Automatic display of new program information during current program viewing
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus for automatic display of next or future television program information when tuned to a television channel. Acquired or received program information for a television program to be shown next or later on the currently tuned television channel is automatically displayed on the currently tuned channel. In this manner, a viewer is provided with information regarding a next or future television program on the television channel currently being watched without active intervention by the viewer. According to an aspect of the invention, if a new or next television program guide or program information (update) is received before the end of a current television program, the television apparatus automatically updates the display of program information according to the information included in the newly received program guide.
1. A method for operating a television apparatus having a processor, the method comprising steps of:
tuning a channel;
receiving an updated program guide from a broadcaster while said channel is tuned, wherein said updated program guide is provided from said broadcaster without being requested by said television apparatus;
in response to receiving said updated program guide, said processor determining if a banner advertising a future program on said channel is currently displayed while said channel is tuned;
in response to determining that said banner is currently displayed while said channel is tuned, said processor performing a first function while said channel is tuned; and
in response to determining that said banner is not currently displayed while said channel is tuned, said processor performing a second function different from said first function while said channel is tuned.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of requesting said updated program guide from said broadcaster a predetermined time period before a detected end time of a currently tuned program.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said banner includes at least one of: a title of said future program, a starting time of said future program, and a duration of said future program.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said future program is a next program on a currently tuned channel.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said first function includes updating said currently displayed banner with new information based on said updated program guide.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein said predetermined time period is selected by a user of said television apparatus.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said second function includes enabling display of said banner based on said updated program guide.
8. A television apparatus, comprising:
means for tuning a channel;
a processor receiving an updated program guide from a broadcaster while said channel is tuned, wherein said updated program guide is provided from said broadcaster without being requested by said television apparatus; and
said processor determining if a banner advertising a future program on said channel is currently displayed while said channel is tuned in response to receiving said updated program guide; and wherein:
if said processor determines that said banner is currently displayed while said channel is tuned, a first function is performed while said channel is tuned; and
if said processor determines that said banner is not currently displayed while said channel is tuned, a second function different from said first function is performed while said channel is tuned.
9. The television apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising said processor requesting said updated program guide from said broadcaster a predetermined time period before a detected end time of a currently tuned program on said channel.
10. The television apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said banner includes at least one of: a title of said future program, a starting time of said future program, and a duration of said future program.
11. The television apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said future program is a next program on said channel.
12. The television apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said first function includes updating said currently displayed banner with new information based on said updated program guide.
13. The television apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said predetermined time period is selected by a user of said television apparatus.
14. The television apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said second function includes enabling display of said banner based on said updated program guide.
15. A television apparatus, comprising:
a tuner operative to tune a channel;
an input operative to receive an updated program guide from a broadcaster while said channel is tuned, wherein said updated program guide is provided from said broadcaster without being requested by said television apparatus; and
a controller operative to determine if a banner advertising a future program on said channel is currently displayed while said channel is tuned in response to reception of said updated program guide; and wherein:
if said controller determines that said banner is currently displayed while said channel is tuned, a first function is performed while said channel is tuned; and
if said controller determines that said banner is not currently displayed while said channel is tuned, a second function different from said first function is performed while said channel is tuned.
16. The television apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising means for requesting said updated program guide from said broadcaster a predetermined time period before a detected end time of a currently tuned program on said channel.
17. The television apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said banner includes at least one of: a title of said future program, a starting time of said future program, and a duration of said future program.
18. The television apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said first function includes updating said currently displayed banner with new information based on said updated program guide.
19. The television apparatus of claim 16 , wherein said predetermined time period is selected by a user of said television apparatus.
20. The television apparatus of claim 19 , wherein said second function includes enabling display of said banner based on said updated program guide.