Patent Publication Number: US-2015074718-A1

Title: Electronic programming guide with real-time audio video content information updates

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates generally to presenting audio video (AV) content information on user interfaces. 
     BACKGROUND 
     User interfaces (UIs) such as electronic programming guides (EPGs) that are presentable on display devices generally contain information for various audio video (AV) contents that are available for presentation on the display device. This information may include things such as e.g. the time that the AV content is airing on a particular TV channel, the actors or participants of the AV content, and the title of the AV content. Present principles recognize that still other information may be presented on an EPG. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first aspect, an audio video device (AVD) includes a processor configured for controlling a display, as well as a at least one computer readable storage medium that is not a carrier wave and that is accessible to the processor. The computer readable storage medium bears instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to present, on the display, at least an user interface (UI) of available audio video (AV) content (programming). The UI includes information for at least one available AV content including a first AV content. Further, the information for the first AV content includes the current number of other AVDs presenting the first AV content, the current rating of the first AV content, the current number of likes or dislikes of the first AV content, the current number of comments regarding the first AV content, and/or an indication of whether the first AV content is currently trending. 
     In some embodiments, the first AV content may be a television broadcast and the UI may be an electronic programming guide (EPG). Also in some embodiments, the information included on the UI may be received from an Internet server at least in part using a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) application programming interface (API). 
     Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the following portions of information may be updated on the UI substantially in real time as the UI is being presented on the display: the current number of other AVDs presenting the first AV content, the current rating of the first AV content, the current number of likes or dislikes of the first AV content, the current number of comments concerning the first AV content, and the indication of whether the first AV content is currently trending. Further describing the likes and dislikes that may be updated substantially in real time, they may be associated with input to a social networking service to which the processor is configurable to have access. In addition to or in lieu of the foregoing, the likes and dislikes may be an aggregation of likes and dislikes of the first AV content based on input to plural social networking services, where the number of likes and dislikes input using the social networking services is accessible to the processor. 
     In another aspect, a method includes presenting, on a display, a user interface (UI) including information for each of plural audio video (AV) contents and updating the information on the UI as the UI is presented. The updating is done substantially in real time as at least one information update for at least one portion of the information for at least one AV content is received. Further, information presented for a first AV content includes a view count of the number of current presentations of the AV content on separate consumer electronics (CE) devices, where the view count is updated on the UI substantially in real time as an information update for the view count is received. 
     In still another aspect, a computer readable storage medium that is not a carrier wave bears instructions which when executed by a processor of a consumer electronics (CE) device configure the processor to execute logic including presenting, on a display device controllable by the processor, at least an user interface (UI) of available audio video (AV) content. The UI presents information for at least a first AV content. The information for the first AV content includes the current number of individual consumer electronics (CE) device instances that have been set at respective CE devices to record the first AV content on the respective CE devices. 
     The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary system including a CE device in accordance with present principles; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary flowchart of logic to be executed by a CE device to present a current information user interface in accordance with present principles; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary flowchart of logic to be executed by a server for providing current information for one or more AV contents in accordance with present principles; 
         FIGS. 4-10  are exemplary current information user interfaces in accordance with present principles; and 
         FIG. 11  is an exemplary current information settings UI in accordance with present principles. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems for consumer electronics (CE) device based user information. A system herein may include server and client components, connected over a network such that data may be exchanged between the client and server components. The client components may include one or more computing devices. These may include televisions (e.g. computerized TVs, Internet-enabled TVs, and/or high definition (HD) TVs), personal computers, laptops, tablet computers, and other mobile devices including computerized “smart” phones. These client devices may operate with a variety of operating environments. For example, some of the client computers may be running Microsoft Windows® operating system. Other client devices may be running one or more derivatives of the Unix operating system, or operating systems produced by Apple® Computer, such as the IOS® operating system, or the Android® operating system, produced by Google®. While examples of client device configurations are provided, these are only examples and are not meant to be limiting. These operating environments may also include one or more browsing programs, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer®, Firefox, Google Chrome®, or one of the other many browser programs. The browsing programs on the client devices may be used to access web applications hosted by the server components discussed below. 
     Server components may include one or more computer servers executing instructions that configure the servers to receive and transmit data over the network. For example, in some implementations, the client and server components may be connected over the Internet. In other implementations, the client and server components may be connected over a local intranet, such as an intranet within a school or a school district. In other implementations a virtual private network may be implemented between the client components and the server components. This virtual private network may then also be implemented over the Internet or an intranet. 
     The data produced by the servers may be received by the client devices discussed above. The client devices may also generate network data that is received by the servers. The server components may also include load balancers, firewalls, caches, and proxies, and other network infrastructure known in the art for implementing a reliable and secure web site infrastructure. One or more server components may form an apparatus that implement methods of providing a secure community to one or more members. The methods may be implemented by software instructions executing on processors included in the server components. These methods may utilize one or more of the user interface examples provided below. 
     The technology is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, TVs, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, processor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. 
     As used herein, instructions refer to computer-implemented steps for processing information in the system. Instructions can be implemented in software, firmware or hardware and include any type of programmed step undertaken by components of the system. 
