Methods and systems for updating functionality of a set-top box using markup language

Abstract

An interactive television program guide is provided. Program guide display elements are arranged and styled using markup language documents. These markup language documents may also indicate and select program guide functions. The program guide interprets the markup language documents and generates the display screens and program guide functionality without user intervention. The program guide may also be updated by supplying new markup language documents that modify display screens and program guide functionality. The markup language documents may be supplied by a main facility or a television distribution facility.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A method comprising:
 generating for display, with a set-top box, a display screen having a first display characteristic, wherein the first display characteristic and a second display characteristic is preprogrammed on the set-top box;   receiving, with the set-top box, a markup language document from a remote source,   wherein the markup language document includes an instruction for using the second display characteristic;   automatically selecting the second display characteristic based on the markup language document;   replacing the first display characteristic with the second display characteristic; and   generating for display, with the set-top box, the display screen having the second display characteristic.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein automatically selecting further comprises identifying a tag corresponding to an instruction to use the second display characteristic by automatically parsing the markup language document. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein replacing the first display characteristic comprises replacing a displayed plurality of program listings on a first portion of the display screen having a first size by a plurality of program listings on a second portion of the screen having a second size, where the second size is larger than the first size. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein replacing the first display characteristic comprises replacing a displayed plurality of program listings in an arrangement by channel by a plurality of program listings in an arrangement by theme. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein replacing the first display characteristic comprises replacing a displayed plurality of program listings as a grid to a plurality of program listings as a list. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the second display characteristic is a program listing information screen, an option to start a recording, an option to set a favorite channel, or an option to set a reminder. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein a markup language of the markup language document is a variation of a HyperText Markup Language, Dynamic Hyper Text Markup Language, or an Extensible Markup Language. 
     
     
         41 . A system comprising a set-top box with control circuitry configured to:
 generate for display, with a set-top box, a display screen having a first display characteristic, wherein the first display characteristic and a second display characteristic is preprogrammed on the set-top box;   receive, with the set-top box, a markup language document from a remote source,   wherein the markup language document includes an instruction for using the second display characteristic;   automatically select the second display characteristic based on the markup language document;   replace the first display characteristic with the second display characteristic; and   generate for display, with the set-top box, the display screen having the second display characteristic.   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein automatically selecting further comprises identifying a tag corresponding to an instruction to use the second display characteristic by automatically parsing the markup language document. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein replacing the first display characteristic comprises replacing a displayed plurality of program listings on a first portion of the display screen having a first size by a plurality of program listings on a second portion of the screen having a second size, where the second size is larger than the first size. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein replacing the first display characteristic comprises replacing a displayed plurality of program listings in an arrangement by channel by a plurality of program listings in an arrangement by theme. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein replacing the first display characteristic comprises replacing a displayed plurality of program listings as a grid to a plurality of program listings as a list. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the second display characteristic is a program listing information screen, an option to start a recording, an option to set a favorite channel, or an option to set a reminder. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein a markup language of the markup language document is a variation of a HyperText Markup Language, Dynamic Hyper Text Markup Language, or an Extensible Markup Language.