Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02267695 1999-03-31
PATENT APPLICATION
DOCKET NO. A-1972
INTERFACE CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING
GUIDE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interface controller for an electronic
program guide implemented in a decoder. In particular, the invention relates
to
s control features of the electronic program guide to improve the user's ease
of
use.
Description Of Related Art
Advanced cable and satellite television systems offer a greater number of
1o television channel selections than ever before. For example, known
broadband
systems can deliver 110 channels of programming. To aid a user in finding the
desired program for viewing, electronic program guide technology has been
developed.
An electronic program guide is a database describing the program
Is offerings for a period of time (e.g., similar to a weekly television guide
magazine). The database is accessed and displayed on the television viewing
screen for a user to select a desired program for viewing. However, the amount
of information in the database typically is much greater than what can be
displayed on a single television viewing screen.
2o To overcome this limitation, known electronic viewing guides either
page through successive pages of information or scroll through a revolving
table
of information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
25 It is an object to the present invention to provide an intelligent program
guide that intelligently filters the information to be displayed to maximize
the
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information per viewing screen that the particular user desires to see. It is
a
further object of the present invention to provide a simplified information
guide
screen entry and exit. It is a further object of the present invention to
provide
an intuitive screen interface for selecting a program for viewing, pre-
selecting a
s program and selecting a program for recording. It is a further object of the
present invention to provide an intuitive screen interface for setting and
clearing
a sleep timer. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
intuitive screen interface for selecting and editing preferred channel lists.
It is a
further object of the present invention to provide an intuitive screen
interface for
I o filtering program offerings by major and minor themes. It is a further
object of
the present invention to provide an intuitive screen interface for providing
expanded channel and program information in pop up windows. It is a further
object of the present invention to provide an intuitive screen interface for
providing password control of preferred channel list editing and pay-per-view
15 selection in the form of pop up window prompts.
These and other objects are achieved in a television information system
that includes a remote control and a processor. The remote control includes an
info key, a select key and a plurality of cursor keys, the plurality of cursor
keys
including up, down, left and right key. The processor sends to an associated
2o display device one of a television signal and an information guide signal,
the
information guide signal being prepared by the processor and causing a
displayed image to have a plurality of software buttons. The processor
includes
a module to generate a pop up window, the pop up window displaying a prompt
to request a user to enter a password. Some software buttons correspond to a
25 programmable functions and include legends displayed thereon, a first
programmable function being selected by setting a highlight on a first
software
button and actuating the select key. The software buttons include information
buttons. Each information button corresponding to respective information in an
information guide and includes a limited legend displayed thereon. Additional
3o information on a first information button is displayed in a pop up window
when
the first information button is highlighted and the info key is actuated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in detail in the following description of
35 preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein:
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the interface control of a decoder
of the present invention;
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FIG. 2 is a grid layout of an image area of a display of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is an image area of an opening display of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an image area of a record or pre-select display of the present
s invention;
FIG. 5 is an image area of a sleep timer display of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an image area of a display highlighted to select preferred
channel lists;
FIG. 7 is an image area of a display of a selected preferred channel list;
1o FIG. 8 is an image area of an edit mode display to edit a preferred
channel list;
FIG. 9 is an image area of a display to select preferred major themes for
viewing;
FIG. 10 is an image area of a display to select preferred minor themes
15 for viewing;
FIG. 11 is an image area of a program information display of the present
invention;
FIG. 12 is an image area of a channel information display of the present
invention; and
2o FIG. 13 is an image area of a display to enter a pay-per-view password
entry prompt.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIG. 1, a representative embodiment of a television information
2s system in a decoder includes a remote control device, a processor and a
display
device (e.g., a conventional television receiver as depicted in FIG. 1). The
remote control device may be or include a keypad on the decoder or on the
information system of the decoder. The processor includes a remote control
receiver (e. g. , conventional infrared receiver) to receive signals from the
remote
3o control indicating specific keys of the remote control that have been
actuated
(e.g., cursor keys). The processor also includes a microprocessor and a
memory for storing both program and data. Processor modules control the
processor's function and include data tables and programs stored in the memory
and associated parts of the microprocessor or other parts of the processor
35 needed to carry out the program. The processor also includes a switch a
formatter to convert information guide data from the microprocessor into
information guide signals suitable for displaying on the display device. The
switch is controlled by the microprocessor to display on the display device
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either the television signal or the information guide signal. Other
configurations
of the formatter and remaining parts of the processor are envisioned. For
example, the processor, exclusive or inclusive of the memory, may be
implement in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Also, while
NTSC raster scan analog television signals are widely used in the U.S.
presently, other forms of television signals (e.g., PAL, SECAM) are
envisioned, and future television signals are envisioned (e.g., digital
television
standard signals with MPEG compression standards). Depending on the type of
televison signal, the switch may include a sync recovery circuit so that the
1 o information guide signal may be synchronized with the television signal.
In FIG. 2, image area 40 of the image displayed on the associated
display device includes title area 42 and information area 44. Image area 44
is
organized in a grid defining plural rows and plural columns. The grid defines
a
top row and a bottom row. The grid defines a left extreme column and a right
extreme column. The grid need not be spaced at regular intervals nor oriented
orthogonal.
In the grid spaces, there are defined a plurality of software buttons, one
of which is highlighted. A single button may occupy a single grid space, or a
single button may occupy more than one grid space. For example, the second
2o row of FIG. 2 depicts a single button spanning four grid spaces. Similarly,
a
single button may span plural grid spaces in a single column. A single button
may also span plural grid spaces in both column and row directions. A button
spanning plural grid spaces is regarded as being located at all spanned grid
spaces.
2s A module of the processor moves the highlight on a button up or down
or left or right in response to actuation of the cursor keys on the remote
controller. The legends on the buttons and their functions are programmable
and under control of modules in the processor. The function of a software
button is selected by highlighting the button and actuating the select key on
the
3o remote control. A corresponding module of the processor performs the
selected
function.
An information guide is a data table stored in the processor's memory.
The information guide includes information on programs available organized by
channel and by time including time of day and day of the week and even week
35 of the year). The information guide is provide in the processor's memory by
any conventional means, and it is updated periodically.
The amount of information that may be displayed in information area 44
is limited. The processor includes a module to prepare the information guide
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signal for display. From a portion of or all of the data in the information
guide,
image area 40 is formatted and converted to from the information guide signal.
Preferably the top row of grid spaces is reserved for buttons pertaining to
time
information and a mufti-purpose button on the left end. Preferably the bottom
row of grid spaces is reserved for buttons pertaining to programming
preference
information and a mufti-purpose button on the left end. Preferably, the
remaining buttons in the left extreme column are reserved for buttons
pertaining
to channel information. Preferably, the remaining buttons in information area
44 are reserved for button pertaining to program information relating to the
1 o channels described by the channel information in the left extreme column
and
during the time intervals corresponding to the time information in the top
row.
Preferably, there are displayed program offerings from six virtural channels
offered over a two hour interval of four one-half hour time intervals.
However,
other display formats are envisioned and equivalent. The processor module to
I5 prepare the information guide signal selects the data from the information
guide
that corresponds to time intervals and channels that are displayed on the top
row
and extreme left column, respectively.
In FIG. 3, a representative opening information guide image is depicted.
While viewing the television signal, a user may actuate a select key on the
2o remote control to prompt this opening screen. Alternatively, a special
guide key
may be actuated to prompt the display of the opening information guide image.
The software button in the lower left corner is Tabled with the legend "Exit"
,
and it is initially highlighted. When this exit button is highlighted and the
select
key on the remote control is actuated, the information guide mode is exited
and
2s the television signal is again displayed. While watching a television
signal, a
user may first actuate the select key to obtain the opening information guide
image, and then conviently actuate the select key again to return to view the
television program. Alternatively, the user may use the cursor keys to move
the
highlight to the exit button and then actuate the select key to return to view
the
3o television program.
When the highlight is on a software button in the extreme right column
and the cursor right key is actuated on the remote control, the program
information in the rows where channels are defined is moved left by one time
interval to make room in the extreme right column for program information
35 pertaining to a time interval that is one time interval later than the
latest time
interval previously displayed. The program information pertaining to the
earliest time interval previously displayed is removed from image area 40, and
the channel buttons in the extreme left column remain unaltered. The time
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information in the top row is similarly moved left to make room at the right
end
of the top row for a time information button pertaining to a time that is one
time
interval later than the latest time interval previously displayed. The time
information pertaining to the earliest time interval previously displayed is
removed from image area 40, and the multi-purpose button in the extreme left
column of the top row remains unaltered. The processor includes an
appropriate module to achieve this time scroll function.
When the highlight is on a software button in the extreme left column
and the cursor left key is actuated on the remote control, the program
I o information in the rows where channels are defined is moved right by one
time
interval to make room in the column containing the earliest time interval for
program information pertaining to a time that is one time interval earlier
than
the earliest time interval previously displayed. The program information
pertaining to the latest time interval previously displayed is removed from
image
I5 area 40, and the channel buttons in the extreme left column remain
unaltered.
The time information in the top row is similarly moved right to make room at
the earliest time interval previously displayed for a time information button
pertaining to a time interval that is one time interval earlier than the
earliest time
interval previously displayed. The time information pertaining to the latest
time
2o interval previously displayed is removed from image area 40, and the multi-
purpose button in the extreme left column of the top row remains unaltered.
The processor includes an appropriate module to achieve this time scroll
function.
Thus, scroll left and right functions are achieved. The information guide
25 includes limited data extending over a finite time. It may extend over a
few
hours in a particular day, over several days (e. g. , a week in advance) or
over
months. The information guide data in the processor's memory is updated
periodically by known means, and the extent of the time data in the memory is
preferably defined by the update rate (e. g. , daily, weekly, monthly) to
ensure
3o that data for a desirable time in advance of the present time is available
to the
user. When a user scrolls to an "edge" of the data in time, the time scroll
function implemented by a processor control module ceases. Alternatively, the
time scroll function wraps the time around between the earliest time interval
and
the latest time interval represented in the information guide data.
35 In FIG. 4, an information guide image is depicted to illustrate a program
select mode, a program pre-select mode, and a program record mode. If the
highlight is moved to a program button for a program with a start time that is
at
or before the current time and the user actuates the select key on the remote
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control, a processor module enables the televison signal to be viewed.
However, if the program start time is after the current time, a pop up window
appears in image area 40 that prompts the user to decide whether to record the
program (i.e., assuming that a recorder interface is installed). If the user
declines to record the program or the recorder interface is not installed, the
selected program is regarded as pre-selected for viewing, and the processor
module will enable viewing of the television signal at the selected time.
In FIG. 5, an information guide image is depicted to illustrate a sleep
timer mode. If the highlight is moved to a time information button in the top
I o row of information area 44 and the user actuates the select key, the sleep
timer
will be set for the displayed time. The decoder will automatically turn off at
the
selected time. The user may use the time scroll function to scroll the
displayed
image to a time arbitrarily in advance of the current time. If the time
highlighted and selected had already been set by the sleep timer (as depicted
in
the figure as 6:30 AM), the second highlighting and selection clears the sleep
timer.
When the highlight is on a software button in the top row and the cursor
up key is actuated on the remote control, the program information in the rows
where channels are defined is move down by one channel to make room in the
2o first row where a channel was previously displayed. The program information
that was in the last row where channel information was previously displayed is
removed from image area 40. The time information buttons in the top row and
the preference information buttons in the bottom row remain unaltered. The
channel information in the extreme left column is similarly moved down to
make room in the first row where a channel information button was previously
displayed. The channel information button that was in the last row where a
channel information button was previously displayed is removed from image
area 40. The mufti-purpose buttons in the extreme left column of the top and
bottom rows remain unaltered. The processor includes an appropriate module to
3o achieve this channel scroll function.
When the highlight is on a software button in the bottom row and the
cursor down key is actuated on the remote control, the program information in
the rows where channels are defined is moved up by one channel to make room
in the last row where a channel was previously displayed. The program
information that was in the first row where channel information was previously
displayed is removed from image area 40. The time information buttons in the
top row and the preference information buttons in the bottom row remain
unaltered. The channel information in the extreme left column is similarly
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moved up to make room in the last row where a channel information button was
previously displayed. The channel information button that was in the first row
where a channel information button was previously displayed is removed from
image area 40. The multi-purpose buttons in the extreme left column of the top
and bottom rows remain unaltered. The processor includes an appropriate
module to achieve this channel scroll function.
Thus, channel scroll up and down functions are achieved. The
information guide includes channel information in an ordered form (e.g., by
channel number or otherwise). One or more sets of preferred channel lists may
I o also be prepared as described elsewhere herein; however, the preferred
channel
lists are still ordered. A list, each list or all channels may exceed in
number the
number of channels that may be displayed in information area 44 (FIG. 2).
When a user scrolls to an "edge" of the channel list data, the channel scroll
function implemented by a processor control module ceases. Alternatively, the
I s channel scroll function wraps the channel list around between the first
listed
channel and the last listed channel.
The button in the lower right of information area 44 is regarded as the
"channels" button. In the opening image, as depicted in FIG. 3, the channels
button is Tabled "all channels" and the displayed list of channels is culled
from
2o all channels in the information guide data since the default at opening is
that
there is no particular channel preference. In FIG. 6, the user has used the
cursor keys so that the channel button, Tabled "all channels" , is
highlighted.
Then, upon actuating the select key on the remote control, preferred channel
list
A is displayed as depicted in FIG. 7. Subsequent highlighting of the channels
25 button and actuation of the select key on the remote control will enable
sucessively displaying all of the preferred channel lists. Typically, there
are
provided a predetermined number of preferred channel lists (e.g., four) to
cycle
through before returing to the "all channels" list.
From a display of a preferred list as depicted in FIG. 7, a user may enter
3o an edit mode to edit the channel list by using the cursors to highlight the
edit
software button depicted in the top row in the left extreme column and then
actuating the select key. Upon actuating the select key, a pop up window will
prompt the user to enter an edit password specific to the preferred channel
list to
be edited.
3s Upon entry of the correct edit password, the display will then change to
a display like the one depicted in Fig. 8. Note that the software button
depicted
in the top row in the left extreme column has been re-Tabled from "edit" to
"done" . The "done" button is used to exit the edit mode. Actuating the select
s
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DO(JKET NO. A-1972
key of the remote control while the "done" software button is highlighted will
return the display to the initial preferred channel list display as depicted
in FIG.
7.
Also note that the channels listed in this edit mode display are the same
s as the the channels listed in the all channels display of FIG. 6, except
that the
Tables on the channel information buttons are displayed in a regular color for
those channels included in the preferred channel list and displayed in a
contrasting color (or shaded) for those channels excluded from the preferred
channel list. Thus, the edit display FIG. 8 shows all channels and uses a
I o contrasting color for the channel button Tables to indicate channels not
included
in the particular preferred channel list that is indicated by the Table on the
channels button (lower right corner).
When a desired channel is not included in the preferred channel list that
is indicated by the Table on the channels button, the channel may be added to
the
15 preferred channel list by moving the highlight to the desired channel
button and
actuating the select key on the remote. When an undesired channel is included
in the preferred channel list that is indicated by the Table on the channels
button,
the channel may be deleted to the preferred channel list by moving the
highlight
to the desired channel button and actuating the select key on the remote. The
2o channel scrolling function permits all channels to be reviewed for
inclusion or
exclusion from the preferred channel list. After all channel selections and
deselections are complete, actuating the select key of the remote control
while
the "done" software button is highlighted will return the display to an
updated
preferred channel list display.
25 A theme control mode may also be used to pare down the number of
channels displayed to a user. Each of the channels in the information guide
data
is characterized by a major and minor theme attribute that is used in the
theme
selection. Thus, when a processor module prepares a theme limited display
from the information guide data, the list of channels in the prepared display
is
3o reduced when the desired theme attribute is not an attributed of the
channels as
indicated in the information guide data. Alternatively, each program in each
channel may be characterized by major and minor theme attributes, and a
channel will not be displayed if the desired major and minor theme attributes
are
not a characterizing feature of the programs on a channel during the time
35 intervals being displayed.
