bodies comprising group 14 or group 13/15 materials the devices being controllable only by the electric current supplied or the electric potential applied, to an electrode which does not carry the current to be rectified, amplified or switched, e.g. three-terminal devices
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    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
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Definitions

  • the present application pertains to the fields of television reception and Internet access. More particularly, the present application pertains to a user interface to television broadcasts and Internet content.
  • One embodiment of the user interface comprises a "L" configuration of controls.
  • Primary controls are provided along a first direction of the "L”
  • context- sensitive controls are provided along a second direction of the "L.”
  • the context-sensitive controls that are provided depend on the content being displayed.
  • a first pair of arrows on a remote control navigates among the primary controls, and a second pair of arrows (perpendicular to the first pair) navigates among the context-sensitive controls. Switching between navigation among the primary controls and navigation among the context- sensitive controls occurs automatically upon switching between using the first pair of arrows and using the second pair of arrows.
  • the user interface automatically adjusts itself by providing different context-sensitive controls depending on the type of multimedia content in the display area. Furthermore, the user interface enables one-button switching between the primary controls and the context-sensitive controls to provide particularly user-friendly access to the content.
  • Fig. 2 is an illustrative screen frame of a display with a full-size video being displayed.
  • Fig. 3 depicts an example layout 300 of a user interface (UI) which has been activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • UI user interface
  • Fig. 4 is an illustrative screen frame of a TJT which has been activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 5 depicts an example layout 500 of a UI with a user submenu activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 10 depicts an example layout 1000 of a UT with browser controls in the context-sensitive area 304 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 17 depicts a user interface which includes a multimedia bar and an embedded media viewer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 18 depicts a user interface which includes a multimedia bar for use with pop-up media viewers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system 100 includes an 1-nternet 102, a plurality of content sources 104, a plurality of distribution centers (depicted as headends or H/E) 106, and a plurality of client terminals (depicted as set top boxes or STB) 108.
  • a content source 104 is depicted as receiving data from data feeds 112, advertisement servers 114, image sources 116, and streaming video sources 118.
  • the plurality of content sources 104 are coupled to the Internet 102.
  • a content source 104 may comprise a web site portal such as Go2Net.com, or a news web site such as CNN.com, or other types of sources.
  • Each content source 104 may have various data feeds 112, servers 114, and sources 116/118 coupled to it.
  • news or stock quote feeds 112 may be fed into the content source 104.
  • Servers 114 may provide advertisements for insertion into multimedia content deliveredy by the content source 104.
  • Sources 116/118 may provide images 116, streaming video 118, and other content to the content source 104.
  • Various other feeds, servers and sources may also be coupled to the content source 104.
  • the Internet 102 comprises a network of networks and is well known in the art. Communications over the Internet 102 are accomplished using standard protocols such as TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/internet protocol) and other protocols.
  • the internet 102 is coupled to the plurality of distribution centers 106.
  • a distribution center 106 may comprise a cable headend (H/E).
  • Each distribution center 106 is coupled to a plurality of client terminals 108.
  • a client terminal 108 may comprise a set top box (STB), a personal computer, an interactive television set, or another type of communication device.
  • STB set top box
  • personal computer a personal computer
  • interactive television set or another type of communication device.
  • communications channels or networks 120 apart from the Internet 102 may couple one or more content source 104 to one or more distribution center 106.
  • One example of such an alternate path for communications is illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • Other configurations are also possible and meant to be included within the scope of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is an illustrative screen frame of a display with a full-size video being displayed. While the screen frame is a still frame, the actual video is a motion video comprising a multitude of frames in sequence.
  • Fig. 3 depicts an example layout 300 of a user interface (UI) which has been activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • UI user interface
  • the full-size display shrinks in an "animated" fashion (i.e. with visible motion to a viewer) to occupy a reduced-size area 301 of the display.
  • the L configured UI may be superimposed (overlayed) over the full-size display.
