Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
MANAGING ELECTRONIC CONTENT FROM
DIFFERENT SOURCES
The application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/166,741,
filed
November 22, 1999, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to managing electronic content from different sources
using, for
example, virtual channels and interactive program guides.
BACKGROUND
The computer system 100 shown in Fig. 1 illustrates a hardware setup for
executing
software that allows a user to perform tasks such as communicating with other
computer
users, accessing various computer resources, and viewing, creating, or
otherwise manipulating
electronic content in the form of, for example, any combination of text,
images, movies,
music or other sounds, animations, 3D virtual worlds, and links to other
objects. The system
100 includes input/output (I/O) devices, such as, for example, a mouse 103, a
keyboard 105,
and a display 107. The system 100 also includes a general purpose computer 110
that may
~ 5 include a central processor unit (CPU) 115, an I/O unit 117, and a memory
119. The memory
119 stores data and various programs such as an operating system 121 and one
or more
application programs 123. The computer system 100 may also include a
communications
card or device 125 (e.g., a modem or network adapter) for exchanging data with
a network
127 via a communications link 129 (e.g., a telephone line).
2o As shown in Fig. 2, a user of a computer system can access electronic
content or other
resources either stored locally at the user's own client system 202 (for
example, a personal or
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
laptop computer) or remotely at one or more server systems 200. An example of
a server
system 200 is a host computer that provides subscribers with online computer
services such as
e-mail, e-commerce, chat rooms, Internet access, electronic newspapers and
magazines.
Users of a host computer's online services typically communicate with one or
more central
server systems 200 through client software executing on their respective
client systems 202.
The client computer 202 can communication with the host 200 via a modem 204 or
TCP/IP
network connection over communication links 206 and 207, respectively.
In practice, a server system 200 typically will not be a single monolithic
entity.
Rather, the server system 200 will be a network of interconnected server
computers, possibly
physically dispersed from each other, each dedicated to its own set of duties
and/or to a
particular geographical region. In such a case, the individual servers are
interconnected by a
network of communication links, in known fashion. One such server system is
"America
Online 5.0" from America Online, Inc.
A browser is an example of client software that enables users to access and
view
~ 5 electronic content stored either locally or remotely, through a network
environment (e.g., a
local area network (LAN), an intranet, the Internet). A browser typically is
used for
displaying documents described in Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML) and stored
on
servers connected to a network such as the Internet.
A user instructs a browser to access an HTML document, or webpage, by
specifying a
2o network address, or Uniform Resource Locator (URL), at which a desired
document resides.
In response, the browser contacts the corresponding server hosting the
requested webpage
specified by the URL, retrieves one or more files that make up the webpage,
and then displays
the webpage in a window on the display of the user's client system.
-2-
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
Fig. 3 is a screenshot of a browser application 300 displaying a typical HTML
document in the form of a webpage 302. As shown, a single webpage 302 may be
composed
of several different files potentially of different data types 304 (e.g.,
text, graphics, images,
virtual worlds, sounds, and movies). In addition, a webpage can include links
306 pointing to
other resources (e.g., webpages or individual files) available on the network.
Links 306 can
take virtually any visual form. For example, a link can appear as a text
string, as a graphical
image, or as a combination of the two. Each link 306 has an associated URL
pointing to a
location on the network. When a user clicks on, or otherwise selects, a
displayed link 306, the
browser automatically retrieves the webpage (or other resource) corresponding
to the link's
associated URL and displays it to, or executes it for, the user.
Referring to Fig. 4, an Internet-based TV system 400 makes dual usage of a
conventional TV 402. That is, a user of the Internet-based TV system can watch
TV or view
webpages and otherwise use the Internet. In this regard, a special purpose
computer 404,
referred to as a set top device, is used in connection with a standard TV 402
for viewing
15 webpages on the Internet.
Accessories, such as, for example, a wireless keyboard 408 may be added to the
Internet-based TV system 400. The wireless keyboard 408 can be similar to
keyboard 105 but
it also may have specialized keys designed for use in the web-based TV system
400 to make
viewing and web use easier. Additionally, a wireless remote control 410 may be
used to
2o control the set top device 404 and to facilitate channel changing and web-
based TV
connections via various buttons 412, which may be specialized for the web-
based TV
environment.
-3-
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
An example of an existing Internet-based TV system 400 is "WebTV" by
Microsoft.
Information about WebTV service may be found, for example, at
http://www.webtv.net and
http://developer.webtv.net.
