Patent ID: 7134134
Filing Date: 2006-11-07
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A hardware card for insertion into a television tuning device having electronic program guide capability, the hardware card configured to enable the television tuning device to compatibly process encoded electronic program guide information, the encoded electronic program guide information being encoded to prevent use of the electronic program guide information at the television tuning device until the electronic program guide information has been purchased, comprising: a case having a form factor; a non-volatile memory situated within the case and having loadable data stored thereon that can be loaded onto the television tuning device, portions of the loadable data comprising a specification specifying settings for accessing a purchased portion of electronic program guide information over a corresponding transmission network along with settings for compatibly processing the purchased portion of encoded electronic program guide information, the loadable data including: means for providing the loadable data to the television tuning device, for configuring the television tuning device to connect to the specified electronic program guide provider over the corresponding transmission network, for configuring the television tuning device to decode the purchased portion of electronic program guide information and for transferring the additional distinguishing information to the specified electronic program guide provider; and wherein the specified electronic program guide provider, upon being connected to by the television tuning device via the indicated communication mechanism, uses the additional distinguishing information to identify the purchased portion of electronic program guide information from among other electronic program guide information maintained at the specified electronic program guide provider, and thereafter enables the television tuning device to access the purchased portion of electronic program guides information.