Method and apparatus for preserving, enlarging and supplementing image content displayed in a graphical user interface

• US 7,202,878 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2005
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vince, Lawrence D., Safadi, Reem
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): Santiago; Enrique L.
• Application Number:
  US11/229,929
• Publication Number:
  US 20060015901A1
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 345/660
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42653 for processing graphics
• 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 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• 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 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72

Abstract

An enlargement feature of a graphical user interface (GUI) is disclosed. When a portion of a digital image displayed in the GUI is selected for enlargement, an enlarged version of the selected portion is displayed adjacent to the remaining portion of the original image that was not selected for enlargement. The digital image may include a plurality of image portions (e.g., individual display windows) selectable for enlargement, such as those found in a CATV electronic programming guide (EPG). In one embodiment, hidden supplemental data corresponding to the selected portion is only revealed in the enlarged version of the selected portion, so that it can be more easily viewed. In another embodiment, an enlargement feature application program is downloaded to a local device that controls the GUI, in response to a subscriber accepting an offer presented by a service provider.

Claims

1. An apparatus for enlarging a first portion of a first image, the apparatus comprising:

a first memory location capable of storing the first portion of the first image;

a second memory location capable of storing a second portion of the first image wherein the first portion of the first image and the second portion of the first image have a first orientation relative to each other in the first image;

a processor capable of operating in accordance with instructions wherein the processor retrieves the first portion from the first memory location, retrieves the second portion from the second memory location and generates a second image comprising an enlarged first portion and a second portion wherein the second portion in the second image is adjacent to and distinct from the enlarged first portion and wherein the enlarged first portion of the second image and the second portion of the second image have a second orientation relative to each other that is different from the first orientation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a display that displays the first image and the second image.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a wireless remote device used to select the first portion of the first image.

4. The apparatus of claim further comprising:

a third memory location capable of storing a table that correlates supplemental data with the first portion of the first image wherein the supplemental data is not displayed in the first image.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the enlarged first portion of the second image includes some of the supplemental data associated with the first portion of the first image.

6. A method for displaying image data comprising:

displaying a first image comprised of a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion and the second portion have a first orientation relative to each other in the first image;

receiving a selection for enlargement of the first portion; and

displaying a second image comprised of an enlarged image of the first portion and the second portion adjacent to and distinct from the enlarged image of the first portion wherein the enlarged image of the first portion and the second portion have a second orientation relative to each other different in the second image from the first orientation.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

retrieving supplemental data associated with the first portion that is not displayed in the first image; and

displaying the supplemental data along with the enlarged image of the first portion adjacent to and distinct from the second portion.