Methods, devices, and mediums for generating a programming menu

Abstract

Associating each of a plurality of identifiers with a respective one of a plurality of media streams and prompting a concurrent presentation of each of the plurality of identifiers and at least one image from each of the associated media streams in a display of a programming menu.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 receiving, by a processing device, a multiplexed media stream from a head-end device for use as a programming menu, wherein the multiplexed media stream comprises portions of broadcast media streams; 
 storing, by the processing device, a library of local media streams; 
 combining, by the processing device, the portions of the broadcast media streams from the multiplexed media stream with portions of the local media streams; 
 associating, by the processing device, each of a plurality of identifiers with a respective one of the broadcast media streams and the local media streams; and 
 prompting, by the processing device, a concurrent presentation of each of the plurality of identifiers and a concurrent display of images from each of the associated broadcast media streams and local media streams in a display of the programming menu; 
 determining, by the processing device, a dynamic rate based on one or more network metrics; and 
 refreshing, by the processing device, the images at the dynamic rate. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 demultiplexing, by the processing device, the multiplexed media stream. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the processing device is located in a set-top box and wherein the set-top box receives the multiplexed media stream from the head-end device, stores the library of local media streams, and combines the portions of the broadcast media streams from the multiplexed media stream with portions of the local media streams. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 in response to an input for selecting a particular identifier of the plurality of identifiers, requesting, by the processing device, termination of the multiplexed media stream. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 in response to an input for selecting the programming menu, requesting, by the processing device, one of the broadcast media streams from the head-end device or one of the local media streams from the library. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 selecting, by the processing device, a user customized programming guide in response to a request; and 
 displaying, by the processing device, the user customized programming guide based on the request. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the the user customized programming guide is based on user selections from the plurality of identifiers displayed in the programming menu. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising refreshing, by the processing device, the images at a dynamic rate, wherein the dynamic rate is associated with wherein determining the dynamic rate based on the one or more network metrics further comprises determining the dynamic rate based on 
 network bandwidth or quality of service metrics, or a combination thereof. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 selecting, by the processing device, one of the plurality of identifiers; and 
 in response to the selecting one of the plurality of identifiers, prompting, by the processing device, a preview of the respective one of the broadcast media streams or local media streams in a pop-up window within the programming menu. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 selecting, by the processing device, one of the plurality of identifiers; 
 in response to the selecting one of the plurality of identifiers, prompting, by the processing device, a full screen display of one of the broadcast media streams or local media streams associated with the selected one of the plurality of identifiers; and 
 terminating, by the processing device, the display of the programming menu. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display of the programming menu is in a table view, wherein a table maps each of the plurality of identifiers to one of the images from each of the associated broadcast media streams and local media streams and a programming time. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display of the programming menu is in a mosaic view comprising a predetermined number of inset windows within the programming menu, wherein each of the predetermined number of inset windows presents one of the plurality of identifiers and the images from the associated broadcast media streams and local media streams. 
     
     
       13. A computer-readable memory device having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations comprising:
 receiving a multiplexed media stream including multiplexed portions of a plurality of broadcast media streams; 
 demultiplexing the multiplexed media stream; 
 storing local media streams; 
 combining the portions of the broadcast media streams with portions of the local media steams; 
 associating each of a plurality of channel identifiers with a respective one of the plurality of broadcast media streams or one of the local media streams; and 
 prompting a concurrent presentation of each of the plurality of channel identifiers and a concurrent display of the portions from each of the associated broadcast media streams and local media streams in a display of a programming menu, wherein the display of the programming menu further comprises video from each of the associated media streams, and wherein the operations further comprise: 
 refreshing the video at a dynamic rate, wherein the dynamic rate is associated with network bandwidth or quality of service metrics, or a combination thereof. 
 
     
     
       14. The computer-readable memory device of  claim 13 , wherein the
 processing device is located in a set-top box. 
 
     
     
       15. The computer-readable memory device of  claim 14 , wherein the multiplexed media stream originates at a head-end device. 
     
     
       16. The computer-readable memory device of  claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 in response to an input for selecting a particular channel identifier of the plurality of channel identifiers, sending a request to terminate transmission of the multiplexed media stream to the head-end device. 
 
     
     
       17. The computer-readable memory device of  claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 in response to an input requesting the programming menu, sending a request for the multiplexed media stream to the head-end device. 
 
     
     
       18. The computer-readable memory device of  claim 13 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 storing the programming menu in association with a programming menu identifier, wherein the prompting of the display of the programming menu is responsive to a request for the programming menu including the programming menu identifier. 
 
     
     
       19. The computer-readable memory device of  claim 13 , wherein the display of the programming menu further comprises concurrent presentation of each of the plurality of channel identifiers and the video from each of the associated media streams. 
     
     
       20. The computer-readable memory device of  claim 19 , wherein the operations further comprise refreshing the video at a dynamic rate, wherein the dynamic rate is associated with network bandwidth or quality of service metrics, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       21. The computer-readable memory device of  claim 13 , wherein the operations comprising the prompting the concurrent presentation of each of the plurality of channel identifiers and the portions from each of the associated broadcast media streams and local media streams in the display of the programming menu, further comprises:
 selecting one of the plurality of channel identifiers; and 
 in response to the selecting one of the plurality of channel identifiers, prompting a preview of one of the associated broadcast media streams or local media streams in a pop-up window within the programming menu. 
 
     
     
       22. The computer-readable memory device of  claim 13 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 selecting one of the plurality of channel identifiers; 
 in response to the selecting one of the plurality of channel identifiers, prompting a full screen display of one of the associated broadcast media streams or local media streams; and 
 terminating the display of the programming menu. 
 
     
     
       23. The computer-readable memory device of  claim 13 , wherein the display of the programming menu is in a table view, wherein a table maps each of the plurality of channel identifiers to the portions from each of the associated broadcast and local media streams and a programming time. 
     
     
       24. The computer-readable memory device of  claim 13 , wherein the display of the programming menu is in a mosaic view comprising a predetermined number of windows inset within the programming menu, wherein each of the predetermined number of inset windows presents one of the plurality of channel identifiers and the portions from each of the associated broadcast and local media streams. 
     
     
       25. An apparatus, to output to a display device, the apparatus comprising:
 a processing device; and 
 a computer-readable memory device having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations comprising: 
 a memory device configured to store instructions associated with an application program; and 
 a processing device that, in response to executing the instructions stored in the memory device, is configured to:
 receivereceiving, from a head-end device, a multiplexed media stream comprising portions of video from a plurality of broadcast media streams; 
 demultiplexdemultiplexing the multiplexed media stream; 
 storestoring local media streams; 
 combinecombining the portions of video from the broadcast media streams with portions of the local media steams; 
 associateassociating each of a plurality of channel identifiers with a respective one of a plurality of broadcast media streams or one of the local media streams; and 
 prompt aprompting the display device to display a programming menu comprising a concurrent presentation of each of the plurality of channel identifiers and a concurrent display of the video from the associated broadcast media streams and local media streams; and 
 refreshing the broadcast media streams video at a dynamic rate, wherein the dynamic rate is based on network bandwidth or quality of service metrics, or a combination thereof. 
 
 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the processing device is
 located in a set-top box. 
 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the processing device is further configured to operations further comprise:
 receivereceiving, from a remote communication device, an input for selecting a particular channel identifier of the plurality of channel identifiers; and 
 sendsending a message from the set-top box requesting termination of the multiplexed media stream to the head-end device based on the input. 
 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the processing device is further configured to operations further comprise:
 receivereceiving, from a remote communication device, an input for selecting the programming menu; and 
 in response to the input, send a message requesting the multiplexed media stream from the head-end device. 
 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the processing device is further configured to operations further comprise:
 associateassociating the programming menu with a programming menu identifier; and 
 receivereceiving a request for the programming menu from a remote communication device, the request including the program menu identifier; 
 wherein the prompting the display device to display the programming menu is responsive to receiving the request. 
 
     
     
       30. The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the processing device is further configured to refresh the from the broadcast media streams video at a dynamic rate, wherein the dynamic rate is based on network bandwidth or quality of service metrics, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       31. The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the processing device is further configured to operations further comprise:
 selectselecting one of the plurality of channel identifiers; and 
 promptprompting a preview of one of the associated broadcast media streams or local media streams in a pop-up window within the programming menu. 
 
     
     
       32. The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the processing device is further configured to operations further comprise:
 selectselecting one of the plurality of channel identifiers; in response to the selecting one of the plurality of channel identifiers, prompt a full screen display of one of the associated broadcast media streams or local media streams; and terminate the display of the programming menu. 
 
