Electronic Program Guide Application Association

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic program guides (EPGs) lack the functionality to conveniently purchase pay-per-view programs, rate television shows, and access additional information, limiting user interaction and engagement.

Innovation Solution

Systems and methods that associate additional applications with an EPG, allowing users to select and execute secondary applications directly from the EPG grid, such as pay-per-view purchasing, rating, and information retrieval, through a data server and programming processing component that generates and communicates EPG data with integrated application links or pointers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional EPG applications are used, then basic program listing functionality is provided, but additional functionalities such as purchasing pay-per-view programs, rating shows, and accessing extra information are not available

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The EPG application is enhanced to serve multiple functions beyond basic program listings. By associating executable applications with EPG entries, the system enables users to perform diverse tasks such as purchasing pay-per-view programs, rating television shows, and accessing additional information directly through the EPG interface, thereby achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Executable applications are nested within the EPG data structure itself. Each EPG entry can contain embedded executable application data, allowing the EPG to house multiple functional applications within its organizational framework. This nesting approach integrates additional functionalities seamlessly into the existing EPG structure without requiring external systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If additional applications are associated with EPG entries, then user interaction and engagement are enhanced, but data processing and communication requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interactionVSAvoiddata processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Executable application data is pre-associated with EPG entries during data generation. This preliminary action ensures that when users interact with EPG entries, the associated applications are already linked and ready for immediate execution, eliminating the need for real-time processing or additional lookup operations that would consume time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8739215B2Systems, methods, and apparatus for associating applications with an electronic program guide

Publication Date: 2014.05.27 COX COMMUNICATIONS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for associating applications with an electronic program guide are provided. An electronic program guide that includes television schedule information organized in a grid by time and channel may be generated. The electronic program guide may be configured for presentation to a user by an electronic program guide application executed by a programming processing component associated with the user. A second application different from the electronic program guide application may be associated with an entry in the grid of the electronic program guide. The second application may be configured for execution by the programming processing component based at least in part upon the user selecting the entry. Once generated, the electronic program guide may be output for receipt by the programming processing component.