     A processor may be any conventional general purpose single- or multi-chip processor such as the AMD® Athlon® II or Phenom® II processor, Intel® i3®/i5®/i7® processors, Intel Xeon® processor, or any implementation of an ARM® processor. In addition, the processor may be any conventional special purpose processor, including OMAP processors, Qualcomm® processors such as Snapdragon®, or a digital signal processor or a graphics processor. The processor typically has conventional address lines, conventional data lines, and one or more conventional control lines. 
     The system is comprised of various modules as discussed in detail. As can be appreciated, each of the modules comprises various sub-routines, procedures, definitional statements and macros. The description of each of the software/logic/modules is used for convenience to describe the functionality of the preferred system. Thus, the processes that are undergone by each of the software/logic/modules may be arbitrarily redistributed to one of the other software/logic/modules, combined together in a single software process/logic flow/module, or made available in, for example, a shareable dynamic link library. 
     The system may be written in any conventional programming language such as C#, C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, or Java, and run under a conventional operating system. C#, C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, Java, and FORTRAN are industry standard programming languages for which many commercial compilers can be used to create executable code. The system may also be written using interpreted languages such as Pert Python or Ruby. These are examples only and not intended to be limiting. 
     Those of skill will further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. 
     In one or more example embodiments, the functions and methods described may be implemented in hardware, software, or firmware executed on a processor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a, computer-readable storage medium. Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. However, a computer readable storage medium is not a carrier wave, and may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable storage media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection may be properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as may be used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. 
     The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems, devices, and methods can be practiced in many ways. As is also stated herein, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment are interchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from a depicted embodiment can be included with other depicted embodiments in any combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments. 
     With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. 
     It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments may be apparent. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary system  10  includes at least one consumer electronics (CE) device  12  that in exemplary embodiments is a television (TV) such as e.g. a high definition TV and/or Internet-enabled computerized TV (e.g. a “smart” TV). However, present principles recognize that the CE device  12  may also be e.g. a wireless and/or mobile telephone, a set top box, digital video recorder, computerized (e.g. “smart”) phone (e.g., an Internet-enabled and touch-enabled mobile telephone), a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a PDA, a video game console, a video player, a personal video recorder, a computerized (e.g. “smart”) watch, a music player, etc. Regardless, it is to be understood that the CE device  12  is configured to undertake present principles (e.g. to present an EPG in accordance with present principles). 
     Describing the CE device  12  with more specificity, it includes a touch-enabled display  14 , one or more speakers  16  for outputting audio, and at least one additional input device  18  such as, e.g., an audio receiver/microphone, keypad, touchpad, etc. for providing input and/or commands (e.g. audible commands) to a processor  20  for controlling the CE device  12  such as e.g. controlling an electronic programming guide (EPG) and/or selecting elements thereon in accordance with present principles. The CE device  12  also includes a network interface  22  for communication over at least one network  24  such as the Internet, an WAN, a LAN, etc. under control of the processor  20 , it being understood that the processor  20  controls the CE device  12  including presentation of an EPG as disclosed herein. Furthermore, the network interface  22  may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony transceiver. 
     In addition to the foregoing, the CE device  12  may include an audio video interface  26  such as, e.g., a USB or HDMI port for receiving input (e.g. AV content) from a component device such as e.g. a set top box or Blue Ray disc player for presentation of the content on the CE device  12 , as well as a tangible computer readable storage medium  28  such as disk-based or solid state storage. The medium  28  is understood to store the software code and/or logic discussed herein for execution by the processor  20  in accordance with present principles. Further still, the CE device  12  may also include a TV tuner  30  and a GPS receiver (not shown for clarity) that is configured to receive geographic position information from at least one satellite and provide the information to the processor  20  to undertake present principles such as e.g. providing current and/or real-time information in accordance with present principles for a particular geographic area (e.g. the area in which the CE device  12  is disposed), though it is to be understood that another suitable position receiver other than a GPS receiver may be used in accordance with present principles. 
     Moreover, it is to be understood that the CE device  12  also includes a transmitter/receiver  34  for communicating with a remote commander (RC)  36  associated with the CE device  12  and configured to provide input (e.g., commands) to the CE device  12  (e.g. to the processor  20 ) to thus control the CE device  12 . Accordingly, the RC  36  also has a transmitter/receiver  38  for communicating with the CE device  12  through the transmitter/receiver  34 . The RC  36  also includes an input device  40  such as a keypad or touch screen display, as well as a processor  42  for controlling the RC  36  and a tangible computer readable storage medium  44  such as disk-based or solid state storage. Though not shown, in some embodiments the RC  36  may also include a touch-enabled display screen and a microphone that may be used for providing input/commands to the CE device  12  in accordance with present principles. 
