Web channel guide graphical interface system and method

• US 6,993,721 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2000
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Rosin, Robert, Sonoda, Yumie
• Primary Examiner(s): Hailu, Tadesse
• Application Number:
  US09/739,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20010012024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,870 Days
• Field of Search: 345763-765, 345/733, 345/744, 345737-739, 345/716, 345/717, 345/721, 345/719, 345/835, 345/840, 345/841, 725/109, 725/135, 725/51, 725/54, 725 39- 45, 715716-723, 715736-738
• US Class Current: 715/738
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9562 Bookmark management
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• 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 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• 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

Abstract

In a system and method for enabling a user to navigate among a plurality of internet websites of interest to the user, the system includes a graphical user interface which includes a guide for enabling the user to navigate among the internet websites, and to obtain access to a selected one of the internet websites. The guide includes an array of web channel buttons, each of which includes a web channel number and a web channel title, and each of which is associated with and enables access to at least one internet website. The internet websites associated with each web channel button may comprise internet websites commonly accessed by the user or selected for the user, which are relevant to topics of interest to the user. An internet program guide accessible from the web channel guide enables customization of the at least one internet website associated with each of the array of web channel buttons, so as to enable further access to internet websites of internet to the user. Each web channel button can be efficiently activated to enable selection and access to the internet websites of interest to the user. A guide strip identifies the internet website selected and presented in a display, for integrated navigation between internet websites and television channels.

Claims

1. A system for enabling a user to select among and access one of a plurality of Internet websites, comprising:

a graphical user interface, which includes;

an Internet website selection-access enabling element for enabling selection of and access to one of a plurality of Internet websites;

a television channel navigation enabling element for enabling navigation of the one or more television channels;

a web channel selection-access enabling element for enabling selection of and access to one of an array of web channels upon actuating the Internet website selection-access enabling element, wherein each web channel includes a plurality of selectable categories associated with the web channel and includes a plurality of selectable Internet websites related to and associated with each selectable category; and

a web channel customization enabling element for enabling customization of at least one of the array of web channels upon actuating the web channel selection-access enabling element so as to enable selection of one of the plurality of selectable categories associated with the web channel and selection of one of the plurality of selectable Internet websites related to and associated with each selectable category;

wherein the Internet website selection-access enabling element comprises a guide button;

wherein the web channel selection-access enabling element comprises a web channel guide window, adapted to be accessed upon actuation of the guide button, the web channel guide window including an array of web channel buttons, each web channel button being associated with a web channel and adapted to be actuated to enable access to the associated web channel, and including an array of customization buttons, each customization button being associated with one of the array of web channel buttons; and

wherein the web channel customization enabling means element comprises an Internet program guide window, adapted to be accessed upon actuating one of the array of customization buttons, the Internet program guide window including an array of selectable category buttons and an array of website buttons associated with each category button.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface further includes a web channel guide in which the array of the web channels is presented.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising navigating means for enabling the user to navigate among the array of the web channels.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the navigating enabling means comprise a remote control device.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the navigating enabling means comprise a keyboard which includes function keys for enabling navigating among the web channels.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the navigating enabling means comprise a mouse device.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the navigating enabling means include means for enabling the user to move up and down among the web channels.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein the navigating means include means for enabling direct access to a selected one of the web channels.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising displaying means for displaying the graphical user interface.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the displaying means comprise a display monitor.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the displaying means comprise a television display.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising web channel identifying means for identifying the web channel being presented, upon presenting the web channel.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the web channel identifying means comprise a guide strip adapted to be presented upon presenting the web channel.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the guide strip is adapted to include a web channel number and a web channel title representing the associated web channel.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising access enabling means for enabling the web channel selection-access enabling element to access an Internet website selected by the user.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the access enabling means comprise a digital cable system.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the access enabling means comprise a telephone modem.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the access enabling means comprise a digital broadcast satellite system.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the access enabling means comprise a web server.

20. The system of claim 1, further comprising a client device including an Internet browser for enabling access to and retrieval of the plurality of the Internet websites.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising means for enabling at least one of the plurality of Internet websites to be downloaded and stored in the client device.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for enabling the displaying of the web channel guide, wherein the displaying enabling means are further adapted to enable the displaying of the plurality of the associated Internet websites.

23. The system of claim 1, further comprising a client device, and means for enabling a plurality of the Internet websites associated with the plurality of the web channels to be accessed from the client device.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of the web channels comprises one of a plurality of the Internet websites which is commonly accessed by the user.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of the Internet websites comprises one of the plurality of the Internet websites which is selected for the user.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of the Internet websites associated with each of the plurality of the web channels comprises a group of the Internet websites categorized for the user based on content.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the web channel customization enabling element includes a plurality of customizing buttons, each of which is adapted to be associated with one of the array of the web channels.

28. The system of claim 27, further comprising an Internet program guide adapted to be accessible through the graphical user interface through use of one of the plurality of customizing buttons associated with one of the array of web channels.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the web channel customization enabling element includes a plurality of category buttons adapted to be associated with each of the array of the web channels.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein each of the plurality of category buttons includes a plurality of Internet website buttons, each Internet website button being adapted to be associated with one of the plurality of selectable Internet websites.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein each of the Internet website buttons includes an Internet website title representing the associated Internet website.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of the web channel buttons includes a web channel number and a web channel title representing the associated Internet website.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein each of the plurality of the web channel buttons includes a uniform resource locator representing the associated Internet website.

34. A method of enabling a user to select among and access one of a plurality of Internet websites and one or more television channels, in a system which includes:

a graphical user interface including;

an Internet website selection-access enabling element for enabling selection of and access to one of a plurality of Internet websites,

a television channel navigation enabling element for enabling navigation of the one or more television channels,

a web channel selection-access enabling element for enabling selection of and access to one of an array of web channels upon actuating the Internet website selection-access enabling element, wherein each web channel includes a plurality of selectable categories associated with the web channel and includes a plurality of selectable Internet websites related to and associated with each selectable category, and

a web channel customization enabling element for enabling customization of at least one of the array of web channels upon actuating the web channel selection-access enabling elements so as to enable selection of one of the plurality of selectable categories associated with the web channel and selection of one of the plurality of selectable Internet websites related to and associated with each selectable category;

wherein the method comprises;

enabling the displaying of the graphical user interface;

enabling the displaying of the array of the web channels;

enabling the navigation of the one or more television channels within the graphical user interface;

enabling the user to select one of the array of the web channels and to obtain access to one of the plurality of the related and associated Internet websites; and

enabling the user to customize at least one of the array of web channels;

wherein the Internet website selection-access enabling element comprises a guide button;

wherein the web channel selection-access enabling element comprises a web channel guide window adapted to be accessed upon actuation of the guide button, the web channel guide window including an array of web channel buttons, each web channel button being associated with a web channel and adapted to be actuated to enable access to the associated web channel, and including an array of customization buttons, each customization button being associated with one of the array of web channel buttons;

wherein the web channel customization enabling element comprises an Internet program guide window adapted to be accessed upon actuating one of the array of customization buttons, the web channel customization enabling element including an array of selectable category buttons and an array of website buttons associated with each category button;

wherein web channel selection and Internet website access comprise actuating the guide button to access the web channel guide window and actuating a selected web channel button and

wherein web channel customization enabling comprises actuating a customization button to access the Internet program guide window, and actuating a selected category button to select an associated website button.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein each of the array of the web channels is adapted to be associated with a plurality of the Internet websites, and wherein enabling the displaying of the array of the web channels further comprises enabling the selection of one of the plurality of the Internet websites associated with each of the array of the web channels.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the system further comprises means for displaying the graphical user interface, and wherein the method further comprises displaying the graphical user interface.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the system further comprises means for identifying the web channel being presented upon presenting the web channel, and wherein the method further comprises presenting a web channel and identfying the web channel being presented.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the system further comprises a client device, the client device including an Internet browser for enabling access to and retrieval of the plurality of the Internet websites, and wherein the method further comprises enabling the Internet browser to access and retrieve the plurality of the Internet web sites.

39. A system for enabling a user to select among and access one of a plurality of Internet websites and one or more television channels;

comprising;

a graphical user interface, which includes;

an Internet website selection-access enabling element for enabling selection of and access to one of a plurality of Internet websites;

a television channel navigation enabling element for enabling navigation of the one or more television channels, wherein television content corresponding to a television channel is displayed when the television channel is selected;

a web channel selection-access enabling element for enabling selection of and access to one of an array of web channels upon actuating the Internet website selection-access enabling element, wherein each web channel includes a plurality of selectable categories associated with the web channel and a plurality of selectable Internet websites related to and associated with each selectable category; and

a web channel customization enabling element for enabling customization of at least one of the array of web channels upon actuating the web channel selection-access enabling elements so as to enable selection of one of the plurality of selectable categories associated with the web channel and selection of one of the plurality of selectable Internet websites related to and associated with each selectable category;

wherein the Internet website selection-access enabling element comprises a guide button;

wherein the web channel selection-access enabling element comprises a web channel guide window adapted to be accessed upon actuation of the guide button, the web channel guide window including an array of web channel buttons, each web channel button being associated with a web channel and adapted to be actuated to enable access to the associated web channel, and an array of customization buttons, each customization button being associated with one of the array of web channel buttons; and

wherein the web channel customization enabling element comprises an Internet program guide window adapted to be accessed upon actuating one of the array of customization buttons, the web channel customization enabling element including an array of selectable category buttons and an array of website buttons associated with each category button.

40. A system for enabling a user to select among and access one of a plurality of Internet websites and one or more television channels;

comprising;

a graphical user interface, which includes;

an Internet website selection-access enabling element for enabling selection of and access to one of a plurality of Internet websites;

a television channel navigation enabling element for enabling navigation of the one or more television channels, wherein a broadcast corresponding to a television channel is displayed when the television channel is selected;

a web channel selection-access enabling element for enabling selection of and access to one of an array of web channels upon actuating the Internet website selection-access enabling element, wherein each web channel includes a plurality of selectable categories associated with the web channel and a plurality of selectable Internet websites related to and associated with each selectable category; and

a web channel customization enabling element for enabling customization of at least one of the array of web channels upon actuating the web channel selection-access enabling elements so as to enable selection of one of the plurality of selectable categories associated with the web channel and selection of one of the plurality of selectable Internet websites related to and associated with each selectable category;

wherein the Internet website selection-access enabling element comprises a guide button;

wherein the web channel selection-access enabling element comprises a web channel guide window adapted to be accessed upon actuation of the guide button, the web channel guide window including an array of web channel buttons, each web channel button being associated with a web channel and adapted to be actuated to enable access to the associated web channel, and an array of customization buttons, each customization button being associated with one of the array of web channel buttons; and

wherein the web channel customization enabling element comprises an Internet program guide window adapted to be accessed upon actuating one of the array of customization buttons, the Internet program guide window including an array of selectable category buttons and an array of website buttons associated with each category button.

41. A graphical user interface comprising:

an Internet website selection-access enabling element for enabling selection of and access to one of a plurality of Internet websites;

a television channel navigation enabling element for enabling navigation of the one or more television channels;

a web channel selection-access enabling element for enabling selection of and access to one of an array of web channels upon actuating the Internet website selection-access enabling element, wherein each web channel includes a plurality of selectable categories associated with the web channel and includes a plurality of selectable Internet websites related to and associated with each selectable category; and

a web channel customization enabling element for enabling customization of at least one of the array of web channels upon actuating the web channel selection-access enabling elements so as to enable selection of one of the plurality of selectable categories associated with the web channel and selection of one of the plurality of selectable Internet websites related to and associated with each selectable category;

wherein the Internet website selection-access enabling element comprises a guide button;

wherein the web channel selection-access enabling element comprises a web channel guide window adapted to be accessed upon actuation of the guide button, the web channel guide window including an array of web channel buttons, each web channel button being associated with a web channel and adapted to be actuated to enable access to the associated web channel, and including an array of customization buttons, each customization button being associated with one of the array of web channel buttons; and

wherein the web channel customization enabling element comprises an Internet program guide window adapted to be accessed upon actuating one of the array of customization buttons, the Internet program guide window including an array of selectable category buttons and an array of website buttons associated with each category button.