Interactive video distribution systems – Operator interface – To facilitate tuning or selection of video signal
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-10
2001-03-27
Kostak, Victor R. (Department: 2611)
Interactive video distribution systems
Operator interface
To facilitate tuning or selection of video signal
C725S054000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209130
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to collecting television program data from television systems.
Cable, satellite, and broadcast television systems provide viewers with a large number of television channels. Users have traditionally consulted printed television program schedules to determine the programs being broadcast at a particular time. More recently, various passive and interactive television program guides have been developed that allow television program information to be displayed on a user's television.
For example, a passive program guide may be provided in the form of a continuously scrolling list of television program listings. Such a guide is typically provided on a dedicated television channel. A user can consult the scrolling listings by tuning to that channel.
Interactive program guides allow a user to navigate through television program listings using a remote control. Television listings are typically organized in a grid in which each row contains television program listings for a different channel and each column corresponds to a different scheduled broadcast time. The user can scroll up or down to view program listings for different channels or may pan left or right to view information about programs being broadcast at different times. Various navigational aids may be provided to help the user find program listings of interest.
The distribution system for a passive guide typically uses character generators located at cable system headends to generate scrolling program listings. Because each cable system has a different television program schedule, the character generators in the headends of each cable system must be provided with customized television program data. Such customized television program data is typically transmitted to each headend via satellite.
Passive scrolling guides for satellite television systems operate similarly. Television program data customized for the channel lineup and program schedule of a satellite service may be distributed on a dedicated satellite channel.
Interactive program guides are typically implemented on the set-top boxes or satellite receivers of individual users. Each set-top box or satellite receiver in a given cable or satellite system must be provided with television program data that is customized for that system. Typically, such program data is transmitted via satellite to each cable system headend or satellite distribution facility. The cable system headends and satellite distribution facilities for each television system retransmit the data to the users of that system using the vertical blanking interval or side band of a television channel.
A provider of television program guide data typically maintains a database of television program data such as program titles, ratings, running times, program summaries, reviews, etc. The data provider also must gather data concerning each television system's particular schedule, including the channel lineup, the programs scheduled for each channel and their scheduled broadcast times, pay-per-view pricing and ordering information, etc. Such data is gathered from a variety of sources, such as local television stations, cable systems, satellite systems, national networks, superstations, premium services, pay-per-view services, etc., each of which may have their own schedule information. The data provider customizes the program data for each television system to which program data is distributed.
The process of collecting television program data from its various sources is labor intensive. Television system personnel typically fill out forms by hand and fax or mail this information to the data provider. As a result, errors may be introduced into the data. For example, there is the possibility that errors will be introduced when forms are filled out improperly or when personnel at the data provider make a mistake in transcribing the information from the forms to the computer system at the data provider. Other errors may result from ambiguities in the data (e.g., when two programs share the same title). Resolving such ambiguities and eliminating other potential errors is burdensome for the data provider.
Moreover, there are personnel at the television system who would like to be able use a reliable electronic version of the schedule information contained in the forms. For example, personnel who sell commercial air time need to know precisely how much time is available for advertizing in various time slots.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved system for collecting television program data for use in passive and interactive television program guides.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This and other objects of the invention are accomplished in accordance with the principles of the present invention by providing a system for collecting schedules of television program data at a main facility. The main facility creates customized sets of program data. The customized sets of program data may be used by various television distribution facilities, such as cable system headends, satellite distribution facilities, and television broadcast facilities and may also be used by video and print distribution facilities. The main facility may distribute the program data to the television distribution facilities via a communications link such as a satellite link for use in passive or interactive electronic television program guides. The main facility may similarly distribute the program data to the video and print distribution facilities (e.g., for use in a printed television program guide). If desired, program data may include system-specific information such as pay-per-view pricing information, telephone numbers for pay-per-view ordering or other services, etc.
The electronic data collection features of the system allow personnel at television station office computers to access a database of program data maintained at the main facility and to construct program schedules electronically using this database. The system performs real-time error checking of the program schedules as they are constructed. For example, if the program schedule is made up of a grid of program titles, the real-time error checking may involve checking the grid for overlaps in adjacent grid cells, duplicate titles in adjacent grid cells, or excessive time gaps between grid cells.
Various editing tools may be used to facilitate program data entry in the schedule grid. For example, a program list may be provided that contains titles of television programs obtained from the database of program data at the main facility. Personnel at a television system office computer may select a desired title from the program list. The selected title may be added to the program schedule grid by clicking on an “add” button on the display screen of the schedule construction editing tool. A corresponding “erase cell” button may be provided for erasing a selected cell of program data from the grid.
Summary information associated with a selected title in the program list may be displayed in the program list for personnel constructing the program schedule to review prior to adding the selected title to the schedule. This prevents potentially erroneous entries from being added to the list when two television programs share the same title but are distinguishable based on their summary information.
The system allows reports, such as ad trafficking reports, to be generated based on the program schedules constructed at the television system office computers. Television system office personnel may use these reports when selling advertizing time, making promotions, or performing other sales and marketing tasks that involve the use of detailed program schedule information. If desired, such ad trafficking reports may contain program summary information obtained directly from the main facility database.
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.
REFERENCES:
Hein William
Keck Connie S.
Paul Indraneel
Rector, Jr. Earl M.
Fish & Neave
Kostak Victor R.
Shvarts Alexander
United Video Properties, Inc.
LandOfFree
System for collecting television program data does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System for collecting television program data, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System for collecting television program data will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2500170