Program guide graphical user interface systems and methods

• US 20080046932A1
• Filed: 08/07/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Data Services Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Relyea, Don, Roberts, Brian, Stallings, Heath
• Granted Patent: US 10,230,917 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/52
• 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 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73

Abstract

In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a media content processing subsystem configured to display a scrollable program guide graphical user interface. The graphical user interface is configured to show a multiplicity of blocks of information corresponding to a multiplicity of content carriers. The processing subsystem is further configured to display a magnified area within the program guide graphical user interface. When a block corresponding to a particular content carrier within the multiplicity of content carriers is entered into the magnified area, the processing subsystem is configured to display enhanced information corresponding to one or more media content instances transmitted via the particular content carrier.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a media content processing subsystem configured to

display a scrollable program guide graphical user interface configured to show a multiplicity of blocks of information corresponding to a multiplicity of content carriers; and

display a magnified area within said program guide graphical user interface;

wherein, when a block corresponding to a particular content carrier within said multiplicity of content carriers is entered into said magnified area, said processing subsystem is configured to display enhanced information within said magnified area, said enhanced information corresponding to one or more media content instances transmitted via said particular content carrier.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said magnified area is displayed in a substantially stationary location within said program guide graphical user interface.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said magnified area is substantially centered vertically within said program guide graphical user interface.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a viewing area wherein said program guide graphical interface is displayed.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said program guide graphical user interface occupies substantially all of said viewing area.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said program guide graphical user interface occupies a portion of said viewing area significantly less than substantially all of said viewing area.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said processing device is further configured to display a primary feed of a media content instance within a portion of said viewing area that is not occupied by said program graphical user interface.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said enhanced information comprises a secondary content feed that is displayed within said magnified area, said secondary content feed corresponding to a selected media content instance transmitted via said particular content carrier.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said processing device is further configured to display a graphical user interface configured to provide a user with access to one or more options controlling said program guide graphical user interface.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said enhanced information comprises at least one of audio-visual content, pre-recorded media content, data communication services, images, and audio programming.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said processing subsystem comprises at least one of a set-top box, home communication terminal, digital home communication terminal, stand-alone personal video recorder, digital video disc player, video-enabled phone, and personal computer.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said one or more media content instances comprise at least one of a television program, pay-per-view content, video-on-demand content, Internet content, digital video disc content, and audio programming content.

13. An apparatus comprising:

a graphics engine configured to generate one or more graphics that are displayed by a display device; and

a processor communicatively coupled to said graphics engine, said processor configured cause said graphics engine to

generate a scrollable program guide graphical user interface that is displayed by said display device and configured to show a multiplicity of blocks of program information corresponding to a multiplicity of content carriers; and

generate a magnified area within said program guide graphical user interface;

wherein, when a block corresponding to a particular content carrier within said multiplicity of content carriers is entered into said magnified area, said processor is configured to cause said graphics engine to generate enhanced information that is displayed by said display device within said magnified area, said enhanced information corresponding to one or more media content instances transmitted via said particular content carrier.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said magnified area is configured to be displayed in a substantially stationary location within said program guide graphical user interface.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said magnified area is configured to be substantially centered vertically within said program guide graphical user interface.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said program guide graphical is configured to occupy substantially all of a viewing area of said display device.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said program guide graphical user interface is configured to occupy a portion of a viewing area of said display device significantly less than substantially all of the viewing area.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said enhanced information comprises at least one of audio-visual content, pre-recorded media content, data communication services, images, and audio programming.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said one or more media content instances comprise at least one of a television program, pay-per-view content, video-on-demand content, Internet content, digital video disc content, and audio programming content.

20. A method comprising:

displaying a scrollable program guide graphical user interface configured to show a multiplicity of blocks of program information corresponding to a multiplicity of content carriers;

displaying a magnified area within said program guide graphical user interface; and

displaying enhanced information within said magnified area when a block corresponding to a particular content carrier within said multiplicity of content carriers is entered into said magnified area, said enhanced information corresponding to one or more media content instances transmitted via said particular content carrier.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said magnified area is displayed in a substantially stationary location within said program guide graphical user interface.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said magnified area is substantially vertically centered within said program guide graphical user interface.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein said enhanced information comprises at least one of audio-visual content, pre-recorded media content, data communication services, images, and audio programming.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein said one or more media content instances comprise at least one of a television program, pay-per-view content, video-on-demand content, Internet content, digital video disc content, and audio programming content.