U.S. patent application number 10/097174 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-06 for system and method for focused navigation within an interactive television user interface.
This patent application is currently assigned to Digeo, Inc.. Invention is credited to Billmaier, James A., Kellum, John M., Reid, Dewey, Rogan, Philip.
Application Number | 20030046693 10/097174 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28039127 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030046693 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Billmaier, James A. ; et
al. |
March 6, 2003 |
System and method for focused navigation within an interactive
television user interface
Abstract
An ITV system having a plurality of channels is provided. A
visual card is created for each channel, each visual card including
a graphical representation of the channel. The visual cards may be
linked together or grouped in one or more sequences. One or more
visual cards from one or more sequences may be displayed across the
GUI, with one visual card being displayed within a focus area. In
response to a single user action, the visual cards within a
particular sequence may be successively displayed within the focus
area. When the user sees a visual card representing a desired
channel, the user takes some additional action and the successive
display of visual cards is discontinued. The visual card
representing the desired channel is then displayed in the focus
area within the user interface, and may be visually enhanced. Once
the successive display of visual cards has been discontinued, the
user may select the channel represented by the visual card.
Inventors: |
Billmaier, James A.;
(Woodinville, WA) ; Kellum, John M.; (Seattle,
WA) ; Reid, Dewey; (San Rafael, CA) ; Rogan,
Philip; (Bozeman, MT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DIGEO, INC C/O STOEL RIVES LLP
201 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUITE 1100
ONE UTAH CENTER
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84111
US
|
Assignee: |
Digeo, Inc.
8815 122nd Avenue NE
Kirkland
WA
98033
|
Family ID: |
28039127 |
Appl. No.: |
10/097174 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60315731 |
Aug 29, 2001 |
|
|
|
60317612 |
Sep 6, 2001 |
|
|
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60324997 |
Sep 26, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/39 ;
348/E5.103; 348/E5.104; 348/E5.105; 725/41; 725/47; 725/61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/44543 20130101;
H04N 21/4438 20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101; H04N 21/4316 20130101;
H04N 5/44591 20130101; G06F 3/0482 20130101; H04N 21/47
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/39 ; 725/41;
725/47; 725/61 |
International
Class: |
G06F 003/00; H04N
005/445; G06F 013/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for focused navigation of a plurality of channels
within a user interface of an interactive television (ITV) system,
the method comprising: storing a plurality of visual cards, each
visual card graphically representing a channel associated with the
ITV system; in response to a single user action, successively
displaying the visual cards in a focus area of the user interface;
and in response to an additional user action, discontinuing the
successive display of visual cards to show a particular visual card
representing a desired channel.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the channels represented by the
visual cards comprise broadcast television channels.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the channels represented by the
visual cards comprise interactive channels.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the interactive channels are
selected from the group consisting of a World Wide Web browser, an
e-mail program, a videophone, a personal video recorder, and a
directory of contacts.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the channels represented by the
visual cards comprise broadcast channels, and wherein at least one
broadcast channel is graphically represented on a visual card by a
video frame taken from a television program.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein a displayed visual card occupies
between about one-fifth and about one-fourth of a television
screen.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the focus area comprises a center
portion of the ITV user interface.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the single user action comprises
pressing and holding down a control on a remote control.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the additional user action
comprises releasing the control on the remote control.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the single user action comprises
activating a first control on a remote control.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the additional user action
comprises re-activating the first control.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the additional user action
comprises activating a second control on the remote control.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: enhancing the visual
card shown in the focus area in response to the additional user
action.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the channels represented by the
visual cards comprise broadcast channels, and wherein enhancing the
visual card comprises displaying a reduced-size presentation of the
broadcast channel in place of the visual card.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein enhancing the visual card
comprises displaying information within the user interface that is
descriptive of the represented channel.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the channels represented by the
visual cards comprise interactive channels, and wherein enhancing
the visual card comprises animating a graphical representation on
the visual card.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein discontinuing comprises
reverting to a previously-displayed visual card in response to the
additional user action.
18. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying the
desired channel in place of the user interface in response to a
selection action by the user.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the selection action comprises
activating a selection control on a remote control.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the selection action comprises
not activating a control on a remote control for a set amount of
time.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual cards are
successively displayed at a maximum rate approximating a user's
image recognition threshold.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the visual cards are
successively displayed at a user-selected rate between about five
representations per second and about eight representations per
second.
23. The method of claim 21, further comprising: determining a
user's image recognition threshold.
24. The method of claim 1, further comprising: increasing a rate at
which the visual cards are successively displayed in response to a
user command.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the user command comprises
holding down a button on a remote control.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the rate is increased based on
how long the button is held down.
27. The method of claim 24, wherein the user command comprises
pressing a button on a remote control.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the rate is increased each time
the button is pressed.
29. A method for focused navigation of a plurality of channels
within a user interface of an interactive television (ITV) system,
the method comprising: storing a plurality of visual cards, each
visual card graphically representing a channel associated with the
ITV system; displaying the visual cards in rapid succession in a
same location of the display screen; and in response to a user
action, discontinuing the successive display of visual cards to
show a particular visual card representing a desired channel.
30. A method for focused navigation of a plurality of options
within a user interface of an interactive television (ITV) system,
the method comprising: storing a first plurality of visual cards,
each visual card representing a channel associated with the ITV
system, each visual card comprising a graphical representation of
the represented channel; linking the first plurality of visual
cards in a first sequence; displaying a subset of the first
sequence of visual cards in a first direction across the user
interface, a single visual card in the sequence being displayed
within a focus area of the user interface; in response to a single
user action, cyclically displaying the visual cards across the user
interface in the first sequence to progressively change the visual
card within the focus area; and in response to an additional user
action, halting the cyclic display to show a particular visual card
within the focus area corresponding to a desired channel.
31. The method of claim 30, further comprising: storing a second
plurality of visual cards, each visual card representing a channel
associated with the ITV system, each visual card comprising a
graphical representation of the represented channel; linking the
second plurality of visual cards in a second sequence; and
displaying a subset of the second sequence of visual cards in a
second direction across the user interface.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the subset of the first
sequence and the subset of the second sequence intersect to define
the focus area.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the focus area comprises a
center portion of the ITV user interface.
34. A system for focused navigation of a plurality of channels
within a user interface, the system comprising: a storage device
configured to store a plurality of visual cards, each visual card
representing a channel associated with the system, each visual card
comprising a graphical representation of the represented channel; a
user input detector configured to detect user actions; and a
display unit configured to successively display the visual cards in
a focus area of the user interface in response to a single user
action being detected, and to discontinue the successive display of
visual cards to show a particular visual card of a desired channel
in response to an additional user action being detected.
35. The system of claim 34, wherein the channels represented by the
visual cards comprise broadcast channels.
36. The system of claim 34, wherein the channels represented by the
visual cards comprise interactive channels.
37. The system of claim 36, wherein the interactive channels are
selected from the group consisting of a World Wide Web browser, an
e-mail program, a videophone, a personal video recorder, and a
directory of contacts.
38. The system of claim 34, wherein the channels represented by the
visual cards comprise broadcast channels, and wherein at least one
broadcast channel is graphically represented on a visual card by a
video frame taken from a television program.
39. The system of claim 34, wherein a displayed visual card
occupies between about one-fifth and about one-fourth of a
television screen.
40. The system of claim 34, wherein the focus area comprises a
center portion of the user interface.
41. The system of claim 34, wherein the single user action
comprises pressing and holding down a control on a remote
control.
42. The system of claim 41, wherein the additional user action
comprises releasing the control on the remote control.
43. The system of claim 34, wherein the single user action
comprises activating a first control on a remote control.
44. The system of claim 43, wherein the additional user action
comprises re-activating the first control.
45. The system of claim 43, wherein the additional user action
comprises activating a second control on the remote control.
46. The system of claim 34, wherein the display unit is further
configured to enhance the visual card shown in the focus area in
response to the additional user action.
47. The system of claim 46, wherein the channels represented by the
visual cards comprise broadcast channels, and wherein the visual
card is enhanced by displaying a reduced-size presentation of the
broadcast channel in place of the visual card.
48. The system of claim 47, wherein the visual card is enhanced by
displaying information within the user interface that is
descriptive of the represented channel.
49. The system of claim 47, wherein the visual card is enhanced by
animating a graphical representation on the visual card.
50. The system of claim 34, wherein the display unit is further
configured to revert to a previously-displayed visual card in
response to the additional user action.
51. The system of claim 34, wherein the display unit is further
configured to display the desired channel in place of the user
interface in response to a user selection action being
detected.
52. The system of claim 51, wherein the user selection action
comprises activating a selection control on a remote control.
53. The system of claim 51, wherein the user selection action
comprises not activating a control on a remote control for a set
amount of time.
54. The system of claim 34, wherein the visual cards are
successively displayed at a maximum rate approximating a user's
image recognition threshold.
55. The system of claim 54, wherein the visual cards are
successively displayed at a user-selected rate between about five
representations per second and about eight representations per
second.
56. The system of claim 54, wherein the display unit is further
configured to determine a user's image recognition threshold.
57. The system of claim 34, wherein the display unit is further
configured to increase a rate at which the visual cards are
successively displayed in response to a user command.
58. The system of claim 57, wherein the user command comprises
holding down a button on a remote control.
59. The system of claim 57, wherein the rate is increased based on
how long the button is held down.
60. The system of claim 57, wherein the user command comprises
pressing a button on a remote control.
61. The system of claim 57, wherein the rate is increased each time
the button is pressed.
62. A system for focused navigation of a plurality of channels
within a user interface, the system comprising: a storage device
configured to store a plurality of visual cards, each visual card
graphically representing a channel associated with the system; a
user input detector configured to detect user actions; and a
display unit configured to display the visual cards in rapid
succession in a focus area of the user interface and to discontinue
the successive display of visual cards to show a particular visual
card of a desired channel in response to a user action being
detected.
63. A system for focused navigation of a plurality of channels
within a user interface, the system comprising: a computer-readable
medium configured to store a first linked sequence of visual cards,
each visual card representing a channel associated with the system,
each visual card comprising a graphical representation of the
represented channel; a user input detector configured to detect
user actions; and a display unit configured to: display a subset of
the first linked sequence of visual cards in a first direction
across the user interface, a single visual card in the sequence
being displayed within a focus area of the user interface;
cyclically display the visual cards across the user interface in
the first linked sequence to progressively change the visual card
within the focus area in response to a single user action being
detected; and halt the cyclic display to show a particular visual
card within the focus area corresponding to a desired channel in
response to an additional user action being detected.
64. The system of claim 63, further comprising: a computer-readable
medium configured to store a second linked sequence of visual
cards, each visual card representing a channel associated with the
system, each visual card comprising a graphical representation of
the represented channel; and
65. The system of claim 64, wherein the subset of the first linked
sequence and the subset of the second linked sequence intersect to
define the focus area.
66. The system of claim 65, wherein the focus area comprises a
center portion of the user interface.
67. A system for focused navigation of a plurality of channels, the
system comprising: means for storing a plurality of visual cards,
each visual card graphically representing a channel associated with
the system; means for successively displaying the visual cards in a
focus area of the user interface in response to a single user
action; and means for discontinuing the successive display of
visual cards to show a particular visual card representing a
desired channel in response to an additional user action.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is related to and claims priority
from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/315,731, filed Aug. 29,
2001, entitled "System and Method for Visual Channel Surfing",
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The
present application is also related to and claims priority from
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/317,612, filed Sep. 6, 2001,
entitled "System and Method for Visual Channel Surfing", which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The present
application is further related to and claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/324,997, filed Sep. 26, 2001,
entitled "System and Method for Visual Channel Surfing Using
Center-Focused Navigation", which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to interactive
television (ITV) systems. More specifically, the present invention
relates to a system and method for focused navigation within a user
interface of an ITV system.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Background Art
[0005] Recent advances in technology have vastly increased the
number of available channels within ITV systems. As used herein, a
"channel" refers to any capability of the ITV system that a user
may selectively activate. For example, one type of channel may be a
broadcast channel, such as NBC.RTM., HBO.RTM., ESPN.RTM., etc.
Another type of channel may be an interactive channel, such as a
World Wide Web browser, an e-mail program, a videophone, a personal
video recorder, a directory of contacts, various search functions
or filters, and so forth. Many ITV systems now offer hundreds of
broadcast channels and a variety of interactive channels.
[0006] Unfortunately, despite the rapid advances in ITV systems,
user interfaces for these ITV systems remain largely unchanged. For
example, a user of a modern ITV system must scan through user
options and channels in much the same way as a user selected a TV
channel twenty years ago, i.e., by repeatedly pressing channel
up/down buttons on a remote control. Such an outdated approach is
far too slow and inconvenient to facilitate effective navigation of
a modern ITV system.
[0007] Accordingly, it would be an advancement in the art to
provide a user interface for an ITV system that allows for rapid
and efficient navigation of a plurality of channels without the
drawbacks of conventional approaches. In particular, it would be an
advancement in the art to provide a user interface in which a user
need not repeatedly press a button to display each available
option, as is often the case with a conventional television or ITV
interface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Non-exhaustive embodiments of the invention are described
with reference to the figures, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an ITV system;
[0010] FIGS. 2-3 are illustrations of a method for focused
navigation of a plurality of channels within an ITV user
interface;
[0011] FIGS. 4-6 are timing diagrams for a successive display of
visual cards representing channels available on the ITV system;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of physical components of a
set-top box (STB);
[0013] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of logical components of a system
for focused navigation of a plurality of channels within an ITV
user interface; and
[0014] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for focused
navigation of a plurality of channels within an ITV user
interface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] The present invention solves the foregoing problems and
disadvantages by providing a system and method for focused
navigation within a user interface of an ITV system. In one
embodiment, an ITV system may include a television (TV) having a
display screen, a set-top box (STB), and a remote control. A
graphical user interface (GUI) for the ITV system may be displayed
on the display screen.
[0016] The ITV system may provide access to a plurality of
"channels." As previously noted, a channel may refer to any
capability of the ITV system or entertainment device that a user
may selectively activate, such as a television broadcast channel, a
Pay-Per-View (PPV) channel, or an Interactive Television (ITV)
channel. In addition, as used herein, a channel may refer to other
selectable options, such as databases, application programs,
digital photographs, video clips, audio clips, MP3 files, and
programs recorded by a Personal Video Recorder (PVR).
[0017] In one embodiment, a visual card is created to represent
each channel that is available through the ITV system. Each visual
card may include a graphical representation of the represented
channel. The graphical representation may take the form of an icon
(e.g., a drawing), an image (e.g., a photograph or video frame), a
symbol, or the like. In certain configurations, the graphical
representation may be combined with text for increased clarity.
[0018] The visual cards may be linked together or grouped in one or
more sequences. In response to a single user action, the visual
cards within a particular sequence may be successively displayed
within a focus area of the GUI. As used herein, a "focus area" is a
single location of the GUI at which the visual cards are displayed
one at a time in sequence. The focus area may be located at a
central or visually dominant location of the user interface,
although the invention is not limited in this respect.
[0019] The single user action to initiate the successive display of
visual cards may take many forms, such as pressing (or pressing and
holding down) a button on a remote control. Once all of the visual
cards within a particular sequence are displayed, the cycle may be
repeated any number of times until halted by the user.
[0020] The visual cards may be successively displayed at a high
rate of speed, preferably within the user's image recognition
threshold. For instance, in one embodiment, the graphical
representations may be shown at a rate between about six and eight
per second (360-420 per minute).
[0021] When displayed within the focus area, the visual cards are
preferably large enough to permit user recognition from a
comfortable viewing distance. For instance, in one embodiment, a
visual card occupies between about one-fifth and about one-fourth
of the display screen.
[0022] When the user sees a visual card being displayed of a
channel that he or she desires to select, the user may take some
additional action and the successive display of visual cards is
discontinued. For example, the additional action may be releasing
the button on the remote control or pressing the same or a
different button.
[0023] In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to display more
than one visual card within a particular sequence in a first
direction across the GUI, with one visual card being displayed
within the focus area. This may provide the user with a better
understanding of his or her navigational position within the
sequence. For example, in one embodiment, a subset including three
visual cards may be displayed vertically or horizontally across the
GUI. Of course, a sequence including any number of visual cards may
be displayed within the scope of the invention.
