Adaptable programming guide for networked devices

Abstract

An electronic content guide is disclosed. The electronic content guide preferably includes a source field for listing content sources and output devices. The electronic content guide also includes a first content field for listing schedule data corresponding to first content data presently available for viewing from each one of the content sources and for listing display information corresponding to the first content data being displayed for viewing at a present time by each one of the output devices. Preferably, the source field and the first content field are displayable in parallel columns. The electronic content guide can also include a second content field, displayable in a column parallel to the source field and the first content field, corresponding to a second content data. In one embodiment, the first content data from each content source can be displayed simultaneously on more than one of the output devices.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 846,096 filed on May 14, 2004, which in turn claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 470,748 filed May 14, 2003 and is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 10 / 000,495 filed Oct. 30, 2001, which in turn claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 244,790 filed Oct. 31, 2000 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 909,676 filed on Jul. 19, 2001, which in turn claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 233,581 filed Sep. 19, 2000, as well as U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 219,857 filed on Jul. 20, 2000, all of which are incorporated by reference into the present application.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to systems for and methods of distributing content data. More specifically...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an electronic content guide is disclosed. The electronic content guide includes a source field for listing content sources and output devices; and a first content field for listing schedule data corresponding to first content data presently available for viewing from the content sources and for listing display information corresponding to the first content data being displayed for viewing at a present time by each one of the output devices; wherein the first content data from each content source can be displayed simultaneously on more than one of the output devices. The electronic content guide can also include a second content field, displayable in a column parallel to the source field and the first content field, corresponding to a second content data. The electronic content guide can also include a descriptor field for displaying a detailed description of each content source, each output device, the first content data, and the second content data.

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, the difference between the various content providers is not readily apparent to the user.

Images