  • the UI includes a group of primary or "permanent" controls 302 on a first side of the reduced-size area 301, a context-sensitive area 304 on a second side of the reduced-size area 301 (perpendicular to the first side), and a logo area 306 at the intersection of the two sides.
  • the primary controls 302 include user ("user name”), TV, mail, browser, and help controls or control icons.
  • the context-sensitive area 304 may display different information (non- selectable items) and control icons (selectable items) depending upon the content in the display area 301. Initially, the context-sensitive area 304 may display information on the TV content currently being displayed in the display area 301. The information may include, for example, channel number/network call letters, program title, and current time.
  • the logo area 306 may display, for example, a logo and name for a service provider.
  • the service provider is named Charter CoinmunicationsTM.
  • Fig. 3 shows a "L” configured UI along the top and left sides of the display
  • other “L” configurations are also contemplated and within the scope of the present invention.
  • the "L” configured UI may instead be along the bottom and left sides, or the bottom and right sides, or the top and right sides.
  • a first pair of arrows on a remote control navigates among the primary controls, and a second pair of arrows (perpendicular to the first pair) navigates among the context-sensitive controls. Switching between navigation among the primary controls and navigation among the context-sensitive controls occurs automatically upon switching between using the first pair of arrows and using the second pair of arrows.
  • An example of a remote control with such arrows is shown in Fig. 11 which is described below.
  • Fig. 4 is an illustrative screen frame of a UI which has been activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the frame shown in Fig. 4 is an implementation in close (but not exact) correspondence to the layout 300 of Fig. 3.
  • the UI of Fig. 4 has primary controls on the left side, a context-sensitive area on the top, and a service provider's logo at the upper left corner.
  • Fig. 5 depicts an example layout 500 of an UI with a user submenu 502 activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the user submenu 502 is activated by selecting the "user name" on-screen control from the group of primary controls 302.
  • the user submenu 502 may include various selections.
  • the "family" user is the default selection when the UI is activated.
  • the family user will be able to access only content which is accessible to all other users.
  • the family user will have a "permission space" which is the intersection of permission spaces of all other users.
  • this feature does not require a password to be entered upon turning on the TV. Nevertheless, this feature may be used to prevent children from accessing excessively violent or adult-oriented content.
  • the protection provided may extend to both TV and Internet content.
  • the "manage users” and “settings" selections may be used to perform such function as: editing user name, password, and other user-related information for a specified user account; allowing users to block certain emails; allowing a user with administrative privileges to add or remove users and change user privileges; and so on.
  • Fig. 6 depicts an example layout 600 of a UI with a TV submenu 602 activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the TV submenu 602 is activated by selecting the "tv" on-screen control from the group of primary controls 302.
  • the TV submenu 602 may include various selections.
  • the number N may be fixed, or it may be user selectable.
  • the "user defined" selections provide access to specialized web pages which may be focused to various categories of content.
  • the specialized web pages may focus on categories such as news, money, sports, weather, entertainment, and others.
  • the L configured UI retracts, so that the specialized page is shown on a full-size screen.
  • the “more” button provides access to other categories of content in addition to those specified by the "user defined” selections described above.
  • the “go to” button provides a query text box which allows a user to specify a URL to be displayed in the browser.
  • the browser "favorites” button provides access to an organized data structure of favorite links. These browser favorites may be provided separately from the TV favorites, or they may be provided together in an integrated data structure.
  • the browser "search” control provides access to a mechanism to search for particular Internet or Web content. The browser search may be provided separately from the EPG search, or they may be provided together in an integrated search feature.
  • the left and right arrows 1002 may be individually selected.
  • the left arrow scrolls or shifts the browser controls one button to the left.
  • the left arrow would cause the "home" button 1004 to scroll “behind” the arrows 1002 and a control button (not shown) to the right of the "reload” button 1014 to become visible at the right side of the context-sensitive area 304.
  • the right arrow scrolls or shifts the browser controls one button to the right.
  • the menu button 1102 may be used to activate and deactivate the UI as described above in relation to Fig. 3.
  • the "Go To TV” button 1103 returns the display to a full-screen television display as illustrated by Fig. 2.
