IP Library Granted Patent US 8,739,221
Granted Patent B2
US 8,739,221 · App. 13/848,081 · Granted May 27, 2014

Electronic programming guide

Inventors: Edward Michael Silver (Atlanta, GA); Linda Ann Roberts (Decatur, GA)
Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,739,221
App. No.
13/848,081
Granted
May 27, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A broadcast programming guide is generated based on either designation by or a habit of a user. The programming guide may determine one or more favorite channels of the user based on habitual viewing. The programming guide may suggest channels of interest, based on genres of programming shown on the favorite channels.

Claims (41)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

memory storing code that when executed causes the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

monitoring selections of channels at times of days;

determining favorite channels from the selections of channels;

populating a viewing habits data table that lists each of the favorite channels at a corresponding one of the times of days;

determining the viewing habits data table is undefined for a particular time of day;

selecting a program related to one of the favorite channels listed in the viewing habits data table; and

adding the program to the viewing habits data table at the particular time of day that is undefined.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise determining a current time matches the particular time of day.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the operations further comprise suggesting the program when the current time matches the particular time of day.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise displaying a title of the program.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise generating an electronic programming guide.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the operations further comprise displaying a title of the program in the electronic programming guide.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the operations further comprise displaying a title of the program at the particular time of day in the electronic programming guide.

8. A method, comprising:

monitoring selections of channels at times of days;

determining, by a processor, favorite channels from the selections of channels;

generating a viewing habits data table in memory;

populating the viewing habits data table to list each of the favorite channels at a corresponding one of the times of days;

determining by the processor that the viewing habits data table is undefined for a particular time of day;

selecting a program related to one of the favorite channels listed in the viewing habits data table; and

adding the program to the viewing habits data table at the particular time of day that is undefined.

9. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising determining a current time matches the particular time of day.

10. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising suggesting the program when the current time matches the particular time of day.

11. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising displaying a title of the program.

12. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising generating an electronic programming guide.

13. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising displaying a title of the program in the electronic programming guide.

14. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising displaying a title of the program at the particular time of day in the electronic programming guide.

15. A memory storing code that when executed causes a processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

monitoring selections of channels at times of days;

determining favorite channels from the selections of channels;

populating a viewing habits data table that lists each of the favorite channels at a corresponding one of the times of days;

determining the viewing habits data table is undefined for a particular time of day;

selecting a program related to one of the favorite channels listed in the viewing habits data table; and

adding the program to the viewing habits data table at the particular time of day that is undefined.

16. The memory according to claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise determining a current time matches the particular time of day.

17. The memory according to claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise suggesting the program when the current time matches the particular time of day.

18. The memory according to claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise displaying a title of the program.

19. The memory according to claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise generating an electronic programming guide.

20. The memory according to claim 19 , wherein the operations further comprise displaying a title of the program in the electronic programming guide.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 11, 2013
From: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
Reel/Frame 031574/0805 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 11, 2013
From: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 031611/0099 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 11, 2013
From: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 031611/0125 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 11, 2013
From: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 031611/0139 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 21, 2013
From: SILVER, EDWARD MICHAEL; ROBERTS, LINDA ANN
To: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 030062/0130 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 09955217 · Sep 19, 2001
Related Publication 20130219419A1 · Aug 22, 2013