Reduced screen control system for interactive program guide

• US 6,817,028 B1
• Filed: 06/09/2000
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Synamedia Limited
• Original Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta Incorporated (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jerding, Dean F., Banker, Robert O., Rodriguez, Arturo A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): BELIVEAU, SCOTT E
• Application Number:
  US09/590,925
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• Field of Search: 725/43, 725/47, 725/54, 725/57, 725/41, 725/42, 725/46, 725/52, 345/802, 348/563, 348/569, 348/565
• US Class Current: 725/52
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• 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 21/8545 for generating interactive applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

An apparatus and method for browsing and viewing television programs while viewing a television program guide. In other words, a user is able to remain inside the program guide while viewing various television programs. In another aspect, a server system operator is provided an interface with flexible options for configuring user controls for viewing television programs while inside program guides in client devices.

Claims

1. A method for providing video content via a television, comprising the steps of:

providing a user with a menu that includes a plurality of options corresponding to respective control settings for controlling functionality of a channel navigation key, wherein the menu is displayed via the television;

receiving a first user input corresponding to one of the plurality of options that is configured to enable the channel navigation key to navigate video presentations within a video display area;

providing the video display area in conjunction with an interactive program guide (“

IPG”

) that includes a plurality of television program listings, wherein a first video presentation is displayed in the video display area;

receiving a second user input corresponding to the channel navigation key; and

providing a second video presentation in the video display area responsive to receiving the second user input and responsive to having previously received the first user input, wherein the second video presentation is different from the first video presentation;

wherein said one of the plurality of options is further configured to disable the channel navigation key from navigating television program listings in the IPG.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a television program listing that is highlighted in the IPG immediately prior to receiving the second user input remains highlighted in the IPG responsive to receiving the second user input.

3. A television set-top terminal (“

STT”

) configured to output video signals to a television, the STT comprising;

at least one tuner configured to receive video signals corresponding to video presentations;

memory having stored therein program code; and

at least one processor that is programmed by the program code to enable the STT to;

provide a user with a menu that includes a plurality of options corresponding to respective control settings for controlling functionality of a channel navigation key, wherein the menu is displayed via the television;

receive a first user input corresponding to one of the plurality of options that is configured to enable the channel navigation key to navigate video presentations within a video display area;

provide the video display area in conjunction with an IPG that includes a plurality of television program listings, wherein a first video presentation is displayed in the video display area;

receive a second user input corresponding to the channel navigation key; and

provide a second video presentation in the video display area responsive to receiving the second user input and responsive to having previously received the first user input, wherein the second video presentation is different from the first video presentation;

wherein said one of the plurality of options is further configured to disable the channel navigation key from navigating television program listings in the IPG.

4. The television set-top terminal of claim 3, wherein a television program listing that is highlighted in the IPG immediately prior to receiving the second user input remains highlighted in the IPG responsive to receiving the second user input.

5. A method for providing video content via a television, comprising the steps of:

providing a user with a menu that includes a plurality of options corresponding to respective control settings for controlling functionality of numeral input keys, wherein the menu is displayed via the television;

receiving a first user input corresponding to one of the plurality of options that is configured to enable the numeral input keys to navigate video presentations within a video display area;

providing the video display area in conjunction with an interactive program guide (“

IPG”

) that includes a plurality of television program listings, wherein a first video presentation is displayed in the video display area;

receiving a second user input corresponding to at least one of the numeral input keys; and

providing a second video presentation in the video display area responsive to receiving the second user input and responsive to having previously received the first user input, wherein the second video presentation is different from the first video presentation;

wherein said one of the plurality of options is further configured to disable the numeral input keys from navigating television program listings in the IPG.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a television program listing that is highlighted in the IPG immediately prior to receiving the second user input remains highlighted in the IPG responsive to receiving the second user input.

7. A television set-top terminal (“

STT”

) configured to output video signals to a television, the STT comprising;

at least one tuner configured to receive video signals corresponding to video presentations;

memory having stored therein program code; and

at least one processor that is programmed by the program code to enable the STT to;

provide a user with a menu that includes a plurality of options corresponding to respective control settings for controlling functionality of numeral input keys, wherein the menu is displayed via the television;

receive a first user input corresponding to one of the plurality of options that is configured to enable the numeral input keys to navigate video presentations within a video display area;

provide the video display area in conjunction with an interactive program guide (“

IPG”

) that includes a plurality of television program listings, wherein a first video presentation is displayed in the video display area;

receive a second user input corresponding to at least one of the numeral input keys; and

provide a second video presentation in the video display area responsive to receiving the second user input and responsive to having previously received the first user input, wherein the second video presentation is different from the first video presentation;

wherein said one of the plurality of options is further configured to disable the numeral input keys from navigating television program listings in the IPG.

8. The television set-top terminal of claim 7, wherein a television program listing that is highlighted in the IPG immediately prior to receiving the second user input remains highlighted in the IPG responsive to receiving the second user input.