PERPENDICULAR VIEW THREE DIMENSIONAL ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE

• US 20080316208A1
• Filed: 12/18/2007
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JLB Ventures, LLC
• Original Assignee: JLB Ventures, LLC
• Inventors: Kikinis, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 7,975,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/420
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time

Abstract

A method and apparatus of displaying an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG). In one embodiment, an EPG is constructed of a three dimensional virtual mesh, in which independent objects representing television programs are situated. The virtual mesh is displayed perpendicularly, so that the hardware requirements of the set top box (STB) may be reduced. A user can navigate the mesh to find television programs that they wish to view. A user can designate the types of television programs that they prefer, and these programs will be displayed more prominently. In addition, the mesh is constructed of at least two planes. The first plane is flat, while all other planes are hyperbolic to correct for a viewer'"'"'s line of sight.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

displaying a three dimensional polyhedron defined by a plurality of surfaces and a non-surface plane, wherein the non-surface plane is disposed between at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and

displaying information relating to an electronic programming guide (EPG) on the non-surface plane.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of surfaces are hyperbolic planes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said polyhedron is displayed with an isometric view.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the displayed information corresponds to a television program.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said EPG is displayed exclusive of three dimensional graphics circuitry.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said three dimensional polyhedron is a cube.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of surfaces includes a first plane corresponding to a first surface and a second plane corresponding to a second surface, wherein the non-surface plane is disposed between the first and second surfaces, the first plane, second plane and non-surface plane representing different levels of preference.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first plane corresponds to preferred content and at least one of the second plane and the non-surface plane corresponds to non-preferred content.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of surfaces includes a first plane corresponding to a first surface and a second plane corresponding to a second surface, wherein the non-surface plane is disposed between the first and second surfaces, the first plane, second plane and non-surface plane representing different levels of preference.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first plane corresponds to preferred content and at least one of the second plane and the non-surface plane corresponds to non-preferred content.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

memory configured to store computer readable memory that, when executed by a processor, cause the apparatus to perform a method comprising;

displaying a three dimensional polyhedron defined by a plurality of surfaces and a non-surface plane, wherein the non-surface plane is disposed between at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and

displaying information relating to an electronic programming guide (EPG) on the non-surface plane.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is a set-top box and the EPG is received from a remote server.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the displayed information corresponds to a television program.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said EPG is displayed exclusive of three dimensional graphics circuitry.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said three dimensional polyhedron is a cube.

16. One or more computer readable media storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to perform a method comprising:

displaying a three dimensional polyhedron defined by a plurality of surfaces and a non-surface plane, wherein the non-surface plane is disposed between at least two of the plurality of surfaces; and

displaying information relating to an electronic programming guide (EPG) on the non-surface plane.

17. The one or more computer readable media of claim 16, wherein the plurality of surfaces includes a first plane corresponding to a first surface and a second plane corresponding to a second surface, wherein the non-surface plane is disposed between the first and second surfaces, the first plane, second plane and non-surface plane representing different levels of preference.

18. The one or more computer readable media of claim 17, wherein the first plane corresponds to preferred content and at least one of the second plane and the non-surface plane corresponds to non-preferred content.

19. A method comprising:

displaying a three dimensional object defined by a plurality of planes;

displaying first programming information associated with an electronic programming guide (EPG) on a first plane of the three dimensional object, the first plane corresponding to programs of a first preference; and

displaying second programming information on a second plane of the three dimensional object, wherein the second plane corresponds to programs of a second preference different from the first preference.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first preference corresponds to preferred programming and the second preference corresponds to non-preferred programming.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the three dimensional object is displayed in an isometric view.