Merging multi-source information in a television system
AssigneeStarsight Telecast, Inc.
InventorBrian Lee Klosterman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a scheme for merging television schedule information received from multiple sources (26, 28, 30 and 34). In the preferred embodiment, a microprocessor (36) mixes and sorts the schedule information received from multiple source devices (26, 28, 30 or 34). The schedule information is then displayed in a television schedule guide (50). A user can select a program (60 or 62) by pointing to that program in the displayed schedule information (50). The system (10) then carries out an automatic switching/tuning such that the required source device (26, 28, 30 or 34) is input to the destination device (22), and a tuner is then tuned to the selected program's channel (52).
Claims32
A method for providing a consolidated channel guide information listing to a television system, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving individual channel guide information listings from at least two information sources by a merging system;
- merging at least a portion of each of said individual channel guide information listings to form the consolidated channel guide information listing;
- providing the consolidated listing to the television system, wherein the consolidated listing provided to the television system contains program listings for at least two signal providing sources, and a signal source identifier for each program listing, each identifier identifying one of said signal providing sources;
- and thereafter
- generating a display of at least a portion of the consolidated channel guide information listing.
An information merging system, comprising:
- a receiver for receiving individual channel guide information listings from at least two information sources;
- a microprocessor coupled to said receiver, said microprocessor merging at least a portion of each of said individual channel guide information listings into a consolidated channel guide information listing;
- a signal provider, wherein said signal provider provides said consolidated listing to a television system, wherein said consolidated listing provided to said television system contains program listings for at least two signal providing sources, and a signal source identifier for each program listing, each identifier identifying one of said signal providing sources;
- and
- a display generator, coupled to said television system, for generating a display of at least a portion of said consolidated channel guide information listing.
A method for operating a television system having multiple signal providing sources, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving individual channel guide information listings from at least two information sources by a merging system;
- merging at least a portion of each of said individual channel guide information listings to form the consolidated channel guide information listing;
- providing the consolidated listing to the television system, wherein said consolidated listing provided to the television system contains program listings for at least two of the signal providing sources, and a signal source identifier for each program listing, each identifier identifying one of the signal providing sources;
- identifying a specific program from said consolidated listing;
- using said signal source identifier associated with said identified specific program to select a signal providing source from among the signal providing sources;
- and
- switching an input of said television system to said selected signal providing source.
A switching system having multiple signal providing sources, the system comprising:
- a receiver for receiving a consolidated channel guide information listing from an information source, wherein said consolidated listing contains program listings for at least two of the signal providing sources, and a signal source identifier for each program listing, each identifier identifying one of the signal providing sources;
- a memory, coupled to said receiver, for storing said consolidated listing;
- a display, coupled to said memory, for presenting at least a portion of said consolidated listing;
- a indicator for indicating a specific program from said presented portion of said consolidated listing;
- a controller, coupled to said memory, for receiving an indicator signal associated with said indicated specific program from said indicator, wherein said controller controls said switching system;
- and
- an emitter, coupled to said controller, for transmitting a control signal, said control signal switching an input on a television system to one of said multiple signal providing sources, said one of said multiple signal providing sources being identified by said signal source identifier associated with said specific program, and wherein said control signal tunes said television system to receive said specific program;
- wherein said specific program is displayed on said television system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.