User interface for television

• US 6,211,921 B1
• Filed: 12/20/1996
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1996
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Cherian, Lisa, Lambourne, Robert Andrew, Roberts, Guy James
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIEP, NHON THANH
• Application Number:
  US08/772,080
• Time in Patent Office: 1,565 Days
• Field of Search: 348/564-570, 348/588, 345/348, 345/352, 345/53, 345/145, 345/146, 345/353, 345/354
• US Class Current: 348/565
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver

Abstract

A user interface for a screen oriented electronic device includes a rotating menu of options. Options are highlighted and therefore selectable as they rotate past a fixed position on the screen. A remote is shown for use with the menu.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

at least one display apparatus; and

a controller arranged to cause the display to show a rotating menu comprising a plurality of menu options, all of the menu options that are displayed being displayed so as to appear to lie substantially upon a single apparent plane disposed about a menu center, the menu center being displayed offset from a display center of the display apparatus, so that at least one menu option appears to be rotatable off an edge of the display at any one time.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the device is a television and the menu options relate to control of the television and devices connected to the television.

3. An electronic device comprising:

at least one display; and

a controller arranged to cause the display to show a rotating menu comprising a plurality of menu options, wherein the menu is displayed with a perspective in which all of the options of the menu that are displayed appear to lie coplanar upon a single apparent plane that intersects the display to form an acute angle between the display and the apparent plane.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein a highlighted menu option appears in a portion of the apparent plane which appears to be closest to a user.

5. The electronic device of claim 3 wherein the menu comprises a selection position and one of the menu options is selectable when that option rotates to the selection position.

6. The electronic device of claim 3 wherein the menu comprises a region where a status indication for a selectable device is displayed.

7. The electronic device of claim 6 wherein menu options are disposed along an apparent curve and the region is disposed within the curve.

8. The electronic device of claim 6 wherein the region is a picture in picture.

9. The electronic device of claim 8 wherein

the device is a television;

the menu options include control of a VCR connected to the television; and

the picture in picture displays a tape being played on the VCR.

10. The electronic device of claim 8 wherein

the device is a television;

the menu options include control of a VCR connected to the television; and

the picture in picture displays a broadcast being recorded on the VCR.

11. The electronic device of claim 3 wherein the device is a television and the menu options relate to control of the television and devices connected to the television.

12. The electronic device of claim 3 further comprising a remote for controlling selection amongst the menu options.

13. The electronic device of claim 12 wherein the remote includes a button for causing rotation of the menu in a direction.

14. The electronic device of claim 13 wherein the button is for causing rotation of the menu by one option per push.

15. The electronic device of claim 13 wherein the remote further comprises a second button for causing rotation of the menu in a second direction opposite to the direction.

16. The electronic device of claim 13 wherein the remote further comprises a selection button for selecting a currently highlighted menu option.

17. The electronic device of claim 12 wherein the remote comprises

first and second buttons for causing rotation of the menu in first and second directions, respectively, which first and second buttons are curved in shape;

and

a third button for selecting a currently highlighted menu option, which third button is located inside a curve defined by the first and second buttons.

18. The electronic device of claim 12 comprising at least one button for responding to an agent appearing on the screen.

19. The electronic device of claim 3 wherein the display also displays an agent for suggesting options to a user.

20. The electronic device of claim 19 wherein the agent is displayed as a humanoid figure asking a question.

21. The electronic device of claim 3 wherein the menu options are displayed as solid objects and shadows are displayed on an apparent floor beneath and non-contiguous with the objects, whereby a sense of perspective is increased.

22. The electronic device of claim 3 wherein the perspective is achieved by changing either the shape or the size of at least one of the menu options.