IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,543,320
Granted Patent B2
US 7,543,320 · App. 11/639,837 · Granted Jun 2, 2009

Television schedule system and method of operation for multiple program occurrences

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,543,320
App. No.
11/639,837
Granted
Jun 2, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.

Claims (38)

1. A method for providing to a viewer a listing of instances of a program accessible from a plurality of sources, the method comprising:

displaying a consolidated program guide, the program guide comprising listings of programs accessible from a plurality of sources;

receiving a viewer selection of a particular instance of a program accessible from a first source of the plurality of sources;

searching the listings of programs for additional instances of the particular program accessible from sources of the plurality of sources other than the first source; and

displaying to the viewer the instances of the particular program accessible from sources other than the first source.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sources comprises an Internet source.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sources comprises a video vendor.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sources comprises at least one broadcast source and one source other than a broadcast source.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the displaying to the viewer the instances of the particular program comprises displaying to the viewer information about the program.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the displaying to the viewer instances of the particular program comprises downloading the program.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a viewer selection to set a reminder for a program.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

storing the viewer selection of the particular program; and

alerting the viewer when another instance of the program becomes accessible from the plurality of sources.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

retrieving guide information from an electronic program guide database; and

wherein the displaying a consolidated program guide comprises displaying guide information retrieved from the electronic program guide database.

10. A program guide system for providing to a viewer a listing of instances of a program accessible from a plurality of sources, the system comprising:

a program guide implemented at least partially on circuitry configured to:

display a consolidated program guide, the program guide comprising listings of programs accessible from a plurality of sources;

receive a viewer selection of a particular instance of a program accessible from a first source of the plurality of sources;

search listings of programs for additional instances of the particular program accessible from sources of the plurality of sources other than the first source; and

display to the viewer the instances of the particular program accessible from sources other than the first source.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of sources comprises sources of different types.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of sources comprises an Internet source.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of sources comprises a video vendor.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of sources comprises at least one broadcast source and one source other than a broadcast source.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the displaying to the viewer the instances of the particular program comprises displaying to the viewer information about the program.

16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the displaying to the viewer instances of the particular program comprises downloading the program.

17. The system of claim 10 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to:

receive a viewer selection to set a reminder for a program.

18. The system of claim 10 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to:

store the viewer selection of the particular program; and

alert the viewer when another instance of the program becomes accessible from the plurality of sources.

19. The system of claim 10 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to:

retrieve guide information from an electronic program guide database; and

wherein the displaying a consolidated program guide comprises displaying guide information retrieved from the electronic program guide database.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Nov 25, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: APTIV DIGITAL INC.; GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; INDEX SYSTEMS INC.; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; SONIC SOLUTIONS LLC; STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.; UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
Reel/Frame 051145/0090 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 21, 2015
From: SCHEIN, STEVEN M.; WARDEN, DAVID P.; KING, MOLLY K.; ALBA, THERESA A.; RUSSMAN, ROBERT E.
To: STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.
Reel/Frame 034779/0470 →
MERGER Recorded Jan 21, 2015
From: STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.
To: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
Reel/Frame 034779/0512 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 24, 2014
From: APTIV DIGITAL, INC.; GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; INDEX SYSTEMS INC.; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; SONIC SOLUTIONS LLC; STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.; UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 033407/0035 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Jul 24, 2014
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ALL MEDIA GUIDE, LLC; APTIV DIGITAL, INC.; GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; INDEX SYSTEMS INC.; ROVI CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.; TV GUIDE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 033396/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2011
From: APTIV DIGITAL, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; INDEX SYSTEMS INC, A BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COMPANY; ROVI CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION; STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 027039/0168 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 29, 2010
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)
To: ALL MEDIA GUIDE, LLC; APTIV DIGITAL, INC.; GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; INDEX SYSTEMS INC.; ODS PROPERTIES, INC.; ROVI DATA SOLUTIONS, INC. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS TV GUIDE DATA SOLUTIONS, INC.); ROVI GUIDES, INC. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS GEMSTAR-TV GUIDE INTERNATIONAL, INC.); ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION (FORMERLY KNOWN AS MACROVISION CORPORATION); ROVI SOLUTIONS LIMITED (FORMERLY KNOWN AS MACROVISION EUROPE LIMITED); ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.; TV GUIDE, INC.; TV GUIDE ONLINE, LLC; UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 025222/0731 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 15, 2008
From: APTIV DIGITAL, INC.; GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; GEMSTAR-TV GUIDE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; INDEX SYSTEMS INC; MACROVISION CORPORATION; ODS PROPERTIES, INC.; STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.; TV GUIDE ONLINE, LLC; UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 020986/0074 →