# US 8,782,706 B2 · Systems and methods for providing channel groups in an interactive media guidance application

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- Number: US 8,782,706 B2
- Document ID: US8782706B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/324,192
- Filed: 2005-12-29
- Published: 2007-07-05
- Granted: 2014-07-15
- Earliest claimed: 2005-12-29
- Assignees: United Video Properties, Inc.
- Applicants: Michael D Ellis
- Inventors: Michael D Ellis
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8782706B2

## CPC

- H04N 21/25891: {being end-user preferences (retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18)}
- H04N 5/445: for displaying additional information (H04N5/50 takes precedence)
- H04N 5/50: Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
- H04N 7/163: {by receiver means only}
- H04N 21/26283: {for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic programme guide data}
- H04N 21/44224: {Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing}
- H04N 21/4532: {involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences (monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18)}
- H04N 21/4542: {Blocking scenes or portions of the received content, e.g. censoring scenes}
- H04N 21/47214: {for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market (stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224)}
- H04N 21/4755: {for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre (retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306)}
- H04N 21/482: End-user interface for programme selection
- H04N 21/84: Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors {(systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73)}
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

The present invention relates an interactive media guidance application that provides channel groups. Channel groups may include media channels, such as television channels, radio stations, Internet web sites, etc. Channel groups may be organized around a common characteristic, by utilizing user profile information, and by human editorial selection (e.g., by a service provider or by a user). The guidance application provides information on the channel groups, including media listings, reminders, pending and completed recordings, purchased programs, and previously accessed programs for the channel group. The guidance application enables the user to focus a guidance application function on the channel group. In response to a user initiation to execute the function on the channel group, the function may be executed on all the media channels belonging to the channel group. Information on the channel group and access to functions that are executable on the channel group may be concentrated in a channel group portal screen of the guidance application.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for providing channel groups in an interactive media guidance application, the method comprising:
receiving, by a processor, a user selection of a plurality of media channels, wherein the plurality of media channels is a subset of the media channels received by user equipment;
defining a channel group that includes the user-selected media channels;
associating an interactive channel group element with the defined channel group;
generating for display a media listings grid comprising:
a plurality of media listings for a plurality of channels, organized by channel; and
the interactive channel group element for the channel group displayed as a channel;
receiving, by the processor, a user selection of the interactive channel group element;
responsive to receiving the user selection of the interactive channel group element, generating for display a list of functions of the guidance application available for execution on the channel group and generating for display a channel group screen providing information on the channel group, wherein the information includes media listings for the plurality of media channels of the channel group, and wherein an associated channel is identified for each of the media listings;
receiving, while the channel group screen is displayed, a user command to initiate a function of the list of functions of the guidance application on the channel group; and
executing the function on the channel group in response to the user command.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein executing the function comprises executing the function on each of the plurality of media channels.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a user command to initiate a function comprises receiving a user command to set the channel group as a favorite channel group, and wherein executing the function comprises setting the plurality of media channels as favorite media channels.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a user command to initiate a function comprises receiving a user command to block access to the channel group, and wherein executing the function comprises blocking access to the plurality of media channels using a password.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a user command to initiate a function comprises receiving a user command to subscribe to the channel group, and executing the function comprises subscribing a user to at least some of the plurality of media channels.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a user command to initiate a function comprises receiving a user command to set an alert for the channel group, and wherein executing the function comprises alerting a user when a condition is met for any of the plurality of media channels.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein defining a channel group comprises receiving a list of the plurality of media channels.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising receiving user modifications to the list.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein receiving a list of the plurality of media channels comprises receiving a list of media channels that share at least one common characteristic.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising providing access to a media program in response to a user selection of a corresponding media listing from the channel group screen.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein providing information on the channel group further comprises at least one of: providing a list of the plurality of media channels, providing media listings for the channel group, providing a list of on-demand media programs for the channel group, providing a list of reminders for the channel group, providing a list of pending recordings for the channel group, providing a list of recorded programs for the channel group, providing a listing of purchased programs for the channel group, and providing a viewing history of previously accessed programs for the channel group.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein providing a viewing history for the channel group comprises tracking a list of media programs accessed by a user through the channel group in a given time period.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein providing information on the channel group further comprises providing a preview for at least one of: an on-demand media program from the channel group, a recorded media program from the channel group, a purchased media program from the channel group, and a previously accessed media program for the channel group.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein providing a preview comprises generating for display a reduced scale video of a program.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein providing access to the information on the channel group comprises generating for display on the screen at least one of: a video clip promoting the channel group, a video clip promoting one of the plurality of media channels, a list of the plurality of media channels, promotional information on media programming accessible through the channel group, a live feed from one of the plurality of media channels, media listings for the channel group, and a list of the functions that are executable on the channel group.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein providing access to the information on the channel group comprises providing access on the screen to at least one of: a viewing history of the channel group, a list of reminders for the channel group, a list of pending recordings for the channel group, a list of completed recordings for the channel group, a list of purchased programs for the channel group, and on-demand media listings for the channel group.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein executing the function on the channel group comprises:
determining, for each media channel in the channel group, whether the function has already been executed on that media channel;
based on the determination, identifying a subset of media channels in the channel group on which the function has not been executed; and
executing the function on only the identified subset of media channels.

### Claim 18

A method for providing channel groups in an interactive television program guide application, the method comprising:
receiving, by a processor, a user selection of a plurality of television channels, wherein the plurality of television channels is a subset of the television channels received by user equipment;
defining a channel group that includes the user-selected television channels;
associating an interactive channel group element with the defined channel group;
generating for display a program listings grid comprising:
a plurality of program listings for a plurality of television channels, organized by channel; and
the interactive channel group element for the channel group displayed as a channel;
receiving, by the processor, a user selection of the interactive channel group element;
responsive to receiving the user selection of the interactive channel group element, generating for display a list of functions of the guidance application available for execution on the channel group and generating for display a channel group screen providing information on the channel group, wherein the information includes program listings for the plurality of television channels of the channel group, and wherein an associated channel is identified for each of the media listings;
receiving, while the channel group screen is displayed, a user command to initiate a function of the list of functions of the program guide application on the channel group; and
executing the function on the plurality of television channels in response to the user command.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a list of favorite television channels.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein receiving a user command to initiate a function comprises receiving a user command to block access to the channel group, and wherein executing the function comprises blocking access to the plurality of television channels using a password.

### Claim 21 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein receiving a user command to initiate a function comprises receiving a user command to subscribe to the channel group, and executing the function comprises subscribing a user to at least some of the plurality of television channels.

### Claim 22 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein providing information on the channel group further comprises providing a list of on-demand programs available through the channel group.

### Claim 23 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein providing information on the channel group further comprises providing a reduced scale video preview of a television program corresponding to a displayed program listing from the channel group screen.

### Claim 24 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein providing information on the channel group further comprises providing a reduced scale video of a live television broadcast from one of the plurality of television channels.

### Claim 25

An interactive media guidance system for providing channel groups comprising:
an interactive media guidance application implemented at least partially on circuitry configured to:
receive a user selection of a plurality of media channels, wherein the plurality of media channels is a subset of the media channels received by user equipment;
define a channel group that includes the user-selected media channels;
associate an interactive channel group element with the defined channel group;
generate for display a media listings grid comprising:
a plurality of media listings for a plurality of channels, organized by channel; and
the interactive channel group element for the channel group displayed as a channel;
receive a user selection of the interactive channel group element;
responsive to receiving the user selection of the interactive channel group element, generate for display a list of functions of the guidance application available for execution on the channel group and generate for display a channel group screen providing information on the channel group, wherein the information includes media listings for the plurality of media channels of the channel group, and wherein an associated channel is identified for each of the media listings;
receive, while the channel group screen is displayed, a user command to initiate a function of the list of functions of the guidance application on the channel group; and
execute the function on the channel group in response to the user command.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The system of claim 25, wherein the circuitry configured to execute the function is further configured to execute the function on each of the plurality of media channels.

### Claim 27 (depends on 25)

The system of claim 25, wherein the circuitry configured to:
receive a user command to initiate a function is further configured to receive a user command to set the channel group as a favorite channel group; and
execute the function is further configured to set the plurality of media channels as favorite media channels.

### Claim 28 (depends on 25)

The system of claim 25, wherein the circuitry configured to:
receive a user command to initiate a function is further configured to receive a user command to block access to the channel group; and
execute the function is further configured to block access to the plurality of media channels using a password.

### Claim 29 (depends on 25)

The system of claim 25, wherein the circuitry configured to:
receive a user command to initiate a function is further configured to receive a user command to subscribe to the channel group;
execute the function is further configured to subscribe a user to at least some of the plurality of media channels.

### Claim 30 (depends on 25)

The system of claim 25, wherein the circuitry configured to:
receive a user command to initiate a function is further configured to receive a user command to set an alert for the channel group; and
execute the function is further configured to alert a user when a condition is met for any of the plurality of media channels.

### Claim 31 (depends on 25)

The system of claim 25, wherein the circuitry configured to define a channel group is further configured to receive a list of the plurality of media channels.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The system of claim 31, wherein the circuitry is further configured to receive user modifications to the list.

### Claim 33 (depends on 31)

The system of claim 31, wherein the circuitry configured to receive a list of the plurality of media channels is further configured to receive a list of media channels that share at least one common characteristic.

### Claim 34 (depends on 25)

The system of claim 25, wherein the circuitry is further configured to provide access to a media program in response to a user selection of a corresponding media listing.

### Claim 35 (depends on 25)

The system of claim 25, wherein the circuitry configured to provide information on the channel group is further configured to provide at least one of: a list of the plurality of media channels, media listings for the channel group, a list of on-demand media programs for the channel group, a list of reminders for the channel group, a list of pending recordings for the channel group, a list of recorded programs for the channel group, a listing of purchased programs for the channel group, and a viewing history of previously accessed programs for the channel group.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The system of claim 35, wherein the circuitry configured to provide a viewing history for the channel group is further configured to track a list of media programs accessed by a user through the channel group in a given time period.

### Claim 37 (depends on 25)

The system of claim 25, wherein the circuitry configured to provide information on the channel group is further configured to provide a preview for at least one of: an on-demand media program from the channel group, a recorded media program from the channel group, a purchased media program from the channel group, and a previously accessed media program for the channel group.

### Claim 38 (depends on 37)

The system of claim 37, wherein the circuitry configured to provide a preview is further configured to generate for display a reduced scale video of a program.

### Claim 39 (depends on 25)

The system of claim 25, wherein the circuitry configured to provide access to the information on the channel group is further configured to generate for display on the screen at least one of: a video clip promoting the channel group, a video clip promoting one of the plurality of media channels, a list of the plurality of media channels, promotional information on media programming accessible through the channel group, a live feed from one of the plurality of media channels, media listings for the channel group, and a list of the functions that are executable on the channel group.

### Claim 40 (depends on 25)

The system of claim 25, wherein the circuitry configured to provide access to the information on the channel group is further configured to provide access on the screen to at least one of: a viewing history of the channel group, a list of reminders for the channel group, a list of pending recordings for the channel group, a list of completed recordings for the channel group, a list of purchased programs for the channel group, and on-demand media listings for the channel group.

### Claim 41

An interactive television program guide application for providing channel groups comprising:
an interactive media guidance application implemented at least partially on circuitry configured to:
receive a user selection of a plurality of television channels, wherein the plurality of television channels is a subset of the television channels received by user equipment;
define a channel group that includes the user-selected television channels;
associate an interactive channel group element with the defined channel group;
generate for display a program listings grid comprising:
a plurality of program listings for a plurality of television channels, organized by channel; and
the interactive channel group element for the channel group displayed as a channel;
receive a user selection of the interactive channel group element;
responsive to receiving the user selection of the interactive channel group element, generate for display a list of functions of the guidance application available for execution on the channel group and generate for display a channel group screen provide information on the channel group, wherein the information includes program listings for the plurality of television channels of the channel group, and wherein an associated channel is identified for each of the media listings;
receive, while the channel group screen is displayed, a user command to initiate a function of the list of functions of the program guide application on the channel group; and
execute the function on the plurality of television channels in response to the user command.

### Claim 42 (depends on 41)

The system of claim 41, wherein the circuitry is further configured to provide a list of favorite television channels.

### Claim 43 (depends on 41)

The system of claim 41, wherein the circuitry configured to:
receive a user command to initiate a function is further configured to receive a user command to set the channel group as a favorite channel group; and
execute the function is further configured to add the plurality of television channels to the list of favorite television channels.

### Claim 44 (depends on 41)

The system of claim 41, wherein the circuitry configured to:
receive a user command to initiate a function is further configured to receive a user command to block access to the channel group; and
execute the function is further configured to block access to the plurality of television channels using a password.

### Claim 45 (depends on 41)

The system of claim 41, wherein the circuitry configured to:
receive a user command to initiate a function is further configured to receive a user command to subscribe to the channel group; and
execute the function is further configured to subscribe a user to at least some of the plurality of television channels.

### Claim 46 (depends on 41)

The system of claim 41, wherein the circuitry configured to provide information on the channel group is further configured to provide a list of on-demand programs available through the channel group.

### Claim 47 (depends on 41)

The system of claim 41, wherein the circuitry configured to provide information on the channel group is further configured to provide a reduced scale video preview of a television program corresponding to a displayed program listing.

### Claim 48 (depends on 41)

The system of claim 41, wherein the circuitry configured to provide information on the channel group is further configured to provide a reduced scale video of a live television broadcast from one of the plurality of television channels.