IP Library Granted Patent US 7,231,604
Granted Patent B1
US 7,231,604 · App. 09/681,172 · Granted Jun 12, 2007

Individualized content guide

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,231,604
App. No.
09/681,172
Granted
Jun 12, 2007
Kind
B1
Abstract

A computer and Internet-based system and method for providing television and radio programming information to users, through a multi-tabbed viewing screen, where at least one of the tabs is individualized to a particular viewer's preferences.

Claims (22)

1. An electronic programming guide system comprising:

a personal computer comprising a browser at a first viewer location;

a computer system at a second location, coupled to said personal computer and said browser via a computer network;

said browser displaying a guide comprising a plurality of linearly arranged tabs, where each tab is a link to one of a plurality of views of an electronic programming guide;

where each of said plurality of views is associated with one of a plurality of sources of signals;

wherein at least three of said plurality of sources of signals are broadcast TV, programming delivered over the internet, and satellite TV;

wherein said guide includes a two-dimensional array of programming cells where each cell represents a different time slot associated with a different television channel;

wherein said plurality of linearly arranged tabs is disposed on a periphery of said two-dimensional array; and

wherein each of said plurality of views is limited to sources of signals available at said first viewer location.

2. A guide of claim 1 wherein said plurality of sources of signals represents all video programming sources available at said first viewer location.

3. A method of displaying programming information to a viewer comprising the steps of:

providing, to a personal computer user, an array of programming choices available to a viewer;

changing a characteristic of said array in response to a selection, made by said personal computer user, of a tab from a plurality of linearly arranged tabs disposed along a peripheral edge of said array;

changing display content associated with one of said plurality of linearly arranged tabs as a result of a prior action;

wherein said prior action is a computer-generated signal representative of a prior viewing selection by a viewer,

wherein said prior action further comprises a user selection among a plurality of user preferences;

wherein said prior action further comprises a duration characteristic of a prior viewing selection by said viewer;

providing location information representative of a geographic location of said viewer and changing display content associated with one of said plurality of linearly arranged tabs based upon said location information; and

wherein each of said plurality of linearly arranged tabs is dedicated to one of a plurality of sources of programming available at said geographic location.

4. A method of claim 3 wherein said plurality of sources of programming comprises broadcast TV.

5. A method of claim 4 wherein said plurality of sources of programming further comprises satellite TV.

6. A method of claim 5 wherein said plurality of programming sources further comprises internet delivered programming.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Feb 20, 2013
From: DECISION ACQUISITION, LLC
To: BROADCAST INTERACTIVE MEDIA, LLC
Reel/Frame 029837/0373 →
MERGER Recorded Dec 9, 2011
From: DECISIONMARK CORP.
To: DECISION ACQUISITION, LLC
Reel/Frame 027357/0116 →