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 content, the method comprising:
 receiving a first selection from a user device, wherein the first selection is associated with an item of content or a content source;   receiving a second selection from the user device, wherein the second selection is a user input;   based on the first and second selections, associating a badge with the item of content or the content source, wherein the badge comprises visual indicia, wherein the visual indicia indicates the item of content or the content source is associated with one or more of a feature, a state, and a designation;   determining that the item of content or content source is a live TV program or content source; and   based on the determination that the item of content or content source is a live TV program or content source, storing the badge in an EPG database.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a third selection, wherein the third selection is associated with a request 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 third 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 third 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 1 , wherein the visual indicia indicates the item of content or the content source is associated with the designation, 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 1 , wherein the visual indicia indicates the item of content or the content source is associated with the state, wherein the state is a new content. 
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the badge is a fresh badge. 
     
     
         9 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the visual indicia indicates the item of content or the content source is associated with the state, wherein the state is a paused playback. 
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the badge is an in-progress badge. 
     
     
         11 . A computer program product comprising:
 a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions configured, when executed by a processor, to cause the processor to execute a method comprising:   instructions to receive a first selection from a user device, wherein the first selection is associated with an item of content or a content source;   instructions to receive a second selection from the user device, wherein the second selection is a user input;   instructions to associate, based on the first and second selections, a badge with the item of content or the content source, wherein the badge comprises visual indicia, wherein the visual indicia indicates the item of content or the content source is associated with one or more of a feature, a state, and a designation;   instructions to determine that the item of content or content source is a live TV program or content source; and   instructions to, based on the determination that the item of content or content source is a live TV program or content source, store the badge in an EPG database.   
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 instructions to receive a third selection, wherein the third selection is associated with a request for a user interface containing information about the item of content or the content source;   based on the third selection, instructions to present the information about the item of content or the content source; and   based on the third 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 computer program product of  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 computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the badge is presented in one of a panel, an electronic programming guide, or a menu. 
     
     
         15 . The computer program product of  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; and   a processor in communication with the memory and the display, wherein the processor is operable to:
 receive a first selection from a user device, wherein the first selection is associated with an item of content or a content source; 
 receive a second selection from the user device, wherein the second selection is a user input; 
 based on the first and second selections, associate a badge with the item of content or the content source, wherein the badge comprises visual indicia, wherein the visual indicia indicates the item of content or the content source is associated with one or more of a feature, a state, and a designation; 
 determine that the item of content or content source is a live TV program or content source; and 
 based on the determination that the item of content or content source is a live TV program or content source, store the badge in an EPG database. 
   
     
     
         17 . The intelligent television as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further operable to:
 receive a third selection for a user interface containing information about the item of content or the content source;   based on the third selection, present the information about the item of content or the content source; and   based on the third 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.