The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 22, 2002
Filed:
May. 23, 1997
Roy J. Mankovitz, Encino, CA (US);
Henry C. Yuen, Redondo Beach, CA (US);
E-Guide, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for a television guide. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a device for comparing a current time with at least one stored time period for extracting television guide data to determine if the current time is within the stored time period, a device for switching a signal output from a first television signal source to a second television signal source, if television guide data is not contained in the signal output from the first television signal source when the current time is within the stored time period, a device for extracting the television guide data from the signal output when the current time is within the stored time period, and a memory for storing the extracted television guide data. In another embodiment the apparatus includes a device for controlling a tuner to tune to a plurality of channels in the first television signal source, when the current time is within the stored time period, a device for controlling a tuner to tune to a plurality of channels in the second television signal source, when the current time is within the stored time period, and a device for locking the tuner on a channel containing television guide data in order to permit extraction of the television guide data from the channel, wherein the device for switching switches from the first television signal source to the second television signal source, if television guide data is not contained in the signal output from the plurality of channels in the first television signal source.