     Still in reference to  FIG. 1 , reference is now made to a server  46  of the system  10 . The server  46  includes at least one processor  48 , at least one tangible computer readable storage medium  50  such as disk-based or solid state storage, and at least one network interface  52  that, under control of the processor  48 , allows for communication with the CE device  12  (and even a cable head end  54  to be described shortly) over the network  24  and indeed the server  46  may facilitate communication between the CE device  12 , server  46 , and cable head end  54 . Note that the network interface  52  may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony transceiver. Accordingly, in some embodiments the server  46  may be an Internet server, may facilitate the transmission of and indeed provide current information (e.g. in conjunction with data received from the cable head end  54 ) for presentation on an EPG in accordance with present principles, and may include and perform “cloud” functions such that the CE device  12  may access a “cloud” environment via the server  46  in exemplary embodiments if desired. Additionally, note that the processors  20 ,  42 , and  48  are configured to execute logic and/or software code for their respective devices as disclosed herein. 
     Describing the head end  54  mentioned above, it is to be understood that although the head end  54  is labeled as a cable head end in particular in  FIG. 1 , it may be a satellite head end as well. The head end  54  is understood to be in communication with the CE device  12  and/or server  46  over, e.g., a closed network (through a wired or wireless connection), and furthermore may itself include a network interface (not shown) such that the head end  54  may communicate with the CE device  12  and/or server  46  over a wide-area and/or open network such as the network  24 . Further still, it is to be understood that the head end  54  may be wired or wirelessly connected to a non-internet server, and/or may optionally be integrated with a non-Internet server. In any case, it is to be understood that the head end  54  may facilitate the transmission of EPG information to the CE device  12  in accordance with present principles. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary flowchart of logic to be executed by a CE device such as the CE device  12  to present current and/or Teal-time audio video (AV) content information on an EPG for respective contents is shown. Beginning at block  60 , the logic receives user account information (e.g. login information) for one or more social networking accounts so that an EPG to be presented on the CE device  12  can be associated with, linked to, and/or present information from at least one social networking service such as e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+, etc. in accordance with present principles. Also at block  60 , the logic may sign in to one or more of the social networking accounts for which account information has been provided to thereafter receive, extract, and/or otherwise determine data to be included in EPG information in accordance with present principles. 
     The logic then proceeds to block  62 , where the logic receives user input to present an EPG on a display of the CE device (e.g., when the CE device and/or associated set top box is powered on). The logic then moves to block  64  where the logic gathers (e.g. from a server and/or cable head end) the current, most recent, and/or real-time information of one or more types for one or more AV contents to be included on an EPG in accordance with present principles (e.g. real-time information for each of plural AV contents to be included on a panel/entry on the EPG for each of the plural AV contents). Also at block  64 , the logic presents the EPG. Thereafter, the logic proceeds to block  66  where the logic receives or otherwise gathers and/or determines one or more notifications and/or information updates concerning at least some of the real-time information presented on the EPG, and then at block  68  the logic updates the EPG presented on the CE device and/or also updates EPG information and/or data stored locally on a storage medium of the CE device for later presentation on an EPG. 
     Continuing the description of  FIG. 2 , after block  68  the logic proceeds to block  70 , where the logic receives one or more user commands, comments, likes, dislikes, etc. (e.g. and still other user-input information as disclosed herein) that pertain to e.g. a particular piece of AV content presented on the CE device and/or AV content information presented the EPG, and may even provide this information and/or data to a cable head end and/or server for incorporation into statistics and/or real-time information maintained and provided by the cable head end and/or server to CE devices in accordance with present principles. For instance, an RC associated with the CE device may have a dedicated Facebook “like” button that, when selected, provides input to the CE device processor indicating that the viewer “likes” the currently-presented AV content which the processor may then provide to a Facebook application for publishing on the user&#39;s Facebook profile and/or newsfeed. Regardless, also at block  70  the logic may receive user input to view other people&#39;s comments, likes, and/or dislikes (e.g. on an EPG) in accordance with present principles. 
     Next, the logic proceeds to block  72  where the logic presents any requested and/or all current (e.g. real-time, dynamically updated) information for the requested information type such as social networking comments on a particular AV content, likes and dislikes for a particular AV content, etc. The logic then moves to block  74  where the logic receives a request to present information related to the current number of recordings and/or recording commands that have been set at other CE devices to record an AV content (e.g. an AV content indicated on the presented EPG that is upcoming and/or otherwise has yet to be made available to the CE device from a cable head end or server). The logic then concludes at block  76  where the logic presents the requested recording information. 
     Continuing the detailed description in reference to  FIG. 3 , exemplary logic is shown that may be executed by e.g. a server and/or cable head end in accordance with present principles. Beginning at block  80  the logic provides (e.g. requested) EPG data and/or information to one or more CE devices that includes e.g. current information on one or more AV contents to be presented on an EPG in accordance with present principles. The logic then moves to block  82  where the logic receives data and/or notifications from one or more CE devices regarding the viewing of one or more AV contents on each of the respective CE devices for which data and/or notifications are received. The data and/or notifications are understood to pertain to e.g. whether a viewer has changed from viewing one AV content being streamed and/or provided to a CE device via the server/head end to another AV content, and whether the user has “liked” the content, set the CE device and/or set top box/DVR associated therewith to record an AV content at least in part by manipulating the provided EPG, etc. The data and/or notifications are understood to pertain to and/or include still other data and/or information as disclosed herein such as that related to e.g. ratings, comments, trends, etc. 
     In any case, after block  82  the logic proceeds to block  84  where the logic adjusts one or more AV content parameters and/or current data metrics for the AV content for which the one or more notifications have been received, as well as any other information related to the tracking of user behavior and/or EPG or CE device manipulation, and may even store the (updated) parameters and/or metrics on a local storage medium of the server and/or head end so that the information is readily accessible e.g. whenever a CE device in communication with the server/head end makes a request for such information to the server. The logic of  FIG. 3  then concludes at block  86  where the logic provides updated current information to one or more CE devices (e.g. including or other than the one or more CE devices that provided the notifications received at block  82 ) to reflect the adjustments made to the information at block  84  and thus to provide substantially real-time information updates in accordance with present principles. 
     Continuing the detailed description in reference to  FIGS. 4-10 , these figures show exemplary current information UN that are presentable on a CE device in accordance with present principles. Beginning first with  FIG. 4 , a current information UI  90  is shown, it being understood that the UI  90  may be presented automatically without further user input responsive to e.g. selection of a guide button on a RC. The UI  90  includes a current video portion  92  on an upper left corner thereof that presents video from a currently selected AV content (e.g., the AV content being presented prior to evoking a function on the CE device causing the UI  90  to be presented). Also shown is current temporal information area  94  that may include current temporal information such as the time of day and date. 
     In addition to the foregoing, the UI  90  includes a channel and AV content portion  96  that presents AV content information in e.g. a grid and/or panel layout form. As may be appreciated from  FIG. 4 , the portion  96  includes a listing of channels on a left portion thereof, and also at least one panel  98  indicating an AV content that is or will be provided on that channel at a particular time. 
     Accordingly, as an example and as may be appreciated from  FIG. 4 , AV content XYZ is being provided on the Travel channel from four to five p.m. on Oct. 8, 2013. As may also be appreciated from  FIG. 4 , at least one panel  98  (and as shown in  FIG. 4 , all panels  98 ) may include a social networking selector element  100  that may include an icon associated with a social networking service that is selectable by a user to initiate and/or execute a social networking function using the social networking service and pertaining to the AV content for the respective panel. For instance, manipulating a cursor using an RC to select the selector element  100  may cause an overlay comment box to automatically be presented without further user input to which a user may enter text to comment on the particular AV content associated with the panel  98  from which the selector element  100  was selected. The comment may then be shared by selecting a submit selector on the overlay comment box. The comment may be shared by e.g. being published via the social networking service itself and/or being subsequently presented on EPGs presented on CE devices in accordance with present principle such that e.g. a friend of the user providing the comment on one CE device may view the comment on a current information EPG presented on the friend&#39;s CE device. 
     In addition to the social networking selector element  100 , at least one of the panels  98  may also include a current information selector element  102  that is selectable to cause current information to be presented that is associated with the respective AV content for the panel on which the selected selector element  102  is presented (e.g., the current information may be presented on e.g. an overlay screen and/or another UI, such as the one shown in  FIG. 5  to be described shortly). 
     Still in reference to  FIG. 4 , the UI  90  also includes a detailed current information portion  104  for a particular AV content associated with a panel  98  that is e.g. highlighted or selected on the UI  90 , and thus may dynamically and automatically change responsive to another of the panels  98  being navigated to or otherwise selected on the UI  90  e.g. using a RC. In the present exemplary instance, it may be appreciated that at least a portion of the panel  98  for AV content XYZ is shaded to denote that it is currently selected (e.g. using a cursor moved to the XYZ AV content panel  98 ), and thus detailed current information for the selected XYZ AV content panel  98  is presented in the portion  104 . The detailed current information presented on the portion  104  may include information such as the AV content&#39;s title, an icon or thumbnail image associated with the AV content, an indication of the current number of recording instances set at other CE devices to record AV content XYZ, an indication of the current number of other CE devices currently presenting AV content XYZ, the time during which AV content XYZ will be provided on the Travel channel, the current rating of AV content XYZ as determined based on e.g. real-time updated user-input ratings, and also if desired a current information selector element  106  that is selectable to cause still further information associated with AV content XYZ to be presented (e.g., such as that shown on the UI of  FIG. 5 ). 
     Now in reference to the afore-mentioned  FIG. 5 , a detailed current information UI  110  is shown that may be presented automatically without further user input responsive to e.g. selection of a current information selector element for AV content XYZ from the UI  90  (e.g. either or both of the current information selector element for the XYZ panel  98  or the selector element  106 ). A current video portion  112  is shown on the UI  110 , as well as a current temporal information area  114  that may be e.g. similar to the portion  92  and area  94  described above, respectively. Next to the portion  112  and area  114  on an upper portion of the UI  110  is an information portion  116  for a particular AV content associated with a UI panel that has been selected (or specific selector element on a panel) in accordance with present principles. The portion  116  may include information for the selected AV content such as e.g. the AV content title, an icon or thumbnail image associated with the AV content, the time when the AV content will be provided, and e.g. a AV content provider-provided rating for the AV content. 
     In addition to the foregoing, the UI  110  includes a detailed information portion  118  that includes different types of current information associated with the AV content that is updated and/or updateable in real time or substantially in real time in accordance with present principles. The portion  118  may include a title  120  indicating that the portion  118  pertains to detailed current information regarding the subject AV content, as well as an icon  122  such as e.g. a clock reflecting the current time of day during which the UI  110  is presented to denote that the information presented on the portion  118  is current or substantially current based on the most-recent available information. Further still, at least one informative indication  124  is provided on the portion  118 , with each one indicating what the respective parameter or metric pertains to and also optionally including an icon or image associated therewith that symbolizes the respective particular information. 
     Thus, for example, an indication  126  of the current number (e.g. view count) of CE devices presenting AV content XYZ includes a number (in this case one thousand, two hundred, and forty nine people), along with an image/icon  128  of a crowd to indicate that a large number of people are viewing AV content XYZ on their CE devices. Still other current information for the AV content may be presented on the portion  118 , including e.g. an indication  130  of the current rating of the AV content based on e.g. end-user ratings rather than e.g. Federal Communication Commission guidelines and/or AV content provider-provided ratings, along with an image/icon  132  of a star-based rating, an indication  134  of the current number of likes and/or dislikes of the AV content (e.g. including specific indications of likes or dislikes by social networking friends of the user associated with the CE device) along with one or more images/icons  136  for likes and dislikes such as images of a hand with a thumb up or down, an indication  138  of the current number of comments regarding the AV content along with an image/icon  140  symbolizing comments such as the image of a caption box, an indication  142  of whether the AV content is currently trending along with an image/icon  144  of up arrows getting progressively longer left to right to indicate the subject AV content is trending and continues to trend even more (e.g., conversely if the arrows point down the image/icon  144  may indicate the subject AV content is trending less and less), and an indication  146  of the current number of instances on different (and/or separate) CE devices where the respective CE device and/or set top box/DVR associated therewith has been set to record the subject AV content along with an image/icon  148  in the present instance denoting a recording feature by way of a record button. 
     Still in reference to  FIG. 5 , it is to be understood that although at the time the UI  110  is initially presented responsive to a request for it (e.g. selection of a current information selector element), the indications and/or information provided thereon may change over time as the UI  110  continues to be presented (e.g. without being removed from the display screen on which it is presented). Thus, it is to be understood that the information and/or indications presented on the UI  110  may change and update dynamically in real time as the CE device presenting the UI  110  receives information updates from e.g. a server or head end in accordance with present principles. For instance, the indication  126  of the number of people watching AV content XYZ as presented on the UI  110  may increase or decrease over time as the UI  110  is presented. Any and/or all other indications and information may similarly dynamically and without user input change as information updates pertaining to that particular type of information are received by CE device and/or made available where the CE device may access it (e.g. on a website or remote storage location such as a server and/or “cloud”). Indeed, any and/or all of the current information for AV content described herein that is presentable on any of the UIs of  FIGS. 4-10  may be similarly updated and dynamically changed on the respective UIs as described herein. 
     Accordingly, it is to be understood that the CE device presenting current information EPGs in accordance with present principles may receive information updates as described herein and/or determine the information by accessing it when stored not on the CE device (e.g. on a server computer readable storage medium, on a website, via a social networking service to which the CE device has access, etc.). Further still, in some embodiments the real-time information may be communicated from a server at least in part using a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) application programming interface (API). E.g., a HTTP representational state transfer (REST) protocol may be used and thus, e.g., a javascript command may be provided to the server, and the server may in turn respond with a javascript object notation (JSON). 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , a detailed current information UI  150  (e.g. an EPG) is shown. Note that e.g. the UI  150  may be presented e.g. automatically without further user input responsive to e.g. selection of a guide button on a RC in lieu of the UI  90  of  FIG. 4  based on e.g. EPG settings set by a user as will be described further in reference to  FIG. 11 . In any case, the UI  150  may include a current video portion  152  as well as a current temporal information area  154  that may be e.g. similar to the portion  92  and area  94  described above, respectively. Also shown is a detailed current information portion  156  for a particular AV content associated with a panel  158  that is e.g. highlighted or selected on the EPG (denoted by the background shading for the panel  158 ). If desired and as shown, the upper portion  156  may include at least one indication of current information for the subject AV content, and in the present instance it includes indications of the current view count for the AV content (and/or e.g. daily view count for the channel itself), the current rating, the current number of likes, the current number of comments, whether the AV content is trending, and the current number of instances the AV content is being recorded. 
     In addition to the foregoing, the detailed current information UI  150  may also include a level of information for various AV content information panels  160  presented thereon that is e.g. relatively more detailed than the UI  90  described above. Each of the panels  160  may include one or more of the following indications, as well as any other indication described herein: the current view count for the AV content of the respective panel  160 , the current rating, the current number of likes, the current number of comments, whether the AV content associated with the respective panel  160  is trending, and the current number of instances the AV content associated with the respective panel  160  is being recorded. Even further, in addition to an AV content title  162  for the AV content associated with the respective panel  160 , at least one of the panels  160  may include a more information selector element  164  that is selectable to cause still more current information regarding the AV content associated with the respective selector element  164  to be presented, such as e.g. presenting the UI  110  of  FIG. 5 . 
     Still in reference to  FIG. 6 , also note that in addition to the current information indications described above, still other current information may be conveyed using the UI  150 , including current, real-time dynamically updated information for the various channels themselves that are represented on the UI  150 . Thus, for instance, channel area  166  for the Travel channel includes indications of the cumulative view count of CE devices that have viewed any AV content provided on the subject channel at any point during the day, and a cumulative recording count of the total recordings of one or more AV contents provided on the subject channel. Still other current information indications may be provided for the channels as well, including e.g. a user-determined rating, the number of channel likes or dislikes, the number of comments about the channel, whether the channel is trending or not, etc. 
     Additionally, before moving on to  FIG. 7 , it is to be understood that still other information may be presented on panels  160  for which e.g. current information may not be available. For instance, if a panel pertains to a content yet to be provided by a channel (e.g. such as the respective panels on the UI  150  for AV content ABC and AV content GHI that are to be aired in the future at five p.m. when the current time as indicated is only four forty two p.m.), then a current view count cannot be provided since the content is not yet being provided on the respective channel. However, other information and/or estimates may be provided such as e.g. the estimated number of views the AV content will receive, the estimated rating, whether the AV content is expected to trend, the number of planned recordings according to e.g. a server that has received recording notifications in accordance with present principles, etc. 
     Furthermore, in some embodiments the information may pertain to past presentations of the AV content either on the particular channel that is about to present the content as shown on the UI  150  or any other channel. The indications of such information may include e.g. the total number of views the AV content has ever received or received for the most-recent previous presentation, the all-time rating for the AV content or the most-recent rating for the most recent presentation, the all time likes or dislikes or likes or dislikes for the most-recent presentation, all comments or comments only provided during the most recent presentation, etc. Note that a detailed current information UI such as the  110  described above may include such estimates and/or past information as well such as when a more information selector element is selected from the UI  150  for an AV content to be aired on a channel in the future. 
     Now in reference to  FIGS. 7-10 , an exemplary current information UI is shown but, distinguishing the UIs of  FIGS. 7-10  from the previously described UIs, the UI in these figures includes a tabbed format for viewing of various types of current information. In cross-reference to  FIGS. 7-10 , a UI  168  that may be dynamically updated to include the most recent and/or up-to-date information as possible is shown, and includes a current video portion  170  as well as a current temporal information area  172  that may be e.g. similar to the portion  92  and area  94  described above, respectively. Also shown is a title area  174  indicating in the present exemplary instance what is “happening now.” In addition to the foregoing, the UI  168  includes a detailed current information portion  176  that includes plural tabs that are selectable to cause different types of current information to be presented. 
     In reference to  FIG. 7  in particular, a most views tab  178  is shown as being the operative and/or currently selected tab with current view count information being shown that may be dynamically updated in real time in accordance with present principles. As may be appreciated from  FIG. 7 , the portion  176  presents indications  180  of plural AV contents that are ranked top to bottom from most CE devices currently viewing the AV content to other AV contents being viewed on less CE devices. As may be appreciated from exemplary  FIG. 7 , Content One has the most current views and Content Four has the least, with Contents Two and Three having less views than Content One but more than Content Four. Note that at least a portion of each respective indication  180 , either or both the content title itself (e.g. “Content One”) or the number of views may be selectable to cause the respective AV content associated therewith to automatically without further user input be presented on the CE device to quickly navigate to e.g. the most popular AV content. 
     Now in reference to  FIG. 8 , a trending tab  182  is shown as being the operative and/or currently selected tab with currently trending AV content information being shown that may be dynamically updated in real time in accordance with present principles. As may be appreciated from  FIG. 8 , the portion  176  now presents indications  184  in the form of bars of various lengths for respective AV contents that are ranked top to bottom from most trending to least trending. Note that each respective indication  184  may be accompanied by and/or include text describing the trend such as “hot” or “trending down.” Also note that there are two columns of indications  184 , one for trending according to one social networking service (e.g. Facebook) and one for trending according to another social networking service (e.g. Twitter). In lieu of or in addition to columns for respective social networking services, there may also be a column of cumulative trending totals across all social networking services or user-specified social networking services, though this is not shown for clarity. Nonetheless, as may be appreciated from exemplary  FIG. 8 , Content Three is trending the most, Content Four is trending but not as much as Content Three, Content One is trending less than Content Four, and Content Two is trending the least of the four. Even further, it is to be understood that at least a portion of each respective indication  184 , either or both the content title itself (e.g. “Content One”) or the portion indicating trends may be selectable to cause the respective AV content associated therewith to automatically without further user input be presented on the CE device to quickly navigate to e.g. trending AV content. 
     Continuing the detailed description in reference to  FIG. 9 , a most recorded tab  186  is shown (e.g. most anticipated recordings, and/or most anticipated AV content presentations based on data other than recording instances set) as being the operative and/or currently selected tab. The portion  176  as shown in  FIG. 9  thus shows recording indications  188  ranked from top to bottom from most recording instances set to least recording instances set, it being understood that the recording instances may be dynamically updated in real time in accordance with present principles. Note that each respective indication  188  may indicate the total number of recording instances that have been set, and also or alternatively the number of recordings set within a (e.g. user-determined) preset amount of time such as within the last twenty minutes. It may be appreciated from exemplary  FIG. 9  that Content Four has the most recording instances set, with Content One having the next most instances set, Content Three with the next most instances set, and Column Two with the least instances set of the four contents. Last, note that at least a portion of each respective indication  188 , either or both the content title itself (e.g. “Content One”) or the portion indicating recording instances set may be selectable to cause the respective AV content associated therewith to automatically without further user input be presented on the CE device to quickly navigate to e.g. most anticipated AV content. 
     Now in reference to  FIG. 10 , a comments tab  190  is shown as being the operative and/or currently selected tab with (e.g. social networking) comment information being shown that may be dynamically updated in real time in accordance with present principles. As may be appreciated from  FIG. 10 , the portion  176  presents comments  192  or at least portions thereof. The AV contents may be presented in non-limiting embodiments on the portion  176  from top to bottom according to e.g. the number of comments for each AV content, with the most commented on AV content appearing at the top (and/or comments specifically by social networking friends of the user and not the public at large appearing at or toward the top). Note that there are two columns of comments such that e.g. Facebook and Twitter comments each pertaining to the same AV content may be separately presented, although if desired in addition to or in lieu of those columns a cumulative comment column may be provided for each AV content regardless of social networking service. For example, the CE device presenting the UI  168  may use artificial intelligence software to determine that comments from different social networking services pertain to the same AV content and present them both together on the UI  168  in a single cumulative column for the subject AV content. 
     It is to also be understood that in some embodiments, comments appear top to bottom for a single AV content in reverse-chronological order such that the most recent comments are presented at the top, though in other instances such as e.g. based on user-defined settings the comments may instead be presented randomly or in chronological order. In any case, it is to be understood that at least a portion of each respective indication  192 , either or both the content title itself (e.g. “Content One”) or the comment areas may be selectable to cause the respective AV content associated therewith to automatically without further user input be presented on the CE device to quickly navigate to e.g. commented-on AV content. 
     Generally in reference to the examples shown in  FIGS. 7-10 , it is to be understood that still other tabs may be selectable to cause information associated with the tab to be presented. For instance, a popular tab may be included on the portion  176  of the UI  168  that when it is the operative and/or currently selected tab presents popular AV contents based on data other than that described above (and/or including that described above) such as all-time most popular AV contents based on all user input indications received by an AV content provider and/or popular AV contents as determined by the AV content provider itself. As another example, a favorites tab may be selectable to cause a listing of favorite AV contents and/or favorite channels based on user input provided to the CE device indicating that the contents and/or channels are favorites of the user. 
     Furthermore, this favorites tab (and indeed any of the tabs and/or UIs/EPGs described herein) may also be dynamic in another aspect in that e.g. favorites that are presented on the portion  176  may change based on the time of day to e.g. indicate user-input favorites that are currently airing at the time of presentation of the UI. Even further, note that information presented responsive to selection to any of the tabs described above may be combined for simultaneous presentation on the portion  176  at any given instance (e.g. based on user-determined settings to combine one or more types of information to be associated with a single tab or presentation) such that e.g. an indication of an AV content with the most views and that is also trending the most may be presented along with an indication of the number of recording instances set for the AV content, and the portion  176  may also include additional indications for other AV contents with e.g. less views, less trending activity, and a different number of recording instances set. 
     Continuing the detailed description in reference to  FIG. 11 , an exemplary settings UI  194  for configuring a current information UI (e.g. an EPG) in accordance with present principles is shown. The settings UI  194  includes a title  196  indicating that the settings options shown on the UI  194  pertain to real-time UI settings. Also shown is a first setting section  198  with a title  200  indicating that a UI configuration may be selected, such as e.g. a “normal” presentation such as the one described in reference to  FIG. 4 , a detailed presentation such as the one described in reference to  FIG. 6 , or a custom presentation. Each of the options  202  may be selected using a respective radio button associated therewith. Furthermore, note that beneath the custom selection is a sub-options box  204  that may be e.g. grayed-out and not manipulable by a user until such time as the custom selection is selected (e.g. by providing input to the custom selection radio button), at which point the box  204  may no longer by grayed-out and may be manipulable by a user to configure custom settings for an EPG to be presented on the CE device. 
     The custom settings may thus e.g. be configured directly from the settings UI  194  using the box  204  to include e.g. some but not all detailed current information as described herein. For example, the box  204  may be manipulated to configure the CE device to present a UI including e.g. a current view count for an AV content, whether the AV content is trending, and the current number of recordings set for the AV content, but to not present current information regarding e.g. people&#39;s rating of the AV content, the number of likes and/or dislikes the AV content has received, and/or any comments regarding the AV content. 
     Still in reference to the settings UI  194 , it may instead and/or also present a particular statistics option section  206  that includes a title  208  at the top thereof indicating to a user that particular statistics may be selected for presentation on a current information UI in accordance with present principles, and each of the respective options may have two accompanying radio buttons associated therewith. As presented on the exemplary UI  194 , the left-most radio button for each option may be selected to configure the CE device to include that particular statistic in a current information UI, while the right-most radio button may be selected after the left-most button for the same option has been selected to configure the CE device to make the option a “primary” statistic (e.g. the right-most button being grayed-out and not being selectable until the left-most button is first selected). The UI  194  also includes a submit button  210  selectable to configure the CE device presenting the UI  194  to present current information UIs in accordance with the options set at the UI  194 . 
     It is to be understood that making a statistic a “primary” statistic may configure the CE device to present the statistic/current information on a current information UI when a user initially requests that the current information UI be presented on a CE device (e.g. responsive to selection of a “guide” button on a remote control), whereas statistics not designated as primary may in some instances only be presented on a UI responsive to selection of e.g. a current information selector element (e.g. such as the element  106  described above) and thus only presented on a “lower-level” UI. In addition to or in lieu of this variance between statistics designated as primary and those not designated as such, it is to be understood that being designated a “primary” statistic may include highlighting, bolding, changing font size and/or color, etc. of a primary statistic to distinguish it from other statistics not designated as primary but nonetheless presented on the same current information UI. 
     Still in reference to  FIG. 11 , note that the exemplary UI  194  may include configurable settings to present or not present on a current information UI any of the statistics, metrics, current information, etc. described herein even if not specifically shown in  FIG. 11 . Also note that the UI  194  may be incorporated into a larger and/or general CE device setting UI, and/or it may form part of a separate settings UI only for configuring a UI for presentation of current and/or real-time information in accordance with present principles. 
     Thus, based on the foregoing, it may be appreciated that current and/or up-to-date information for one or more AV contents and indeed for (e.g. TV) channels may be presented on a UI on a CE device and dynamically updated constantly and/or substantially in real-time as updates become available and/or as current information data changes. In exemplary embodiments AV content for which current information is presented may be a television program broadcasted by a cable and/or satellite head end. For instance, the number of likes and/or dislikes for a particular AV content may be presented on a current information UI next to other information for the AV content, such as its title. Moreover, in some embodiments the number of likes and dislikes for a particular AV content as presented on a current information UI may be an aggregation of likes and dislikes of the AV content that have been input to different social networking services, where the CE device presenting the current information UI has been configured to have access to the social networking services and may thus receive and/or otherwise acquire data from the social networking services to aggregate likes and dislikes for such purposes. However, in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing, note that the social networking services, servers disclosed herein, and/or head ends disclosed herein themselves may directly provide such like/dislike information without any aggregation being executed at the CE device. 
     Still in reference to the social networking aspects of present principles, further note that the current information UIs disclosed herein may be configured (e.g. based on a settings UI such as that described in reference to  FIG. 11  or a “Friends” tab in accordance with present principles) to present current information for one or more AV contents based only on data derived from social networking friends of a user associated with the CE device (e.g. data derived from social networking friends from only one social networking service or more than one). Thus, a user may be able to view current information for a particular AV content not based on the public at large, but instead based on e.g. what is trending according to the user&#39;s social networking friends, what has been commented on by the user&#39;s social networking friends, what has been liked or disliked by the user&#39;s social networking friends, a view count only including a user&#39;s social networking friends, a number of anticipated recordings including only those instances set by a user&#39;s social networking friends, ratings determined only based on input from a user&#39;s social networking friends, etc. 
     Notwithstanding social networking aspects in accordance with present principles, note that if desired a current information UI as described herein may present comments input directly at other instances of a current information UI presented on other CE devices e.g. by other users such that comments can be made and viewed on the UI outside the context of a social networking service specifically. Likes and dislikes may be similarly indicated. 
     Regardless, it is to be further understood that while presenting a current information UI on a CE device and responsive to receiving user input to change presentation of AV content on the CE device from one AV content to a different AV content, the CE device may provide and/or transmit to a server a notification indicating the change in presentation. This notification may be utilized by the server to (e.g. constantly and/or periodically at regular intervals) provide information updates to CE devices in communication therewith, including a view count for the AV content that has been changed to which includes a view number accounting for the presentation of the changed-to AV content on the CE device (e.g. tuning in to an AV content on a CE device may cause a notification to be sent to the server to increase the total view count for that AV content by one to account for the AV content being viewed on the CE device). Likewise, the notification may include (and/or a separate notification may be sent) data indicating to the server that the tuned-away from AV content has ceased being presented on the CE device so that the view count for the tuned-away from AV content can be decreased by one to account for one less CE device presenting the AV content. 
     Concluding the detailed description, note that although AV content specifically has been discussed throughout, present principles may similarly apply to video-only content, as well as audio-only content such as e.g. content provided via a music channel of a TV service. 
     While the particular ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE WITH REAL-TIME AUDIO VIDEO CONTENT INFORMATION UPDATES is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims.