TV side bar user interface

• US 10,200,761 B1
• Filed: 05/01/2014
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Christie, Gregory N., Sabatelli, Alessandro, Bachman, William M., Chaudhri, Imran, Robbin, Jeffrey, Young, Jim, Howard, Joe, Van Os, Marcel, Coffman, Patrick L., Lemay, Stephen O., Ma, Jeffrey, Kress, Lynne
• Primary Examiner(s): Saltarelli, Dominic D
• Application Number:
  US14/267,671
• Time in Patent Office: 1,741 Days
• Field of Search: 725 37- 61
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72

Abstract

Systems and methods for a media content user interface. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. Subscribers are provided a user interface to the system that includes a side bar. The side bar includes multiple elements representing different categories of video content. By selecting a given category, available content is filtered according to the selected category and presented. Content which is presented may include live broadcast video for multiple channels on multiple television networks or other content providers. The side bar may further include a collection category specific to a given viewer. Selection of such a category may display video content within the collection. Subcategories in the side bar may be selected for further filtering of available content.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising program instructions executable to:

display video content on a display device;

display a sidebar that overlays a portion of the video content, the sidebar comprising a plurality of selectable elements each of which corresponds to a different category of video content;

detect user input from a viewer selecting a first element of said elements; and

responsive to detecting said input, display a plurality of representations corresponding to a category represented by the first element, the plurality of representations corresponding to content from multiple channels on multiple television networks;

wherein;

a first plurality of representations of the plurality of representations corresponds to live broadcast content currently accessible on the electronic device from a first set of channels on a first set of television networks;

a second plurality of representations of the plurality of representations corresponds to on-demand content currently accessible on the electronic device from a second set of channels on a second set of television networks; and

the first plurality of representations corresponding to live broadcast content is arranged in a first row in a region of the display device separate from the second plurality of representations corresponding to on-demand content.

2. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the program instructions are further executable to present audio for a particular content item responsive to a representation corresponding to the particular content item having a current focus.

3. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein said sidebar selectable element categories include sports content, recommended content, and content the viewer has identified as corresponding to a given collection, including purchased or rented content.

4. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 3, wherein the sidebar further includes selectable subcategories for the given collection, and wherein responsive to selecting a given subcategory, content displayed within the given collection is filtered according to the given subcategory.

5. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the display device comprises at least one of a television, a phone, a tablet computer, a portable gaming device, a wearable portable device, a display device in a motor vehicle, or a remote control.

6. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein each representation of the plurality of representations is accompanied by a description of content being displayed by the corresponding representation.

7. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

detect selection of one of a given representation of said plurality of representations; and

responsive to detecting said selection, display a landing page dedicated to content associated with the given content item corresponding to the given representation.

8. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 7, wherein said landing page provides access to additional content related to the content item corresponding to the given representation, said additional content including access to multiple seasons and episodes of a television series.

9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 7, wherein said landing page provides access to additional content related to the content item corresponding to the given representation, said additional content including access to multiple games for a sports team.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 7, wherein said landing page provides access to additional content representing selected portions of larger video content related to the content item corresponding to the given representation, said selected portions having been identified through crowdsourcing.

11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of representations correspond to recommended content items.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 11, wherein each of the corresponding recommended content items includes an indication if the recommended content item requires a subscription.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

responsive to detecting the viewer has selected to subscribe to a given content item, initiate a transaction between a primary provider and a secondary provider regarding a new subscription selected for purchase by the viewer without need for additional involvement on the part of the viewer.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of representations are associated with programs for which the viewer does not have a valid subscription, and the program instructions are further executable to display an indicator that the viewer does not have a valid subscription to view the programs.

15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the program instructions are further executable to stop displaying the sidebar responsive to detecting a timeout condition.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

determine that video content corresponding to the category represented by the first element includes spoiler elements; and

prevent the display of the video content responsive to the determination.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 16, wherein determining that video content includes spoiler elements includes determining that the viewer has yet to watch a given sports event, and preventing the display of the video content includes preventing the display of a score of the given sports event.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements includes a friends element, and the program instructions are further executable to, responsive to selection of the friends element, display elements corresponding to other viewers the viewer has identified as friends.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the on-demand content comprises movies.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the on-demand content comprises television shows.

21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the first plurality of representations and the second plurality of representations correspond to a plurality of content items including:

a first content item accessible on the electronic device via a first subscription with a first content provider, the first content item included in the category represented by the first element due to a prior user input of a first type with respect to the first content item; and

a second content item accessible on the electronic device via a second subscription with a second content provider, the second content item included in the category represented by the first element due to a prior user input of a second type, different from the first type, with respect to the second content item.

22. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

while displaying the plurality of representations, wherein a first representation of the plurality of representations corresponding to a first content item has a current focus, display the plurality of representations overlaid over first representative content of the first content item;

while displaying the plurality of representations overlaid over the first representative content, detect a user input moving the current focus from the first representation to a second representation of the plurality of representations corresponding to a second content item; and

responsive to detecting the user input moving the current focus from the first representation to the second representation, replace the first representative content with second representative content of the second content item such that the plurality of representations are overlaid over the second representative content.

23. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the second plurality of representations corresponding to on-demand content is displayed in a second row, different than the first row.

24. A receiver for use in a television system, the receiver comprising:

a first interface configured to receive a signal comprising video content; and

circuitry configured to;

display video content on a display device;

display a sidebar that overlays a portion of the video content, the sidebar comprising a plurality of selectable elements each of which corresponds to a different category of video content;

detect user input from a viewer selecting a first element of said elements; and

responsive to detecting said input, display a plurality of representations corresponding to a category represented by the first element, the plurality of representations corresponding to content from multiple channels on multiple television networks;

wherein;

a first plurality of representations of the plurality of representations corresponds to live broadcast content currently accessible on the electronic device from a first set of channels on a first set of television networks;

a second plurality of representations of the plurality of representations corresponds to on-demand content currently accessible on the electronic device from a second set of channels on a second set of television networks; and

the first plurality of representations corresponding to live broadcast content is arranged in a row in a region of the display device separate from the second plurality of representations corresponding to on-demand content.

25. The receiver of claim 24, wherein the first plurality of representations and the second plurality of representations correspond to a plurality of content items including:

a first content item accessible on the electronic device via a first subscription with a first content provider, the first content item included in the category represented by the first element due to a prior user input of a first type with respect to the first content item; and

a second content item accessible on the electronic device via a second subscription with a second content provider, the second content item included in the category represented by the first element due to a prior user input of a second type, different from the first type, with respect to the second content item.

26. The receiver of claim 24, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:

while displaying the plurality of representations, wherein a first representation of the plurality of representations corresponding to a first content item has a current focus, display the plurality of representations overlaid over first representative content of the first content item;

while displaying the plurality of representations overlaid over the first representative content, detect a user input moving the current focus from the first representation to a second representation of the plurality of representations corresponding to a second content item; and

responsive to detecting the user input moving the current focus from the first representation to the second representation, replace the first representative content with second representative content of the second content item such that the plurality of representations are overlaid over the second representative content.

27. The receiver of claim 24, wherein the second plurality of representations corresponding to on-demand content is displayed in a second row, different than the first row.

28. The receiver of claim 24, wherein the circuitry is further configured to present audio for a particular content item responsive to a representation corresponding to the particular content item having a current focus.

29. The receiver of claim 24, wherein said sidebar selectable element categories include sports content, recommended content, and content the viewer has identified as corresponding to a given collection, including purchased or rented content.

30. The receiver of claim 29, wherein the sidebar further includes selectable subcategories for the given collection, and wherein responsive to selecting a given subcategory, content displayed within the given collection is filtered according to the given subcategory.

31. The receiver of claim 24, wherein the display device comprises at least one of a television, a phone, a tablet computer, a portable gaming device, a wearable portable device, a display device in a motor vehicle, or a remote control.

32. The receiver of claim 24, wherein each representation of the plurality of representations is accompanied by a description of content being displayed by the corresponding representation.

33. The receiver of claim 24, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:

detect selection of one of a given representation of said plurality of representations; and

responsive to detecting said selection, display a landing page dedicated to content associated with the given content item corresponding to the given representation.

34. The receiver of claim 33, wherein said landing page provides access to additional content related to the content item corresponding to the given representation, said additional content including access to multiple seasons and episodes of a television series.

35. The receiver of claim 33, wherein said landing page provides access to additional content related to the content item corresponding to the given representation, said additional content including access to multiple games for a sports team.

36. The receiver of claim 33, wherein said landing page provides access to additional content representing selected portions of larger video content related to the content item corresponding to the given representation, said selected portions having been identified through crowdsourcing.

37. The receiver of claim 24, wherein one or more of the plurality of representations correspond to recommended content items.

38. The receiver of claim 37, wherein each of the corresponding recommended content items includes an indication if the recommended content item requires a subscription.

39. The receiver of claim 24, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:

responsive to detecting the viewer has selected to subscribe to a given content item, initiate a transaction between a primary provider and a secondary provider regarding a new subscription selected for purchase by the viewer without need for additional involvement on the part of the viewer.

40. The receiver of claim 24, wherein one or more of the plurality of representations are associated with programs for which the viewer does not have a valid subscription, and the program instructions are further executable to display an indicator that the viewer does not have a valid subscription to view the programs.

41. The receiver of claim 24, wherein the circuitry is further configured to stop displaying the sidebar responsive to detecting a timeout condition.

42. The receiver of claim 24, wherein the circuitry is further configured to:

determine that video content corresponding to the category represented by the first element includes spoiler elements; and

prevent the display of the video content responsive to the determination.

43. The receiver of claim 42, wherein determining that video content includes spoiler elements includes determining that the viewer has yet to watch a given sports event, and preventing the display of the video content includes preventing the display of a score of the given sports event.

44. The receiver of claim 24, wherein the plurality of elements includes a friends element, and the program instructions are further executable to, responsive to selection of the friends element, display elements corresponding to other viewers the viewer has identified as friends.

45. A method comprising:

displaying video content on a display device;

displaying a sidebar that overlays a portion of the video content, the sidebar comprising a plurality of selectable elements each of which corresponds to a different category of video content;

detecting user input from a viewer selecting a first element of said elements; and

responsive to detecting said input, displaying a plurality of representations corresponding to a category represented by the first element, the plurality of representations corresponding to content from multiple channels on multiple television networks;

wherein;

a first plurality of representations of the plurality of representations corresponds to live broadcast content currently accessible on the electronic device from a first set of channels on a first set of television networks;

a second plurality of representations of the plurality of representations of the plurality of representations corresponds to on-demand content currently accessible on the electronic device from a second set of channels on a second set of television networks; and

the first plurality of representations corresponding to live broadcast content is arranged in a row in a region of the display device separate from the second plurality of representations corresponding to on-demand content.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the first plurality of representations and the second plurality of representations correspond to a plurality of content items including:

a first content item accessible on the electronic device via a first subscription with a first content provider, the first content item included in the category represented by the first element due to a prior user input of a first type with respect to the first content item; and

a second content item accessible on the electronic device via a second subscription with a second content provider, the second content item included in the category represented by the first element due to a prior user input of a second type, different from the first type, with respect to the second content item.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

while displaying the plurality of representations, wherein a first representation of the plurality of representations corresponding to a first content item has a current focus, display the plurality of representations overlaid over first representative content of the first content item;

while displaying the plurality of representations overlaid over the first representative content, detect a user input moving the current focus from the first representation to a second representation of the plurality of representations corresponding to a second content item; and

responsive to detecting the user input moving the current focus from the first representation to the second representation, replace the first representative content with second representative content of the second content item such that the plurality of representations are overlaid over the second representative content.

48. The method of claim 45, wherein the second plurality of representations corresponding to on-demand content is displayed in a second row, different than the first row.

49. The method of claim 45, further comprising presenting audio for a particular content item responsive to a representation corresponding to the particular content item having a current focus.

50. The method of claim 45, wherein said sidebar selectable element categories include sports content, recommended content, and content the viewer has identified as corresponding to a given collection, including purchased or rented content.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the sidebar further includes selectable subcategories for the given collection, and wherein responsive to selecting a given subcategory, content displayed within the given collection is filtered according to the given subcategory.

52. The method of claim 45, wherein the display device comprises at least one of a television, a phone, a tablet computer, a portable gaming device, a wearable portable device, a display device in a motor vehicle, or a remote control.

53. The method of claim 45, wherein each representation of the plurality of representations is accompanied by a description of content being displayed by the corresponding representation.

54. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

detecting selection of one of a given representation of said plurality of representations; and

responsive to detecting said selection, displaying a landing page dedicated to content associated with the given content item corresponding to the given representation.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein said landing page provides access to additional content related to the content item corresponding to the given representation, said additional content including access to multiple seasons and episodes of a television series.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein said landing page provides access to additional content related to the content item corresponding to the given representation, said additional content including access to multiple games for a sports team.

57. The method of claim 54, wherein said landing page provides access to additional content representing selected portions of larger video content related to the content item corresponding to the given representation, said selected portions having been identified through crowdsourcing.

58. The method of claim 45, wherein one or more of the plurality of representations correspond to recommended content items.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein each of the corresponding recommended content items includes an indication if the recommended content item requires a subscription.

60. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

responsive to detecting the viewer has selected to subscribe to a given content item, initiating a transaction between a primary provider and a secondary provider regarding a new subscription selected for purchase by the viewer without need for additional involvement on the part of the viewer.

61. The method of claim 45, wherein one or more of the plurality of representations are associated with programs for which the viewer does not have a valid subscription, and the program instructions are further executable to display an indicator that the viewer does not have a valid subscription to view the programs.

62. The method of claim 45, further comprising stopping display of the sidebar responsive to detecting a timeout condition.

63. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

determining that video content corresponding to the category represented by the first element includes spoiler elements; and

preventing the display of the video content responsive to the determination.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein determining that video content includes spoiler elements includes determining that the viewer has yet to watch a given sports event, and preventing the display of the video content includes preventing the display of a score of the given sports event.

65. The method of claim 45, wherein the plurality of elements includes a friends element, and the program instructions are further executable to, responsive to selection of the friends element, display elements corresponding to other viewers the viewer has identified as friends.