  • the up arrow 1108 and down arrow 1110 may be used to navigate among the primary controls 302.
  • the left arrow 1104 and right arrow 1106 may be used to navigate among controls in the context-sensitive area 304. Switching between navigation among the primary controls and navigation among the context-sensitive controls occurs automatically upon switching between using the up/down arrows 1108/1110 and using the left/right arrows 1104/1106.
  • the "Go" button (which may also be designated the "OK” button) selects the screen object currently pointed to and triggers whatever event is associated with the obj ect.
  • Fig. 12 depicts a synthetic channel settings page 1200 for user customization of selections of synthetic channels focusing on specialized content categories in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • This page 1200 may be reached, for example, by way of the settings selection from the user submenu 502 depicted in Fig. 5 and described above in relation thereto.
  • the settings selection may lead to a more general user settings page which may in turn lead to the synthetic channel settings page 1200.
  • Figs. 13-16 depict example pages of synthetic channels focusing on news categories for purposes of illustration.
  • Fig. 13 depicts an example page of a synthetic channel focusing on general news.
  • Fig. 14 depicts an example page of a synthetic channel focusing on sports news.
  • Fig. 15 depicts an example page of a synthetic channel focusing on financial news.
  • Fig. 16 depicts an example page of a synthetic channel focusing on entertainment news.
  • the example pages of synthetic channels depicted in Figs. 13-16 include multimedia bars as part of the user interface to provide a unified mechanism for user- friendly integrated access to various types (video, audio, and text) of digital multimedia content. Such multimedia bars are described in further detail below in relation to Figs. 17-20.
  • the synthetic channels may be more specific and more specialized than the pages in Figs. 13-16.
  • synthetic channels may focus more specifically on news relating to particular favorite sports of a user, such as basketball, baseball, football, soccer, and so on.
  • a synthetic channel may also focus on one or more specific favorite sports team of a user, such as the Portland Trailblazers basketball team, and/or the Seattle Mariners baseball team, and/or the Seattle Seahawks football team.
  • a synthetic channel may focus on news relating to one or more region of the world or one or more country.
  • a synthetic channel may focus on one or more particular area of finance, such as technology stocks, or on particular companies or stocks.
  • a synthetic channel may focus on one or more particular type or genre of entertainment, or on particular entertainers or celebrities or shows.
  • the synthetic channels may include not only digital multimedia content, but also television broadcast content which may be live or digitally pre-recorded.
  • the pre-recorded television broadcast content may be stored locally at a set top unit or remotely at a server unit.
  • the features may (or may not) be selectable.
  • selection is accomplished using arrow or other buttons on a remote control device.
  • Selection may also be accomplished by other means (mouse pointing devices, trackballs, joysticks, touch screens, voice recognition, and so on).
  • a feature or object When a feature or object is selected, it may be highlighted or marked in some manner to so indicate its selection. For example, feature labeled G in Fig. 17 is depicted as being highlighted by a "selection rectangle" outlining the feature.
  • the feature labeled A in Fig. 17 comprises one of two selectable "more" buttons.
  • the two more buttons point in opposing directions. In this embodiments, the opposing directions are up and down, but in other embodiments the opposing directions may be left and right.
  • the current set of reduced-size images will be scrolled to the next set of reduced-size images which are not currently visible in the direction selected. If there are no more reduced-size images in the direction indicated by the more button, then that more button will be hidden (neither visible nor available) in the multimedia bar.
  • the feature labeled B in Fig. 17 comprises one of a set of selectable reduced-size images.
  • these reduced-size images should be of sufficient quality and layout so that they can be recognized by a person with normal vision on an ordinary sized television from about 10 feet away.
  • the reduced-size image will provide a good visual indicator about the content of the associated digital content.
  • the digital content comprises a streaming video clip
  • the reduced-size image may frequently (but not necessarily) be a first frame of the streaming video clip.
  • the reduced-size image may be activated using means as described above.
