Contextual navigational control for digital television

• US 20050125827A1
• Filed: 08/24/2004
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications Management LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TVWorks LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Carney, John, Moreau, Samuel
• Granted Patent: US 8,819,734 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/52
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72

Abstract

A contextual navigational control for digital television is described. An apparatus, comprises a contextual navigation control interface (CNCI). The CNCI includes a first area that represents a plurality of cable television programs having a first level of relevance. A second area represents a first group of the plurality of programs having a second level of relevance. A third area represents a first subgroup of the first group having a third level of relevance. A fourth area represents a second subgroup of the first group having a fourth level of relevance. There may be additional areas representing additional sub-groups of relevance to the current viewing context.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a contextual navigation control interface (CNCI), wherein the CNCI includes a first area that represents a plurality of cable television programs having a first level of relevance;

a second area that represents a first group of the plurality of programs having a second level of relevance; and

a third area that represents a first subgroup of the first group having a third level of relevance.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CNCI is provided by a set-top box configured for use in a cable television system.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CNCI is provided by a computer configured for use in a cable television system.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first level of relevance associates programming by category.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the category includes sports, movies, kids programming, news, and high definition programming.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second level of relevance associates programming by channels/programming providers.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the channels/programming providers include television network companies, cable televesion content providers, and public broadcasting companies.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third level of relevance associates programming by content.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the content includes, the first subgroup of programs having the first level of relevance and the second level of relevance.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first level, second level and third level of relevance are initially presented by the CNCI specific to an initially selected program of the first subgroup.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a second plurality is presented by selecting the first area.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a second group is presented by selecting the second area.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a second subgroup is presented by selecting the third area.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CNCI includes additional areas representing additional sub-groups of the plurality of programs having a relevance to the current viewing context.

15. A method, comprising:

receiving cable television programming via a delivery network;

receiving cable television programming information via the delivery network; and

generating a user interface to control the cable television programming by using the cable television programming information, wherein the user interface includes;

a first area that represents a plurality of cable television programs having a first level of relevance;

a second area that represents a first group of the plurality of programs having a second level of relevance; and

a third area that represents a first subgroup of the first group having a third level of relevance.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the user interface is provided by a set-top box configured for use in a cable television system.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the user interface is provided by a computer configured for use in a cable television system.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the first level of relevance associates programming by category.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the category includes sports, movies, kids programming, news, and high definition programming.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the second level of relevance associates programming by channels/programming providers.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the channels/programming providers include television network companies, cable televesion content providers, and public broadcasting companies.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the third level of relevance associates programming by content.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the content includes, the first subgroup of programs having the first level of relevance and the second level of relevance.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the first level, second level and third level of relevance are initially presented by the user interface specific to an initially selected program of the first subgroup.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein a second plurality is presented by selecting the first area.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein a second group is presented by selecting the second area.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein a second subgroup is presented by selecting the third area.

28. The method of claim 15, wherein additional levels of relevance associate programming by additional sub-groups of the plurality of programs having a relevance to the current viewing context.