Interactive program guide systems and processes

Abstract

Interactive program guide systems and related processes are provided which can automatically tune a television, or program a VCR, based on program selections made from program schedule information displayed on a television or other suitable video monitor. The interactive program guide is preferably implemented using a microprocessor-controlled set-top box that is coupled to the viewer's television set. The set-top box receives program schedule information and software from a headend telecasting center. Preferably, program schedule information for the current day and at least six subsequent days is stored in a memory within the set-top box. The interactive program guide provides a display mode for allowing the viewer to apply a restrictive search selection criterion and a nonrestrictive sort attribute to the program schedule information.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method of enabling a user to customize a channel display, the method comprising:
 storing identification information for a plurality of users in a storage device;   requesting identification from a first user;   receiving, from the first user, a selection of at least one channel to be included in a favorite channel list associated with the first user;   receiving, from the first user, a selection of a favorite channel display mode;   in response to receiving the selection of the favorite channel display mode from the first user, retrieving the favorite channel list associated with the first user; and   generating, for display on a display device, the favorite channel list associated with the first user.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 receiving identification information from a first user.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 determining that the received identification information matches the stored identification information for at least one of the plurality of users prior to generating the favorite channel list associated with the at least one of the plurality of users.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 receiving a user selection to disable the favorite channel list associated with the first user.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 generating the favorite channel list automatically in response to receiving identification information from the first user.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 sorting a plurality of channels using the favorite channel list.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 generating the favorite channel list in a predetermined order.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the predetermined order is selected by the first user. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the predetermined order is based on an interest of the user. 
     
     
         39 . A system for enabling a user to customize a channel display, the system comprising control circuitry configured to:
 store identification information for a plurality of users;   generating a request of identification from a first user;   receive user selection signal indicative of at least one channel by storing the at least one channel in a favorite channel list associated with the first user;   receive, from the first user, a selection of a favorite channel display mode;   retrieve the favorite channel list associated with the first user; and   generate, for display on a display device, the favorite channel list associated with the first user.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 receive identification information from a first user.   
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 determine that the received identification information matches the stored identification information for at least one of the plurality of users prior to generating the favorite channel list associated with the at least one of the plurality of users.   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 receive a user selection to disable the favorite channel list associated with the first user. 
 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 generate the favorite channel list automatically in response to receiving identification information from the first user.   
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 sort a plurality of channels using the favorite channel list.   
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 generate the favorite channel list in a predetermined order.   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the predetermined order is selected by the first user. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the predetermined order is based on an interest of the user.