TV systems, whether web based or conventional, may provide an electronic
program
guide to assist users in finding programs to watch. Fig. 5 is an example of an
electronic
program guide from Yahoo! As shown therein, a list of channels 501 is
presented to users.
The schedule 502 for each channel typically is presented as a list showing the
next several
hours of programming for each channel. The starting and stopping times 503 are
presented
as headers at the top of the list of channel schedules. The user may use the
controls 504 to
o limit the number of channels presented. For example, by selecting the
"Children" category
505, the user can limit the set of channels presented to those showing
children's
programming. By using conventional GUI (graphical user interface) manipulation
techniques, users of electronic program guides may be able to scroll through
the list of
channels, and may be able to scroll forward in time 506 to see the schedule
for future
~ 5 programs. Users also may be able to select a channel to watch using the
electronic
programming guide.
In conventional web-based TV systems, web content and TV content are accessed
by,
and presented to, viewers in disparate manners. The present inventors
recognized that it
would be advantageous to eliminate the need for viewers to distinguish between
web content
2o and TV content. Consequently, the present inventors developed a new type of
abstraction -
the virtual channel - that can combine different sources of electronic content
and which hides
the underlying transport technology.
-4-
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
SUMMARY
The invention may provide these and other advantages. The techniques and
methods
described here may enable a web-based TV system to provide viewers with a
simple but
powerful interface to a broad array of content. Viewers will no longer need to
be concerned
with the underlying technologies used to transport video and web content to
their television.
For example, viewers will be able to save a "bookmark" or "favorite" instead
of trying to
remember a channel number or network call sign. There is essentially no limit
to the number
of virtual channels that can be supported.
Further, the techniques and mechanisms described here can provide a platform
for
other applications. For example, the virtual channel abstraction allows the
sending and
receiving of video without having to deal with the underlying transport
technologies. This
makes such systems easier to use, modular in their design, and suitable for
running on a
variety of different hardware platforms.
These techniques and mechanisms also provide users with powerful tools for
~ 5 searching, filtering, and organizing channels of content. Viewers will be
able to customize
the display of channels to make finding and selecting content more efficient.
By using the
same virtual channel abstraction to display virtual program guides to users,
guide information
can be presented without requiring additional device support.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying
2o drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages
of the invention
will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a computer system.
-5-
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
Fig. 2 shows a typical network-computing environment.
Fig. 3 shows a browser displaying a web page.
Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of a set top device.
Fig. 5 shows an electronic program guide.
s Fig. 6a shows a virtual channel constructed from several sources.
Fig. 6b shows a different virtual channel constructed from the same sources.
Fig. 7a shows a virtual channel displaying a TV program.
Fig. 7b shows a virtual channel displaying a web page.
Fig. 7c shows a virtual channel displaying combined content from the web and
TV
programming.
Fig. 7d shows the schedule for a virtual channel displaying shows from several
different sources.
Fig. 8 is a diagram showing various sources of information available to a set
top
device in a web-based TV environment.
15 Fig. 9a shows an exemplary set top box.
Fig. 9b shows an exemplary VBI/TV Frame architecture.
Fig. 10 shows a layered architecture for virtual channels.
Fig. 11 shows a virtual program guide.
Fig. 12 shows the process of creating a virtual program guide.
20 Fig. 13 shows a virtual program gaide with a hierarchical browser.
Fig. 14 shows a virtual program guide with a user-customized list of channels.
Fig. 15 shows a virtual program guide with the ability to search for channels
or
content.
-6-
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
Fig. 16 shows a virtual program guide with content filtering.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The set top device, according to one aspect of the invention, displays a
variety of
virtual channels. A "virtual channel" is a stream of content that can be
presented to a viewer
by a TV monitor and is an abstraction of a traditional TV channel. However,
unlike a
traditional TV channel, a virtual channel is not restricted to a single source
of content (e.g.,
broadcast TV programming). In addition, a virtual channel can combine content
from any
number of different sources for presentation to the viewer as a single
channel. For example,
Fig. 6a shows a virtual channel combining a television program 601 broadcast
by a network,
statistics 602 from www.stats.com, a number of links 603 to other web sites
from
www.aol.com, and a virtual button 604 which can be used by the viewer to
retrieve additional
web content. As another example, web content can be combined and presented to
viewers as
if the web content were a traditional TV channel.
Generally, channels used to broadcast TV programming have been tied to the
~ 5 underlying range of spectrum used to transport the signal used to form the
channel. However,
with the advent of digital technology, this dependency is no longer necessary.
Channels,
according to the invention, are referred to as "virtual" because virtual
channels eliminate the
dependency between the source of the content and the content that is shown to
viewers. As a
result, the number of virtual channels that can be formed is virtually
unlimited. For example,
2o Fig. 6b shows a different virtual channel constructed from the same sources
of content used in
Fig. 6a.
The following virtual channels are some examples of the basic types of virtual
channel
that can be presented by the set top device. Fig. 7a shows a "TV only" virtual
channel. The
TV only virtual channel can show TV content from a single conventional TV
channel, without
25 adding any other content. Fig. 7a shows a virtual channel displaying a TV
program on a web-
based TV system in which a baseball game 701 broadcast from a local station is
being shown
on the TV monitor display 402. In this example, the local station may be known
as "Channel
7"; however, according to the invention the virtual channel can be designated
as "baseball" or
renumbered according to a scheme to make finding the channel easier. For
example, all
3o sporting events channels can be assigned to be between 100-199. As a
result, a viewer does
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
not need to remember what channel is showing the type of program that is
desired. Instead,
the viewer simply has to remember that all sporting channels are in the one
hundreds. With
the increasing number of channels, the renumbering of channels using virtual
channels
provides added convenience to the viewer.
Fig. 7b shows a "Web Only" virtual channel including a web content (e.g., a
web
page), which may include content from multiple web sources, without adding any
other type
of content. As shown in Fig. 7b, a virtual channel displays a web page on a
web-based TV
system in which web page 711 shows various statistics 712 about a baseball
game.
Another type of virtual channel is the "Combined" virtual channel that shows
TV
content combined with web content from one or more sources. Fig. 7c shows a
virtual
channel combining content from the web and content from TV programming for
presentation
on a web-based TV system. The TV content 721 is received from a station
broadcasting a
baseball game and is combined with web content to provide a total presentation
including
statistics 722, a chat session about the game 723, and links to other related
web content 724.
~5 Fig. 7d shows a "Constructive" virtual channel including a series of
programs
presented in successive time slots. Each program is constructed from a
different set of one or
more content sources. For example, a virtual channel directed to a particular
subject matter
can be formed from a set of available content having a common or related
subject matter,
without regard to the content source (from the viewer's perspective).
According to the
2o example in Fig. 7d, a constructive virtual channel called "The Dog Channel"
presents dog-
related content selected from any of the sources available to the set top box.
"The Dog
Channel" includes Lassie 731 from the TNT network at 6:30 P.M., then web
content 732 from
www.dogs.com on the Internet at 7:00 P.M., and a PBS broadcast 733 of the
Westminster Dog
Show at 7:30 P.M. In addition, any of the programs 731, 732, and 733 may be
created from
25 combined content, as discussed above. All changing, combining, and
construction of
sources, and their content, is performed by the set top box, alone or in
combination with a
host computer, and requires no viewer interaction other than selecting a
virtual channel that
the viewer wishes to watch.
Refernng to FIG. 8, a system including a set top device 800 can be used to
implement
3o virtual channels. The set top device 800 is connected to a TV/monitor 802
for displaying
content on the TV/monitor 802. The set top device 800 is capable of receiving
content from a
_g_
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
number of sources. For example, the set top device 800 can receive broadcast
TV signal
transmissions 871, cable TV signals 831, or wireless signals 841 (e.g.,
broadcast from a base
station 840 or a satellite 820). The set top device may also be connected to
the Internet 127
via a communications link 125. A content service provider 850 connected to the
Internet 127
can be accessed by the set top device 800. The systems shown in Fig. 8 for
supplying content
are exemplary only and not necessarily comprehensive. In general, essentially
any available
mechanism for receiving digital and/or analog signals may be used by the set
to device 800 to
gather content.
The set top device 800 gathers two main types of content: Internet content and
TV
content. Internet content is, for example, digital information that is
typically, but not
exclusively, communicated over a computer network. Examples of Internet
content include
web pages, image files, audio files, video files, virtual worlds, data files,
e-mail, instant
messages, and chat sessions. TV content may be digital or analog information,
generally
corresponding to established NTSC or PAL standards, intended for presentation
on a TV or
~ 5 video monitor. Examples of TV content are broadcast television programs,
cable TV
programs, and output of video player such as a tape player, a laser disc
player, and a DVD
player. The set top device 800 may use any of a variety of known methods to
gather TV
content from any of several different sources.
Refernng also to FIG. 9a, the set top device 800 may include a video processor
906
2o capable of receiving broadcast TV signals 841 using an antenna, in addition
to TV signals
from cable, a video player (e.g., VCR, DVD player, laser disc player),
computer 100, satellite
dish 812 (e.g., Direct TV), or other sources of TV signals. The set top device
800 may also
include separate or combined receivers for these sources of TV signals, such
as a TV tuner, a
wireless interface, a video decoder.
25 The set top device 800 also includes a memory 914 for storing application
programs
and Internet content. A CPU 910 is provided for accessing and running program
applications
stored in the memory 914, such as, a browser. The CPU 910 also controls the
interaction of
the various interfaces and data received through the I/O unit and may include
a video
controller 915. In addition, the CPU 910 can implement functions of the set
top device 800
3o through its programming or through commands received from a viewer, for
example, using an
input device such as remote control 912 or wireless keyboard 908.
-9-
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
Another mechanism for communicating web content to the set top device involves
the
use of vertical blanking intervals (VBIs) in TV frames. The standard NTSC TV
signal used in
the United States is made up of "frames" that are broadcast at a rate of 30
per each second.
Each frame is formed of 825 scan lines divided equally into two separate and
contiguous
fields, field 1 and field 2. Each field includes 262.5 scan lines, 241.5 of
which carry TV
signal information that is normally used to display programming to a viewer of
the TV
picture.
The first 21 lines in each field represent the VBI. The VBI corresponds to the
period
of time that it takes the electron beam emitted by the TV set's cathode ray
tube (CRT) to
reposition itself from the bottom of the TV screen to the top of the screen
(also referred to
"vertical retracing"). After each field is received and displayed, the
electron beam must be
repositioned in this manner before drawing of the first scan line of the next
field may
commence. Accordingly, no visible TV signal information can be transmitted
during the VBI,
since such TV signal information would be lost. However, basically any other
type of
~5 information may be transmitted to the set top device's TV receiver and used
for purposes such
as closed captioning, teletext, and electronic program guide information. The
amount of data
that can be transmitted in this manner is roughly equal to the capacity of a
9600 baud modem
for each available scan line in the VBI.
Accordingly, in one implementation, web content can be communicated directly
from
2o the TV broadcaster to a set top device within the VBIs of a TV signal as
shown in Fig. 9b.
For each TV field received, the set top device can extract this information
from the VBI and
use it to generate elements of a virtual channel. The VBI can be used in this
way either in real
or near real time (i.e., the web content in the VBI can be extracted and used
by the set top
device immediately upon receipt) or the VBI can be used to transmit
information to the set top
2s device for storage and subsequent retrieval.
Another available technique is to "trickle-down" or "push" content from a host
system
to the set top device in the background (i.e., transparently to, and without
being requested by,
the viewer). The content can be sent using ordinary network connections while
the set top
device is logged on the host system. Content can also be sent via other routes
that do not
3o require the set top box to be logged on to a host (e.g., using the VBI as
described above). The
trickled-down content is then stored in a memory, such as a cache, by the set
top device so
- lo-
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
that the content is available for future use, for example, if the viewer,
while offline, requests a
virtual channel that requires the cached content.
Fig. 10 is an architecture diagram for virtual channels. As explained above,
the set top
device 800 can be provided with a number of different sources 1003 of TV
content, for
example, cable, broadcast, satellite, and the Internet. The set top device
also can be provided
with offline 1005 and online 1007 sources of web content 1002. Offline sources
of web
content 1005 include content stored in a memory of the set top device and
content received,
for example, through the VBI. Online sources of web content 1007 include a
computer
network, a DSL, a modem, a wireless network connection and information that is
trickled-
down to the set top device.
The virtual channel abstraction 1015 relies on the TV content 1001 and web
content
1002 provided by content gathering parts 1004 of the set top device. The
virtual channel can
created by the processor 910 of the set top device from a combination of the
TV and web
content received by or stored by the set top device, thus creating a single
video stream 1019
15 for display on the TV monitor screen.
The set top device can generate virtual channels regardless of whether the
viewer
(subscriber to web-based TV service) happens to be online (i.e., "logged in"
or actively
connected to a service's host computer system) or offline (i.e., not logged
into a service's host
computer system). The set top device is able to generate virtual channels
using one or more
20 of the following different techniques.
The set top device can receive web content through a connection to a host ISP
or web-
based TV service and store (e.g., cache) the web content in a memory for
retrieval and use by
the set top device's processor as needed. The set top device can also receive
the web content
"on-the-fly" (i.e., in near real time on a need-specific basis). Cached
content can be stored in
25 the memory of the set top device or retrieved from storage media such as a
hard disk, cassette
tape, or CD-ROM connected to the set top device. When creating a virtual
channel, the set
top device 800 uses "on the fly" content when available, such as when the set
top device is
logged into the host system 850. In addition, the set top device 800 can
retrieve content from
the memory for use in generating virtual channels. Of course, retrieval of
locally stored
30 content is always available, whether the viewer is offline or online. In
the case of combined
virtual channel, the video signal data is received by the set top device and
is allocated to a
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
portion of the display monitor's view area by the video controller of the set
top devices
processor in conjunction with a video processor, for example. The video
controller also
determines what viewing portion of the display will contain the web content
for display. In
the example previously described with regard to Fig. 6a, the display area 601
may include
streaming video which is constantly updated showing the TV signal telecast of
the game. On
the other hand, the portion showing the links 603 to other web content may be
stored web
content and relatively static.
Caching web content in the set top device reduces the demands on a host
computer
system and on a communication link connecting the host system to the set top
device. For
example, the set top device does not need to be logged into the host system in
order to be able
to display web content. As a result, the number of terminal servers or other
connection ports
that the host system needs to maintain can be reduced because viewers can
remain logged off
the host system for much, if not all, of the viewing session. At the same
time, the viewer's
telephone line, or other communication medium connecting the set top box, does
not need to
be connected to the host system and thus is available for other uses.
Moreover, some online computer service providers charge their customers based
on
the cumulative amount of online time (i.e., time connected to a host system).
As a result,
providing access to web content while the set top device is in an offline
state can benefit
subscribers by providing reduced connection-time costs.
2o A virtual channel also can include metadata about the content of the
channel and the
programs to be displayed. Metadata is descriptive information (not part of the
content to be
displayed) that is used to search, filter; and control access to channels and
programs.
Metadata can be associated with the virtual channel as a whole or with the
individual
programs shown on the virtual channel, or both.
The metadata associated with a virtual channel may include, but is not limited
to,
program descriptions, schedule information, credits for the author or
producers, content
ratings, such as those offered by the Recreational Software Advisory Council
(RSAC) or
Motion Picture Advisory Association, reviews, and viewer comments. The set top
box can
access the metadata for each of the virtual channels it offers. Metadata can
be gathered and
so cached using the same methods for gathering and caching web content, as
described above.
- 12-
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
A host service or broadcasting company can also create a virtual channel. Once
the
virtual channel has been created, the channel can be presented to a viewer
using the set top
device. However, the virtual channel can be displayed on, or received by, any
device capable
of handling analog video signals, such as a television or videocassette
recorder. The virtual
channel can also be sent digitally to devices capable of handling digital
video signals, such as
digital televisions, computers, and computer networks.
The set top box, alone or in conjunction with a host system, can also produce
a
"virtual program guide" 1017 for viewers. A virtual program guide is an
electronic program
guide that extends the virtual channel abstraction enabling viewers to find
and manage a set of
virtual channels made available through the set top device.
Fig. 11 shows a virtual program guide (VPG) 1017 listing several virtual
channels
1101. Each virtual channel is listed in substantially the same manner
regardless of whether it
is associated with TV only content, web only content, or a combination
thereof. A VPG can
include any combination of virtual channels, regardless of the type of virtual
channel (TV
only, web only, combined, constructive). The virtual program guide's panel
1102 lists
additional virtual program guides that can be selected for viewing. In the
example shown in
Fig. 11, the "Nature" guide 1103 is currently selected and displayed in the
program grid. The
program grid lists the schedules 1104 for several virtual channels 1101
showing programming
from a variety of sources. A time grid 1105 lists the times when programs are
scheduled to
2o start and stop. Finally, a picture-in-picture (PIP) area 1106 can be used
to show the virtual
channel selected in the program grid, such as web content from the dogs.com
web site.
A virtual program guide is effectively a special type of virtual channel
constructed by
the set top device. This VPG channel can be constructed using the metadata
associated with
other virtual channels, including schedule, description, and ratings. Fig. 12
shows how a
virtual program guide can be constructed to help a viewer manage virtual
channels. First, the
user selects a VPG to view (step 1201). Once a VPG is selected, the set top
device selects the
virtual channels corresponding to the VPG (step 1202) and extracts the
required metadata
from each (step 1203). The metadata is used to create a visual representation
of each
channel's schedule and details (step 1204). These schedules are then combined
on the virtual
so program guide display and shown to the user (step 1205).
-13-
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
In addition to entries for the virtual channels provided, the virtual program
guide can
include entries for other virtual program guides. For example, a guide
directed to sports
channels may display an entry for a virtual program guide dedicated to
basketball. This
enables a virtual program guide to be arranged into a hierarchical structure,
for example.
Fig. 13, illustrates a "top-level" virtual program guide listing other guides
according to
topic areas. In this example, the viewer selects the "Sports" guide 1301,
which has several
guides within it. The viewer then selects the "Baseball" subcategory 1302,
which lists
additional guides.
The same set of virtual channels can also be arranged into several different
structures.
For example, one viewer may want to browse the channels according to subject
matter, while
another viewer may want to browse by ratings or keywords. These structures are
not
mutually exclusive, so a single virtual channel might appear in multiple
virtual program
guides. For example, a virtual channel directed to dogs may appear in a VPG
entitled
"Nature" and another VPG entitled "Pets." There is essentially no limit to the
number of
~ 5 ways that structures of virtual program guides might be arranged.
The virtual channels can be organized by the web TV host service, allowing
them to
maintain a standard organization of channels for all of their users. In
addition, the virtual
channels can be organized by the end user of the set top box according to
personal
preferences. In this case, the end user could select preferred channels and
organize them into
2o a hierarchy similar to the "bookmarks" or "favorites" in Internet browser
programs, such as
Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
Fig. 14 shows a virtual program guide with a user-customized list 1401 of
channels.
To add to the list of favorites, the user can select the "Add Favorite" button
1402. To edit the
favorite, the user can select the "Edit" button 1403 associated with each
entry.
2s Different structures of favorites may also be created. A third party may
create virtual
channels or virtual program guides and make them available over a computer
network
connected to the set top device.
The virtual program guide also allows viewers to search through the metadata
associated with virtual channels to find suitable channels or content. Fig. 15
shows a virtual
3o program guide with the ability to search metadata associated with channels
or content. The
viewer can enter words to search for in the "Search for" box 1501. The viewer
can limit the
- 14-
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
scope of the search by selecting the categories 1502. To trigger the search,
the viewer selects
the "Search" button 1503. The search can be conducted by a search engine
resident in the set
top box or by a server at the host TV service provider. The results of the
search are then
displayed to the user in the virtual program guide format.
Viewers can use the virtual program guide to restrict access to certain
channels and
content according to their associated metadata. These restrictions ensure that
inappropriate
channels and content are not displayed to other viewers (e.g., children), or
shown in search
results, or both. Fig. 16 shows a virtual program guide with content filtering
according to
metadata. In this case, the viewer sets the maximum content ratings allowed
for various types
of content. For example, the maximum TV rating 1601 is set to TV-G. Other
types of
content can be set to different ratings. As a result, the set top box will
gather only information
that conforms to the selected ratings.
Once the virtual program guide has been created as a virtual channel, it can
be
displayed to the viewer in any of the ways described above for displaying
virtual channels.
15 The techniques, methods, and systems described herein may find
applicability in any
computing or processing environment in which electronic content may be viewed,
accessed,
or otherwise manipulated. For instance, the concept of managing electronic
content from
different sources using virtual channels and virtual program guides could be
applied whenever
multiple sources of content can be combined to form streams of content for the
viewer. One
2o such environment involves a computer system (e.g., a Microsoft Windows-
based PC or Apple
Macintosh) that includes a TV tuner card and which is connected to the
Internet.
Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein may be
realized in digital electronic circuitry, in computer hardware, firmware,
software, or in
combinations thereof. A system or other apparatus that uses one or more of the
described
2s techniques and methods described may be implemented as a computer-readable
storage
medium, configured with a computer program, where the storage medium so
configured
causes a computer system to operate on input and/or generate output in a
specific and
predefined manner. Such a computer system may include one or more programmable
processors that receive data and instructions from, and transmit data and
instructions to, a data
3o storage system, and suitable input and output devices.
- 15-
CA 02392396 2002-05-22
WO 01/39494 PCT/US00/31899
Each computer program may be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-
oriented programming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired;
and in any
case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable
processors include,
by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors.
Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only
memory
and/or a random access memory. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying
computer
instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including
semiconductor
memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic
disks such
as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM
disks.
Any of the foregoing may be supplemented by, or implemented in, specially
designed
ASICs (application specific integrated circuits).
A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described.
Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made
without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are
within the
scope of the following claims.
- 16-
