Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A system is disclosed for delivering information, preferably electronic television program guide information, to a user over a telecommunications network. The network includes the capability of determining whether the user's connection to the network is in an on-hook or off-hook condition, and the information is received and stored at a user site when the user's connection to the network is in an on-hook condition. Information is delivered from a guide provider to a phone company switch point over a land-based or wireless dedicated line. When the user's phone is on-hook, the guide data is sent to the user site through a splitter. The line splitter provides the signal to a data decoder circuit, the output of which is connected to a data input terminal in communication with a television receiver, VCR, cable box, or other piece of equipment for displaying the program guide data on a screen. The invention is capable of delivering complete program guide data to a user in spite of data interruptions due to telephone calls. The program schedule data is preferably transmitted as n serial packets of information, and the sequence of packets is repeated several times each day.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim