Method and apparatus for providing a user interface

• US 20040172388A1
• Filed: 01/14/2004
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sisvel S.p.A. (Fineur International S.A.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Koh, Wee Keng, Newton, Philip Steven, Mekenkamp, Gerhardus Engbertus, Ashley, Alexis Stephen Richard, Van Der Putten, Jeroen Ronald Johannes, De Wit, Jiska Margriet
• Granted Patent: US 8,850,486 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/338 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/232 Content retrieval operation locally within server, e.g. reading video streams from disk arrays storage management G06F3/0604; details of querying and searching of video data from a database G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8405 represented by keywords
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape

Abstract

When the user views the information available on a program (in a Personal Video Recorder), the keywords that determine whether a program will be recorded are accentuated. This can be done by using the size of the text or by using colors or any other kind of varying accentuation i.e. encircled or blinking text. This makes it easy for the user to identify the keywords used in their personalized profile. Additionally the user can navigate between keywords and change the accentuation of the keywords, to indicate a rating (in multiple levels) of the keyword.

Claims

1. Method for providing a user interface for displaying an information unit comprising at least one symbol, the method comprising the following steps:

(a) Comparing the symbol with at least one keyword comprised in a personalized profile wherein the keyword is associated with a rating; and

(b) While displaying the information unit, accentuating the symbol matching the keyword, the accentuation corresponding to the rating associated, with the keyword.

2. Method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(a) Changing the accentuation of a symbol comprised by the information unit by user operable input means;

(b) Adapting the personalized profile to comprise a keyword corresponding to said symbol; and

(c) Associating a rating with the keyword, the rating corresponding to the accentuation of said symbol.

3. Method according to claim 1 wherein the step of providing the information unit comprises the step of searching a database comprising further information units.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the symbols are words.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the information unit is one of the following:

(a) At least one line of subtitles associated with a television program

(b) A teletext page

(c) A web-page

6. Computer program for enabling a processor to carry out the method according to claim 1.

7. Tangible medium carrying a computer program according to claim 3.

8. Signal carrying a computer program according to claim 3.

9. Apparatus for providing a user interface for displaying an information unit having at least one symbol, comprising:

(a) Means for comparing the symbol with at least one keyword comprised in a personalized profile wherein the keyword has a rating associated with it; and

(b) Means for accentuating the symbol matching the keyword while providing a signal for displaying the information unit, the accentuation corresponding to the rating associated with the keyword.