USOO738.6871B1
`
`(12)
`
`United States Patent
`Knudson et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`(54) PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH
`REAL-TIME DATA SOURCES
`
`(75) Inventors: Edward B Knudson, Littleton, CO
`(US); David M. Rudnick, Denver, CO
`(US); Michael D Ellis, Boulder, CO
`(US); Daniel C Hagenbuch, Holland,
`PA (US); Joel G Hassell, Arvada, CO
`(US); Robert A Knee, Lansdale, PA
`(US); Steven J Reynolds, Littleton, CO
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc., Los
`Angeles, CA (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1470 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`6/1997 Alten et al. ................... 725/42
`5,635,978 A
`5,657,072 A * 8/1997 Aristides et al. .............. T25/46
`5,666,645 A
`9, 1997 Thomas et al. ............... 725/47
`5,740,549 A
`4/1998 Reilly et al. .................. TO5/14
`5,822, 123 A 10/1998 Davis et al. .................. 725/43
`5,887,243 A
`3/1999 Harvey et al. ...
`... 725,136
`5,931,908 A * 8/1999 Gerba et al. ................ TO9,219
`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`
`O 752 767 A2
`
`1/1997
`
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner Kieu-Oanh Bui
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Ropes & Gray LLP
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/307,004
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`A program guide system is provided in which an interactive
`Nov. 26, 2002
`television program guide that is implemented at least par
`Related U.S. Application Data
`tially on user television equipment receives program listings
`AV
`data and real-time data Such as sports scores, news data, and
`(63) Continuation of application No. 09/229,047, filed on
`the like. The real-time data may be stored in a database
`Jan. 12, 1999, now Pat. No. 6,536,041.
`maintained by the program guide, so that the program guide
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/089,486, filed on Jun.
`may access the stored real-time data at a later time. Updated
`16, 1998.
`program listings information may be provided to the pro
`s
`gram guide as part of the data stream in which the real-time
`(51) Int. Cl.
`data is provided. Unique keys may be generated for the
`(2006.01)
`H04N 5/45.5
`Rigi isingdata and Its s
`with
`(2006.01)
`H04N 7/6
`1ve event. The keys may be compared at the program guide
`(52) U.S. Cl. .......................... 7:59:25:29 to determine which program listings correspond to which
`s
`items of real-time data. A controllable ticker may be dis
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 725/39,
`played on top of a television program on the user television
`725/92, 100, 115, 132, 142
`equipment. The controllable ticker may be sponsored. Dif
`See application file for complete search history.
`ferent types of real-time data may be assigned different
`References Cited
`expiration times. When data has expired it may be removed
`from the database.
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,589,892 A 12/1996 Knee et al. ................... 725/43
`
`56 Claims, 30 Drawing Sheets
`
`30
`
`REAL-TIMEDATASOURCES
`REAL-TIME SPORTS 32
`AASOURCE
`REAL-TIME NEWS 34
`3
`DATASOURCE
`REAL-TIME
`STOCKMARKET
`AASOURCE
`
`36
`
`
`
`REAL-TIME
`DATA COLLECTION
`ACILTY
`
`40
`
`MANFACLITY
`PROGRAWSUDE
`DAABASE
`24
`
`22
`
`TEEVISION
`DSRIBUTION
`FACLY
`
`USER
`TELEVISION
`EQUIPMENT
`
`INFRARED
`TRANSMITTER
`
`DATABASE
`
`3
`
`
`
`
`
`58 TELEVISION
`
`
`
`-- 60
`
`1
`
`Comcast, Ex. 1201
`
`

`

`US 7,386.871 B1
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,002,394
`6,049,333
`6,052,145
`6,072,521
`6,209,130
`6,209,132
`6,216,265
`
`- - - - - - - - 725/39
`
`A 12, 1999 Schein et al. .........
`A
`4/2000 LaJoie et al. .....
`... 345,7.
`A
`4/2000 Macrae et al. ....
`... 725/50
`... T25,81
`A
`6/2000 Harrison et al. ..
`... 725/50
`B1
`3f2001 Rector et al. .....
`725,141
`B1
`3/2001 Harrison et al. ..
`B1
`4/2001 Roop et al. ...........
`- - - - - - - - 725/54
`
`
`
`6,268,849 B1*
`2002/0090203 A1
`
`7/2001 Boyer et al. ..................
`7/2002 Mankovitz ...................
`
`725/40
`386.83
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`WO 96,27989
`9, 1996
`WO 97/42763
`11, 1997
`
`WO
`WO
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 1 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`30
`
`REAL-TIME DATA SOURCES
`REAL-TIME SPORTS
`32
`DATA SOURCE
`REAL-TIME NEWS 34
`DATA SOURCE
`REAL-TIME
`36
`STOCKMARKET /
`DATA SOURCE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`REAL-TIME
`DATA COLLECTION
`FACILITY
`
`40
`
`
`
`
`MAN FACLITY
`PROGRAM GUIDE
`DATABASE
`24
`
`
`
`22
`48
`
`
`
`USER
`TELEVISION
`EQUIPMENT
`
`TELEVISION
`PSERY TION
`
`57
`
`50
`
`56
`
`50
`
`48 55 52
`
`NFRARED
`TRANSMITTER
`
`ET-TOP
`Six
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`--
`DATABASE
`3
`t-y
`REMOTE
`CONTROL
`
`
`
`FIG. 1
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 2 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`
`
`MOVIES
`
`SPORTS
`
`PAY-PER
`VIEW
`
`MAINMENU 74
`BY TIME
`
`76
`
`BY CHANNEL
`
`WHAT'S HOT
`
`78
`
`WHAT'S ON 88
`NOW
`
`MESSAGES
`
`INFORMATION
`SERVICES
`
`FIG. 2
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 3 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`
`
`CH 6 MOVIE : TERMINATOR
`
`CH7 SENFELD
`
`FIG. 3
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`Jun.10,2008
`
`Sheet 4 of 30
`Sheet4 0f30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3..02:.m:EéoommHomjmmO._.>._._ZDEOn_n_OTE>>mum:mo_>omn_
`
`
`MES/mm220.52
`ézoEoQmo<55
`
`825:25.8%
`oz<mmozimmEmEéoommO._,sz. mmEbmm1»2_E0220
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`
`>>m_>-mmn_-><n_>>m_>-mm_n_-><n_
`n:mm<IomDan:mm<IQm3m
`mo_>omn_mo_>omn_mo
`
`
`2:5
`
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`F:
`
`0:we
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`me
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`
`
`
`ézoEQEEmma
`
`
`
`.di20.258;
`
`
`
`
`
`022%:mmzbmjmw
`
`n_O02.0moumm
`
`
`
`mo”.2<mwoma
`
`#2me
`
`O-INÍ
`0.2.
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`
`mmmmmmmEm:xomummmE1mm:5mmwmmmm$888%fig
`20m_558%Qz<eEéeommoz<
`
`amoomm
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 5 Of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`SPORTS MENU
`
`TODAY'S GAMES
`
`112
`
`
`
`
`
`WHAT'S ON NOW O 118
`
`
`
`HGHLIGHTS THES WEEK
`
`SCORES
`
`FIG. 5
`
`120
`
`122
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 6 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`
`
`SPORTS
`- WHAT'S ON NOW --
`
`OR OLES AT RED SOX4-33rd
`---
`
`54 WCLA GOLF
`
`8:30-9:30p
`
`72 WHEN TENNIS
`
`8:30 - 10:00p
`
`86 WSUS SKING
`
`8:30 - 11p
`
`FIG. 6
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 7 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`
`
`TODAY'S GAMES
`
`NETSAT HAWKS 45-58 4: 102nd
`
`O
`
`BULLSAT CETCS 37 - 36 3:45 2nd O
`PISTONS AT HORNETS98-98:0:324th 140
`KNICKSAT PACERS 101-90 FINAL
`-----.S.-- 144
`PHILLIES AT PIRATES 8:30 - 10:30p O
`ORIOLESAT RED SOX 8:30 - 10:30p O
`
`FIG. 7
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 8 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`RECEIVE PROGRAM LISTINGS DATA AND
`STORE iN DATABASE
`
`149
`
`RECEIVE REAL-TIME DATA, DISPLAY REAL
`TIME DATA AND ASSOCATED PROGRAM 150
`LISTINGS AND STORE IN DATABASE
`USERDIRECTS PROGRAM
`GUIDE TO DISPLAY PROGRAM
`GUIDESCREEN
`ACCESS STORED REAL-TIME DATA AND
`ASSOCATED PROGRAM LISTINGS AND
`DSPLAY ONUSER TELEVISION
`EQUIPMENT
`
`152
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PURGE STORED NON - PROGRAMMING
`DATA FROM DATABASE
`
`154
`
`FIG. 8
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 9 Of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`158
`
`160
`
`START DATE
`
`START TIME
`
`CATEGORY OF EVENT
`(E.G., MAJOR LEAGUE
`BASEBALL)
`
`162
`
`
`
`IDENTIFIER FOREVENT
`WITHINCATEGORY
`(E.G., INDICATORFOR
`HOME TEAM)
`
`164
`
`FIG. 9
`
`156
`
`KEY GENERATOR
`
`UNIQUE KEY
`
`166
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 10 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`168
`
`172
`
`
`
`MANTAIN PROGRAM GUIDE
`DATABASEAT MAIN FACILITY THAT
`HAS KEYS ASSOCIATED WITH
`PROGRAMLISTINGS DATA FOR
`LIVE EVENTS BY GENERATINGA
`UNIQUE KEYEACHTIME ALIVE
`EVENT SADDED TO THE
`DATABASE
`
`CREATE A UNIQUE KEY FOREACH
`EVENTAT DATA SOURCE USING
`SAME ALGORTHM USED TO
`GENERATE KEYS AT MAIN
`FACILITY
`
`
`
`
`
`DISTRIBUTE KEYS TO THE
`PROGRAM GUIDE WITH REAL -
`TIME EVENT DATA
`
`DISTRIBUTE PROGRAM LISTINGS
`DATA AND ASSOCATED KEYS TO
`DATABASEMAINTAINED BY THE
`PROGRAM GUIDE
`
`
`
`/
`
`174
`
`176
`
`
`
`COMPARE EVENT KEYS RECEIVED FROMSOURCE OF
`REAL-TIME DATAKEYS STORED IN THE DATABASE
`MAINTAINED BY THE PROGRAM GUIDE TO DETERMINE
`WHICH EVENT DATA IS ASSOCATED WITH WHCH
`PROGRAM LISTINGS DATA
`
`SIMULTANEOUSLY DISPLAY PROGRAM LISTINGS FOR
`EVENTS AND ASSOCATED EVENT DATA USING
`PROGRAM GUIDE
`
`178
`
`FIG 10
`
`12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 11 of 30
`
`US 7,386.871 B1
`
`MAN FACLITY
`
`MAIN FACLITY
`
`
`
`
`
`7-3.
`PROGRAM
`LISTINGS
`DATA
`
`30
`
`DATA SOURCES
`LIVE EVENT DATA AND
`UPDATED PROGRAM
`LISTINGS INFORMATION
`26
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROGRAM LIVE EVENT DATA
`LISTINGS AND UPDATED
`PROGRAM LISTINGS
`NFORMATION
`USER TELEVISIONEQUIPMENT
`DATABASE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`53
`
`48
`
`FIG 11
`
`13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 12 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`
`
`DISTRIBUTE UPDATED PROGRAM
`LISTINGS DATA AS PART OF LIVE
`EVENT DATA FEED
`
`UPDATE DATABASE MANTANED BY
`THE PROGRAM GUIDE USING
`UPDATED PROGRAM LISTINGS DATA
`FROM LIVE EVENT DATA FEED
`
`USE UPDATED PROGRAM LISTINGS
`DATA FOR PROGRAM GUIDE
`FUNCTIONS SUCH AS DISPLAYING
`PROGRAMLSTNGS
`
`FIG. 12
`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 13 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`188
`
`190
`
`186
`
`188
`
`186
`
`
`
`198
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VIDEO FORCHANNEL 4
`
`(MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL)
`PHILLIESATPIRATEs (3 Too)TOP OF 3rd
`
`
`
`C.
`
`VIDEO FORCHANNEL 4
`
`{NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE >
`BRONCOSAT REDSKINS
`O 8-10p
`
`
`
`196
`
`VIDEO FORCHANNEL 4
`
`MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL)
`ORIOLESAT RED SOX(5TO 3) FINAL
`
`15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 14 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`PROVIDE USER WITH OPPORTUNITY TO
`NVOKE CONTROLLABLE TICKER OVER
`TELEVISION PROGRAM OR OTHER
`DISPLAY
`
`
`
`200
`
`USER PRESSES PLAY
`
`DISPLAY CONTROLLABLE TICKER
`
`USER PRESSES
`RIGHTILEFT
`CURSORKEY
`
`
`
`CHANGE CATEGORY
`FOR cy ABLE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USER PRESSES
`UP/DOWN
`CURSOR KEY
`
`CHANGE TO NEXT TEM
`OF STATUS
`NFORMATION FOR THE
`SAME CATEGORY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`206
`
`FIG. 14a
`
`16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 15 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROVIDE USER WITH OPPORTUNITY TO
`NVOKE CONTROLLABLE TICKER OVER
`TELEVISION PROGRAM OR OTHER
`DISPLAY
`USER PRESSES PLAY
`
`280
`
`DISPLAY AUTOMATICALLY SCROLLING
`CONTROLLABLE TICKER
`
`
`
`USER PRESSESKEY
`(E.G., CURSORKEY
`OR STOPKEY)
`
`DISPLAY STATIONARY
`CONTROLLABLE TICKER
`
`USER PRESSES PRESE
`RIGHTILEFT
`CURSOR KEY PLAY
`ELAPSES
`CHANGE CATEGORY
`FOR
`CONTROLLABLE
`TICKER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USER PRESSES
`UP/DOWN
`CURSOR KEY
`CHANGE TO NEXT
`ITEM OF STATUS
`INFORMATION FOR
`THE SAME
`CATEGORY
`
`
`
`
`
`288
`
`FIG. 14b)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 16 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`PROVIDE USER WITH OPPORTUNITY 208
`TO EXIT CONTROLLABLE TICKER
`
`USER PRESSES EXIT
`KEY
`STORECURRENTCATEGORY AND
`STATUS INFORMATION TEM
`
`20
`
`212
`
`USER INVOKES
`CONTROLLABLE TCKER
`DISPLAY CONTROLLABLE TICKER
`USING MOST RECENT CATEGORY
`ANDFIRST STATUS INFORMATION
`ITEM FOR THAT CATEGORY OR
`MOST RECENT STATUS
`INFORMATION TEM
`USER PRESSES INFO
`KEY
`DISPLAY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
`RELATED TO DISPLAYED STATUS
`INFORMATION TEM
`
`213
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 15
`
`18
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 17 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`
`
`218a
`
`218b.
`
`218C
`
`SELECT PREFERENCES
`
`- 216
`SELECT GENERAL CATEGORY: KSPORTSD
`
`SPECIFIC
`CATEGORY
`LEAGUE
`
`KFOOTBALL.D
`
`KDREMOVE
`
`KNFL>
`
`ADD KDREMOVE
`
`CONFERENCE
`
`KAFCD
`
`ADD ki>REMOVE
`
`2180
`
`TEAM
`
`KDENVER BRONCOSD ADD (DREMOVE
`
`FINISH <> CANCE
`
`FIG. 16
`
`19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 18 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`
`
`SET-UPMENU
`
`STEREO
`
`ONKd OFF
`
`222
`
`VIDEO MODE
`FAVORITES MODE
`
`KTHEATRE >
`ONKIDOFF
`
`220
`
`FIG. 17
`
`20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 19 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`
`
`DISPLAY CONTROLLABLE TICKER
`
`PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR USER
`TO CHANGE CATEGORY OR ITEM TO
`NEXT FAVORITE
`
`USER PRESSES
`FAVORITES KEY
`
`CHANGE TO NEXT CATEGORY OR
`ITEM BASED ON PREFERENCES
`
`FIG. 18
`
`21
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 20 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROVIDE USER WITH OPPORTUNITY
`TO SETUP PREFERENCES FOR
`CONTROLLABLE TICKER
`
`224
`
`PROVIDE USER WITHOPPORTUNITY 22
`TO INVOKE FAVORITES MODE
`
`PROVIDE USER WITH OPPORTUNITY
`TO INVOKE CONTROLLABLE TICKER
`
`228
`
`USER PRESSES PLAY
`230
`
`DISPLAY CONTROLLABLE TICKER
`WITH DSPLAYED ITEMS LIMITED TO
`TEMS THAT SATISFY THE USER'S
`SELECTED PREFERENCES
`
`FIG. 19
`
`22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 21 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`DATA TYPE
`
`
`
`EXPRATION TIME
`
`GAME PREVIEW
`
`GAME START TIME + 15 MINUTES
`
`GAME RECAP
`
`ROLLOVER TIME
`
`SCORE UPDATE
`
`UPDATE TIME + 10 MINUTES
`
`EVENT UPDATE
`
`UPDATE TIME + 30 MINUTES
`
`LEAGUE SCORES
`
`ROLLOVER TIME
`
`LEAGUE
`SCHEDULES
`
`VARIABLE - BASED ON SPORT,
`EXTENT OF SCHEDULE
`
`TEAMNOTES
`
`7 DAYS
`
`ALL OTHERS
`
`UPDATE TIME + 5 MINUTES
`
`FIG. 20
`
`23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 22 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DELETEEACH CATEGORY OF DATA
`AS ITS EXPRATION TIMES
`REACHED
`
`ATROLLOVER TIME, REMOVE ANY
`DATA SCHEDULED TOEXPIREAT
`ROLLOVER TIME
`
`REPLENISH LISTINGS DATABASE
`
`PROVIDE NEW REAL-TIME DATA TO
`REPLACE DATA THAT HAS EXPRED
`
`
`
`266
`
`268
`
`270
`
`272
`
`FIG. 21
`
`24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 23 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`PROVIDE GAME PREVIEW
`INFORMATION
`
`PROVIDE GAME RECAP
`NFORMATION
`
`PROVIDE SCORE UPDATE
`INFORMATION
`
`PROVIDE EVENT UPDATE
`INFORMATION
`
`PROVIDE LEAGUE SCORES
`INFORMATION
`
`232
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`234
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`236
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`238
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`240
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`PROVIDE LEAGUE SCHEDULES
`NFORMATION
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`242
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`244
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`246
`
`PROVIDE TEAMNOTES
`INFORMATION
`
`PROVIDE OTHER
`INFORMATION
`
`FIG. 22
`
`25
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10
`
`9
`
`2008
`
`Sheet 24 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.10,2008
`
`Sheet25 0f30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 26 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`SPONSOR
`LOGO
`
`SPONSORED
`DISPLAY SCREEN
`WITH REAL-TIME
`DATA (E.G., PROGRAM
`LISTINGS SCREEN, CONTROLLABLE
`TICKER, OR OTHER PROGRAM
`GUIDESCREEN)
`
`310
`
`312
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`308
`
`
`
`SPONSOR'S TELEVISION
`CHANNEL
`
`314
`
`FIG.25
`
`28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 27 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`FIG. 26
`
`MAINMENU
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`NIKE GOLF UPDATE
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`322
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`324
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`316
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`328
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`332
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`330
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`29
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 28 of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`MASKED
`
`
`
`MASKED
`
`VIDEO
`FORCURRENT
`TELEVISION
`CHANNEL
`
`CONTROLLABLE TICKER
`
`FIG.27a
`
`30
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 29 Of 30
`
`US 7,386,871 B1
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`
`
`VIDEO
`FORCURRENT
`TELEVISION
`CHANNEL
`
`CONTROLLABLE
`TICKER
`
`FIG.27b.
`
`31
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 10, 2008
`
`Sheet 30 of 30
`
`US 7,386.871 B1
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`
`
`VIDEO
`FORCURRENT
`TELEVISION
`CHANNEL
`
`CONTROLLABLE
`TICKER
`
`FIG.27C
`
`32
`
`

`

`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`1.
`PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH
`REAL-TIME DATA SOURCES
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 09/229,047, filed Jan. 12, 1999, which claims
`the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/089,486,
`filed Jun. 16, 1998, which are hereby incorporated by
`reference herein in their entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to interactive television program
`guides, and more particularly, to techniques for providing
`real-time data to Supplement the program listings data used
`in interactive television program guides.
`Interactive television program guides allow television
`users to view television program listings on their televisions.
`Program guides also allow users to display program listings
`in various formats, to perform genre-based searches for
`programs of interest, to order pay-per-view programs, etc.
`Interactive program guides are typically implemented on
`microprocessor-based set-top boxes. Program listings data is
`transmitted to the set-top boxes from a centralized data
`distribution facility via the user's cable system headend. The
`program listings data is typically stored in a database in the
`set-top box, where it may be accessed by the interactive
`program guide.
`Much of the program listings information displayed on
`the user's television is fairly static. The titles and scheduled
`broadcast times for most television programs do not change
`once they have been established. However, some of the
`information that may be presented in the program guide may
`be dynamic. For example, sports scores may be presented in
`the program guide next to the program titles for certain
`sports events. This type of information changes frequently.
`If real-time data on sports scores is provided to the program
`guide, the guide may continually display up-to-the-minute
`scores with the program listings in real time. Data services
`that use real-time information Such as news services may
`also be provided. A program guide system that provides
`some of these real-time data services is described in U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,589,892. Although the system of the 892 patent
`is in many respects satisfactory, it would be desirable to be
`able to provide a program guide system with a number of
`improvements.
`In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present
`invention to provide a program guide system that allows
`real-time data Such as sports scores to be stored in the
`database maintained on the user's set-top box or other
`Suitable program guide platform. At a later time (e.g., after
`the conclusion of a sporting event), the scores may be
`retrieved and displayed by the program guide.
`It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
`program guide system that allows updated program listings
`information to be provided using the same data path as the
`real-time data.
`It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
`program guide system in which unique keys may be gener
`ated to facilitate the matching of real-time data entries and
`the program listings with which they are associated.
`It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
`program guide system that displays a controllable ticker
`containing real-time information on the user's display Screen
`on top of a television program.
`
`2
`It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
`program guide system in which real-time data is stored by
`the program guide in a database and in which different
`expiration times may be established for different types of
`stored real-time data.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`These and other objects of the invention are accomplished
`in accordance with the principles of the present invention by
`providing an interactive television program guide system in
`which an interactive television program guide is imple
`mented on user television equipment or other Suitable plat
`form Such as a client-server based arrangement. In a client
`server arrangement, the program guide is partially
`implemented on a server and partially implemented on a
`client. Server functions may be performed by the portion of
`the program guide that is implemented on a central server
`and client functions may be performed by the portion of the
`program guide that is implemented on the user television
`equipment. The user television equipment may be based on
`a set-top box or other Suitable platform and may contain a
`Videocassette recorder for recording television programs and
`a television.
`A main facility contains a program guide database in
`which program listings data is stored. The program listings
`data contains program titles, broadcast times, and other
`Suitable television program schedule information that may
`be displayed for the user by the program guide. The program
`listings data is distributed to multiple television distribution
`facilities, each of which distributes the program listings data
`to the user television equipment of multiple users.
`A source of real-time data, which may be either one or
`more real-time data Sources or a real-time data collection
`facility that receives data from real-time data sources pro
`vides real-time data to the television distribution facilities.
`The real-time data may contain sports scores for games in
`progress, current news, current financial or weather infor
`mation, etc. Each television distribution facility may dis
`tribute the real-time data to the program guides associated
`with that television distribution facility.
`The program listings data and the real-time data may be
`stored in a database maintained by the program guide. The
`database may be located on the user television equipment,
`on a server on which at least part of the program guide is
`implemented, or a combination of Such locations or other
`Suitable location. If desired, the program guide may access
`the stored real-time data after the conclusion of a live event
`with which the data was originally associated.
`Updated program schedule information may be provided
`to the program guide implemented on the user television
`equipment or other platform as part of the real-time data
`stream from the source of real-time data. This data distri
`bution path is particularly Suitable for program listings
`updates of the type that might naturally occur at the source
`of real-time data. For example, if the scheduled time for a
`game changes due to a weather delay, information concern
`ing the delay may be most readily obtained at the Source of
`real-time data. Because the game delay affects the scheduled
`broadcast time of that game, the game delay is of the type
`of program listings data that may be provided to the program
`guide as part of the real-time data stream.
`In order to match each item of real-time data for a live
`event with the corresponding program listings data for that
`event, a key generator is used at both the main facility and
`the source of real-time data. The key generator at the main
`facility generates a unique key for each program listing
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`3
`based on attributes of the program listing Such as start date,
`start time, category of event, etc. The key generator at the
`Source of real-time data generates a unique key for each item
`of real-time data associated with an event using the same
`algorithm as the key generator at the main facility. The keys
`that are generated at the main facility are distributed to the
`program guide implemented on the user television equip
`ment or other suitable platform with their associated pro
`gram listings data. Similarly, the keys that are generated at
`the source of real-time data are distributed to the program
`guide with their associated real-time data. At the user
`television equipment or other suitable platform, the keys for
`the program listings are compared to the keys for the
`real-time data. Program listings are matched with real-time
`databased on which keys match.
`A controllable ticker may be displayed on the user's
`television display screen. The controllable ticker contains a
`user-selectable category and a user-selectable status infor
`mation item. Illustrative categories that may be selected by
`the user include different sports or sports leagues, etc.
`Illustrative status information items that may be selected by
`the user include games in the selected category. The con
`trollable ticker may be displayed on a user's screen on top
`of a television program.
`The user may use right and left cursor keys or any other
`Suitable user interface to change the category for the con
`trollable ticker. When the user changes the category for the
`controllable ticker the controllable ticker may display the
`most recently viewed status information item for that cat
`egory or the first status information item for that category.
`The user may set up preferences for different categories
`and status information items. For example, the user may set
`up a favorite category as being the sport “baseball.” The user
`may invoke a favorites mode in which the categories dis
`played in the controllable ticker are limited to categories that
`satisfy the user's preferences. The user may also switch
`between different categories using a special remote control
`button such as a “favorites' button that directs the control
`lable ticker to display only categories that satisfy the user's
`preferences. A television icon may be provided with the
`status information item when the status information item
`relates to a television program that is available on the user
`television equipment. The user may direct the program guide
`to record programs from the controllable ticker or may direct
`the program guide to tune to the channel associated with a
`selected status information item from the controllable ticker.
`The user may also set reminders from the controllable ticker
`and may purchase pay television programs from the con
`trollable ticker.
`The real-time data stored in the database maintained by
`the program guide may be periodically purged from the
`database. The system may assign different expiration times
`to different types of data. For example, game preview
`information may be removed from the database 15 minutes
`after a game starts. Several types of real-time data may be
`removed from the database at a daily rollover time (e.g.,
`7:00 AM). Other suitable expiration times may be estab
`lished to handle data types such as game recaps, score
`updates, event updates, league scores, league schedules,
`team notes, etc.
`Further features of the invention, its nature and various
`advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying
`drawings and the following detailed description of the
`preferred embodiments.
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`4
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of an illustrative interactive television
`program guide system in accordance with the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 2 is an illustrative main menu screen that may be
`used to provide various program guide options in accor
`dance with the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is an illustrative what’s on now program guide
`screen that may be provided in accordance with the present
`invention.
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating steps involved in
`recording programs, tuning to programs, setting reminders
`for programs, and purchasing programs in accordance with
`the present invention.
`FIG. 5 is an illustrative sports menu program guide screen
`that may be provided by the program guide in accordance
`with the present invention.
`FIG. 6 is an illustrative sports what’s on now program
`guide screen that may be provided by the program guide in
`accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 7 is an illustrative today's games program guide
`screen that may be provided by the program guide in
`accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 8 is a flow chart of steps involved in providing
`real-time data to the program guide and storing the real-time
`data in a database on the user television equipment in
`accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a diagram of an illustrative key generator
`arrangement showing typical key generator inputs in accor
`dance with the present invention.
`FIG. 10 is a flow chart of steps involved in using the key
`generator of FIG. 9 to ensure that program listings data is
`paired with corresponding real-time data in accordance with
`the present invention.
`FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating how program listings
`information may be provided to the program guide as part of
`a real-time data feed in accordance with the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 12 is a flow chart of steps involved in distributing
`program listings data to the program guide as part of the
`real-time data feed in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 13 is a diagram of three user television equipment
`screens each of which contain an illustrative controllable
`ticker in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 14a is a flow chart of steps involved in changing
`categories and status information items in a controllable
`ticker such as the controllable ticker of FIG. 13 in accor
`dance with the present invention.
`FIG. 14b is a flow chart of steps involved in using an
`automatically scrolling controllable ticker in accordance
`with the present invention.
`FIG. 15 is a flow chart of steps involved in providing a
`controllable ticker such as shown in FIG. 13 in accordance
`with the present invention.
`FIG. 16 is an illustrative select preferences screen that
`may be provided to allow a user to select certain favorite
`settings in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 17 is an illustrative set-up menu screen that may be
`provided to allow the user to turn favorites mode on and off
`in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 18 is a flow chart of steps involved in displaying
`categories and status information items in the controllable
`ticker that satisfy the user's preferences by pressing a
`dedicated favorites button in accordance with the present
`invention.
`
`34
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`

`

`US 7,386,871 B1
`
`5
`FIG. 19 is a flow chart of steps involved in displaying only
`those categories and status information items in the control
`lable ticker that satisfy the user's preferences by invoking a
`favorites mode in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 20 is a table showing illustrative expiration times for
`different types of real-time data in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 21 is a flow chart of steps involved in removing
`expired real-time data from the database maintained by the
`program guide in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 22 is a flow chart of steps involved in providing
`various types of real-time data to the user television equip
`ment in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 23 is a flow chart of steps involved in displaying
`different types of real-time data on the user television
`equipment in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 24 is a diagram showing how a controllable ticker
`may be sponsored in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 25 is a diagram showing how a display screen with
`real-time data may be sponsored in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 26 is a diagram showing illustrative links to and
`from an illustrative sponsored display screen containing
`real-time data in accordance with the present invention.
`FIGS. 27a, 27b, and 27.c are diagrams showing illustrative
`controllable ticker arrangements in accordance with the
`present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`An illustrative interactive television program guide sys
`tem 20 in accordance with the present invention is shown in
`FIG. 1. Main facility 22 contains a program guide database
`24 for storing program guide information Such as television
`program guide listings data, pay-per-view ordering informa
`tion, television program promotional information, etc. The
`program guide information that is stored in program guide
`database 24 is typically generated using a fairly involved
`process in which data is verified and manipulated in various
`ways prior to storage in database 24. Information from
`database 24 is preferably transmitted to multiple television
`distribution facilities such as television distribution facility
`26 in parallel via communications links such as communi
`cations link 28. Only one such television distribution facility
`26 is shown in FIG. 1 to avoid over-complicating the
`drawing. Each link 28 may be a satellite link, a telephone
`network link, a cable or fiber-optic link, a microwave link,
`a combination of Such links, or any other suitable commu
`nications path. If it is desired to transmit video signals over
`50
`link 28 in addition to text and graphics data signals, a
`relatively high bandwidth link such as a satellite link is
`generally preferable to a relatively low bandwidth link such
`as a telephone line.
`Television distribution facility 26 is a facility for distrib
`uting television signals to users, such as a cable system
`headed, a broadcast distribution facility, or a satellite tele
`vision distribution facility.
`Real-time data sources 30 such as real-time sports score
`Source 32, real-time news data source 34, and real-time
`stock market data source 36 are used to gather information
`Such as sports scores, stock quotes, and the like from various
`sporting and news events. Real-time information from real
`time data sources 30 may be provided to each of the
`television distribution facilities 26 by providing this in