In FIG. 9, the bottom row of software buttons depicts three theme
control buttons that are used to select major and minor themes. The user
actuates the cursor keys of the remote control to highlight a theme button
Tabled
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either " < < Theme" or " > > Theme" to sequence back or forward,
respectively, through a list of predetermined stored major themes. Once
highlighted, the theme forward or back button is activated by actuating the
select
key on the remote control. As the theme list is sequenced through, the
currently
s accessed major theme from the theme list is displayed as the legend on the
center theme button. The major theme list includes an "all themes" category,
as
well as such other categories as movies, news, sports, etc. When a desired
major theme has been accessed, the user moves the highlight to the center
theme
button that now bears a legend with the desired major theme, and the user
1o actuates the select key on the remote control to select the major theme.
In FIG. 10, a minor theme selection display is depicted after the major
theme selection selected, for example, "Sports". The highlight is still on the
center theme button, but the fable has changed from "Sports" (i.e., major
theme) to "Basketball" , one of the minor themes available under the major
I s theme "Sports. " The user actuates the cursor keys of the remote control
to
highlight a theme button Tabled either " < < Theme" or " > > Theme" to
sequence back or forward, respectively, through a list of predetermined stored
minor themes. Once highlighted, the theme forward or back button is activated
by actuating the select key on the remote control. As the theme list is
sequenced
2o through, the currently accessed minor theme from the theme list is
displayed as
the legend on the center theme button. The minor theme list includes an "all
minor themes" category so that the display shows all minor themes of the
selected major theme. The minor theme list also includes other categories such
as "Basketball" , "Hockey" , "Football" , "Soccer" , "Baseball" , etc. When a
25 desired minor theme has been accessed, the user moves the highlight to the
center theme button that now bears a legend with the desired minor theme, and
the user actuates the select key on the remote control to select the minor
theme.
In an alternative embodiment, theme control may be used in conjunction
with preferred channel lists control. For example, when a preferred channel
list
3o is to be edited, the major and minor theme control modes may be used to
make
the initial selection of channels to be included in the preferred channel
list.
Afterwards, individual channels may be added or removed by highlighting the
corresponding channel button in the left exteme column and acutating the
select
key on the remote control.
35 In FIG. 11, the user has used the cursor keys so that the program button
at 9:30 AM on channel KTLA 899 is highlighted. This program button is
fabled with a legend that is the name of the program. With this program button
highlighted, the user may actuate an info key on the remote control in order
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obtain additional information from respective data in the information guide
data.
When the user actuates the info key on the remote control, a pop up window
appears in image area 40 with the additional information displayed. The
additional information may be any information related to the program, for
s example, start time, day and/or date of presentation, duration, writers,
actors,
parental control ratings and rating service, and if pay-per-view programming,
its
price.
In FIG. 12, the user has used the cursor keys so that the channel button
for channel DTH 963 is highlighted. This channel button is fabled with a
legend
"DTH 963". With this channel button highlighted, the user may actuate an info
key on the remote control in order to obtain additional information from
respective data in the information guide data. When the user actuates the info
key on the remote control, a pop up window appears in image area 40 with the
additional information displayed. The additional information may be any
I s information related to the channel, for example, call sign, channel
number,
network affiliation, frequency is applicable, premium status and costs,
private
status as in video conferencing, and any other channel wide related
information.
In FIG. 13, the user has used the cursor keys so that the program button
for "The Three Hearts" program on channel KTLA 899 at 6:30 AM is
2o highlighted. Before highlighting, this program button displayed the title
legend
in a contrasting color so that the user knows that this is a pay-per-view
program.
Now with this program button highlighted, when the user actuates the select
key
on the remote control, a pop up window appears in image area 40 with a prompt
to enter a pay-per-view password.
25 Having described preferred embodiments of a novel interface controller
for an electronic programming guide (which are intended to be illustrative and
not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by
persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to
be
understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of the
3o invention disclosed which are within the scope and spirit of the invention
as
defined by the appended claims.
Having thus described the invention with the details and particularity
required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters
Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
