Patent ID: 6442755
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A system for allowing an operator to update the display characteristics of interactive television program guide display screens that are generated by an interactive television program guide for display on a user's user television equipment, wherein television programming is displayed on the user television equipment and television program listings information is displayed on the user television equipment in a program guide display screen having at least one display element that is preprogrammed into the interactive television program guide, the system comprising:means for allowing the operator to supply a first markup language document to the interactive television program guide without intervention by the user, wherein the first markup language document indicates how the preprogrammed display element is to be displayed by the interactive television program guide on the user television equipment; means for interpreting the first markup language document using the interactive program guide; and means for generating and displaying a first program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element displayed as indicated by the interpreted first markup language document using the interactive television program guide; means for allowing the operator to supply a second markup language document to the interactive television program guide without intervention by the user when the operator desires to update the display characteristics of the first interactive program guide display screen, wherein the second markup language document indicates how the preprogrammed display element is to be displayed by the interactive television program guide on the user television equipment; means for interpreting the second markup language document using the interactive program guide; and means for generating and displaying a second program guide display screen to replace the first program guide display screen, the second program guide display screen containing the preprogrammed display element displayed as indicated by the interpreted second markup language document using the interactive television program guide, wherein the display characteristics of the second program guide display screen are different from the display characteristics of the first program guide display screen.