IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,814,421
Granted Patent B2
US 7,814,421 · App. 10/359,493 · Granted Oct 12, 2010

Program guide system with video window browsing

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,814,421
App. No.
10/359,493
Granted
Oct 12, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a viewer may direct a television to simultaneously display a selected television program, a program guide display, and a program guide video window. A viewer may use the program guide video window to browse video of programs shown on the program guide display while continuing to view a previously selected program in the background. The program guide display may display video on demand (VOD) programs, programs to be broadcast in the future, and programs currently being broadcast on other channels. The viewer may browse through programs on the program guide display using a variety of keys on a remote control unit. The viewer may direct the program guide to swap audio and video signals back and forth between programs shown in the video window and programs shown on the background screen.

Claims (69)

1. A method for displaying a preview video on a display on which program listings information is displayed, the method comprising:

simultaneously displaying:

a video of a currently broadcasted television program in a first reduced size video window defined by a first reduced perimeter;

program listings information; and

a video clip of a future television program in a second reduced size video window defined by a second reduced perimeter, wherein the video clip is selected responsive to a user's input selecting the future program from the program listings information;

receiving a user indication to interchange the video clip of a future television program and the video of the currently broadcasted television program such that the video clip is displayed in the first reduced size video window and the video of the currently broadcasted television program is displayed in the second reduced size window; and

interchanging the video clip with the video of the currently broadcasted television program in response to receiving the user indication.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the program listings information corresponds to the currently broadcasted television program.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the program listings information corresponds to a program other than the currently broadcasted television program.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the program listings information comprises program listings information for a video-on-demand program.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the program listings information comprises at least one title of a program.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the program listings information comprises at least one program description.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first reduced size video window and the second reduced size video window have different sizes.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a user indication to select one of the video clip and the currently broadcasted television program as a source of an audio signal of user equipment; and

selecting the one of the video clip and the currently broadcasted television program as the source of the audio signal of the user equipment in response to receiving the user indication.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the program listings information comprises a listing for a plurality of television programs.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

receiving a user selection of the listing for one of the plurality of television programs; and

displaying in the second video window a video clip that is related to the television program of the selected listing in response to receiving the user selection.

11. The method of claim 1 , further Comprising automatically deactivating the second reduced size video window when the video clip has ended.

12. A system for displaying a preview video on a display on which program listings information is displayed, the system comprising:

means for simultaneously displaying:

a video of a currently broadcasted television program in a first reduced size video window defined by a first reduced perimeter;

program listings information; and

a video clip of a future television program in a second reduced size video window defined by a second reduced perimeter, wherein the video clip is selected responsive to a user's input selecting the future program from the program listings information;

means for receiving a user indication to interchange the video clip of a future television program and the video of the currently broadcasted television program such that the video clip is displayed in the first reduced size video window and the video of the currently broadcasted television program is displayed in the second reduced size window; and

means for interchanging the video clip with the video of the currently broadcasted television program in response to receiving the user indication.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the program listings information corresponds to the currently broadcasted television program.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the program listings information corresponds to a program other than the currently broadcasted television program.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the program listings information comprises program listings information for a video-on-demand program.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the program listings information comprises at least one title of a program.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein the program listings information comprises at least one program description.

18. The system of claim 12 wherein the first reduced size video window and the second reduced size video window have different sizes.

19. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

means for receiving a user indication to select one of the video clip and the currently broadcasted television program as a source of an audio signal of user equipment; and

means for selecting the one of the video clip and the currently broadcasted television program as the source of the audio signal of the user equipment in response to receiving the user indication.

20. A system for displaying a preview video on a display on which program listings information is displayed, the system comprising:

a display device; and

control circuitry configured to direct the display device to simultaneously display:

a video of a currently broadcasted television program in a first reduced size video window defined by a first reduced perimeter;

program listings information; and

a video clip of a future television program in a second reduced size video window defined by a second reduced perimeter, wherein the video clip is selected responsive to a user's input selecting the future program from the program listings information;

a user input device for receiving a user indication to interchange the video clip of a future television program and the video of the currently broadcasted television program such that the video clip is displayed in the first reduced size video window and the video of the currently broadcasted television program is displayed in the second reduced size window, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to direct the display device to interchange, in response to the user input device receiving the user indication, the video clip with the video of the currently broadcasted program.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the program listings information corresponds to the currently broadcasted television program.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the program listings information corresponds to a program other than the currently broadcasted television program.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein the program listings information comprises program listings information for a video-on-demand program.

24. The system of claim 20 wherein the program listings information comprises at least one title of a program.

25. The system of claim 20 wherein the program listings information comprises at least one program description.

26. The system of claim 20 wherein the first reduced size video window and the second reduced size video window have different sizes.

27. The system of claim 20 further comprising:

a user input device for receiving a user indication to select one of the video clip and the currently broadcasted television program as a source of an audio signal of user equipment, wherein

the control circuitry is further configured to select, in response to the user input device receiving the user indication, the one of the video clip and the currently broadcasted television program as the source of the audio signal of the user equipment.

28. Data storage medium for a system that displays video on a display on which program listings information is displayed, the data storage medium having program logic recorded thereon for:

simultaneously displaying:

a video of a currently broadcasted television program in a first reduced size video window defined by a first reduced perimeter;

program listings information; and

a video clip of a future television program in a second reduced size video window defined by a second reduced perimeter, wherein the video clip is selected responsive to a user's input selecting the future program from the program listings information;

receiving a user indication to interchange the video clip of a future television program and the video of the currently broadcasted television program such that the video clip is displayed in the first reduced size video window and the video of the currently broadcasted television program is displayed in the second reduced size window; and

interchanging the video clip with the video of the currently broadcasted television program in response to receiving the user indication.

29. The data storage medium of claim 28 wherein the program listings information corresponds to the currently broadcasted television program.

30. The data storage medium of claim 28 wherein the program listings information corresponds to a program other than the currently broadcasted television program.

31. The data storage medium of claim 28 wherein the program listings information comprises program listings information for a video-on-demand program.

32. The data storage medium of claim 28 wherein the program listings information comprises at least one title of a program.

33. The data storage medium of claim 28 wherein the program listings information comprises at least one program description.

34. The data storage medium of claim 28 wherein the first reduced size video window and the second reduced size video window have different sizes.

35. The data storage medium of claim 28 comprising additional program logic recorded thereon for:

receiving a user indication to select one of the video clip and the currently broadcasted television program as a source of an audio signal of user equipment; and

selecting the one of the video clip and the currently broadcasted television program as the source of the audio signal of the user equipment in response to receiving the user indication.

Assignments (14)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
To: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
Reel/Frame 053458/0749 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
Reel/Frame 053481/0790 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 1, 2020
From: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS INC.; VEVEO, INC.; INVENSAS CORPORATION; INVENSAS BONDING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TESSERA, INC.; TESSERA ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DTS, INC.; PHORUS, INC.; IBIQUITY DIGITAL CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053468/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 25, 2019
From: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051110/0006 →
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 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2019
From: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ROVI GUIDES, INC.; TIVO SOLUTIONS, INC.; VEVEO, INC.
To: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051143/0468 →
MERGER Recorded Jun 12, 2015
From: UV CORP.
To: TV GUIDE, INC.
Reel/Frame 035848/0270 →
MERGER Recorded Jun 12, 2015
From: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
To: UV CORP.
Reel/Frame 035893/0241 →
MERGER Recorded Jun 12, 2015
From: TV GUIDE, INC.
To: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
Reel/Frame 035848/0245 →
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 →