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:
Apr. 22, 2008
Filed:
Sep. 28, 2001
John S. Hendricks, Potomac, MD (US);
John S. Hendricks, Potomac, MD (US);
Sedna Patent Services, LLC, Philadelphia, PA (US);
Abstract
An interactive electronic program guide is disclosed for use with a television delivery system. The guide is generated by a set top terminal that receives a television signal from an operations center and extracts from the signal individual programs for display on a television screen associated with the terminal. The guide is used to select programs and interactive features for display on the screen. The guide includes a plurality of interconnected menus having display information. The guide also includes a cursor controlled by the user input device for sequencing through the menus and selecting a menu item. The menus include an introductory menu displayed when the guide is started, a main menu that allows access to program submenus and interactive submenus, and during program menus. The during program menus include both overlay menus that are displayed during a program and hidden menus that are not displayed. The interactive features of the guide include a logo displayed during a program indicating that interactive features are available for the program. Upon user selection, a menu of the interactive features is displayed during the program as an overlay window. Interactive features include, for example, additional information related to the program, quizzes, facts, etc. Upon selection of an interactive feature, the feature is displayed in a menu during the program.