  • the associated digital content will be presented. For example, if the associated digital content comprises a streaming video clip, then the video clip will be loaded into the viewing window for playback, hi a preferred embodiment, such playback may be initiated automatically if there is sufficient throughput to maintain the clips required bit rate. If not, the viewer may buffer the video stream automatically.
  • the associated digital content may comprise a still image.
  • the image when the reduced-size image is activated, then the image will be loaded into an image viewer for display (typically at full-size or at least a size greater than the reduced-size image).
  • the feature labeled C in Fig. 17 comprises an area to display a caption for content being displayed by the embedded media viewer.
  • the caption comprises non-selectable text.
  • the feature labeled D in Fig. 17 comprises a viewing window for displaying content by the embedded media viewer.
  • the viewing window may display streaming video clips.
  • the streaming video clips will be created such that a first frame of the clip provides a good visual indicator about the clip's contents.
  • the feature labeled E in Fig. 17 comprises an elapsed time indicator for the content being displayed by the embedded media viewer. Such an elaped time indicator would be used to display the amount of elapsed time during play of streaming video by the embedded media viewer.
  • the feature labeled F in Fig. 17 comprises a selectable fast forward button for the content being displayed by the embedded media viewer. In a preferred embodiment, activating the fast forward button causes the streaming media clip to be fast forwarded until it either reaches the end of the streaming media clip or until the play button is selected.
  • the feature labeled H in Fig. 17 comprises a selectable rewind button.
  • activating the rewind button causes the streaming media clip to rewind until either the beginning of the clip is reached or until the play button is activated.
  • the feature labeled I in Fig. 17 comprises an area to display a caption for subject matter depicted in a corresponding reduced-size image.
  • the caption comprises non-selectable text.
  • the feature labeled J in Fig. 17 comprises a video icon corresponding to a subject matter.
  • the video icon is non-selectable and indicates the presence of a streaming video clip associated with the subject matter.
  • a streaming video clip may be viewable by way of the viewing window (D) described above.
  • the feature labeled K in Fig. 17 comprises an audio icon corresponding to a subject matter.
  • the audio icon is non-selectable and indicates the presence of a streaming audio clip associated with the subject matter.
  • Such audio content may be played on an audio system either integrated with the video system or external to the video system. If both video and audio icon are present in correspondence to a subject matter, then both a streaming video clip and a streaming audio clip are associated with the subject matter.
  • Such streaming video and audio are preferably in synchronization with each other and played together synchronously.
  • Fig. 18 depicts a user interface which includes a multimedia bar for use with pop-up media viewers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Such an embodiment may be preferable for use on a user interface page where multimedia presentation functionality is desired, but where there is insufficient space available on the page for an embedded viewer.
  • the depiction in Fig. 18 includes six features labeled using the letters A, B, C, D, E, and F.
  • the associated digital content may comprise a still image.
  • the image when the reduced-size image is activated, then the image will be loaded into an image viewer for display (typically at full-size or at least a size greater than the reduced-size image).
  • the feature labeled F in Fig. 18 comprises a caption (or headline) relating to the subject matter of a selected reduced-size image or a selected text icon.
  • the caption is displayed upon selection (not activation) of the reduced-size image or text icon, and the caption changes as the selected image or icon changes.
  • the feature labeled C in Fig. 19 comprises an elapsed time indicator for the content being displayed by the pop-up media viewer. Such an elaped time indicator would be used to display the amount of elapsed time during play of streaming video by the pop-up media viewer.
  • the feature labeled E in Fig. 19 comprises comprises an area to display a text or an image.
  • the text or image is non-selectable and is used for purposes of brand marketing of the content provider or other business entity.
  • the feature labeled G in Fig. 19 comprises a selectable play/pause button.
  • a play/pause button may comprise a two-state button.
  • the play/pause button is in a "pause" state where it resembles and represents a pause button (not illustrated in Fig. 19).
  • Activating the play/pause button from pause state causes pausing of the streaming media clip and further causes the play/pause button to change to a "play" state where it resembles and represents a play button (as illustrated in Fig. 19).
