Sedna Patent Services, LLC

Cox Communications, Inc.

Francis D Palazzo

Bruce Plotnick

Joel I Boyarski

Errol J D'Souza

The system and method of the present invention provides access to interactive features of an electronic program guide by a user from within a broadcast advertisement. The method of the present invention comprises receiving the broadcast advertisement comprising audio, video and promotional metadata over a broadcast distribution network. The received promotional metadata is analyzed to determine one or more valid electronic program guide features and present options on a display device corresponding to the one or more valid electronic program guide features. The user selects a presented option for execution.

System and method for providing access to interactive features of electronic program guides from within promotional programming

A data structure stored on computer readable media is presented comprising one or more data tags, each data tag used to provide information regarding a broadcast advertisement. Also provided are one or more electronic program guide action tags, each electronic program guide action tag used to define a valid electronic program guide feature that may be accessed from within the broadcast advertisement. The data structure is operative to provide a link between the broadcast advertisement and an electronic program guide to provide access to electronic program guide features defined by the electronic program guide action tags from within the broadcast advertisement.

Metadata structure for providing access to EPG features from within broadcast advertisements

A system and method for presenting advanced editorial content items to subscribers in a distribution network. The method comprises presenting an electronic program guide comprised of data representing program availability on a broadcast distribution network and a selectable editorial content control to present an editorial content index page. An editorial content index page is presented on a display device within the context of the electric program guide in response to selecting the editorial content control, the editorial content index page comprising one or more links or pointers, such as hyperlinks, to editorial content items. A user selects a pointer to an editorial content item from the set of pointers and the editorial content item is presented on the display device.

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Dresher, PA, United States of America

Francis D Palazzo