METHOD, SYSTEM AND MEANS OF MACHINE STORING FOR DISPLAYING CONTENT NOT TIED TO TIME

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for generating and displaying a non-time-bound content channel within a time-bound grid. The system comprises receiving content data representing the non-time-bound content to be displayed in the time-bound grid. The system generates the time-bound grid by creating, based on the content data, a non-time-bound content channel. The non-time-bound content channel displays one or more content objects representing the non-time-bound content within the time-bound grid. The system incorporates the non-time-bound content channel with a plurality of time-bound channels within the time-bound grid. The system then causes the generated time-bound grid to be displayed on a user's viewing device.

Description

"METHOD, SYSTEM AND MEANS OF MACHINE STORING FOR DISPLAYING CONTENT NOT TIED TO TIME" RELATED REQUEST

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority of Provisional Patent Application Serial Number US 62 / 383,255, filed on September 2, 2016, and entitled “Displaying NonTime Bound Content in a Time Bound Grid,” which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to machines configured for the field of special-purpose machines that facilitate the display of digital content, including computerized variants of such special-purpose machines and enhancements of such variants, and to technologies through which such special-purpose machines become enhanced compared with other special-purpose machines that facilitate the display of digital content. In particular, the present disclosure addresses systems and methods for presenting non-time-bound content on a time-bound grid and, in a specific exemplary embodiment, mechanisms for dynamically generating a channel for displaying non-time-bound content on a time-bound grid. BACKGROUND

[0003] Currently, an electronic program guide (EPG) only shows linear television programming based on a time grid. There is no way to browse a streaming service catalog or registered content catalog using a time-bound EPG. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 6 / 126 2 / 41

[0004] Several of the attached drawings merely illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and cannot be considered as limiting its scope.

[0005] Figure 1 is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary environment for displaying content not tied to time in an electronic program guide (EPG) according to an exemplary modality.

[0006] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of components within a digital receiver according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0007] Figures 3A to 3E are sample user interfaces that illustrate various examples of displaying content not tied to time in the EPG.

[0008] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for displaying content not tied to time in the EPG according to an exemplary modality.

[0009] Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in an example form of a computing system within which a set of instructions can be executed to cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed in this document, according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00010] The following description includes systems, methods, techniques, instruction sequences, and computer machine program products that incorporate illustrative embodiments of the present invention. In the following description, for explanatory purposes, numerous specific details are presented in order to provide an understanding of various embodiments of the invention. It will be evident, however, to those skilled in the art, Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 7 / 126 3 / 41 that embodiments of the invention's subject matter can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In general, well-known instruction cases, protocols, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail. The examples merely typify possible variations. Except where explicitly stated otherwise, structures (e.g., structural components such as modules) are optional and may be combined or subdivided, and operations (e.g., in a procedure, algorithm, or other function) may vary in sequence or be combined or subdivided.

[00011] The exemplary embodiments described in this document provide systems and methods for displaying non-time-bound content in a time-bound grid, such as an electronic program guide (EPG). The time-bound grid displays a list of current and scheduled programs available on each channel at a specific time (e.g., on a specific date and time). Many users are satisfied with traditional ways of interacting with a television – which consists of using the EPG to discover content through EPG navigation (e.g., time-bound grid). Non-time-bound content comprises content that is available to a user regardless of time (e.g., video on demand (VOD) or recorded content).In contrast, time-bound content is content that is available (or available but recordable) at a specific time, such as network or broadcast television programs that are shown on specific dates and times. The example formats generate and attach “channels” for non-time-bound content to a traditional time-bound schedule or EPG. This enhanced EPG provides a way to introduce users to available services about which they... Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 8 / 126 4 / 41 users may be unaware, such as an on-demand catalog or to provide access to non-time-bound content that the user has previously shown interest in (e.g., watched a similar genre or types of programs, content recorded by the user, content on a user's watchlist) in a time-bound user interface. In some modalities, these non-time-bound content channels display content objects representing non-time-bound content in a linear time-bound format of a traditional time-bound grid, and may be associated with third-party services that are over-the-top (OTT) or video-on-demand (VOD) providers (e.g., Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, YouTube) or recorded content (e.g., from a personal video recorder (PVR)).In alternative formats, the non-time-bound content channel comprises a column displayed on one side of the time-bound grid that scrolls in a vertical direction. In both linear and vertical formats, the non-time-bound content channel can scroll independently of the time-bound content channels (for example, it can scroll faster or slower than the viewer-directed scrolling, or continue scrolling while the viewer is not scrolling).

[00012] In some embodiments, selecting a content object (e.g., a program representation or piece of content displayed in the EPG) in a non-time-bound content channel results in the display (e.g., playback) of the program or piece of content without any further user interaction. In other embodiments, selecting the content object in the non-time-bound content channel causes a detailed content preview (e.g., media preview) to be displayed to the Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 9 / 126 5 / 41 selected program (for example, a page that provides details of, or is associated with, the content corresponding to the selected content object).

[00013] As a result, one or more of the methodologies described in this document facilitate the solution of the problem of generating user interfaces containing EPGs that include both time-bound and non-time-bound content displayed in a time-bound grid and providing access to non-time-bound content from a time-bound user interface. The methodologies include receiving content data (e.g., recommendations to be displayed in the non-time-bound content channel). The logic also dynamically generates a user interface (e.g., EPG) through which one or more channels on each scrollable “page” of the user interface can be non-time-bound content channels that display content objects as if the corresponding content / programs were available at a particular time, although they are replayable at any time.By using embodiments of the present invention, a user can more easily and quickly discover and navigate to desired programming information in the user interface. Consequently, one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may reveal a need for extended EPG search and navigation, which may have the technical effect of reducing computing resources used by one or more devices within the system. Examples of such computing resources include, without limitation, processor cycles, network traffic, memory usage, storage space, and power consumption.

[00014] With reference to Figure 1, a modality of an exemplary environment 100 that enables the display of content Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 10 / 126 6 / 41 not tied to time in an electronic program guide (EPG) is shown. In the exemplary embodiments, a user's digital receiver 102 provides access to digital content. In one embodiment, the digital receiver 102 is a signal decoder. The digital receiver 102 is coupled to a display device 104 (e.g., a television or monitor) on which the user can view the digital content. In some embodiments, the digital receiver 102 can be combined with the display device 104 (e.g., a smart television).

[00015] Since the user accesses the digital content through the digital receiver 102, the digital receiver 102 is configured to receive commands regarding the digital content and the EPG. In exemplary embodiments, the commands include instructions for scrolling through the EPG and selecting a content object (e.g., a program representation or part of content displayed in the EPG). The instructions cause the digital receiver 102, according to one embodiment, to update the EPG based on the commands. Consequently, in one embodiment, a mechanism in a remote control device 112 is activated and sends a signal to the digital receiver 102 to control the display of, and interaction with, the EPG. In exemplary embodiments, the digital receiver 102 comprises logic to generate the EPG and dynamically update the EPG based on the commands.

[00016] In some embodiments, a headend 106 processes device data received from the digital receiver 102 and provides recommendations, along a network 108 to the digital receiver 102, to be used in generating the EPG. In particular, a recommendation mechanism 110 receives user behavior information (also called “device data”) from the digital receiver 102 that indicates the Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 11 / 126 7 / 41 User interactions with various content (e.g., live content, video on demand (VOD), continuously streamed third-party content). Device data may indicate user viewing habits including programs the user has viewed or recorded, ratings the user has provided, viewing preferences (e.g., genres, actors), or any other information indicating user interaction with content on the digital receiver 102. The recommendation engine 110 also accesses or receives data from one or more content providers 114 which may include recommendations provided by the content provider 114 or a content catalog available from the content provider 114. The recommendation engine 110 then selects a number of content pieces or programs (e.g., ten programs) to recommend to a user.For example, the recommendation engine 110 can weigh various contents in the catalog based on a preferred genre determined from device data received from the digital receiver 102 to select the content (e.g., programs) to be recommended and displayed in the EPG.

[00017] In some modes, the recommendation engine 110 may add to or remove content recommended by the content provider 114. For example, if the content provider 114 provides a list of ten programs (e.g., mobile, television programs) that they want to be recommended to users, the recommendation engine 110, based on device data, may determine that the user is not interested in one of the programs. For example, the user may have already viewed the program or indicated (e.g., through a rating system) that they are not interested in that program. As a result, the recommendation engine 110 removes or Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 12 / 126 8 / 41 replaces the recommendation list program before transmitting the content data (e.g., data regarding recommendations to be displayed) through the network 108 to the digital receiver 102. Although the example embodiments show the recommendation mechanism 110 that is in the headend 106, alternative embodiments may provide the operations of the recommendation mechanism 110 in the receiver device 102.

[00018] One or more portions of the 108 network may be an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a personal private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a portion of the Internet, a portion of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cellular network, a wireless network, a WiFi network, a WiMax network, another type of network, or a combination of two or more of these networks. Any one or more portions of the 108 network may communicate information through a transmission medium.As used in this document, "transmission medium" refers to any intangible (e.g., transient) medium that is capable of communicating (e.g., transmitting) instructions for execution by a machine (e.g., by one or more processors of a machine), and includes digital or analog communication signals or other intangible means to facilitate the communication of such software.

[00019] In the exemplary embodiments, the content provider 114 comprises a third-party service (e.g., Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon) that stores and provides over-the-top (OTT) content or video-on-demand (VOD) content to the headend 106 or the digital receiver 102 via the network 108. The content comprises audio / video content (e.g., movies, television programs). In some embodiments, the provider of Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 13 / 126 9 / 41 Content 114 provides recommendations for timeless content to be displayed on the EPG. For example, the content provider 114 may determine which programs it wants to be recommended (e.g., displayed on the EPG) based on the user's user behavior or device data corresponding to the user (e.g., programs previously viewed from the content provider 114 by the user). This may occur after direct authentication of an individual user account that is logged in the content provider application running in the background on the digital receiver 102 or based on stored authentication data. Alternatively, the content provider 114 may have a subset of programs it wants to be recommended on the EPG regardless of the specific user, or a subset of programs based on the region where the user is located.In some embodiments, the content data to be displayed can be accessed via an application programming interface (API) of the content provider 114 by the digital receiver 102. Alternatively, the content provider 114 can push the content data to the digital receiver 102. In other embodiments, the content data can be accessed via an API by the headend 106 or transmitted by the content provider 114 to the headend 106, which subsequently transmits the content data to the digital receiver 102 after processing by the recommendation engine 110.

[00020] Note that environment 100 shown in Figure 1 is merely an example. For example, although only one content provider 114 is shown, any number of content providers can be incorporated within environment 100. Additionally, some components of environment 100 may be Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 14 / 126 10 / 41 combined. For example, the digital receiver 102 can be incorporated within the display device 104 to form a single device (e.g., a smart television). Furthermore, the operations discussed as occurring in the digital receiver 102 can be performed in the headend 106 or vice versa.

[00021] Any of the systems or machines (e.g., databases, devices, servers) shown in Figure 1 may be, include, or otherwise be implemented on a special-purpose computer (e.g., specialized or otherwise non-general-purpose) that has been modified (e.g., configured or programmed by software, such as one or more software modules of an application, operating system, firmware, middleware, or other program) to perform one or more of the functions described herein for that system or machine. For example, a special-purpose computer system capable of implementing any one or more of the methodologies described herein is discussed below in relation to Figure 5, and such a special-purpose computer may consequently be a means to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.Within the field of special-purpose computer technology, a special-purpose computer that has been modified by the structures discussed herein to perform the functions discussed herein is technically improved compared to other special-purpose computers that lack the structures discussed herein or are otherwise incapable of performing the functions discussed herein. Consequently, a special-purpose machine configured according to the systems and methods discussed herein provides an improvement to the technology of... Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 15 / 126 11 / 41 similar special-purpose machines. Furthermore, any two or more of the systems or machines illustrated in Figure 1 can be combined into a single system or machine, and the functions described herein for any single system or machine can be subdivided among multiple systems or machines.

[00022] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the 102 digital receiver. In exemplary embodiments, the 102 digital receiver generates and displays user interfaces comprising EPGs that provide rows of channels, where each row may represent, for example, a broadcast channel, a network channel, a third-party service channel (e.g., from content provider 114), a PVR-type channel, or a VOD-type channel. Each channel comprises one or more content objects, each of which represents a piece of content or program (e.g., episode of a program, movie, video).To enable these operations, the digital receiver 102 comprises a subscriber module 202, a profile module 204, a content data module 206, a user interface (UI) module 208 and a navigation module 210, all of which can be configured to communicate with each other (e.g., via a bus, shared memory or a switch).

[00023] Any one or more of the components (e.g., modules) described in this document may be implemented using hardware alone (e.g., one or more processors in a machine) or a combination of hardware and software. For example, any component described in this document may physically include an arrangement of one or more processors or configure a processor (e.g., one or more processors in a machine) to perform the operations described in this document for that module. Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, p. 16 / 126 12 / 41 Consequently, different components described herein may include and configure different arrangements of processors at different points in time or a single arrangement of processors at different points in time. Each component (e.g., module) described herein is an example of a means of performing the operations described herein for that component. Furthermore, any two or more of these components may be combined into a single component, and the functions described herein for a single component may be subdivided among multiple components. Moreover, according to various exemplary embodiments, the components described herein as being implemented within a single machine, database, or device may be distributed across multiple machines, databases, or devices.For example, some of the components may be incorporated within the digital receiver 102 while others are incorporated within the headend 106. The digital receiver 102 may comprise other components not pertinent to the exemplary modalities that are not shown or discussed.

[00024] Subscriber module 202 manages third-party applications (e.g., Netflix app, Hulu app) that the user subscribes to, and which can be accessed through digital receiver 102. Each of the third-party applications typically has a log record. Some of the third-party applications may have been shipped with digital receiver 102 while others are downloaded and installed by the user. In some cases, subscriber module 202 knows that the user is a subscriber based on successful authentication with a user ID and log record. Successful authentication may be based on a federated identifier with which the receiver Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 17 / 126 13 / 41 digital 102 facilitated log recording, based on metadata received from the third-party service for its application, or a signal received from the third-party application indicating authentication. Once the third-party application is authenticated, the digital 102 receiver has access to the third-party service's content data (e.g., metadata and recommendations) via an API, which can be used to populate a line or channel in the EPG for that third-party service. Alternatively, the third-party service can push the content data to the digital 102 receiver.

[00025] The profile module 204 manages device data that indicates user behavior (e.g., actions performed by the user) on the digital receiver 102. For example, device data may indicate programs the user viewed or recorded, ratings the user provided, viewing preferences (e.g., genres, actors), or any other information that indicates user interaction with content on the digital receiver 102. In modes where the recommendation engine 110 in the headend 106 is used to generate content data, the profile module 204 drives the device data to the recommendation engine 110 via the network 108. The recommendation engine 110 uses the device data to determine recommendations to be presented in the EPG, and returns the recommendations, for example, in the content data.

[00026] The content data module 206 receives the content data that is used to generate the EPG in the digital receiver 102. The content data includes, for example, recommendations or metadata received from the recommendation engine 110 or recommendations received directly from third-party services such as content providers 114 (e.g., by Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 18 / 126 14 / 41 via an API). In particular, the content data may include a name for each piece of recommended content and details about the recommended content (e.g., season, episode, duration, rating, content summary).

[00027] User Interface (UI) module 208 generates the user interface (or interfaces) that displays the EPG. In exemplary embodiments, user interface module 208 generates, using content data, a non-time-bound content channel and dynamically inserts the non-time-bound content into timelines or channels in the EPG. Since the content data includes the duration for each recommended content, user interface module 208 can determine a duration to push the recommended content into the non-time-bound content channel. As a result, non-linear (e.g., non-time-bound) content (e.g., VOD, recorded content) is displayed for easy discovery in a linear time-based grid. Examples illustrating the non-time-bound content lines or channels are shown and described in Figure 3A and Figure 3B.

[00028] A navigation module 210 receives user input and causes an appropriate update to the user interface. In some cases, the user input is an EPG navigation (e.g., a scrolling input indicating a direction, e.g., left, right, up, down to change a portion of the EPG that is displayed). For example, a left scroll moves the rows of content objects of the displayed channels to the left, which makes it possible to display content objects that are further in time in the future. Similarly, an up scroll moves the rows of content objects upwards to display additional channels (e.g., on a next scrolling “page”). Each user input is received by Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 19 / 126 15 / 41 navigation module 210 is sent to user interface module 208 to cause an update in the user interface.

[00029] Furthermore, navigation module 210 can receive a selection of a content object that triggers automatic playback of the corresponding program or links the digital receiver 102 to a detailed content view (e.g., media view) for the program corresponding to the selected content object. In some embodiments, selecting a particular content object cross-initializes the third-party service application (e.g., Netflix; Hulu) or the digital receiver application (e.g., for recording VODs), and starts playback of the corresponding program in full screen. For example, selecting a content object of “House of Cards” triggers the initialization of the Netflix application and, based on a deep link to the content / program, automatically causes the immediate playback of the selected episode of “House of Cards.”In modes where a deep link is not available, selecting the content object causes the digital receiver 102 to access and display a detailed content preview (e.g., media preview) for the selected content / program (e.g., an overview page for “House of Cards”).

[00030] Figures 3A to 3E are sample user interfaces that illustrate various examples of displaying non-time-bound content in an EPG. With reference to Figure 3A, a user interface for EPG 300 (also called an “EPG”) is shown. In the example embodiments, user interface module 208 generates and displays the EPG 300 which has rows of channels. In the example embodiments, one or more rows or channels in each “page” (e.g., viewable section) of the EPG can be used to display non-time-bound content. For example, the first two Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 20 / 126 16 / 41 channels on each “page” can be used to display OTT, VOD, or other non-time-bound content. In the example in Figure 3A, the channels shown include time-bound content channels that the user views most often (e.g., ABC, ESPN, BBC, and AMC) along with two channels that are dynamically inserted non-time-bound content channels (e.g., VOD and Netflix). Figure 3A shows six channels on a first “page.” If the user scrolls up past channel 227, a subsequent “page” comprising, for example, two more non-time-bound content channel objects (e.g., the same non-time-bound content channels as the previous page or a different set of non-time-bound content channels), along with four network channels, may be displayed.Any combination of non-time-bound content channels and time-bound content channels (e.g., network or broadcast channels) can be displayed on each EPG “page.” Additionally, although the illustrative examples discuss the non-time-bound content channel being displayed before the time-bound content channels, the non-time-bound content channel can be displayed anywhere on the EPG (e.g., between the time-bound content channels or in the background of the EPG “page”).

[00031] As the user advances in time (for example, scrolls left), the content in all channels moves. Since the non-time-bound content represented by content objects is not time-bound, content objects can be visually distinguished to indicate that even if the program appears to be airing two hours from now (for example, Interstellar at 10:00 PM), if the user selects that content object, the corresponding program will play. Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 21 / 126 17 / 41 immediately.

[00032] In some modes, if the user is watching channel 5 and presses a guide button, the EPG 300 starts on channel 5 (e.g., EPG entry point). In these modes, one or more channels of non-time-bound content are included before the entry point. Thus, instead of the EPG starting with channel 5, the EPG 300 might show, for example, an OTT channel A and channel B, channel 5, channel 6, channel 7, and so on.

[00033] In one embodiment, if the user exits EPG 300 and returns, EPG 300 reinserts the user into the current channel (e.g., entry point) with the same content objects in the same order for the non-time-bound content channel. In an alternative embodiment, over time, the content objects in the non-time-bound content channel may shift. For example, if the user accesses the EPG two hours later, the non-time-bound content channel may mimic the behavior of the rest of the grid (e.g., the time-bound channels). As a result, the EPG may show a content object for a program that was shown two hours later in the EPG first, and the first content object from two hours ago is now moved to the end of the non-time-bound content channel.

[00034] With reference to Figure 3B, another exemplary EPG user interface 310 is shown. EPG 310 displays a continuous channel for a particular program (e.g., Game of Thrones). The recommendation engine 110 or the content provider 114 (e.g., Netflix) can determine, based on user behavior and viewing habits (e.g., device data), that the user likes to view this program or this type of program (e.g., genre). Consequently, content data is provided to the module. Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 22 / 126 18 / 41 of content data 206, which recommends the particular program, is used by the user interface module 208 to generate a channel containing content objects for multiple episodes of the particular program. In alternative embodiments, the channel may comprise different programs of the same genre (e.g., science fiction, romance, cooking). Furthermore, if the user has recorded content (e.g., using a personal video recorder - PVR), a recorded content channel may be included in the EPG as the non-time-bound content channel. In yet another embodiment, the non-time-bound content channel may display a single content object for a particular content piece (e.g., a particular movie, a particular series).Essentially, any type of channel representing non-time-bound content can be included in the EPG, where selecting a content object in the non-time-bound content channel causes the display of content associated with the content object (e.g., program playback, access to a details view page for the program). Therefore, the selection goes beyond simply initializing the third-party service application; it takes the user to the actual content / program associated with the selection.

[00035] In some modes, a finite number of recommendations are included in the content data for non-time-bound content recommendation. For example, the content data might include ten recommendations, or enough recommendations to cover a predetermined time period (e.g., six hours) in the EPG. In one mode, if the user scrolls to one end of the content objects for the non-time-bound content channel in the EPG, the content objects are repeated. In alternative modes, if the user scrolls to the Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 23 / 126 19 / 41 At the end of the content objects for the non-time-bound content channel, a selection (e.g., button) is displayed, which triggers the display of more recommendations or other information. For example, in some cases, the selection initializes the third-party service application, which may provide additional recommendations, provide access to a catalog, or present a list (e.g., watchlist) of the user. In other cases, the selection extends outside the channel with additional recommendations.

[00036] Now with reference to Figure 3C, another exemplary EPG user interface 320 is shown. In the embodiment of Figure 3C, non-time-bound content channels (e.g., VOD and wurl) are embedded in the time-bound grid at the edge of the page. The non-time-bound content channels are locked to that position in the time-bound grid, so that if the user scrolls or pages through a list of channels in the time-bound grid, the non-time-bound content channels move along with the time-bound content channels as shown in Figure 3D. That is, the non-time-bound content channels are dynamically placed in the time-bound grid at the start of an EPG session, but during the session, the channels are static in their position in the time-bound grid.However, if the user selects a channel and dismisses the EPG 320 and later returns to the EPG 320, the non-time-bound content channels are placed at the edge of the first page again. It is further noted that, although the non-time-bound content channel has been discussed as being added to the beginning or end of a page, in alternative modes, the non-time-bound content channel can be dynamically added anywhere in the time-bound grid. Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 24 / 126 20 / 41

[00037] In the modes of Figures 3A to 3D, the non-time-bound content channel can perform linear scrolling independently of the time-bound content channels. For example, the non-time-bound content channel can scroll faster or slower than the viewer / user directed the scrolling of one or more of the time-bound content channels. In another example, the non-time-bound content channel can perform scrolling independently of the possibility of the user performing the scrolling or continuing the scrolling after a user interrupts the scrolling of one or more of the time-bound content channels.

[00038] Now with reference to Figure 3E, an additional exemplary EPG 330 user interface is shown. In the embodiment of Figure 3E, the non-time-bound content channel 332 comprises a column or strip displayed on one side of the time-bound grid. Therefore, the non-time-bound content channel 332 scrolls in a vertical direction. In the exemplary embodiments, the non-time-bound content channel 332 can scroll independently of the time-bound content channels (for example, it can scroll faster or slower than the viewer-directed scrolling, or continue scrolling while the viewer does not scroll).

[00039] In some embodiments, the non-time-bound content channel can display a promotion for a piece of content and for subscription if the EPG user is not a subscriber.For example, a non-time-bound channel might display a content object such as “Amazon, subscribe now, Downton Abbey, season 3.” Selecting the content object might lead the user to a subscription page, and access to the content portion would be granted upon completion of that page. In other modes, if the user does not... Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 25 / 126 21 / 41 for a subscriber of a particular third-party service (e.g., OTT service), the non-time-tied content channels for those third-party services are not shown. For example, subscriber module 202 determines the third-party services to which the user of digital receiver 102 subscribes. As a result, user interface module 208, in these modes, only generates an EPG that has non-time-tied content channels for the third-party services to which the user subscribes.

[00040] Several trigger events can exist for a channel to appear: (1) the channel appears by default; (2) the user installs an application - even if the user never launched it; (3) the user launched an application; and / or (4) headend 106 or digital receiver 102 knows that the user authenticated a user account with a service related to that application (for example, the user logged into Netflix). In this case, the logging event can grant headend 106 or digital receiver 102 permission to user-specific data and can alter a representation of metadata within the UI by providing user-specific content recommendations / metadata.In other cases, application user initialization or user account authentication can be used as a trigger event to change the UI representation from a generic promotional banner (e.g., “initialize hulu”) to the time-bound representation of individual content objects. With multiple services available (e.g., third-party services), visibility and placement or prominence in the UI can be determined by the authentication state (e.g., not installed (click initializes the installation flow), installed but never initialized, installed and initialized but used in free mode, installed and registered). Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 26 / 126 22 / 41 in log). Data pertaining to the state may influence recommendations in other areas of the UI as well.

[00041] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 400 for displaying non-time-bound content in an EPG. In exemplary embodiments, method 400 is performed in part or wholly by components of the digital receiver 102. Consequently, method 400 is described by way of example with reference to the digital receiver 102. However, it should be noted that at least some of the operations of method 400 can be implemented in various other hardware configurations or performed by similar components located elsewhere in the environment 100. Therefore, method 400 is not intended to be limited to the digital receiver 102.

[00042] During operation 402, profile module 204 transmits device data (associated with a user profile) to headend 106. In some embodiments, headend 106 processes the device data received from digital receiver 102 to determine program or timeless content recommendations for the user of digital receiver 102. Using device data indicating user behavior and user preferences, and data received from or obtained from one or more content providers 114 (e.g., recommendations provided by content provider 114 or a content catalog available from content provider 114), recommendation engine 110 selects the content (e.g., programs) to be recommended and displayed on the EPG's timeless content channels. Alternatively, recommendation engine 110 may add to or remove content recommended by content provider 114.In modes where the content provider 114 supplies the content data directly to the digital receiver 102, the operation. Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, p. 27 / 126 23 / 41 402 is optional or not required.

[00043] In operation 404, digital receiver 102 receives content data representing recommendations for non-time-bound content to be displayed on a non-time-bound content channel. In the example embodiments, content data module 206 receives content data used to generate the EPG on digital receiver 102. Content data includes, for example, recommendations or metadata received from the recommendation engine 110 or recommendations received directly from third-party services such as content providers 114 (e.g., via an API). Content data may include a name for each piece of content and details about the content (e.g., season, episode, duration, rating, content summary).

[00044] In operation 406, user interface module 208 generates the user interface that displays the EPG. In exemplary embodiments, user interface module 208 generates the non-time-bound content channel and dynamically inserts the non-time-bound content channels into the EPG. As a result, non-linear content (e.g., non-time-bound) (e.g., VOD, recorded content) is displayed for ease of discovery in a linear time-bound grid or format. User interface module 208 then causes the user interface to be displayed in operation 408. For example, user interface module 208 causes display device 104 to display the generated EPG.

[00045] In operation 410, user input is received by navigation module 210. In some modes, user input comprises EPG navigation (e.g., a Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 28 / 126 24 / 41 scrolling input that indicates a direction to change a portion of the EPG that is displayed). In other embodiments, user input comprises a selection of a content object in the non-time-bound content channel that triggers automatic playback of the corresponding program or links the digital receiver 102 to a detailed content view (e.g., media view) for the program corresponding to the selected content object.

[00046] In operation 412, the user interface is updated by user interface module 208. For example, selecting a particular content object from the non-time-bound content channel cross-initializes a third-party service application (e.g., Netflix; Hulu) or the digital receiver application (e.g., for recording VODs), and starts playback of the corresponding program in full screen. In modes where a deep link to initiate program playback is not available, selecting the content object causes the digital receiver 102 to access and display a detailed content preview (e.g., media preview or overview page) for the selected content / program.

[00047] In modes where user input in operation 410 is EPG navigation (e.g., a scroll input indicating a direction to change a portion of the displayed EPG), user interface module 208 updates an EPG view. For example, a left scroll moves the rows of content objects in the displayed channels to the left, enabling the presentation of content objects that are further in time in the future. As the user moves forward in time (e.g., scrolls left), the content in all channels moves. Similarly, a scroll Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 29 / 126 25 / 41 ascending moves the rows of content objects upwards to display additional channels (for example, in a scrolling “page”). Since the non-time-bound content represented by the content objects is not time-bound, the content objects can be visually distinguished to indicate that even if the program appears to be playing in two hours from now, if the user selects that content object, the corresponding program will play immediately.

[00048] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating components of a 500 machine, according to some exemplary embodiments, capable of reading 524 instructions from a 522 machine storage medium (e.g., a non-transient machine-readable medium, a machine-readable storage medium, a computer-readable storage medium, or any suitable combination thereof) and performing any one or more of the methodologies discussed in this document, wholly or in part. Specifically, Figure 5 shows the 500 machine in the exemplary form of a computer device (e.g., a computer) within which the 524 instructions (e.g., software, a program, an application, an applet, an app, or other executable code), to enable the 500 machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed in this document, can be executed, wholly or in part.

[00049] For example, instructions 524 can cause machine 500 to execute the flowchart in Figure 4. Instructions 524 can transform the general unprogrammed machine 500 into a particular machine (e.g., specially configured machine) programmed to perform the functions described and illustrated in the manner described. Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 30 / 126 26 / 41

[00050] In alternative embodiments, the 500 machine operates as a stand-alone device or can be connected (e.g., networked) with other machines. The 500 machine can be a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook computer, a signal decoder (e.g., STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a web device, a network router, a network switch, a network bridge, a power adapter, or any 500 machine capable of executing the 524 instructions, sequentially or otherwise, that specify actions to be taken by that 500 machine.Additionally, although only a single 500 machine is illustrated, the term "machine" should also be considered to include a collection of machines that individually or collectively execute the 524 instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed in this document.

[00051] The 500 machine includes a processor 502 (for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), or any suitable combination thereof), a main memory 504, and a static memory 506, which are configured to communicate with each other via a bus 508. The processor 502 may contain microcircuits that are configurable, temporarily or permanently, by some or all of the instructions 524, so that the processor 502 is configurable to perform any one or more of the methodologies described herein, in whole or in part. For example, a set of one or more Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 31 / 126 The 27 / 41 microcircuits of the 502 processor can be configured to run one or more modules (e.g., software modules) described in this document.

[00052] The machine 500 may additionally include a graphic display 510 (for example, a plasma display panel (PDP), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a projector, a cathode ray tube (CRT), or any other display capable of displaying graphics or video). The machine 500 may also include an input device 512 (for example, a keyboard or alphanumeric keypad), a cursor control device 514 (for example, a mouse, a touchpad, a trackball, a joystick, a motion sensor, an eye-tracking device, or other pointing instrument), a storage unit 516, a signal generation device 518 (for example, a sound card, an amplifier, a loudspeaker, a headphone jack, or any suitable combination thereof), and a network interface device 520.

[00053] Storage unit 516 includes machine storage media 522 (e.g., tangible, machine-readable storage media) in which instructions 524 incorporating any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein are stored. Instructions 524 may also be located, wholly or at least partially, within main memory 504, within the processor 502 (e.g., within the processor's cache memory), or both, before or during their execution by the machine 500. Consequently, main memory 504 and the processor 502 may be considered machine storage media 522 (e.g., tangible, non-transient, machine-readable storage media). Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 32 / 126 28 / 41

[00054] In some exemplary embodiments, the 500 machine may be a portable computing device and have one or more additional input components (e.g., sensors or meters). Examples of such input components include an image input component (e.g., one or more cameras), an audio input component (e.g., a microphone), a direction input component (e.g., a compass), a location input component (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) receiver), an orientation component (e.g., a gyroscope), a motion detection component (e.g., one or more accelerometers), an altitude detection component (e.g., an altimeter), and a gas detection component (e.g., a gas sensor).The inputs collected by one or more of these input components may be accessible and available for use by any of the modules described in this document. EXECUTABLE INSTRUCTIONS AND MACHINE STORAGE MEANS

[00055] The various memories (i.e., 504, 506 and / or the processor memory (or processors) 502) and / or the storage unit 516 may store one or more instruction sets and data structures (e.g., software) 524 that incorporate or are used by any one or more of the methodologies or functions described in this document. These instructions, when executed by the processor (or processors) 502, cause various operations to implement the disclosed modalities.

[00056] As used in this document, the terms “machine storage medium”, “device storage medium”, “computer storage medium” (referred to as Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, p. 33 / 126 29 / 41 collectively “machine storage media 522”) mean the same thing and may be used interchangeably in the present disclosure. The terms refer to a single or multiple storage devices and / or media (for example, a centralized or distributed database and / or associated caches and servers) that store executable instructions and / or data, as well as cloud-based storage systems or storage networks that include multiple storage appliances or devices. The terms should therefore be considered to include, but without limitation, solid-state memories and optical and magnetic media, including internal or external memory to processors.Specific examples of machine storage media, computer storage media, and / or device storage media 522 include non-volatile memory, including, by way of example, semiconductor memory devices, for example, programmable erasable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), FPGA, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The terms machine storage media, computer storage media, and device storage media 522 specifically exclude carrier waves, modulated data signals, and other such media, at least some of which are covered under the term “signal medium” discussed below. SIGNAL MEDIUM.

[00057] The term “signal medium” or “transmission medium” should be considered to include any form of modulated data signal, carrier wave, among others. The term “data signal” Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 34 / 126 "30 / 41 modulated" means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics defined or altered in a way that encodes information in the signal. COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM

[00058] The terms “machine-readable medium,” “computer-readable medium,” and “device-readable medium” mean the same thing and may be used interchangeably in the present disclosure. The terms are defined so as to include both machine storage media and signal media. Therefore, the terms include both storage devices / media and carrier waves / modulated data signals.

[00059] Instructions 524 may be further transmitted or received over a communications network 526 using a transmission medium via the network interface device 520 and using any of numerous well-known transfer protocols (e.g., HTTP). Examples of communications networks 526 include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, mobile phone networks, old telephone service networks (POTS), and wireless data networks (e.g., WiFi, LTE, and WiMAX networks). The term “transmission medium” should be considered to include any intangible medium capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions 524 for execution by the machine 500, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible media to facilitate communication of such software.

[00060] Throughout this descriptive report, plural cases may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single case. Although the individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed. Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 35 / 126 31 / 41 simultaneously, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. The structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations can be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, the structures and functionality presented as a single component can be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and enhancements are covered by the scope of the subject matter in this document.

[00061] Certain embodiments are described in this document to include logic or numerous components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may constitute software modules (e.g., code embedded in a machine storage medium or in a transmission signal) or hardware modules. A “hardware module” is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain physical manner. In several exemplary embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a stand-alone computer system, a client computer system, or a server computer system) or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application or portion of an application) as a hardware module that operates to perform certain operations as described in this document.

[00062] In some embodiments, a hardware module may be implemented mechanically, electronically, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, a hardware module may include dedicated logic or circuitry that is permanently configured to perform certain operations. By Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 36 / 126 32 / 41 For example, a hardware module can be a special-purpose processor, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an ASIC. A hardware module can also include logic or a programmable circuit set that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. For example, a hardware module might include software enclosed within a general-purpose processor or another programmable processor. It will become evident that the decision to implement a hardware module mechanically, in a permanently and dedicated configured circuit set, or in a temporarily configured circuit set (e.g., configured by software) may be related to cost and time considerations.

[00063] Consequently, the phrase “hardware module” should be understood to encompass a tangible entity, being an entity that is physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., wired) or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certain operations described herein. As used herein, “hardware-implemented module” refers to a hardware module. Considering the ways in which hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), it is not necessary for each hardware module to be configured or instantiated at any instance in time.For example, where a hardware module comprises a general-purpose processor configured by software to become a special-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor can be configured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g., comprising different hardware modules) at different times. The software can consequently configure a processor, for example, to... Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 37 / 126 33 / 41 to constitute a particular hardware module in a time instance and to constitute a different hardware module in a different time instance.

[00064] The various exemplary method operations described in this document may be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors that are temporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured to perform the relevant operations. Regardless of whether they are configured temporarily or permanently, these processors may constitute processor-implemented modules that operate to perform one or more operations or functions described in this document. As used in this document, “processor-implemented module” refers to a hardware module implemented using one or more processors.

[00065] Similarly, the methods described in this document may be at least partially implemented by processor, where a processor is an example of hardware. For example, at least some of the operations of a method may be performed by one or more processors or processor-implemented modules. Furthermore, one or more processors may also operate to support the performance of the relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as “software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a group of computers (as examples of machines including processors), with these operations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and via one or more suitable interfaces (e.g., an application programming interface (API)). Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 38 / 126 34 / 41

[00066] The performance of certain operations can be distributed among one or more processors, not only located within a single machine, but deployed across numerous machines. In some exemplary embodiments, the one or more processors or modules implemented by a processor may be located in a single geographic location (for example, within a home environment, an office environment, or a server tower). In other exemplary embodiments, the one or more processors or modules implemented by a processor may be distributed across numerous geographic locations.

[00067] Some portions of the subject matter discussed in this document may be presented in terms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations on data stored as bits or binary digital signals within a machine memory (e.g., a computer memory). These algorithms or symbolic representations are examples of techniques used by those of common skill in data processing techniques to transfer the substance of their work to others versed in the technique. As used in this document, an “algorithm” is a self-consistent sequence of operations or similar processing that leads to a desired result. In this context, algorithms and operations involve physical manipulation of physical quantities.Typically, but not necessarily, these quantities can take the form of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored, accessed, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated by a machine. It is convenient, at times, mainly for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals using words such as "data," "content," "bits," "values," "elements," "symbols," "characters," "terms," ​​"numbers," "numerals," or similar terms. Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 39 / 126 35 / 41 These words, however, are merely convenient labels and should be associated with appropriate physical quantities.

[00068] Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions in this document using words such as “process,” “compute,” “calculate,” “determine,” “present,” “display,” or similar terms may refer to actions or processes of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transforms data represented as physical quantities (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical) within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or any suitable combination thereof), registers, or other machine components that receive, store, transmit, or require information. Furthermore, unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms “a” or “an” are used in this document, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more occurrences. Finally, as used in this document, the conjunction “or” refers to a non-exclusive “or,” unless specifically stated otherwise. EXAMPLES

[00069] Example 1 is a method for generating and displaying a timeless content channel in a time-bound grid. The method comprises receiving content data representing the timeless content to be displayed in a time-bound grid; generating, using a hardware processor, the time-bound grid, wherein the generation of the time-bound grid comprises: creating, based on the content data, a timeless content channel, wherein the timeless content channel displays one or more content objects representing the timeless content in the time-bound grid, and incorporating the timeless content channel into a Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 40 / 126 36 / 41 plurality of time-bound channels in the time-bound grid; and cause the time-bound grid generated to be displayed on a user's viewing device.

[00070] In example 2, the subject matter of example 1 may optionally include, where the time-bound schedule comprises an electronic program guide (EPG).

[00071] In example 3, the content from examples 1 to 2 may optionally include, where the non-time-bound content channel is represented in a linear time-bound format that scrolls independently of the plurality of time-bound content channels.

[00072] In example 4, the material from examples 1 to 3 may optionally include visually distinguishing content objects that represent non-time-bound content to indicate that a user's selection of one of the content objects representing non-time-bound content will be played immediately.

[00073] In example 5, the content from examples 1 to 4 may optionally include, where the non-time-bound content channel comprises a column displayed on one side of the time-bound grid that scrolls in a vertical direction.

[00074] In example 6, the subject matter of examples 1 to 5 may optionally include, wherein the content data representing the non-time-bound content comprises a finite number of non-time-bound content; and scrolling to one end of the non-time-bound content channel comprising the finite number of non-time-bound content causes the content objects representing the non-time-bound content to repeat.

[00075] In example 7, the material from examples 1 to 6 may include Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, p. 41 / 126 37 / 41 optionally, wherein the content data representing the non-time-bound content comprises a finite number of non-time-bound content; and the method further comprises providing a selection that triggers the retrieval and display of more non-time-bound content in response to the user scrolling to one end of the non-time-bound content channel comprising the finite number of non-time-bound content.

[00076] In example 8, the content from examples 1 to 7 may optionally include, where the non-time-bound content channel displays a content object that promotes a piece of content and prompts a non-subscriber to subscribe.

[00077] In example 9, the subject matter of examples 1 to 8 may optionally include, wherein the content data comprise recommendations for content not tied to time, wherein the recommendations are determined to be of interest to the user based on device data corresponding to the user, wherein the device data indicate the user’s behavior and viewing habits of the user’s content.

[00078] Example 10 is a system for generating and displaying a non-time-bound content channel on a time-bound grid. The system includes one or more processors and a memory that stores instructions which, when executed by the one or more hardware processors, cause the one or more hardware processors to perform operations comprising receiving content data representing the non-time-bound content to be displayed on a time-bound grid; generating the time-bound grid, wherein the generation of the time-bound grid comprises creating, based on the content data, a non-time-bound content channel, wherein the content channel is not Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 42 / 126 38 / 41 time-bound displays one or more content objects that represent non-time-bound content in the time-bound grid, and incorporates the non-time-bound content channel into a plurality of time-bound channels in the time-bound grid; and causes the time-bound grid generated to be displayed on a user's viewing device.

[00079] In example 11, the subject matter of example 10 may optionally include, where the time-bound schedule comprises an electronic program guide (EPG).

[00080] In example 12, the material from examples 10 to 11 may optionally include, where the non-time-bound content channel is represented in a linear time-bound format that scrolls independently of the plurality of time-bound content channels.

[00081] In example 13, the subject matter of examples 10 to 12 may optionally include, wherein the operations comprise, visually distinguishing content objects that represent non-time-bound content to indicate that the user's selection of one of the content objects representing non-time-bound content will be played immediately.

[00082] In example 14, the content of examples 10 to 13 may optionally include, where the non-time-bound content channel comprises a column displayed on one side of the time-bound grid that scrolls in a vertical direction.

[00083] In example 15, the subject matter of examples 10 to 14 may optionally include where the content data representing the non-time-bound content comprises a finite number of non-time-bound content; and the rolling to one end of the non-time-bound content channel comprising the Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 43 / 126 39 / 41 A finite number of content not tied to time causes the content objects representing the content not tied to time to repeat.

[00084] In example 16, the subject matter of examples 10 to 15 may optionally include, wherein the content data representing the non-time-bound content comprises a finite number of non-time-bound content; and the operations further comprise providing a selection that triggers the retrieval and display of more non-time-bound content in response to the user scrolling to one end of the non-time-bound content channel comprising the finite number of non-time-bound content.

[00085] In example 17, the content of examples 10 to 16 may optionally include, where the non-time-bound content channel displays a content object that promotes a piece of content and prompts a non-subscriber to subscribe.

[00086] In example 18, the subject matter of examples 10 to 17 may optionally include, wherein the content data comprise recommendations for content not tied to time, wherein the recommendations are determined to be of interest to the user based on device data corresponding to the user, wherein the device data indicate the user’s behavior and viewing habits of the user’s content.

[00087] Example 19 is a machine storage medium for generating and displaying a non-time-bound content channel on a time-bound grid. The machine storage medium configures one or more processors to perform operations comprising receiving content data representing the non-time-bound content to be displayed on a time-bound grid; generating the time-bound grid, wherein the generation of the Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 44 / 126 40 / 41 time-bound grid comprises creating, based on content data, a non-time-bound content channel, wherein the non-time-bound content channel displays one or more content objects that represent the non-time-bound content in the time-bound grid, and incorporating the non-time-bound content channel into a plurality of time-bound channels in the time-bound grid; and causing the generated time-bound grid to be displayed on a user's viewing device.

[00088] In example 20, the subject matter of example 19 may optionally include, wherein the content data comprise recommendations for content not tied to time, wherein the recommendations are determined to be of interest to the user based on device data corresponding to the user, wherein the device data indicate the user’s user behavior and viewing habits.

[00089] Although an overview of the subject matter of the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, various modifications and alterations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader scope of embodiments of the present invention. For example, various embodiments or features thereof may be mixed and matched or made optional by a person of ordinary skill in the art. These embodiments of the subject matter of the invention may be referred to herein, individually or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without being intended to willfully limit the scope of this application to any single invention or concept of invention if more than one are, in fact, disclosed.

[00090] It is believed that the modalities illustrated in this document are described in sufficient detail to enable those versed in the technique to practice the revealed teachings. Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, p. 45 / 126 41 / 41 Other embodiments may be used and derived from these, so that structural and logical substitutions and alterations may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The Detailed Description, therefore, should not be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, together with the full range of equivalents to which those claims are entitled.

[00091] Furthermore, plural occurrences may be provided for resources, operations, or structures described herein as a singular occurrence. Additionally, the boundaries between various resources, operations, modules, mechanisms, and data stores are considerably arbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are contemplated and may be encompassed by a scope of various embodiments of the present invention. In general, the structures and functionality presented as separate resources in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or resource. Similarly, the structures and functionality presented as a single resource may be implemented as separate resources.These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are encompassed by a scope of embodiments of the present invention as represented by the appended claims. The descriptive report and drawings, consequently, should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

1. Method characterized in that it comprises: receiving (404) content data representing non-time-bound content to be displayed in a time-bound grid displaying a plurality of time-bound channels; generating (406), using a hardware processor, the time-bound grid, the generation of the time-bound grid comprises: creating, based on the content data, a row of content objects representing the non-time-bound content in the time-bound grid; incorporating the non-time-bound content channel (332) with a plurality of time-bound channels in the time-bound grid; causing the display (408) of the generated time-bound grid with the added row of content objects representing the non-time-bound content on a user's viewing device (104), each of the content objects displayed in the time-bound grid corresponding to a time in the time-bound grid;detect (410) access to the time-bound grid a period of time after the time-bound grid display; in response to detection, update the time-bound grid by the amount of time, the time-bound grid update including: shifting content objects representing non-time-bound content by the amount of time in the time-bound grid to match the same time change in the time-bound channels, the content objects displayed in the time-bound grid, each maintaining its position relative to the corresponding time in the time-bound grid; moving a previously displayed content object in the added row corresponding to a previously displayed time in the time-bound grid to one end of the added row; and causing the updated time-bound grid to display (412) on the viewing device (104).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the time-linked grid comprises an electronic program guide (EPG).

3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises visually distinguishing content objects representing non-time-bound content to indicate that a user's selection of one of the content objects representing non-time-bound content will be played immediately.

4. Method, according to claim 1, characterized in that the creation of the line of content objects representing the non-time-bound content comprises: identifying, from the content data, a duration for each non-time-bound content; and using the duration of each non-time-bound content to space the content objects representing the non-time-bound content in the added line.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that: the content data representing the non-time-bound content comprises a finite number of non-time-bound content; and scrolling to the end of the added line comprising the finite number of non-time-bound content causes the content objects representing the non-time-bound content to repeat.

6. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the content data representing the non-time-bound content comprises a finite number of non-time-bound content; and the method further comprises providing a selection that triggers the retrieval and display of more non-time-bound content in response to the user scrolling to one end of the added line comprising the finite number of non-time-bound content.

7. Method, according to claim 1, characterized in that the creation, based on content data, of a line of content objects representing content not tied to time comprises the display of a content object that provides a subscription option to view a portion of promoted content that the user is not subscribed to view.

8. Method, according to claim 1, characterized in that causing the display of the generated time-bound grid comprises causing the display of a first page of the generated time-bound grid that includes a number n of lines of content objects representing the non-time-bound content, including the added line, the method further comprising: receiving a scroll action that causes a second page of the time-bound grid to be displayed, the method further comprising: receiving a scroll action that causes a second page of the time-bound grid to be displayed; and causing the display of the second page of the time-bound grid.

9. System characterized in that it comprises: one or more hardware processors; and memory storage instructions (524) (504) which, when executed by one or more hardware processors, cause one or more hardware processors to perform operations comprising: receiving (404) content data representing non-time-bound content to be displayed in a time-bound grid displaying a plurality of time-bound channels; generating the time-bound grid, the generation of the time-bound grid comprising: creating, based on the content data, a line of content objects representing the non-time-bound content in the time-bound grid, and incorporating the non-time-bound content channel (332) with a plurality of time-bound channels in the time-bound grid;cause the display (408) of the time-bound grid generated with the added line of content objects representing the non-time-bound content on a user's viewing device (104), each of the content objects displayed in the time-bound grid corresponding to a time in the time-bound grid; detect (410) access to the time-bound grid a period of time after the display that caused the time-bound grid to be generated;Petition 870250104233, dated 11 / 14 / 2025, page 50 / 126 5 / 7 in response to the detection and updating of the time-bound grid by the amount of time, the updating of the time-bound grid including: shifting the content objects representing the non-time-bound content by the amount of time in the time-bound grid to correspond to the same change by the amount of time in the bound channels, the content objects displayed in the time-bound grid, each maintaining its position relative to the corresponding time in the time-bound grid; and moving a previously displayed content object in the added line corresponding to a previously displayed time in the time-bound grid to an end of the added line; and causing the display (412) of the updated time-bound grid on the viewing device (104).; 10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the time-linked grid comprises an electronic programming guide (EPG).

11. System, according to claim 9, characterized in that the operations further comprise visually distinguishing the content objects that represent non-time-bound content to indicate that the user's selection of one of the content objects representing non-time-bound content will be played immediately.

12. System, according to claim 9, characterized in that the creation of the line of content objects representing the non-time-bound content comprises: identifying, from the content data, a duration for each non-time-bound content; and using the duration of each non-time-bound content to space the content objects representing the non-time-bound content in the added line.

13. System according to claim 9, characterized in that: the content data representing the non-time-bound content comprises a finite number of non-time-bound content; and scrolling to an end of the non-time-bound content channel (332) comprising the finite number of non-time-bound content causes the content objects representing the non-time-bound content to repeat.

14. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the content data representing the non-time-bound content comprises a finite number of non-time-bound content; and the operations further comprise providing a selection that triggers the retrieval and display of more non-time-bound content in response to the user scrolling to the end of the added line comprising the finite number of non-time-bound content.

15. Machine storage medium (522) that stores instructions (524) characterized in that, when the instructions (524) are executed by one or more hardware processors (502) of a machine (500), they cause the machine (500) to perform operations comprising: receiving (404) content data representing non-time-bound content to be displayed in a time-bound grid displaying a plurality of time-bound channels; generating (406) the time-bound grid, the generation of the time-bound grid comprising: Petition 870250104233, of 11 / 14 / 2025, p. 52 / 126 7 / 7 create, based on the content data, a line of content objects representing the non-time-bound content in the time-bound grid, and incorporate the non-time-bound content channel (332) with a plurality of time-bound channels in the time-bound grid;cause the display (408) of the time-bound grid generated with the added line of content objects representing non-time-bound content on a user's viewing device (104), each of the content objects displayed in the time-bound grid corresponding to a time in the time-bound grid; detect (410) access to the time-bound grid a period of time after the display that caused the time-bound grid to be generated; in response to the detection, update the time-bound grid by the amount of time, the update of the time-bound grid including: shifting the content objects representing non-time-bound content by the amount of time in the time-bound channels to match the same change by the amount of time in the time-bound channels, the content objects displayed in the time-bound grid, each maintaining its position relative to its corresponding time in the time-bound grid;and move a previously displayed content object in the added row corresponding to a previously displayed time in the time-bound grid to an end of the added row; and cause the updated time-bound grid to be displayed (412) on the viewing device (104).;

Images