     
     
       33. The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the processing device is further configured to operations further comprise:
 promptprompting the display device to display the programming menu in a table view. 
 
     
     
       34. The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the processing device is further configured to operations further comprise: 
 promptprompting the display device to display the programming menu in a mosaic view comprising a predetermined number of windows inset within the programming menu. 
 
     
     
       35. An apparatus, A system, comprising:
 processing devices; and 
 computer-readable memory devices having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processing devices, cause the processing devices to perform operations comprising: 
 means for multiplexing portions of media streams into a multiplexed media stream, wherein the media streams include both broadcast media streams and local media streams and the multiplexed portions of the media streams comprise portions of only the broadcast media streams; 
 means for associating each of a plurality of channel identifiers with a respective one of the portions of media streams; and 
 means for transmitting the multiplexed media stream to a receiving device and prompting a concurrent presentation of each of the plurality of channel identifiers and a concurrent display of the portions of the associated media streams in the multiplexed media stream in a display of a programming menu with the local media streams, wherein the prompting a concurrent presentation includes displaying multiple images from each of the associated media streams; and
 refreshing the multiple images at a dynamic rate, wherein the dynamic rate is associated with network bandwidth or quality of service metrics, or a combination thereof. 
 
 
     
     
       36. The apparatus system of  claim 35 ,
 wherein the receiving device comprises a television. 
 
     
     
       37. The apparatus system of  claim 36 , wherein the broadcast media streams originate at a head-end device. 
     
     
       38. The apparatus system of  claim 35 , further comprising wherein the operations further comprise:
 means for selecting a particular channel identifier of the plurality of channel identifiers; and 
 means for receiving a request to terminate the multiplexed media stream in response to the selecting a particular channel identifier. 
 
     
     
       39. The apparatus system of  claim 35 , further comprising wherein the operations further comprise:
 means for selecting the programming menu in response to a request for the programming menu. 
 
     
     
       40. The apparatus system of  claim 35 , further comprising wherein the operations further comprise:
 means for associating the programming menu with a programming menu identifier; and 
 means for selecting the programming menu in response to a request for the programming menu comprising the programming menu identifier. 
 
     
     
       41. The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the means for prompting a concurrent presentation includes means for displaying multiple images from each of the associated media streams. 
     
     
       42. The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising means for refreshing the multiple images at a dynamic rate, wherein the dynamic rate is associated with network bandwidth or quality of service metrics, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       43. The apparatus system of  claim 35 , further comprising wherein the operations further comprise:
 means for selecting one of the plurality of channel identifiers; and 
 means for prompting a preview of one of the associated media streams in a pop-up window within the programming menu in response to the selecting, by the means for selecting, one of the plurality of channel identifiers. 
 
     
     
       44. The apparatus system of  claim 35 , further comprising wherein the operations further comprise:
 means for selecting one of the plurality of channel identifiers; 
 means for prompting a full screen display of one of the associated media streams in response to the selecting, by the means for selecting, one of the plurality of channel identifiers; and 
 means for terminating the display of the programming menu. 
 
     
     
       45. The apparatus system of  claim 35 , wherein the display of the programming menu is in a table view, wherein a table maps each of the plurality of channel identifiers to the portions from each of the associated media streams and a programming time. 
     
     
       46. The apparatus system of  claim 35 , wherein the display of the programming menu is in a mosaic view comprising a predetermined number of windows inset within the programming menu, wherein each of the predetermined number of inset windows presents one of the plurality of channel identifiers and the at least one image from each of the associated media streams. 
     
     
       47. A method comprising:
 receiving, by a processing device, a request for transmitting a programming guide   identifying a plurality of channel identifiers associated with the programming guide;   identifying a plurality of media streams associated with the plurality of channel identifiers, wherein the plurality of media streams include both broadcast media streams and locally stored media streams;   formatting, by the processing device, the plurality of media streams for a concurrent presentation of each of the plurality of channel identifiers and at least one image from each the associated plurality of media streams;   multiplexing, by the processing device, portions of video from each of the plurality of media streams into a multiplexed media stream; and   transmitting, by the processing device, the multiplexed media stream to a set-top box for using as part of the programming guide.   
     
     
       48. The method of  claim 47 , further comprising;
 terminating, by the processing device, the transmitting of the multiplexed media stream in response to a request for a particular one of the plurality of media streams; and   transmitting, by the processing device, the particular one of the plurality of media streams associated with the request.