US 7,254,823 B2 · Apparatus and method for constrained selection of favorite channels

Abstract

An interactive program guide system is provided in which an interactive program guide is implemented on user multi-media equipment of a user for displaying programming for a plurality of channels on the user equipment, wherein each channel carries primarily one of a plurality of media types. In the interactive program guide system, program listings data and information on the media types that are associated with each of the channels is supplied to the interactive program guide. The program guide system provides for designating a preferred media type which reflects the user's interests. The program guide system provides the user with the option of designating favorite channels, and with the option of channel selection, while constraining channel selection to the favorite channels of the preferred media type. The user is provided with the option of displaying program listings, tuning to channels, or browsing among channels, constrained to favorite channels of the preferred media type.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method for providing access to content from a plurality of available media types with an interactive program guide comprising:

designating at least one television channel as a favorite channel based on user selections;
designating at least one of the available media types as a preferred media type for a current viewing session independently from designating a favorite channel;
providing a user with the ability to designate at least one favorite channel from each of the available media types;
and
providing the user with an option to navigate among only favorite channels of the preferred media types.

2 more elements

A system for providing access to content from a plurality of available media types, the system comprising:

a user input device configured to accept user selections;
and
user equipment configured to:
designate at least one television channel as a favorite channel based on user selections;
designate at least one of the available media types as a preferred media type for a current viewing session independently from designating a favorite channel;
provide a user with the ability to designate at least one favorite channel from each of the available media types, and
provide the user with an option to navigate among only favorite channels of the preferred media types.

4 more elements

Machine-readable media for providing access to content from a plurality of available media types, the media comprising machine-readable instructions executable by a computer processor recorded thereon for:

designating at least one television channel as a favorite channel based on user selections;
designating at least one of the available media types as a preferred media type for a current viewing session independently from designating a favorite channel;
providing a user with the ability to designate at least one favorite channel from each of the available media types;
and
providing the user with an option to navigate among only favorite channels of the preferred media types.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for constrained selection of favorite channels

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for constrained selection of favorite channels

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21