`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`
`
`COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC,
`Petitioner,
`v.
`
`ROVI GUIDES, INC.,
`Patent Owner.
`
`
`
`Case No.: IPR2017-00217
`Patent No.: 7,996,864
`
`________________
`
`
`
`COMPARISON BETWEEN RAUCH AND RAUCH’S PARENT AND
`ACCOMPANYING DECLARATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1
`
`Comcast, Exhibit-1029
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`Television scheduling system for displaying a grid
`
`EFFICIENT
`
`representing scheduled layout and selecting a
`
`SELECTION OF TELEVISION PROGRAMS
`
`programming parameter for display or recording
`
`
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`
`
`
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A computer method and system for providing a user
`
`A computer method and system for providing a user
`
`with efficient selection of a television program to
`
`with efficient selection of a television program to
`
`view or record. The method provides concurrent
`
`view or record. The method provides concurrent
`
`display of a television schedule with a graphic
`
`display of a television schedule with a graphic
`
`description and a textual description of the television
`
`description and a textual description of the television
`
`program currently selected by the user from the
`
`program currently selected by the user from the
`
`displayed television schedule. The displayed
`
`displayed television schedule. The displayed
`
`television schedule comprises a schedule layout
`
`television schedule comprises a schedule layout
`
`displayed to the user on a screen display. The
`
`displayed to the user on a screen display. The
`
`2
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`schedule layout includes a number of program names
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`schedule layout includes a number of program names
`
`arranged in an adaptively learned order based on the
`
`arranged in an adaptively learned order based on the
`
`frequency of the user's previous selections. Each time
`
`frequency of the user's previous selections. Each time
`
`a program name is selected by the user, the graphic
`
`a program name is selected by the user, the graphic
`
`description and the textual description of the
`
`description and the textual description of the
`
`television program represented by the selected
`
`television program represented by the selected
`
`program name are displayed concurrently with the
`
`program name are displayed concurrently with the
`
`adaptively ordered schedule layout. Thus, the user
`
`adaptively ordered schedule layout. Thus, the user
`
`can select a television program perceptively and
`
`can select a television program perceptively and
`
`without delay.
`
`
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a file wrapper continuation of U.S.
`
`without delay.
`
`
`
`3
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`Pat. No. 08/241,743, filed May 12, 1994, now
`
`abandoned.
`
`
`
`
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The present invention relates to the field of computer
`
`The present invention relates to the field of computer
`
`systems and, more particularly, to television program
`
`systems and, more particularly, to television program
`
`selection using a computer system.
`
`selection using a computer system.
`
`
`
`
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
` A
`
` television viewer often considers a number of
`
` A
`
` television viewer often considers a number of
`
`different television programs before deciding on a
`
`different television programs before deciding on a
`
`program to view or record. Before making such a
`
`program to view or record. Before making such a
`
`4
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`decision, the viewer typically engages in a
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`decision, the viewer typically engages in a
`
`cumbersome and time-consuming process in
`
`cumbersome and time-consuming process in
`
`considering the different television programs with
`
`considering the different television programs with
`
`reference to a printed television schedule. The viewer
`
`reference to a printed television schedule. The viewer
`
`first considers a program by referring to the printed
`
`first considers a program by referring to the printed
`
`schedule to obtain a time and channel over which the
`
`schedule to obtain a time and channel over which the
`
`program will be broadcast. The program may be
`
`program will be broadcast. The program may be
`
`included anywhere within the schedule, and thus
`
`included anywhere within the schedule, and thus
`
`some effort may be required of the user and some
`
`some effort may be required of the user and some
`
`time may be wasted in locating the program. Where
`
`time may be wasted in locating the program. Where
`
`provided, the viewer also reads a text description of
`
`provided, the viewer also reads a text description of
`
`the program in the printed schedule or in another
`
`the program in the printed schedule or in another
`
`publication. The text description may also require
`
`publication. The text description may also require
`
`time and effort to locate. The viewer then considers
`
`time and effort to locate. The viewer then considers
`
`5
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`the program based on the text description. If the
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`the program based on the text description. If the
`
`program is currently being broadcast, the viewer may
`
`program is currently being broadcast, the viewer may
`
`further consider the program by selecting the channel
`
`further consider the program by selecting the channel
`
`indicated by the printed schedule to momentarily
`
`indicated by the printed schedule to momentarily
`
`view the program.
`
`view the program.
`
`
`
`
`
`When the viewer wishes to consider a number of
`
`When the viewer wishes to consider a number of
`
`programs, the above decision process becomes
`
`programs, the above decision process becomes
`
`particularly cumbersome and time-consuming. The
`
`particularly cumbersome and time-consuming. The
`
`viewer considers a first program as described above,
`
`viewer considers a first program as described above,
`
`determining the location of the first program in the
`
`determining the location of the first program in the
`
`printed television schedule, determining the location
`
`printed television schedule, determining the location
`
`of and reading the text, description of the first
`
`of and reading the text description of the first
`
`program and, if currently being broadcast, perhaps
`
`program and, if currently being broadcast, perhaps
`
`6
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`momentarily viewing the first program. The viewer
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`momentarily viewing the first program. The viewer
`
`then considers a second program by determining the
`
`then considers a second program by determining the
`
`location of the second program in the printed
`
`location of the second program in the printed
`
`schedule, determining the location of and reading the
`
`schedule, determining the location of and reading the
`
`text description of the second program and perhaps
`
`text description of the second program and perhaps
`
`momentarily viewing the second program. This
`
`momentarily viewing the second program. This
`
`process is continued for each television program the
`
`process is continued for each television program the
`
`viewer considers.
`
`viewer considers.
`
`
`
`
`
`One prior art attempt at improving the selection
`
`One prior art attempt at improving the selection
`
`process described above involves a method which
`
`process described above involves a method which
`
`actually displays the television schedule on the
`
`actually displays the television schedule on the
`
`television screen. By localizing the television
`
`television screen. By localizing the television
`
`schedule and text description to the television, this
`
`schedule and text description to the television, this
`
`7
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`method renders the user's selection process less
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`method renders the user's selection process less
`
`awkward than the method described above.
`
`awkward than the method described above.
`
`Unfortunately, however, this method is still quite
`
`Unfortunately, however, this method is still quite
`
`cumbersome and time-consuming. When deciding on
`
`cumbersome and time-consuming. When deciding on
`
`a program to view or record, the viewer considers a
`
`a program to view or record, the viewer considers a
`
`first program by determining the location of a first
`
`first program by determining the location of a first
`
`program name in the displayed television schedule
`
`program name in the displayed television schedule
`
`and then designating the program name via a remote
`
`and then designating the program name via a remote
`
`control pointing device. A text description is then
`
`control pointing device. A text description is then
`
`displayed to the viewer in a display window
`
`displayed to the viewer in a display window
`
`superimposed upon the displayed television schedule.
`
`superimposed upon the displayed television schedule.
`
`
`
`
`
`After the viewer has read the text description, the
`
`After the viewer has read the text description, the
`
`viewer must remove the display window using the
`
`viewer must remove the display window using the
`
`8
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`pointing device. The user then selects the first
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`pointing device. The user then selects the first
`
`program for viewing if momentary viewing of the
`
`program for viewing if momentary viewing of the
`
`first program is desired. After momentary viewing,
`
`first program is desired. After momentary viewing,
`
`the user designates the schedule to be displayed again
`
`the user designates the schedule to be displayed again
`
`with the device. To continue, the user must then
`
`with the device. To continue, the user must then
`
`determine the location of a second program name in
`
`determine the location of a second program name in
`
`the television schedule, designate the second program
`
`the television schedule, designate the second program
`
`name, read a second text description of the second
`
`name, read a second text description of the second
`
`program in a display window superimposed on the
`
`program in a display window superimposed on the
`
`television schedule, remove the display window,
`
`television schedule, remove the display window,
`
`select the second program for viewing, designate the
`
`select the second program for viewing, designate the
`
`schedule to be again displayed, and so on. This entire
`
`schedule to be again displayed, and so on. This entire
`
`process must be repeated for each program that the
`
`process must be repeated for each program that the
`
`user considers. Thus, a more efficient means of
`
`user considers. Thus, a more efficient means of
`
`9
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`television program selection is desired.
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`television program selection is desired.
`
`
`
`
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`The present invention is a computer method and
`
`The present invention is a computer method and
`
`system for providing a user with efficient selection of
`
`system for providing a user with efficient selection of
`
`a television program to view or record. The method
`
`a television program to view or record. The method
`
`provides a television schedule which is consistently
`
`provides a television schedule which is consistently
`
`displayed concurrently with a description of the
`
`displayed concurrently with a description of the
`
`program currently selected by the user from the
`
`program currently selected by the user from the
`
`displayed television schedule. The description of the
`
`displayed television schedule. The description of the
`
`program includes both a textual description and a
`
`program includes both a textual description and a
`
`graphic description. The graphic description
`
`graphic description. The graphic description
`
`including a bitmap or a video presentation of the
`
`including a bitmap or a video presentation of the
`
`10
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`selected program. The displayed television schedule
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`selected program. The displayed television schedule
`
`comprises a schedule layout displayed to the user on a
`
`comprises a schedule layout displayed to the user on a
`
`screen display. The schedule layout includes a
`
`screen display. The schedule layout includes a
`
`number of program names arranged in an adaptively
`
`number of program names arranged in an adaptively
`
`learned order based on the frequency of the user's
`
`learned order based on the frequency of the user's
`
`previous selections. Each time a program name is
`
`previous selections. Each time a program name is
`
`selected by the user, the graphic description and the
`
`selected by the user, the graphic description and the
`
`textual description of the television program
`
`textual description of the television program
`
`represented by the selected program name are
`
`represented by the selected program name are
`
`displayed concurrently with the schedule layout in a
`
`displayed concurrently with the schedule layout in a
`
`separate location on the screen display. As a result of
`
`separate location on the screen display. As a result of
`
`the concurrent display of program names, the user can
`
`the concurrent display of program names, the user can
`
`select a television program perceptively by viewing
`
`select a television program perceptively by viewing
`
`the adaptively ordered schedule layout at the same
`
`the adaptively ordered schedule layout at the same
`
`11
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`time as both the textual and graphic description. Also,
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`time as both the textual and graphic description. Also,
`
`as a result of the concurrent display, the user's
`
`as a result of the concurrent display, the user's
`
`selection is unencumbered by any delay when the
`
`selection is unencumbered by any delay when the
`
`description of each selected program is displayed.
`
`description of each selected program is displayed.
`
`Because the television schedule is arranged in an
`
`Because the television schedule is arranged in an
`
`adaptively learned order, the user's selection is likely
`
`adaptively learned order, the user's selection is likely
`
`to be even more efficient. Thus, the user can rapidly
`
`to be even more efficient. Thus, the user can rapidly
`
`select and view the descriptions of a number of
`
`select and view the descriptions of a number of
`
`television programs when making a decision.
`
`television programs when making a decision.
