+

US20100186037A1 - Television control interface with electronic guide - Google Patents

Television control interface with electronic guide Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20100186037A1
US20100186037A1 US12/748,692 US74869210A US2010186037A1 US 20100186037 A1 US20100186037 A1 US 20100186037A1 US 74869210 A US74869210 A US 74869210A US 2010186037 A1 US2010186037 A1 US 2010186037A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
time
instance
displayed
current time
leading edge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/748,692
Inventor
Theresa A. Alba
Marcia A. Casement
William De Stein
David Folker
Keith W. Hunwick
Kenneth D. Johnson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Adeia Guides Inc
Original Assignee
Starsight Telecast Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Starsight Telecast Inc filed Critical Starsight Telecast Inc
Priority to US12/748,692 priority Critical patent/US20100186037A1/en
Publication of US20100186037A1 publication Critical patent/US20100186037A1/en
Priority to US13/027,677 priority patent/US8578414B2/en
Assigned to JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT reassignment JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: APTIV DIGITAL, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION, GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION, INDEX SYSTEMS INC, A BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COMPANY, ROVI CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION, ROVI GUIDES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION, ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION, ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION, STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION, UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
Priority to US14/043,611 priority patent/US9191715B2/en
Priority to US14/169,105 priority patent/US8925018B2/en
Assigned to UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC., GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC., INDEX SYSTEMS INC., TV GUIDE INTERNATIONAL, INC., ALL MEDIA GUIDE, LLC, APTIV DIGITAL, INC., ROVI CORPORATION, ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION, ROVI GUIDES, INC. reassignment UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC. PATENT RELEASE Assignors: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Priority to US14/942,846 priority patent/US20160142786A1/en
Priority to US15/186,376 priority patent/US9681174B2/en
Priority to US15/186,381 priority patent/US20160295274A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
    • H04N21/4316—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
    • G06F3/04817—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance using icons
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
    • G06F3/0482—Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0484—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
    • G06F3/04847—Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0489—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
    • G06F3/04897—Special input arrangements or commands for improving display capability
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4786—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application e-mailing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4788—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application communicating with other users, e.g. chatting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
    • H04N21/4821—End-user interface for program selection using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N17/00—Diagnosis, testing or measuring for television systems or their details
    • H04N17/04—Diagnosis, testing or measuring for television systems or their details for receivers
    • H04N17/045—Self-contained testing apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/47815—Electronic shopping
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/485—End-user interface for client configuration
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
    • H04N5/445—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards for displaying additional information
    • H04N5/45—Picture in picture, e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
    • H04N5/57—Control of contrast or brightness
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
    • H04N9/64—Circuits for processing colour signals
    • H04N9/643—Hue control means, e.g. flesh tone control

