Patent ID: 7143428
Filing Date: 2006-11-28
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. In a client system comprising a display for showing video programs received from one or more video sources and chat communication from one or more chat rooms, a method of the client system displaying a particular video program and chat communication corresponding to the particular video program, the method comprising: receiving a video program from a video source; receiving chat communication from a chat room that is associated with the video program; storing a plurality of distinct user interface templates, each of the plurality of distinct user interface templates defining a video region, for displaying the video program, and a chat region, for displaying chat communication, that differ from one user interface template to another; automatically, and without user intervention, selecting one of the plurality of distinct user interface templates for use in customizing display of the video program and the chat communication based on at least one of (i) an episode of a television series included in the video program, (ii) a television series corresponding to the video program, (iii) a television network affiliate providing the video program, or (iv) a network providing the video program; and displaying the video program and the chat communication in accordance with the selected user interface template and thereby creating a customized user interface for the video program and chat communication.