U.S. patent application number 12/917201 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-04 for guide system and method of operation.
This patent application is currently assigned to Starsight Telecast Inc.. Invention is credited to KENNETH A. MILNES, Steven M. Schein.
Application Number | 20110191805 12/917201 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26697496 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110191805 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MILNES; KENNETH A. ; et
al. |
August 4, 2011 |
GUIDE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION
Abstract
A system and method for displaying a simplified electronic
program schedule guide on a user's television monitor is provided.
In one embodiment, the program schedule guide is abbreviated to
include only the programs currently available for viewing on a
subset of the available channels. In another embodiment, the
program guide screen visually distinguishes between programs for
the convenience of the viewer.
Inventors: |
MILNES; KENNETH A.;
(Fremont, CA) ; Schein; Steven M.; (Menlo Park,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Starsight Telecast Inc.
Fremont
CA
|
Family ID: |
26697496 |
Appl. No.: |
12/917201 |
Filed: |
November 1, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11202852 |
Aug 11, 2005 |
7849483 |
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12917201 |
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09599924 |
Jun 22, 2000 |
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11202852 |
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08884376 |
Jun 27, 1997 |
6118492 |
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09599924 |
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60023692 |
Aug 14, 1996 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/47 20130101;
H04N 21/4143 20130101; H04N 21/4135 20130101; H04N 21/84 20130101;
H04N 21/4312 20130101; H04N 5/44543 20130101; H04N 7/0887 20130101;
H04N 21/4821 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/46 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/445 20110101
H04N005/445 |
Claims
1-30. (canceled)
31. A method of displaying a guidance application on a user
equipment device, comprising: storing data containing program
information for one or more sources in a computer readable memory;
retrieving program information for a plurality of programs
associated with the one or more sources; determining at least one
program of the plurality of programs that is sponsored by an
advertiser; and in response to the determining, displaying the
program information for the at least one sponsored program
according to a first style of text, and displaying the program
information for the remaining programs of the plurality of programs
according to a second style of text, wherein the first style of
text and the second style of text are different.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the displayed program
information for the at least one sponsored program according to the
first style of text is more likely to draw a user's attention
relative to the displayed program information for the remaining
programs according to the second style of text.
33. The method of claim 31, wherein the first style of text
comprises at least one of a typeface, a background color, a
foreground color, a display space, a program description, and a
placement of the program information that is different from the
second style of text.
34. The method of claim 31, wherein displaying the program
information for the at least one sponsored program according to the
first style of text comprises displaying the program information
for the at least one sponsored program above the program
information for the remaining programs displayed according to the
second style of text.
35. The method of claim 31, wherein determining the at least one
sponsored program comprises receiving a selection of the least one
sponsored program from a system operator.
36. The method of claim 31, wherein displaying program information
for the plurality of programs comprises displaying a plurality of
cells having the program information.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein displaying the program
information for the at least one sponsored program according to the
first style of text comprises displaying the one or more cells
having the program information according to the first style of
text.
38. The method of claim 31, wherein retrieving program information
for a plurality of programs comprises retrieving program
information for programs which are presently available for
viewing.
39. The method of claim 31, wherein retrieving program information
for a plurality of programs comprises retrieving program
information for programs based on a theme selected by the user.
40. The method of claim 31, wherein the program information for the
at least one sponsored program and the remaining programs is
displayed as an overlay that at least partially covers a currently
playing program.
41. A system for displaying a media guidance application on a user
equipment device, the system comprising a computer processor
configured to: store data containing program information for one or
more sources in a computer readable memory; retrieve program
information for a plurality of programs associated with the one or
more sources; determine at least one program of the plurality of
programs that is sponsored by an advertiser; and in response to the
determining, display the program information for the at least one
sponsored program according to a first style of text, and display
the program information for the remaining programs of the plurality
of programs according to a second style of text, wherein the first
style of text and the second style of text are different.
42. The system of claim 41, wherein the displayed program
information for the at least one sponsored program according to the
first style of text is more likely to draw a user's attention
relative to the displayed program information for the remaining
programs according to the second style of text.
43. The system of claim 41, wherein the first style of text
comprises at least one of a typeface, a background color, a
foreground color, a display space, a program description, and a
placement of the program information that is different from the
second style of text.
44. The system of claim 41, wherein displaying the program
information for the at least one sponsored program according to the
first style of text comprises displaying the program information
for the at least one sponsored program above the program
information for the remaining programs displayed according to the
second style of text.
45. The system of claim 41, wherein determining the at least one
sponsored program comprises receiving a selection of the least one
sponsored program from a system operator.
46. The system of claim 41, wherein displaying program information
for the plurality of programs comprises displaying a plurality of
cells having the program information.
47. The system of claim 46, wherein displaying the program
information for the at least one sponsored program according to the
first style of text comprises displaying the one or more cells
having the program information according to the first style of
text.
48. The system of claim 41, wherein retrieving program information
for a plurality of programs comprises retrieving program
information for programs which are presently available for
viewing.
49. The system of claim 41, wherein retrieving program information
for a plurality of programs comprises retrieving program
information for programs based on a theme selected by the user.
50. The system of claim 41, wherein the program information for the
at least one sponsored program and the remaining programs is
displayed as an overlay that at least partially covers a currently
playing program.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a nonprovisional application of U.S.
provisional patent application "GUIDE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
OPERATION," U.S. Ser. No. 60/023,692, filed Aug. 14, 1996, having
Kenneth A. Milnes and Steven-Schein as the inventors and assigned
to StarSight Telecast, Inc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a program
schedule guide and, more particularly, to a system and process for
allowing a television viewer to access on-screen television program
listings in an easy and convenient way.
[0003] The number of television channels available to the user has
grown dramatically within the last decade, primarily due to the
availability of cable and direct broadcast satellite systems. As
the number of programs of potential interest to the viewer has
increased, a variety of electronic program guides have been
developed to help the viewer select programs of particular
interest. For example, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,706,121
and 5,353,121 each describes schedule information processing
systems which provide the viewer with a convenient way to select
programs based on viewer supplied selection criteria.
[0004] Although electronic program guides alleviate many of the
problems associated with selecting programs of interest from the
wealth of available channels, some users prefer lower cost
systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The system and method of the present invention provides a
program schedule guide which displays less program information,
thereby lowering the program cost. The program information to be
displayed is received by a peripheral device which can either be a
stand-alone device, such as a set-top box, or integrated into the
user's television or VCR.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the program
guide displays an abbreviated program schedule guide. In this
embodiment, instead of allowing the user access to schedule
information for every program being broadcast on the user's
television system(s), the user has only limited schedule
information access. The invention can either be designed to allow
the user or the system operator to select the schedule information
to be presented in this abbreviated mode.
[0007] In one embodiment, if the information is presented in an
abbreviated format, the user may elect to pay more and get the full
format.
[0008] In another embodiment of the invention, the program schedule
guide only presents programs that are currently being broadcast
and/or programs that are to be broadcast in the next thirty minute
time slot.
[0009] In another embodiment, the user is able to view the schedule
guide in either of two modes. In the first mode the schedule guide
is displayed on the entire television screen. In the alternate
mode, the schedule guide is displayed as an overlay partially
covering the broadcast program on the TV screen. Thus in the
alternate mode the user is able to view the schedule guide at the
same time as they view the desired program.
[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the program schedule
guide and information is visually distinguished by color or font,
thus making the guide more user friendly. Programs which are
currently being broadcast can be designated a different color or
font from programs which are to be broadcast during the next time
slot. Programs can also be color coded by type, thus allowing the
user to quickly differentiate between dramas, comedies, sports,
news, etc. The program currently being viewed by the user and to
which the television tuner has been set can also be coded by font
or a different color.
