U.S. patent application number 10/787508 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-26 for electronic television program guide schedule system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to United Video Properties, Inc.. Invention is credited to Backer, George, Bennington, Gerald E., Cooper, Bill, Davis, Bruce, Green, Shawn, Morris, Michael, Rogers, Rosetta, Spell, Dave.
Application Number | 20040168188 10/787508 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22384034 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040168188 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bennington, Gerald E. ; et
al. |
August 26, 2004 |
Electronic television program guide schedule system and method
Abstract
An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver
for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs
for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a
television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels.
A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program
schedule information for a plurality of television programs to
appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control
apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to
choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to
the data processor which receives the signals in response to user
control commands. A television receiver is used to display the
television programs and television program schedule information. A
video display generator receives video control commands from the
data processor and program schedule information from the memory and
displays a portion of the program schedule information in
overlaying relationship with a television program appearing on a
television channel in at least one mode of operation of the
television programming guide. The data processor controls the video
display generator with video control commands, issued in response
to the user control commands, to display program schedule
information for any chosen one of the plurality of television
programs in overlaying relationship with at least one television
program then appearing on any chosen one of the plurality of
channels on the television receiver.
Inventors: |
Bennington, Gerald E.;
(Boulder, CO) ; Backer, George; (Littleton,
CO) ; Green, Shawn; (Littleton, CO) ; Cooper,
Bill; (Littleton, CO) ; Spell, Dave; (San
Diego, CA) ; Rogers, Rosetta; (Parker, CO) ;
Davis, Bruce; (Tualatin, OR) ; Morris, Michael;
(Downington, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & NEAVE
1251 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
50TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10020-1105
US
|
Assignee: |
United Video Properties,
Inc.
Tulsa
OK
|
Family ID: |
22384034 |
Appl. No.: |
10/787508 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10787508 |
Feb 25, 2004 |
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10346266 |
Jan 15, 2003 |
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10346266 |
Jan 15, 2003 |
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09997659 |
Nov 29, 2001 |
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09997659 |
Nov 29, 2001 |
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08119367 |
Sep 9, 1993 |
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6418556 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/41 ; 348/564;
348/565; 348/E5.097; 348/E5.105; 348/E7.061; 348/E7.063;
348/E7.071; 348/E7.075; 725/44; 725/52; 725/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4755 20130101;
H04N 21/440263 20130101; A63F 13/338 20140902; H04N 7/163 20130101;
H04N 21/4753 20130101; H04N 21/4524 20130101; H04N 21/4828
20130101; H04N 21/2543 20130101; H04N 21/47208 20130101; H04N
21/431 20130101; H04N 21/4314 20130101; H04N 7/165 20130101; H04N
21/472 20130101; H04N 21/84 20130101; H04N 21/42204 20130101; H04N
5/50 20130101; H04N 21/43 20130101; H04N 7/17318 20130101; H04N
21/4786 20130101; H04N 21/4345 20130101; A63F 13/12 20130101; A63F
2300/409 20130101; H04N 21/47214 20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101;
H04N 7/17354 20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N 21/47211 20130101;
H04N 21/4821 20130101; H04N 21/4312 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/041 ;
725/052; 725/053; 725/044; 348/564; 348/565 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/445; G06F
003/00; G06F 013/00; H04N 005/45 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for allowing a user to browse program listings while
viewing a program on a display comprising: displaying a program in
at least a portion of the display; displaying at least one
interactive program listing on the display simultaneously with the
program; allowing the user to select the at least one interactive
program listing; displaying a second program corresponding to the
selected interactive program listing in at least a part of the
display, in response to receiving the selection from the user.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one interactive
program listing comprises a program title and a program
channel.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the program is selected from the
group consisting of a television program, a promotional video clip,
a prerecorded program, a video on demand program, a near video on
demand program, or a pay per view program.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user selects the at least one
interactive program listing on a user control means.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the program is displayed on a
first portion of the display, the at least one interactive program
listing is displayed on a second portion of the display, and said
first portion is larger than said second portion.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the program is displayed on a
first portion of the display, the at least one interactive program
listing is displayed on a second portion of the display, and the
first portion is smaller than the second portion.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the user to
select a reminder message corresponding to a program to be viewed
at a future date.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising displaying the
reminder message at a time prior to the future date.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the time prior to the future date
is determined by the user.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the reminder message is
displayed on the display simultaneously with the program.
11. A system for allowing a user to browse program listings while
viewing a program on a display comprising: means for displaying a
program in at least a portion of the display; means for displaying
at least one interactive program listing on the display
simultaneously with the program; means for allowing the user to
select the at least one interactive program listing; means for
displaying a second program corresponding to the selected
interactive program listing in at least a part of the display, in
response to receiving the selection from the user.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one interactive
program listing comprises a program title and a program
channel.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the program is selected from
the group consisting of a television program, a promotional video
clip, a prerecorded program, a video on demand program, a near
video on demand program, or a pay per view program.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the user selects the at least
one interactive program listing on a user control means.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein the program is displayed on a
first portion of the display, the at least one interactive program
listing is displayed on a second portion of the display, and said
first portion is larger than said second portion.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein the program is displayed on a
first portion of the display generator, the at least one
interactive program listing is displayed on a second portion of the
display, and the first portion is smaller than the second
portion.
17. The system of claim 11, further comprising means for allowing
the user to select a reminder message corresponding to a program to
be viewed at a future date.
18. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for displaying
the reminder message at a time prior to the future date.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the time prior to the future
date is determined by the user.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein the reminder message is
displayed on the screen simultaneously with the program.
21. An interactive media guide comprising: a video display
controller; a display; and a microprocessor programmed to: direct
the video display controller to display a program in at least a
portion of the display; direct the video display controller to
display at least one interactive program listing on the display
simultaneously with the program; and direct the video display
controller to display a second program corresponding to the
selected interactive program listing in at least a part of a
display, in response to receiving a selection from the user of at
least one interactive program listing.
22. The media guide of claim 21, wherein the at least one
interactive program listing comprises a program title and a program
channel.
23. The media guide of claim 21, wherein the program is selected
from the group consisting of a television program, a promotional
video clip, a prerecorded program, a video on demand program, a
near video on demand program, or a pay per view program.
24. The media guide of claim 21, wherein the user selects the at
least one interactive program listing on a user control means.
25. The media guide of claim 21, wherein the program is displayed
on a first portion of the display, the at least one interactive
program listing is displayed on a second portion of the display,
and said first portion is larger than said second portion.
26. The media guide of claim 21, wherein the program is displayed
on a first portion of the display, the at least one interactive
program listing is displayed on a second portion of the display,
and the first portion is smaller than the second portion.
27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the microprocessor is
further programmed to allow the user to select a reminder message
corresponding to a program to be viewed at a future date.
28. The media guide of claim 27, wherein the microprocessor is
further programmed to direct the video display controller to
display the reminder message at a time prior to the future
date.
29. The media guide of claim 28, wherein the time prior to the
future date is determined by the user.
30. The media guide of claim 28, wherein the reminder message is
displayed on the screen simultaneously with the program.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an electronic program schedule
system, which provides a user with schedule information for
broadcast or cablecast programs viewed by the user on a television
receiver. More particularly, it relates to an improved electronic
program guide that provides the user with a more powerful and
convenient operating environment, while, at the same time,
increasing the efficiency of navigation by the user through the
guide.
[0002] Electronic program guides for television systems are known
in the art. For example, one prior system used an electronic
character generator to display textual schedule information on the
full screen of a television receiver. Other prior systems presented
electronically stored program schedule information to a user for
viewing while allowing the user to select display formats. Still
other systems employed a data processor to input user-selection
criteria, then stored only the program schedule information meeting
these criteria, and subsequently used the stored information to
automatically tune a programmable tuner or activate a recording
device at the time of broadcast of the selected television
programs. Such prior systems are generally discussed in "Stay Tuned
for Smart TV," published in the November 1990 issue of Popular
Science.
[0003] Collectively, the prior electronic program systems may be
difficult to implement and cumbersome to use. They also fail to
provide viewing capabilities that address in a more realistic
manner the viewing habits of the users of these electronic program
systems. Moreover, many of these systems are complex in their
design and are expensive to implement. Ease of use and economy are
primary concerns of television program distributors and viewers as
they contemplate dramatic increases in the number and nature of
program networks and other television-based services. And, as the
number of television channels available to a user increases
dramatically with the advent of new satellite and cable-based
technologies, the utility of these prior systems substantially
diminishes.
[0004] These prior-art systems also fail to provide the user with
sufficient information, for example pricing and the like, about
pay-per-view events, premium services or other packaged programming
to which the user does not subscribe, nor do they provide the user
with the capability to automatically purchase such programming on
demand or impulse. Moreover, these prior-art systems are deficient
in that they fail to provide an efficient and automatic method of
updating or replacing the application software programs that
implement the electronic guide at the user sites, relying instead
on manual or other cumbersome forms of revision or replacement or
hardware-based systems that can not be updated without physical
replacement of integrated circuits and/or other parts.
[0005] Nor do these prior electronic guide systems have the
capability of linking the user to other applications or information
systems which are not part of the electronic program guide
application or data.
[0006] Nor do these prior electronic guide systems provide video
promotion of television programs and services that are functionally
linked and visually displayed in an integrated fashion. Program
promotion is an important element of the effective marketing of
television programming. The promotion of pay-per-view pay (i.e., "a
la carte") programs and other unregulated program services is
particularly important to cable television operators in the wake of
re-regulation by the federal government. The current method of
promoting such programming using video is through dedicated
"barker" channels that use full screen continuous trailers (i.e.,
previews) which may or may not be accompanied by prices and
ordering information. Recently, such promotional videos have been
shown in split screens where part of the screen shows general
schedule information for a time period roughly corresponding to the
time period during which the general program being promoted is
shown. Accordingly, there exists a need for an electronic program
guide which can provide improved display and linking of video
promotions with program schedule information and order processing
functions.
[0007] The prior electronic program guides also fail to provide the
user with a simple and efficient method of controlling access to
individual channels and individual programs. The amount of adult
situations involving sex and violence has steadily increased during
the last 40 years. The issue of how this affects children or other
viewers has gained national attention. Providing a parent with the
ability to lock-out a channel is a well known and widespread
feature of certain television receivers and cable converter boxes.
Despite this availability, the feature is seldom used by parents.
The main impediments to its effective use are the cumbersome ways
in which it is generally implemented, as well as the requirement
that entire channels be blocked in order to block access to any
objectional programming. A channel-oriented parental lock is unfair
to other programmers on the blocked channel--who, for example,
offer adult-oriented programming in the evening and youth-oriented
programming the following morning--and inconvenient for viewers who
want access to such programs. Thus, there is a particular need for
a system which provides password control to individual programs and
channels using a flexible and uncomplicated on-screen user
interface.
[0008] The prior electronic program guides are also deficient in
that they do not provide the user with the ability to view on
demand current billing status and, thus, a need exists for a system
which can provide the user with current billing information on the
user's demand.
[0009] The prior electronic program guides also lack a method for
creating a viewing itinerary electronically while still viewing a
program currently appearing on the television receiver. Moreover,
these prior program guides leave much guess work for the user as he
navigates through a sequence of channels. When skimming through
channels to ascertain the program then being displayed on any
channel, commonly known as "channel surfing," the user needs to
guess which program is currently being aired from the video
encountered as the user surfs through the channels. Since much--in
some cases, up to 30%--of the programming appearing on any given
channel at any given time is advertising or other commercial
programming, the user is not provided with any clues as to what
program is appearing on a selected channel at a given time and must
therefore wait until the advertisement or commercial is over before
ascertaining the program then appearing on the selected channel.
Thus a need exists for a program guide which displays current
program schedule information for each channel as the user surfs
through the available channels.
[0010] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a simplified
electronic program schedule system that may be more easily
implemented, and which is appealing and efficient in operation.
There is also a need to provide the user with an electronic program
schedule system that displays both broadcast programs and
electronic schedule information in a manner not previously
available with other electronic program schedule systems,
particularly those using a remote controller.
[0011] For example, there is a particular need for a flexible
program schedule system that allows a user to view selected
broadcast programs on a portion of the screen of the television
receiver while simultaneously viewing program schedule information
for other channels and/or services on another portion of the
screen. There is also a need for such a program schedule system
that permits the user to select from a plurality of selectable
display formats for viewing the program schedule information. It is
also preferred to have a system that indicates to the user those
keys on the remote controller that are active in any particular
mode of operation. There also exists a need for such a system that
will give a user the capability to set a programmable reminder for
viewing a program scheduled to air at a future time.
[0012] There is also a need for an electronic guide system
providing the user with comprehensive information about
pay-per-view events, premium services or other packaged programming
to which the user does not ordinarily subscribe, and which provides
the user with the capability to automatically purchase such
programming on demand or impulse. There is also a need for an
electronic guide system providing a reliable and efficient method
of updating or replacing the application software that implements
the electronic guide at the user sites.
[0013] There also exists a need for an electronic program guide
that operates as a shell or window to provide the user with the
capability to access other applications or information systems that
are not part of the electronic program guide application or
data.
[0014] It is accordingly an object of the present invention to
provide a system that will allow the user to view a broadcast
program while, at the same time, interactively viewing program
schedule information for other programs.
[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide the
user with the ability to select from among a plurality of display
formats for the program schedule information.
[0016] It is yet another object of the present invention to
indicate to the user of the program schedule system those keys on
the remote controller active in the particular mode of operation of
the system at the time of use.
[0017] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide the user of the electronic program schedule system with the
capability of setting programmable reminder messages for any future
program.
[0018] It is yet a further object of this invention to provide the
system user with comprehensive information about pay-per-view
events, premium services or other packaged programming to which the
user does not subscribe and the capability to automatically
purchase such programming on demand or impulse.
[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
electronic guide system that provides a reliable and efficient
method of updating or replacing the application software programs
that implement the electronic guide at the user sites.
[0020] It is still another object of the electronic program guide
to operate as a shell or window to provide the user with the
capability to access other applications or information systems
which are not part of the electronic program guide application or
data.
[0021] It is yet another object of the electronic program guide to
provide a system whereby video promotion of television programs and
services are functionally linked and visually displayed in an
integrated fashion to facilitate the marketing and sale of such
programs and services.
[0022] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide password control for access to individual programs, as well
as channels, using a protected interactive flexible and
uncomplicated on-screen interface.
[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide the
user with current programming information for all programs as the
user surfs through the available channels.
[0024] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a system in which the user can access his current billing
information on demand.
[0025] These and other objects of the invention are achieved by an
electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for
receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for
a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a
television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels.
A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program
schedule information for a plurality of television programs
to-appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control
apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to
choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to
the data processor which receives the signals in response to user
control commands. A television receiver is used to display the
television programs and television program schedule information. A
video display generator receives video control commands from the
data processor and program schedule information from the memory and
displays a portion of the program schedule information in
overlaying relationship with a television program appearing on a
television channel in at least one mode of operation of the
television programming guide. The data processor controls the video
display generator with video control commands, issued in response
to the user control commands, to display program schedule
information for any chosen one of the plurality of television
programs in overlaying relationship with at least one television
program then appearing on any chosen one of the plurality of
channels on the television receiver.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing various components of the
preferred embodiment of the invention herein.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the combination of program
and schedule information by the video overlay device utilized in
the preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 depicts a remote controller that can be used in
connection with the preferred embodiment of the electronic program
guide system of the present application.
[0029] FIG. 4 depicts an alternative embodiment of the remote
controller shown in FIG. 3.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows an overlay appearing on a television screen in
one mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a menu that appears on a television screen in a
MENU mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 6A is yet another menu that appears on a television
screen in a MENU mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 7 depicts a Viewer Preference Menu that appears on a
television screen in one aspect of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0034] FIG. 8 shows a Preferred Channel selection submenu.
[0035] FIG. 9 shows an impulse ordering menu that appears on a
television screen in one aspect of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0036] FIG. 10 shows a Premium Services submenu that appears in one
mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 11 shows a graphic overlay appearing on a television
screen in a BROWSE mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 12 shows a graphic overlay appearing on a television
screen in a BROWSE mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention having different information from that shown
in FIG. 11.
[0039] FIG. 12A shows a graphic overlay appearing on a television
screen in a BROWSE mode of operation in the present invention
displaying schedule information for a time and channel other than
that shown in FIG. 11.
[0040] FIG. 13 shows a graphic overlay appearing in a REMINDER mode
of operation of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0041] FIG. 14 shows yet another graphic overlay appearing in a
REMINDER mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0042] FIG. 15 is yet another menu that appears on a television
screen in a MENU mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 16 is yet another menu that appears on a television
screen in a MENU mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 17 is yet another menu that appears on a television
screen in a MENU mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 18 shows a grid listing of schedule information
displayed in an All Listings mode of operation of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 19 shows schedule information displayed in a Listings
By Category mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0047] FIG. 20 shows schedule information displayed in a Listings
By Channel mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0048] FIG. 21 shows information displayed in response to a user's
request for supplemental programming information.
[0049] FIG. 22 shows programming, ordering and video promotional
information displayed in a Pay-Per-View mode of operation of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] FIG. 23 shows an ordering submenu used in conjunction with
the mode of operation shown in FIG. 22.
[0051] FIG. 24 shows yet another ordering submenu used in
conjunction with the mode of operation shown in FIG. 22.
[0052] FIG. 24A shows yet another ordering submenu used in
conjunction with the mode of operation shown in FIG. 22.
[0053] FIG. 25 shows another grid listing of schedule information
displayed in an All Listings mode of operation of the present
invention.
[0054] FIG. 26 shows a Premium Services submenu that appears in one
mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0055] FIG. 27 shows a Messages menu that appears in one mode of
operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0056] FIG. 28 shows exemplary messages used in connection with the
menu of FIG. 27.
[0057] FIG. 29 shows billing information used in connection with
the menu of FIG. 27.
[0058] FIG. 30 shows a Key Lock Access menu that appears during one
mode of operation of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0059] FIG. 31 shows a menu appearing in connection with an
Interactive Television mode of operation of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0060] FIG. 32 shows information that appears in a Quote Watch menu
in connection with the Interactive Television mode of operation
shown in FIG. 31.
[0061] FIG. 33 shows other information that appears in connection
with the Interactive Television mode of operation shown in FIG.
31.
[0062] FIG. 34 is a menu showing information that appears in a news
display in the Interactive Television mode of operation of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0063] FIG. 35 is a menu showing information that appears in a
sports display in the Interactive Television mode of operation of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
System Configuration
[0064] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing various components of the
electronic program schedule system generally designated as 10.
Physically, these system components can be located in a user's
set-top cable converter box or other signal reception or processing
device, such as a satellite receiver. Alternatively, the components
can be mounted in a separate housing, or included as part of a
television receiver, VCR, personal computer or multimedia
player.
[0065] An input signal 11 is connected to a receiver 12, which
receives a transmitted data stream from a data provider. The data
stream may contain, for example, information about programs or
services available in a particular market, geographical or
otherwise. The input signal 11 can originate, for example, as part
of a standard broadcast, cablecast or satellite transmission, or
other form of data transmission. In the case of a cablecast
transmission, the data provider is a local cable operator and the
data stream contains program schedule information for all
television programs and other services available in the operator's
geographical market.
[0066] The data stream may be modulated and then transmitted on the
cable line in any number of ways, including as part of a dedicated
channel transmission operating at a frequency of, for example, 75
MHz. Those of skill in the art will understand that numerous other
transmission schemes can be used to transmit the data stream, such
as embedding it in the vertical blanking interval of a program
broadcast signal. As will be discussed in greater detail below,
according to the present invention, the transmitted data stream may
additionally contain application software for implementing the
electronic program guide at the user site.
[0067] The transmitted program schedule data or application
software is received by the receiver 12 on signal input line 11.
The received signal is passed from the receiver to a data
demodulator 13, such as a QPSK demodulator, which demodulates the
transmission and passes it to a buffer 15.
[0068] A microcontroller 16, such as a M68000EC, receives data
passed to the buffer 15. Bootstrap operating software, which may be
used for capturing electronic program guide application software
updates, is stored in a read only memory (ROM) 17. The
microcontroller 16 uses the received program schedule information
to build a database by storing the data in appropriately organized
records in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) 18. The stored
schedule information can be updated on a periodic basis, such as
hourly, daily or weekly, application software can then be checked
for accuracy by, for example, a checksum analysis or other
verification routine.
[0069] After the accuracy of the application software has been
verified, the microcontroller 16 initiates a routine to reprogram
the EEPROM 20, where the application software is permanently
stored. The microcontroller 16 will issue proper control commands
to a reprogram circuit 21, which is adapted to supply the proper
program voltage and logic control signals 22 required to erase and
write to the EEPROM. It supplies this program voltage, Vprog, as
well as any other required control signals, such as read or write
enable, to the EEPROM 20 upon command from the microcontroller 16.
After the EEPROM 20 has been electrically erased, the
microcontroller 16 initiates transfer of the new application
software from the DRAM. 18 to the EEPROM 20 for storing.
[0070] When a battery-backed SRAM is utilized as non-volatile
memory, the microcontroller stores the revised or replacement
version of the application software downloaded from the developer
directly in the SRAM, again under direction of the downloading
operating software stored in the ROM. The stored application
software can then be checked for accuracy by, for example, a
checksum analysis or other verification routine. or at any time
when changes in scheduling or other factors warrant an update. The
system also includes a system clock 19.
[0071] Alternatively, the program schedule information could be
supplied in a ROM, disk or other non-volatile memory, or it could
be downloaded to a storage disk or other data storage device. The
invention herein is not directed to the particular method of
transmission or reception of the schedule information.
[0072] If the microcontroller 16 recognizes the received data as
application software which controls the program schedule system, as
opposed to program schedule information, it stores it in
non-volatile memory, such as an electrically erasable programmable
ROM (EEPROM) 20 or battery-backed static RAM (SRAM). This
configuration allows revised or replacement versions of the
application software to be downloaded directly from the software
developer to the user site through the cable or other transmission
system.
[0073] In the case where an EEPROM is utilized, revised or
replacement versions of the application software downloaded from
the developer are first stored in DRAM 18 by the microcontroller
16, under direction of the downloading operating software stored in
the ROM 17. The stored
[0074] When power is first applied to the system 10, the bootstrap
operating software verifies that the program guide application
software is resident in memory. If it is not resident, the
bootstrap operating software waits for a download of the software.
Once the application software is resident, the microcontroller 16
executes the application program software from a dedicated portion
of the DRAM 18. Alternatively, the application software can be
executed directly from the non-volatile memory 20. Under control of
the program guide application software, the microcontroller 16
first verifies that the program schedule information is resident in
DRAM 18. If it is not resident, the microcontroller waits for a
download of the program schedule information, as discussed
above.
[0075] When the schedule system is operating, as discussed in
greater detail hereinbelow, the microcontroller 16 takes the
program schedule information stored in the DRAM 18 and, in
conjunction with other downloaded data types such as stored bit
maps for the screen configuration and the graphic symbol or logo
displays stored in non-volatile memory 20 or, alternatively, in
DRAM 18, supplies it to a video display generator (VDG) 23, which
in the present embodiment may be a commercially available VGA-type
graphics card, such as a Rocgen card manufactured by Roctec. The
VDG includes a standard RGB video generator 24, which takes the
digital program schedule information sent by the microcontroller 16
and converts it to an RGB format in accordance with the bit map for
the particular screen display then being presented to the user on
the television receiver 27. The configuration of each screen is
shown and discussed in greater detail in the System Operation
section below.
[0076] The VDG also includes a Video Overlay Device 25, which
accepts the RGB video input, as well as an input from conventional
television tuner 28, such as a conventional tuner manufactured by
General Instrument, which supplies a program signal in standard
NTSC video format. The overlay device 25 converts and combines the
RGB signal with the signal from the tuner 28, and produces a
composite NTSC output signal containing both the program signal and
the program schedule information, as shown in FIG. 2. This
composite video signal is supplied to a modulator 26, shown in FIG.
1, which can be a modulator such as available from Radio Shack, and
then to the television receiver 27, which the user keeps tuned to
the modulated channel, for example, channel 3 or 4. The composite
video signal can also be supplied directly to the television
receiver 27 or other receiving device from the VDG through a video
port 25A on the VDG.
[0077] The system components identified in connection with FIG. 1
can all be implemented in a preferred platform by, for example, an
IBM personal computer equipped with a transmission link and a video
graphics card, such as those manufactured by Roctec. Other
platforms, such as a cable converter box equipped with a
microprocessor and memory, could also be used. In any event, those
of skill in the art will appreciate that the particular details of
the hardware components and data storage are a function of the
particular implementation of the system, and are not the subject of
the present invention.
[0078] As discussed in detail below, the user may navigate through
the program schedule system with a remote controller, such as that
shown in FIG. 3, which operates on conventional principles of
remote control transmitter-receiver logic, such as by infrared or
other signalling, or other suitable user interface. The remote
controller 31 communicates with the microcontroller 16 through the
remote controller receiver 29, shown in FIG. 1, which can be a
Silent Partner IR receiver and which receives signals transmitted
by the remote controller 31 and supplies the microcontroller 16
with a corresponding digital signal indicating the key depressed by
the user.
[0079] A remote controller suitable for the present invention, such
as shown in FIG. 3, which can be a remote controller manufactured
by Universal Electronics, may include a power switch 32, volume. 33
and mute 34 controls, an ENTER key 35, 0-9 digit keys 36, four
direction arrow keys 37A and 37B, a MODE key 38 and an information
key 39 that is designated with a lower case "i." The power 32,
volume 33 and mute 34 keys operate in the same manner as
conventional remote controllers typically used with present-day
television receivers. The numeric digit keys 36 also function in
much the same manner as conventional remote controllers. A brief
description of the remaining keys follows.
[0080] The MODE key 38 takes the user through various layers of the
electronic program schedule system 10 and generally allows the user
to return to a previous screen when he is in a submenu. The up/down
direction arrow keys 37A allow a user to navigate through the
different TV program channels when the program schedule system is
in a FLIP or BROWSE mode, as will be fully described below, and
also allow the user to navigate through highlighted bars displayed
on the TV screen when in a MENU mode. The left/right direction
arrow keys 37B allow the user to navigate through selected time
periods when the program schedule system is in the BROWSE mode, as
will also be described below. They further allow the user to
navigate across subject-matter categories while in the "Categories"
submenu of the MENU mode, as well as to navigate across time
periods when the program schedule system is in a pay-per-view
ordering mode and, in general, navigate in left or right directions
to select various icons and other objects. The information, or "i,"
key 39 allows the user to view supplemental program and other
information during the various modes of the program schedule
system. The ENTER 35 key fulfills and inputs a command once the
user has made a selection from the remote controller keys. The
function and operation of these keys will be made more apparent in
the detailed discussion of the FLIP, BROWSE and MENU modes
below.
[0081] A second embodiment of the remote controller 40 is shown in
FIG. 4. This embodiment of the remote controller also includes a
power key 41, numeric digit keys 42, direction arrow keys 43A and
43B, information key 48, ENTER key 44, volume control 45 and mute
keys 46. It also includes pound sign and star keys.
[0082] This embodiment of the remote controller further includes a
number of icon keys 47A and 47B, which correspond to different
submenus or modes of the program schedule system. The icons 47A and
47B may also be displayed on the TV screen when the program
schedule system is operating. The icon keys essentially replace the
MODE key 38 used in the embodiment of the remote controller shown
in FIG. 3. Using these keys, the user can move from one mode to
another simply by depressing the icon key corresponding-to the
desired mode of operation of the program schedule system. In the
embodiment of FIG. 4, the icons 47A and 47B are shown as graphic
symbols situated directly above a corresponding color-coded key.
Alternatively, the color-coded keys could be eliminated and keys
could be formed in the image of the icon itself.
[0083] The embodiment of the remote controller shown in FIG. 4 also
includes three color-coded viewer preference keys, 48A, 48B and 48C
that are situated directly above the icon keys. Each of these keys
indicates to the program schedule system a distinct user-created
"Channel Preference" list, which is a listing of a specific subset
of channels for a particular user, arranged in the sequential order
that the user wishes to-view during operation of the program
schedule system. The creation of the Channel Preference list is
discussed in the following section. Thus, the system provides for
at least three individual channel subsets for three individual
users.
[0084] Additionally, each of the functions of the remote
controllers can also be integrated into a keypad on the user's
cable box or other hardware.
System Operation
[0085] In operation, the electronic program schedule system of the
present invention functions as follows.
FLIP Mode
[0086] When the user is viewing a particular program channel on the
television receiver, the program schedule system defaults to a FLIP
mode, shown in FIG. 5. In this mode, a graphic overlay 51
containing programming information for the channel currently tuned
on the tuner is superimposed in overlaying relationship with a
received program signal 55 on the screen of the television receiver
27 whenever the viewer changes the program channel, for example, by
using the up/down direction arrows on-the remote controller. The
video overlay device 25, such as shown in FIG. 1, combines the
computer-generated RGB video-graphic overlay information with the
NTSC-format program signal from the tuner 28, and supplies an
NTSC-format output signal, which includes the program signal from
the tuner and the program schedule overlay information for viewing
on the television receiver 27.
[0087] The programming information contained in the graphic overlay
51 is supplied to the RGB video generator by the microcontroller.
In FLIP mode, the microcontroller first searches the program
schedule database in, for example, the DRAM 18 to retrieve the
programming information for the currently tuned channel 52
corresponding to the current time; i.e., the time at which the user
just turned on the television receiver for viewing. The
microcontroller 16 then supplies the current channel and program
information to the RGB video generator 24 which converts the
digital data information to RGB format and supplies it to the video
overlay device 25.
[0088] In normal operation, the microcontroller 16 defaults to
displaying all channels offered by the cable company prioritized by
numeric order, which is determined by the broadcast channel
position in the radio spectrum or the marketing judgments of local
cable operators. Using a "Channel Preference" submenu, discussed
below, the user can revise the content and/or sequential order of
the channels presented to the television receiver 27.
[0089] In general, if the user does not issue a change-channel
instruction, or other command, from the remote controller 40 within
a predetermined time interval while in the FLIP mode, the
microcontroller 16 instructs the VDG 23 to remove the graphic
overlay 51 from the television receiver, thus presenting only a
program signal 55 to the television receiver 27 for viewing. The
duration of the predetermined time interval is such that it allows
the user sufficient time to read the programming information
contained in the overlay. The duration of the predetermined time
interval during which the graphic 51 overlay appears is stored in a
location in non-volatile memory 20 addressable by the
microcontroller 16. The user can change the duration of the time
interval, by first entering a Viewer Preference mode, and then
selecting an "overlay interval" entry. The microcontroller 16 then
causes a user prompt to be displayed on the screen which, for
example, asks the user to select an appropriate time period for
displaying in the graphic overlay on the screen. Using the numeric
keys, the user can input an appropriate response, for example, a
period between 5 and 60 seconds, and then depress ENTER. The new
interval period is then read and stored by the microcontroller 16
in the overlay time interval location in memory.
[0090] If the user issues a change-channel command from the remote
controller 40 before or after the predetermined overlay period has
elapsed, either by using the up/down direction arrows 43A, or by
entering a desired channel number using the numeric-keys 42 and
then depressing the ENTER key 44, the microcontroller 16 will cause
the tuner 28 to tune to the desired channel--either the channel
immediately preceding or following the current channel when the up
or down arrow. 43A is used or the specific-channel entered on the
numeric key pad by the user--and will also search for and
immediately cause to be displayed the current program information
for that channel. Thus, as the user flips through the channels, the
program schedule information for any selected channel automatically
appears in the graphic overlay 51 while the actual program 55
appearing on the selected channel at the particular time occupies
the remainder of the screen.
[0091] The system can also be configured to issue an error message,
such as an audible beep or displayed text indicating an invalid key
stroke, if the user depresses either the left or right direction
arrow keys while in the FLIP mode.
BROWSE Mode
[0092] To initiate the BROWSE mode, the user depresses the MODE
switch once while in the FLIP mode when using the first embodiment
of the remote controller 31 shown in FIG. 3. Utilizing the second
embodiment of the remote controller 40 shown in FIG. 4, the user
would depress the button below the BROWSE icon 47A.
[0093] In the BROWSE mode, the user is provided with the ability to
scan through program schedule information for any channel,
including, but not limited to, the channel being viewed, while at
the same time continuing to view the TV program previously
selected. As shown in FIG. 11, in this mode the graphic overlay
information that appears in the FLIP mode is replaced with
programming information for the channel being browsed, which may or
may not be the channel currently being viewed by the user. After
the user issues the command from the remote controller 40 to enter
the BROWSE mode, a graphic overlay 111 is generated, as in the FLIP
mode, with program schedule information for the currently tuned
channel 112 and a textual BROWSE indicator 113 to remind the user
of the currently active mode, as shown in FIG. 11.
[0094] If the user depresses either the up or down direction arrow
on the remote controller 40 while in the BROWSE mode, program
schedule information for either the prior or next channel is
displayed in the graphic overlay portion 111 of the television
receiver screen 27, while the tuner remains tuned to the channel
program that appeared on the television receiver at the time the
user entered the BROWSE mode, as shown in FIG. 12, and continues to
so appear. Each successive depression of the up or down direction
arrow key produces corresponding program schedule information for
the selected channel. The graphic overlay may also include a small
video window for showing the actual video signal of a currently
aired program or a clip of a future program corresponding to the
schedule information then appearing in the BROWSE overlay. In this
way, the user can simultaneously scan program schedule information
for all channels while continuously viewing at least one selected
program on the television receiver. With the advent of
sophisticated television receivers, it may also be possible to
simultaneously display multiple broadcast programs on a single
screen for viewing, or to split the screen to show, for example,
broadcast programs in combination with advertisements. The BROWSE
feature could be used in any of these situations.
[0095] If, at any time during scanning of the program schedule
information in the BROWSE mode, the user desires to tune the
television receiver 27 from the program channel currently being
viewed to the program channel indicated in the schedule information
in the graphic overlay, he simply depresses the ENTER button 44 and
the tuner 28 will be tuned to that channel. If the user does not
want to view another channel and wishes to exit the BROWSE mode,
thus removing the graphic overlay 111 with the program schedule
information, he must depress the MODE key twice in the first
embodiment of the remote controller 31. The first depression of the
MODE key takes the user to the MENU mode, discussed below, and the
second depression will take the user to the FLIP mode. Once in the
FLIP mode, the graphic overlay will be removed after the duration
of the time-out interval has passed. In the second embodiment of
the remote controller shown in FIG. 4, the user toggles the BROWSE
icon key to deactive the BROWSE mode.
[0096] When the user first enters the BROWSE mode and begins
scanning channels, the schedule information appearing in the
overlay portion 111 describes the programs currently playing on any
particular channel. In order to view programming information for
later times, the user employs the left and right direction arrows
43B. As a consequence, the system will display future program
schedule information for the particular channel previously selected
by the up and down direction arrows, whether it is the channel
currently being viewed or any other available channel. The schedule
information presented includes the name of the program and program
start/stop time. The instant embodiment of the system, in order to
conserve memory, will not allow the user to view programming
information for a time prior to the current time. The system could
be easily modified to provide such information if adequate memory
is made available.
[0097] When viewing program schedule information for a future time
in the BROWSE mode, the displayed time of airing 121 of the
particular show 122 is highlighted, as well as the channel number
and service indicator 123, as shown in FIG. 12A. Such highlighted
information reminds the user that he is viewing program schedule
information for a future time. Also, when viewing program schedule
information for a future time on any particular channel in the
BROWSE mode, depression of the channel up direction arrow key on
the remote controller 40 causes programing schedule information for
the next channel to appear, which corresponds in time to the future
time that was being viewed before the up key was depressed by the
user. The channel down direction arrow key 43B functions
identically in this mode.
[0098] If while viewing program schedule information for a future
time in BROWSE mode the user depresses the ENTER key on the remote
controller, the microcontroller 16 will instruct the VDG 23 to
display a REMINDER overlay message 130 which, as shown in FIG. 13,
is displayed as a second overlay 131 appearing above the BROWSE
overlay 132. The REMINDER message 130 queries the user as to
whether the system should remind the user, at a predetermined time
before the start of the selected program, that he or she would like
to view the selected program, as shown in FIG. 13 if the user
responds affirmatively, the microcontroller 16 stores reminder data
consisting of at least the channel, time and day of the selected
program in a reminder buffer, which contains similar schedule
information for all programs for which the user has set a reminder.
At a pre-determined time before the selected program start time,
for example, five minutes, the microcontroller 16 will retrieve
schedule information, including title and service, based on the
reminder data, and will instruct the VDG 23 to display a REMINDER
overlay message 140 on the television receiver 27, as shown in FIG.
14, to remind the user that he or she previously set a reminder to
watch the selected program. The REMINDER message 140 contains the
channel, service and start time. It also displays the number of
minutes before the time of airing of the particular show and
updates the display every minute until the time of airing. The
REMINDER message 140 also displays a "TUNE" inquiry, which asks the
user if she would like to tune to the selected program. As with the
overlay display time period in the FLIP mode, the user can modify
the time period before a selected program that the REMINDER message
appears by entering the Viewer Preference mode and revising the
time entry.
MENU Mode
[0099] Using the remote controller 31 shown in FIG. 3, the user can
enter the MENU mode from the BROWSE mode or from the FLIP mode by
toggling the MODE button 38 once or twice, respectively. Using the
remote controller 40 of FIG. 4, the user would simply depress the
key 47B corresponding to the MENU icon.
[0100] Referring to FIG. 6, in the MENU mode, the system displays a
plurality of menu items and icons, which correspond to and allow
user selection of distinct program schedule information display
formats, local cable system message boards and other on-line
information services. Unlike in the FLIP and BROWSE modes, in the
MENU mode no program signal from the tuner is displayed on the
television receiver 27. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, there
are four vertically selectable horizontal bars 61-64, which are
accessed using the up and down direction arrows 43A on the remote
controller 31 or 40. At the extreme left of each bar, an
identifying icon. 61A-64A is displayed, which identifies the
information contained in that bar. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the
"TV GUIDE" icon 61A in the first bar corresponds to program
schedule information from TV Guide.RTM. magazine, the "NOW SHOWING"
icon 62A in the second bar 62 corresponds to pay-per-view and
premium service events, the "MSO Logo" icon 63A in the third bar 63
corresponds to Customer Service or local cable company information
messages, and the circular icon 64A in the fourth bar 64
corresponds to other interactive services available to the user. As
also shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A, each bar also contains a textual
description of its contents.
[0101] When the user first enters the MENU mode, the system
defaults to selection of the program schedule bar. When a
particular bar is selected, the textual description is removed and
a plurality of icons are displayed adjacent the identifying icon.
In FIG. 6, the program schedule bar 61 is selected. Using the up or
down direction arrow key on the remote controller 40, the user
selects a vertically adjacent bar. FIGS. 15-17 show, respectively,
selection of the Pay-Per-View bar 62, the Customer Service or
Messages bar 63 and the Interactive TV services bar 64.
[0102] Once a particular bar in the MENU screen is selected, the
user can select a particular icon from the plurality of
horizontally selectable displayed icons 65A-65C by using the left
or right direction arrow and the ENTER key on the remote controller
40. Each icon contains a graphical symbol appearing in a background
window of a particular color. When a particular icon is selected,
it is offset from its background window and the color of the window
changes. In FIG. 6, the grid icon 65A immediately adjacent the "TV
GUIDE" icon in the first bar 61 is selected.
[0103] The function corresponding to each icon will now be
discussed.
[0104] In the uppermost vertically selectable horizontal bar 61,
the first grid icon 65A represents an "All Listings" mode in which
the program schedule information is displayed in a grid listing,
such as that shown in FIG. 18. Alternatively, a single column
grid-like display could be used, as that shown in FIG. 25. In this
format, the vertical y-axis identifies the channel number and
service while the horizontal x-axis identifies the time. The screen
display of FIG. 18 also contains in the upper left-hand corner a
mode identifier 180, in this case the notation "All Listings," to
remind the user of the current operating mode of the system.
Directly underneath the mode display is a highlighted display 181
of the channel that the user was watching before entering the MENU
mode. In the upper right-hand corner, a logo icon 182 appears in a
window directly above a date/time identifier 183, which
alternatively displays the current date and time.
[0105] In the center of the screen display shown in FIG. 18 is a
graphical Active Key Display (AKD) 184 which indicates to the user
those keys on the remote controller that are active for that
particular mode of the program guide display system. For example,
in the screen display of FIG. 18, the cursor can only move up, down
or to the right. If the user were to depress the left direction
arrow key on the remote controller at that point, the system would
not carry out any function since the cursor can not move to the
left. Thus, the left arrow key is not active so its image is not
displayed on the AKD 184. Similarly, since the system will only
respond to a depression of the up, down or right direction arrow
keys and the ENTER key, they are the only key images displayed on
the graphical AKD 184. The MODE key, though not displayed, is
always active to change from one mode to another. When the user
first enters the All Listings guide, the time listing begins by
default at the half-hour immediately preceding the current time
unless the current time is on the hour or half-hour, in which case
the display begins with the particular hour or half-hour, and the
channel listing begins at the last channel being viewed by the user
before entering the MENU mode. For example, in FIG. 18, the current
time is displayed as 7:13 p.m., the time listing begins at 7:00
p.m. and the channel listing begins with channel 4.
[0106] In the All Listings mode, a moveable highlighted cursor 185
is used to indicate the currently selected program to the user. The
user manipulates cursor movement using the direction arrow keys on
the remote controller 40. Furthermore, the entire information
display pages upward if the cursor is placed at the bottom of the
screen and the down direction arrow is depressed, and similarly
pages to the left schedule system, as well as the graphic AKD 184,
similar to that used in connection with the All Listings mode.
[0107] As with the All Listings mode, if the user highlights a show
which is currently airing, he can immediately tune to that show by
depressing the ENTER key on the remote controller 40. If the
highlighted show is one that will appear at future time, the user
is again given the option of setting a REMINDER message.
[0108] The triangular icon 65C at the far right of the TV GUIDE bar
61 in the display of FIG. 6 identifies a "Channel Listing" mode in
which the program schedule information is categorized and displayed
by channel, as shown in FIG. 20. The screen display shown in FIG.
20 again includes a textual mode identifier 201, the graphic AKD
184, and the window including the logo icon 182 and alternating
time/date display 183. At the head of the program listing is a list
of several consecutive channels 202A-202C beginning with the last
channel viewed by the user before entering the Channel Listing
mode. The channel in the middle window 202B is highlighted and is
the channel for which schedule information is displayed. The
display identifies those programs appearing on the highlighted
channel beginning with the half-hour immediately preceding the
current time unless the current time is on the hour or half-hour,
in which case the display if the cursor is at the extreme right
side of the display and the right direction arrow is depressed. In
this way, the user can navigate through the entire program
schedule.
[0109] The folder icon 65B immediately to the right of the All
Listings icon in the top horizontal bar 61 of FIG. 6 identifies a
"Category Listing" mode in which program schedule information is
displayed and categorized by program content, as shown in FIG. 19.
The particular listing shown in FIG. 19 includes the categories of
Movies, Sports, News and Children 190A-190D. The database record
stored for each listing contains a content-specific identifier so
the microcontroller can search the database and categorize the
information by content for purposes of displaying it in the
Category Listing mode. As shown in FIG. 19, the user can manipulate
the cursor left or right to highlight any one of the categories
which appear at the head of the listing. In FIG. 19, the "Movies"
category 190A is selected. As shown, the user is given a display of
all movies, prioritized by time and then alphabetically by title of
show, beginning with the half-hour immediately preceding the
current time unless the current time is on the hour or half-hour,
in which case the display begins with the particular hour or
half-hour. The screen display-shown in FIG. 19 also includes a
textual description of the current operating mode of the program
begins with the particular hour or half-hour. The user can display
further future listings by manipulating the cursor to the bottom of
the screen and paging the display, as previously described. The
user can also change the selected channel by manipulating the left
or right direction arrow keys on the remote controller 40. When the
user issues a change-channel command in this manner, the next
consecutive channel will be displayed in the highlighted window
202B in the channel string at the head of the display, and schedule
information for the newly selected channel will be displayed on the
television receiver 27.
[0110] As with other modes, if a user wishes to tune to a
highlighted program that is currently airing, he can do so by
simply depressing the ENTER key on the remote controller 40, and if
the user wishes to view a program that airs at a future time, the
user is again given the option of setting a REMINDER message.
[0111] In each of the FLIP, BROWSE and MENU modes, a lower case "i"
icon appears at a number of occasions in connection with certain
program listings, such as movies, such as the "i" 203 shown in FIG.
20. Any time this icon appears, the user can view additional
programming information, generally comprising a textual description
of program content and/or other information related to the program,
such as the names of cast members and the like, by depressing the
"i" key 48 on the remote controller 40. An example of a display of
such additional information is shown in FIG. 21.
[0112] The second horizontal bar 62 appearing on the screen in the
MAIN MENU mode shown in FIG. 6 is the "Home Theater" Listing. It
corresponds to Pay-Per-View events or services; specialized
programming, and Premium Service programs. When this category is
chosen by the user, the television receiver displays information as
shown in FIG. 15. The first theater-ticket icon 150 that appears in
this Home Theater bar identifies a format in which the Pay-Per-View
events and premium services are displayed, as shown in FIG. 22. As
with other modes, the user can manipulate the cursor to highlight
and select any particular show. Also, the user can obtain
additional information about the Pay-Per-View event or service by
depressing the "i" key 48 on the remote controller 40. The
Pay-Per-View menu screen display shown in FIG. 22 also includes a
video display section 220 in which short promotional clips of
current and future events and services can be shown to the user
while the user is viewing the Pay-Per-View scheduling information.
The display of FIG. 22 is bit mapped such that the advertising
clips may be shown in the lower left quadrant of the screen. The
clips may be shown randomly in the video display section 120 or,
alternatively, the clip shown could correspond to the particular
selected entry on the list of events, and would change
automatically as the user navigated through the list.
[0113] When a user highlights a Pay-Per-View event or service by
manipulating the cursor to the desired event or service using the
direction arrow keys on the remote controller 40, he can order the
event or service by depressing the ENTER button on the remote
controller, thus linking schedule, promotional and ordering
functions. If the user selects a particular Pay-Per-View event or
service in this manner, the programming schedule system will next
present to the user a Pay-Per-View ordering screen such as that
shown in FIG. 23. The display includes a figure representing the
cost of the event or service. The display also asks the user to
choose from among a plurality of scheduled airing times 230A-230C,
as well as whether the user would like to see a REMINDER message
prior to the start of the Pay-Per-View event or service. The user
responds to these inquiries by using the direction keys on the
remote controller 40 to manipulate the cursor to the proper
response and then depressing the ENTER key. After the user has
ordered a Pay-Per-View event or service, the program schedule
system will present the user with two ordering confirmation
submenus, such as shown in FIGS. 24 and 24A. In either of these
submenus, the user can confirm or cancel the Pay-Per-View event or
service.
[0114] If the user confirms the order, the microcontroller 16
stores the Pay-Per-View ordering information in a location in
memory. The ordering information can then be transmitted to the
cable operator by the microcontroller 16 either by phone line or on
the cable line where the system has two-way communication or other
such interactive capability. Alternatively, a computer at the cable
operator location can interrogate the memory where the
microcontroller stored the Pay-Per-View ordering information. At
the appropriate time, the cable operator supplies the Pay-Per-View
event or service and it is received by all users who have ordered
the program.
[0115] The second icon 151 in the Pay-Per-View bar of FIG. 15
identifies a specialized broadcast, cable or satellite programming
service to which the user has access via the electronic program
guide. In this mode, the electronic program guide application
software acts to connect the user, through an appropriate data
transmission link, to the programming service, at which point the
user interacts with the service. Alternatively, the electronic
program guide provides the navigation software, including the menus
and scheduling information, for the particular programming service.
Such a service could be, for example, Your Choice TV ("YCTV"), a
service offering reruns of highly rated broadcast and cable
programs, in which case the icon may take a form suitable to
identify YCTV. The programming available on YCTV is then supplied
to the user via the programming guide system.
[0116] The last icon 152 appearing in the Pay-Per-View bar of FIG.
15 identifies a display format which lists all Premium Services
offered by the cable operator, as shown in FIG. 26. In this mode,
the user can select for impulse ordering any one of the premium
services by manipulating the cursor using the direction arrow keys
on the remote controller and depressing the ENTER key. Similar to
Pay-Per-View ordering, the system will present the user with a
series of ordering displays and, if a service is ordered by the
user, it will confirm the user's request using another other
submenu. If confirmed, the microcontroller 16 will store the
ordering information or transmit it directly to the cable operator.
Once the order has been confirmed, the microcontroller can
immediately allow the user access to the ordered premium service.
In this manner, the user can order premium events or services on
demand.
[0117] If, during FLIP or BROWSE modes, a user views a channel or
schedule information for a service not subscribed to by the user,
the microcontroller 16 causes an ordering submenu to appear instead
of displaying a program signal along with the graphic overlay, as
shown in FIG. 9. This submenu indicates to the user that she does
not currently subscribe to the selected service, and then asks the
user if she would like to order the service. If the user responds
affirmatively, the program schedule system takes the user to the
ordering submenu discussed above. In this manner, the user
can-order premium events or services on impulse.
[0118] The third horizontal bar 63 in the MENU mode shown in FIG. 6
is the "Messages" or "Customer Service" listing. As shown in FIG.
16, the first envelope icon 160 represents message information
available from the cable operator. When the user selects the
message icon, he is presented with a screen display of currently
available messages, as shown in FIG. 27. The display shown in FIG.
27 includes cable system messages 270 and billing information 271.
If the user selects the cable system messages option 270, she is
presented with a message pertaining to the local cable operator,
such as that shown in FIG. 28. If the user selects the billing
status option 271 shown in FIG. 27, she is presented with a display
of current billing information, such as that shown in FIG. 29.
[0119] The next icon 161 in the Customer Service information bar 63
of FIG. 16 identifies a "Viewer Preference" mode, which allows the
user to create or revise a number of program schedule system
operating parameters. Once selected, this display presents the user
with several preference options concerning certain operating
parameters of the program schedule system, as well as the viewing
of certain channels and/or certain content-specific programming,
for example, those shown in FIG. 7.
[0120] The first option shown in FIG. 7 is the "Parental" option
70, which can also be expressed as a "Key Lock Access" option. Once
this option is initially selected by the user, the system displays
a "Key Lock Access" submenu such as that shown in FIG. 30.
[0121] The Key Lock Access menu shown in FIG. 30 allows the user to
control access to individual channels and programs or events by
requiring the user to enter an access code "key," consisting of a
user-specified four digit code in the specific embodiment discussed
herein, before ordering or viewing these pre-selected channels,
programs or events. The menu display shown in FIG. 30 shows a
series of subject categories that are entries in the vertical
y-axis selectable by the user. A particular subject category is
chosen by using the up or down direction arrow keys on the remote
controller 40 to highlight the desired entry. Once the user selects
a particular subject category, the left and right arrow keys are
used to navigate within the chosen category.
[0122] The first subject entry shown in FIG. 30 is the "Parental
Guidance" category 301. Once the user selects this category by
manipulating the cursor to highlight the entry, the cursor can be
then moved horizontally to an active window 302 which displays and
selects one the five letter rating items in the category. The
letter items represent ratings of program content as follows: "V"
for violence, "N" for nudity, "L" for language, "AS" for adult
situations and "PD" for parental discretion. Once the user selects
a particular item, such as "L", by moving to the active window 302
using the right direction arrow key, depressing the ENTER key will
indicate to the microcontroller 16 that a key lock access has been
selected for programs rated with a "L" rating for violent or
explicit language. The system indicates activation of a key lock
access by displaying a key icon directly below the "L" category
display. Once a key lock access is set, it can be deactivated by
selecting the category letter and then depressing the ENTER key.
This action causes the key icon to disappear. The user can change
the rating category in the active window 302 by using the left or
right direction arrow keys on the remote controller 40, images of
which are displayed on the screen adjacent the active window as a
reminder to the user. In this manner, the user can select other
rating categories for setting a key lock access for any of the
program content identifiers appearing in the Parental Guidance
category.
[0123] The key lock access code itself consists of a four digit
code, which the user can enter and modify at any time. To do so,
the user highlights the fourth vertically selectable entry "Change
Key Lock Access Code," 304 by manipulating the cursor to highlight
it using the direction arrow keys on the remote controller. Once
highlighted, the user enters a new four digit code or revises the
then existing code and depresses the ENTER key. The microcontroller
16 then identifies the new four digit key lock access code and
stores it in memory. The user can clear the key lock access code,
as well as all other previously activated keys, by moving to the
last entry in FIG. 30, "Clear Key Lock Access Code and All Keys,"
305 which highlights the "OK" window, and then depressing the ENTER
key. This action clears and deactivates all previously set keys, as
well as the key lock access code.
[0124] The schedule information database record for each program
contains a field that corresponds to the program content
identifiers in the Parental Guidance category. During operation,
the microcontroller checks this field in response to a user command
to tune to or order a program, or to display its corresponding
schedule information before carrying out the tuning, ordering or
displaying function. If the parental guide identifier in the
program schedule information database record matches any one of the
activated parental guidance identifiers shown in FIG. 30, the user
will be prompted to enter the four digit key lock access code
before the system takes any further action. If the entered code
matches the key lock access code previously entered and stored by
the user as described above, the system will carry out the user
request to tune to the program, to order it, or to display its
corresponding schedule information. If the code is not recognized
by the system, no further action will be taken and the user's
request will be denied.
[0125] By manipulating the cursor using the direction arrow keys to
highlight the second entry, "MPAA ratings," 308 the user can also
set a key lock access for programs based on their MPAA rating code,
as also shown in FIG. 30.
[0126] As with the Parental Guidance category, once the MPAA rating
category has been selected, the, user can move horizontally within
the category to the active window 306 to select one the five rating
codes, i.e., "G" for general audiences, "PG" for parental guidance,
"PG13" for suggested parental guidance, no one under 13 admitted
without an adult, "R" for restricted and "X" for x-rated. As with
the Parental Guidance category, by selecting a particular
rating--by using the left or right direction arrow keys until the
particular rating code appears in the active window--and then
depressing the ENTER key, the user sets a key lock access for the
rating, in which case a key icon appears below the rating code.
And, as with the Parental Guidance category, once a key lock access
is set, the system will prompt the user to enter the four digit key
lock access code anytime a request is made to tune to, order or
display schedule information for a particular program having a
rating code which matches a rating code for which key lock access
has been activated.
[0127] The Key Lock Access mode also includes a subject category
303 for controlling access to channels, which may be entitled, for
example, "Channel Block" or "Channel Lock." As with the Parental
Guidance 301 and MPAA 308 categories, the user navigates to the
Channel Block category 303 by manipulating the cursor using the
direction arrow keys on the remote controller and depressing the
ENTER key. Once the Channel Block category 303 has been entered,
the user can move horizontally to an active window 307, which in
FIG. 30 indicates channel 2. Once the user highlights this window
by manipulating the cursor using the direction arrow keys on the
remote controller 40, a key lock access can be set for the channel
appearing in the active window. This is done, as with the other
subject categories in the Key Lock Access mode, by depressing the
ENTER key, which again causes a key icon to appear below the
channel number in the active window. The user can move to the prior
channel or to the next channel in sequence by depressing either the
left or right direction arrow key on the remote controller 40. In
this manner, the user can activate a key lock access for any
available channel.
[0128] As with the Parental Guidance 301 and MPAA 308 categories,
once a key lock access is set for a particular channel, the system
will prompt the user to input the key lock access code prior to
carrying out an instruction to tune to or order that channel. If
the input key lock access code matches the previously stored access
code, the user's instruction is carried out. Otherwise, the user's
instruction is ignored. Thus, the user can control access to the
audio and video program content of any available channel. In this
instance, the microcontroller 16 will not allow audio or video
program signals to pass to the VDG, but it will allow schedule
information to appear for the channel.
[0129] The next option shown in FIG. 7 is the Channel Preference or
"Favorite Channel" list option 71. By highlighting this icon and
depressing the ENTER key on the remote controller 40, the user is
presented with a submenu on the screen such as that shown in FIG.
8.
[0130] In normal operation, the program guide system presents
channels to the user in numerical order in response to an up or
down change-channel command issued by the user using one of the
direction arrow keys on the remote controller. The channel number
presentation sequence includes all channels offered by the cable
company in the order of which they are modulated onto the channel
by the operator.
[0131] The program guide system also provides the capability of
selecting from among several user-defined channel presentation
sequences, which are activated using one of the three "check mark"
icon keys 48A, 48B or 48C on the remote controller 40 shown in FIG.
4. Each of these keys represents a preferred particular list of
channels which a particular user selects and which the
microcontroller stores in memory as a "Channel Preference" list, as
discussed in detail below. To activate one of these preferred
channel lists, the user depresses the corresponding check-mark icon
key, in which case the microcontroller may display the chosen icon
on the screen in the graphic overlays and full screen displays to
remind the user that a particular channel preference list is being
used by the system. Once a preference list is activated, the system
will limit the tuning of the television receiver and the display of
schedule information only to those channels that are designated in
the activated viewer preference list.
[0132] To revise the content and/or sequential order of the
channels in the Channel Preference list, the user enters the MENU
mode of the programming guide system. To enter the MENU mode from
the FLIP mode, the user twice depresses the MODE key 38 when using
the remote controller. 31 of FIG. 3. To enter the MENU mode when
using the alternative embodiment of the remote controller 40 of
FIG. 4, the user simply depresses the MENU icon key 47B.
[0133] When first entered, the. MENU mode has a screen display such
as shown in FIG. 6. To select the submenu for editing the Channel
Preference list, the user first selects the third horizontal bar
63, which can be titled, for example, "Messages" or "Customer
Service," by manipulating the cursor using the down direction arrow
key, as shown in FIG. 7. The screen of FIG. 6A is thereby
displayed. The user then selects the second icon 161 appearing in
that bar, indicated with a check mark, which corresponds to a
"Viewer Preference" mode, by highlighting the icon using the
direction arrow keys and again depressing the ENTER key. This
action will cause the microcontroller 16 to display a Viewer.
Preference submenu such as that shown in FIG. 7. By selecting the
Channel Preference or "Favorite Channel" entry 71, the user enters
the Channel Preference submenu, shown in FIG. 8. If the user has
not already done so, he would then depress the particular
check-mark icon key on the remote controller 40 of FIG. 4 to create
or revise the particular channel preference list.
[0134] In the Channel Preference menu shown in FIG. 8, a list 80 of
all channels available on the particular cable system is displayed
on the left side of the television receiver screen, labeled
"Choices" in FIG. 8, and the viewer's preferred list 81, designated
"Selected" in FIG. 8, is displayed on the right side. If a
particular code, such as an END or "-1" symbol appears in the first
(uppermost) position 82 of the viewer preference list 81, the
system displays information for all channels in numerical order in
all modes of operation. This is the default mode of the system.
[0135] By selecting channels in sequence from the available list 80
and placing them in the desired order in the preference list 81,
the user can select a subset of channels and/or rearrange the
default sequence in response to a channel up or channel down
command from the user. This is accomplished by highlighting a
channel in the available list 80 using the up and down direction
arrow keys on the remote controller 40 and depressing the ENTER key
44, which stores the entry temporarily in a buffer.
[0136] The microcontroller 16 stores a list of all channels
previously entered in the viewer preference list 81. As a
particular channel is highlighted by the user when navigating
through the available channel list 80 displayed on the left:side of
the television screen, a window 84 appears adjacent to the
particular channel highlighted by the user. If the particular
channel already appears in the viewer preference list 81, the
system displays a "DELETE" message in the window 84 as a reminder
that the channel was previously selected from the available channel
list. 80 and can only be deleted from he list 81, which is
accomplished by depressing the ENTER key 44. If the particular
highlighted channel in the list 80 was not previously selected, the
system displays a "SELECT" message in the window 84 as a reminder
that the particular channel will be selected for addition to the
viewer preference list 81 if the user depresses the ENTER key 44.
The microcontroller 16 inserts a selected channel at the bottom of
the list 81. In this manner, the user can select or delete channels
from the viewer preference list in any desired order.
[0137] The available channel list 80 may also be provided with
categorical entries 83, such as movies, news, sports or children's
shows. The user may also highlight any of these entries and put
them into the viewer preference list 81. If the user does include a
category in his viewer preference list 81, when the user issues
channel up or down commands, the system will display, in sequence,
first the user's selected preferred channels in numerical order and
then all channels having a program whose content corresponds to the
selected category or categories at the time.
[0138] Once the user has revised the channel preference list 81 in
the described manner, the microcontroller 16 will follow the stored
user-specified channel sequence in response to a change-channel
command made by the user employing one of the direction arrow keys.
To activate the viewer preference list, the user depresses one of
the three check-mark icon keys 48A, 48B or 48C on the top of the
remote controller shown in FIG. 4. The viewer preference list can
be used to selectively limit tuning of the television receiver or
display of schedule information in any of the operating modes of
the electronic program guide. In the present embodiment, once a
preference list is activated, the system will limit the tuning of
the television receiver and the display of schedule information in
the FLIP, and BROWSE modes, as well as in the grid category and
channel listings in the MENU mode, only to those channels
designated in the activated viewer preference list. The tuner can
not be tuned to, and no corresponding schedule information can be
displayed for, any channel not entered in the viewer preference
list when it is activated. In this regard, it should be noted that
setting a key lock access in the Parental Guidance 301, MPAA. 308
or Channel Block 303 categories produces a different result than
when using other display criteria, such as the Channel Preference
List of preferred channels discussed above. Thus, while a key lock
access will prevent audio and video program information, but not
schedule information, from being displayed or ordered absent entry
of an authorization code, if a particular channel is included in
the Channel Preference list and also has a key lock access
activated in the Channel Block category 303 of the Key Lock Access
mode, that channel or its corresponding schedule information will
not be displayed at any time.
[0139] To deactivate a previously selected viewer preference list,
the user toggles the appropriate check-mark icon key on the remote
controller 40 of FIG. 4. Once deactivated, the system defaults to
displaying and tuning all available channels, as well as displaying
schedule information for all available channels.
[0140] Alternatively, the viewer preference list 81, if activated,
can be used to control tuning and display of schedule information
only in selected modes, such as only in the FLIP mode, thus
allowing the user to tune and view corresponding schedule
information only for those channels entered in the preference list
81 in the FLIP mode, while viewing all channels and corresponding
schedule information in all other modes.
[0141] In this latter configuration, as well as in the instance
where no channel preference list is activated and the system is in
default mode, if a channel appears in the viewer preference list 81
that corresponds to a service not subscribed to by the user, the
microcontroller 16 causes an ordering submenu to appear instead of
displaying a program signal along with the graphic overlay, as
shown in FIG. 9. This submenu indicates to the user that he does
not currently subscribe to the selected service, and then asks the
user if he would like to order the service. If the user responds
affirmatively, the program schedule system takes the user to
another ordering submenu to confirm the user's request, as with
impulse ordering.
[0142] In addition to Channel Preference keys, the remote
controller 40 can also be supplied with a number of user-activated
category preference icon keys, e.g., movies, sports, or children's
programming. The system can be adapted to present to the user only
those programs meeting particular preference category when it is
activated by the user. As with the Channel Preference icons, the
microcontroller may display the icon corresponding to the activated
preference category to remind the user of the currently activated
mode of system operation.
[0143] The question mark icon 162 at the far right of the third
horizontal bar in the menu of FIG. 16 identifies a program guide
system "Help" mode in which information explaining the operation of
the system is displayed for the user. Again, by manipulating the
cursor using the appropriate keys on the remote controller, the
user can select this mode. Once selected, the next submenu
appearing in the Help mode asks the user to identify the particular
portion of the system about which the user would like to view Help
information.
[0144] The icons appearing in the last horizontal bar of the MENU
mode identify certain interactive and/or other types of information
services which the programming system, acting as a gateway, makes
available to the user as shown in FIG. 17. By manipulating the
cursor, the user can select any one of the identified services, as
shown in FIGS. 31-35.
[0145] For example, if the user initially selects the "X*PRESS"
icon appearing in the last horizontal bar, he is presented with a
submenu such as that shown in FIG. 31. Using the direction arrow
and enter keys on the remote controller, the user selects one of
the three entries appearing in the display of FIG. 31. Once a
particular entry is selected, the electronic program guide connects
the user to the selected service and passes control to the
particular service application software, as shown in FIGS.
32-35.
[0146] Additionally, the electronic program guide could be
configured to store a unique digital identifier for each program
along with its schedule information and later use the
identifier--e.g., by transmitting it--to indicate to a recording or
storage device, such as a video recorder, that the user wishes to
record the program. The program guide could also use the identifier
to automatically control operation of the video recorder. The
electronic program guide could also be configured to use other
stored schedule information for this purpose.
[0147] The form and content of a particular computer program to
implement the invention disclosed herein will be readily apparent
to those skilled in the art of video system programming and graphic
display. A flow chart showing the operation logic of the system is
shown in FIG. 36. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that there can be departure from the specific embodiment of
the invention described herein without departing from the true
scope of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *