US 2004O107439A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication ...

US 2004O107439A1

(19) United States

(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0107439 A1

HaSSell et al.

(43) Pub. Date:

Jun. 3, 2004

(54) ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE WITH

SUPPORT FOR RCH PROGRAM CONTENT

(75) Inventors: Joel G. Hassell, Arvada, CO (US); William L. Thomas, Bixby, OK (US); Michael D. Ellis, Boulder, CO (US)

Correspondence Address:

FISH & NEAVE

1251 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS

S. Sny 10020-1105 (US

K,

(US)

(73) Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc., Tulsa

OK

9s s

(21) Appl. No.: 10/722,780

(22) Filed:

Nov. 26, 2003

Related U.S. Application Data

(63) Continuation of application No. 09/500,080, filed on

Feb. 8, 2000.

(60) Provisional application No. 60/118,987, filed on Feb.

8, 1999.

Publication Classification

(51) Int. Cl." ......................... H04N 7/173; H04N 5/445;

G06F 13/00; G06F 3/00

(52) U.S. Cl. .............................. 725/44; 725/43; 725/109; 725/110; 725/51

(57)

ABSTRACT

An electronic program guide that assists a user to navigate

through a variety of digital and analog feeds made available by digital television technology is provided. Features Such

as allowing the user to purchase items, allowing the user to

choose the content of the display Screen, enabling more

efficient use of black areas, among others are provided. Default Settings based on prior user Settings is provided to allow for an automatically customized environment. This automatic customization may entail, for example, the auto matic resizing of windows based on the user's prior prefer ences. Also provided is a feature that allows for the auto matic activation of a local or remote application through the user's Set-top box based on the content currently being

viewed.

80

VIDEO WINDOW

BUSINESS NEWS

82 CHANNEL

ADVERTISEMENT

|

UPDATE WINDOW

90

TICKER

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Patent Application Publication Jun. 3, 2004 Sheet 1 of 45 US 2004/0107439 A1

62

30

1 34

MAIN FACILITY

32

PROGRAMGUIDE

DATABASE

38

?

R->

36

58

BAKNS FULFILLMENT

68 FACILITY

DATA

FACILITY

TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION

FACILITY

64 GAMING

SERVICES FACILITY

66 :

59

SN

VIDEOCASSETTE REMOTE RECORDER ................
................

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