Interactive video programming methods

TL;DR: In this paper, an interactive television program guide client is implemented on user television equipment, which provides users with an opportunity to define expressions that are processed by the program guide server and parentally lock programs based on the expressions.

TL;DR: In this article, a distributed electronic entertainment method and apparatus are described, where a central management resource is coupled to multiple out-of-home venues through a wide area network (WAN).

TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe a usage preferences description, describing preferences of a user with respect to the use of at least one of the audio, image, and video, where the description normally includes multiple preferences.

TL;DR: In this paper, an interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may inform a program guide of the user's interests and information on the users' interests may be stored in a preference profile.

TL;DR: In this paper, an improvement over previous Electronic Programming Guides (EPG) in that it provides, among other things, improved viewer interaction capabilities with the EPG; improved viewer control of video recording of future-scheduled programming; improved features to the EPD display and navigation; parental control of the EOG display; improved television program information access by the viewer; improved opportunities for the commercial advertiser to reach the viewer, improved product information access, creation of a viewer's profile; utilization of viewer profile information to customize various aspects of the ePG; and utilization of

TL;DR: In this article, a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses is described. But this system is limited to a single game and the player can only select a prize having a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount.

TL;DR: In this article, an electronic program schedule system with access to both stored television program schedule information and data feeds containing status information for live programs such as sporting events is presented, where a video display generator is used to generate a display signal simultaneously comprising information from both the stored schedule and the received data feed.

TL;DR: In this article, a network controller for use with a digital cable headend capable of monitoring and controlling set top terminals in a television program delivery system is described, which is particularly useful in program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, a menu driven program selection system, and a program control information signal that carries data and identifies available program choices.