Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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nayeon~ 1~ztor~le ZrlE.zsk~r+ r+eoauw ~L>: au~! sYSSfae,u~ .aET~~oo (/:
Background of the Inve;Ytion
This invention relates to an electranfc program schedule
system, which provides a user with schedule information for
broadcast or cablecast programs viewed by the user on a television
receiver. More particularly, it relates to an improved electronic
program guide that provides the user with a more powerful and
convenient operating environment, while, at the same time,
increasing the efficiency of navigation by the user through the
guide.
Electronic program guides for television systems are
knovn in the art. For example, one prior system used an
electronic ciia_acter generator to display textual schedule
information on the full screen of a television receiver. Other
Drior systems presented electronically stored program schedule
information to=a user for viewing while allowing the user to
select display formats. Still other systems employed a data
processor to input user-selection criteria, then stnred only the
program schedule information meeting these criteria, and
subsequently used the stored information to automatically tu.-ie a
programmable tuner or activate a recording device at the time of
broadcast of the selected television progrars. Such prior systeas
are generally discussed in "Stay Tuned for Smart TV," published in
the November 1990 issue of Popular Science.
Collectively, the prior electronic program syPteas may
be difficult to implement and cumbersome to use. They also fail
to provide viewing capabilities that address in a more realistic
manner the viewing habits of the users of these electronic program
s-stems. Moreover, many of these systems are complex in their
- design and are expensive to implement. Ease of use and economy
are primary concerns of television program diatributors and
viewers as they contemplnte dramatic increases in the number and
nature of program networks and other television-based services.
And, as the number of television channels available to a user
increases dramatically with the advent of new satellite and cable-
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based technologies, the utility of these prior systems
substantially diminishes. These prior-art systems also fail to provide the
user
with sufficient information, for example pricing and the like, 5 about pay-per-
view events, premium services or other packaged
programming to trhich the user does not subscribe, nor do thel
provide the user with the capability to automatically purchase
such programming on demand or impulse. Moreover, these prior-art
systems are deficient in that they fail to provide ari afficient
and automatic method of updating or replacing the 'application
software programs that implement the electronic guide at the user
sites, relying instead on manual or other cumbersome forms of
revision or replacement or hardware-based systems that can not bi
updated without physical replacement of integrated circuits and;or
other parts.
Nor do these prior electronic guide systems have the
capability of linki:.g the user to other applications or
information systems which are not part of the electronic prcgram
guide application or data. "
Nor do these prior electronic guide systems provide
video promotion of television programs and services that are
functionally linked and visually displayed in an integrated
fashion. Program promotion is an important element of the
effective marketing of television programming. The prcmotion oZ
pay-per-view pay (i.e., "a la carte") prograr.s and other
unregulated program services is particularly important to cable
television operators in the wake of re-regulation by the federal
government. The current method of promoting such prograzaaing
using video is through dedicated "barker" channels that use full
screen continuous trailers (i.e., previews) which may or may not
be accompanied by prices and ordering information. Recently, such
promotional videos have been shown in split screens w;:--tre part of
the screen shows general schedule information for a tine period
roughly corresponding to the time period during which the general
program being promoted is shown. Acccrdingly, there exists a need
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for an electronic program guide which can provide improved display
and linking of video promotions with program schedule information
and order processing functions.
The prior electronic program guides also fail to provide
tiie user with a simple and efficient method of- controlling access
to individual channels and individual programs. The amount of
adult situations involving sex and violance has steadily incre.ased
during the last 40 years. The issue of Low this affects childree
or other viewers has gained national attention. Providing a
parent with the ability to lock-out a channel is a vell knovn ar.r3
widespread feature of certair. television receivers and cable
converter boxes.= Despite this availability, the feature is seldcm
used by parents. The main impediments to its effective use are
the cumbersome ways in which it is generally implemented, as we23
as the requircment that eiitire channels be blocked in order :.a
block access to any objectional programming. A channol-oriented
parental lock is unfair to other programmers on the block,ed
channel who, for example, offer adult-oriented progra-i*+g in
the evening and youth-oriented programming the felloWing morning-
and inconvenient for -viewers whc, want access to such programs.
Thus, there is a particular need for a system which provicaes
password control to individual prograys.: and channels using a
flexible and uncomplicated on-screer. user interface.
The prior electronic program guides are also defic:.e3t
in that they do not nrovide the user with the ability to viev or.
demand current billing status and, thus, a need exists for z
system which can provide the user with current billing info,.:.::=on
on the user's demand.
An additional problem with prior program guides is t-t.at
= 30 when displaying schedule information in cgrid format, i.e., colum?ss
representing time slots and rows representing channels, pro~._:ram
titles generally are width-wise truncated to fit into the cells of
the grid. The width of a grid cell varies with the duratiom of
the program. SL-ice a 30 minute program is allotted only a sa.all
amount of space for the program title and description, titles
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and/or descriptions for half and even full hour programs often
must be truncated in order to fit-into the allotted spact. Sose systers s:nply
cut off the description of a program vithout
abbraviating it in any tray, such that the user is unable to 5 determine the
subject matter of the program. For example, a
recent television program display included the following text in
a grid cell: Baseball: Yankees v." Although some syste~
partially alleviate this problem by providing two lines of text in
each grid cell, this solution is not ideal because program
descriptions aay still be truncated.
A similar problem arises as the time slots change,
either automatically or in response to a user control command.
Typically, 90 minutes of schedule information is displayed at one
time and the 90 minute window is shiftable in 30-ai.nute
increments. In the case where a 30 minute shift causes a 30
minute size grid cell to display, e.g., a two-hour movie, it is
likely that the full title of the movie vill not fit into the
cell. Truncation of the title is thus required in this situation
as vell. In this case, while two lines of text-may be desirable
to fit the title in the 3C minute call, the 60 and 90 minute cells
m.ay reri^uire only one line of text to display the title.
The prior electronic program guides also lack a method
for creating a viewing itinerary electronically while still
viewing a proc,ram currently appearing on the television receiver.
2foreover, these prior program guides leave much guess vork for the
user as he navigates through a sequence of channels. When
skiaming througiz channels to agcertain the program then being
displayed on any channel, commcniy known as "channel surfing," the
user needs to guess which program is currently being aired frca
*he video encountered as tha user surfs through the channels.
Since asuch -- in some cases, up to 30% -- of the prograrminq
appearing on any given channel at any given time is advertising or
other commercial programming, the user is not provided with any
clues as to vhat program is appearing on a selected channel at a
given time and must therefore wait until the advertisement ar
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
commerr:ial is over before ascertaining the program then appearing
on the selected channel. Thus a need exists for a program guide
vhich di4plays currant program schedule intormation for each
channel as the user surfs through the available channels.
5 Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a simplified
electronic program schedule system that may be more eas:ly
impl+smented, and which is appealing and efficient in operation.
There is also_a need to provide the user with an electronic
program schec:sle system that displays bot', broadcast programs and
electronic schedule information ir. a manner not previously
available with other electronic program schedule systems,
garticularly those using a remote controller.
For example, there is a particular need for a flexible
program schedule system that allows a user to view sele%ted
broadcast programs on a portion of the screen of the television
receiver while simultaneously viewing program schedule information
foz other channels and/or services on another portion of the
screen. .There is also a need for such a program s;.nedule system
that,permits the user to select from a plurality of selectable
display formats for viewing the program schedule information. It
is also pref erred to have a system that indicates to the user
those keys on the remote ccr,troller that are active in any
particular mode of operation. There also exists a need for such
a system that will give a user tha capability to set a
programmable reminder for viewing a program scheduled to air at a
future time.
There is also a need for an electronic guide system
providing the user with comprehensive information about pay-per-
view events, premium services or other packaged programming to
-.30 which the user does not ordinarily subscribe, and which provides
the user with the capability to automatically. purchase suc.
programming on demand or impulse. There is also a need for an
electronic guide system providing a reliable and efficient method
of updating or replacing the application software that in.plements
the electronic guide at the user sites.
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There a]so exists a need for an electronic program guide
that operates as a shell or vindow to provide the user with tha capabi].ity to
access other applications or information systems
that are not part of the slectronic program guide application or 5 data.
It is accordingly an object of the present inventicn=to
provide a system that will allow the user to view a broadcast
program while, at the same tine, intEractively viewing program
schedule information for other programs.
It is another object of the present invention. to provide
the user with the ability to select from among a plurality of
display formats for the program schadule information.
It is yet another object of the present invention to
'_ndicate to the user of the program schedule system those keys on
the remote controller active in the particular mode of operation
of the system at the time of use.
It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide=the user of the electronic program schedule system with
the capability of setting programmable remir.der r+assages for any
future program.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide
=the system user with comarehensive information about pay-per-view
events, premium services or other packaged programning to which
the user does not subscribe and the capability to automatically
purchase such programaing on demand or impulse.
it is another object of the present invention to provide
an electronic guide system that provides a reliable and efficient
method of updating or replacing the application software programs
that implement the electronic guide at the user sites.
It is still another object of the electronic program
guide to operate as a shell or window to provide the user with the
capability to access other applications or information systems
which are not part of the electronic pr.oyzam.gv.ide application or
data.
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It is yet another object of the electronic program guide.
to provide a system whereby video promotion of television programs
and services are functionally linked and visually displayed in an
intugratad fashion to facilitate the narketing and sale of such
programs ard services.
It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide password control for access to individual programs, as
well az channels, using a protected interactive flexible and
uncomplicated on-screen interface.
Anbther object of the present inventiou is to provide
the user with current programming information for all programs as
the user surfs through the available channels.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a system, in which the user can access his current billing
information on demand.
It is another object of the present inventi-on to provide
a system which overlays television program listings against
varying backgrouad views. _
It is yet another object of the present invention to
provide an improved display of text in the grid cells comprising
a page of television program listings.
These and other objects of the invention are achieved by
an electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver
for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablccast television
programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for
tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of
channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory
television program schedule information for a plurality of
television programs to appear on the plurality )f television
channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller,
is utilized by a viewei to choose user control commands and
transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives
the signals in response to user control commands. A television
receiver is used to display the television pregrams and television
program schedule and other information. A video display generator
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receives video control commands from the data processor and
program sche3ule information from the memory and displays a
pcrtion of the program schedule inf.ormation in overlaying
relationship with a television program appearing on a television
channel in at least one mode of operation of the television
ptogramming guide. 'Phe data processor controls the video display
generator with video control commands, issued in reaponse to the
user cQntrol commands, to display program schedule information for
a.ny chosen one of the plurality of television programs in
overlaying relationship with at least one television program then
appearing on any chosEn one of the plurality of channels on the
television receiver.
Brief DescriQtion of the Drawing~
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing various components of
the preferred embodiment of the invention terein.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the combination of
program and schzdale informaticn by the video overlay device
utiliaed in the preferred embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 3 depicts a remote controller that can be used in
connection with the preferred embodiment of the electronic program
guide system of the present application.
Fig. 4 depicts an alternative embodiment of the remote
controller shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 shows an overlay appearing on a television screen
in one mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
Fig. 6 is a menu that appears on a television screen in
a?MNU mode of operation of the preferred embodiaient of the
present invention. 30 Fig. 6A is yet another menu that appears on a television
screen in a MENU mode of operation cf the preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
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Fig. 7 depicts a Viever Preference Menu that appears on
= a television screen in one nspect of the preferred e=bodiment of
the present invention.
Fig. 8 shows a Preferred Channel selection submenu.
Fig. 9 shows an impulse crdering menu that appears on a
television screen in one aspect of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
Fig. 10 shows a Premium Services submenu that appears in
one mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of thE present
invention. _
Fig. 11 shows a graphic overlay appearing on a
television screen in a BROWSE mode of operation of the preferred
embodiment of the present invantion.
Fig. 12 shows a graphic overlay appearing on a
television screen in a BROWSE mode of operation of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention having different information
from that shown in Fig. 11.
Fig. 12A shows a graphic overlay appearing on a
television screen in a BROWSE mode of operation in the present
invention displaying schedule information for a time and c-hannel
czher than that shown in Fig. 11.
Fig. 13 shows a graphic overlay appearing in a REMINMER
aode of operation of the preferred embodiment of the present-
int antion.
Fig. 14 shows yet r_nother graphic overlay appearing in
a REMINDER mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of the
_tiresen*_ invention.
Fig. 15 is yet another menu tl:3t appears on a television
screen in a MENI7 mode of operation of the preferred aabodimer,t of
the present invention.
Fig. 16 is yet another menu that appearv on a television
screen in a MENU mode of operation of the preferred enbodiment of
the present invention.
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Fig. 17 is yet anot_her menu that appears on a television
screen in a PSF.NU mc_s of operation of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
Fig. 18 shcws a grid ltsting of schedule information 5 displayed in an All
Listings mode of operation of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 19 shows schedule information displayed in a
Listings By Category mode of operation of the preferreci embodiment
of the present invention.
10 Fig. 20 shows sc.:edule information displayed in a
Listings By Channel srodz of operation of the praferred embodiment
of the present invention.
Fig. 21 shows information displayed in response to a
user's request fo~ supplemental programming information.
Fig. 22 shows programming, ordering and video
promotional inf-rmation displryed in a Pay-Per-View mode of
operation of the preferred embodiment of the present ir.,iention.
Fig. 23 shows an ordering zzubmenu used in cnnjunction
with che mode of operation shown in Fig. 22_
Fig. 24 shows yet another ordering submenu used in
conjunctIon with the mode of operation shown in Fig. 22.
Fic7. 24A shows yet another ordering submenu used in
conjunction vith the mode o; operation sho=an in Fig. 22.
Fig. 25 shows another grid listing of schedule
information dis?layed in an All Listings node of operation of the
present invention.
Fig. 26 shows a Premium Services submenu that appears in
one mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 27 shows a Messages menu that appears in one mode
of operation of the preferred esbodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2s shows exemplary messages used :n connection with
the menu of Fig. 27.
rig. 28A is an alternative message menu.
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Fig. 29 shows billir_g information used in connection
with the menu of Fig. 27.
Fig. 30 shows a Key Lock Access menu that appears Zuring
one mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 31 shows a menu appearing in connection with an
Interactive Television mode *of operation of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 32 shows information that appears in a Quote Watch
menu in connection with the Interactive Television mode of
operation shcwn in Fig. 3_.
Fig. 31 shows other inforaation that appears in
connection ::ith the Interactive Television mode of operation shown=
in Fig. 31.
Fig. 34 is a menu showing information that aapears in a
news display in the Interactive TelL ision mode of operation of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 35 is a mer_u showing information that appears in a
sports display in the Interactive Tele=zision mode of cperation of
the preferreri embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 36 is a flow chart showing the operation logic
required for implementation of a computer progra.m for the
electronic program guide.
Fig. 37 is a menyu showing a Locator screen for locating
channel numbers and defining favorite channel lis--s.
Fig. 38 is ar alternative menu that ca.n Le used in a
2gNU mode of operation of trLa electronic program guide.
Fig. 38A and 38B show, respectively, an alternative main
menu screen and a listing-by-time screen accessible from the
alternative main menu.
Fig. 39 is a Lockout menu that alternatively can be used
for permitting or prohibiting access to certain Frograxs.
Fig. 40 is a Setun menu that can be ised to set text
location and a purchase code for premium and pay-per-view
programming.
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Fig. 40A shows an exemplary menu for inputting a lockout
code.
Figs. 40B through 40E show, respectively, exemplary
menus for entering, confirming, clearing or changing a purchase 5 code. Fig.
41 is a Lockout Verify menu that is used in
connection with the Lockout menu of Fig. 39.
Fig. 42 is a flow chart showing the operation of the
preferred embodiment of the text fit system of the in=rentioii
herein.
DETAIjED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED E?'BODIMENT
Svstem Confiauration
Fig. 1 is a block diagram sY_owing various components of
the electronic program schedule system generally designated as 10.
Physically, these system components can be located in a user's
set-top cable converter box or other signal rcception or
processing aevice,~ such as a satellite receiver. Alt=rnatively,
the components can be mounted in a separate housing, or included
as part of a televisicn receiver, VCR, personal computer, or
multimedia player; or reside as a distributed application in a
broadband network arcnitecture.
An input sigral 11 is connected to a receiver 12, which
receives a transmitted data stream from a data prcvider. The data
stream may contain, for example, information about programs or
services available in a particular market, geographical or
otherwise. The input signal 11 can originate, for example, as
part of a standard broadcast, cablecast or satellite transmission,
or other form of data transmission. The data provider is a
program information provider, the satellite uplinic manager, a
local cable operator, or a combination of these sources, and the
data stream contains program schedule information for all
television programs and other services available in the operator's
geographical market.
The data stream may be modulated and then transmitted on
the cable line in any number of vays, including as part of a
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dedicated channel transmission operating at a frequency of, for
asample, 75 ?Hz. Those of skill in the art will understand that
numerous other transmission schemes can be used to transmit the
data stream, such as embedding -it in the vertical blanking
interval of a program broadcast signal. As vill be discussed in
greater detail below, according to the present invention, the
transmitted data stream may additionally contain application
software for implementing or updating the electronic program guide
at tbe user site.
The transmitted program schedule data or application
software is received by the receiver 12 on signal input line 11.
The received signal is passed from the receiver to a data
demodulator 13, such as a QPSK demodulator or a GI Info-i:i-rher
1000R, which demodulates the transmission and passes it to a
buffer 15.
A microcontroller 16, such as a H6B000EC, receives data
passed to the buffer 15. Bootstrap operating softwareT which may
be used for capturing electronic program guide application
software updates, is stored in a read only memory (Rfl?:) 17. The
microcontroller 16 uses the received program schedule information
to build a database by storing the data in appropriately organized
records in dynamic random access memory (DRA2t) 18. The stored
schedule information can be updated on a periodic basis, such as
hourly, daily or weekly, or at any time when changes in scheduling
or other factors warrant an update. The system also includes a
system clock 19.
Alternatively, the program schedule information could be
supplied in a FOM, disk or other non-volatile memory, or it ccald
be downloaded to a storage disk or other data storage device. The
invention herein is not directed to the particular method of
transmission or reception of the schedule information.
If the microcontroller 16 recognizes the received data
as application software which controls the program schedule
system, as opposed to program schedule information, it stores it
in non-volati'_e memory, such as an electrically erasable
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programmable ROl4 (EEPROM) 20 or battery-backed static RAM (SRP,M).
This configuration allows revised or replacement versic:.-s of the
application software to be downloaded directly from the software
developer to the user site through the cable or other transmission =
system.
In the case where an EEPROM is utilized, revised or
replacement versions of the application software downloaded from
the developer are first stored in DRAM 13 by the microcontroller
16, under direction of 'the downloading operating software stored
in the ROH 17. The stored application software can then be
checked for accuracy by, for example, a checksum analysis or other
verification rostine.
After the accuracy of the application software has been
verified, the microcontroller 16 initiates a routine to re-program
the EEPROM 20, where the application software is permanently
stored. The microcontroller 16 will issue proF_r control commands
to a reprogram circuit 21, which is adapted to supply the proper
program voltage and logic control signals 22 required to erase and
write to the EEPROM. It supplies this program voltage, Vprog, as
well as any other required control signals, such as read or write
enable, to the EEPROM 20 upon command from the microcontroller 16.
After the EEPR7M 20 has been electrically erased, the
microcontroller 16 initiates transfer of the new application
software from the DRAM 18 to the EEPROM 20 for storing.
When a battery-backed SRAM is utilized as non-volatile
memory, the microcontroller stores the re,.ised or replacement
version of the application software downloaded from the developer
directly in the SRAM, again under direction of the downloading
operating software stored in the ROM. The stored application
software can tlien be checked for accuracy by, for example, a
checksum analysis or other verification routine.
When power is first applied to the system 10, the
bootstrap operating software verifies that the program guide
application software is resident in memory. If it is not
resident, the bootstrap operating software waits for a download of
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
the software. Once the application software is resident, the
micsocontroller 16 executes the hpplication program software from
a dedicated portion of the DRAM 18. Alternatively, the
application software can be executed directly from the non-
5 volatile remory 20. IInder control of the program guide
application software, the microcontroller 16 first verifies that
the program schedule=informat=on is resident in DRAM 18. It it is
not resident, the microcontroller waits for a download of the
program schedule information, as discussed above. Alternatively,
10 if the application program is resident in memory, rut the database
records containing the program schedule information data are not
yet available, the application software can be configured to carry
out other tasks, such as allowing the user to carry out functions
not requiring the program schedule information data, as well as
15 displaying an appropriate message indicating the database data is
not yet available.
When.the schedule svstem is operating, as discussed in
greater detail hereinbelow, the microcontroller 16 takes the
program schedule information stored in the DRAH 18 and, in
conjunction with other downloaded data types such as stored bit
maps for the screen configuration and the graphic symbol or logo
disnlays stored in non-volatile memory 20 or, alterzatively, in
DRA2i 18, supplies it to a video display generator (VDG) 23, which
in the present embodiment may be a commercially available VGA-type
graphics card, such as a Rocgen card manufactured by Roctec. The
VDG includes a standard RGB video generator 24, which takes the
digital program schedule information sent by the microcontroller
16 and converts it to an RGB format in accordance with the bit map
for the particular screen display then being prasented to the user
on the television receiver 27. The configuration of each screen
is ahown and discussed in greater detail in the System operation
section below.
The VDG also includes a Video Overlay Device 25, which
accepts the RGB video input, as well as an input from
conventional television tuner 28, such as a conventional tuner
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manufactured by General In.strument or a Jerrold DPBB tuner, which
supplies a program signal in standard NTSC video format. The
overlay device 25 converts and combines the RGB signal vith the
signal from the tuner 28, and produces a composite NTSC output
signal containing both the program signal and the program schedule
information, as shown in Fig. 2. This composite video signal is
supplied to a modulator 26, shown in Fig. 1, which can be a
modulator such as available from Radio Shack, and then to the
television receiver 27, which the user keeps tuned to the
n-odulated channel, for example, channel 3 or 4. The composite
video signal can also be supplied directly to the television
receiver 27 or other receiving device from the VDG thiough a video
port 25A on the VDG.
The syst=m components identified in connection with Fig.
1 can all be implemented in a preferred platform by, for example,
an IBM personal computer equipped with a transmission link and a
video graphics=card, such as those manufactured by Roetec. Other
platfors-s,- such as a cable converter box equipped vith a
microprocessor and memory, or a broadband network also could be
used. Examplas of the particular components are as follows:
Hicrocontroller -- Motorola part no. MC68331-16; ROM -- Texas
Instruments pLrt no. TliS27PC512; DRAM -- Texas Instruments part
no. TM4256; EEPROM -- Intel part no. 28FOOIBX-T. In any evant,
those of skill in the art will appreciate that the particular
details of the hardware components and data storage are a function
of the particular implementation of the system, and are not the
cubject of the present invention.
As discussed in detail below, the user may navigate
through the program schedule system with a remote controller, such
as that shown in Fiq. 3, which operates on conventional principl:s
of remote control transmitter-receii'-r logic, such as by infrared
or othnr signalling, or other su?table user interface. 1he remote
controllei 31 communicates with the microcontroller 16 through the
remote controller receiver 29, shown in Fig. 1, which can be a
Silent Partner IR receiver xnd which receives signals transmitted
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by the remote controller 31 and supplies the microcontroller 16
with a corresponding digital signal indicating the key depressed
by the user.
A remote controller suitable for the present invention,
such as shown in Fig. 3, which can be a remote controller
manufactured by IIniversal Electronics or Pxesentation Electronics'
Silent Partner, may include a power switch 32, volume 33 and m=te
34 controls, an ENTER key 35, 0-9 digit keys 36, four direction
arrow keys 37A and 37B, a MODE key 38 and an information key 39
that is designated with a lower case "i." The pover 32, volume 33
and mute 34 keys operate in the same manner as conventional remct-
controllers typically used with present-day television receivers.
The numeric digit keys 36 also function in much the same aanner as-
conventional remote controllers. A brief description of zhe
re-aining keys follows.
The MODE key 38 takes the user through various layers of
the electronic program schedule system :0 and generally allows the
user to return to a previous screen when he is in a submenu. --be
up/down-direction arrow keys 37A allow a user to navigate throu3gh
the different TV program channels when the program schedule system
is in a FLIP or BROWSE mode, as will be fully described below, and
also allow the user to navigate through highlighted bars displayed
on the TV screen when in a 14EriU mode. The left/right direction
arrow keys 37g allow the user to navigate through selected time
periods when tho program schedule system in in the BROWSE aode, rs
vill also be described below. They further allow the user to
navigate across subject-matter categories while in the
"Categories" submanu of the lfENU mode, as well as to navigate
across time periods when the program schedule system is in a pay-
per-view ordering mode and, in general, navigate in left or rig!at
directions to select various icons and other objects. Tlze
information, or "i," key 39 allows the user to view suppleaental
program and other irf orr.iation during the various modes of the
program schedule system. The ENTER 35 key fulfills and inputs a
command once the ueer has made a selection from the remote
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
1F
controller keys. The function and operation of these keys will be
made more apparent in the detailed discussion of the FLIP, BROWSE
and MENU nodes below.
A second embodiment of the remote controller 40 is shown
in Fig. 4. This emnodiment of tha rumote controller also inrludes
a power key 41, nuneric digit keys 42, direction arrow keys 43A
and 43B, information key 48, ERTER or SELECT or "OK" key 44,
volume control 45, lockout key 45A, mute kevs 46 and help key 48A.
It also includes pound sign and star keys.
This embodiment of the remote controller further
inclu:.as a number of icon keys 47A and 47B, which correspo.zd to
different submenus or modes of the program schedule system. The
icons 47A and 47B may also be display=d on the TV screen when the
program schedule system is operating. The icon keys essentially
replace `.he MODE key 38 used in the embodiment of the remote
controller shown in Fig. 3. Using these keys, the user can move
from one mode to another simply by depressfng the icon key
corresponding to the desired mode of operation of the program
schedule system. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the icons 47A and
47B are shown as graphic symbols situated directly above a
corresponding color-cedad key. Alternatively, the color-coded
keys could be eliminated and keys could be formed in the image of
the icon itself.
The embodiment of the remote controller shown in Fig. 4
also includes three color-coded viewer preference or favorite
channel keys, 48A, 48B and 48C that are situated directly above
the icon keys. Each of these keys indicates to the program
schedule system a distinct user-created "Channel Preference" or
"Favorite Channel" list, which is a listing of a specific subset
of channels for a particular u:er, arranged in the sequential
order that the user vishes to view during operation of the program
schedule system. The creation of the Channel Preference or
Favorite Cha.-inel= list is discussed in the following caction.
Thus, the system provides for at least three individual channel
subsets for three individual users.
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
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The remote controller of Fig. 4 also may be equipped
vith a"HELP" key 48A, which, when depressed, causes the
microcontroller 16 to retrieve previously stored instruction
messages from memory and cause them to be displayed on the
television receiver 27. These messages offer help to the user in
the form of instructions that guide the us:r, through the operation
of the various operating modes of the electronic telcvision
program guide. They may be text messages, or instructional video
izages, or ardio programs, depending on the storage capacity of
the system, or any combination of these. Moreover, these help
messages may be created so that they are context-sensitiveF i.e.,
the messages displayed depend entirely upon the precise point in
the operation of the electronic program guide that the user
depresses the help key 48A. For example, information could be
supplied for operation of the remote controller, for operating the
FLIP or BROWSE mode (discussed below), or any other mode of
operation of the guide, for impulse ordering, for setting a
lockout, etc. In order to accomplish this, each point of
operation of. the guide could be coded so that the microprocessor
could track the current operating point, for - example, by
temporarily storing the code reflecting the present operating
point as the user operated the guide. When the user pressed the
help key 48A, the microcontroller 16 would retrieve an appropriate
set of messages based on the presently stored operating point
code. Additionally, the i key 39 could be used to carry out the
function of the help key.
Additionally, each of the functions of the remote
controllers can also be integrated into a keypad on the user's
cable box or other hardware.
svstem Operation
In operation, the electronic program schedule system of
the present invention'functions as follows.
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
EI+7.P1iode
When the user is viewing a particular program channel on
the television receiver, the program schedule system defaults to
a FLIP mode, shown in Fig. 5. In this mode, a graphic overlay 51 5 containing
programming information for the channel currently tuned
on the tuner is superimposed in overlay:.ng relationship with a
received program sic,nal 55 on the screen of the telev?sion
receiver 27 whenever tha viewer changes the program channel, for
example, by irsing the up/down direction arrows on .s::ae remote
10 controller. The video overlay device 25, such as shown in Fig. 1,
combines the computer-generated RGB video-graphic overlay
information with the NTSC-format program signal from thP tuner 28,
and supplies an N':'SC-format output signal, wiiich includes the
program signal from the tuner and the progrlc schedule overlay
15 infor3hation for viewing on the television receiver 27.
The prog'ramming information contained in the graphic
overlay 51 is supplied to the RGB video generator by the
microcontroller. In FLIP mo3e, the microcontroller first bearches
the program schedule database in, for example-, the DRAM 18 to
20 retrieve the programming information for the currently tuned
channel 52 corresponding to the current time; i.e., the tise at
which the user just turned on the television receiver for viewing.
The microcontroller 16 then supplies the current channel and
program information to the RGB video qenerator e4 which converts
tLe digital data information to RGB format and supplies it to the
video overlay device 25.
In normal operation, the microcontroller 16 defaults to
displaying all channels offered by the cable company prioritized
by numeric order, which is determined by tha broadcast chaa,.al
position in the radio spectrum or the marketing judgments of lrcal
cable operators. ising a"Channel Preferer.ce" submenu, cr an
alternative "Locator" screen, both of which are discussed below,
the user can revise the content andjor sequential order of the
channels presented to the television receiver 27.
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21
In general, if the user does not issue a change-channel
instruction, or other command, from the remote controller 40
within a predetermined time interval while in the FLIP mode, the
microcontroller 16 instructs the VDG 23 to remove the graphic
overlay 51 from the television receiver, thus presenting only a
program signal 55 to the television receiver 27 for viewing. The
duration of the predetermined time interval is such that it allows
the user sufficient tilme to read the programming information
contained in the overlay. The duration of the predetermined time
interval during which the graphic 51 overlay appears is stored in
a location in non-volatile memory 20 addressable by the
microcontroller 16. The user can change the duration of the time
interval, by first entering a Viewer Preference mode, and than
selecting an "overiav interval" entry. The microcontroller 16
then causes a u:.er prompt to be displayed on the screen which, for
example, asks the user to select an appropriate time period for
displaying in the graphic overlay oa the screen. I]sing the
numeric keys, the user can input an appropriate response, for
example, a period between 5 and 60 seconds, and then depress
ENTER. Trie new interval period is then read and stored by the
microcontroller 1G in the overlay time interval location i-n
nemory.
If the user issues a change-channel command from the
remote controller 40 before- or after the predetermined overlay
period has elapsed, either by using the up/down direction arr::.+s
43A, or by entering a desired channel number u-ming the numeric
keys 42 and then depressing the ENTER key 44, the microcontroller
16 will cause the tuner 28 to tune to the desired channel --
either the channel immediately preceding or following-the current
channel when the up or down arrow 43A is used or the specific
channel entered on the numeric key pad by the user -- and will
also search for and immediately cause to be displayed the current
program information for that channel. Thus, as the user flipr
through the channels, the program schedule informatioit for any
selected char.r.el automatically appears in the yraphic overlay 51
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
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while the actual program 55 appearing on the selected channel at
the particular time occupies the remainder of -`he screen.
The system can also 'be configured ts issue an error
message, such as an audible beep or displayed =cext indicating an 5 invalid
key stroke, if the user depresses either the left or right
direction arrow keys while in the FLIP aode.
BROWSE Mode
To initiate thc BROWSE mode, the user deprasses the MODE
svitch once while in the FLIP mode when using the first embadisent
of the remote controller 31 shown in Fig. 3. Utilizir.g the second
embodiment of the remote controller 4C sY_own in Pig. 4, the user
would depress the button below the BROWSE icon 47A.
In the BROWSE mode, the user is provided with the
ability to scan through program schedule information for any
channel, including, but not limited to, the channel beina viewed,
while at the same time continuing to view the TV program
previously selected. As shown in Fig. 11,_ in this mode ta`ts
graphic overlay information that appears in the FLIP made is
replaced with programming information for the channel being
brovsPd, which may or may not be the channel currently being
viewed by the user. After the user issues the command from the
remote controller 40 to enter the BROWSE mode, a graphic overlay
3.11 is generated, rs in the FLIP mode, with program schedule
information for the currently tuned channel 112 and a textual
BROWSE indicator 113 to remind tha user of the c*irrently active
pode, as shown in Fig. 11.
Z4- tha user depresses eit_'sEr thR up or down direction
arrow on the remote controller 40 while in the BROWSE modc,
program schedule information for either the prior or next channel
is displayed in the graphic overlay portion 111 of t`xe t=levision
receiver screen 27, while the tuner rn.mai:.s tuned to the channel
program that appeared on the televi:~:.on receiver at the time the
user aistered the BROWSE mode, as shown in Fig. 12, and continues
to so appear. Each successive depression of the tip or down
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
2'3
direction arrow key produces correspcnding program schedule
information for tt_e selected channel. The graphic overlay zay
also include a small video window for showing the actual video
signal of a currently aired program or a clip of a future program
corresponding to the schedule information then appearing in the
BROWSE overlay. In this way, t2ie user can simultaneously scan
program schedule information fo- all channels while continuously
viewing at least one selected pr..gram on the television receiver.
With the advent of sophisticated television receivers, it may also
be possible to simultaneously display multiple broadcast programs
on a single screen for viewing, or to split the*screen to show,
for example, broadcast programs in combination with
advertisements. The BROWSE feature could be used in any of tt,ese
situations.
If, at any time during scanning of the program schedule
information in the BROWSE mode, the user desires to tune the
television receiver 27 from the program channel currentlv being
viewed to the program channel indicated in the schedule
information in the graphic overlay, he aimply depresses the EKTER
button 44 and the tuner 28 will be tuned to that channel. if the
user does not want to view another channel and wishes to exit the
BROWSE mode, thus removing the graphic overlay 111 with the
proqram schedule information, he must depress the MODE key twice
in the first embodiment of t1.e remote controller 31. The first
depression of the MODF key takes the user to the MENU mode,
discussed below, and the second depression will take the user to
the FLIP mode. Once in the FLIP mode, the graphic overlay will be
removed after tthe duration of the time-out interval has passed.
In the secc:sd embodiment of the remote controller shown in Pig. 4,
the uzer toggles the BROWSE icon key to deactivate the BROWSE
mode.
When tha user first enters the BROWSE aode and begins
sca.^.^.ing channels, the schedule information appearing in the
overlay portion 111 describes the programs currently playing on
any particular chaZnel. If1 order to view programming information
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
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for later or earlier times, the user employs the left and right
direction arrows 43B. As a consequence, the system will dis-play
future program schedule information for the particular channel
previot:.sly selected by the up and down direction arrows, whether 5 it. is
the channel currently being viewed or any otber available
chunne=. The schedule information presented includes the nam;e of
tha program and program start/stop time. The instant embodiment
of the system, in order to conserve memory, will not allow the
user to view programming information for a time prior to the
current time. The system could be easily modified to provide such
information if adequate memory is made available. It may be
desirable, for example, to allow a user to view schedule
informati.on for an earlier time to find a particular show and then
allow the user to command the microcontroller to find and display
future airing dates of the show, or the microcontroller could
simply do tnis automatically.
When viewing program schedule information for a future
ti$e in the BROWSE mode, the displayed time of airing 121 of the.
partic~.alar show 122 is highlighted, as well -as the channel n=ber
atsd service indicato= 123, as shown in Fig. 12A. Such highlighted
information reminds the user that he is viewing program schedule
information for a future time. ?-lso, when viewing proqram
schedule i.nformation for a future time on any particular channel
in the BROWSE mode, depression of the channel up diraction arrow
key on tha remote controller 40 cr.uses programming schedule
inform.ation for the next channel to appear, which corresponds in
time to the future time that was being viewed bcfore the up key
was depressed by the user. The chanael dow-n direction arrow key
43B functions identically iz this mode.
I--' while viewing aroqram schedule information for a
future time in BROWSE mode the user depresses t: 2 E2:TER key cn the
remote controller, the microcon=c.roller 1a will instruct the VDG 23
to display a REMINDER overlay meL:sage 130 which, as shown in Fig.
13, is displayed as a second overlay 131 appearing abovP the
BROWSE overlay 132. The REMINDL'R m_ssage _30 quer'Les the use= as
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
to w1hether the system should remind the user, at a predetermined
time before the start of the selected program, that he or she
would 14-ke to view the selected program, as sho=an in Fig. 13. If
the user responds affirmatively, the microcontroller 16 stores
5 reminder data consisting of at least the channel, time and day of
the selected program in a reminder buffer, which contains similar
schedule information for all progre+ms for which the =aser has set
a reminder. At a pre-determined time before the selected program
start time, for example, five minutes, the microcontroller 16 will
10 retrieve schedule information, including titla and service, based
on the reminder data, and will instruct the VDG 23 tc display a
REIiIKDIR overlay massage 140 on the television receiver 27, as
shown in Fig. 14, to remind the user that he or she previously set
a reminder to watch the selected program. The Rc.."':ID?'R message
15 140 contains the channel, sarvice and start time. It also
displays the number of minutes before the tine of a-iring of the
part;cular s-how and updates the displa} every minute until the
time of airing. The REMINDF.R message 140 also displays a"TL'2dE"
inquirv, which asks the user if she would like to tti~e to the
20- selecte.3 program. When the user sets multiple reninders, the
reminder overlays are stacked, for example, in ascending order
according to the time each reminder is scheduled to be displayed,
and ',.he ::ext reminder message wili appear on the television
receiver after the user takes appropriate action to remove the
25 reminder message then being displayed. The R:.."~iINDE? =essage (140
could also be adapted to allow the user to display or modify a
list of all reminders previously set bv the user. As with the
overlay display time period in the FLIP mode, the user can modify
the time p2riod before a selEctad program that the RFHI2iDER
message appears liy entering the Viewer Preference mode and
revising the time entry.
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
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ME7nJ Mode
Using the remote controller 31 shown in fig. 3, the user
can enter the MENU iaode from the BP.OWSE mode or from the T.IP mode
by toggling the MODE button 38 once or twice, respectively. Csir,g
the remote controller 40 of Fig. 4, t'se user would simply depress
the key 47B corresponding to the ID2IU icon.
Referring to Fig. 6, in the 2F-.'U mode, the system
displays a plurality of menu items and icons, v'iich corresponC- to
and allow user selection of distinct program schedule information
display formats, local cable syst-em message bcards and other on-
line information services. The IMMNU screen shown in Fic. 6 is
a full-screen display. in the eabodiment shown in Fig. 6, there
are four vertically selectable horizontal bars 61-64, which are
accessed using the up and dcwn direction arrows 43A on the remote
controller 21 or 40. At the extreme left of each bar, an
=der.tifying icon 61A-64A is displayed, which identifies the
information contained in that bar. In the embodiment of Fig. 6,
the "TV GUIDE" icon 61A in the first bar corresponds to prograxs
schedule information from TV Guide magazine, the "NOW SHOWIHG*
icon 6221 4-:s the second bar 62 correspands to pay-per-view and
premium service events, the "H.SO Logo" icon 63A in the third bar
63 corz=espc:.c's to Customer Service or local cable company
information messages, and the circular icc_, 64A in the fourth bar
64 corresponds to other interactive services ava-Llable to the
user, or in the case of broadband networks, other venues, e.g.,
home shopping, banking or telephone use. As also shown in Figs.
6 and 6A, each bar also contains a textual description of its
contents.
When the user first enters the MEtiII mode, the syste=
defaults to selection of the program schedule bar. When a
particular bar is selected, the textual description is removed and
a plurality o: icons or identifying windows are displayed adjacent
the identifying icon. In Fig. 6, the program schedule bar 61 is
selected. Using the up or down direction arrow key on the remote
controller 40, the user selects a vertically adjacent bar. Figs.
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
27
15-17 show, respectively, selection of the Pay-Per-View bar 62,
the Customer Service or Messages bar 63 and the Interactive TV
services bar 64.
An alternative MAIN MENU screen 215 is shown in Fig. 38.
Certain selection screens accessible from the menu shown in Fig.
38 are shown in Figs. 38A and 38B. It has three horizontally
selectable bars: program schedule 205, Home Theater 206 and
Customer Service 207. The MAIN H.ENND screen 215 also contains an
additional "Locator" identifier, which is described below.
Once a particular bar in the MFNU screen is selected,
the user can select a particular icon from the plurality of
horizontally selectable displayed icons 65A-65C by using the left
or right direction arrow and the ENTF3; key on the remote
controller 40. Each icon contains a graphical symbol appearing in
a background window of a particular color. When a particular icon
is selected, it is offset from its background window and the color
of the window changes. In Fig. 6, the grid icon 65A immediately
adjacent the "TV GUIDE" icon in the first bar 61 is selected.
The function corresponding to the selectable entries in
the l,AZN MENU screen will now be discussed with reference to Fig.
6. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the
same functionality applies in the categories shown in the MAIN
23FX'J 215 shown in Fig. 38.
In the uppermnst vertically selectable horizontal bar
61, the first grid icon 65A rer'resents an "All Listings" aode in
which the program schedule information is displayad in a grid
listing, such as that shown iz Fig. 18. Alternatively, a single
column gzid-lika display could be used, as that sho:tn in Fig. 25.
In this format, the vertical v-axis identifies the chanr.el number
and service while the horizontal x-axis identifies the time. The
screen display of Fig. 18 also contains in the upper left-hand
corner a mode identifier 180, in this case the notation "All
Listings," to remind the user of the current operating mode of the
system. Directly underncath the =ode display is a highlighted
display 181 of the channel ttiat the user was wetching before
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
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entering the 2+ENU mode. In the upper right-hand corner, a logo
icon 182 appears in a window airectly above a date/ti.me identifier
183, which alternatively displays the current date and time.
In the center of the screen display shonn in Pig. 18 is
a graphical Active Key Display (AKD) 184 which indicates to the
user those keys on the remote controller that are active for that
particular mode of the program guide display system. For example,
in the screen display of Fig. 18, the cursor can only move
down or to the rig`_?t. if the user were to depress the left
lo direction arrow key on the rarote controller at that point, the
system would not carry eut any function since the cursor can not
move to tY,e lefL. Thus, the left arrow key is not active so its
image is not displayed on the AKD 184. Similarly, since the
system will only respond to a depression of the up, down or right
direction arrow keys and the ENTER key, they are the only key
images displayed on tht graphical AKD 184. The 2iODE key, though
not displayed, is always active to change from one mode to
another. When the user first enters the All Listings ";allue, the
time listing begins by defaalt at the *:ait-hour immediately
preceding the current time ::niess the current tiae is on the hour
or half-hour, in which case the display begins with the particular
hour or half-3;our, and the channel liEt-lung begins at tha last
channel :oeing viawed by the user before entering the xErrU mode.
For exaz,ple, in Fig. 18, the current time is displayed as 7:13
p.m., the time listing begins at 7:00 P.M. and the channel listing
begins with channel 4.
In the All Listings mode, a moveable highlighted cursor
185 is used to indicate the currently selected program to the
user_ The user manipulates cursor movement using the direction
arrow key3 on the remote controller 40. Furthermore, the entire
information display pages upward if the cursor is plac-:d at the
bottom of the screen and the down direction arrow is depressed,
ana simi?arly pages to the left if the cursor is at the extreme
right side of the display and the right direction arrow is
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
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depressed. In this way, the user can navigate through the entire
program schedule.
The folder icon 65B iamediately to the right of the All
Listings icon in the top horizontal bar 61'of Fig. 6 identifies a
5"Category Listing" mode in which program schedule information is
displayed and categorized by program content, as shown in Fig. 19.
The particular listing showri in Fig. 19 includes the categories of
Mavies, Sports, News and Children 190A-190D. The database record
stored for each listing contains a content-specific identifier so
the microcontroller can search the database and categorize the
information by content for purposes of displaying it in the
Category Listing modrz. As shown in Fig. 19, the user can
manipulate the cursor left or right to highlight any one of the
categories which appear at trie head of the listing. In Fig. 19,
the "Hovies" category 190A is selected. As shown, the user is
given a displav of all movies, prioritized by time and then
alphabetically by title of show, beginning with the half-hour
immediately preceding the current time unless the current time is
or. the hour or half-hour, in which case the display begins with
the particular hour or half-hour. The screen display shown in
Fig. 19 also includes a textual description of the current
operating moda of the progr3m schedule system, as vell as the
graphic AcD 184, similar to that used in connection with the All
Listings mode.
As with the All Listings mode, if the user highlights a show
which is currently airing, he can immediately tune to that sriow by
depressing the ENTER key on the remr.te controller 40. If the
highlighted show is one that will appear at future time, tha user
is again given the option of setting a RFMI'7DEP. message.
70 The triangular icon 65C at the far right of the TV GUIDE
be.r 61 in the display of Fig. 6 identifies a"Channel Lib_ing"
mode in which the program schedule information is categorized ar.d
displayed by channel, as shown in Fig. 20. The Ac;;een display
shown in Fig. 20 again includes a textur,l mode identifier 201, the
graphic PI:D 184, and the window inclv..G:ng the logo icon 182 and
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
alternating time/date display 183. At the head of the program
listing is a list of several consecutive channels 202A-202C
begi-ini.^.g with the last channel viewed by the user befora entering
the Channel Liating mode. The channel in the middle wir,dow 2023
5 is highlighted and is the channel for which schedule infonaation
is displayed. The display identifies those progra,m,s appe3ring on
the higalighted channel beginning with the half-hour imnediately
preceding the current time unless the current time is on the hour
or half-hour, in which case the display begins with the particular
10 hour or half-hour. The user can display further future 1istings
by manipulating the cursor to the bottom of the screen and paging
the display, as previously described. The user can also change
the selected channel by aanipulating the left or right direction
arrvs+ keys on the remote controller 40. When the user issues a
15 change-channel command in this manner, the next cor.secut:.ve
channel aill be displayed in the highlighted window 2023 in the
ch.annel string at the head of the display, _and schedule
infcrmation for the newly selected channel will be displayed on
the television receiver 27.
20 As with other modes, if a user wishes to tune to a
kLighlighted program that =s currently airing, he can do so by
siaply depressing the MiTEZ key on the remote controller 40, and
if the user wishes to view a program that airs at a future tix-e,
the user is again given the option of setting a REKIHDEH message.
25 In each of the FLIP, BROWSE and MENU aodes, a lover case
"i' icon appears at a nu3ber of occasions in connection with
certain program listings, such as movies, such as the "i" 203
shown in FLg. 20. lLny time this icon appears, the user can view
additional programming information, generally comprising a textual
30 description of program content and/or other inrormation related to
the program, such as the names of cast members and the like, by
depreasi:.q the "i" key 48 on the rzmote controller 40. An example
of A display cf such additional information is shown in Fig. 21.
The second horizontal bar 62 appearing on the screen in
the XAIN XENU mode srown in Fig. 6 is the "Home Theater" Listing.
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
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It corresponds to Pay-Per-View events or services, specialized
programming, and Premium Service programs. When this category is
chosen by the user, the television receiver displays -Information
as shown in Fig. 15. The first thaater-ticket icon 150 that
appears in this Home Theater bar identifies a format in which the
Pay-Per-View eve.nts and premium services are displayed, as shown
in Fig. 22. As with other modes, the user can manipulate the
cursor to highlignt and select any particular show... Also, the
user can obtain additional information about the Pay-Per-View
event or service by depressing the "i" key 48 on the remote
controller 40. The Pay-Per-View menu scree;i display shown in Fig.
22 also includes a video display section 220 in v2-.icr short
promotional clips of currant and future events and services can be
shown to t*=a user while the user is vicwing the Pay-Per-;tiew
scheduling information. The display of Fig. 22 is bit mapped such
that the advertising clips may be shown in the lower left quadxant
of the screen. The clips may be shown randomly in the video
display section 120 or, alternatively, the clip shown could
correspond to the particular selected entry on the list of events,
and would change automatically as the user navigated through the
Wnen a user highlights a Pay-Per-View event or service
by manipulating the cursor to the desired event or service using
the direction arrow keys on the remot4 controller 40, he can crder
the event or service by depressing the MiTER button on the remote
controller, thus linking sch2dule, promotional aLnd crderirg
functions. T-f the user se:ects a particular Pay-Per-View ever.t or
servics in this 3eanner, the progra=,Aing schedule systam will next
present to the user a Pay-P=r-View ordering screen suct~. as that
shown in Fig. 23. The display includes a figure representing the
cost of the event or s -rvice. The display also asks t.`,e user to
c-hoose from among a plurality of scheduled airing times 230A-23DC,
as well as whether the user would like to see a RZKINDEt message
prior to the sta_Tt of the Pay-Per-View event or service. ', s user
responds to these incpsiries by using the direction keys on tha
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
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remote controller 40 to manipulate the cursor to the proper
response and then depressing the ENTER key. After the user has
ordered a Pay-Per-View event or service, the program schedule
system will present the user with two ordering confirnation
submenus, such as shown in Figs. 24 and 24A. In either of these
su2m-enus, the user can confirm or cancel the Pay-Per-View event or
serviae.
If the user confirms the order, the microcontsoller 16
stores the Pay-Per-View ordering information in a location in
memory. Thz ordering information can then be trarsmitted to the
cable operator by the microcontroller 7_ either by phona line or
on the cable line where the system has 4,:wo-way communication or
other such interact=ve capability. Alternatively, a computer at
the cable cperator location can interrogate the memory whPare the
microccntroller stored the Pay-Per-View ordering information. At
the appropria:e time, the cable operator supplies the Pay-Per-Viev
event or sarvice and it is received by all users-who have ordered
the program. -
The second icon 151 in the Pay-Per-View bar of Fig. 15
identifies a specialized broadcast, cable or sateliite progrr.mming
service to which the user has access via the electronic program
guide. In this mode, the electronic program guidft application
softz-are acts to connect ;re user, through an aFprooriate data
transmission link, to the programming servl.e, at which point the
user interacts vith the service. Alternatively, the electronic
program guide provides the navigation software, including the
menua and scheduling information, for the particalar programair.g
service. 5uch a service could be, for example, Your Choice i I
("YCT'L'") , a service offering rEruns of highly rated broadcast ar.3
cable p rograms, in vhich case the icon may take a form suitable to
identify YCI'V. The programming available on YCTV is then supplied
to the user via the prograassing guide system.
The last Icon 152 appearing in the Pay-Per-View bar of
Fig. 15 identifies a display format which lists all Pramiu=
Services offered by the cable operator, as shown in Fig. 26. In
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
33
this mode, the user can select for impulse ordering any one of the
premiua services by manipula=ing,the cursor using the direction
arrow keys on the remote controller and depressing the FNTER key.
Similar to Pay-Per-View ordering, the system will present the user
with a series of ordering displays and, if a service is ordered by
the user, it will confirm the user's request using another other
submenu. If confirmed, t:e microcontroller 16 will store the
ordering information or transmit it directly to the cable
operator. Once-the order has been confirmed, the microcontrollar
can irimediately allow tkte user access to the ordered premii:m
service. In this manner, the user can order premium events or
services on demand.
if, durir_g r'LIP or BROWSE modes, a user views a channel
or schedule information for a service not subscribed to by the
user, the microcontroller 16 causes an ordering submenu to appear
instead of displaying a program signal a'Long with the graphic
overlay, as shown in Pig. 9. This submenu indicates to the user
that she does not currer.tly subscribe to the selected service, and
then asks the user if she would like to order the'service. if the
:.0 user responds affirmatively, the prograa schedule systez takes the
user to the ordering submEnu discussed above. In this manner, the
user can orc:er premium events or services on impulse.
= The third horizontal bar 63 in the ?iEItU mode shown in
Fig. 6 is the "Messages" or "Customer Service" listing. As shown
in Fig. 16, the fi:zrt envelope icon 160 represents message
information available from the cable operator. when the user
selects the message icon, he is presented with a screen display of
currently available messages, as shown in Fig. 27. 'i't,e display
shown in Fig. 27 includes cable system messages 270 and billing
informatioii 271. Zf the user selects the cable system messages
option 270, she is prc:sented with a messa3e pertaining tu the
local cable operator, such as that shown in Fig. 28. if the user
selects the billir.g status option 271 ehoti*n in Fig. 27, she is
preserted with a display of L-irrent billing inforration, such as
that vho~m in Fig. 29. i::is information may include a history of
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
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purchases charged to the user, current balance infcrmation,
pending orders, and, an indication of available credit, vhich can
be an authorized debit limit previously arranged with the cabla or
other operator. Thus, a user could specify only a c_rtain pre-se=
spending limit. Once the amount of charges from pay-per-view
events reaches the linit, the microcontroller vould not permit
further ordering of events. An alternative messages menu is shown
in Fig. 28A.
The next icon 161 in the e-'itstomer Service information
bar 63 of Fig. 16 identifies a"Viewer Preference" mode, which
allows the user to create or revise a number of program schedule
system operating parameters. Once selected, t.*iis display presents
the user with several preference options concerning certain
operating parameters of the program schedule system, as well as
the viewing of certain channels aZd/or certain content-specific
programming, for'exampla, those shown in Fig. 7.
The first ovtion shown in Fig. 74-s the "Parental"
option 70, which can also be expressed as a"Rey Lock Access'
oFtiois. Once this option is initially celected by t-he user, the
system displays a "Key Lock Access" submanu such as taat shou-n in
Fig. 30.
The Xey Lock Access menu shovn in Fig. 30 allows the
user to control access to individual --hannels and progtams or
events by requiring the user to enter an access code "key,"
consisting of a user-specified four digit code in the specific
embodiment discussed herein, before ordering or viewi::g these
pre-selected channels, programs or events. The menu display shown
in Fig. 30 shows a serie3 of subject categories that are entries
in the vertical 1-axis selectable by t.he user. A particular
subject cate;ory is chosen by using the up or dowm direction a_rrow
keys on the remote cantriiler 40 to highii?ht the desired entr1.
once the user selects a particular subject category, the left and
right arrow keys are used to navigate within the chosen category.
The first subject entry shovn in Fig. 30 is the
"Parental Guidance" category 301. Once th= user selects this
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
category by manipulating the cursor to highlight the entry, the
cursor can be then moved horizontally to an active window 302
which displays and selects one the five lett-gr rating items in the
category. The letter items represent ratings of program content
5 as follows: "V" for violence, "N" for nudity, "L" for language,
"AS" for adult situations and "PD" for parental discretion. Once
the user selects a particular item, such as "L", by moving to the
active window 302 using the right direction arrow key, depressing
the EBTEB key will indicate to the microcontroller.3.6 that a key
10 lock access has been selected for programs rated with a "L" rating
for violent or explicit language. The system indicates activation
of a key lock access by displaying a key icon directly below the
`L" category display. Once a key lock access is set, it can be
deactivated by selecting the category letter and then depressing
15 the ENTER key. This action causes the key icon to disappear. The
user can change the rating category in the active window 302 by
using the left or right direction arrow keys on the renote
controller 40, images of which are displayed on the screen
adjacent the active window as a reminder to the user. In this
20 manner, the user can select other rating categories for setting a
key lock access for any of the program content identifiers
appearing in the Parental Guidance category.
The key lock access code itself consists of a four digit
code, which the use_ can enter and modify at any time. To do so,
25 the user highlights the fourth vertically selectable entry 'RChange
?Cey Lock Access Code," 304 by manipulating the cursor to highlight
it using the direction arrow keys on the remote controller. Once
highlighted, the user enters a new four digit code or revises the
then existing code and depresses the F2:TER key. The
30 microcontroller 16 then identifies the new four digit key lock
access code and stores it in memory. The user can clear the key
lock access code, as well as all other previously activated keys,
by moving to the last entry in Fig. 30, "Clear Key Lock Access
Code and All Keys," 305 which highlights the "OF." wir.dow, ar.d then
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
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depressing the EtTER key. This action clears and deactivates all
previously set keys, as well as the key lock access code.
The schedule infu_-mation database record for each
program contains a field that corresponds to the program content
identifiers in the Parerital Guidance category. During operation,
the microconLroller checks this field in response to a user
c.mmand to 'tune to or order a program, or to display its
corresponding schedule information befora carrying out the tuning,
ordering or displaying function. If the parental guide iden:ifier
in the program schedule information database record matches any
one of the activated parental guidance identifiers shown in Fig.
30, the user will be prompted to enter the four digit key lock
access code before the system takes any further action. If the=
entered code matcY.es the key lock access code previousiy entere.d
ar.d 3tored by the user as described above, the system will carry
out the user request to tune to the program, to order it, or to
display its corresponding schedule information. If the code is
r.ot recoanizECi by the system, no further action will be taken and
the user's recriest will be denied.
By manipulating the cursor usi-ng the direction arrow
keys to highlight the aecor.d entry, "MPILA ratings," 308 the user
can also se: a key loc:: access for prograr_s based on their MPAA
rating code, as also shown in Fig. 30.
As with the Parental Guidance category, once t.hz H?AA
rating category has been selected, the user can move horizontally
within the category to the active window 306 to select one the
five rating codes, i.e., "G" fcr general audiences, "PG" for
parental guidance, "PG-13" for suggested parental guidance, no one
under 13 adml.tt2G without an adul4, "R" for restricted and "X" for
x-rated. As with the Parental Guidance category, by selecting a
particular rating --by using tha left or right direction arro;.,
k--ys until the particular rating code appears in the active
window--and then depressin g tha E2?TER kev, the user oets a key
lock access for the rating, in which case a kcy icon appears belov
the rating code. eh.zd, as with the Parnntal Guidance category,
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
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once a key lock access is set, the system will prompt the user to
enter the four digit key lock access code anytime a request is
zade to tune to, order or display schQdule information for a
particular program having a rating code which matches a rating
code for which key lock access has been activated.
The Key Lock Access mode also includes a s=nbject
category 303 for controlling access to channels, which may be
entitled,= for example, "Channel Block" or "Channel Lock." As
with the Parental Guidance 301 and MPAA 308 categories, the user
navigates to the Channel Block category 303 by manipulating the
cursor using the direction arrow keys on the remote controller and
depressing the giTER key. Once the Channel Block category 303 has
been entered, the user can move horizontally to an active window
307, which in Fig. 30 indicates channel Z. Once the user
highlights this window by manipulating the cursor using the
direction arrow keys on the remote controller 40, a key lock
access can be set for the channel appearing in the active window.
This is done, as with the other subject categories in the Key Lock
Access iaode, by depressina the EN'~'ER key, vhich again causes a key
icon to appear below the channel number in the active window. The
user can move to the prior chan.-iel or to the next channel in
sequer_ce by depressing either the left or right direction arrow
kev on the remote controller 40. In this manner, the user can
activate a key lock access for any available channel.
As with the Parental Guidance 301 and MPAA 308
categories, once a key lock access is set for a partici_lar
channel, the system will prompt the user to input the key lock
access code prior to carrying out an instruction to tune to or
order that channel. If the input key lock access code matches the
previously stored access code, the user's instruction is carried
out. Otherwise, the user's instruction is ignored.' Thus, the
user can control access to the audio and video progran content of
any available channel. In this instance, the microcontroller 16
will not allow audio or video program signals to pass to the VDG,
but it will allow schedule information to appear for the channel.
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
38
An alternative method for effecting lockout of programs
is accomplished using a"Lockout" screen, as shown in Fig. 39. In
addition to limiting access to programs based on the Parental
Guidance, HPAA and channel criteria, as discussed above, access
may be limited on the basis of program title. Fig. 39 shows an
altern4tive Lockout screen 250 that can be used to permit or limit
access to programs based on program title, in addit'-on to the
aforementioned criteria. Other parameters also may be included,
such as time of day, day of week, credit limit, and content
category (e. g. , talk shows).
To enter the Lockout screen 250 shown in Fig. 39, the
user must enter a multi-digit lockout code using the numeric digit
keys 42 and the enter key 44 on the remote controller 40. The'
lockout code is set initially when the system is first used or
installed. To set a lockout code in the first instance, the user
accesses a Setup screen 260, such as that shown in F g. 40. The
Setup screen 260 will automatically appear the first time the
electronic program gti:ide is installed and initialized. ?or access
.during normal operation of the electronic program guide, a
suitable access path to the Setup screen 26Q may be provided, such
as from an appropriate icon in the MAIN h"BNiJ 215.
In the Setup screen 260 of Fig. 40, the user can
navigace to the Lockout Code category 265 and set a new lockout
code using the appropriate navigation and selection keys on the
remote controller 40. P_ suitable menu for inputting the lockout
code is shown in Fig. 40A. Once enabled, the lockout code must be
used to sst or modify locks, to view a previously locked program,
or to clear or change the lockout code. The memory location of
the stored lockout code also should be remotely accessible, such
as by t~5e local cable company, in case the user forgets the
lockout cade and it must be erased.
Once the lockout code is entered and the Lockout screen
250 of Fig. 39 is displayed, navigation within the screen is
controlled by the direction keys 43A and 43B on the remote
controller 40. Using the up and down direction keys 43A to move
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
39
the selection cursor, either the Movie Rating 251, Parental
Guidance 252, Channel 253, Locked Program 254 or Lockout Coa.e 255
category can be selected. The left and right direction keys :3B
are then used to navigate inside the selected category.
Clearing a previously set lockout code is acco=plished
by moving the selection cursor to the "Clear" entry 256 i.n the
Lockout Code category 255 and depressi_-zg the enter key 44 on the
remote controller 40. This causes the micrecontroller to clear
the lockout code stored in memory, as well as all locks previously
set by the user. To change the curre.-it lockout. code, the user
navigates to the "Change" entry 257 in the Lockout Code category
255 and depresses the enter key 44 on the remote controller 40.
rne user is then prompted to enter a:few lockcut code, which is
subsequently stored in memory by the microcontroller.
To set a lock in either the Mcvie Rating 251 or Parental
Guidancr_ 252 category, the user navigates to the selected entry in
Fig. 39 by manipulating the selection csrsor using the direction
keys 43A and 43B on the remote controller -40, and then depresses
'a lockout key on the remote controller, such as the padlock key
45A shown in Fig. 4. The microcontroller will appropriately
modify the display to indicate that a lock has been set, for
example, by changing the color of the text or the bac;ccroun3 in
the selected entry window, or by displaying an appropri3=e icon
next to the text in the selected entry window. In Fig. 39, a
padlock icon 258 appears in the window of the "PG" entri in the
Movie Rating category 251. Toggling tbe lockout key whilt the
selection cursor is positioned on a selected entry will
alternately enable and disable the loc.kout funct-ion for thF.t
entry.
Similarly, to set a loc:c for a particular channe:, ,.l:e
user selects the channel using the selection cursor rZd then
depresses the lockout key. In Fig. 39, `':e channel "4 X;::tC* e:`..=y
in the Channel category 253 has *xen locked, which is indi:- -: by
the inverse video and padlock i^cn appea-ring in th= windcw.
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
Program locks also may be set by title, which can be
effected in several ways. For example, when the above-described
FLIP or BROWSE mode of the electronic program guide is enabled,
thereby causing the title of a progzam t:, be displayed along with
5 other program schedule informatiori in a window superimposed on the
actual program signal then being received, the user can limit
access to the program corresponding to the displayed progr:--
information by depressing the lockout key 45A on the .semote
controller 40. The user also may limit access to the currently
10 tuned program by depressing the lockout key 45A on the remote
controller 40 while viewing the program, regardless whether the
FLIP or BROWSE modes are enabled. In this instance, the
microcontroller first removes the program signal from the display
and then accesses the schedule information database record for the
15 program then appearing and sets an appropriate flag to indicate
the program has been locked. Also, when viewing program schedule
information in the grid or category listings, as discussed above
and shofm, for example, in Figs. 18-20, the user also can tag a
program for lockout by highlighting it with the selection cursor
20 and ther. depressing the lockout key 45A on the remote controller
40.
In each of these instances, the microcontroller then
stores the program title in a lockou': title list stored in memory
aiong with any other titles that previously have been locked out
25 by the user. Individnal items in the lockout title list are
displayed in alphabetical order in the "Locked Program" window 259
shown in Fig. 39, and the user may scroll through the list by
positioning the selection cursor on the Locked Program window 259
using the up and down direction keys 43A on the remote controller
30 an Fig. 40 and then using unc left and right direction keys 43B to
scroll through the list one item at a time. In order to save
m2mory space, alternatively, the nicrocontroller may ba programmed
to set a flag or otherwise mark the particular database record
containing the program sche:'sle information for the program that
35 is to be locked out, and to thareafter access the database to
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
41
retrieve the title information when it is to be displayed, ;:uch as
when the viewer i3 reviewing the lockout title list in the Locked
Program window 259.
Once an individual title has been locked out, the
microcontroller can be programmed optionally to display an
appropriate lockout icon, such as a padlock, whenever program
schedule information for the locked program is to be displayed,
such as in the window overlay of the FLIP or B22'3WSE mode, or in
the various grid and category displays available in the MAIF ?iFNTJ
displays. The system also may display an appropriate text message
if someone tries to access the program signal of a previously-
locked program. Of course, oncs a progr:m is locked, in all
instances the microcontroller prevents access to the actual
program signal (including both the audio and video portions of the
program signal) until an appropriate code is entered or the
lockout is removed.
Several methods can be used to block programs at their
time of airing. For example, in tha case of the Movie Rating,
Parental Guidance and Channel cate;ories, the schedule information
database record for each program is provided with a field that
corre.,ponds to the rating, program content identifier or channel
appearing, respectively, in the Movie Rating 251, Parental
Guidance 256 and Channel 253 category of the Lockout screen 250
shown in Fig. 39.
During operation, the microcontroll.r checks the
appropriate field in the database record in response to a ussr
command to tune to or order a program bQfore carrying out the
tuning or ordering function. Additionally, the lockout code also
hay be used to restrict access to program schedule information.
In this instance, the microcontroller also would check the
appropriate field in the schedule information database record
before displaying schedule information for a program.
If the movie rating, parental guidance or channel
{dentifier in the program schedule information database record
matches any one of the locked-out entries indicated in the Lockout
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
42
screen 250, a Lockout Verify screen 300 is displayed in overlaying
relationship with the video siqnal then being displayed on the
television receiver, as shown in Fig. 41. The user vill be
prompted to enter the previously set lockout code before the
system takes any further action. As an added security neasurs,
asterisZ:s will be displayed as the user enters the lockout code.
If the entered code matches the lockout code previously entered
and stored by the user as described above, the system will ctirry
out the user request to tune to or order the program, or to
display its corresponding schedule information. If the code is
not recognized by the system, no further action will be taken and
the user's request vill be denied. In this case, the Lockout
Verify screen 300 will remain displayed on the television receiver
waiting for a correct code to be entered. T_f no action is taken
by the user, the Lockout Verify screen 300 will be removed after
a predetermined time-out period, such as one or two minutes.
Similarly, in the case of lockout by title, the
microcontroller also could,check the title field _n the schedule
inf ormation database record and compare it with the list of
proqram titlPs for which the user previously set a lock. If, as
described above, the microcontroller does not maintain a list ot
the actual titles of programs locked by title, a suitable
identifier can t-e sYt in a field in the database record to
indicate that a progran has been locked by title when the user
first sets the lock, and, thereafter, the microcontroller could
check that field in response to a user request to tuns to ::r order
a program, or dis+.play schedule information.
An alternative method for effecting lockout involves the
use of a pcrtion of the real-time program sicpi ai being received by
the television receiver. With this aethod, codes corresponding to
a oroqram's rat:ng, parental guidance category, tftle or channel
are inserted into and transmitted along with the program signal,
such as in the vertichl or horizontal blanking intervals, or on
raster scan lines that ara not visible on the televisicn receiver.
:5 When the program signal is received, these codes are stripped from
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
43
the p_ ogram signal and stored in memory. Methods and apparatus
for the insertion transmission and reception of digital code-s
carried oa a program signal are known in the art.
After the transmitted codes have been separated from the
program signal and stored in memory, the microcontroller can
coapare them with the lockout criteria set by the aser in the
Lockout screen and take appropriate action, as described above..
The Setup screen 260 shown in Fig. 40 also contains a
P.irchase Code category 270, which allows the user to set a numeric
i0 purchase code that must be entered before any premium channels or
pay-per-view programs can be ordered. The Setup screen 260 s'_:ovr_
in Fig. 40 includes entries for setting a new purchase code and
for clearing or changing a previously set password. k;propriate
menus for setting, confirming, clearing or changing the p-archase
code are shovn in Figs. 403 through 40E. ance_a user sats a
p=.srchase code, the microcontroller thereafter will display a
Purchase Code Verify screen in response to a user request to tune
to or order a premium 'services channel or pay-per-view prograw.
The P=,7rchase Code Verify screen works in a manner similar to the
Lcckout Verify screen 300 in that the user is prompted to enter
the previously set purchasa code password before the
microcontroller will tune to or order the requested pregram. If
the correct purchase code is not entered, the microcontroller wi12
ta.ke no further action and the Pur.chase Code Verify screer, vili
remain displayed waiting for input of the correct code. if no
action is taken within a prcdeternnined time-out period, the
F~u.rchase Code Verify screen will be removed.
The next ortion 3howz in Fig. 7 is the Channe2
?referenc3 or "Pzvor;te Channel" list option 71. By highlighting
this icon and depreasir,g the EvTER key on the ter,o;.e controller
40, t.`ie user is presented with a submenu on the screen such as
that showr, in Fig. s.
in nor-.~al operation, the progran guide system presents
channels to the user in numericn! order in response to an up or
de=.rn change-channel cos.mar.d issued by the user using ona cf the
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
44
direction arrow_keys on the remote controller. The channel number
presentation sequence includes all char.nels offered by the cable
company in the order of which they are modulated onto the channel
by the operator.
The program guide system also provides the capability of
selecting from among several user-defined channel presentation
sequences, which are activated using one of the three "check mark"
icon keys 48A, 48B or 48C on the rewote controller 40 shown in
Fig. 4. Each of these keys represents a preferred partiLmalar list
of char.nels which a particular user selects and which the
microcontroller stores in memory as a "Channel Preference" list,
as discnssed in detail below. To activate ona of these pre;erred
channel lists, the user depresses the corresponding check-mark
icon key, in which case the microcontroller may display t-he chosen
?5 icon on the screen in the graphic overlays and full screen
displays to resaind the user that a particular channel praference
list is being used by the system. Once a preference list is
activated, the system will limit the tuning of the television
receivar and the display of schedule information only to those
channels that are dezignated in the activated viewer preference
liat.
To ravise the content and/or segLential order of the
channels in the Channel Preference list, the user enters the MENU
mode of the pLogrsmming guide system. To entAr the MENU mode from
the iZZP mode, the user twice depresses the MODE key 38 when using
the remote controller : of Fig. 3. To enter the MENU mode when
uaing the alternative cmbodiment of the remote controller 40 of
Fig. 4, the user simply depresses the MENU icon key 47B.
Nhen first entered, the IdE.*rJ mode has a screen display
3n ,;uch as eho'=m in Fig. 6. To select the submenu for editing the
C.hannel Preference list, the user first selects the third
horitoZt3l bar 63, which can be titled, for example, "Messages" or
Customer Service," by ma:iipulating the cursor using the down
direction arrow key, as shoFn in Fig. 7. The screen of Fig. 6A is
thereby displayed. The user then selects the second icon 161
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
appearing in that bar, indicated with a check mark, vhich
corresponds to a "Viewer Preference" mode, by highligthting tha
icon using the direction arrow keys and again depressing the EN'i'm
key..'This action will cauFe the microcontroller 16 to display a
5 Viewer Preference submenu such as that shown in Fig. 7. By
selecting the Channel Preference or "Favorite Channel" entry 71,
the user enters the Channel Preference submenu, shown in Fig. a.
If the, user has not already done so, he would then depress the
particular check-mark icon key on the remote control'-er 40 of
10 Fig.4 to create or revise the particular channel preference list.
in the Channel Preference menu shown in Fig. 8, a list
8J of all channels available on the particular cable system is
disnlayed on the left side of the television receiver screen,-
Iab_led "Choicas" in Fig. 8, and the viewer's preferred list 81,
15 designated "Selected" in Fig. 8, :.s displayed on the right s=de.
If a particuiar code, sucr, as an END or "-1" symbol appears in the
first (::ppermost) position 82 of the viewer preference list E1,
the system displays information for all channels in numerical
order in=all mcdes of operation. This is the default mode of the
20 system.
By selecting channels in sQq~sence from '.:he available
list 80 and placing them in the desired order in the proference
list 31, the user can select a subset of channels and/or rearranae
the default sequence in response to a channel up or channel down
25 coamand from t2he user. This is accompl=shed by highlighting a
channel in the available list 80 using the up and down d+rection
arrow keys on t2:e remote controller 40 and depressing the M:i'ER
key 44, which stores the entry temporarily in a buffer.
The nicrocontroller 16 stores a list of all channels
30 previously entered in the viewer prefzrence list 81. As a
parcicular channel is highlighted by the user when navigating
through the available channel list 80 displayed on the left side
of the television screen, a windov 84 appears adjacent to the
particular channel highlighted by the user. It the partict:lar
35 channel already appears in the viever preference list 31, tha
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
46
system displays a"LELETE" nessage in the window 84 as a reminder
that the channel was previously selected from the available
channel list 80 and can only be deleted froa the list 81, which is
accomplished by depressing the MZTER key 44. If the particular
highlighted channel in the list 80 was not previously selected,
the system di$plays a "SELECT" message in the window 84 as a
reminder that the particular channel will be selected for addition
to the viewer preference list 81 if the user depresses the E1TER
key 44. The micrecontroller 16 inserts a selected chaninel at the
bottom of the list 81. In this manner, the user can select cr
delete channels from the viewer preference list in any desired
order.
The available channel list 80 may also be provided with
categorical entries 83, such as movies, news, sports or children's
shows. The user may also highlight any of these entries and put
theW into the viewer preference list 81. If the user does ia.clude
a category in his viewer preference list 81, when tha user issues
channel up or down commands, the system will display, in sequence,
first the user's selected preferred channels in nu3erical order
and then all channels having a program whose content corresponds
to the selected category or categories at the time.
once the user has revised the channal preference list 81
in the described manner, the microcontroller 16 will follow the
stored user-specified channel s3quence in response to a change-
channel command mada by the us2r employing one of the direction
arrow keys. To activate the viever preference list, the user
depresses one of the three check-mark icon keys 48a, 48P or 48C on
'~~s top of the remote controller shovn in Fig. 4. The viewer
preference list can be used to selectively limit tuning of tY_e
.30 television recei-jer or display cf schedule information in any of
the operating modes of the electronic program guidc. In the
present embodiment, once a preference list is activated, the
mystem will limit the tuning o= the television receiver and the
display of schedule information in the FLIP, and BROWSE modes, as
well as :.n the grid category and channel listings in the liLNU
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
47
mode, only to those channels designated in the activated viewer
preference list. The tuner can not be tuned to, and no
corresponding schedule information can be displayed for, any
channel not entered in t1he viewer preference list vhen it is
activated. In this regard, it should be noted that setting a key
lock access in the Parental Guidance 301, MPAA 308 or Channel
Block 303 categories produces a different result than, when using
other display criteria, such as the Cha.-inel Preferer.ce List of
preferred channels discussed above. Thus, while a key lock access
will prevent audio and video program information, but not schedule
information, from being displayed or ordered absent entry of an
authorization code, if a particular channel is included in the
Channel Preference list and also has a key lock access activated
in the rhannel Block category 303 of the Key Lock Access mode,
that ch:n:uzel or its corresponding schedule informatior, will not be
displayed at any time. -
Tc deactivate a previously selected_viewer preference
list, the user toggles the appropriate check-mark icon key on the
remote.ccntroller 40 of Fig. 4. Once deactivated, the system
defaults to displaying and tuning all available channels, as well
as displaying schedule information for all available channels.
Alternatively, the viewer preference list ei, if
activated, can be used to control tuning P-nd display of schedule
information only in selected modes, such as only in the FLIP mode,
thL:s allowing the user to tune and view correspondir-g schedule
information only for those channels entered in the preference list
81 i-n the FLIP mode, while viewing all channels and corresponding
schedule information in all other modes.
in this latter configuration, as well as in the instance
where no channel preference list is activated and the syate2a is in
default mode, if a channel appears in the vidver preference list
81 that corresponds to a service not subscribed to by the user,
the microcontroller '16 causes an ordering submenu to appear
instead of displaying a program sic,nal alor.g with the sraphic
overlay, as sho=an in Fig. 9. Tiiis siibmenu indicates to t%:a user
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
48
that he does riot currently subscribe to the selected service, and
then asks the user if he would like to order the service. If the
user responds affirmatively, the program schedule system takes the
user to another ordering submenu to confirm the user's request, as
with impulse ordering.
The program guide also nay be configured with a Locator
scree*- 201, as shown in Fig. 37, which aids the viewer in channel
selection and definition of a favorite channel list. The Locator
screen 201 displays all available channel nuir,bers grouped
according to the source of the program information appearing on
any particular channel at any particular time, e.g., broadcast,
cablecast, pay-per-view, near video on denand, satellite, or other
source of program material. Thus, the I,ocatar screen 201 can be
used to locata any part..cular channel or service because the
groupings provide a guick and efficient method for scrolling
t.hrough the list of available char_nels. The cha_*inel nu=bers also
siay be grouped according to other criteria-, such as zrcgram
category, program content, program rating or other content-based
standard, time of availability, numerical order, or othrs logical
grouping.
Iz the exr.mple shown in Fig. 37, the user navigates
within the Locator scrsen 201 using the direction keys 43A and 43B
on the remote controller 40. The right and left direction keys
43B -move the selection cursor within the category r_vs, vhile ;:he
up and down direction keys 43A a_Te used to select a particular
catagoz-y. From the Locdtor screen 201, any parti cular channel can
ne selacted fcr viewing by positioning the selection :.irsor on the
desired channel and depress:ng Either the enter key 44 or ar.
optional tune key (nijt shown) on the remote controller 40.
in addition to aiding in channe1 selecticn, the 34cator
screen 201 also provides the user -vith the ability to convenient?y
define Savorita channe? lists. To do so, the user first soves the
ssl6ction c-.L sor to the desired channel bv using the direc=ion
keys 431. and 43B or numer_; digit keys 42 on the remote controller
40, and then depresses a f,,.vorita channel k2y 46A provided on the
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
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remote controller 40, which causes the display to change in some
manner or characteristic as an indication that the channel has
bean selected as a favorite channel, such as by changing the color
of the channel identification text or the text background, by
displaying an appropriate icon or by some other appropriate
identification scheme. In the remote controller 40 shown in Fig.
4, the pound key "I" can function as the favorite channel key. -
Also, if multiple favorite channel lists are being used,
the user would depress the appropriate favorite channel key on the
remote controller to select a particular list before depressing
the favorite channel key. For example, as discussed above, the
remote controller 40 shown in Fig. 4, has three color-coded check-
rsark favorite channel keys 48A, 48B and 48C, which provide for at
least three individual favorite channei lists for th...-ee individual
users. Different identification characteristica: could be
displayed on the Locator screen 201 to indicate that a particular
favorite channel list is selected. For example, the :caa or image
used to enable a favorite channel list on the re3ote: controller,
such as the check mark key 48A used on the remote controller 40
shown in Fig. 4, could be displayed or, the Locator screen 201, as
well as other screens of the program guide, when a favorite
channel list is enabled. A.2ternatively, the color of the
displayed text or backcrround could be changed to match the color
of the selected favorite channel key.
The Locator screen 201 aay re zccessed via several
paths. For example, it may be included as a virtual chanr.el that
is conveniently positioned in the channel-tuni:.g sequence, such as
?-etween the highest and lowest available channel numbers -- for
examp2e, a virtuai channel 0. To the user, such a virtua: channel
agpears to be a conventional channel. However, it requires no
additional bandwidth as a carrier. For example, it can be
digitally produced at the subscriber station or included in an
appropriate blar.king interval in existing bandwidth frequencies.
In this manner, the virtual channel is accAssib?e eithsr by
entering the corresponding channel number usinq :ae numeric digit
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
keys 42 on the remote controller, or by using the up and down
direction keys 43A to wrap around from thc3 highest to the lowest
channel number, or vice versa. As shown in Fig. 38, it also v_ay
be desirable to provide a suitable identifier, such as an icon or
5 text message 210, in the MAIN KENII display 215, from which the
user could access the Locator s^reer, 201 simply by highlighting
the identifier 210 with the selection cursor and depressing the
enter key 44-on the remote controller 40. Alternatively, the
remote controller may be provided with a key correspending to the
10 Locator screen 201 which would cause the nicrocontroller to
display the Locator screen 201 when the L?ser depressed it.
In addition to Channel Preferencz or Favorite Channel
keys, the remote controller 40 can also be supplied with a nu-mber
of user-activated ca.tegorv preference icon keys, e.g., =ovies,
15 sports, or chiidren's program-ing. The system can be adepted to
present to the user only those programs meeting particu'_ar
preference category when it is activated by the user. As witn 'G'ie
Channel' Preference icons, the microcontroller may display the '_con
corresponding to the activated preference category to resijtd the
20 user of the currently activated mode of system operatien.
The question mark icon 162 at the far right of the t;,ird
borixontal bar in the menu of Fig. 16 idantifies a program guide
system "Help" mode in which infcraation explaining the opera_ion
of the system is displayed for the user. Again, by mar,ipulatiyg
25 the cursor using the appropriate keys on the remote controller,
the user can select this mode. encz selected, the next submenu
appearing in the Help mode asks the user to ider.tify the
particular portion of the system about which the user would like
to view Help insormation.
30 The icons appearir.g in tr*ie last horizontal bar cf the
2ia.^J moc]e ider.tif r=ertain interactive a:,d/o_ other types of
info--mation services which the progr::rW.ir.g system, acting as a
gateway, makes available to the user as shown in rig. 17. By
manipulating the cursor, the user can select any on0 of the
35 identified services, as shown in Figs. 31-35.
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
51
For example, if the user initially selects the "XtPRESS"
icon appearing in the last horizontal bar, he is presented with a
su..'-ae,.nu such as that shown in Fig. 31. Using the direction arrow
and enter keys on the renote cor.troliEr, the user selects one of
the three entries appearing in the display of Fig. 31. Once a
particular entry is selected, the electronic program guide
connects the user to the selected service and passes control to
the particular service application software, as sho-.m in Figs. 32-
35. _
1c Alternatively, the remote controller 40 can be supplied
with a plurality of contenL-specific keys corresponding to a
plurality of content-specific categories of programmir.g, -2.g., a
Sacrts key, News key, Movie key, etc. When the user depresses 3.
contant-specific key, a content-specific mode is initiated. In
Fig. 4, the ramote controller is equipped with a Sports key 49.
If the user depresses the Sports key 49, the microcontroller will
limit the 3isplay of programs and/or procram schedule information
to thdse that are sports-related. iae microcontrolier will block
all other rrogra=ing cr schedule information from appearing on
the television receiver. The mierocontroiler can be adapted to
distinguisa programs and schedule informatlon that are sports-
-related by examir.i-ig an appropriate code associated with the
progra.m or schedule information.
As discussed above, coding can be accomplished using any
number of inet2:od_ _ such as by includir:g an appropriate code in the
vertical bianking interval of the program signa'_, cr in aa
appropriate memory location in the database record of the prcgra.n
s_hedule information, or if the sc..,edule information j.s being
received on a broadband network, by including it in an appropriate
blan3:ing interval. The user activates a eontant-spEcific mode by
depressing the appropriate content-specific key in any code of
operation of the electronic pro3*3rreing guide, including tce
aforede:,cribFd FLIP, BROWSE or MAIN YENU mode:., as well as when no
schedule information i' being displayed and only d program signal
is visible on the television receiver. Once a content-specitic
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
52
mode is requested by the user, the mi.crocon:roller immediatsly and
directly enables the content-specific programming criteria, and
maintains it for all operating modes of the guide until disabled,
which can be accomplished, for example, by toggling the Sports key
49.
Instead of a dedicated cantent-specific key, such as
Sports key 49, the system nay be configured with a single, generic
content-specific key, which, when activated, would cause the
microcontroller to display a content-specific menu containing a
list of all content-specific categories available to the user.
The user then could highlight a particular ' category by
manipulating the selection cursor using the direction arrow keys
on the. remote controller and select it by depressing the ENTER or
OK key 44. As an alternative to using a content-specific key on
the remote controller, access to the content-specific menu can be
effected by providing an appropriate identifier in another menu
screen of the electronic guide, such as in the LOCATOR, SETUP or
HFIN .NZNU screer.s.
3n addition to blocking all non-selected content-
specific programming when a particular content-specific category
has been selectea, the micr_=antroller can be -ogrammed to enabla
all added-value programming or services t*!at are specially related
ti the selected content-specific category. For example, i f the
user activates a Sports content-specific mode, the
microcontroller, in addition to allowing only sports programming
or schedule information related to sports programming to be
displayed, will proactively seek out and enable all sports related
added-value services, such as related trivia or video qames,
up-to-date scores while a game is in prog--ess, team schedules,
replays of prior games of the selacted teams or players, ticket or
souvenir purchasing, etc. Thus, tze information available from
the programming or service can be integrated into the environment
of the electronic program guide. Rather than simply passing
ccritrol to another service as described above, in this manner the
electronic program guide would fune_ion as a system integrator or
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
53
interface to combine the available added-value information into a
packacre within the electronic guide enviranment, thus essentially
creating a series of modular electronic program applications
corresponding to a variety of available content-specific
categories.
The Setup screen shown in rig. 40 also includes a Text
Location category 275, which contains the textual entries "Bottom
of :.::reen" and "Top of Screen." By ^_avigating to the Text
Location category=275 using the up and do=.n direction keys 43A on
the remote controller 40, and to either the "Top" or "Bottom"
entries in that category using the left znd right direction keys
43B on the remote controller, and then depressing the enter or
select key 44, the user can control the position of the overlay
windows used to display information .in various operating modes of
the electronic prno=ram guide. The Se-_Sp screen of Fig. 40
provides the user with two positicnal choices: the ton or bottcm
of the screen. Depending on the modes of operation of the program
guide, it may be desirable to provid-e the user with more
positional choices in viewing area of tY.e -television receiver, or
to provide the user with the ability to choose a different
position for information displayed different operating modes.
One of the novel features of the disclosed invention is
the taxtfit rvr,ta=. The preferred embodi:.er.t of the text fit
system includes an interactive co:nFu=a:, program used to edit the
program listings data before it iz tr ans-..itted to tha user and
stored in memory. The inzeractive syste= operates as follows:
unedited (or prYtially edited) program listings information is
loaded into data a processor. The data i.ncludes program titles,
program achedule times, duration, categori, as well as additional
descriptive information dependent on the type of program. For
example, for movies the data inc:udes t: e K2AA rating, year cf the
movie, whether it is in black ar:d white, and a list of sta-.-ring
actors and actresses.
The data processor extracts on:.f the program title data
which includes television program titles as well as movie ti*_les,
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
54
sporting events and titles for other special events. Based on the
duration of the program, the data processor first analyzes the
listings data to determine what grid size listings are neaded for
each title. Thus, a two hour movie 'could require four different -~,
edited titles to fit into each of the four different size grid
cells (30, 60, 90, 120 minutes). The data ptocessor then
determines how much space is required to display the title based
on its character length; If the title is to be displayed in the
program schedule grid using a proportional font and character to
character kerning, the data processor may also account for these
factors in determining the space required to display a title. The
determination would than be based on the number r-f pixels required
for the particular combination of characters in the title. The amount of space
available for display of a title depends on the
size of the grid cell and the space required for display of icons,
when activated.'
If the data processor determines that a full title
requires too much space to fit into one or more grid cells, the
title is then presented to the editor using a suitable display
device connected to the data processor, such as a CRT. The editor
is then queried to alter the title so that it will fit in the
allotted space. If the title must be edited for aore than one
cell size, the cditor is queried to edit each of these separately.
In the preferred embodiment of the interactive program, the editor
is shown in real time whether the edited title will fit in the
designated grid cell.
In the preferred embodiment, two lines of text are
displayed in each grid cell of the program listings. The title,
as edited, appears on the first line, and if necessary, continues
onto the second line. The decision to wrap-around to the second
line is based on whether natural breaks exist in the title such as
spaces between words, commas, periods, hyphens, etc. These are
standard techniques used in word processing software routines.
The editor may also be quer=ed to edit a title in the situation
where the full title will fit on the allotted two lines, but a
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
hyphen is required because there are no natural breaks in the
title.
Prior to querying the Bditor to shorten a title, the
data processor compares the title with a stored library of
5 shortened titles to determine if the title had previously been
shortened while editing another listings database. Each time
changes are made by the editor to a title, the shortened title is
added to the library. It is apparent that this process of
building a library of shortened titles greatly reduces the mar.aal
10 input required.
A flow chart illustrating the process by which the text
fit system operates is shown in Fig. 42. The chart illustrates
the operation of editing a listing for display in a program grid
-for a single platform, hut operation is the same for all
15 platforms.
Text editing may be necessary in other situations
besides that where multiple size grid cells are used -for display
of the same title. For example, the disclosed program guide nay
run on several different platforms, with each one having different
20 constrai.^.ts and grid cell space availability. some may not
display the text in proportional fonts dnd some may have other
limitations reducing the available spp.ce. Thus, in the preferred
embo3iment the interactive progral would request edits for all
platforms for which they requir=d at the same time. In additior-
25 editing of text may be retp:ired for display modes other than a
grid of program listin,s. For example, in the "Listings by
Channel" display of rig. 20, prcgrams are listed on an entire,
fixed-length li.r.e, but the length of the line may vary from
platform to 1i.atform, so that the text fit system may be employed
.30 for the purpose of editing listings for the different platforms in
this display mode as well. The space ava{lable for ths display of
text will also depend on how much space is reserved for icon
display. The same process as that shown in fig. 42 would apply,
except that there would be no need to determine what grid sizes
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
56
are needed because a fixed length line is used for display rather
than multiple sized grid cells.
It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that
the disclosed text fit system has applications beyond that of
title editing alone. The system may be easily aodified to provide
editing of messages, "i" screen storylines, pay-per-view
promotional copy, and Eimilar text messages so t.hat they will fit
into t'ae desig-.: ced space available Zor display of the text. In
fact, the system may be used to edit any text for display in the
disclosed program schedu'Le system.
The computer program for the microcontroller 16 may also
include a schadule for the display of varying background views
upon which the procjtam schedule information is overlaid either
partially or in a full screen display. The background views may
be stored as bit maps in memory or in another stc=aga medium, such
aa an optical sLorage device. For example, the micracontroller 16
may be proyranmed to issue a command to the VDG every morning at
6:00 AM to display a sunrise in the backcround. The background
may then be changed accordingly throughout the day to, for
example, a blue sky or a nighttime view. It also may vary, e.g.,
by time of day, day of week, month, year or season. The mood
background also could change depending on the particular category
of programming that the user is watching or to which selected
schcdule information pertains. The mood background also may be
adapted to display scenes that reflect the particular viewing area
in which the user is situated, like the Rocky Mountains, or Mt.
Rainier, etc. It also may bt possible to display standard scenes,
=_icn as an ocean or forest scana. Moreover, the audio background
also coul4 he adjusted to relata to the particular mood background
then being displayad= In addition, different background views may
be used for holidays and spec?rl events, such as Christmas, Fourth
of July, Suparbcwl Sunday, etc. The purpose of the background
views is to hela ease the monotony of viewing program listings.
The micrccontroller 16 could be adapted autoriatically to
coordinate the display of tha mood background. The user also
CA 02662689 2009-04-23
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could be given the ability to choose from among various mood
background displays by adapting the microcontroller to display ar.
appropriate mood option menu that lists the mood background options available
to the user and allows the iuser to select one or
aore by manipulating the selection cltrsor. Access to such a mood
option manu could, be achieved by supplying an appropriate
identif ier, textual or visual, in an appropriate menu of the
system, stich as the LOCATOR or SETUP screen.
Additionally, the electroZic program guide cou~d ~e
configured to store a uniqvie digital identifier for each prog-r-all
along wi=.h its schedule information and later use the identifier -
- e_g., by transmitting it -- to indicate to a recording or
storage device, sucY, as a video recorder, that the user wishes to
record the program. The program cuide could also use the
identifier to automatically control operation of the video
recorder. The electronic program guide could also ne canfigured
to use other stored schedule infcrmation for this purpose.
The form and content of a particular computer proqr3m to
implement the invention disclosEd herein will be readily apparent
to those skilled in the art of video system proqramning and
graphic display. A flow chart showing the operation logic of the
system is shown in Fig. 36. It will also be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that there can be departure from the specific
embodiment of the invention described Y:erein without departing
from the trti:n sccpe of the claims appended hereto.
