Three-dimensional program guide
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- rendering a three-dimensional environment in which multiple two dimensional areas are defined, each said two dimensional area having electronic program guide data that identifies media content scheduled to be available to a user, wherein;
a first two-dimensional area of the multiple two-dimensional areas and a second two-dimensional area of the multiple two-dimensional areas are rendered within a common two-dimensional plane;
a third two-dimensional area of the multiple two-dimensional areas is rendered perpendicular to the first two-dimensional area;
a fourth two-dimensional area of the multiple two-dimensional areas is rendered parallel to the first two-dimensional area; and
a fifth two-dimensional area of the multiple two-dimensional areas is rendered such that it is neither;
within the common two-dimensional plane;
parallel to the first two-dimensional area;
norperpendicular to the first two-dimensional area;
rendering program listings for media content associated with a first category of the electronic program guide data in a particular one of the two-dimensional areas;
rendering program listings for media content associated with a second category of the electronic program guide data in another particular one of the two-dimensional areas;
rendering detailed information about a particular media content in yet another particular one of the two-dimensional areas;
identifying a virtual location and a virtual viewing direction of the user within the three-dimensional environment;
displaying a portion of the three-dimensional environment via a display device, wherein;
the portion of the three-dimensional environment that is displayed is determined based on the virtual location and the virtual viewing direction of the user; and
the three-dimensional environment extends beyond the portion of the three-dimensional environment that is displayed, with reference to the virtual location and the virtual viewing direction of the user, in each of a plurality of directions, wherein the plurality of directions comprises;
above;
below;
to the right;
to the left; and
behind;
receiving a user-submitted location navigation command;
in response to receiving the user-submitted location navigation command, modifying the virtual location of the user within the three-dimensional environment, thereby causing a different portion of the three-dimensional environment to be displayed;
receiving a user-submitted viewing direction navigation command; and
in response to receiving the user-submitted viewing direction navigation command, modifying the virtual viewing direction of the user within the three-dimensional environment, thereby causing another different portion of the three-dimensional environment to be displayed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A three-dimensional electronic program guide (EPG) is displayed as multiple two-dimensional areas within a three-dimensional television viewing environment. Each two-dimensional area contains a particular category of EPG data. A viewer navigates the three-dimensional EPG using an input device, such as a joystick or other game controller.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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rendering a three-dimensional environment in which multiple two dimensional areas are defined, each said two dimensional area having electronic program guide data that identifies media content scheduled to be available to a user, wherein; a first two-dimensional area of the multiple two-dimensional areas and a second two-dimensional area of the multiple two-dimensional areas are rendered within a common two-dimensional plane; a third two-dimensional area of the multiple two-dimensional areas is rendered perpendicular to the first two-dimensional area; a fourth two-dimensional area of the multiple two-dimensional areas is rendered parallel to the first two-dimensional area; and a fifth two-dimensional area of the multiple two-dimensional areas is rendered such that it is neither; within the common two-dimensional plane; parallel to the first two-dimensional area;
norperpendicular to the first two-dimensional area; rendering program listings for media content associated with a first category of the electronic program guide data in a particular one of the two-dimensional areas; rendering program listings for media content associated with a second category of the electronic program guide data in another particular one of the two-dimensional areas; rendering detailed information about a particular media content in yet another particular one of the two-dimensional areas; identifying a virtual location and a virtual viewing direction of the user within the three-dimensional environment; displaying a portion of the three-dimensional environment via a display device, wherein; the portion of the three-dimensional environment that is displayed is determined based on the virtual location and the virtual viewing direction of the user; and the three-dimensional environment extends beyond the portion of the three-dimensional environment that is displayed, with reference to the virtual location and the virtual viewing direction of the user, in each of a plurality of directions, wherein the plurality of directions comprises; above; below; to the right; to the left; and behind; receiving a user-submitted location navigation command; in response to receiving the user-submitted location navigation command, modifying the virtual location of the user within the three-dimensional environment, thereby causing a different portion of the three-dimensional environment to be displayed; receiving a user-submitted viewing direction navigation command; and in response to receiving the user-submitted viewing direction navigation command, modifying the virtual viewing direction of the user within the three-dimensional environment, thereby causing another different portion of the three-dimensional environment to be displayed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification