Graphical tuning bar

• US 7,765,568 B1
• Filed: 08/08/2002
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Feaster, Linda, Hughes, Henry A. Jr., Marshall, Robert W., Gagnon, Gregory J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller; John W
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHNURR, JOHN R
• Application Number:
  US10/215,234
• Time in Patent Office: 2,910 Days
• Field of Search: 725/37, 725/38, 725/39, 725/43, 715/787
• US Class Current: 725/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/25 Arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/43 for identifying broadcast channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• 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 21/47214 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 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration

Abstract

A system and method for displaying a user interface in the form of a program guide that assists users in determining and selecting television viewing options and related services is described. The guide is a viewable display constructed at receiver stations based on data periodically received via a Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite communication or other system. The guide display presentation can include still pictures, live video broadcasts, still graphics, moving graphics, webpages, graphics and “buttons” that are utilized by the viewer to perform a variety of operations, including determining program availability, selecting programming or services, and launching to related information, programming or services. A tuning bar is automatically scaled to seamlessly represent all programs that a given user subscribes to. The user moves a graphic slider along the tuning bar to quickly and intuitively select a current program.

Claims

1. A method of tuning to a channel for use in a broadcast data system having a receiving station that receives a data stream including a plurality of channels and channel identification information, the method comprising:

displaying a bar-shaped channel tuning graphic having a plurality of positions;

allocating the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic to a plurality of available channels based on the channel identification information;

displaying a movable graphic disposed on the channel tuning graphic, wherein the movable graphic is selectably movable by a user over the channel tuning graphic to the plurality of positions;

displaying a channel identifier including a subset of the channel identification information corresponding to a currently tuned channel when the movable graphic is positioned on a first one of the plurality of positions allocated to the currently tuned channel;

placing a previously-tuned indicator on a second one of the plurality of positions allocated to a first channel tuned previous to the currently tuned channel; and

moving the previously-tuned indicator to the first one of the plurality of positions when the currently tuned channel is changed from the channel corresponding to the first one of the positions to another channel corresponding to a third one of the positions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the bar-shaped channel tuning graphic includes displaying a rectangularly-shaped graphic bar and wherein the movable graphic is a slider graphic disposed along the rectangularly-shaped graphic bar.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a location of the channel identifier changes based on a position of the movable graphic.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the subset of the channel identification information includes a channel call-sign.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the subset of the channel identification information includes a channel number.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the channel tuning graphic includes displaying a symbol associated with incrementing a currently selected channel.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the channel tuning graphic includes displaying a symbol associated with decrementing a currently selected channel.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the channel tuning graphic includes associating a plurality of colors with the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein allocating the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic based on the channel identification information includes using channel call-signs to allocate the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein using channel call-signs to allocate the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic includes alphanumerically allocating the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein allocating the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic based on the channel identification information includes using channel numbers to allocate the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein allocating the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic based on the channel identification information includes using channel content to allocate the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein allocating the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic includes allocating contiguous portions of the channel tuning graphic to each available channel.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a channel corresponding to one of the plurality of positions based on a user input by receiving an input associated with a particular position of the channel tuning graphic and using the input associated with the particular position of the channel tuning graphic to determine the selected channel.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein using the input associated with the particular position of the channel tuning graphic to determine the selected channel includes using a lookup table.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein receiving the input associated with the particular position of the channel tuning graphic includes dragging the movable graphic to the particular position of the channel tuning graphic.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein receiving the input associated with the particular position of the channel tuning graphic includes moving a cursor to the particular position of the channel tuning graphic and actuating a switch on a user input device when the cursor is over the particular position of the channel tuning graphic.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein receiving the input associated with the particular position of the channel tuning graphic includes moving a cursor to an increment or decrement position of the channel tuning graphic and actuating a switch on a user input device when the cursor is over the increment or decrement position.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising defining one or more regions of the channel tuning graphic to correspond with one or more categories of channels.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the previously-tuned indicator includes a line extending from one of the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic and a channel identifier indicative of a subset of the channel identification information.

21. A system that tunes to a channel for use in a broadcast data system having a video display and a user input device that receives a data stream including a plurality of channels and channel identification information, the system comprising:

a receiving station coupled to the video display and the user input device, wherein the receiving station is configured to display a bar-shaped channel tuning graphic having a plurality of positions, wherein the receiving station is configured to allocate the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic to a plurality of available channels based on the channel identification information, wherein the receiving station is configured to display a movable graphic disposed on the channel tuning graphic, wherein the movable graphic is selectably movable by a user over the channel tuning graphic to the plurality of positions, wherein the receiving station is configured to display a channel identifier including a subset of the channel identification information corresponding to a currently tuned channel when the movable graphic is positioned on a first one of the plurality of positions allocated to the currently tuned channel, wherein the receiving station is configured to place a previously-tuned indicator on a second one of the plurality of positions allocated to a first channel tuned previous to the currently tuned channel, and wherein the receiving station is configured to move the previously-tuned indicator to the first one of the plurality of positions when the currently tuned channel is changed from the channel corresponding to the first one of the positions to another channel corresponding to a third one of the positions.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the bar-shaped channel tuning graphic comprises a rectangularly-shaped graphic bar.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein a location of the channel identifier changes based on a position of the movable graphic.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the subset of the channel identification information includes a channel call-sign.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the subset of the channel identification information includes a channel number.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the channel tuning graphic includes a symbol associated with incrementing or decrementing a currently selected channel.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the channel tuning graphic includes a plurality of colors associated with the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein the receiving station uses channel call-signs to allocate the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the receiving station alphanumerically allocates the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic based on the channel call-signs.

30. The system of claim 21, wherein the receiving station uses numbers to allocate the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic.

31. The system of claim 21, wherein the receiving station uses channel content to allocate the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic.

32. The system of claim 21, wherein the receiving station allocates contiguous portions of the channel tuning graphic to each available channel.

33. The system of claim 21, wherein the receiving station receives an input associated with a particular position of the channel tuning graphic and uses the input associated with the particular position of the channel tuning graphic to determine a selected channel.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the receiving station uses the input associated with the particular position of the channel tuning graphic and a lookup table to determine the selected channel.

35. The system of claim 21, wherein the previously-tuned indicator includes a line extending from one of the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic and a channel identifier indicative of a subset of the channel identification information.

36. A system that tunes to a channel for use in a broadcast data system having a processor and a memory that receives a data stream including a plurality of channels and channel identification information, the system comprising:

a computer readable medium; and

instructions stored on the computer readable medium and adapted to be executed by the processor, wherein the instructions when executed cause the system to;

display a bar-shaped channel tuning graphic having a plurality of positions;

allocate the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic to a plurality of available channels based on the channel identification information;

display a movable graphic disposed on the channel tuning graphic, wherein the movable graphic is selectably movable by a user over the channel tuning graphic to the plurality of positions;

display a channel identifier including a subset of the channel identification information corresponding to a currently tuned channel when the movable graphic is positioned on a first one of the plurality of positions allocated to the currently tuned channel;

place a previously-tuned indicator on a on a second one of the plurality of positions allocated to a first channel tuned previous to the currently tuned channel; and

move the previously-tuned indicator to the first one of the plurality of positions when the currently tuned channel is changed from the channel corresponding to the first one of the positions to another channel corresponding to a third one of the positions.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the instructions when executed cause the system to display the bar-shaped channel tuning graphic as an rectangular graphic bar.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein the a location of the channel identifier changes based on a position of the movable graphic.

39. The system of claim 36, wherein the instructions when executed cause the system to associate a plurality of colors with the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic.

40. The system of claim 36, wherein the instructions when executed cause the system to use channel call-signs to allocate the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the instructions when executed cause the system to use the channel call-signs to alphanumerically allocate the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic.

42. The system of claim 36, wherein the instructions when executed cause the system to use channel content to allocate the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic.

43. The system of claim 36, wherein the instructions when executed cause the system to receive an input associated with a particular position of the channel tuning graphic and to use the input associated with the particular position of the channel tuning graphic to determine a selected channel.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the instructions when executed cause the system to use a lookup table to determine the selected channel.

45. The system of claim 36, wherein the previously-tuned indicator includes a line extending from one of the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic and a channel identifier indicative of a subset of the channel identification information.

46. A method for use in a broadcast data system, comprising:

displaying a channel tuning graphic having a plurality of positions each having a substantially equal width; and

allocating the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic to a plurality of available channels based on channel identification information;

placing a previously-tuned indicator on a first one of the plurality of positions allocated to a first channel that was tuned at a first time, wherein the first time is previous to a second time at which a second channel is tuned; and

moving the previously-tuned indicator to a second one of the plurality of positions allocated to the second channel when a third channel is tuned at a third time, the third time occurring after the second time.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the previously-tuned indicator includes a line extending from one of the plurality of positions of the channel tuning graphic and a channel identifier indicative of a subset of the channel identification information.