[0024] Additionally, it may be desirable to create different
sequences of visual cards for each type of channel associated with
the ITV system. For example, a first sequence may include visual
cards that represent broadcast channels, and a second sequence may
include visual cards that represent interactive channels.
[0025] A subset of visual cards from different sequences may be
displayed in different directions across the GUI. For example, in
one embodiment, a first subset including three visual cards from a
first sequence may be displayed horizontally across the GUI, and a
second subset including three visual cards from a second sequence
may be displayed vertically across the GUI. These two subsets may
intersect to define the focus area. As before, a single visual card
may be displayed within the focus area.
[0026] Regardless of the number of visual cards displayed within
the GUI at any given time, a particular visual card representing a
desired channel may be displayed within the focus area once
navigation has been discontinued. This remaining visual card may be
enhanced to further distinguish it from previously displayed visual
cards, and/or to provide the user with additional information about
the represented channel.
[0027] The remaining visual card may be enhanced in a variety of
ways. For example, the visual card may be enhanced by displaying
information within the GUI that is descriptive of the represented
channel. Alternatively, where the remaining visual card represents
a broadcast channel, the visual card may be enhanced by displaying
a reduced-size presentation of the broadcast channel in the focus
area in place of the visual card. Alternatively still, the visual
card may be enhanced by animating the graphical representation on
the visual card. Additionally, the visual card may be enhanced by
enlarging it with respect to other visual cards within the GUI
and/or with respect to its original size.
[0028] The user may select the channel associated with the
displayed visual card by taking a selection action. The selection
action may be, for instance, activating a selection control on the
remote control. In response to the selection action, the desired
channel may be displayed in place of the GUI on the display
screen.
[0029] If the user's reaction time is fast enough, the visual card
representing the desired channel remains displayed in the focus
area once navigation is discontinued. If not, one or more visual
cards may be subsequently displayed. In such a case, the user may
manually backtrack to the desired visual card by, for example,
repeatedly activating a suitable control on a remote control. In an
alternative embodiment, the user's delayed response may be
automatically compensated for by reverting to a previously
displayed visual card once the user halts the successive
display.
[0030] The rate at which the visual cards are successively
displayed may be increased in response to the user taking a
suitable action. For example, the rate at which visual cards are
successively displayed may increase gradually or according to a
stepwise function. The user action to increase the display rate may
take many forms, such as holding down a button on the remote
control for a set amount of time or by repeatedly pressing a button
on the remote control.
[0031] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an
embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0032] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or
characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or
more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific
details are provided, such as examples of programming, software
modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries,
database structures, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will
recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one
or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components,
materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures,
materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to
avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an illustration of
an ITV system 10. The ITV system 10 includes, in one embodiment, a
television (TV) 12 having a display screen 14, a set-top box (STB)
16, and a remote control 18.
[0034] The STB 16 is a consumer electronics device that serves as a
gateway between the TV 12 and a broadband network (not shown), such
as a cable or satellite network. The STB 16 receives TV signals and
other information from the broadband network and processes the same
for display on the display screen 14. The STB 16 may also be
responsible for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) 20 on
the display screen 14.
[0035] In alternative embodiments, the term "STB" may broadly
encompass a personal computer (PC) that performs STB-like
functions. In such an embodiment, a PC may be used to process TV
signals and other data received from the broadband network. The PC
may operate in the context of a home network to provide display
signals to a variety of devices, including one or more television
sets, computer monitors, personal digital assistants (PDAs),
cellular phones, and the like. A variety of home networking systems
and protocols may be used, such as Ethernet, 802.11b, Bluetooth,
etc.
[0036] The remote control 18 is provided for convenient operation
of the STB 16 and the TV 12. The remote control 18 may include a
wireless transmitter 22 for transmitting control signals to a
wireless receiver 24 within the STB 16. In addition, the remote
control 18 may include a number of buttons or other similar
controls. For instance, the remote control 18 may include a
"Channel-Up" button 26, a "Channel-Down" button 28, a
"Channel-Left" button 30, a "Channel-Right" button 32, and a
"Select" button 34. Of course, a variety of other buttons or
controls may be provided within the scope of the invention. In
alternative implementations, the remote control 18 may be embodied
as a keyboard, mouse, or other input device.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a method for focused
navigation of a plurality of channels within an ITV user interface.
As previously noted, a channel refers to any capability of the ITV
system 10 that a user may selectively activate. Examples of
channels include broadcast channels and interactive channels.
[0038] In one embodiment, a visual card 36 is created to represent
each channel that is available through the ITV system 10. Each
visual card 36 may be stored as a graphics file in any suitable
format in a memory, disk drive, or the like, within the ITV system
10.
[0039] Each visual card 36 may include a graphical representation
38 of the represented channel. The graphical representation 38 may
take the form of an icon (e.g., a drawing), an image (e.g., a
photograph or video frame), a symbol, or the like. Where the visual
cards 36 represent broadcast channels, the graphical representation
38 may represent the broadcast channel generally or the particular
TV program being shown on the broadcast channel. For example, each
graphical representation 38 may take the form of a video frame
taken from the current TV program being shown on the broadcast
channel. In one embodiment, video frames may be captured at
periodic intervals by a broadcast center and downloaded by an STB
16 for use in one or more visual cards 36. Alternatively, video
frames may be captured by the STB 16, itself.
[0040] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the represented
channels are broadcast channels, and the graphical representations
38 on the visual cards 36 take the form of icons 38 which represent
the broadcast channel generally. For instance, a visual card 36a
may include a chef icon 38a representing a broadcast channel
related to cooking (e.g., the TV Food Network.RTM.); a visual card
36b may include a lion icon 38b representing a broadcast channel
related to nature (e.g., The Discovery Channel.RTM.); a visual card
36c may include a football player icon 38c representing a broadcast
channel related to sports (e.g., ESPN.RTM.); a visual card 36d may
include a music icon 38d representing a broadcast channel related
to music (e.g., MTV.RTM.); and a visual card 36e may include an
airplane icon 38e representing a broadcast channel related to
travel (e.g., The Travel Channel.RTM.). Of course, the visual cards
36 may also include other information (e.g., descriptive text,
numerals, and so forth) in addition to the graphical
representations 38.
[0041] The visual cards 36 may be linked together or grouped in a
sequence 40, such as the sequence 40a. The sequence 40 may take the
form of a closed loop, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the
sequence 40 may be linear. The ordering of the sequence 40 may be
dictated, for example, by the numerical order of the represented
channels, e.g., visual card 36a may correspond to channel 2, visual
card 36b may correspond to channel 4, etc. Of course, the sequence
40 may be ordered in other ways or may be user-defined.
[0042] Within the sequence 40, one visual card 36 may be selected
or active. As shown, the selected visual card 36 is displayed
within a focus area 42 of the GUI 20 (e.g., brought into "focus").
As previously noted, a focus area 42 is a single location of the
GUI 20 at which the visual cards 36 are successively displayed,
e.g., displayed one at a time in sequence. The focus area 42 may be
located at a central or visually dominant location of the user
interface, although the invention is not limited in this respect.
For example, the focus area may be located at the center of the GUI
20 (and/or display screen 14).
[0043] In response to a single user action, the visual cards 36
within a sequence 40 may be successively displayed within the focus
area 42. For example, the visual cards 36a-e within the sequence
40a may be successively displayed within the focus area 42. Where
the sequence 40 is a closed loop, the successive display may
continue indefinitely until halted by the user.
[0044] The visual cards 36 may be successively displayed at a high
rate of speed, preferably within the user's image recognition
threshold. The image recognition threshold will vary somewhat from
user to user depending on a number of factors, including age,
eyesight, and so forth. Typically, however, the image recognition
threshold for many users will range between 5 and 8 graphical
representations per second. Of course, the display rate may be
adjusted for users with unusually high or low image recognition
thresholds. For instance, a user may cap the maximum display rate
at a preferred value.
[0045] In one embodiment, the image recognition threshold may be
determined or approximated by initially showing a user a test image
and then displaying the test image at a point in a cycling sequence
of graphical representations being displayed at a high rate of
speed (e.g., >10 representations per second). Thereafter, the
display rate may be decreased in steps until the user recognizes
the test image and presses a button, such as the "Select" button
36. The display rate at which the user first recognizes the test
image may be deemed the user's image recognition threshold.
[0046] The single user action to initiate navigation may be
pressing (or pressing and holding down) a button on the remote
control 18. For example, the user may press the "Channel-Up" button
26 to initiate the successive display in a first direction 44
within the sequence 40, and press the "Channel-Down" button 28 to
initiate navigation in the opposite direction 46. Alternatively,
the user may speak a command into a microphone (either within the
STB 16 or remote control 18) to initiate navigation. Of course, the
user may initiate navigation in a variety of other ways within the
scope of the invention.
[0047] Preferably, the visual cards 36, when displayed within the
focus area 42, are sufficiently large to permit user recognition
from a comfortable viewing distance for the particular display
screen 14. For instance, as shown in FIG. 2, the visual card 36
occupies between about one-fifth and about one-fourth of the
display screen 14.
[0048] When the user sees a visual card 36 being displayed of a
channel that he or she desires to select, the user may take some
additional action and the successive display of visual cards 36 may
be discontinued. For example, where the successive display was
initiated by pressing and holding down the "Channel-Up" button 26,
the user may release the "Channel-Up" button 26 to discontinue
navigation. In an alternative embodiment, where the successive
display was initiated simply by pressing a button, the user may
press the same or a different button to halt the successive
display. Of course, the user may discontinue navigation in a
variety of other ways within the scope of the invention. Once
navigation is discontinued, a visual card 36 representing a desired
channel is displayed within the focus area 42.
[0049] In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to display a
subset 48 of the visual cards 36 within a particular sequence 40 in
a first direction across the GUI 20. This may provide the user with
a better understanding of his or her navigational position within
the sequence 40. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a subset 48a of
the first sequence 40a of visual cards 36 may be displayed
vertically across the GUI 20. The subset 48a includes the visual
cards 36c-e. In particular, a portion of the visual card 36c may be
displayed above the focus area 42, the entire visual card 36d may
be displayed within the focus area 42, and a portion of the visual
card 36e may be displayed below the focus area 42. Of course, in
other embodiments the subset 48a may be displayed horizontally or
in other locations of the GUI 20.
[0050] As previously noted, an ITV system 10 in accordance with the
invention may include different types of channels, such as
broadcast channels and interactive channels. In one implementation,
it may be desirable to create a different sequence 40 of visual
cards 36 for each type of channel associated with the ITV system
10. For example, as previously described, a first sequence 40a
including visual cards 36a-e that represent broadcast channels. A
second sequence 40b may be created including visual cards 36f-j
that represent interactive channels.
[0051] As in the first sequence 40a, each visual card 36f-j in the
second sequence 40b may include a graphical representation 38 of an
available channel. The graphical representation 38 may take the
form of an icon (e.g., a drawing), an image (e.g., a photograph or
video frame), a symbol, or the like. In the embodiment depicted in
FIG. 3, the graphical representations 38 on the visual cards 36f-j
take the form of icons 38. For instance, a visual card 36f may
include a computer icon 38f representing a World Wide Web browser;
a visual card 36g may include an envelope icon 38g representing an
e-mail program; a visual card 36h may include a videophone icon 38h
representing a videophone; a visual card 36i may include a VCR icon
38i representing a personal video recorder (PVR); and a visual card
36j may include a rotary file icon 38j representing a directory of
contacts.
[0052] In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to display more
than one subset 48 of visual cards 36 within a sequence 40 in
different directions across the GUI 20. For example, in addition to
displaying the subset 48a vertically across the GUI 20, a subset
48b of the second sequence 40b of visual cards 36 is displayed
horizontally across the GUI 20. The subset 48b includes the visual
cards 36g-h. In particular, a portion of the visual card 36g
appears to the left of the focus area 42, and a portion of the
visual card 36h appears to the right of the focus area 42. Of
course, in other embodiments the subset 48b may be displayed
vertically or in other locations of the GUI 20.
[0053] The subset 48a of the first sequence 40a and the subset 48b
of the second sequence 40b may intersect to define the focus area
42. Such an arrangement further enhances the visual dominance of
the focus area 42 within the GUI 20, because visual cards 36 are
directed into the focus area 42 from multiple directions. The area
of intersection, and thus the focus area 42, may be located at a
center portion of the GUI 20, although the invention is not limited
in this respect.
[0054] Navigation of the different sequences 40 may be accomplished
by different user actions. For example, the user may utilize a
first set of controls (e.g., the "Channel-Up" and "Channel-Down"
buttons 26, 28 on the remote control 18) to navigate the sequence
40a displayed vertically across the GUI 20, and a second set of
controls (e.g., the "Channel-Left" and "Channel-Right" buttons 30,
32 on the remote control 18) to navigate the sequence 40b displayed
horizontally across the GUI 20.
[0055] Regardless of the number of visual cards 36 displayed within
the GUI 20 at any given time, a particular visual card 36
representing a desired channel may be displayed within the focus
area 42 once navigation has been discontinued. This remaining
visual card 36 may be enhanced to further distinguish it from
previously displayed visual cards 36, and/or to provide the user
with additional information about the represented channel.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, the visual card 36d may be enhanced by
displaying information within the GUI 20 that is descriptive of the
represented channel. This information may be displayed within
"quadrants" that are formed by the intersection of the displayed
subsets 48a-b. The quadrants may be used to display
context-sensitive information about a visual card 36 in the focus
area 42. Alternatively, or in addition, the quadrants may be used
to display advertising, additional options, and the like. The size
of the quadrants may vary depending, for instance, on the location
of the intersection of the displayed subsets 48a-b. If the
intersection is near the center of the GUI 20, the quadrants may be
equal in size; otherwise, the relative sizes of the quadrants may
vary.
[0057] As an example, because the visual card 36d in FIG. 3
represents a broadcast channel, the information may include the
name 50 of the broadcast channel, the channel number 52, the name
54 of the TV program currently being broadcast on the channel, and
the program's start time 56 and end time 58, as well as other
useful information.
[0058] The remaining visual card 36 may be enhanced in a variety of
other ways. For example, where the remaining visual card 36
represents a broadcast channel, the visual card 36 may be enhanced
by displaying a reduced-size presentation of the broadcast channel
in the focus area 42 in place of the visual card 36. Other visual
cards 36 and/or information may remain displayed outside the focus
area 42 during this reduced-size presentation. Such an approach
enables the user to view a portion of a TV program without losing
his or her navigational position within the GUI 20. Alternatively,
the visual card 36 may be enhanced by animating the graphical
representation 38 on the visual card 36. Additionally, the visual
card 36 may be enhanced by enlarging it with respect to other
visual cards 36 within the GUI 20 and/or with respect to its
original size. The enlargement may be accomplished through pixel
duplication and/or interpolation. Alternatively, a
higher-resolution image may be used. Of course, the remaining
visual card 36 may be enhanced in a number of other ways within the
scope of the invention.
[0059] The user may select the channel associated with the
displayed visual card 36 by taking a selection action. The
selection action may be activating a selection control on the
remote control 18, such as the "Select" button 34. Alternatively,
the selection action may simply be waiting a set amount of time
without activating any controls on the remote control 18. In
response to the selection action, the desired channel may be
displayed in place of the GUI 20 on the display screen 14, e.g.,
"maximized" to fill the entire display screen 14.
[0060] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a timing diagram
illustrating the successive display of visual cards 36 in
accordance with the invention. Each vertical line within the timing
diagram represents a moment in time at which a particular visual
card 36 is displayed. In particular, in response to a single user
action, visual cards 36 are successively displayed at moments 60,
62, 64, and so on. When the user takes some additional action to
discontinue navigation, the successive display of visual cards 36
is halted at moment 66.
[0061] If the user's reaction time is fast enough, the visual card
36 representing the desired channel remains displayed in the focus
area 42 once navigation is discontinued. However, the user's
reaction time may not be fast enough and one or more visual cards
36 may be subsequently displayed. In such a case, the user may
manually backtrack to the desired visual card 36 by, for example,
repeatedly activating a suitable control on the remote control 18.
For example, briefly pressing the "Channel-Up" or "Channel-Down"
buttons 26, 28 may result in the previous or next visual card 36,
respectively, being displayed.
[0062] In alternative embodiments, the user's delayed response may
be automatically compensated for by reverting to a previously
displayed visual card 36 once the user halts the successive
display. For example, if a visual card 36 representing a desired
channel is displayed within the GUI 20 at moment 68, but the user
takes the additional action to discontinue navigation at moment 66,
the ITV system 10 may be configured to automatically revert to the
visual card 36 displayed a set amount of time before the action was
taken. The time difference 70 between moments 68 and 66 corresponds
to an anticipated time delay between the user's recognition of a
desired visual card 36 and the user's additional action. Because
the actual time delay between recognition and release will vary
depending on a number of factors such as age, reaction time,
agility, and so forth, it may be desirable to allow a user to
adjust the time difference 70. In addition, the time difference 70
may vary depending on the rate at which the visual cards 36 are
being displayed, e.g., a faster rate may require a greater time
difference 70.
[0063] The rate at which the visual cards 36 are successively
displayed may be increased in response to the user taking a
suitable action. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the rate at which
visual cards 36 are successively displayed may gradually increase
from a minimum rate 72 to a maximum rate 74 (preferably at or below
the user's recognition threshold). Alternatively, as shown in FIG.
6, the display rate may increase from a minimum rate 76 to an
intermediate rate 78 to a maximum rate 80 according to a stepwise
function. The user action to increase the display rate may take
many forms, such as holding down a button on the remote control 18
for a set amount of time. In such case, the rate may be increased
based on how long the button is held down. Alternatively, the user
may increase the display rate by repeatedly pressing a button on
the remote control 18, in which case the rate may be increased each
time the button is pressed.
[0064] Referring now to FIG. 7, a block diagram of physical
components within the STB 16 is shown. In one implementation, the
STB 16 includes a wireless receiver 24 for receiving control
signals sent by the wireless transmitter 22 in the remote control
18. The STB 16 may also include a network interface/tuner 82 for
receiving an ITV signal (which may include both TV signals and
other information) from a broadcast center (not shown) over a
transmission medium, such as a broadband network. The
interface/tuner 82 may include conventional tuning circuitry for
receiving, demodulating, and demultiplexing the ITV signal, which
may be encoded using MPEG or the like.
[0065] The STB 16 may also include a codec (encoder/decoder) 84,
which serves to decode a data stream received from the broadcast
center over the transmission medium. The codec 84 may be
implemented in hardware and/or software.
[0066] In certain embodiments, the STB 16 includes a memory device
86. The memory device 86 may include a random access memory (RAM)
for storing temporary data. Alternatively, or in addition, the
memory device 86 may include a read-only memory (ROM) for storing
more permanent data, such as fixed code and configuration data. For
instance, the memory device 86 may include an operating system (OS)
for the STB 16, such as Linuxe.RTM. or Windows CE.RTM. or XP.RTM..
The memory device 86 may also be embodied as a magnetic storage
device, such as a hard disk drive.
[0067] An audio/video (A/V) controller 88 may be provided for
converting digital audio/video signals into analog signals for
playback/display on the TV 12. The A/V controller 88 may be
implemented using one or more physical devices, such as separate
graphics and sound controllers. The A/V controller 88 may also
include graphics hardware for performing bit-block transfers
(bit-blits) and other graphical operations for displaying the
visual cards 36 on the display screen 14.
[0068] In certain implementations, a CPU 90 is provided to control
the operation of the STB 16, including the other components
thereof, which are coupled to the CPU 90 via a bus 92. The CPU 90
may be embodied as a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital
signal processor or other device known in the art. For instance,
the CPU 90 may be embodied as an Intel.RTM. .times.86
microprocessor. The CPU 90 performs logical and arithmetic
operations based on program code stored within the memory device
86.
[0069] Of course, FIG. 7 illustrates only one possible
configuration of an STB 16. Those skilled in the art will recognize
that various other architectures and components may be provided. In
addition, various standard components are not illustrated in order
to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
[0070] Referring now to FIG. 8, a block diagram of logical
components within the STB 16 is shown. The depicted logical
components may be implemented using one or more of the physical
components shown in FIG. 7. Of course, various logical components
may be implemented as software modules stored in the memory device
86 and executed by the CPU 90. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that various illustrated components may be combined
together or integrated with standard components in various
configurations without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention.
[0071] An ITV signal 94 containing compressed TV signals and other
information is received by a signal detector 96. The signal
detector 96 decompresses the ITV signal 94 and separates the TV
signals from the other information. The TV signals are then
conveyed to a display unit 98, which performs further processing to
convert the TV signals into a suitable format for the TV 12. The
other information is routed to a storage device 100.
[0072] The other information may include a channel database 102. In
one embodiment, the channel database 102 includes records 104
containing information about the various channels available within
the ITV system 10. Each record 104 may be uniquely associated with
a particular channel, and may include a visual card 36 representing
that channel. Other information 106 about the channel may also be
provided. For example, a record 104 of a broadcast channel may
include information 106 such as the channel number, the name of the
program being (or to be) broadcast, the start time, the end time,
and so forth. For an interactive channel, the information 106 may
include a text description, memory location, and the like.
[0073] Each record 104 within the database 102 may also include one
or more pointers 108 to other records 104. This allows the records
104 to be grouped together into one or more sequences 40, such as
the sequences 40a-b described previously. Of course, records 104
may be grouped in sequences 40 using other mechanisms within the
scope of the invention.
[0074] In one embodiment, a user action to initiate and/or
discontinue navigation causes a navigational control signal to be
detected by a user input detector 110. The control signal may be
delivered to a controller 112 which is driven by a clock signal 114
having a periodic clock cycle.
[0075] In response to a control signal to initiate navigation, the
controller 112 may retrieve one or more records 104 from the
channel database 102 and deliver them to the display unit 98 for
processing. To implement the successive display of visual cards 36
described previously, this action may be repeated every N clock
cycles (where N is any integral value). Additionally, the records
104 may be retrieved in a particular sequence 40, as described
previously. The display unit 98 may be configured to prepare data
from the records 104, such as the visual cards 36, for display on
the display screen 14 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2-3. In
response to a control signal to discontinue navigation, the
controller 112 may halt retrieval of the records 104 from the
channel database 102.
[0076] As described previously, the rate at which the visual cards
36 are successively displayed may be increased. This may be
accomplished by initiating a counter 116 when the control signal to
initiate navigation is detected by the user input detector 110. The
counter 116 may increment every M clock cycles (where M may be any
integral value), for as long as the control signal is detected by
the user input detector 110. After the counter 116 has reached a
set value, the value of N may be decreased, which has the effect of
accelerating the rate of successive display of visual cards 36. In
one implementation, the value of N may not decrease below a certain
value corresponding to a typical user's image recognition
threshold.
[0077] The values of M and N may be adjusted to implement the
gradual and stepwise acceleration discussed previously. For
example, high values of M and N correspond to stepwise acceleration
as illustrated in FIG. 6, whereas low values of M and N correspond
to gradual acceleration as illustrated in FIG. 5. Of course, a wide
variety of other techniques may be used to implement the successive
display of visual cards 36.
[0078] As discussed previously, a user's delayed response may be
automatically compensated for by reverting to a previously
displayed visual card 36 once the user takes action to discontinue
navigation. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways. For
example, the controller 112 may retrieve the record 104 X positions
behind the last-retrieved record 104 within a particular sequence
40 once navigation has been discontinued. Alternatively, the
display unit 98 may include a memory for storing the X visual cards
36 most recently displayed within the focus area 42, and may be
configured to display the visual card 36 in the Xth position once
navigation is discontinued. In either implementation, the value of
X (which may be any integral value) may correspond to an
anticipated time delay between a user's recognition of a desired
visual card 36 and the time that the user takes action to
discontinue navigation.
[0079] In certain embodiments, as discussed previously, a
particular visual card 36 representing a desired channel may be
displayed within the focus area 42 once navigation has been
discontinued. This remaining visual card 36 may be enhanced to
further distinguish it from previously displayed visual cards 36,
and/or to provide the user with additional information about the
represented channel. This, too, may be accomplished in a variety of
ways. For example, some or all of the information 106 within each
database record 104 may be displayed within the GUI 20.
Alternatively, where the remaining visual card 36 represents a
broadcast channel, the controller 112 may be configured to tune the
signal detector 96 to the represented channel, and the display unit
98 may be configured to replace the remaining visual card 36 with a
reduced-size presentation of the broadcast channel (while leaving
the remainder of the GUI 20 in place). Alternatively still, the
graphical representation 38 included within the visual card 36 may
be an animation file, and the storage device 100 may include
software configured to animate the graphical representation 38.
[0080] Finally, as discussed previously, the user may select the
channel associated with a displayed visual card 36 by taking a
selection action. When a visual card 36 is selected, the
corresponding channel may be executed by the controller 112. For
instance, where a user selects a visual card 36 corresponding to a
broadcast channel, the controller 112 may tune the signal detector
96 to the selected channel. Where a user selects a visual card 36
corresponding to an interactive channel, the controller 112 may
execute an application within the storage device 100 corresponding
to the selected channel.
[0081] Of course, FIG. 8 illustrates only one implementation of the
above-described techniques. Various other implementations, using
various combinations of hardware and software, may be known to
those skilled in the art based on the teachings contained
herein.
[0082] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a flowchart
illustrating a method for focused navigation of a plurality of
channels within an ITV user interface. A plurality of visual cards
36 representing channels available within the ITV system 10 is
created and stored 118. As discussed previously, the visual cards
36 may be linked together or grouped in one or more sequences 40.
One or more visual cards 36 from one or more sequences 40 may be
displayed across the GUI 20, with one visual card 36 being
displayed within a focus area 42.
[0083] In one configuration, the ITV system 10 waits 120 for user
input. When a single user action is detected 122 as previously
discussed, the visual cards 36 from a particular sequence are
successively displayed 124 in a focus area 42 of the GUI 20. This
successive display continues until an additional user action is
detected 126, at which point the successive display is discontinued
and a single visual card 36 is displayed within the focus area 42.
As discussed previously, this remaining visual card 36 may be
enhanced. In addition, the user may select the channel associated
with the displayed visual card 36 by taking a selection action.
[0084] In view of the foregoing, the present invention offers a
number of advantages not available in conventional approaches. In
accordance with the invention, visual cards representing channels
available in an ITV system may be successively and rapidly
displayed within a focus area.
[0085] Because navigation is initiated by a single user action, the
user need not repeatedly press a button to display each channel, as
is often the case with conventional television or ITV interfaces.
This greatly increases navigation speed, reduces wear on the remote
control, and reduces the likelihood of repetitive stress injury of
the user's hand.
[0086] Likewise, because the visual cards are all displayed within
a single area of the user interface (the focus area), the visual
cards may be displayed at a relatively high rate of speed, while
still being within the user's image recognition threshold.
Typically, the focused navigation technique of the claimed
invention allows a user to more quickly and efficiently locate and
select a desired channel than conventional approaches.
[0087] While specific embodiments and applications of the present
invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited to the precise
configuration and components disclosed herein. Various
modifications, changes, and variations apparent to those skilled in
the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of
the methods and systems of the present invention disclosed herein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *