Hierarchical menu graphical user interface

• US 6,661,437 B1
• Filed: 10/05/1999
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing Dtv
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Logan, Robert Joseph, Crosby, Sheila Renee, Miller, Robert Howard
• Primary Examiner(s): Cabeca, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thai, Cuong T.
• Application Number:
  US09/402,523
• Time in Patent Office: 1,526 Days
• Field of Search: 345/810, 345/841, 345/764, 345/811, 345/853, 345/765, 345/828, 345/829, 345/830, 345/720, 345/721, 345/722, 345/741, 345/743, 345/733, 345/820
• US Class Current: 715/810
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 9/007 Transform coding, e.g. discrete cosine transform
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/027 Arrangements and methods specific for the display of internet documents
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/025 'Virtual' control panels, e.g. Graphical User Interface [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• 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 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/434 Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream demultiplexing of data packets for data networks, e.g. RTP/UDP H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4351 involving reassembling additional data, e.g. rebuilding an executable program from recovered modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4381 Recovering the multiplex stream from a specific network, e.g. recovering MPEG packets from ATM cells transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• 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 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• 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 21/4751 : for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 : End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4856 : for language selection, e.g. for the menu or subtitles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 : IP
• 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 5/45 : Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 : between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 : on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• 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 9/8227 : the additional signal being at least another television signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 : Solar thermal

Abstract

A disclosed processing device, including an on-screen User interface display, incorporates a means for generating a display of a plurality of hierarchically ordered menus. The menus include a current menu) and a preceding parent menu showing a selection path from the parent menu to the current menu. Also a menu selection item within the hierarchical menu display provides a User at least one of, a) a display of control information for the device, and b) control parameter data entry capability. The processing device also incorporates a means for updating the on-screen display in response to User menu item selection. The processing device may also include a means for altering the device operation in response to an updated operating parameter value. Also, the selection path may indicate menu entry and exit points separated by at least one intervening menu item.

Claims

1. Apparatus including an on-screen display User interface, comprising:

means for generating multiple hierarchically ordered menus for presentation in a merged display including a window for a concurrent Application program initiated via said menus, said menus including a current menu and a preceding parent menu showing a displayed selection path that connects from said parent menu to said current menu and showing a display menu entry and menu exist points, wherein

a menu selection item within said menus provides a User at least one of;

A) a display of control information for said apparatus, and

B) control parameter data entry capability; and

means for updating said on-screen display in response to User menu item selection.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein

said display generating means provides a continuously visible display of said selection path in a period comprising at least one of:

A) the duration of a User'"'"'s interactive operation of said apparatus,

B) the duration of a User'"'"'s interactive operation of said Application program, and

C) the duration of a User'"'"'s operation of said apparatus exclusive of periods of Application program operation.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including

database maintaining links between menu items for updating said on-screen display in response to menu item selection by a User.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 including

means for updating said database in response to control parameter data entry by a User.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 including

means for customizing said menus including means for updating said database in response to control parameter data entry by a User.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 including

means for automatically scrolling said menus to maintain said current menu viewable by a User, said scrolling occurring in response to a User menu item selection.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein

said selection path is identified by at least one of:

A) highlighting, B) coloring, C) shading, D) three dimensional shading, E) hatching, F) dashed lines, and G) dashed features.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 where

said menus comprise a User interface for said Application program.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein

said control parameter data entry capability includes the capability to enter one or more of A) a password, and B) User profile data.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein

said menus comprise a set of information and control displays.

11. A processing device, including a User interface for

displaying and selecting device operating parameters, comprising:

means for generating a display of hierarchically ordered set of control menus for presentation in a merged display including a window for a concurrent Application program initiated via said menus, said menus including a current menu and a preceding parent menu showing a displayed selection path that connects from said parent menu to said current menu and and showing a display menu entry and menu exist points incorporating;

A) a menu item for displaying a first operating parameter of said device, and

B) a menu item enabling a User to enter an updated value of a second operating parameter of said device; and

means for altering said processing device operation in response to said updated value.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein

said means for altering said processing device operation includes at least one of: A) means for updating a database associating a selectable menu option in a currently displayed menu with a menu that is to be displayed next, B) means for adjusting display visual characteristics, C) means for scheduling program play or record, D) means for setting-up said device, and E) means for updating device conditional access data.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein

said display generating means provides a continuously visible display of said selection path in a period comprising at least one of:

A) the duration of a User'"'"'s operation of said device

B) the duration of a User'"'"'s interactive operation of said Application program, and

C) the duration of a User'"'"'s operation of said device exclusive of periods of Application program operation.

14. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein

said hierarchically order menus provide a User interface for an Application program.

15. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein

said second operating parameter represents one of:

A) a password, B) User profile data, C) set-up parameters for said device, D) program play or record data, and E) conditional access data.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein

said User profile data includes at least one of:

A) a language selection, B) a content rating, and C) a program content preference.

17. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein

said first operating parameter is one of:

A) program content information, B) program guide information, C) device operating parameters, and D) device operating manual information.

18. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein

said current menu items are hierarchically ordered for guiding a User in a sequential selection of sequence sensitive functions.

19. A processing device, including an on-screen User interface display, comprising

means for generating a display of a plurality of hierarchically ordered menus including a first menu, a second menu preceding said first menu and a third menu preceding said second menu, said display showing a selection path from said third menu to said first menu and said selection path indicating entry and exit points of said second menu, wherein

said entry and exit points are separated by at least one intervening menu item and said selection path entry point is indicated by an entry icon of variable location within said second menu and said entry icon is located adjacent to a menu item first selected by a user from a plurality of items in said second menu;

and

means for accessing a database supporting the update of said display.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein

said selection path is identified by at least one of: A) highlighting, B) coloring, C) shading, D) three dimensional shading, E) hatching, F) dashed lines, and G) dashed features.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein

said selection path is highlighted except for said at least one intervening menu item.

22. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein

said selection path includes a plurality of intervening menu items representing sequentially ordered functions.

23. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein

said selection path exit point is indicated by an exit icon.

24. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein

said display generating means provides a continuously visible display of said selection path in a period comprising at least one of:

A) the duration of a User'"'"'s interactive operation of said device,

B) the duration of a User'"'"'s interactive operation of an Application program,

C) the duration of a User'"'"'s operation of said device exclusive of periods of program play, and

D) the duration of a User'"'"'s operation of said device exclusive of periods of Application program operation.

25. Apparatus according to claim 19 including

means for automatically scrolling said display to maintain said first menu viewable by a User, said scrolling occurring in response to a User menu item selection.

26. A method for generating an on-screen User interface display, comprising:

generating a plurality of hierarchically ordered menus for presentation in a merged display including a window for a concurrent Application program initiated via said menus, said menus including a current menu and a preceding parent menu showing displaying a selection path that connects from said parent menu to said current menu and showing a display menu entry and menu exist points wherein

a menu selection item within said parent menu provides a User at least one of;

A) a display of control information for a device, and

B) control parameter data entry capability; and

updating said on-screen display in response to User menu item selection.

27. A method for producing a User interface for displaying and selecting device operating parameters, comprising:

generating a display of hierarchically ordered set of control menus for presentation in a merged display including a window for a concurrent Application program initiated via said menus, said menus including a current menu and a preceding parent menu showing a selection path that connects from said parent menu to said current menu and and showing a display menu entry and menu exist points incorporating,

A) d a menu item for displaying a first operating parameter of said device, and

B) a menu item enabling a User to enter an updated value of a second operating parameter of said device; and

altering said processing device operation in response to said updated value.

28. A method for generating an on-screen User interface display comprising:

generating a display of a plurality of hierarchically ordered menus including a first menu, a second menu preceding said first menu and a third menu preceding said second menu, said display showing a displayed selection path from said third menu to said first menu and said selection path indicating entry and exit points of said second menu, wherein

said entry and exit points are separated by at least one intervening menu item and said selection path entry point is indicated by an entry icon of variable location within said second menu and said entry icon is located adjacent to a menu item first selected by a user from a plurality of items in said second menu; and

accessing a database supporting the update of said display.

29. Apparatus including an on-screen display User interface, comprising:

means for generating a display of multiple hierarchically ordered menus including a current menu and a preceding parent menu, showing a displayed selection path that connects from said parent menu to said current menu and showing a display menu entry and menu exist points wherein

said display generating means provides a continuously visible display of said selection path in a period comprising at least one of;

A) the duration of a User'"'"'s interactive operation of said apparatus

B) the duration of a User'"'"'s interactive operation of an Application program, and

C) the duration of a User'"'"'s operation of said apparatus exclusive of periods of Application program operation; and

means for updating said on-screen display User interface in response to User menu item selection.