System and method for facilitating TV channel programming

Abstract

A removable memory device is inserted into a channel information source computer, such as computer connected to the Internet, and channel map information is downloaded to it. The removable device is then removed from the source computer and engaged with a television to download the channel map into the television, thereby avoiding prolonged autoprogramming by the television's receiver.

1 . A method for programming a television with channel information, comprising: 
 engaging a memory device with a source computer;    transferring channel information to the memory device;    disengaging the memory device from the source computer;    engaging the memory device with the television; and    communicating channel information from the memory device to the television, wherein the memory device causes the source computer to automatically connect to a site on a wide area network hosting channel information.    
     
     
         2 . (canceled)  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the source computer is connected to a wide area network, and the channel information is downloaded from the wide area network to the memory device.  
     
     
         4 . (canceled)  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the memory device causes the source computer to prompt a user to connect to a site on a wide area network hosting channel information.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the source computer prompts a user at least for location information to facilitate the transferring act.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the source computer prompts a user at least for television configuration information to facilitate the transferring act.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the television is not autoprogrammed with the channel information.  
     
     
         9 . A system, comprising: 
 at least one television having at least digital reception capability and at least one memory;    at least one memory device removably engaged with the television; and    a substrate bearing instructions regarding engaging the memory device with a channel information source computer to retrieve channel map information for loading thereof into the memory of the television.    
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the channel map information is loaded into the television in lieu of autoprogramming the information by a receiver associated with the television.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the channel information source computer is connected to a wide area computer network having a site hosting channel information.  
     
     
         12 - 20 . (canceled)