[0011] The program guide can be easily upgraded to a guide system
offering more user features. The upgrade can be purchased either
through the system operator or through a local store. In one
embodiment of the invention, the user can install the upgrade
without requiring technical assistance from the system
operator.
[0012] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the
present invention may be realized by reference to the remaining
portions of the specification and the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a TV/computer
system on which a program schedule guide according to the present
invention may be displayed;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a program schedule guide screen
according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the
program schedule guide screen which only provides schedule
information for programs which are currently available for
viewing;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a theme selection screen used
in an alternate embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a VCR programming screen in
accordance with the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a basic system configuration
according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] The present invention provides a television (TV) schedule
system which displays less program information, thereby lowering
the program cost. FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of
TV/computer system 1 that displays a program schedule guide
according to the present invention. As shown, system 1 includes a
distribution center 10 and multiple receiving locations.
Distribution center 10 compiles data for a data-stream. In a
preferred embodiment, this data-stream is broadcast to receiving
locations 16, 18, 20, and 22. Several methods are available for
broadcasting the data-stream from distribution center 10 to
receiving locations 16-22. For example, satellite 15 may broadcast
this data-stream within the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a
television channel (e.g., PBS) or a dedicated channel to receiving
locations 16, 18, 20, and 22. Alternatively, the data may be
broadcast out of band, i.e., using non channel specific mechanisms.
In another embodiment, the data-stream is provided to receiving
locations 16, 18, 20, and 22 via transmission line 13. Transmission
line 13 may be, for example, optical fiber, coax cable, telephone
line, or the like.
[0020] In yet another embodiment, peripheral devices, which are
located within the receiving locations, receive the data-stream
from, for example, a local service provider 40. Service provider 40
receives the data-stream from distribution center 10 via line 17,
and broadcasts the data-stream to the receiving peripheral devices
via satellite 15 (or another satellite), or via lines 19 and 13.
The receiving peripheral devices may be televisions 30, televisions
34, VCRs 32, VCRs 36, and/or set-top boxes 38. In still further
embodiments, PCTVs may be utilized, or the data-stream may be
provided to a personal computer for use with the computer and/or
more of the above devices.
[0021] In the preferred embodiment, information in the data-stream
includes TV schedule information. Software located within the
peripheral devices utilize the schedule information provided in the
data-stream to generate a schedule guide. The software is stored on
a computer-readable storage medium such as a ROM, RAM, disk, or
other storage device. If the schedule guide is in a grid format,
for example, the available channels may be listed on the "y" axis
and various times may be listed on the "x" axis. For more
information on how the schedule system displays information, see
U.S. Pat. No. B1 4,706,121 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,789. Both these
patents, like the present patent application, are assigned to
StarSight Telecast, Inc., and are hereby incorporated by reference
in their entirety for all purposes.
[0022] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a program schedule guide screen
according to the present invention. As illustrated, program guide
100 substantially covers the display screen of the user's
television monitor. The system may also be designed such that
program guide 100 covers a portion of the screen, thus allowing the
user to view both program guide 100 and a specific program
simultaneously. According to one embodiment, the user may switch
between a full screen display and an overlay screen to the current
show via, for example, an on screen menu with cursor control. This
feature allows a user to see a large scale version of the guide, or
to be able to see the guide while also getting a "flavor" for a
currently selected show through partial observation of the show.
Preferably in this mode, the audio for the show also continues to
be played.
[0023] A central portion 105 of guide 100 gives program schedule
information for various channels. A cell 110 indicates the day of
the week for which the program guide information shown in portion
105 is applicable. Portion 105 is divided into cells 115, the
length of each cell representing the duration of the program in
question. Next to cell 110 and above cells 115 is a header portion
120. Cells 125 & 130 within portion 120 indicate the program
times which correspond to the programs shown in individual cells
115.
[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, cells 125 and 130 are
the only time cells. Cell 125 shows the current 1/2 hour increment,
thus every program cell 115 which falls below cell 125 would
represent a program which is currently on. This allows the user to
immediately recognize what programs are currently available for
viewing. In order to make the currently available programs more
readily apparent, a portion 135 of portion 105 which is directly
below time cell 125 may be color coded or have some other visually
distinguishing characteristic. For example, the program names shown
in portion 135 may have a different font or size or background.
Thus when program guide 100 appears on the user's television
screen, the color coding or other visually distinguishing
characteristic allows the user to immediately know which shows are
available for viewing, i.e., current programs and future programs
may be visually distinguished. Programs may also be visually
distinguished according to subject content, language, whether they
are re-runs or whether or not the programs are being viewed or
recorded or scheduled for recording.
[0025] Time cell 130 indicates the next 1/2 hour increment
immediately following the time shown in cell 125. Therefore if time
cell 125 indicates, a time of 8:27 PM as used in FIG. 1, time cell
130 indicates a time of 8:30 PM. All of the programs listed in
cells 115 which fall directly below cell 130 are programs which are
upcoming in the next 1/2 hour time slot. Therefore the user is able
to immediately determine the programs which are about to be
broadcast. If desired, program cells 115 falling below time cell
130 may be color coded with a different color from that used to
code the programs presently being broadcast or otherwise visually
distinguished. Future programs may also be visually distinguished
according to subject content, language, whether they are re-runs or
whether or not the programs are being viewed or recorded or
scheduled for recording. Furthermore, by noting whether or not
there is a cell division 142 lying directly below the division
between time cells 125 and 130, the user is able to determine
whether or not the show in question is beginning or already in
play.
[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, it is not possible for
the user to manipulate the program guide in order to obtain
schedule information for programs beginning at a time after that
indicated in cell 130.
[0027] Portion 140 of guide 100 contains cells 145. Each cell 145
indicates the channel number corresponding to the program guide
cell 115 lying immediately adjacent to it in the program guide.
Instead of, or in combination with the channel number, cells 145
may contain the program service name. For example, a cell 145 may
contain the channel number 8, the service name HBO, or both.
[0028] In another embodiment of the invention, not all of the
channels which are available on the user's television system are
represented within program guide 100. The channels which are to be
represented in the guide can either be selected by the user or by
the system operator, depending upon how the system is configured.
If the user designates the channels to be represented, channels
which are seldom viewed can be "discarded", thus allowing the user
to more efficiently review the program guide information. If the
system operator designates the channels to be represented, then
both time and cost savings may be realized since the system may
provide less information.
[0029] The system operator can use a variety of criteria to
determine which channels are to be represented. For example, only
the most popular channels may be represented. The system operator
may also charge each broadcaster an additional fee to be listed on
this particular guide. The system operator may also charge an
additional fee, per time slot, to make a specific program
"special". A number of different schemes can be used to draw the
user's attention to special programs. For example, the program may
be listed first in the program guide, shown in a different
typeface, presented in a different color, or given additional space
for a program description.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in
FIG. 3, a program guide 200 only provides program schedule
information for a single time period, that period representing
programs which are presently available for viewing. A cell 205
indicates the time period for which program schedule information is
provided. Cell 205 changes every half hour. The programs available
for viewing during the designated time period are listed in a
plurality of cells 210. Cells 215 indicate the channel number or
service name for the corresponding cells 210. In this embodiment
the program schedule information is preferably updated
approximately 3 minutes before the half hour. Therefore if the time
of day is 7:55 PM when the user requests program guide information,
the program guide would provide information for the time period
beginning at 7:30 PM. However, if the user waits until 7:58 PM to
make the same request, the information provided by the system will
be for programs starting at 8:00 PM. The system can be further
configured to indicate to the user whether or not a program is
continued from a previous time period and/or whether or not the
program will be continued after the present half hour time
increment. These aspects of the invention can be implemented by
either color coding the particular cell in question or through the
use of some other form of marking or notation.
[0031] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a screen which may appear
before program guide screen 100 or 200 in an alternate embodiment
of the invention. Screen 300 appears on the user's television
monitor when the user selects the program guide feature. The user
is prompted to select a theme from a list of very broad categories
shown in a portion 305 of screen 300. The subsequent program guide
screen then supplies the user with all of the programs fitting the
theme requirement for the times provided in the guide.
[0032] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a VCR programming screen 400
that may be used in combination with any of the previously
described program guides. Screen 400 is divided into a seven day
grid. The day of the week is indicated in cell 405. Adjacent to
each day of the week is a linear grid 410 which divides each 24
hour day into 48 half hour increments. Due to the limited
resolution of a standard television screen, grid 410 can be divided
into several segments (e.g., 6, 8, or 12 hour segments), and the
user may page through the grid to find the desired time slot. Grid
410 can also be limited to 12 hours, with the screen also having
cells 415, which the user may use to indicate AM or PM.
[0033] In this embodiment the user first indicates the desire to
program the VCR. Typically the initial program guide screen
contains an icon labeled VCR. When the user selects this icon,
screen 400 pops up. The user then selects the times over which
recording is desired, for example by moving the cursor to the
desired time slot and pressing ENTER. Thus if the user wishes to
record a program on Thursday night starting at 9:00 PM and ending
at 9:30 PM, the user simply moves the cursor to the 9:00 PM slot
for Thursday night and presses enter. In the preferred embodiment,
if the user wishes to record a program which lasts longer than 30
minutes, the user merely moves the cursor to each successive time
slot and presses enter. After the user indicates a specific day and
time period through the use of a cursor, the program guide requests
that the user enter a channel number. Preferably screen 400 begins
flashing a question mark (i.e., "?") in a cell 420 adjacent to the
day of the week on which recording has been requested. Screen 400
can also request that the user indicate the channel using a message
shown in a message portion 425 of screen 400.
[0034] After the user has indicated the time and channel for
recording, the screen notifies the user with a message in portion
425 that the programming has been successfully completed. In
addition, the message in portion 425 may also ask whether the user
wishes to set the VCR for recording of another event. If the user
has made a programming error, for example, by attempting to record
multiple programs at the same time and day, a message in portion
425 notifies the user that the programming was not successfully
completed.
[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates the hardware elements of a preferred
embodiment of the invention. As shown, the configuration utilizes a
program guide controller 505 (for example, a data processor), one
or more televisions sources 510, and a TV, PCTV or computer monitor
515. The system may also include a VCR 520 and a remote control
525. Program guide system 505 may be a stand-alone device or
incorporated into another system such as a television, a cable
decoder, computer, PCTV, or a VCR.
[0036] The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a
plug-in program guide controller module 530. Module 530 determines
the extent of program guide 505's capabilities. Thus module 530 may
only allow program guide 505 to present an abbreviated program
schedule to the user, the abbreviated schedule showing a limited
selection of channels covering a limited time span. For example, in
this mode the program guide may contain no more than 20 channels,
only showing what is currently on as well as what is to be
broadcast during the next half hour increment for each of the
selected channels. When the user wishes to upgrade program guide
505, for example, adding a 7 day program guide for all channels as
well as detailed category searching, module 530 may be simply
replaced with a different module authorizing more extensive guide
capabilities. This embodiment has the distinct advantage of
allowing the system to be significantly altered without requiring
major hardware changes. For example, module 530 may be upgradeable
by the user, thus not requiring the system operator to provide
technical support. In this scenario the user would merely procure a
different module 530, install the new module into the program guide
system 505, and pay the new fee set by the system operator for the
new benefits.
[0037] Preferably the system operates under the control of software
531 on a removable computer memory. The memory for software 531 may
be located in one or more ICs, for example, the plug-in module of
the data processor, or in ROM, RAM, or a combination of the two.
Accordingly, the disclosures and descriptions herein are intended
to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention
which is set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *