User based electronic program guides

Abstract

Electronic program guides are generated using device information, content authorization, service levels, and/or interest levels, etc., for a particular user. A viewer can access a user specific electronic program guide on a mobile device, continue accessing the user specific electronic program guide on a computer system, and subsequently move to a large screen television the same electronic program guide. The same user specific electronic program guide may be provided or adjustments to the electronic program guide can be made to account for varying service levels and device capabilities of the different devices. A user may be authorized to view a particular channel on a mobile device but not on a large screen television. In particular examples, a user can seamlessly access a user specific electronic program guide across a variety of authenticated devices associated with a variety of service levels.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system, comprising:
 a processor configured to identify a user and a first mobile computing device and a second computing device associated with the user, wherein the processor is configured to determine a first content level corresponding to a first set of content channels and a first service level for media the user is authorized to receive on the first mobile computing device and a second content level corresponding to a second set of content channels and a second service level for media the user is authorized to receive on the second computing device;   an interface configured to detect that the user has transitioned to a second computing device;   a guide generator configured to create a first electronic program guide using the first content level and the first service level and a second electronic program guide using the second content level and the second service level, wherein the first electronic program guide and the second electronic program guide are different; and   a communication detection system configured to determine whether the second computing device is in communication with the first mobile computing device, wherein the first electronic program guide or the second electronic program guide is presented based on the presence of communication between the first mobile computing device and the second computing device.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first service level corresponds to a first media stream resolution. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the second service level corresponds to a second media stream resolution different from the first media stream resolution. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first electronic program guide is customized based on the first content level, the first service level, and user preferences. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the second electronic program guide is customized based on the second content level, the second service level, and user preferences. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the second computing device is a set top box. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the second set of content channels includes all content channels across all devices that the user is authorized to access. 
     
     
         28 . A method, comprising:
 identifying a user and a first mobile computing device associated with the user;   determining a first content level corresponding to a first set of content channels and a first service level for media the user is authorized to receive on the first mobile computing device, wherein the first mobile computing device is a mobile device;   generating a first electronic program guide using the first content level and the first service level;   determining, via a communication detection system, whether the second computing device is in communication with the first mobile computing device, wherein the first electronic program guide or the second electronic program guide is presented based on the presence of communication between the first mobile computing device and the second computing device;   determining a second content level corresponding to a second set of content channels and a second service level for media the user is authorized to receive on the second computing device;   generating a second electronic program guide using the second content level and the second service level, wherein the second electronic program guide is different from the first electronic program guide.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the first service level corresponds to a first media stream resolution. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the second service level corresponds to a second media stream resolution different from the first media stream resolution. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the first electronic program guide is customized based on the first content level, the first service level, and user preferences. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the second electronic program guide is customized based on the second content level, the second service level, and user preferences. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein a transition to a third device is detected. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the third device is a computer system. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein a third content level and a third service level for media the user is authorized to receive on the third device is determined. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein a third electronic program guide is generated using the third content level and the third service level, wherein the third electronic program guide is different from both the first electronic program guide and the second electronic program guide. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the second computing device is a set top box. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the second set of content channels includes all content channels across all devices that the user is authorized to access. 
     
     
         39 . An apparatus, comprising:
 means for identifying a user and a first mobile computing device associated with the user;   means for determining a first content level corresponding to a first set of content channels and a first service level for media the user is authorized to receive on the first mobile computing device, wherein the first mobile computing device is a mobile device;   means for generating a first electronic program guide using the first content level and the first service level;   means for detecting that the user has transitioned to a second computing device;   means for determining a second content level corresponding to a second set of content channels and a second service level for media the user is authorized to receive on the second computing device;   means for generating a second electronic program guide using the second content level and the second service level, wherein the second electronic program guide is different from the first electronic program guide; and   means for determining whether the second computing device is in communication with with the first mobile computing device, wherein the first electronic program guide or the second electronic program guide is presented based on the presence of communication between the first mobile computing device and the second computing device.   
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the first service level corresponds to a first media stream resolution.