  • Activating the play/pause button from play state causes playing of the streaming media clip and further causes the play/pause button to change to the "pause" state
  • Fig. 20 depicts a pop-up text viewer overlayed over a screen in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the depiction in Fig. 20 includes three features labeled using the letters A, B, and C.
  • the feature labeled A in Fig. 20 comprises a text viewing window for displaying text content.
  • a scrolling capability is used to move between pages.
  • a scrolling capability of a browser portion of the user interface may be used to provide the scrolling capability of the text viewing window.
  • the feature labeled B in Fig. 20 comprises a translucent background overlay which is layed over the screen or page from which the pop-up text viewer was spawned.
  • the translucent background overlay serves to de-emphasize the screen or page from which the pop-up text viewer was spawned and to emphasize the pop-up text viewer.
  • the transparency attribute of the translucent background overlay may be set at 65% or thereabout (say from 50% to 80%).

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Abstract

Interface utilisateur unique intégrée (300) permettant un accès convivial à un contenu à la fois télévisuel (figure 20) et Internet. Dans un mode de réalisation, cette interface utilisateur comprend une configuration en 'L' de commande (302, 304). Des premières commandes (302) sont placées le long d'un premier sens du 'L' et des commandes sensibles au contexte (304) sont situées le long d'un deuxième sens du 'L'. Ces commandes (304) sensibles au contexte dépendent du contenu affiché (301). Une première paire de flèches (1180, 1110) d'une commande à distance (1100) navigue parmi les premières commandes (302) et une deuxième paire de flèches (1104, 1106) (perpendiculaire à la première paire) navigue parmi les commandes (304) sensibles au contexte. La commutation entre la navigation parmi les premières commandes et la navigation parmi les commandes sensibles au contexte s'effectue automatiquement par permutation entre la première paire de flèches (110, 1110) et la deuxième paire de flèches (1104, 1106). Cette interface utilisateur présente l'avantage d'un réglage automatique au moyen de différentes commandes sensibles au contexte en fonction du type du contenu multimédia de la zone d'affichage (301).
PCT/US2001/009568 2000-03-29 2001-03-22 Interface avec un contenu televisuel et internet pouvant etre personnalisee par l'utilisateur WO2001074063A1 (fr)

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US60/193,046 2000-03-29
US59154700A 2000-06-08 2000-06-08
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US62419800A 2000-07-24 2000-07-24

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WO2008057941A2 (fr) * 2006-11-02 2008-05-15 At & T Knowledge Ventures, G.P. Interface personnalisée sur la base d'un programme regardé
EP2023631A1 (fr) * 2006-05-24 2009-02-11 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif de reception de television, programme et support d'enregistrement

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EP1463321A2 (fr) 2002-09-05 2004-09-29 Alcatel Canada Inc. Navigation non-modale d'un contenu multimédia interactif
EP1463321A3 (fr) * 2002-09-05 2005-03-16 Alcatel Canada Inc. Navigation non-modale d'un contenu multimédia interactif
FR2898236A1 (fr) * 2006-03-03 2007-09-07 Thomson Licensing Sas Procede de transmission de flux audiovisuels en anticipant les commandes de l'utilisateurs, recepteur et emetteur pour la mise en oeuvre du procede
EP2023631A1 (fr) * 2006-05-24 2009-02-11 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif de reception de television, programme et support d'enregistrement
EP2023631A4 (fr) * 2006-05-24 2012-04-04 Sharp Kk Dispositif de reception de television, programme et support d'enregistrement
WO2008057941A2 (fr) * 2006-11-02 2008-05-15 At & T Knowledge Ventures, G.P. Interface personnalisée sur la base d'un programme regardé
WO2008057941A3 (fr) * 2006-11-02 2009-01-22 At & T Knowledge Ventures G P Interface personnalisée sur la base d'un programme regardé
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US8566877B2 (en) 2006-11-02 2013-10-22 AT&T Intellectual Propety I, L.P. Method and apparatus for content information related to a media program

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