Multimedia schedule presentation system

• US 6,642,939 B1
• Filed: 03/30/2000
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TiVo Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Ma, Jeffrey, Robinson, Kyrie, Look, Howard, McKendrick, Ain, Brown, David Avraham, Vallone, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Thanh T
• Application Number:
  US09/539,723
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 345/768, 345/720, 345/721, 348/569, 348/563, 348/564, 348/565-570, 725/38, 725/39, 725/40, 725/43, 725/45, 725/47, 725/52, 725/53
• US Class Current: 715/721
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1417 Boot up procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1456 Hardware arrangements for backup
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/005 Reproducing at a different information rate from the information rate of recording for television signals H04N5/783
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/032 on tapes G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/036 Insert-editing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• 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 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• 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 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 : for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 : between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 : on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 : Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7921 : for more than one processing mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 : involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8063 : using time division multiplex of the PCM audio and PCM video signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 : involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal

Abstract

A multimedia schedule presentation system provides a program guide area which is a list of the programs that are currently airing, was aired, or is scheduled. The program guide area is semi-transparent and overlays on the broadcast program material that the user is currently watching. The invention displays the program guide information in two different modes: two column or three column. The two column mode displays the available channels in a rotating endless list fashion in the left hand column and the programs for the highlighted channel in the right hand column. The current time period is shown above the left column on the screen and is easily changed by the user. Below the time display is the listing of the channels available to the user. Next to each channel number is the station ID and the title of the current program that is being aired. A description of the current highlighted program is displayed above the two columns. The right hand column displays a schedule of the programs for the particular channel, beginning at the time indicated above the left column. The program name and start time are displayed. The program list in the right hand column can be shown in two intuitive forms. One lists the start time of each program next to the program name in descending order from the most recent time to the latest time. The second continues the time intervals by listing each half, quarter hour, or selectable intervals with duration of the program indicated by an indicator extending from the program start time down to the program end time. The three column mode adds a higher level column to the left of the channel column and contains the sorting methods available to the user. The second column presents the available channels that correspond to the sorting method with the second and third columns consistent with that of the two-column method.

Claims

1. A process for presenting interactive program guide information to a user, comprising the steps of:

providing a program guide area;

wherein said program guide area is semi-transparent and overlays a broadcast program that the user is currently watching, allowing the user to see the progress of the broadcast program;

receiving user command input;

displaying a first column in said program guide area;

said first column displays available program channels in a rotating endless channel list;

wherein the user scrolls or pages up or down said channel list;

displaying a second column in said program guide area;

said second column displays a program list for a specific channel; and

wherein the user scrolls or pages up or down said program list.

2. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

highlighting an element in a column; and

said highlight step is responsive to a user'"'"'s commands.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein said highlight step displays a highlight bar to highlight an element.

4. The process of claim 2, wherein said second column displays the program list for a channel highlighted by the user.

5. The process of claim 2, wherein whispering arrows are displayed when information exists in the indicated direction and wherein information is more detailed as the highlight is moved to the right.

6. The process of claim 2, further comprising the step of:

displaying a description of a program highlighted by the user in said program guide area.

7. The process of claim 6, wherein said program description is displayed above said first and said second columns in said program guide area.

8. The process of claim 2, further comprising the step of:

displaying the channel number and ID above said second column; and

wherein said channel number and ID are modifiable by the user.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein said program list changes to the programs associated with the channel number highlighted by the user, starting at the time indicated above said first column.

10. The process of claim 2, wherein the user highlights a program in said second column and moves said highlight to the right to obtain a detailed information screen for said program.

11. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

displaying a start time above said first column; and

wherein said start time is modifiable by the user.

12. The process of claim 11, wherein said channel list comprises channel numbers, channel IDs and the name of the program playing during said start time on each channel number.

13. The process of claim 11, wherein said second column displays programs for the selected channel starting from said start time.

14. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

displaying the channel number and ID above said second column; and

wherein said channel number and ID are modifiable by the user.

15. The process of claim 14, wherein said channel list follows the user'"'"'s channel selections, scrolling backward or forward in said channel list.

16. The process of claim 1, wherein said program list lists the start time of each program next to the program name, said program list is in descending order from the most recent time to the latest time.

17. The process of claim 1, wherein said program list lists the start time of each program next to the program name and continues the intermediate time intervals by listing each half, quarter hour, or selectable intervals, and wherein the duration of each program is displayed using an indicator extending from the program start time down to the program end time.

18. A process for presenting interactive program guide information to a user, comprising the steps of:

providing a program guide area;

wherein said program guide area is semi-transparent and overlays a broadcast program that the user is currently watching, allowing the user to see the progress of the broadcast program;

receiving user command input;

displaying a first column in said program guide area;

said first column displays channel sorting methods available to the user;

displaying a second column in said program guide area;

said second column displays available program channels in a rotating endless channel list;

wherein the user scrolls or pages up or down said channel list;

displaying a third column in said program guide area;

said third column displays a program list for a specific channel; and

wherein the user scrolls or pages up or down said program list.

19. The process of claim 18, wherein two columns are displayed at a time.

20. The process of claim 19, wherein said first column and said second column are displayed in said program guide area.

21. The process of claims 18, further comprising the step of;

highlighting an element in a column; and

said highlight step is responsive to a user'"'"'s commands.

22. The process of claim 21, wherein said second column displays the available channels that correspond to the sorting method highlighted by the user.

23. The process of claim 21, wherein the user moves the highlight to the right of said second column to display said second and said third columns in said program guide area.

24. The process of claim 21, wherein said highlight step displays a highlight bar to highlight an element.

25. The process of claim 21, wherein said third column displays the program list for a channel highlighted by the user.

26. The process of claim 21, wherein whispering arrows are displayed when information exists in the indicated direction and wherein information is more detailed as the highlight is moved to the right.

27. The process of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

displaying a description of a program highlighted by the user in said program guide area.

28. The process of claim 27, wherein said program description is displayed in the upper portion of said program guide area.

29. The process of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

displaying the channel number and ID above said third column; and

wherein said channel number and ID are modifiable by the user.

30. The process of claim 29, wherein said program list changes to the programs associated with the channel number highlighted by the user, starting at the time indicated above said first column.

31. The process of claim 21, wherein the user highlights a program in said third column and moves said highlight to the right to obtain a detailed information screen for said program.

32. The process of claims 18, further comprising the step of:

displaying a start time above said second column; and

wherein said start time is modifiable by the user.

33. The process of claim 32, wherein said channel list comprises channel numbers, channel IDs and the name of the program playing during said start time on each channel number.

34. The process of claim 32, wherein said third column displays programs for the selected channel starting from said start time.

35. The process of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

displaying the channel number and ID above said third column; and

wherein said channel number and ID are modifiable by the user.

36. The process of claim 35, wherein said channel list follows the user'"'"'s channel selections, scrolling backward or forward in said channel list.

37. The process of claim 18, wherein said program list lists the start time of each program next to the program name, said program list is in descending order from the most recent time to the latest time.

38. The process of claim 18, wherein said program list lists the start time of each program next to the program name and continues the intermediate time intervals by listing each half, quarter hour, or selectable intervals, and wherein the duration of each program is displayed using an indicator extending from the program start time down to the program end time.

39. An apparatus for presenting interactive program guide information to a user, comprising:

a program guide area;

wherein said program guide area is semi-transparent and overlays a broadcast program that the user is currently watching, allowing the user to see the progress of the broadcast program;

a module for receiving user command input;

a module for displaying a first column in said program guide area;

said first column displays available program channels in a rotating endless channel list;

wherein the user scrolls or pages up or down said channel list;

a module for displaying a second column in said program guide area;

said second column displays a program list for a specific channel; and

wherein the user scrolls or pages up or down said program list.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising:

a module for highlighting an element in a column; and

said highlight module is responsive to a user'"'"'s commands.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein said highlight module displays a highlight bar to highlight an element.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein said second column displays the program list for a channel highlighted by the user.

43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein whispering arrows are displayed when information exists in the indicated direction and wherein information is more detailed as the highlight is moved to the right.

44. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising:

a module for displaying a description of a program highlighted by the user in said program guide area.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said program description is displayed above said first and said second columns in said program guide area.

46. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising:

a module for displaying the channel number and ID above said second column; and

wherein said channel number and ID are modifiable by the user.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said program list changes to the programs associated with the channel number highlighted by the user, starting at the time indicated above said first column.

48. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the user highlights a program in said second column and moves said highlight to the right to obtain a detailed information screen for said program.

49. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising:

a module for displaying a start time above said first column; and

wherein said start time is modifiable by the user.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said channel list comprises channel numbers, channel IDs and the name of the program playing during said start time on each channel number.

51. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said second column displays programs for the selected channel starting from said start time.

52. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising:

a module for displaying the channel number and ID above said second column; and

wherein said channel number and ID are modifiable by the user.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein said channel list follows the user'"'"'s channel selections, scrolling backward or forward in said channel list.

54. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said program list lists the start time of each program next to the program name, said program list is in descending order from the most recent time to the latest time.

55. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said program list lists the start time of each program next to the program name and continues the intermediate time intervals by listing each half, quarter hour, or selectable intervals, and wherein the duration of each program is displayed using an indicator extending from the program start time down to the program end time.

58. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said first column and said second column are displayed in said program guide area.

56. An apparatus for presenting interactive program guide information to a user, comprising:

a program guide area;

wherein said program guide area is semi-transparent and overlays a broadcast program that the user is currently watching, allowing the user to see the progress of the broadcast program;

a module for receiving user command input;

a module for displaying a first column in said program guide area;

said first column displays channel sorting methods available to the user;

a module for displaying a second column in said program guide area;

said second column displays available program channels in a rotating endless channel list;

wherein the user scrolls or pages up or down said channel list;

a module for displaying a third column in said program guide area;

said third column displays a program list for a specific channel; and

wherein the user scrolls or pages up or down said program list.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein two columns are displayed at a time.

59. The apparatus of claims 56, further comprising:

a module for highlighting an element in a column; and

said highlight module is responsive to a user'"'"'s commands.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said second column displays the available channels that correspond to the sorting method highlighted by the user.

61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the user moves the highlight to the right of said second column to display said second and said third columns in said program guide area.

62. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said highlight module displays a highlight bar to highlight an element.

63. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said third column displays the program list for a channel highlighted by the user.

64. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein whispering arrows are displayed when information exists in the indicated direction and wherein information is more detailed as the highlight is moved to the right.

65. The apparatus of claim 59, comprising:

a module for displaying a description of a program highlighted by the user in said program guide area.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein said program description is displayed in the upper portion of said program guide area.

67. The apparatus of claim 59, further comprising:

a module for displaying the channel number and ID above said third column; and

wherein said channel number and ID are modifiable by the user.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein said program list changes to the programs associated with the channel number highlighted by the user, starting at the time indicated above said first column.

69. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the user highlights a program in said third column and moves said highlight to the right to obtain a detailed information screen for said program.

70. The apparatus of claim 56, further comprising:

a module for displaying a start time above said second column; and

wherein said start time is modifiable by the user.

71. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein said channel list comprises channel numbers, channel IDs and the name of the program playing during said start time on each channel number.

72. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein said third column displays programs for the selected channel starting from said start time.

73. The apparatus of claim 56, further comprising:

a module for displaying the channel number and ID above said third column; and

wherein said channel number and ID are modifiable by the user.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein said channel list follows the user'"'"'s channel selections, scrolling backward or forward in said channel list.

75. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said program list lists the start time of each program next to the program name, said program list is in descending order from the most recent time to the latest time.

76. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said program list lists the start time of each program next to the program name and continues the intermediate time intervals by listing each half, quarter hour, or selectable intervals, and wherein the duration of each program is displayed using an indicator extending from the program start time down to the program end time.

77. A program storage medium readable by a computer, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for presenting interactive program guide information to a user, comprising the steps of:

providing a program guide area;

wherein said program guide area is semi-transparent and overlays a broadcast program that the user is currently watching, allowing the user to see the progress of the broadcast program;

receiving user command input;

displaying a first column in said program guide area;

said first column displays available program channels in a rotating endless channel list;

wherein the user scrolls or pages up or down said channel list;

displaying a second column in said program guide area;

said second column displays a program list for a specific channel; and

wherein the user scrolls or pages up or down said program list.

78. The method of claim 77, further comprising the step of:

highlighting an element in a column; and

said highlight step is responsive to a user'"'"'s commands.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein said highlight step displays a highlight bar to highlight an element.

80. The method of claim 78, wherein said second column displays the program list for a channel highlighted by the user.

81. The method of claim 78, wherein whispering arrows are displayed when information exists in the indicated direction and wherein information is more detailed as the highlight is moved to the right.

82. The method of claim 78, further comprising the step of:

displaying a description of a program highlighted by the user in said program guide area.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein said program description is displayed above said first and said second columns in said program guide area.

84. The method of claim 78, further comprising the step of:

displaying the channel number and ID above said second column; and

wherein said channel number and ID are modifiable by the user.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein said program list changes to the programs associated with the channel number highlighted by the user, starting at the time indicated above said first column.

86. The method of claim 78, wherein the user highlights a program in said second column and moves said highlight to the right to obtain a detailed information screen for said program.

87. The method of claim 80, further comprising the step of:

displaying a start time above said first column; and

wherein said start time is modifiable by the user.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein said channel list comprises channel numbers, channel IDs and the name of the program playing during said start time on each channel number.

89. The method of claim 87, wherein said second column displays programs for the selected channel starting from said start time.

90. The method of claim 77, further comprising the step of:

displaying the channel number and ID above said second column; and

wherein said channel number and ID are modifiable by the user.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein said channel list follows the user'"'"'s channel selections, scrolling backward or forward in said channel list.

92. The method of claim 77, wherein said program list lists the start time of each program next to the program name, said program list is in descending order from the most recent time to the latest time.

93. The method of claim 77, wherein said program list lists the start time of each program next to the program name and continues the intermediate time intervals by listing each half, quarter hour, or selectable intervals, and wherein the duration of each program is displayed using an indicator extending from the program start time down to the program end time.

94. A program storage medium readable by a computer, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for presenting interactive program guide information to a user, comprising the steps of:

providing a program guide area;

wherein said program guide area is semi-transparent and overlays a broadcast program that the user is currently watching, allowing the user to see the progress of the broadcast program;

receiving user command input;

displaying a first column in said program guide area;

said first column displays channel sorting methods available to the user;

displaying a second column in said program guide area;

said second column displays available program channels in a rotating endless channel list;

wherein the user scrolls or pages up or down said channel list;

displaying a third column in said program guide area;

said third column displays a program list for a specific channel; and

wherein the user scrolls or pages up or down said program list.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein two columns are displayed at a time.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein said first column and said second column are displayed in said program guide area.

97. The method of claims 94, further comprising the step of:

highlighting an element in a column; and

said highlight step is responsive to a users commands.

98. The method of claim 97, wherein said second column displays the available channels that correspond to the sorting method highlighted by the user.

99. The method of claim 97, wherein the user moves the highlight to the right of said second column to display said second and said third columns in said program guide area.

100. The method of claim 97, wherein said highlight step displays a highlight bar to highlight an element.

101. The method of claim 97, wherein said third column displays the program list for a channel highlighted by the user.

102. The method of claim 97, wherein whispering arrows are displayed when information exists in the indicated direction and wherein information is more detailed as the highlight is moved to the right.

103. The method of claim 97, further comprising the step of:

displaying a description of a program highlighted by the user in said program guide area.

104. The method of claim 103, wherein said program description is displayed in the upper portion of said program guide area.

105. The method of claim 97, further comprising the step of:

displaying the channel number and ID above said third column; and

wherein said channel number and ID are modifiable by the user.

106. The method of claim 105, wherein said program list changes to the programs associated with the channel number highlighted by the user, starting at the time indicated above said first column.

107. The method of claim 97, wherein the user highlights a program in said third column and moves said highlight to the right to obtain a detailed information screen for said program.

108. The method of claims 94, further comprising the step of:

displaying a start time above said second column; and

wherein said start time is modifiable by the user.

109. The method of claim 108, wherein said channel list comprises channel numbers, channel IDs and the name of the program playing during said start time on each channel number.

110. The method of claim 108, wherein said third column displays programs for the selected channel starting from said start time.

111. The method of claim 94, further comprising the step of:

displaying the channel number and ID above said third column; and

wherein said channel number and ID are modifiable by the user.

112. The method of claim 111, wherein said channel list follows the user'"'"'s channel selections, scrolling backward or forward in said channel list.

113. The method of claim 94, wherein said program list lists the start time of each program next to the program name, said program list is in descending order from the most recent time to the latest time.

114. The method of claim 94, wherein said program list lists the start time of each program next to the program name and continues the intermediate time intervals by listing each half, quarter hour, or selectable intervals, and wherein the duration of each program is displayed using an indicator extending from the program start time down to the program end time.