Locally stored content previews: representative of programming content in an electronic programming guide through a graphic image accessed from the hard drive of a set top box

• US 20050204389A1
• Filed: 05/03/2005
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SDI Development Incorporated, Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: SDI Development Incorporated, Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Proehl, Andy, Mingo, Kim
• Granted Patent: US 8,499,321 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/431 Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6106 specially adapted to the downstream path of the transmission network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6112 involving terrestrial transmission, e.g. DVB-T
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8146 involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8549 Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer retrieval in video databases by using presentations in form of a video summary G06F16/739

Abstract

An integrated DSS/WebTV receiver is communicatively connected to an Internet service provider, a DSS service provider, and (optionally) a local broadcast station to provide a display of DSS programs, Internet web sites, and local broadcast channels in a seamless fashion. The DSS/WebTV receiver downloads graphic images, corresponding to DSS programs, from a DSS communication medium or the Internet into a local memory. The graphic images are periodically updated by the DSS service provider or Internet service provider. The DSS/WebTV receiver generates a graphical user interface (GUI), displayed on a television screen, for facilitating a user'"'"'s navigation through the DSS, Internet, and local broadcast data. The GUI includes a selectable DSS program listing that displays DSS programs that are curl being broadcast or that will be broadcasted in the future. If a user selects a currently broadcasted program, the DSS/WebTV receiver displays the selected program on the television. If the user selects a program that is broadcasted in the future, the DSS/WebTV receiver displays a downloaded graphic image, corresponding to the selected program, on the television. The graphic image may be the selected program'"'"'s name or logo, still shots from the selected program, short video clips related to the selected program, or advertisements related to the selected program.

Claims

1-39. -39. (canceled)

40. An apparatus for displaying information to a user via a television, comprising:

a computer readable medium for storing a graphic image, the graphic image corresponding to a television program to be broadcast over a communication medium; and

a first processing element adapted to receive programming received from a communication medium, the first processing element communicatively coupled to the computer readable medium for retrieving the graphic image from the computer readable medium, and communicatively coupled to the television for displaying one of the television program and the graphic image on the television,

the first processing element displaying a graphical user interface displaying on a single display screen selectable television programs that are currently being broadcast over the communication medium and selectable television programs that are to be broadcast in the future,

the first processing element displaying the television program on the television in response to a user request for the television program if the television program has been received from the communication medium,

the first processing element displaying the graphic image on the television and additional textual information about the content of the television program in response to the user request for the television program if the television program has not been received from the communication medium.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first processing element displays the graphic image on the television and additional textual information about the content of the television program in response to the user request for the television program if the television program has not been received from the communication medium while not displaying any graphic images corresponding to ones of the selectable television programs that have not been requested.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising:

a second processing element communicatively coupled to the communication medium for receiving the programming broadcast over the communication medium, the second processing element communicatively coupled to the first processing element.

43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first processing element displays the graphical user interface on the television and initiates the display of one of the television program and the graphic image in response to the user'"'"'s manipulation of the graphical user interface.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising:

a remote controller for facilitating the users manipulation of the graphical user interface.

45. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first processing unit periodically updates the graphic image stored in the computer readable medium based on data received from a remote source.

46. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first processing unit periodically updates the graphic image stored in the computer readable medium based on data received over the communication medium.

47. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first processing unit periodically updates the graphic image stored in the computer readable medium based on data received over the Internet.

48. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the graphic image is stored in the computer readable medium as one of a JPEG file, a GIF file, a MPEG file, and a Quicktime file.

49. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the graphic image displayed on the television is a name of the television program.

50. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the graphic image displayed on the television is a logo of the television program.

51. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the graphic image displayed on the television is a still shot from the television program.

52. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the graphic image displayed on the television is a video clip of a portion of the television program.

53. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the graphic image displayed on the television is an advertisement related to the television program.

54. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first processing element displays the selectable television programs for different time periods on the single display screen of the graphical user interface.

55. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the additional information is displayed on a different portion of the display than a portion for displaying the graphic image.

56. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the graphic image is received from a medium independent of the communication medium that receives the television program.

57. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first processing element displays one of the television program and the graphic image on the television in response to the user request for the television program, the television program highlighted in the graphical user interface displayed on the television prior to the user request for the television program.

58. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the computer readable medium is located in a receiver unit containing the first processing element.

59. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the graphic image is stored prior to the broadcasting of the television program and prior to a user request for the television program.

60. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the computer readable medium comprises a hard disk drive for storing the graphic image.

61. A method of displaying information to a user via a television, comprising the steps of:

displaying a graphical user interface on the television, the graphical user interface displaying on a single display screen selectable television programs that are currently being broadcast over a communication medium and selectable television programs that are to be broadcast over the communication medium in the future;

receiving a request for a television program based on a user'"'"'s interaction with the graphical user interface;

displaying additional textual information about the content of the television program on the television displaying a graphic image on the television in the graphical user interface if the request for the television program is received before the television program is broadcast over the communication medium, the graphic image related to the television program; and

displaying the television program on the television in the graphical user interface if the request for the television program is received while the television program is being broadcast.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising the steps of:

receiving the graphic image; and

storing the graphic image in a computer readable medium.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the step of receiving the graphic image includes downloading the graphic image from a remote source.

64. The method of claim 62, further comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving data from a remote source; and

updating the stored graphic image in accordance with the received data.

65. The method of claim 62, further comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving data from the communication medium; and

updating the stored graphic image in accordance with the received data.

66. The method of claim 61, further comprising the step of:

initiating the display of the graphic image in response to the users manipulation of the graphical user interface.

67. The method of claim 66, further comprising the step of:

providing a remote controller for facilitating the users manipulation of the graphical user interface.

68. The method of claim 61, wherein the graphic image is stored in the computer readable medium as one of a JPEG file, a GIF file, a MPEG file, and a Quicktime file.

69. The method of claim 61, wherein the graphic image displayed on the television is a name of the television program.

70. The method of claim 61, wherein the graphic image displayed on the television is a logo of the television program.

71. The method of claim 61, wherein the graphic image displayed on the television is a still shot from the television program.

72. The method of claim 61, wherein the graphic image displayed on the television is a video clip of a portion of the television program.

73. The method of claim 61, wherein the graphic image displayed on the television is an advertisement related to the television program.

74. The method of claim 61, further comprising the steps of:

positioning an indicator on a portion of the graphical user interface corresponding to the television program in order to highlight the television program; and

requesting, after the positioning step, the television program.

75. The method of claim 61, wherein the graphical user interface displays the selectable television programs for different time periods on the single display screen of the graphical user interface.

76. The method of claim 61, wherein the additional information is displayed on a different portion of the display than a portion for displaying the graphic image.

77. The method of claim 62, wherein the step of storing the graphic image includes downloading the graphic image from the communication medium.

78. The method of claim 62, wherein the graphic image is received from a medium independent of the communication medium.

79. The method of claim 62, further comprising:

receiving an indication that the television program has been highlighted in the graphical user interface prior to the step of receiving the request.

80. The method of claim 62, wherein the storing step comprises:

storing the graphic image in the computer readable medium of a receiver unit coupled to the television.

81. The method of claim 62, wherein the receiving and storing steps comprise receiving and storing the graphic image prior to the broadcasting of the television program and prior to the request for the television program.

82. The method of claim 62, wherein storing step comprises storing the graphic image on a hard disk drive.

83. An apparatus for displaying information to a user via a television, comprising the steps of:

means for displaying a graphical user interface on the television, the graphical user interface displaying on a single display screen selectable television programs that are currently being broadcast over a communication medium and selectable television programs that are to be broadcast over the communication medium in the future;

means for receiving a request for a television program based on a user'"'"'s interaction with the graphical user interface;

means for displaying additional textual information about the content of the television program on the television;

means for displaying a graphic image on the television in the graphical user interface if the request for the television program is received before the television program is broadcast over the communication medium, the graphic image related to the television program; and

means for displaying the television program on the television in the graphical user interface if the request for the television program is received while the television program is being broadcast.

84. A method of displaying information to a user via a television, comprising the steps of:

displaying an electronic program guide on the television, the electronic program guide displaying selectable television programs that are currently being broadcast over a communication medium and selectable television programs that are to be broadcast in the future over the communication medium in a single display screen of the electronic program guide;

receiving a request for a television program based on a users interaction with the electronic program guide;

displaying additional textual information about the content of the television program in the single display screen of the electronic program guide on the television; and

in the event that the request for the television program is received before the television program is broadcast over the communication medium, displaying a graphic image on the television in the single display screen of the electronic program guide, the graphic image related to the television program;

in the event that the request for the television program is received when the television program is being broadcast over the communication medium, displaying the television program in the single display screen of the electronic program guide.

85. The method of claim 84, further comprising the steps of:

receiving the graphic image, the graphic image received prior to the broadcasting of the television program and prior to the request for the television program in the electronic program guide; and

storing the graphic image in a memory of a local television receiver unit coupled to the television.

86. An apparatus for displaying information to a user via a television, comprising:

means for displaying an electronic program guide on the television, the electronic program guide displaying selectable television programs that are currently being broadcast over a communication medium and selectable television programs that are to be broadcast in the future over the communication medium in a single display screen of the electronic program guide;

means for receiving a request for a television program based on a user'"'"'s interaction with the electronic program guide;

means for displaying additional textual information about the content of the television program in the single display screen of the electronic program guide on the television; and

in the event that the request for the television program is received before the television program is broadcast over the communication medium, means for displaying a graphic image on the television in the single display screen of the electronic program guide, the graphic image related to the television program;

in the event that the request for the television program is received when the television program is being broadcast over the communication medium, means for displaying the television program in the single display screen of the electronic program guide.

87. A graphical user interface for display on a television comprising:

an electronic program guide screen adapted to be displayed on the television;

a first portion of the electronic program guide screen adapted to display selectable television programs that are currently being broadcast over a communication medium and selectable television programs that are to be broadcast in the future over the communication medium;

a second portion of the electronic program guide screen adapted to display additional textual information about the content of a television program, the television program requested by a user;

a third portion of the electronic program guide screen adapted to display the television program if a user request for the television program occurs while the television program is being broadcast; and

the third portion of the electronic program guide screen adapted to display a graphic image if the user request for the television program occurs before the television program is broadcast, the graphic image related to the requested television program.

88. The interface of claim 87 wherein the graphic image is retrieved from a computer readable medium of a device generating the electronic program guide screen.

89. The interface of claim 87 wherein the graphic image is retrieved from a computer readable medium located in a receiver unit containing a device generating the electronic program guide screen.

90. The interface of claim 87 wherein the graphic image is retrieved from a computer readable medium of a device generating the electronic program guide screen, the graphic image stored in the computer readable medium prior to the broadcasting of the television program and prior to the user request for the television program.

91. The interface of claim 87 wherein the graphic image is retrieved from a hard disk drive of a device generating the electronic program guide screen.

92. The interface of claim 87 wherein the graphic image is retrieved from a memory of a device generating the electronic program guide screen.

93. The interface of claim 87 wherein the third portion of the electronic program guide screen is adapted to display the graphic image if the user request for the television program occurs before the television program is broadcast while not displaying any graphic images corresponding to ones of the selectable television programs that have not been requested.

94. The interface of claim 87, wherein the first portion of the electronic program guide screen is adapted to display the selectable television programs for different time periods together on the electronic program guide screen.

95. The interface of claim 87, wherein the third portion of the electronic program guide screen is adapted to display one of the television program and the graphic image in response to the user request for the television program, the television program highlighted in the electronic program guide screen prior to the user request for the television program.

96. The interface of claim 87 wherein the graphic image is received at a device generating the electronic program guide screen prior to the user request.

97. The interface of claim 87 wherein the graphic image is received at a device generating the electronic program guide screen over the communication medium.

98. The interface of claim 87 wherein the graphic image is received at a device generating the electronic program guide screen over a medium independent of the communication medium.

99. The interface of claim 87 wherein the graphic image is received at a device generating the electronic program guide screen from a remote source.

100. The interface of claim 87, wherein the graphic image comprises a name of the television program.

101. The interface of claim 87, wherein the graphic image comprises a logo of the television program.

102. The interface of claim 87, wherein the graphic image comprises is a still shot from the television program.

103. The interface of claim 87, wherein the graphic image comprises a video clip of a portion of the television program.

104. The interface of claim 87, wherein the graphic image comprises an advertisement related to the television program.