Interactive program guide systems and processes

Abstract

Interactive program guide systems and related processes are provided which can automatically tune a television, or program a VCR, based on program selections made from program schedule information displayed on a television or other suitable video monitor. The interactive program guide is preferably implemented using a microprocessor-controlled set-top box that is coupled to the viewer's television set. The set-top box receives program schedule information and software from a headend telecasting center. Preferably, program schedule information for the current day and at least six subsequent days is stored in a memory within the set-top box. The interactive program guide provides a display mode for allowing the viewer to apply a restrictive search selection criterion and a nonrestrictive sort attribute to the program schedule information.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An interactive program guide system for allowing viewer selection of television programs from selected program schedule information displayed on a display, the system comprising: 
 tuning circuitry for receiving as input, television signals corresponding to a plurality of television channels and for providing an output television signal corresponding to a selected one of said channels;    memory for storing program schedule information;    a user input device for providing user inputs including a restrictive program selection criterion, a nonrestrictive program sort attribute, and a program choice; and    a control unit for (a) receiving said user inputs, (b) selecting from said memory, program schedule information meeting said restrictive program selection criterion for display on said display, (c) causing said display to display said selected program schedule information in an order prescribed by said nonrestrictive program sort attribute, and (d) causing said tuning circuitry to provide said output television signal in accordance with said program choice made from said selected program schedule information.