Methods and displays for providing intelligent television badges

Abstract

An Intelligent TV can receive a selection associated with an item of content or the content source associated with a television display. Based on the selection, the Intelligent TV can associate a badge with the item of content or the content source. The badge is a user interface device having visual indicia that indicates the item of content or the content source includes a feature, a state, or a designation. The badge can indicate that the program or the content source is a favorite, is new, or has been previously viewed. Further, the Intelligent TV can receive a second selection for a user interface containing information about the item of content or the content source. Based on the second selection, the Intelligent TV can present both the information about and the badge associated with the item of content or the content source.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for associating badges with an item of content or a content source, the method comprising:
 receiving a selection associated with the item of content or the content source;   based on the selection, associating a badge with the item of content or the content source, wherein a badge is a user interface device having visual indicia that indicates the item of content or the content source includes a feature, a state, or a designation.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a second selection for a user interface containing information about the item of content or the content source. 
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising, based on the second selection, presenting the information about the item of content or the content source 
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising, based on the second selection, presenting the badge, associated with the item of content or the content source, with the information the item of content or the content source. 
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the designation is a favorite designation. 
     
     
         6 . The method as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the badge is a star or a banner. 
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the state is as new content. 
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the badge is a fresh badge. 
     
     
         9 . The method as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the state is a paused playback. 
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the badge is an in-progress badge. 
     
     
         11 . A tangible computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon, wherein when executed by a processor cause the processor to execute a method, the instructions comprising:
 instructions to receive a selection associated with the item of content or the content source;   based on the selection, instructions to associate a badge with the item of content or the content source, wherein a badge is a user interface device having visual indicia that indicates the item of content or the content source includes a feature, a state, or a designation.   
     
     
         12 . The tangible computer readable medium as defined in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 instructions to receive a second selection for a user interface containing information about the item of content or the content source;   based on the second selection, instructions to present the information about the item of content or the content source; and   based on the second selection, instructions to present the badge, associated with the item of content or the content source, with the information the item of content or the content source.   
     
     
         13 . The tangible computer readable medium as defined in  claim 12 , wherein:
 if the designation is a favorite designation, the badge is a star or a banner;   if the state is as new content, the badge is a fresh badge; and   if the state is a paused playback, the badge is an in-progress badge.   
     
     
         14 . The tangible computer readable medium as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the badge is presented in one of a panel, an electronic programming guide, or a menu. 
     
     
         15 . The tangible computer readable medium as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the second selection is a paused playback and the badge is an in-progress indicator presented in a panel with a paused content display. 
     
     
         16 . An intelligent television comprising:
 a display;   a memory;   a processor in communication with the memory and the display, the processor operable to:   receive a selection associated with the item of content or the content source;   based on the selection, associate a badge with the item of content or the content source, wherein a badge is a user interface device having visual indicia that indicates the item of content or the content source includes a feature, a state, or a designation.   
     
     
         17 . The intelligent television as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further operable to:
 receive a second selection for a user interface containing information about the item of content or the content source;   based on the second selection, present the information about the item of content or the content source; and   based on the second selection, present the badge, associated with the item of content or the content source, with the information the item of content or the content source.   
     
     
         18 . The intelligent television as defined in  claim 17 , wherein:
 if the designation is a favorite designation, the badge is a star or a banner;   if the state is as new content, the badge is a fresh badge; and   if the state is a paused playback, the badge is an in-progress badge.   
     
     
         19 . The intelligent television as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the badge is presented in one of a panel, an electronic programming guide, or a menu. 
     
     
         20 . The intelligent television as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the second selection is a paused playback and the badge is an in-progress indicator presented in a panel with a paused content display.