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to television schedule information, and more particularly to a system and method for displaying a television program guide on a television screen.
  • the television set of the future will include a micro-computer, a modem of interconnectivity with other computers over networks, intranets, and the internet, and be connectable to computer peripherals such as printers.
  • Such capabilities as near “video on demand” (NVOD), “video on demand”, “access to the world wide web”, “audio on demand”, etc. will be present the viewer with a plethora of information and bandwidth.
  • NVOD video on demand
  • audio on demand etc.
  • viewers will want to control other consumer electronic devices such as VCR's and surround sound receivers.
  • the television schedule includes a series of menu screens having an array of cells corresponding to different television programs. The viewer may scroll through the cells to view which television programs are being presented on various channels at various times. In addition, the viewer may select certain cells to obtain more information on the associated program or to pull up other sub-menus with additional options.
  • actions are directly invoked by moving a pointer over areas of the visual interface and selecting or “clicking” on the area.
  • a system and method for accessing a series of menus and host functions that control a variety of integrated consumer electronic devices.
  • a system and method for changing the configuration of the pointer/cursor to provide the user with additional or alternate information.
  • the pointer/cursor changes depending on the location of the pointer/cursor on the EPG display guide.
  • a system and method for graphically depicting the current time and the show time remaining by displaying a transparent shadow that proceeds across the EPG screen from left to right.
  • FIG. 1 is a representation of an embodiment of the EPG display of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a TV system.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a hardware unit for generating an on-screen electronic programming guide (EPG).
  • EPG electronic programming guide
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the hierarchical database utilized to generate the EPG.
  • FIGS. 5A-5D are schematic diagrams of data structures in the database.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a menuing hierarchy.
  • FIG. 7B-7C are screen depictions of a series of host function commands.
  • FIG. 7D-7E are screen depictions of a series of sub-menus.
  • FIG. 7F is a screen depiction of a series of host function commands.
  • FIG. 8 is a screen depiction of the current time data depicted as a darkened area on the EPG screen.
  • FIG. 9 is a screen depiction of the Time Bar glyph which includes a series of Time Indicator glyphs.
  • FIG. 10A-10C are screen depictions of the pointer/cursor which depicts alternate or additional information.
  • the present invention provides an on-screen menuing system and method for controlling several integrated consumer electronic devices and a schedule system and method for displaying schedule information on a visual interface, such as a television screen, computer monitor or the like.
  • the system and method is particularly useful for use with television schedule information.
  • the television schedule information is presented in a program guide having a schedule information area depicting the program that is being shown on each channel for a period of time, e.g., a day, week or longer.
  • the EPG displays the controls of functions for various integrated electronic devices in a series of menus.
  • the on-screen menuing system provides a series of interactive menus. These interactive menus include commands to control the functions of the connected electronic devices that are configured to accept and perform the commands of the on-screen menuing system.
  • the on-screen menu system and method for controlling several connected electronic devices and television schedule system include an input device, such as a remote control device, pointing device, mouse, keyboard, microphone or the like, to allow the user to browse through the menu or schedule information area, obtain more information about programs of particular interest and control various features of the integrated electronics.
  • an input device such as a remote control device, pointing device, mouse, keyboard, microphone or the like, to allow the user to browse through the menu or schedule information area, obtain more information about programs of particular interest and control various features of the integrated electronics.
  • the controller may comprise a trackball, cursor controller, pointing device, a microphone for allowing voice activation, a number of keys or buttons that function to move the viewer around the screen, or the like.
  • the controller comprises a scrolling mechanism for displacing a movable cursor through a matrix of cells or windows on the screen.
  • the cursor may comprise a physical icon on the screen, or it may be represented by highlighting or other visual indications of the cells or windows that are scrolled through by the viewer.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a program guide 102 for the television schedule system of the present invention.
  • the program guide 102 which is the primary mode in the television schedule system, includes a number of screen information areas or windows in a particular screen where the viewer operates an input device, such as a pointer device described above, to move around vertically and horizontally and to interact with that screen area's function.
  • the currently active screen area will be indicated to the viewer, for example, by changing the background color from a light greyscale metallic to a brighter, active color.
  • Within each screen area are one or more items, typically arranged in a matrix or grid so that the viewer can scroll through the grid. The items can be selected or activated with the input device.
  • program guide 102 preferably includes a schedule information area 106 having a program matrix 108 of cells or items that depict the shows that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day.
  • Program guide 102 conveniently lists the channels in a vertical column to the left of the program matrix 108 and the times in a time bar 602 in a horizontal row above matrix 108 .
  • the viewer selects an area by moving a pointer 110 over the area associated with a desired action. When the pointer 110 is moved over an area, the item may be automatically highlighted with a brighter color to indicate the viewer's location.
  • program guide 102 includes a number of other information areas.
  • program guide 102 includes a display title area 200 that includes a display mode icon 202 and a display mode description text field 204 .
  • An interactive data control window 206 displays the date for the listings in display matrix 108 .
  • a world icon 214 may appear below the display area on the left side and a star (linked services available) icon 216 may appear directly below the display area on the right side.
  • a video window 220 may display a currently-tuned television show. Below the video window 220 is a channel window 222 , a title window 224 , and a current time display window 226 . Each of these windows are interactive.
  • the electronic program guide of the invention may be implemented either on a personal computer, a PCTV, a television connected to a set-top box, or a television including a custom board.
  • the invention is not limited to any particular hardware configuration and will have increased utility as new combinations of computers and television systems are developed. In the following any of the above will sometimes be referred to as a “TV system”.
  • Block diagrams of representative TV systems are depicted in FIG. 2 . Details of implementation are not depicted because the invention is not limited to any particular TV system.
  • the picture to be displayed may be transmitted as an analog signal, for example according to the NTSC standard utilized in the United States, or as a digital signal modulated onto an analog carrier.
  • the signals may be received over a cable, or via an antenna or satellite dish.
  • television sets are designed to receive analog signals and computers display devices are designed to display pictures encoded in a digital format.
  • decoder system converts the digital data to an analog signal for display on a television set and TV modems can format analog TV signals for display on a monitor.
  • a PCTV includes a TV card 340 , connected to either live video, baseband video, or channel 3 / 4 output, digitizes the video image and displays the video image in a resizable window on the computer monitor.
  • the PCTV is also coupled to land telephone lines by a modem 342 .
  • the TV card of the PCTV digitizes the analog signal and extracts included information from the vertical blanking intervals (VBI).
  • VBI vertical blanking information
  • program guide and conditional access information are provided as separate bitstreams.
  • the video and audio bitstreams for programs are converted to a format for display and the program guide information is processed to form program guide database.
  • the processor executing software stored in memory, generates interactive electronic program guide images and images of received programs. The guide can be used to interact with and control programs displayed in the window.
  • a television system configured to display an electronic program guide such as a guide provided by StarSight telecast includes an on-screen display controller and other hardware described below. If a standard analog broadcast signal is received program guide data, including current time data, is extracted from the VBI by a VBI data slicer and processed to form a program database. If a DBS digital signal is received, either from a satellite or cable, VBI and program data, including current time data, are provided in separate bit streams. The program guide images are generated are either generated locally or remotely and provided to an on screen display controller. Interactivity is provided via a remote control.
  • the program guide can be displayed on a computer monitor that interactively controls the television set through, for example, an IR interface including an IR blaster 344 to generate IR codes to control a television, a VCR and/or any other connected electronic device configured to accept and perform the commands of the on-screen menuing system.
  • an IR interface including an IR blaster 344 to generate IR codes to control a television, a VCR and/or any other connected electronic device configured to accept and perform the commands of the on-screen menuing system.
  • the system for creating the electronic programming guide must receive television schedule information and process the received information to create a database.
  • the system requires, a data reception unit, a processor, memory to store program code and a database, an on-screen display generator (OSD), and a control interface for tuning to selected channels.
  • OSD on-screen display generator
  • the schedule information is transmitted as a set of short commands of specified formats.
  • Different commands communicate information such as a show schedule for a given channel, the title of each show in the schedule, descriptions and information attributes about each show in the channel.
  • information for a show to be broadcast at a particular time is transmitted in several commands.
  • ID numbers in the commands facilitate organizing the information into a relational database utilizing database engine (DBE) software stored in memory and executed by the processor.
  • DBE database engine
  • a board is included at a viewer's television set and the database is stored locally and commands are transmitted in the vertical blanking intervals (VBI) of programming on a designated channel, for example PBS.
  • VBI vertical blanking intervals
  • An example of a board for receiving program guide information, generating program guide database, displaying the program guide, and interactively controlling the program guide is depicted in FIG. 3 .
  • the commands are transmitted to the board in the vertical blanking intervals of programming broadcast on a designated channel.
  • the commands could be transmitted to the local unit over land telephone lines.
  • the database is built remotely and the guide itself is transmitted to the local unit.
  • the database engine builds a hierarchical database in the RAM.
  • the hierarchical structure of the database is depicted in FIG. 4 .
  • the database is structured internally as schedule data structures and theme data structures linked by handles and handle tables.
  • Each handle is an index to a handle table which contains pointers to blocks of memory where items of the database are stored.
  • program guide data is transmitted as a bit stream that is processed by the database engine.
  • N.E.W.S. news, entertainment, weather, and sports
  • An advertisement database is also created from commands including advertising text and logos including IDs for linking the ads to shows displayed in the EPG. The user may access the advertising information directly from the guide.
  • An internet database is also created from commands including URLs to internet sites related to programs displayed on the EPG. If the viewer is viewing the EPG on a platform that is Web enabled, e.g., WebTV, a PC, or PCTV, then a linked site can be accessed directly from the EPG.
  • a platform that is Web enabled, e.g., WebTV, a PC, or PCTV
  • a graphics program module builds various displays utilizing schedule, show title, and other information from the database. If the OSD controller operates in the character mode the display is a grid of character codes which are transferred to the on-screen display (OSD) controller which generates the on-screen display.
  • OSD on-screen display
  • An input-response user interface program module responds to user input to generate new displays responsive to the particular input.
  • the user utilizes an input device, e.g., a remote control, mouse, or keyboard, to place a pointer over a part of the current display and clicks.
  • the input-response module responds to the position of the pointer and the particular display currently displayed to generate a responsive display or take a particular action.
  • the user interface responds to function buttons on a remote control. Specific examples will be described below.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram embodiment of the electronic hardware unit 452 utilized to perform the electronic on-screen schedule display and other functions.
  • the particular hardware unit 452 depicted is for TVRO (TV Receive Only) customers having home satellite dishes for television viewing. This unit is coupled in series with existing customer TVRO equipment.
  • TVRO TV Receive Only
  • the unit receives Baseband Video in 423 from the customer TVRO system.
  • the unit optionally outputs Baseband Video out 428 or channel 3 / 4 RF out 430 .
  • the unit includes an 8-bit microprocessor 400 , 64 bytes of code ROM 401 , 512 K of RAM 402 for program data storage, a custom gate array 403 , segmented base registers 404 for fast memory data manipulation, security logic 406 for decoding incoming encrypted data, a serial bus 408 for display controller interface, serial bus 410 for inter-processor communication, watchdog timer 412 for error recovery, IR input 413 , IR transmitter circuits 416 for TV, VCR control, IR output 417 , CRC-32 encoding and decoding logic 418 , on-board power supply 420 , video input 423 , On-Screen Display Controller and Formatter 424 , custom color converter 426 , RF modulator 427 , choice of Baseband Video or RF outputs 428 or 430 .
  • the on-screen display controller and formatter (OSDCF) 424 functions as an I/O controller, an on-screen display controller (OSD), and also as a closed-caption data (CCD) VBI data slicer.
  • the VBI vertical blanking interval
  • Digital data for example close-captioned data, or current time data, is modulated onto the carrier signal during the VBI.
  • the OSDCF 424 includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) which digitizes the incoming baseband video and extracts digital information transmitted in the VBIs. As explained more fully below, messages for transmission to the database are transmitted in the VBIs. These messages are transferred to the processor 400 which executes a data base engine process to build or update the database.
  • ADC analog to digital converter
  • the OSD part of the OSDCF 424 includes cache memory, character memory, timing functions, and an external RAM.
  • the OSD reads high level graphic commands sent from the processor 400 and stores graphic information in the RAM.
  • the OSD outputs red (R), green (G), blue (B), graphic data which is used to generate a local video signal.
  • R red
  • G green
  • B blue
  • graphic data which is used to generate a local video signal.
  • the OSD local video output or the incoming live video will be displayed.
  • screen display graphic data generated by the database engine is transferred to the RAM of the OSD which the generates a local video signal that causes the display screen to be displayed on the television screen.
  • the database engine builds a hierarchical database in the RAM.
  • the hierarchical structure of the database is depicted in FIG. 4 .
  • the database is structured internally as schedule data structures and theme data structures linked by handles and handle tables.
  • Each handle is an index to a handle table which contains pointers to blocks of memory where structures of the database are stored.
  • the hierarchy for the schedule data structures, in descending order, is:
  • Channel Data Table contains subscriber unit's list of channels; Show List: contains time slots for each show scheduled to be broadcast for a channel; Show Title: contains the title text and show title attributes; Show Description: contains show's ratings, attributes, and description text.
  • the next data structure in the hierarchy is the show list depicted in FIG. 5B .
  • the show list includes a start time typically being midnight GMT and 24 hours of scheduling.
  • the channel's schedule is given by an ordered sequence of show slots, with a show slot for each show to be broadcast by a particular channel for a particular day.
  • Each slot includes a duration, show title handle, and show description handle. Finding an entry corresponding to a given start time requires the entries to be scanned, in order, from the beginning of show list and adding duration values.
  • the database when fully constructed, holds a week's worth of show lists for each channel.
  • the days of the week are accessed by incrementing the show list handle by two bytes.
  • the show lists are updated each day at midnight GMT with the show list for the day just completed being deleted and the show list for same day next week being added to the database.
  • the next data structures in the schedule hierarchy are the show title entries, depicted in FIG. 5C and show description entries, depicted in FIG. 5D .
  • the show title and show description entries are stored in a memory pool divided into blocks.
  • Each show title is identified by a unique 20-bit show identification number (SID) and each show description is identified by a unique 20-bit number assigned at the head end.
  • the show title handles are based on the SID and the show title handles are offsets into a show title handle table.
  • the entry in the show title table accessed by a particular show title handle includes the address of the first block in the memory pool where the show title entry is stored.
  • the show description handle table entry accessed by a show description handle stores the address of the first block in the memory pool where the show description entry is stored.
  • Each show title entry includes theme index ID and the text of the show title.
  • a single show title entry will be referenced by many show lists for different channels, days, and times.
  • all show lists reference a single show title entry in memory so that memory is efficiently used.
  • Many show title entries have a long life because the show titles may be for series that are broadcast over long periods of time and may be referenced by many showlists since many shows are broadcast by multiple channels.
  • Each show description entry includes a theme index ID, critics rating, MPAA rating for the show, traits mask bits, year produced, and show description text. Show description entries tend to have a shorter life than show title entries because a description is only valid for a particular episode of a series.
  • the user interface takes remote control commands as its primary input.
  • a user requests various functions by pressing function buttons on a remote control.
  • the GUI is utilized with different interactive regions on a displayed screen corresponding to different functions. The user moves the cursor over the interactive region corresponding to a desired function and selects the function to generate command.
  • the particular form of entering a command is not critical and technology for utilizing voice commands may soon be available.
  • the user interface receives commands and responds with a requested display screen and by performing the function requested by the command.
  • the function performed may be to perform an action such as selecting a new viewer guide based on the Time Indicator glyphs, accessing a related internet site, controlling the features of an integrated electronic device, or purchasing merchandise.
  • the data and format of each screen is dependent on the previous screen, time of day, the contents of the data base, the command received, and other parameters.
  • a state table is used to define the screen flow.
  • the entrance function is called when a state is first entered to collect all necessary data and format the screen.
  • the exit function is called to release memory and data for the screen.
  • the update function is called once per minute to update the screen time and to redraw the screen if any information displayed on the screen needs to be updated.
  • the table contains a reference to another software function corresponding to each key on the remote control or to each interactive region on the screen. These referenced functions will be executed whenever an associated remote control button is pressed or interactive region is selected.
  • the viewer moves the cursor over the Time Bar interactive region which is then selected to request a new time indicator.
  • a confirmation screen will then be generated.
  • the screens are displayed by the on-screen display (OSD) controller based on graphic display commands issued by the database engine.
  • OSD on-screen display
  • needed to draw system display screens are the Erase Screen Command; Draw Rectangle Command; Save Rectangle Command; Restore Rectangle Command; Move Rectangle Commands; Write ASCII String Command; and Draw Channel Icon Command.
  • Each screen includes areas that are constant and based on code and data stored in non-volatile memory and variable areas such as show titles and descriptions which utilize data stored in the database. Additionally, graphics files are also being stored in the database to be displayed in windows of the display screen.
  • FIGS. 6-7 the main menu and sub menu hierarchy is depicted.
  • the user is able to access a variety of linked menus.
  • FIG. 6 depicts a plurality of linked menus in which a viewer may navigate using the pointer/cursor and the interactive nature of the on-screen menuing system.
  • FIG. 6 depicts the ability of the user to move from a TV state 500 to a main menu state 502 .
  • the user may also reach any of the sub menus, including the program guide 102 , TV controls guide 504 , setup guide 506 and any other menu that may be added to the on-screen menuing system.
  • menus control the various features of the connected electronic devices.
  • the graphical nature of the menus is such that the control structure and format is similar from menu to menu. This feature allows the user to be familiar with the control structure when operating any of the various integrated electronic devices, e.g., the look and feel of the menu that selects the channels to be viewed with the television tuner is similar to the menu displayed to control the channel to be viewed when using the integrated vcr tuner.
  • the familiar nature of the graphical interface allows for a shorter learning curve of the features of the integrated electronic devices when the user initially encounters the onscreen menuing system.
  • the menuing system is especially useful in a host TV system utilizing programmed control of host functions, for example, basic native host functions such as brightness, color, volume and other controls.
  • host functions for example, basic native host functions such as brightness, color, volume and other controls.
  • the present menuing system provides an integrated visual systems for controlling both native host features as well as program guide features. Further, the menuing system provides a common interface for other programs which can be resident on the host processor.
  • the present system provides a common interface and is thus portable from system to system.
  • FIG. 7A an embodiment of the structure of the menuing system is depicted schematically.
  • FIG. 7A depicts the top level functions.
  • the user can advance to any top-level application by moving the pointer to the option on the menu and selecting the option.
  • the STARSIGHT option is holded in this embodiment which indicates the pointer will automatically be positioned over this option when the menu first appears.
  • Each menu option may lead to any number of further sub-menus, so that a particular option may be buried as many levels deep as appropriate. For example, a user who selects the TV control 504 application can see a series of menus as shown in FIG. 7B .
  • FIGS. 7B-7C depict several host functions.
  • the TV control menu 504 is shown.
  • a user can interactively control the various picture controls by maneuvering the pointer/cursor and selecting a specific control to adjust.
  • FIG. 7B depicts the contrast, brightness, color, tint, and sharpness controls of a television. Any number of television controls may be added to the on-screen menuing system.
  • FIG. 7E depicts several sub level command functions of the comlink menu 512 . This Figure illustrates how the display of the on-screen menuing system is similar for all of the integrated electronic devices.
  • FIG. 7F depicts a host command function for the comlink sub-menu.
  • the incoming command 514 is executed by the user by positioning the pointer/cursor above a selected interactive glyph.
  • the current time and the passage of time is displayed for the viewer using the program guide 102 .
  • a current time and time remaining bar 600 is depicted on the program matrix 108 .
  • the current time and time remaining bar 500 will be indicated to the viewer on the left side of the program matrix 108 , for example, by changing the background color of the current time and time remaining bar area from one color to a slightly darker color. This darkening of the current time and time remaining bar area is depicted as a vertical bar that sweeps across the display area from left to right.
  • the current time and time remaining bar also grows in width as time progresses in a manner that depicts both the current time, the passage of time and the time remaining for any particular program currently displayed on the program matrix 108 . The viewer is thereby able to easily determine the time remaining and when the next program on a specific channel will begin.
  • the current time is maintained in the data structure.
  • the processor reads the current time data and the EPG display controller displays the current time and time remaining bar information on the program guide 102 . Periodically the current time is reread by the processor and the newer grid guide is redisplayed.
  • the time bar 704 allows the user to interactively choose a desired time frame to be viewed.
  • the time glyph 602 is an interactive area of the program guide 102 .
  • the time glyph depicts the current time frame displayed on the program guide 102 .
  • the glyph immediately becomes the time bar glyph 704 .
  • the time bar glyph depicts a longer span of time. In a preferred embodiment, this longer span of time is 12 hours. The longer span of time indicates an interactive area in which the user may choose a specific time frame to be displayed on the viewer grid guide.
  • the time bar glyph 704 includes a series of time indicator glyphs 706 . If any of these glyphs are chosen by the user by positioning the pointer and then activating the chosen glyph, the EPG grid guide will display the viewer guide associated with the chosen time indicator glyph.
  • time bar 704 allows the user to quickly and easily display any desired future time span of the program guide 102 .
  • the pointer/cursor 110 normally appears as an arrow or triangle.
  • the tip of the pointer/cursor 110 indicates the interactive area of the EPG to be chosen.
  • FIG. 10A or 10 B when a user moves the pointer/cursor 110 to the edge of the program matrix 108 , the configuration of the pointer/cursor 110 changes to indicate to the user alternate or additional information.
  • FIG. 10A shows that the cursor has changed into an icon that represents that the program matrix 108 may be shifted by an entire page.
  • the pointer/cursor in this changed configuration may perform some other command when activated.
  • the shape of the pointer/cursor may change and an additional informational window may appear.
  • These additional informational windows 512 are designed to fade from view when the information provided is no longer necessary for the user or following a predetermined period of time, or a predetermined set of commands has been issued buy the user.
  • FIG. 10C depicts a program guide 102 , and an additional configuration for a pointer/cursor without the additional informational window 512 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
  • Television Systems (AREA)
  • User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)

Abstract

An on-screen menu method and system for controlling the functions of integrated electronic devices and a television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day and an interconnected series of menus to control the features of the integrated electronic devices. An input device allows the viewer to move a pointer over different interactive areas of the guide and the function performed when the area is activated is displayed in a contextual help window. Various control glyphs provide for recursive interaction with the guide.

Description

  • This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/402,404, filed Apr. 11, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/159,702, filed May 28, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,062,777, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/032,374, filed Feb. 27, 1998, which claims benefit from a U.S. Provisional patent application entitled “Seamless Television Control Interface with Electronic Guide,” U.S. Application No. 60/039,278, which was filed on Feb. 28, 1997, of Alba et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference for all purposes.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention generally relates to television schedule information, and more particularly to a system and method for displaying a television program guide on a television screen.
  • As the number of television stations in a metropolitan area or on a cable network has increased, the number of programs of potential interest that are presented to a viewer has risen dramatically. With the use of dish antennas capable of receiving direct satellite signals, the multitude of programs available to the viewer has further increased.
  • Additionally, television faces a digital future that will see the merger of television and PC technology. The television set of the future will include a micro-computer, a modem of interconnectivity with other computers over networks, intranets, and the internet, and be connectable to computer peripherals such as printers. Such capabilities as near “video on demand” (NVOD), “video on demand”, “access to the world wide web”, “audio on demand”, etc. will be present the viewer with a plethora of information and bandwidth. In addition to PC capabilities, viewers will want to control other consumer electronic devices such as VCR's and surround sound receivers.
  • As has become increasingly evident, information overload can actually reduce the usefulness of the information delivered. Accordingly, a great challenge exists to provide an interface that manages and provides an intelligent, user-friendly interface to the information available.
  • Consequently, television schedule systems or electronic program guides (EPG) that are provided directly on the viewer's television screen have been developed to assist the viewer in sorting through these various programs and determining which programs to watch or record. One such television schedule system is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,121 (Young et al.), the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In one embodiment of Young, the television schedule includes a series of menu screens having an array of cells corresponding to different television programs. The viewer may scroll through the cells to view which television programs are being presented on various channels at various times. In addition, the viewer may select certain cells to obtain more information on the associated program or to pull up other sub-menus with additional options.
  • The recent development of television schedule systems, such as the above described patent to Young, have created many new challenges. One such challenge is to manage intelligently the vast stores of information available and provide user access and control directly through an electronic program guide. Another challenge is to facilitate easy access to a wide range of functionality through the combination of a limited number of user interactions. And still another challenge is to control several differing integrated electronic devices with the same ease of use incorporated into each.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention provides a system and method of accessing a series of menus for controlling a variety of integrated electronic devices and for displaying schedule information on a visual interface, such as a television screen, a computer monitor or the like. An integrated electronic device is any device that has been configured to accept and perform the commands of the on-screen menuing system. The present invention also provides a system and method for allowing the viewer to navigate and interact with a program guide that is displayed, for example, on the viewer's television screen. The program guide will usually include a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. With an input device, such as a remote control device, pointing device, mouse, keyboard, microphone or the like, the viewer can browse through the schedule information area and/or obtain more information about programs of particular interest.
  • According to one aspect of the invention, actions are directly invoked by moving a pointer over areas of the visual interface and selecting or “clicking” on the area.
  • In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for allowing the viewer to utilize display action controls, configured as glyphs, to recursively vary the configuration of the display area. Each glyph is activated by a point and click action of the user input device and serves as a switch for changing between two modes.
  • According to one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for accessing a series of menus and host functions that control a variety of integrated consumer electronic devices.
  • According to one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for allowing the user to easily change the time frame displayed on the EPG guide, and the accompanying viewer guide by activating the time bar glyph and then activating a specific time indicator glyph.
  • According to one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for changing the configuration of the pointer/cursor to provide the user with additional or alternate information. The pointer/cursor changes depending on the location of the pointer/cursor on the EPG display guide.
  • According to one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for graphically depicting the current time and the show time remaining by displaying a transparent shadow that proceeds across the EPG screen from left to right.
  • Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent in view of the following detailed description and the appended drawings.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a representation of an embodiment of the EPG display of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a TV system.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a hardware unit for generating an on-screen electronic programming guide (EPG).
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the hierarchical database utilized to generate the EPG.
  • FIGS. 5A-5D are schematic diagrams of data structures in the database.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a menuing hierarchy.
  • FIG. 7A is a screen depiction of a series of sub-menus.
  • FIG. 7B-7C are screen depictions of a series of host function commands.
  • FIG. 7D-7E are screen depictions of a series of sub-menus.
  • FIG. 7F is a screen depiction of a series of host function commands.
  • FIG. 8 is a screen depiction of the current time data depicted as a darkened area on the EPG screen.
  • FIG. 9 is a screen depiction of the Time Bar glyph which includes a series of Time Indicator glyphs.
  • FIG. 10A-10C are screen depictions of the pointer/cursor which depicts alternate or additional information.
    •  DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Overview of the Interactive Screen
  • The present invention provides an on-screen menuing system and method for controlling several integrated consumer electronic devices and a schedule system and method for displaying schedule information on a visual interface, such as a television screen, computer monitor or the like. The system and method is particularly useful for use with television schedule information. The television schedule information is presented in a program guide having a schedule information area depicting the program that is being shown on each channel for a period of time, e.g., a day, week or longer. Additionally, the EPG displays the controls of functions for various integrated electronic devices in a series of menus.
  • The on-screen menuing system provides a series of interactive menus. These interactive menus include commands to control the functions of the connected electronic devices that are configured to accept and perform the commands of the on-screen menuing system.
  • The on-screen menu system and method for controlling several connected electronic devices and television schedule system include an input device, such as a remote control device, pointing device, mouse, keyboard, microphone or the like, to allow the user to browse through the menu or schedule information area, obtain more information about programs of particular interest and control various features of the integrated electronics.
  • The controller may comprise a trackball, cursor controller, pointing device, a microphone for allowing voice activation, a number of keys or buttons that function to move the viewer around the screen, or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the controller comprises a scrolling mechanism for displacing a movable cursor through a matrix of cells or windows on the screen. The cursor may comprise a physical icon on the screen, or it may be represented by highlighting or other visual indications of the cells or windows that are scrolled through by the viewer.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a program guide 102 for the television schedule system of the present invention. The program guide 102, which is the primary mode in the television schedule system, includes a number of screen information areas or windows in a particular screen where the viewer operates an input device, such as a pointer device described above, to move around vertically and horizontally and to interact with that screen area's function. Preferably, the currently active screen area will be indicated to the viewer, for example, by changing the background color from a light greyscale metallic to a brighter, active color. Within each screen area are one or more items, typically arranged in a matrix or grid so that the viewer can scroll through the grid. The items can be selected or activated with the input device.
  • As shown in FIG. 1, program guide 102 preferably includes a schedule information area 106 having a program matrix 108 of cells or items that depict the shows that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. Program guide 102 conveniently lists the channels in a vertical column to the left of the program matrix 108 and the times in a time bar 602 in a horizontal row above matrix 108. The viewer selects an area by moving a pointer 110 over the area associated with a desired action. When the pointer 110 is moved over an area, the item may be automatically highlighted with a brighter color to indicate the viewer's location.
  • In FIG. 1, program guide 102 includes a number of other information areas. For example, program guide 102 includes a display title area 200 that includes a display mode icon 202 and a display mode description text field 204. An interactive data control window 206 displays the date for the listings in display matrix 108.
  • Directly below the display area 108 are four small action controls 208-211 which give the viewer the ability to recursively vary the configuration of the display area 108. The operation and functions of these action controls is described in detail below. A world icon 214 may appear below the display area on the left side and a star (linked services available) icon 216 may appear directly below the display area on the right side.
  • A video window 220 may display a currently-tuned television show. Below the video window 220 is a channel window 222, a title window 224, and a current time display window 226. Each of these windows are interactive.
    • Overview of an EPG System
  • A detailed description of The EPG system, may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/906,073 and so is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
  • In a preferred embodiment, the electronic program guide of the invention may be implemented either on a personal computer, a PCTV, a television connected to a set-top box, or a television including a custom board. However, the invention is not limited to any particular hardware configuration and will have increased utility as new combinations of computers and television systems are developed. In the following any of the above will sometimes be referred to as a “TV system”. Block diagrams of representative TV systems are depicted in FIG. 2. Details of implementation are not depicted because the invention is not limited to any particular TV system.
  • As is well known, the picture to be displayed may be transmitted as an analog signal, for example according to the NTSC standard utilized in the United States, or as a digital signal modulated onto an analog carrier. The signals may be received over a cable, or via an antenna or satellite dish. Typically, television sets are designed to receive analog signals and computers display devices are designed to display pictures encoded in a digital format. However, decoder system converts the digital data to an analog signal for display on a television set and TV modems can format analog TV signals for display on a monitor.
  • In FIG. 2, analog or digital TV signals, received via cable 330, antenna 332, or satellite dish 334, are provided to a television system. If the signal is from a digital broadcast service, then a decoder 336 converts the signal to baseband video and audio or channel 3/4 RF. If the signal is an analog signal it is passed through as a video output. The television system 338, depending on its configuration, receives selected ones of the outputs and displays the received program.
  • A PCTV includes a TV card 340, connected to either live video, baseband video, or channel 3/4 output, digitizes the video image and displays the video image in a resizable window on the computer monitor. The PCTV is also coupled to land telephone lines by a modem 342.
  • If the received signal is an analog TV signal the TV card of the PCTV digitizes the analog signal and extracts included information from the vertical blanking intervals (VBI). On the other hand, if the signal is a digital signal separate audio, video, VBI (vertical blanking information such as closed caption, teletext, current time data and program related information), program guide, and conditional access information are provided as separate bitstreams. The video and audio bitstreams for programs are converted to a format for display and the program guide information is processed to form program guide database. The processor, executing software stored in memory, generates interactive electronic program guide images and images of received programs. The guide can be used to interact with and control programs displayed in the window.
  • A television system configured to display an electronic program guide such as a guide provided by StarSight telecast includes an on-screen display controller and other hardware described below. If a standard analog broadcast signal is received program guide data, including current time data, is extracted from the VBI by a VBI data slicer and processed to form a program database. If a DBS digital signal is received, either from a satellite or cable, VBI and program data, including current time data, are provided in separate bit streams. The program guide images are generated are either generated locally or remotely and provided to an on screen display controller. Interactivity is provided via a remote control.
  • Alternatively, the program guide can be displayed on a computer monitor that interactively controls the television set through, for example, an IR interface including an IR blaster 344 to generate IR codes to control a television, a VCR and/or any other connected electronic device configured to accept and perform the commands of the on-screen menuing system.
  • If the electronic guide database is generated locally the system for creating the electronic programming guide must receive television schedule information and process the received information to create a database. Thus, the system requires, a data reception unit, a processor, memory to store program code and a database, an on-screen display generator (OSD), and a control interface for tuning to selected channels.
  • In one preferred embodiment, the schedule information is transmitted as a set of short commands of specified formats. Different commands communicate information such as a show schedule for a given channel, the title of each show in the schedule, descriptions and information attributes about each show in the channel. Thus, information for a show to be broadcast at a particular time is transmitted in several commands. ID numbers in the commands facilitate organizing the information into a relational database utilizing database engine (DBE) software stored in memory and executed by the processor.
  • In a preferred embodiment, a board is included at a viewer's television set and the database is stored locally and commands are transmitted in the vertical blanking intervals (VBI) of programming on a designated channel, for example PBS. An example of a board for receiving program guide information, generating program guide database, displaying the program guide, and interactively controlling the program guide is depicted in FIG. 3. The commands are transmitted to the board in the vertical blanking intervals of programming broadcast on a designated channel.
  • Alternatively, the commands could be transmitted to the local unit over land telephone lines. Additionally, as described below, in some systems the database is built remotely and the guide itself is transmitted to the local unit.
  • The database engine builds a hierarchical database in the RAM. The hierarchical structure of the database is depicted in FIG. 4. The database is structured internally as schedule data structures and theme data structures linked by handles and handle tables. Each handle is an index to a handle table which contains pointers to blocks of memory where items of the database are stored.
  • In another embodiment, for example a DSS system, program guide data is transmitted as a bit stream that is processed by the database engine.
  • Additionally, a N.E.W.S. (news, entertainment, weather, and sports) database has been developed. Commands including story text and story IDs are transmitted. Links from the program guide to stories related to a program can be created and the related stories can be accessed from the guide.
  • An advertisement database is also created from commands including advertising text and logos including IDs for linking the ads to shows displayed in the EPG. The user may access the advertising information directly from the guide.
  • An internet database is also created from commands including URLs to internet sites related to programs displayed on the EPG. If the viewer is viewing the EPG on a platform that is Web enabled, e.g., WebTV, a PC, or PCTV, then a linked site can be accessed directly from the EPG.
  • Additionally, a graphics program module builds various displays utilizing schedule, show title, and other information from the database. If the OSD controller operates in the character mode the display is a grid of character codes which are transferred to the on-screen display (OSD) controller which generates the on-screen display.
  • An input-response user interface program module responds to user input to generate new displays responsive to the particular input. In one preferred embodiment, the user utilizes an input device, e.g., a remote control, mouse, or keyboard, to place a pointer over a part of the current display and clicks. The input-response module responds to the position of the pointer and the particular display currently displayed to generate a responsive display or take a particular action. In another preferred embodiment the user interface responds to function buttons on a remote control. Specific examples will be described below.
    • Board Description
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram embodiment of the electronic hardware unit 452 utilized to perform the electronic on-screen schedule display and other functions. The particular hardware unit 452 depicted is for TVRO (TV Receive Only) customers having home satellite dishes for television viewing. This unit is coupled in series with existing customer TVRO equipment.
  • In FIG. 3, the unit receives Baseband Video in 423 from the customer TVRO system. The unit optionally outputs Baseband Video out 428 or channel 3/4 RF out 430. The unit includes an 8-bit microprocessor 400, 64 bytes of code ROM 401, 512 K of RAM 402 for program data storage, a custom gate array 403, segmented base registers 404 for fast memory data manipulation, security logic 406 for decoding incoming encrypted data, a serial bus 408 for display controller interface, serial bus 410 for inter-processor communication, watchdog timer 412 for error recovery, IR input 413, IR transmitter circuits 416 for TV, VCR control, IR output 417, CRC-32 encoding and decoding logic 418, on-board power supply 420, video input 423, On-Screen Display Controller and Formatter 424, custom color converter 426, RF modulator 427, choice of Baseband Video or RF outputs 428 or 430.
  • The on-screen display controller and formatter (OSDCF) 424 functions as an I/O controller, an on-screen display controller (OSD), and also as a closed-caption data (CCD) VBI data slicer. The VBI (vertical blanking interval) is a dead space in a TV signal that allows a television signal to reposition the scanning electron beam from the bottom to the top of the screen. Digital data, for example close-captioned data, or current time data, is modulated onto the carrier signal during the VBI.
  • The OSDCF 424 includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) which digitizes the incoming baseband video and extracts digital information transmitted in the VBIs. As explained more fully below, messages for transmission to the database are transmitted in the VBIs. These messages are transferred to the processor 400 which executes a data base engine process to build or update the database.
  • The OSD part of the OSDCF 424 includes cache memory, character memory, timing functions, and an external RAM. The OSD reads high level graphic commands sent from the processor 400 and stores graphic information in the RAM. The OSD outputs red (R), green (G), blue (B), graphic data which is used to generate a local video signal. Depending on the state of the user input interface, described below, the OSD local video output or the incoming live video will be displayed.
  • Accordingly, screen display graphic data generated by the database engine is transferred to the RAM of the OSD which the generates a local video signal that causes the display screen to be displayed on the television screen.
    • Scheduling Data Structures
  • The database engine (DBE) builds a hierarchical database in the RAM. The hierarchical structure of the database is depicted in FIG. 4. The database is structured internally as schedule data structures and theme data structures linked by handles and handle tables. Each handle is an index to a handle table which contains pointers to blocks of memory where structures of the database are stored.
  • The hierarchy for the schedule data structures, in descending order, is:
  •
    Channel Data Table: contains subscriber unit's
    list of channels;
    Show List: contains time slots for each
    show scheduled to be
    broadcast for a channel;
    Show Title: contains the title text and
    show title attributes;
    Show Description: contains show's ratings,
    attributes, and description
    text.
  • A channel data table, depicted in FIG. 5A, is the highest data structure in the hierarchy. This table includes an entry for each channel received by the subscriber unit. The entries in the channel data table are changed infrequently and are determined by the location of the subscriber unit and type of services received. Each channel data table entry includes information concerning the channel and a handle to a show list handle table for the channel.
  • The next data structure in the hierarchy is the show list depicted in FIG. 5B. The show list includes a start time typically being midnight GMT and 24 hours of scheduling. The channel's schedule is given by an ordered sequence of show slots, with a show slot for each show to be broadcast by a particular channel for a particular day. Each slot includes a duration, show title handle, and show description handle. Finding an entry corresponding to a given start time requires the entries to be scanned, in order, from the beginning of show list and adding duration values.
  • The database, when fully constructed, holds a week's worth of show lists for each channel. The days of the week are accessed by incrementing the show list handle by two bytes. The show lists are updated each day at midnight GMT with the show list for the day just completed being deleted and the show list for same day next week being added to the database.
  • The next data structures in the schedule hierarchy are the show title entries, depicted in FIG. 5C and show description entries, depicted in FIG. 5D. For a given show slot the show title entry and show description entry are accessed utilizing the handles included in the slot. The show title and show description entries are stored in a memory pool divided into blocks. Each show title is identified by a unique 20-bit show identification number (SID) and each show description is identified by a unique 20-bit number assigned at the head end. The show title handles are based on the SID and the show title handles are offsets into a show title handle table. The entry in the show title table accessed by a particular show title handle includes the address of the first block in the memory pool where the show title entry is stored. Similarly, the show description handle table entry accessed by a show description handle stores the address of the first block in the memory pool where the show description entry is stored.
  • Each show title entry includes theme index ID and the text of the show title. Typically, a single show title entry will be referenced by many show lists for different channels, days, and times. Thus, by utilizing handles in the show lists all show lists reference a single show title entry in memory so that memory is efficiently used. Many show title entries have a long life because the show titles may be for series that are broadcast over long periods of time and may be referenced by many showlists since many shows are broadcast by multiple channels.
  • Each show description entry includes a theme index ID, critics rating, MPAA rating for the show, traits mask bits, year produced, and show description text. Show description entries tend to have a shorter life than show title entries because a description is only valid for a particular episode of a series.
    • User Interface
  • The user interface takes remote control commands as its primary input. In one embodiment a user requests various functions by pressing function buttons on a remote control. In another embodiment, the GUI is utilized with different interactive regions on a displayed screen corresponding to different functions. The user moves the cursor over the interactive region corresponding to a desired function and selects the function to generate command. The particular form of entering a command is not critical and technology for utilizing voice commands may soon be available.
  • The user interface receives commands and responds with a requested display screen and by performing the function requested by the command. The function performed may be to perform an action such as selecting a new viewer guide based on the Time Indicator glyphs, accessing a related internet site, controlling the features of an integrated electronic device, or purchasing merchandise. The data and format of each screen is dependent on the previous screen, time of day, the contents of the data base, the command received, and other parameters. A state table is used to define the screen flow.
  • For every defined screen, there is an entrance function, an exit function, an update function, and an array of request-handling functions. The entrance function is called when a state is first entered to collect all necessary data and format the screen. The exit function is called to release memory and data for the screen. The update function is called once per minute to update the screen time and to redraw the screen if any information displayed on the screen needs to be updated.
  • Once in a particular state, the table contains a reference to another software function corresponding to each key on the remote control or to each interactive region on the screen. These referenced functions will be executed whenever an associated remote control button is pressed or interactive region is selected.
  • For example, if the user wishes to choose a new viewer guide, in the GUI embodiment, the viewer moves the cursor over the Time Bar interactive region which is then selected to request a new time indicator. A confirmation screen will then be generated.
  • The screens are displayed by the on-screen display (OSD) controller based on graphic display commands issued by the database engine. Among the primitive commands, needed to draw system display screens are the Erase Screen Command; Draw Rectangle Command; Save Rectangle Command; Restore Rectangle Command; Move Rectangle Commands; Write ASCII String Command; and Draw Channel Icon Command.
  • Each screen includes areas that are constant and based on code and data stored in non-volatile memory and variable areas such as show titles and descriptions which utilize data stored in the database. Additionally, graphics files are also being stored in the database to be displayed in windows of the display screen.
    • Description of the On-Screen Menuing System
  • Referring to FIGS. 6-7, the main menu and sub menu hierarchy is depicted. Using the interactive capabilities of the on-screen menuing system, the user is able to access a variety of linked menus. FIG. 6 depicts a plurality of linked menus in which a viewer may navigate using the pointer/cursor and the interactive nature of the on-screen menuing system. FIG. 6 depicts the ability of the user to move from a TV state 500 to a main menu state 502. The user may also reach any of the sub menus, including the program guide 102, TV controls guide 504, setup guide 506 and any other menu that may be added to the on-screen menuing system.
  • These menus control the various features of the connected electronic devices. The graphical nature of the menus is such that the control structure and format is similar from menu to menu. This feature allows the user to be familiar with the control structure when operating any of the various integrated electronic devices, e.g., the look and feel of the menu that selects the channels to be viewed with the television tuner is similar to the menu displayed to control the channel to be viewed when using the integrated vcr tuner. The familiar nature of the graphical interface allows for a shorter learning curve of the features of the integrated electronic devices when the user initially encounters the onscreen menuing system.
  • The menuing system is especially useful in a host TV system utilizing programmed control of host functions, for example, basic native host functions such as brightness, color, volume and other controls. The present menuing system provides an integrated visual systems for controlling both native host features as well as program guide features. Further, the menuing system provides a common interface for other programs which can be resident on the host processor.
  • Accordingly, the present system provides a common interface and is thus portable from system to system.
  • Referring now to FIG. 7A, an embodiment of the structure of the menuing system is depicted schematically. FIG. 7A depicts the top level functions. The user can advance to any top-level application by moving the pointer to the option on the menu and selecting the option. The STARSIGHT option is holded in this embodiment which indicates the pointer will automatically be positioned over this option when the menu first appears.
  • Each menu option may lead to any number of further sub-menus, so that a particular option may be buried as many levels deep as appropriate. For example, a user who selects the TV control 504 application can see a series of menus as shown in FIG. 7B.
  • FIGS. 7B-7C depict several host functions. The TV control menu 504 is shown. A user can interactively control the various picture controls by maneuvering the pointer/cursor and selecting a specific control to adjust. For example, FIG. 7B depicts the contrast, brightness, color, tint, and sharpness controls of a television. Any number of television controls may be added to the on-screen menuing system.
  • Further, as described above, since the present menuing system provides a consistent interface to all programs, selecting an application works the same way for EPG applications, host applications, and third party applications. An example of such an application is depicted in FIG. 7D where a communication program is controlled by the on-screen menuing system interface.
  • FIG. 7E depicts several sub level command functions of the comlink menu 512. This Figure illustrates how the display of the on-screen menuing system is similar for all of the integrated electronic devices.
  • FIG. 7F depicts a host command function for the comlink sub-menu. Here, the incoming command 514 is executed by the user by positioning the pointer/cursor above a selected interactive glyph.
    • Description of the Current Time Display
  • Referring to FIG. 8, the current time and the passage of time is displayed for the viewer using the program guide 102. A current time and time remaining bar 600 is depicted on the program matrix 108. In a preferred embodiment, the current time and time remaining bar 500 will be indicated to the viewer on the left side of the program matrix 108, for example, by changing the background color of the current time and time remaining bar area from one color to a slightly darker color. This darkening of the current time and time remaining bar area is depicted as a vertical bar that sweeps across the display area from left to right. The current time and time remaining bar also grows in width as time progresses in a manner that depicts both the current time, the passage of time and the time remaining for any particular program currently displayed on the program matrix 108. The viewer is thereby able to easily determine the time remaining and when the next program on a specific channel will begin.
  • The current time is maintained in the data structure. The processor reads the current time data and the EPG display controller displays the current time and time remaining bar information on the program guide 102. Periodically the current time is reread by the processor and the newer grid guide is redisplayed.
    • Description of Time Bar Glyph
  • The time bar 704 allows the user to interactively choose a desired time frame to be viewed. As can be seen in FIG. 1, in a first configuration, the time glyph 602 is an interactive area of the program guide 102. In this state, the time glyph depicts the current time frame displayed on the program guide 102. However, as can be seen in FIG. 9, when a user moves the pointer/cursor 110 over the time glyph 602, the glyph immediately becomes the time bar glyph 704. The time bar glyph depicts a longer span of time. In a preferred embodiment, this longer span of time is 12 hours. The longer span of time indicates an interactive area in which the user may choose a specific time frame to be displayed on the viewer grid guide. The time bar glyph 704 includes a series of time indicator glyphs 706. If any of these glyphs are chosen by the user by positioning the pointer and then activating the chosen glyph, the EPG grid guide will display the viewer guide associated with the chosen time indicator glyph.
  • This interactive nature of the time bar 704 allows the user to quickly and easily display any desired future time span of the program guide 102.
    • Description of the Morphing Pointer/Cursor
  • As can be seen in FIG. 1, the pointer/cursor 110 normally appears as an arrow or triangle. The tip of the pointer/cursor 110 indicates the interactive area of the EPG to be chosen.
  • However, referring to FIG. 10A or 10B, when a user moves the pointer/cursor 110 to the edge of the program matrix 108, the configuration of the pointer/cursor 110 changes to indicate to the user alternate or additional information. FIG. 10A shows that the cursor has changed into an icon that represents that the program matrix 108 may be shifted by an entire page. Alternatively, the pointer/cursor in this changed configuration may perform some other command when activated. In addition, depending on the location of the pointer/cursor, the shape of the pointer/cursor may change and an additional informational window may appear. These additional informational windows 512 are designed to fade from view when the information provided is no longer necessary for the user or following a predetermined period of time, or a predetermined set of commands has been issued buy the user.
  • FIG. 10C depicts a program guide 102, and an additional configuration for a pointer/cursor without the additional informational window 512.

Claims (15)

1-7. (canceled)
8. A method for displaying interactive program data, the method comprising:
at a first instance of the current time, displaying a plurality of listings for programs currently in-progress on a display device, wherein each of the displayed listings comprises a time indicator having a leading edge aligned with a first position corresponding to the first instance of the current time; and
as time passes from the first instance of the current time to a second instance of the current time later than the first instance, and while the programs associated with the displayed listings are still currently in-progress, using the display device to graphically depict the passage of time and visually indicate the second instance of the current time by moving the leading edge of each of the time indicators towards alignment with a third position that corresponds to the second instance of the current time.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein moving the leading edge of each of the time indicators comprises displaying a shadow proceeding across the displayed listings.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising changing the background color of a portion of each of the displayed listings adjacent to the leading edge of each of the time indicator.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein displaying a plurality of program listings further comprises displaying at least one listing for a future program.
12. A system for displaying interactive program data, the system comprising a display controller and a processor, the processor configured to:
direct the display controller to display a plurality of listings for programs in-progress at a first instance of the current time, wherein each of the displayed listings comprises a time indicator having a leading edge aligned with a first position corresponding to the first instance of the current time; and
as time passes from the first instance of the current time to a second instance of the current time later than the first instance, and while programs associated with the displayed listings are still in-progress, direct the display controller to graphically depict the passage of time and visually indicate the second instance of the current time by moving the leading edge of each of the time indicators towards alignment with a third position that corresponds to the second instance of the current time.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein moving the leading edge of each of the time indicators comprises displaying a shadow proceeding across the displayed listings.
14. The system of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to direct the display controller to change the background color of a portion of each of the displayed listings adjacent to the leading edge of the time indicator.
15. The system of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to direct the display controller to display at least one listing for a future program.
16. The method of claim 8, wherein graphically depicting the passage of time further comprises changing the size of each of the time indicators.
17. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the displayed listings includes a cell having an end segment corresponding to the end of program currently in-progress associated with the displayed listing, and wherein graphically depicting the passage of time further comprises moving the leading edge of each of the time indicators toward said end segment.
18. The method of claim 8, wherein the leading edges of all of the time indicators are aligned with each other.
19. The system of claim 12, wherein graphically depicting the passage of time further comprises changing the size of each of the time indicators.
20. The system of claim 12, wherein each of the displayed listings includes a cell having an end segment corresponding to the end of a program currently in-progress associated with the displayed listing, and wherein graphically depicting the passage of time further comprises moving the leading edge of each of the time indicators toward said end segment.
21. The system of claim 12, wherein the leading edges of all of the time indicators are aligned with each other.
US12/748,692 1997-02-28 2010-03-29 Television control interface with electronic guide Abandoned US20100186037A1 (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/748,692 US20100186037A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2010-03-29 Television control interface with electronic guide
US13/027,677 US8578414B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2011-02-15 Television control interface with electronic guide
US14/043,611 US9191715B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2013-10-01 Television control interface with electronic guide
US14/169,105 US8925018B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2014-01-30 Television control interface with electronic guide
US14/942,846 US20160142786A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2015-11-16 Television control interface with electronic guide
US15/186,376 US9681174B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2016-06-17 Television control interface with electronic guide
US15/186,381 US20160295274A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2016-06-17 Television control interface with electronic guide

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US3927897P 1997-02-28 1997-02-28
US3237498A 1998-02-27 1998-02-27
US10/159,702 US7062777B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2002-05-28 Television control interface with electronic guide
US11/402,404 US20060242666A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2006-04-11 Television control interface with electronic guide
US11/894,679 US20080184295A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2007-08-20 Television control interface with electronic guide
US12/748,692 US20100186037A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2010-03-29 Television control interface with electronic guide

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/894,679 Continuation US20080184295A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2007-08-20 Television control interface with electronic guide

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/027,677 Continuation US8578414B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2011-02-15 Television control interface with electronic guide

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100186037A1 true US20100186037A1 (en) 2010-07-22

Family

ID=21904620

Family Applications (10)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/159,702 Expired - Lifetime US7062777B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2002-05-28 Television control interface with electronic guide
US11/402,404 Abandoned US20060242666A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2006-04-11 Television control interface with electronic guide
US11/894,679 Abandoned US20080184295A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2007-08-20 Television control interface with electronic guide
US12/748,692 Abandoned US20100186037A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2010-03-29 Television control interface with electronic guide
US13/027,677 Expired - Fee Related US8578414B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2011-02-15 Television control interface with electronic guide
US14/043,611 Expired - Fee Related US9191715B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2013-10-01 Television control interface with electronic guide
US14/169,105 Expired - Fee Related US8925018B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2014-01-30 Television control interface with electronic guide
US14/942,846 Abandoned US20160142786A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2015-11-16 Television control interface with electronic guide
US15/186,381 Abandoned US20160295274A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2016-06-17 Television control interface with electronic guide
US15/186,376 Expired - Fee Related US9681174B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2016-06-17 Television control interface with electronic guide

Family Applications Before (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/159,702 Expired - Lifetime US7062777B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2002-05-28 Television control interface with electronic guide
US11/402,404 Abandoned US20060242666A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2006-04-11 Television control interface with electronic guide
US11/894,679 Abandoned US20080184295A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2007-08-20 Television control interface with electronic guide

Family Applications After (6)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/027,677 Expired - Fee Related US8578414B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2011-02-15 Television control interface with electronic guide
US14/043,611 Expired - Fee Related US9191715B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2013-10-01 Television control interface with electronic guide
US14/169,105 Expired - Fee Related US8925018B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2014-01-30 Television control interface with electronic guide
US14/942,846 Abandoned US20160142786A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2015-11-16 Television control interface with electronic guide
US15/186,381 Abandoned US20160295274A1 (en) 1997-02-28 2016-06-17 Television control interface with electronic guide
US15/186,376 Expired - Fee Related US9681174B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2016-06-17 Television control interface with electronic guide

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (10) US7062777B2 (en)
AU (1) AU6675098A (en)
WO (1) WO1998038831A1 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110154403A1 (en) * 2009-12-18 2011-06-23 Rovi Technologies Corporation Systems and methods for navigating program listings simultaneously displayed with a program in a media guidance application
US20110167448A1 (en) * 1995-10-02 2011-07-07 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Method and system for displaying advertising, video, and program schedule listing
US20110289461A1 (en) * 2010-05-20 2011-11-24 Joshua Morgan Jancourtz Method and sytem for rendering computer interface cursors
DE102011001254A1 (en) * 2011-03-14 2012-09-20 Loewe Opta Gmbh Method for programming television receiver with tuner, program slot assignment memory, on-screen display control circuit, involves receiving current program contributions by micro processor according to registered program
US8578414B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2013-11-05 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Television control interface with electronic guide
US20150346997A1 (en) * 2012-12-26 2015-12-03 Sony Corporation Display control device, display control method, and recording medium

