Systems and methods for displaying media content and media guidance information
View Patent ↗A system comprises television equipment and a number of portable electronic devices. The television equipment includes a large display and control circuitry. The control circuitry receives media content and media guidance data for display on the display. The control circuitry also includes communication components for communicating with the portable electronic devices. The portable electronic devices are operable for displaying video and communicating with the television equipment. A method comprises the steps of receiving media guidance information with a first portable electronic device; transmitting at least some of the media guidance information from the first portable electronic device to the control circuitry of the television equipment; and displaying the media guidance information from the first portable electronic device on the display of the television equipment while simultaneously displaying media content or media guidance information received from a source other than the first portable electronic device.
1. A method for displaying media guidance information, the method comprising:
transmitting media guidance information from a first portable electronic device to user equipment via a communication link, wherein the media guidance information received by the user equipment from the first portable electronic device is generated for simultaneous display, with the user equipment, with media content or media guidance information received by the user equipment from a source other than the first portable electronic device; and
receiving an indication with the first portable electronic device that the media guidance information generated for display with the user equipment has been manipulated.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising:
transmitting media guidance information from a second portable electronic device to the user equipment; and
generating for display the media guidance information from the second portable electronic device alongside the media guidance information from the first portable electronic device on the user equipment.
3. The method as set forth in claim 2 , further comprising the step of transmitting from the user equipment at least some of the media guidance information received from the first portable electronic device to the second portable electronic device.
4. The method as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the first and second portable electronic devices are mobile phones, portable computers, portable game players, portable navigation devices, portable televisions, or personal digital assistants.
5. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising:
generating for display media guidance information received from a satellite or cable television provider alongside the media guidance information transmitted from the first portable electronic device on the user equipment.
6. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising:
performing a media guidance application function with the media guidance information transmitted from the first portable electronic device while the media guidance information is generated for displayed with the user equipment; and
after the media guidance application is performed, transmitting at least some of the media guidance information back to the first portable electronic device.
7. The method as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the media guidance application function includes entering user information, searching for a desired media content, scheduling a selected media content for recording, recording a selected media content, deleting a previously recorded media content, adding a selected media content to a favorite media content list, setting a reminder for a selected media content, or ordering a selected media content via an on-demand or pay-per-view service.
8. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the user equipment comprises a set-top box.
9. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the user equipment executes an interactive media guidance application.
10. A system for displaying media guidance information, the system comprising:
a first portable electronic device comprising:
a communication device for transmitting media guidance information to user equipment via a communication link, wherein the media guidance information received by the user equipment from the first portable electronic device is generated for simultaneous display, with the user equipment, with media content or media guidance information received by the user equipment from a source other than the first portable electronic device; and
a receiver for receiving an indication that the media guidance information generated for display with the user equipment has been manipulated.
11. The system as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the receiver comprises a digital receiver for receiving the media content from a mobile terrestrial digital broadcasting service.
12. The system as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the receiver comprises a separate wireless mobile phone receiver for receiving the media guidance information from a phone network.
13. The system as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the receiver is a single receiver that receives the media content and the media guidance information from a common signal.
14. The system as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the communication device is a wireless local area network (LAN) transmitter or transceiver.
15. The system as set forth in claim 10 , further comprising:
a second portable electronic device including: a first receiver for receiving media content from a media content source; a second receiver for receiving media guidance information from a media guidance source; and a communication device for transmitting at least some of the media guidance information to the user equipment for generating a simultaneous display with the media guidance information from the first portable electronic device.
16. The system as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the first and second portable electronic devices are mobile phones, portable computers, portable game players, portable navigation devices, portable televisions, or personal digital assistants.
17. The system as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the first portable electronic device is operable for performing a media guidance application function with the media guidance information while the media guidance information is displayed on the display.
18. The system as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the media guidance application function includes entering user information, searching for a desired media content, scheduling a selected media content for recording, recording a selected media content, deleting a previously recorded media content, adding a selected media content to a favorite media content list, setting a reminder for a selected media content, or ordering a selected media content via an on-demand or pay-per-view service.
19. The system as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the user equipment comprises a set-top box.
20. The system as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the user equipment executes an interactive media guidance application.