초록 ▼

A television electronic program guide intelligent memory management system and method automatically deletes the least valuable stored program information at that moment as free memory space is needed by the system. In advance of a program schedule update, the system executes a two-level memory “hous

A television electronic program guide intelligent memory management system and method automatically deletes the least valuable stored program information at that moment as free memory space is needed by the system. In advance of a program schedule update, the system executes a two-level memory “housekeeping”operation in which the system first scans the memory to identify obsolete schedule information. If, after this sweep, there is insufficient memory available for the next update, the system performs a second-level memory “triage”operation wherein schedule information is automatically prioritized in accordance with pre-defined rules for assessing the current value of the information to each viewer based on program air time, channel and other variables relating to program utility. The system then deletes schedule information in ascending order of value, starting with the least valuable information, and continues until enough space is available in memory to store the schedule update.

대표청구항 ▼

In a television electronic program guide (EPG) system, including means for receiving program schedule information including program names, scheduled air times and channels, means for storing the program schedule information, means for executing an EPG program and display means for displaying schedul

In a television electronic program guide (EPG) system, including means for receiving program schedule information including program names, scheduled air times and channels, means for storing the program schedule information, means for executing an EPG program and display means for displaying schedule information on-screen, a memory management system comprising: a) means for storing the program schedule information associated with programs to be shown in a corresponding time period; b) means for automatically deleting expired program schedule information from the storage means to create free space to accommodate storage of new program schedule information; and c) means for automatically deleting, as needed to create additional free space in the storage means for storage of new program schedule information, unexpired program schedule information according to its current utility to a viewer.