`
`
`
`
`
`In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a
`
`In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a
`
`computer obtains the program name and the
`
`computer obtains the program name and the
`
`description of each of a number of television
`
`description of each of a number of television
`
`programs from a cable source which broadcasts the
`
`programs from a cable source which broadcasts the
`
`12
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`television program over cable. The computer also
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`television program over cable. The computer also
`
`obtains from the cable source a time of broadcast of
`
`obtains from the cable source a time of broadcast of
`
`each television program and a channel indicator
`
`each television program and a channel indicator
`
`indicating the channel over which each television
`
`indicating the channel over which each television
`
`program is to be broadcast. The computer stores the
`
`program is to be broadcast. The computer stores the
`
`program name, a channel indicator, including a
`
`program name, a channel indicator, including a
`
`channel name and a channel number, a time of
`
`channel name and a channel number, a time of
`
`broadcast, including a day, start time, and end time of
`
`broadcast, including a day, start time, and end time of
`
`the broadcast, and a description of each television
`
`the broadcast, and a description of each television
`
`program, in an entry in a program table provided for
`
`program, in an entry in a program table provided for
`
`that television program. Upon a request by the user,
`
`that television program. Upon a request by the user,
`
`the computer displays the program name, channel
`
`the computer displays the program name, channel
`
`indicator and time of broadcast in the schedule layout
`
`indicator and time of broadcast in the schedule layout
`
`in a fashion which visually associates the program
`
`in a fashion which visually associates the program
`
`13
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`name with the channel indicator and time of
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`name with the channel indicator and time of
`
`broadcast. Preferably, the schedule layout includes a
`
`broadcast. Preferably, the schedule layout includes a
`
`grid containing one of the program names in each
`
`grid containing one of the program names in each
`
`entry. The grid has a channel axis for referencing the
`
`entry. The grid has a channel axis for referencing the
`
`channel indicators and a time axis for referencing the
`
`channel indicators and a time axis for referencing the
`
`corresponding times of each of the scheduled
`
`corresponding times of each of the scheduled
`
`television programs. The order of entries along the
`
`television programs. The order of entries along the
`
`channel axis is based on the frequency of user
`
`channel axis is based on the frequency of user
`
`selections of each of the channels.
`
`selections of each of the channels.
`
`
`
`
`
`The computer provides the description of each
`
`The computer provides the description of each
`
`currently selected program to the television for
`
`currently selected program to the television for
`
`concurrent display with the schedule layout. The
`
`concurrent display with the schedule layout. The
`
`description provided for each television program
`
`description provided for each television program
`
`14
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`includes a text string stored by the computer which
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`includes a text string stored by the computer which
`
`describes the television program. The computer
`
`describes the television program. The computer
`
`provides the text string describing a television
`
`provides the text string describing a television
`
`program to the television for display when the
`
`program to the television for display when the
`
`program name of the television program is designated
`
`program name of the television program is designated
`
`in the grid by the user via an input device such as a
`
`in the grid by the user via an input device such as a
`
`remote control. The description provided for each
`
`remote control. The description provided for each
`
`television program also includes a picture-in-graphics
`
`television program also includes a picture-in-graphics
`
`display window. A picture-in-graphics display
`
`display window. A picture-in-graphics display
`
`window is similar to a picture-in-picture display
`
`window is similar to a picture-in-picture display
`
`window except that the reduced-size picture is
`
`window except that the reduced-size picture is
`
`displayed in a display window superimposed on a
`
`displayed in a display window superimposed on a
`
`computer graphics background. If the program is
`
`computer graphics background. If the program is
`
`currently being broadcast, the computer provides to
`
`currently being broadcast, the computer provides to
`
`15
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`the television to display in the picture-in-graphics
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`the television to display in the picture-in-graphics
`
`display window the program currently being
`
`display window the program currently being
`
`broadcast. Otherwise, the computer controls the
`
`broadcast. Otherwise, the computer controls the
`
`television to display a blank window, or, in an
`
`television to display a blank window, or, in an
`
`alternative embodiment, a bitmap for the network or
`
`alternative embodiment, a bitmap for the network or
`
`television program indicated by the bitmap indicator.
`
`television program indicated by the bitmap indicator.
`
`The bitmap is provided by the cable source. When a
`
`The bitmap is provided by the cable source. When a
`
`program has been selected for viewing as described
`
`program has been selected for viewing as described
`
`above, the selected program is displayed in full screen
`
`above, the selected program is displayed in full screen
`
`in place of the schedule layout. Thereafter, when the
`
`in place of the schedule layout. Thereafter, when the
`
`user changes channels, the program name, channel
`
`user changes channels, the program name, channel
`
`indicator and text string are displayed superimposed
`
`indicator and text string are displayed superimposed
`
`on the program displayed in a corner of the screen.
`
`on the program displayed in a corner of the screen.
`
`
`
`
`
`16
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`The computer system of the preferred embodiment
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`The computer system of the preferred embodiment
`
`also includes a video recorder. The computer controls
`
`also includes a video recorder. The computer controls
`
`the video recorder to record a television program
`
`the video recorder to record a television program
`
`when it is broadcast if the television program has
`
`when it is broadcast if the television program has
`
`been previously selected by the user to be recorded.
`
`been previously selected by the user to be recorded.
`
`In the preferred embodiment, the computer can
`
`In the preferred embodiment, the computer can
`
`control the video recorder to record the television
`
`control the video recorder to record the television
`
`program even when the television is not "ON". The
`
`program even when the television is not "ON". The
`
`user selects a program to be recorded by selecting the
`
`user selects a program to be recorded by selecting the
`
`program name of the program from the schedule
`
`program name of the program from the schedule
`
`layout. When the time of broadcast of the selected
`
`layout. When the time of broadcast of the selected
`
`television program is reached, the computer briefly
`
`television program is reached, the computer briefly
`
`displays the text string describing the selected
`
`displays the text string describing the selected
`
`program and then controls the video recorder to
`
`program and then controls the video recorder to
`
`17
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`record the selected program.
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`record the selected program.
`
`
`
`
`
`In the preferred embodiment, the user can also select
`
`In the preferred embodiment, the user can also select
`
`a television program to view or record with reference
`
`a television program to view or record with reference
`
`to a specific topic which defines the nature of the
`
`to a specific topic which defines the nature of the
`
`television program. The computer provides to the
`
`television program. The computer provides to the
`
`television, for display a list of topics. Each topic
`
`television for display a list of topics. Each topic
`
`corresponds to a set of the scheduled television
`
`corresponds to a set of the scheduled television
`
`programs fitting the category described by the topic,
`
`programs fitting the category described by the topic,
`
`such as movies, sports, and so forth. The topic list is
`
`such as movies, sports, and so forth. The topic list is
`
`displayed in an adaptively learned order based on the
`
`displayed in an adaptively learned order based on the
`
`number of television programs previously selected
`
`number of television programs previously selected
`
`from each topic. For example, if movies have been
`
`from each topic. For example, if movies have been
`
`selected most frequently, then a "movies" topic is
`
`selected most frequently, then a "movies" topic is
`
`18
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`displayed first in the topic list.
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`displayed first in the topic list.
`
`
`
`
`
`The user then designates a topic from the topic list via
`
`The user then designates a topic from the topic list via
`
`the input device. When the topic is designated, the
`
`the input device. When the topic is designated, the
`
`computer provides to the television for display a
`
`computer provides to the television for display a
`
`program list which lists the program names of the
`
`program list which lists the program names of the
`
`television programs defined by the selected topic. The
`
`television programs defined by the selected topic. The
`
`user selects a television program to view or record by
`
`user selects a television program to view or record by
`
`designating a program name in the displayed program
`
`designating a program name in the displayed program
`
`list via the input device. The computer updates and
`
`list via the input device. The computer updates and
`
`stores the number of television programs selected for
`
`stores the number of television programs selected for
`
`each topic. When the topic list is thereafter displayed,
`
`each topic. When the topic list is thereafter displayed,
`
`the topics are displayed in an order based on the
`
`the topics are displayed in an order based on the
`
`updated number of television programs selected for
`
`updated number of television programs selected for
`
`19
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`each topic.
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`each topic.
`
`
`
`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`
`
`
`
`Figure 1 is a block diagram of the computer system of
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the computer system of
`
`the preferred embodiment of the invention
`
`the preferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`Figure 2 is an illustration of the screen display
`
`FIG. 2 is an illustration of the screen display
`
`displayed in accordance with the preferred
`
`displayed in accordance with the preferred
`
`embodiment
`
`embodiment.
`
`Figure 3 is an illustration of the program table which
`
`FIG. 3 is an illustration of the program table which
`
`stores program information in the preferred
`
`stores program information in the preferred
`
`embodiment.
`
`embodiment.
`
`Figure 4 is a flow diagram of the selection program
`
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the selection program
`
`20
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`performed by the preferred embodiment.
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`performed by the preferred embodiment.
`
`Figure 5 is a flow diagram of the schedule routine
`
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the schedule routine
`
`performed by the selection program of Figure 4.
`
`performed by the selection program of FIG. 4.
`
`Figure 6 is a flow diagram of the change selection
`
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of the change selection
`
`routine performed by the schedule routine of Figure 5
`
`routine performed by the schedule routine of FIG. 5
`
`and the topics routine of Figure 7.
`
`and the topics routine of FIG. 7.
`
`Figure 7 is a flow diagram of the topics routine
`
`FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of the topics routine
`
`performed by the selection program of Figure 4.
`
`performed by the selection program of FIG. 4.
`
`Figure 8 is a flow diagram of the record program of
`
`FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of the record program of the
`
`the preferred embodiment.
`
`preferred embodiment.
`
`
`
`
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`The preferred embodiment of the present invention
`
`The preferred embodiment of the present invention
`
`21
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`provides a computer method and system for providing
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`provides a computer method and system for providing
`
`a user with efficient selection of television programs
`
`a user with efficient selection of television programs
`
`to view and record. The system layout and component
`
`to view and record. The system layout and component
`
`interrelationship of the preferred embodiment will be
`
`interrelationship of the preferred embodiment will be
`
`described first, followed by a detailed description of
`
`described first, followed by a detailed description of
`
`the processes that are performed on the system.
`
`the processes that are performed on the system.
`
`
`
`
`
`SYSTEM OVERVIEW
`
`SYSTEM OVERVIEW
`
` A
`
` block diagram of the computer system of the
`
` A
`
` block diagram of the computer system of the
`
`preferred embodiment is shown in Figure 1. The
`
`preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. The
`
`computer system of Figure 1 includes a computer 100
`
`computer system of FIG. 1 includes a computer 100
`
`which is connected to a cable source 110, a tuner 115,
`
`which is connected to a cable source 110, a tuner 115,
`
`an input device 120, a television 130 and a video
`
`an input device 120, a television 130 and a video
`
`22
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`recorder 140. In a preferred embodiment, the cable
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`recorder 140. In a preferred embodiment, the cable
`
`source 110 is a broad band coaxial cable over which a
`
`source 110 is a broad band coaxial cable over which a
`
`television cable provider sends television programs in
`
`television cable provider sends television programs in
`
`a broadcast signal and television program information
`
`a broadcast signal and television program information
`
`in a digital data stream. In alternate embodiments, the
`
`in a digital data stream. In alternate embodiments, the
`
`programs may be broadcast over other media such as
`
`programs may be broadcast over other media such as
`
`a standard television broadcast, direct broadcast via
`
`a standard television broadcast, direct broadcast via
`
`satellite, and so forth. As will be explained, the user
`
`satellite, and so forth. As will be explained, the user
`
`utilizes the computer 100 via the input device 120 to
`
`utilizes the computer 100 via the input device 120 to
`
`select a television program broadcast by the cable
`
`select a television program broadcast by the cable
`
`source 110. The input device 120 is a mouse, a
`
`source 110. The input device 120 is a mouse, a
`
`remote control pointing device, or the like. The cable
`
`remote control pointing device, or the like. The cable
`
`source 110 and the computer 100 control the tuner, or
`
`source 110 and the computer 100 control the tuner, or
`
`alternatively the tuner and the video recorder 140, to
`
`alternatively the tuner and the video recorder 140, to
`
`23
`
`
`
`US Application 08/241,743 Filed May 12, 1994 (Exhibit 1028)
`control the display of the selected television program
`
`US Patent No. 5,731,844 Filed August 13, 1996 (Exhibit 1002)
`control the display of the selected television program
`
`on the television 130. The computer also controls the
`
`on the television 130. The computer also controls the
`
`video recorder 140 to control the recording of the
`
`video recorder 140 to control the recording of the
`
`selected television program.
`
`selected television program.
`
`
`
`
`
`Specifically, the computer 100 contains a memory
`
`Specifically, the computer 100 contains a memory
`
`150 which stores a selection computer program 152.
`
`150 which stores a selection computer program 152.
`
`It should be noted that the memory 150 includes
`
`It should be noted that the memory 150 includes
`
`random access memory (RAM) in which data
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