NAVIGATION IN DATA SETS WITH NON-UNIFORM FIELDS
First Claim
1. A method of highlighting a field of a data set, comprising:
- providing a data set defined by a plurality of axes and comprising a plurality of fields defined by dimensions in directions of said axes, said data set navigable by a user in the directions of said axes;
highlighting a first field; and
calculating a set of bias lines extending through said first field so that for each axis there is a single bias line calculated to extend in the direction defined by said axis.
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods for navigation in data sets that can contain non-uniform fields. In one embodiment, data sets are defined by horizontal and vertical axes, and horizontal and vertical bias lines are calculated to determine which field is highlighted in response to vertical or horizontal navigation of the data set. In response to a user'"'"'s navigation, at least one bias line is recalculated. Additional axes, for example a z-axis, and corresponding additional bias lines can be implemented. The invention can be practiced as an interactive program guide for a subscription television service. The fields of the program guide may not be uniform because programs listed in the program guide may have variable start times and/or durations, or because channel information may be redundant. The invention provides more predictable navigation within an interactive program guide. By reversing navigation movements, a user returns to a previously highlighted field.
14 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of highlighting a field of a data set, comprising:
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providing a data set defined by a plurality of axes and comprising a plurality of fields defined by dimensions in directions of said axes, said data set navigable by a user in the directions of said axes; highlighting a first field; and calculating a set of bias lines extending through said first field so that for each axis there is a single bias line calculated to extend in the direction defined by said axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A navigable data set, comprising:
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a plurality of axes that define a data set space; a plurality of fields, each field having dimensions in directions defined by said axes, said plurality of fields navigable by a user in the directions of said axes; and a plurality of calculated bias lines extending through a highlighted field, wherein for each axis, a single calculated bias line extends in a direction defined by said axis. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An interactive program guide (IPG) comprising:
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a user interface screen comprising one or more images arranged to provide a background in association with displayed text, at least a portion of said one or more images corresponding with a portion of said displayed text to define a plurality of navigable fields; and a plurality of calculated bias lines that extend through a highlighted field. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification