User interfaces for content distribution systems

摘要

A user interface for a content distribution system is disclosed which allows a manager of an environment of TV sets to view which content is playing on individual TV sets, and to change, track and otherwise adjust the content. The invention advantageously provides these features without interfering with other TV sets' programming when another TV set is being adjusted, changes or tracked by the manager.

主权项

1. A computer implemented method of controlling content being output to multiple display devices, wherein each of the multiple display devices is statically tuned to a particular channel, the method comprising: polling the multiple display devices to populate system information on a display accessible by a manager of a system of the multiple displays display devices to provide a population of available channels to the manager so that the manager can readily ascertain which display devices are statically tuned to the particular channels; generating a file of available channels to which the multiple channels are displayed;
refreshing the list of available channels on a periodic basis; and displaying to the manager the list of available channels, a list of channels which are being tuned to by the tuners, and specific channels that are being viewed by each display device so that the manager may control the content being output to the multiple display devices.