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:
Nov. 01, 2011
Filed:
Oct. 16, 2003
James O. Robarts, Redmond, WA (US);
David S. Byrne, Seattle, WA (US);
Steve Fluegel, Redmond, WA (US);
Gabe Newell, Seattle, WA (US);
Dan Newell, Seattle, WA (US);
Kenneth Abbott, Marietta, GA (US);
James O. Robarts, Redmond, WA (US);
David S. Byrne, Seattle, WA (US);
Steve Fluegel, Redmond, WA (US);
Gabe Newell, Seattle, WA (US);
Dan Newell, Seattle, WA (US);
Kenneth Abbott, Marietta, GA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
An electronic program guide (EPG) organizes and presents programming information to the viewer and allows for creation of queries to facilitate both simple and complex searches of the programming information. The EPG is configured to automatically identify programs that a viewer is likely to prefer. The EPG collects viewing preferences of a viewer and, using these preferences; automatically develops queries for identifying programs that the viewer is likely to watch. The EPG also enables multiple viewers to merge their individual queries into one composite query or to run queries in background to periodically check for programs and notify the viewer when a program is identified. Queries are saved in an EPG database in a hierarchic structure with directories and sub-directories to make it easy for a viewer for organizing and retrieval. Also the EPG creates queries for a channel, network name or program using a 10-key keypad. The EPG is configured to interpret the data as representing all possible choices.