Families Citing this family (127)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7168084B1 (en) 1992-12-09 2007-01-23 Sedna Patent Services, Llc Method and apparatus for targeting virtual objects
US9286294B2 (en) 1992-12-09 2016-03-15 Comcast Ip Holdings I, Llc Video and digital multimedia aggregator content suggestion engine
US6769128B1 (en) 1995-06-07 2004-07-27 United Video Properties, Inc. Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access
US6002394A (en) 1995-10-02 1999-12-14 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Systems and methods for linking television viewers with advertisers and broadcasters
EP2273783A3 (en) 1996-03-15 2011-02-16 Gemstar Development Corporation Combination of VCR index and EPG
US5940073A (en) 1996-05-03 1999-08-17 Starsight Telecast Inc. Method and system for displaying other information in a TV program guide
US5986650A (en) 1996-07-03 1999-11-16 News America Publications, Inc. Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with scan feature
DE69724132T2 (en) * 1996-09-17 2004-06-03 Starsight Telecast, Inc., Fremont TV PROGRAM SYSTEM WITH POP UP ACTION MENU AND ICONS
US9113122B2 (en) 1997-04-21 2015-08-18 Rovi Guides, Inc. Method and apparatus for time-shifting video and text in a text-enhanced television program
DK1036466T3 (en) 1997-07-21 2003-07-14 Guide E Inc Steps to navigate a TV listings with creatives
WO1999013641A1 (en) 1997-09-05 1999-03-18 Prevue International, Inc. Program guide application interface system
CN1867068A (en) 1998-07-14 2006-11-22 联合视频制品公司 Client-server based interactive television program guide system with remote server recording
AR019458A1 (en) 1998-07-23 2002-02-20 United Video Properties Inc AN INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAMMING GUIDE PROVISION THAT SERVES AS AN ENTRY
BR9912385A (en) * 1998-07-23 2002-01-15 Diva Systems Corp User interface generated on a head end, interactive program guide, and processes for generating and distributing a user interface, and interacting with an interactive program guide
US6754905B2 (en) 1998-07-23 2004-06-22 Diva Systems Corporation Data structure and methods for providing an interactive program guide
US9924234B2 (en) 1998-07-23 2018-03-20 Comcast Ip Holdings I, Llc Data structure and methods for providing an interactive program
US6898762B2 (en) 1998-08-21 2005-05-24 United Video Properties, Inc. Client-server electronic program guide
TW465235B (en) 1998-09-17 2001-11-21 United Video Properties Inc Electronic program guide with digital storage
US6859799B1 (en) 1998-11-30 2005-02-22 Gemstar Development Corporation Search engine for video and graphics
US6522342B1 (en) * 1999-01-27 2003-02-18 Hughes Electronics Corporation Graphical tuning bar for a multi-program data stream
US7765568B1 (en) 1999-01-27 2010-07-27 The Directv Group, Inc. Graphical tuning bar
US8073955B1 (en) 1999-01-27 2011-12-06 The Directv Group, Inc. Method and apparatus for tuning used in a broadcast data system
US7096487B1 (en) 1999-10-27 2006-08-22 Sedna Patent Services, Llc Apparatus and method for combining realtime and non-realtime encoded content
US6904610B1 (en) 1999-04-15 2005-06-07 Sedna Patent Services, Llc Server-centric customized interactive program guide in an interactive television environment
US6754271B1 (en) 1999-04-15 2004-06-22 Diva Systems Corporation Temporal slice persistence method and apparatus for delivery of interactive program guide
US7458091B1 (en) 2000-01-20 2008-11-25 Sonic Solutions, A California Corporation System, method and article of manufacture for a business layer component in a multimedia synchronization framework
US20050182828A1 (en) 1999-04-21 2005-08-18 Interactual Technologies, Inc. Platform specific execution
US6529949B1 (en) 2000-02-07 2003-03-04 Interactual Technologies, Inc. System, method and article of manufacture for remote unlocking of local content located on a client device
US6769130B1 (en) * 2000-01-20 2004-07-27 Interactual Technologies, Inc. System, method and article of manufacture for late synchronization during the execution of a multimedia event on a plurality of client computers
US7188193B1 (en) 2000-01-20 2007-03-06 Sonic Solutions, A California Corporation System, method and article of manufacture for a synchronizer component in a multimedia synchronization framework
CN1367926A (en) 1999-04-21 2002-09-04 研究投资网络公司 System, emthod and article of manufacture for updating content stored on portable storage medium
US7346920B2 (en) 2000-07-07 2008-03-18 Sonic Solutions, A California Corporation System, method and article of manufacture for a common cross platform framework for development of DVD-Video content integrated with ROM content
US7448021B1 (en) 2000-07-24 2008-11-04 Sonic Solutions, A California Corporation Software engine for combining video or audio content with programmatic content
US7178106B2 (en) 1999-04-21 2007-02-13 Sonic Solutions, A California Corporation Presentation of media content from multiple media sources
AU1576801A (en) 1999-10-27 2001-05-08 Diva Systems Corporation Picture-in-picture and multiple video streams using slice-based encoding
US20050177850A1 (en) * 1999-10-29 2005-08-11 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive television system with programming-related links
US7392481B2 (en) 2001-07-02 2008-06-24 Sonic Solutions, A California Corporation Method and apparatus for providing content-owner control in a networked device
GB0001424D0 (en) * 2000-01-22 2000-03-08 Pace Micro Tech Plc Television programme guide
BR0109597A (en) 2000-03-31 2003-02-04 United Video Proerties Inc System and methods for reducing program recording cuts
JP2003530782A (en) 2000-04-10 2003-10-14 ユナイテッド ビデオ プロパティーズ， インコーポレイテッド Interactive television program guide system with integrated program listings
US7877769B2 (en) 2000-04-17 2011-01-25 Lg Electronics Inc. Information descriptor and extended information descriptor data structures for digital television signals
US8695039B2 (en) 2000-04-17 2014-04-08 Lg Electronics Inc. Information descriptor and extended information descriptor data structures for digital television signals
US8936101B2 (en) 2008-07-17 2015-01-20 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Interventionless set packer and setting method for same
US7702995B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2010-04-20 TVWorks, LLC. Method and system for transforming content for execution on multiple platforms
US8296792B2 (en) * 2000-04-24 2012-10-23 Tvworks, Llc Method and system to provide interactivity using an interactive channel bug
US20020010928A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-01-24 Ranjit Sahota Method and system for integrating internet advertising with television commercials
US9788058B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2017-10-10 Comcast Cable Communications Management, Llc Method and system for automatic insertion of interactive TV triggers into a broadcast data stream
US7685520B2 (en) 2000-06-22 2010-03-23 Intel Corporation Electronic programming guide with selectable categories
US6468587B2 (en) * 2000-06-30 2002-10-22 3M Innovative Properties Company Treatment of fibrous substrates with acidic silsesquioxanes emulsions
JP4942242B2 (en) * 2000-08-25 2012-05-30 ソニー株式会社 Information processing apparatus and method, and recording medium
KR100370021B1 (en) * 2000-08-30 2003-01-29 엘지전자 주식회사 Method for displaying brodcasting information of tv
US7689510B2 (en) 2000-09-07 2010-03-30 Sonic Solutions Methods and system for use in network management of content
KR100380345B1 (en) * 2000-09-20 2003-04-11 삼성전자주식회사 Method for constructing On Screen Display and Eelctronic Program Guide
US7103906B1 (en) 2000-09-29 2006-09-05 International Business Machines Corporation User controlled multi-device media-on-demand system
ATE406618T1 (en) 2000-10-11 2008-09-15 United Video Properties Inc SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING DATA STORAGE IN SERVERS IN A MEDIA ON-DEMAND DELIVERY SYSTEM
TW545060B (en) 2000-10-11 2003-08-01 United Video Properties Inc Systems and methods for caching data in media-on-demand systems
US7203952B2 (en) 2001-03-27 2007-04-10 Digeo, Inc. Passive program completion status indicator for an electronic program guide
GB0108355D0 (en) 2001-04-03 2001-05-23 Gemstar Dev Ltd Retrospective electronic program guide
US7793326B2 (en) 2001-08-03 2010-09-07 Comcast Ip Holdings I, Llc Video and digital multimedia aggregator
US7908628B2 (en) 2001-08-03 2011-03-15 Comcast Ip Holdings I, Llc Video and digital multimedia aggregator content coding and formatting
KR100400010B1 (en) * 2001-10-15 2003-09-29 삼성전자주식회사 Method for operating electronic program guide
US20040034865A1 (en) * 2002-08-13 2004-02-19 Barrett Peter T. Program guide for previous program broadcasts
US20040055007A1 (en) * 2002-09-13 2004-03-18 David Allport Point-based system and method for interacting with electronic program guide grid
JP4359810B2 (en) * 2002-10-01 2009-11-11 ソニー株式会社 User terminal, data processing method, program, and data processing system
US7117441B2 (en) * 2002-11-27 2006-10-03 Research Investment Network, Inc. Grid-based system and method for interacting with electronic program guide grid
JP4261893B2 (en) * 2002-12-13 2009-04-30 キヤノン株式会社 Information processing apparatus and information processing method
US7493646B2 (en) 2003-01-30 2009-02-17 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive television systems with digital video recording and adjustable reminders
US20060051059A1 (en) 2004-09-08 2006-03-09 Krakirian Haig H Video recorder having user extended and automatically extended time slots
CA2527328C (en) * 2003-05-29 2013-04-02 Eat.Tv, Llc System for presentation of multimedia content
JP4175369B2 (en) * 2003-12-18 2008-11-05 三菱電機株式会社 Image display control device and image display system
US8175444B2 (en) * 2004-01-14 2012-05-08 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method of reproducing from storage medium storing interactive graphics stream activated in response to user's command
US20080320523A1 (en) * 2004-04-15 2008-12-25 Ronald Alan Morris Content-progress indicator for an EPG
US20060020966A1 (en) * 2004-07-22 2006-01-26 Thomas Poslinski Program guide with integrated progress bar
US20060020971A1 (en) * 2004-07-22 2006-01-26 Thomas Poslinski Multi channel program guide with integrated progress bars
US8763052B2 (en) * 2004-10-29 2014-06-24 Eat.Tv, Inc. System for enabling video-based interactive applications
CN101356803A (en) * 2004-11-15 2009-01-28 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 System and method for presenting an electronic program guide
WO2006066052A2 (en) 2004-12-16 2006-06-22 Sonic Solutions Methods and systems for use in network management of content
KR100716287B1 (en) * 2005-02-22 2007-05-09 삼성전자주식회사 Display device and control method of display device
US9973817B1 (en) 2005-04-08 2018-05-15 Rovi Guides, Inc. System and method for providing a list of video-on-demand programs
US8095951B1 (en) 2005-05-06 2012-01-10 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for providing a scan
US8640166B1 (en) 2005-05-06 2014-01-28 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for content surfing
WO2006125133A2 (en) * 2005-05-19 2006-11-23 Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc. Global navigation objects in user interfaces
US7646962B1 (en) 2005-09-30 2010-01-12 Guideworks, Llc System and methods for recording and playing back programs having desirable recording attributes
US20070079342A1 (en) 2005-09-30 2007-04-05 Guideworks, Llc Systems and methods for managing local storage of on-demand content
KR100717692B1 (en) * 2005-10-08 2007-05-14 삼성전자주식회사 Display device and control method thereof
KR100791286B1 (en) * 2005-11-16 2008-01-04 삼성전자주식회사 Method and device for providing user interface
US20070136681A1 (en) * 2005-12-08 2007-06-14 Syntax Brillian Corp. On-screen display for configuring a display apparatus using graphic icons
US9681105B2 (en) 2005-12-29 2017-06-13 Rovi Guides, Inc. Interactive media guidance system having multiple devices
US20070202923A1 (en) * 2006-02-24 2007-08-30 Searete, Llc System and method for transferring media content between a portable device and a video display
JP2007325153A (en) * 2006-06-05 2007-12-13 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Digital broadcasting receiver
US7985134B2 (en) 2006-07-31 2011-07-26 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for providing enhanced sports watching media guidance
US7801888B2 (en) 2007-03-09 2010-09-21 Microsoft Corporation Media content search results ranked by popularity
KR101443609B1 (en) * 2007-06-22 2014-09-23 엘지전자 주식회사 Broadcasting receiver and offer method for broadcasting program
US20090019492A1 (en) 2007-07-11 2009-01-15 United Video Properties, Inc. Systems and methods for mirroring and transcoding media content
US8407737B1 (en) 2007-07-11 2013-03-26 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for providing a scan transport bar
KR101411586B1 (en) * 2007-08-14 2014-06-25 삼성전자주식회사 A GUI providing method for selecting a broadcast program and an AV apparatus using the same
US8107977B2 (en) * 2007-09-07 2012-01-31 United Video Properties, Inc. Cross-platform messaging
US20090066648A1 (en) * 2007-09-07 2009-03-12 Apple Inc. Gui applications for use with 3d remote controller
US20100306802A1 (en) * 2007-09-07 2010-12-02 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Method and device for selecting a set of schedule items
CN101472117A (en) * 2007-12-25 2009-07-01 深圳Tcl新技术有限公司 Apparatus and method for selectively recording program
US20090307719A1 (en) * 2008-06-05 2009-12-10 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Configurable Access Lists for On-Demand Multimedia Program Identifiers
US10063934B2 (en) 2008-11-25 2018-08-28 Rovi Technologies Corporation Reducing unicast session duration with restart TV
US8566855B2 (en) * 2008-12-02 2013-10-22 Sony Corporation Audiovisual user interface based on learned user preferences
US8839145B2 (en) * 2009-01-21 2014-09-16 Oracle International Corporation Providing access to contextual actions and information
KR20100100425A (en) * 2009-03-06 2010-09-15 삼성전자주식회사 Electronic program guide content displaying method
KR20110021105A (en) * 2009-08-25 2011-03-04 삼성전자주식회사 Program information provision method and display device using same
US9166714B2 (en) 2009-09-11 2015-10-20 Veveo, Inc. Method of and system for presenting enriched video viewing analytics
US9014546B2 (en) 2009-09-23 2015-04-21 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for automatically detecting users within detection regions of media devices
US8806338B2 (en) * 2009-11-20 2014-08-12 At&T Intellectual Property I, Lp System and method for interactive internet protocol television help
US8640052B2 (en) * 2009-12-31 2014-01-28 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. User interface enhancements for media content access systems and methods
KR20110114257A (en) * 2010-04-13 2011-10-19 삼성전자주식회사 3D display device and its display mode setting method, and 3D image providing system
CN101968712B (en) * 2010-10-08 2012-09-19 鸿富锦精密工业（深圳）有限公司 Remote controller with touch display screen
WO2012102689A1 (en) * 2011-01-25 2012-08-02 Thomson Licensing Visual cue for programs in an electronic program guide
US9154813B2 (en) 2011-06-09 2015-10-06 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Multiple video content in a composite video stream
US9049073B2 (en) 2011-06-28 2015-06-02 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for initializing allocations of transport streams based on historical data
US8935719B2 (en) 2011-08-25 2015-01-13 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Application triggering
US8805418B2 (en) 2011-12-23 2014-08-12 United Video Properties, Inc. Methods and systems for performing actions based on location-based rules
JP5885526B2 (en) * 2012-02-13 2016-03-15 三菱電機株式会社 Program guide display device, program guide display method, and program guide display program
USD748649S1 (en) * 2013-03-04 2016-02-02 Roku, Inc. Display screen with an animated electronic program guide
US9848276B2 (en) 2013-03-11 2017-12-19 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for auto-configuring a user equipment device with content consumption material
US9414114B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2016-08-09 Comcast Cable Holdings, Llc Selective interactivity
WO2015045119A1 (en) * 2013-09-27 2015-04-02 株式会社東芝 Method, electronic device and program
US9674563B2 (en) 2013-11-04 2017-06-06 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for recommending content
US11076205B2 (en) 2014-03-07 2021-07-27 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Retrieving supplemental content
USD779539S1 (en) * 2015-08-28 2017-02-21 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
CN105653578A (en) * 2015-12-18 2016-06-08 北京奇虎科技有限公司 Browser operation method and electronic equipment
CN106101768A (en) * 2016-06-01 2016-11-09 乐视控股（北京）有限公司 A kind of data reporting method and device

Citations (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US580218A (en) * 1897-04-06 Rubbing-machine
US4706121A (en) * 1985-07-12 1987-11-10 Patrick Young TV schedule system and process
US5157768A (en) * 1989-03-15 1992-10-20 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Method and apparatus for displaying context sensitive help information on a display
US5353121A (en) * 1989-10-30 1994-10-04 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Television schedule system
US5436676A (en) * 1994-06-10 1995-07-25 Zenith Electronics Corporation Remote control unit code translation
US5479266A (en) * 1990-09-10 1995-12-26 Starsight Telecast Inc. User interface for television schedule system
US5559550A (en) * 1995-03-01 1996-09-24 Gemstar Development Corporation Apparatus and methods for synchronizing a clock to a network clock
US5585866A (en) * 1993-09-09 1996-12-17 Miller; Larry Electronic television program guide schedule system and method including virtual channels
US5585838A (en) * 1995-05-05 1996-12-17 Microsoft Corporation Program time guide
US5604544A (en) * 1995-05-31 1997-02-18 International Business Machines Corporation Video receiver display of cursor overlaying video
US5617526A (en) * 1994-12-13 1997-04-01 Microsoft Corporation Operating system provided notification area for displaying visual notifications from application programs
US5621456A (en) * 1993-06-22 1997-04-15 Apple Computer, Inc. Methods and apparatus for audio-visual interface for the display of multiple program categories
US5781246A (en) * 1993-09-09 1998-07-14 Alten; Jerry Electronic television program guide schedule system and method
US6002394A (en) * 1995-10-02 1999-12-14 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Systems and methods for linking television viewers with advertisers and broadcasters
US6075575A (en) * 1995-10-02 2000-06-13 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Remote control device and method for using television schedule information
US6078348A (en) * 1996-06-17 2000-06-20 Starsight Telecast Inc. Television schedule system with enhanced features
US6118492A (en) * 1996-08-14 2000-09-12 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Guide system and method of operation
US6151059A (en) * 1996-08-06 2000-11-21 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Electronic program guide with interactive areas
US6172677B1 (en) * 1996-10-07 2001-01-09 Compaq Computer Corporation Integrated content guide for interactive selection of content and services on personal computer systems with multiple sources and multiple media presentation
US20020010926A1 (en) * 1997-06-24 2002-01-24 Hyoung-Joo Lee Method of displaying tv program progress time and device thereof
US6388714B1 (en) * 1995-10-02 2002-05-14 Starsight Telecast Inc Interactive computer system for providing television schedule information
US6426779B1 (en) * 1995-01-04 2002-07-30 Sony Electronics, Inc. Method and apparatus for providing favorite station and programming information in a multiple station broadcast system
US6499138B1 (en) * 1998-09-10 2002-12-24 Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation Methods and systems for providing information about programs available for viewing

Family Cites Families (92)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4965825A (en) * 1981-11-03 1990-10-23 The Personalized Mass Media Corporation Signal processing apparatus and methods
GB2126002A (en) 1982-08-25 1984-03-14 Simon William Breese Automatic control for recording apparatus
US5121477A (en) * 1988-04-08 1992-06-09 International Business Machines Inc. System for interactively creating action bar pull-down windows of a user interface for use at program run time
US5129057A (en) * 1988-05-02 1992-07-07 International Business Machines Corporation Method for presenting compressed electronic day calendar information in an interactive information handling system
US5790116A (en) * 1989-06-30 1998-08-04 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Object-oriented computer user interface
FR2662009B1 (en) * 1990-05-09 1996-03-08 Apple Computer MULTIPLE FACES MANOPULABLE ICON FOR DISPLAY ON COMPUTER.
DE69133588D1 (en) 1990-08-10 2008-01-31 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd transmission system
US5808608A (en) 1990-09-10 1998-09-15 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Background television schedule system
US5619274A (en) 1990-09-10 1997-04-08 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Television schedule information transmission and utilization system and process
US5412720A (en) 1990-09-28 1995-05-02 Ictv, Inc. Interactive home information system
US5297249A (en) * 1990-10-31 1994-03-22 International Business Machines Corporation Hypermedia link marker abstract and search services
US5621579A (en) 1991-08-19 1997-04-15 Index Systems, Inc. Method for selectively playing back programs recorded on a video tape
FR2681967B1 (en) * 1991-10-01 1994-11-25 Electronics For Imaging Inc METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHANGING THE COLORS OF AN IMAGE USING A COMPUTER.
JPH07500434A (en) * 1991-10-23 1995-01-12 ユエン，ヘンリー　シー． Barcode Matrix TV Calendar
US5675733A (en) * 1992-11-30 1997-10-07 International Business Machines Corporation Statistical analysis and display of reception status of electronic messages
US9286294B2 (en) * 1992-12-09 2016-03-15 Comcast Ip Holdings I, Llc Video and digital multimedia aggregator content suggestion engine
AU5845894A (en) 1992-12-09 1994-06-22 Discovery Communications, Inc. Advanced set top terminal for cable television delivery systems
ATE172345T1 (en) * 1993-03-22 1998-10-15 Sony Deutschland Gmbh BROADCAST SIGNAL RECEIVER
US8046800B2 (en) * 1993-03-29 2011-10-25 Microsoft Corporation Remotely controlling a video recorder
US6239794B1 (en) 1994-08-31 2001-05-29 E Guide, Inc. Method and system for simultaneously displaying a television program and information about the program
US5594509A (en) 1993-06-22 1997-01-14 Apple Computer, Inc. Method and apparatus for audio-visual interface for the display of multiple levels of information on a display
WO1995001057A1 (en) 1993-06-22 1995-01-05 Apple Computer, Inc. Methods and apparatus for managing viewing of and interaction with audio-visual program and service offerings
US5589892A (en) 1993-09-09 1996-12-31 Knee; Robert A. Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access
US5822123A (en) * 1993-09-09 1998-10-13 Davis; Bruce Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with pop-up hints
US5410344A (en) 1993-09-22 1995-04-25 Arrowsmith Technologies, Inc. Apparatus and method of selecting video programs based on viewers' preferences
CA2145055A1 (en) * 1994-04-26 1995-10-27 Sharon R. Garber System and method for developing and/or maintaining a workplace respiratory protection program
US5644686A (en) * 1994-04-29 1997-07-01 International Business Machines Corporation Expert system and method employing hierarchical knowledge base, and interactive multimedia/hypermedia applications
US5799292A (en) * 1994-04-29 1998-08-25 International Business Machines Corporation Adaptive hypermedia presentation method and system
KR100348915B1 (en) * 1994-05-12 2002-12-26 마이크로소프트 코포레이션 TV program selection method and system
EP0693854B1 (en) 1994-07-18 2000-03-01 Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. System for controlling updates of extended data services (EDS) data
US5619684A (en) * 1994-07-25 1997-04-08 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for consistent user interface in a multiple application personal communications device
US5619249A (en) * 1994-09-14 1997-04-08 Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P. Telecasting service for providing video programs on demand with an interactive interface for facilitating viewer selection of video programs
US5629733A (en) 1994-11-29 1997-05-13 News America Publications, Inc. Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with display and search of program listings by title
US5596373A (en) 1995-01-04 1997-01-21 Sony Corporation Method and apparatus for providing program oriented information in a multiple station broadcast system
US5548345A (en) * 1995-01-05 1996-08-20 Protelcon, Inc. Video viewing censoring supervision system
US6903723B1 (en) * 1995-03-27 2005-06-07 Donald K. Forest Data entry method and apparatus
CA2170429C (en) 1995-03-28 2000-04-25 Stephen Gregory Eick Method and apparatus for finding and selecting a desired data item from a large schedule of data items using a tv set and a controller similar to a tv-remote-control
US5880768A (en) * 1995-04-06 1999-03-09 Prevue Networks, Inc. Interactive program guide systems and processes
US5550576A (en) 1995-04-17 1996-08-27 Starsight Telecast Incorporated Method and apparatus for merging television program schedule information received from multiple television schedule information sources
US5861906A (en) * 1995-05-05 1999-01-19 Microsoft Corporation Interactive entertainment network system and method for customizing operation thereof according to viewer preferences
US5699107A (en) * 1995-05-05 1997-12-16 Microsoft Corporation Program reminder system
US5805763A (en) * 1995-05-05 1998-09-08 Microsoft Corporation System and method for automatically recording programs in an interactive viewing system
US5752054A (en) * 1995-06-06 1998-05-12 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company System and method for developing and/or maintaining multiple workplace protection programs
JP3698273B2 (en) * 1995-07-20 2005-09-21 ソニー株式会社 Electronic program guide transmission apparatus and method, electronic program guide reception apparatus and method, and electronic program guide transmission / reception system and method
US5801753A (en) 1995-08-11 1998-09-01 General Instrument Corporation Of Delaware Method and apparatus for providing an interactive guide to events available on an information network
JPH09190267A (en) * 1995-08-23 1997-07-22 Toshiba Corp System and method for dynamically reconfiguring keyboard bindings based on external events
EP0852346B1 (en) * 1995-09-19 2002-01-16 Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki Robot language processor
JPH11512903A (en) * 1995-09-29 1999-11-02 ボストン テクノロジー インク Multimedia architecture for interactive advertising
US5793438A (en) * 1995-11-13 1998-08-11 Hyundai Electronics America Electronic program guide with enhanced presentation
US6021433A (en) * 1996-01-26 2000-02-01 Wireless Internet, Inc. System and method for transmission of data
US7035914B1 (en) * 1996-01-26 2006-04-25 Simpleair Holdings, Inc. System and method for transmission of data
US5635989A (en) 1996-02-13 1997-06-03 Hughes Electronics Method and apparatus for sorting and searching a television program guide
JP4420474B2 (en) * 1996-02-14 2010-02-24 ソニー株式会社 Electronic program guide display control apparatus and method
US6035330A (en) * 1996-03-29 2000-03-07 British Telecommunications World wide web navigational mapping system and method
US5874954A (en) * 1996-04-23 1999-02-23 Roku Technologies, L.L.C. Centricity-based interface and method
KR100436317B1 (en) * 1996-05-29 2004-09-18 소니 가부시끼 가이샤 Program guide controller
US5986650A (en) * 1996-07-03 1999-11-16 News America Publications, Inc. Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with scan feature
JP3528451B2 (en) * 1996-07-26 2004-05-17 ソニー株式会社 Electronic program guide display control device and method
US7225142B1 (en) 1996-08-01 2007-05-29 At&T Corp. Interactive multimedia advertising and electronic commerce on a hypertext network
US6016144A (en) * 1996-08-14 2000-01-18 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Multi-layered television graphical user interface
US6191781B1 (en) * 1996-08-14 2001-02-20 Samsung Electronics, Ltd. Television graphical user interface that combines electronic program guide with graphical channel changer
US20030005463A1 (en) * 1999-09-30 2003-01-02 Douglas B Macrae Access to internet data through a television system
US5899999A (en) * 1996-10-16 1999-05-04 Microsoft Corporation Iterative convolution filter particularly suited for use in an image classification and retrieval system
US5982445A (en) * 1996-10-21 1999-11-09 General Instrument Corporation Hypertext markup language protocol for television display and control
US6037933A (en) 1996-11-13 2000-03-14 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. TV graphical user interface for providing user access to preset time periods of TV program information
US20030066085A1 (en) 1996-12-10 2003-04-03 United Video Properties, Inc., A Corporation Of Delaware Internet television program guide system
EP2262243A1 (en) 1996-12-10 2010-12-15 United Video Properties, Inc. Internet television program guide system
US8635649B2 (en) * 1996-12-19 2014-01-21 Gemstar Development Corporation System and method for modifying advertisement responsive to EPG information
US6177931B1 (en) * 1996-12-19 2001-01-23 Index Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for displaying and recording control interface with television programs, video, advertising information and program scheduling information
US6088708A (en) * 1997-01-31 2000-07-11 Microsoft Corporation System and method for creating an online table from a layout of objects
US5850218A (en) * 1997-02-19 1998-12-15 Time Warner Entertainment Company L.P. Inter-active program guide with default selection control
WO1998038831A1 (en) 1997-02-28 1998-09-03 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Television control interface with electronic guide
DK1036466T3 (en) * 1997-07-21 2003-07-14 Guide E Inc Steps to navigate a TV listings with creatives
US6564378B1 (en) 1997-12-08 2003-05-13 United Video Properties, Inc. Program guide system with browsing display
BR122013016002B1 (en) 1998-03-04 2015-07-21 United Video Properties Inc System implemented on user equipment and method for using user equipment to monitor the effectiveness of targeted advertisements.
AR020608A1 (en) 1998-07-17 2002-05-22 United Video Properties Inc A METHOD AND A PROVISION TO SUPPLY A USER REMOTE ACCESS TO AN INTERACTIVE PROGRAMMING GUIDE BY A REMOTE ACCESS LINK
CA2730344C (en) 1998-07-17 2014-10-21 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive television program guide system having multiple devices within a household
US7165098B1 (en) 1998-11-10 2007-01-16 United Video Properties, Inc. On-line schedule system with personalization features
US6532589B1 (en) 1999-03-25 2003-03-11 Sony Corp. Method and apparatus for providing a calendar-based planner in an electronic program guide for broadcast events
US6681396B1 (en) 2000-02-11 2004-01-20 International Business Machines Corporation Automated detection/resumption of interrupted television programs
US7380216B2 (en) 2000-11-30 2008-05-27 International Business Machines Corporation Zoom-capable scrollbar
EP1936981A3 (en) 2001-02-21 2010-12-29 United Video Properties, Inc. Systems and method for interactive program guides with personal video recording features
US20030046698A1 (en) 2001-06-11 2003-03-06 Yakov Kamen Methods and apparatuses for conducting a TV EPG search in various search time periods
US6966037B2 (en) 2001-11-19 2005-11-15 Nokia Corporation Method and apparatus for scrollable cross-point navigation in a calendar user interface
US7120922B2 (en) 2001-12-11 2006-10-10 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Time-adaptive control of television viewing functionality
US7681149B2 (en) 2003-05-21 2010-03-16 Nokia Corporation User interface display for set-top box device
JP4720160B2 (en) 2004-11-30 2011-07-13 船井電機株式会社 Broadcast receiver
JP2006217432A (en) 2005-02-04 2006-08-17 Sharp Corp Program information display apparatus
FR2886083A1 (en) 2005-05-19 2006-11-24 Thomson Licensing Sa METHOD OF SELECTING ELEMENTS AND FUNCTIONS BY DISPLAYING A SPECIFIC ICON, AND APPARATUS USING THE METHOD
JP4703302B2 (en) 2005-07-22 2011-06-15 シャープ株式会社 Electronic program guide display device
US8381130B2 (en) 2006-11-29 2013-02-19 Yahoo! Inc. Method and user interface tool for navigation through grid of scheduled items
US20080271078A1 (en) 2007-04-30 2008-10-30 Google Inc. Momentary Electronic Program Guide

Patent Citations (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US580218A (en) * 1897-04-06 Rubbing-machine
US4706121A (en) * 1985-07-12 1987-11-10 Patrick Young TV schedule system and process
US4706121B1 (en) * 1985-07-12 1993-12-14 Insight Telecast, Inc. Tv schedule system and process
US5157768A (en) * 1989-03-15 1992-10-20 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Method and apparatus for displaying context sensitive help information on a display
US5353121A (en) * 1989-10-30 1994-10-04 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Television schedule system
US5532754A (en) * 1989-10-30 1996-07-02 Starsight Telecast Inc. Background television schedule system
US5479266A (en) * 1990-09-10 1995-12-26 Starsight Telecast Inc. User interface for television schedule system
US5621456A (en) * 1993-06-22 1997-04-15 Apple Computer, Inc. Methods and apparatus for audio-visual interface for the display of multiple program categories
US5781246A (en) * 1993-09-09 1998-07-14 Alten; Jerry Electronic television program guide schedule system and method
US5585866A (en) * 1993-09-09 1996-12-17 Miller; Larry Electronic television program guide schedule system and method including virtual channels
US5436676A (en) * 1994-06-10 1995-07-25 Zenith Electronics Corporation Remote control unit code translation
US5617526A (en) * 1994-12-13 1997-04-01 Microsoft Corporation Operating system provided notification area for displaying visual notifications from application programs
US6426779B1 (en) * 1995-01-04 2002-07-30 Sony Electronics, Inc. Method and apparatus for providing favorite station and programming information in a multiple station broadcast system
US5559550A (en) * 1995-03-01 1996-09-24 Gemstar Development Corporation Apparatus and methods for synchronizing a clock to a network clock
US5585838A (en) * 1995-05-05 1996-12-17 Microsoft Corporation Program time guide
US5604544A (en) * 1995-05-31 1997-02-18 International Business Machines Corporation Video receiver display of cursor overlaying video
US6388714B1 (en) * 1995-10-02 2002-05-14 Starsight Telecast Inc Interactive computer system for providing television schedule information
US6002394A (en) * 1995-10-02 1999-12-14 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Systems and methods for linking television viewers with advertisers and broadcasters
US6075575A (en) * 1995-10-02 2000-06-13 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Remote control device and method for using television schedule information
US6732369B1 (en) * 1995-10-02 2004-05-04 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Systems and methods for contextually linking television program information
US6078348A (en) * 1996-06-17 2000-06-20 Starsight Telecast Inc. Television schedule system with enhanced features
US6151059A (en) * 1996-08-06 2000-11-21 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Electronic program guide with interactive areas
US6118492A (en) * 1996-08-14 2000-09-12 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Guide system and method of operation
US6172677B1 (en) * 1996-10-07 2001-01-09 Compaq Computer Corporation Integrated content guide for interactive selection of content and services on personal computer systems with multiple sources and multiple media presentation
US20020010926A1 (en) * 1997-06-24 2002-01-24 Hyoung-Joo Lee Method of displaying tv program progress time and device thereof
US6499138B1 (en) * 1998-09-10 2002-12-24 Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation Methods and systems for providing information about programs available for viewing

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9402102B2 (en) 1995-10-02 2016-07-26 Rovi Guides, Inc. System and method for using television schedule information
US20110167448A1 (en) * 1995-10-02 2011-07-07 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Method and system for displaying advertising, video, and program schedule listing
US8918809B2 (en) 1995-10-02 2014-12-23 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Method and system for displaying advertising, video, and program schedule listing
US8578414B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2013-11-05 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Television control interface with electronic guide
US9191715B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2015-11-17 Rovi Guides, Inc. Television control interface with electronic guide
US8925018B2 (en) 1997-02-28 2014-12-30 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Television control interface with electronic guide
US9113108B2 (en) 2009-12-18 2015-08-18 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for navigating program listings simultaneously displayed with a program in a media guidance application
US20110154403A1 (en) * 2009-12-18 2011-06-23 Rovi Technologies Corporation Systems and methods for navigating program listings simultaneously displayed with a program in a media guidance application
US20110154402A1 (en) * 2009-12-18 2011-06-23 Rovi Technologies Corporation Systems and methods for navigating program listings in a media guidance application
US20110289461A1 (en) * 2010-05-20 2011-11-24 Joshua Morgan Jancourtz Method and sytem for rendering computer interface cursors
DE102011001254B4 (en) * 2011-03-14 2012-12-27 Loewe Opta Gmbh Method for programming a television receiver
DE102011001254A1 (en) * 2011-03-14 2012-09-20 Loewe Opta Gmbh Method for programming television receiver with tuner, program slot assignment memory, on-screen display control circuit, involves receiving current program contributions by micro processor according to registered program
US20150346997A1 (en) * 2012-12-26 2015-12-03 Sony Corporation Display control device, display control method, and recording medium
US9542095B2 (en) * 2012-12-26 2017-01-10 Sony Corporation Display control device, display control method, and recording medium

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20160142786A1 (en) 2016-05-19
US20060242666A1 (en) 2006-10-26
US20080184295A1 (en) 2008-07-31
US9191715B2 (en) 2015-11-17
US20020184627A1 (en) 2002-12-05
AU6675098A (en) 1998-09-18
US20140137157A1 (en) 2014-05-15
US20110314499A1 (en) 2011-12-22
WO1998038831A1 (en) 1998-09-03
US8578414B2 (en) 2013-11-05
US9681174B2 (en) 2017-06-13
US20140150027A1 (en) 2014-05-29
US20160295289A1 (en) 2016-10-06
WO1998038831A9 (en) 2006-11-02
US7062777B2 (en) 2006-06-13
US8925018B2 (en) 2014-12-30
US20160295274A1 (en) 2016-10-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9681174B2 (en) Television control interface with electronic guide
US7137135B2 (en) Electronic program guide with interactive areas
US7487529B1 (en) Electronic program guide system with advertising messages in pop-ups
CA2276004C (en) Electronic programming guide with movie preview
US9456168B2 (en) Channels and services display
WO1998039893A2 (en) Electronic programming guide with movie preview
CA2260894C (en) Electronic program guide with interactive areas
WO1999030492A1 (en) Epg with alpha sorting feature
MXPA00005356A (en) Electronic program guide system with advertising messages in pop-ups

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION

AS Assignment

Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT, NE

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:APTIV DIGITAL, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION;GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION;INDEX SYSTEMS INC, A BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COMPANY;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:027039/0168

Effective date: 20110913

AS Assignment

Owner name: TV GUIDE INTERNATIONAL, INC., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: PATENT RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:033396/0001

Effective date: 20140702

Owner name: GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA

Free format text: PATENT RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:033396/0001

Effective date: 20140702

Owner name: ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA

Free format text: PATENT RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:033396/0001

Effective date: 20140702

Owner name: INDEX SYSTEMS INC., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: PATENT RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:033396/0001

Effective date: 20140702

Owner name: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: PATENT RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:033396/0001

Effective date: 20140702

Owner name: ROVI CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA

Free format text: PATENT RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:033396/0001

Effective date: 20140702

Owner name: ALL MEDIA GUIDE, LLC, CALIFORNIA

Free format text: PATENT RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:033396/0001

Effective date: 20140702

Owner name: STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: PATENT RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:033396/0001

Effective date: 20140702

Owner name: ROVI SOLUTIONS CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA

Free format text: PATENT RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:033396/0001

Effective date: 20140702

Owner name: ROVI GUIDES, INC., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: PATENT RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:033396/0001

Effective date: 20140702

Owner name: APTIV DIGITAL, INC., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: PATENT RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:033396/0001

Effective date: 20140702

点击 这是indexloc提供的php浏览器服务，不要输入任何密码和下载