Dynamic event information table schedule window

Abstract

A method for acquiring and storing schedule event information in an interactive television system. The schedule event information includes events and a start time and date for each of the events. The method includes creating a window defined by a start time and date and an end time and date and receiving the schedule event information at a receiving station. The schedule event information is stored for events having a start time and date within the window. The method further includes automatically moving the window forward relative to the start time and date at a specified interval such that the end time and date of the window are always after a current time and date. A system for acquiring and storing schedule event information is also disclosed.

1 - 24 . (cancelled).  
     
     
         25 . A method for acquiring and storing schedule event information in an interactive television system, the schedule event information including events and a start time and date for each of the events, the method comprising: 
 creating a window defined by a start time and date, a duration, and a list of one or more services;    receiving schedule event information corresponding to a plurality of events;    identifying a subset of said plurality of events which correspond to said window; and    storing schedule event information for only the identified subset of events.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising automatically moving said window forward relative to the start time and date at a specified interval.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the schedule event information further includes a duration for each of said events, and wherein storing the schedule event information comprises storing the schedule event information for events having a duration within said window.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein automatically moving said window forward comprises moving said window at a time corresponding to a GMT date roll over.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26  wherein automatically moving said window forward comprises moving said window when an interval between a current time and a time when the window was created is equal to a specified time interval.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said window is a monitor window, and wherein said method further comprises: 
 creating a storage window which identifies one or more events; and    storing schedule event information for events which do not fall within the monitor window, but which do fall within the storage window.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein information for events which fall within the monitor window is stored within a system heap memory, and wherein information for events which do not fall within the monitor window, but which do fall within the storage window is stored in a cache.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising filtering one or more event descriptors such that only information corresponding to events with selected descriptors is stored.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising filtering event content such that only information corresponding to events with selected content is stored.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising receiving the event schedule information at a receiving station.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 26  wherein automatically moving said window comprises moving said window such that the end time and date of said window are always after a current time and date.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 25  wherein creating a window comprises creating a window with an application.  
     
     
         47 . A system for acquiring and storing schedule event information in an interactive television system, the schedule event information including events and a start time and date for each of the events, the system comprising: 
 a processor configured to: 
 create a window defined by a start time and date, a duration, and a list of one or more services;  
 receive schedule event information corresponding to a plurality of events;  
 identify a subset of said plurality of events which correspond to said window; and  
 store schedule event information for only the identified subset of events;  
   a memory device for storing said schedule event information.    
     
     
         38 . The system of claim  37 , wherein said processor is further configured to automatically move said window forward relative to the start time and date at a specified interval.  
     
     
         39 . The system of claim  37  wherein the schedule event information further includes a duration for each of said events, and wherein said memory stores the schedule event information for events having a duration within said window.  
     
     
         40 . The system of claim  37  further comprising an event descriptor filter operable to filter events such that only information corresponding to events with selected descriptors are stored.  
     
     
         41 . The system of claim  37  further comprising an event content filter operable to filter events such that only information corresponding to events with selected content are stored.  
     
     
         42 . The system of claim  37  further comprising a receiver for receiving the schedule event information.  
     
     
         43 . The system of claim  37 , wherein said window is a monitor window, and wherein said processor is further configured to: 
 create a storage window which identifies one or more events; and    store schedule event information for events which do not fall within the monitor window, but which do fall within the storage window.    
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein automatically moving said window forward comprises moving said window when an interval between a current time and a time when the window was created is equal to a specified time interval.  
     
     
         45 . A computer program product for acquiring and storing schedule event information in an interactive television system, the schedule event information including events and a start time and date for each of the events, the product comprising a computer readable medium storing program instructions which are executable to: 
 create a window defined by a start time and date, a duration, and a list of one or more services;    receive schedule event information corresponding to a plurality of events;    identify a subset of said plurality of events which correspond to said window; and    store schedule event information for only the identified subset of events.    
     
     
         46 . The computer program product of  claim 45  wherein the program instructions are further executable to automatically moving said window forward relative to the start time and date at a specified interval.  
     
     
         47 . The computer program product of  claim 45  wherein said window is a monitor window, and wherein said program instructions are further executable to: 
 create a storage window which identifies one or more events; and  
 store schedule event information for events which do not fall within the monitor window, but which do fall within the storage window.  
 
     
     
         48 . The computer program product of  claim 46  wherein said window is automatically moved forward based on a GMT date roll over.  
     
     
         49 . The computer program product of  claim 46 , wherein automatically moving said window forward comprises moving said window when an interval between a current time and a time when the window was created is equal to a specified time interval.  
     
     
         50 . A computer program product for acquiring and storing schedule event information in an interactive television system, the schedule event information including events and a start time and date for each of the events, the product comprising: 
 computer code that creates a window defined by a start time and date, and a duration;    computer code that stores the schedule event information for events having a start time and date within said window;    computer code that automatically moves said window forward relative to the start time and date at a specified interval; and    a computer readable medium that stores the computer code.    
     
     
         51 . The computer program product of  claim 50 , wherein automatically moving said window forward comprises moving said window when an interval between a current time and a time when the window was created is equal to a specified time interval.