U.S. patent application number 14/079133 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-06 for program guide system with flip and browse advertisements.
This patent application is currently assigned to United Video Properties, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is United Video Properties, Inc.. Invention is credited to Donald W. Allison, Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr., Michael D. Ellis, Joel G. Hassell, W. Benjamin Herrington, Robert A. Knee, Edward B. Knudson, Thomas R. Lemmons, Connie T. Marshall, Steven J. Reynolds, William L. Thomas, Steven C. Williamson.
Application Number | 20140068669 14/079133 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22096008 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140068669 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Knudson; Edward B. ; et
al. |
March 6, 2014 |
PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH FLIP AND BROWSE ADVERTISEMENTS
Abstract
An interactive television program guide is provided in which
advertisements may be displayed in program listings display regions
on program guide screens. The program listings display regions may
be browse displays or flip displays. The program guide screens
contain video for the current channel to which the user is tuned.
The program listings display regions containing the advertisements
may be overlaid on top of the current channel. Alternatively, the
video for the current channel may be provided in a reduced-size
video window. The advertisements may contain video. The
advertisements may be used to promote television programs and
conventional goods and services. Advertisements may be selectable.
When a user selects an advertisement, the program guide provides
the user with an opportunity to order products or services, request
information, set reminders for upcoming programs, view program
descriptions, record programs, or take other such actions.
Inventors: |
Knudson; Edward B.;
(Littleton, CO) ; Hassell; Joel G.; (Arvada,
CO) ; Marshall; Connie T.; (Muskogee, OK) ;
Lemmons; Thomas R.; (Sand Springs, OK) ; Reynolds;
Steven J.; (Littleton, CO) ; Knee; Robert A.;
(Lansdale, PA) ; Carpenter, Jr.; Kenneth F.;
(Mount Laurel, NJ) ; Thomas; William L.; (Bixby,
OK) ; Herrington; W. Benjamin; (Tulsa, OK) ;
Williamson; Steven C.; (Broken Arrow, OK) ; Ellis;
Michael D.; (Boulder, CO) ; Allison; Donald W.;
(Tulsa, OK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
United Video Properties, Inc. |
Santa Clara |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
United Video Properties,
Inc.
Santa Clara
CA
|
Family ID: |
22096008 |
Appl. No.: |
14/079133 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11371490 |
Mar 8, 2006 |
8613020 |
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14079133 |
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10127220 |
Apr 19, 2002 |
7039935 |
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11371490 |
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09070555 |
Apr 30, 1998 |
6564379 |
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10127220 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/39 ;
725/50 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/45 20130101; H04N
21/4316 20130101; G06F 3/0482 20130101; H04N 21/4312 20130101; H04N
21/435 20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101; H04N 21/812 20130101; H04N
21/47 20130101; H04N 21/478 20130101; H04N 5/44543 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/39 ;
725/50 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/482 20060101
H04N021/482 |
Claims
1-60. (canceled)
61. A system in which an interactive media guide is implemented on
user equipment comprising: a processor configured to: generate for
display a program listings display overlaid on a display of a first
video program; and remove the program listings display using a
special effect.
62. The system defined in claim 61, wherein the processor is
further configured to receive a user selection of a desired special
effect for use in removing the program listings display.
63. The system defined in claim 61 wherein the special effect is
one of a wipe, glide, dissolve, collapse, bounce or explosion.
64. The system defined in claim 61 wherein the processor is further
configured to: generate for display the program listings display
partially overlaid on the display of the first video program.
65. The system defined in claim 64 wherein the processor is further
configured to: generate for display a highlight positioned on a
first program listing of the program listings display; change the
position of the highlight from the first program listing to a
selectable item in the program listings display in response to a
first user indication; and update the program listings display to
replace a display of the first program listing with a display of a
second program listing in response to a second user indication
while the highlight is positioned on the selectable item.
66. The system defined in claim 64 wherein the processor is further
configured to: generate for display the program listings display as
a flip display, wherein when the program listings display is
displayed as a flip display, responsive to a user indication, the
display of the first video program is updated to display a second
video program; and the program listings display is updated to
replace a display of a first program listing with a display of a
second program listing associated with the second video
program.
67. The system defined in claim 64 wherein the processor is further
configured to: generate for display the program listings display as
a browse display, wherein when the program listings display is
displayed as a browse display, responsive to a user indication, the
program listings display is updated to replace a display of a first
program listing with a display of a second program listing, without
updating the display of the first video program.
68. A method for using an interactive media guide implemented on
user equipment comprising: generating for display a program
listings display overlaid on a display of a first video program;
and removing the program listings display using a special
effect.
69. The method defined in claim 68 further comprising receiving a
user selection of a desired special effect for use in removing the
program listings display.
70. The method defined in claim 68 wherein the special effect is
one of a wipe, glide, dissolve, collapse, bounce or explosion.
71. The method defined in claim 68 further comprising: generating
for display the program listings display overlaid partially on the
display of the first video program.
72. The method of claim 71 further comprising: generating for
display a highlight position on a first program listing of the
program listings display; changing the position of the highlight
from the first program listing to a selectable item in the program
listings display in response to a first user indication; and
updating the program listings display to replace a display of the
first program listing with a display of a second program listing in
response to a second user indication while the highlight is
positioned on the selectable item.
73. The method of claim 71 further comprising: generating for
display the program listings display as a flip display, wherein
when the program listings display is displayed as a flip display,
responsive to a user indication, updating the display of the first
video program to display a second video program; and updating the
program listings display to replace a display of a first program
listing with a display of a second program listing associated with
the second video program.
74. The method of claim 71 further comprising: generating for
display the program listings display as a browse display, wherein
when the program listings display is displayed as a browse display,
responsive to a user indication, updating the program listings
display to replace a display of a first program listing with a
display of a second program listing, without updating the display
of the first video program.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to interactive television program
guides, and more particularly, to techniques for presenting
advertising to users of such television program guides.
[0002] Cable, satellite, and broadcast television systems provide
viewers with a large number of television channels. Viewers have
traditionally consulted printed television program schedules to
determine the programs being broadcast at a particular time. More
recently, interactive electronic television program guides have
been developed that allow television program information to be
displayed on a viewer's television.
[0003] Interactive program guides are typically implemented on
set-top boxes. Such program guides allow users to view television
program listings in different display formats. For example, a user
may instruct the program guide to display a grid of program
listings organized in a channel-ordered or a time-ordered list.
Users may also search and sort program listings by theme (e.g.,
movies, sports, etc.) or by title (i.e, alphabetically). A user may
obtain additional information for a program by placing a highlight
region on a desired program listing and pressing an "info" key. The
user may purchase a pay program from the program guide or may set a
reminder for a future program by placing the highlight region on a
program listing and pressing an "OK" key. Some systems allow the
user to select a program for recording by placing the highlight
region on a program listing and pressing a "record" key.
[0004] Program guides with a browse or flip display are capable of
generating an overlay containing program listings information for a
single channel. Browse displays contain information on programs
available on channels other than the channel to which the user is
currently tuned. The user may browse through program listings for
other channels and other times using cursor keys, without changing
the current channel. Flip displays contain information for the
current channel. When the flip display is activated, using the up
or down channel keys causes the both the current channel to change
and the flip display to be updated accordingly.
[0005] Although flip and browse displays are useful, it would be
desirable if more information were available to the user of such
displays. For example, it would be desirable if advertisements were
available in flip and browse displays to provide the users of such
displays with additional information.
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an interactive television program guide system that
provides advertising on flip and browse displays.
[0007] It is also an object of the invention to provide an
interactive television program guide system with special effects
for removing such flip and browse displays from the user's
television screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] These and other objects of the invention are accomplished in
accordance with the principles of the present invention by
providing a system having an interactive television program guide
that provides video (including audio) for the current channel and a
program listings display region containing a program listing for a
single channel and an advertisement. The program listings display
region may be either a browse display in which the channel or time
for the program listing may be different than the current channel
or time or a flip display in which the channel for the program
listing and the current channel are the same.
[0009] A browse display may be provided in which a user may change
the channel for the program listing by navigating a highlight to an
advertisement adjacent to the program listing with a cursor key and
by activating that cursor key again after the advertisement has
been highlighted.
[0010] The advertisement may be selectable. When the user selects
the advertisement, the program guide may take an appropriate
action. If the advertisement is related to programming, selecting
the advertisement may direct the program guide to perform a
programming related task such as setting a reminder for a program,
tuning to a program, recording a program, ordering a pay-per-view
program, etc. If the advertisement is a conventional advertisement,
selecting the advertisement may direct the program guide to assist
in the ordering of a product or service, to process an inquiry for
additional information, to display additional information, etc.
[0011] Multiple advertisements may be provided within the program
listings display region. Advertisements may contain text, graphics,
and video.
[0012] The program listings display region may be removed by the
program guide using a special effect such as a wipe, a dissolve, a
fade, etc.
[0013] Further features of the invention, its nature and various
advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and
the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system in which an interactive
television program guide is implemented in accordance with the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system similar to the system of
FIG. 1 showing how servers may be located at network nodes in
accordance with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a simplified plan view of an illustrative remote
control in accordance with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of
conventional browse displays.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of
conventional flip displays.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an illustrative browse display
containing an advertisement in accordance with the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a diagram of another illustrative browse display
containing an advertisement in accordance with the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating how a browse display
containing an advertisement may be provided with a highlight that
may be navigated to the advertisement in accordance with the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a diagram of an illustrative flip display
containing an advertisement in accordance with the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating how a browse or flip
display may be removed from the user's television screen using a
special effect.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating steps involved in
providing flip and browse displays and in removing such displays
from the user's television screen using special effects.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a diagram of another illustrative flip or browse
display in accordance with the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a diagram of an illustrative advertisement in
accordance with the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 14 is a flow chart of steps involved in providing a
selectable advertisement and taking suitable actions in the program
guide in response to selection of the advertisement by a user in
accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] An illustrative program guide system 30 in accordance with
the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. Main facility 32 contains
a program guide database 34 for storing program guide information
such as television program guide listings data, pay-per-view
ordering information, television program promotional information,
etc. Main facility 32 also contains an advertising database 36 for
storing advertising information. Information from databases 34 and
36 may be transmitted to television distribution facility 38 via
communications link 40. Link 40 may be a satellite link, a
telephone network link, a cable or fiber optic link, a microwave
link, a combination of such links, or any other suitable
communications path. If it is desired to transmit video signals
(e.g., for advertising and promotional videos) over link 40 in
addition to data signals, a relatively high bandwidth link such as
a satellite link is generally preferable to a relatively low
bandwidth link such as a telephone line.
[0029] Television distribution facility 38 is a facility for
distributing television signals to users, such as a cable system
headed, a broadcast distribution facility, or a satellite
television distribution facility.
[0030] The program guide information transmitted by main facility
32 to television distribution facility 38 includes television
program listings data such as program times, channels, titles,
descriptions, etc. Transmitted program information also includes
pay program data such as pricing information for individual
programs and subscription channels, time windows for ordering
programs and channels, telephone numbers for placing orders that
cannot be impulse ordered, etc. The advertising information
transmitted by main facility 32 to television distribution facility
38 includes text, graphics, and video advertisements for various
products and services. If desired, some of the program guide and
advertising information may be provided using data sources at
facilities other than main facility 32. For example, data related
to pay program order processing (e.g., billing data and the like)
may be generated by an order processing and billing system that is
separate from main facility 32 and separate from television
distribution facility 38. Similarly, advertising information may be
generated by an advertising facility that is separate from main
facility 32 and television distribution facility 38.
[0031] Regardless of its source, advertising information may be
maintained on a server 42 within television distribution facility
38 if desired. Server 42 may be capable of handling text, graphics,
and video.
[0032] Television distribution facility 38 distributes program
guide and advertising information to the user television equipment
44 of multiple users via communications paths 46. User television
equipment may be any suitable equipment for providing television to
the user that contains sufficient processing capabilities to
implement an interactive television program guide. Paths 46 may be
cable links, fiber optic links, satellite links, broadcast links,
or other suitable link or combination of such links. Any suitable
communications scheme may be used to transmit data over paths 46,
including in-band transmissions, out-of-band transmissions, digital
transmissions, analog transmissions, cable transmissions, satellite
transmissions, over-the-air transmissions, multichannel multipoint
distribution services (MMDS) transmissions, etc.
[0033] If desired, program guide data may be distributed over an
out-of-band channel on paths 46 or over an in-band path such as the
vertical blanking interval (VBI). Advertising information may be
distributed using any of a number of suitable techniques. For
example, text and graphics advertisements may be distributed over
an out-of-band channel using an out-of-band modulator. Video
advertisements may also be distributed in this way, although large
quantities of video information may be more efficiently distributed
using one or more digital channels on path 46. Such digital
channels may also be used for distributing text and graphics.
[0034] Each user has a receiver, which is typically a set-top box
such as set-top box 48, but which may be other suitable television
equipment such as an advanced television receiver into which
circuitry similar to set-top-box circuitry has been integrated or a
personal computer television (PC/TV). Program guide data is
distributed to set-top boxes 48 periodically:
[0035] Television distribution facility 38 may also poll set-top
boxes 48 periodically for certain information (e.g., pay program
account information or information regarding programs that have
been purchased and viewed using locally-generated authorization
techniques). Main facility 32 preferably contains a processor to
handle information distribution tasks. Each set-top box 48
preferably contains a processor to handle tasks associated with
implementing a program guide application on the set-top box 48.
Television distribution facility 38 may contain a processor for
handling tasks associated with the distribution of program guide
and advertising information.
[0036] Each set-top box 48 is typically connected to an optional
videocassette recorder 50 so that selected television programs may
be recorded. Each videocassette recorder 50 is connected to a
television 52. To record a program, set-top box 48 tunes to a
particular channel and sends control signals to videocassette
recorder 50 (e.g., using infrared transmitter 43) that direct
videocassette recorder 50 to start and stop recording at the
appropriate times.
[0037] During use of the interactive television program guide
implemented on set-top box 48, television program listings may be
displayed on television 52. Each set-top box 48, videocassette
recorder 50, and television 52 may be controlled by one or more
remote controls 54 or any other suitable user input interface such
as a wireless keyboard, mouse, trackball, dedicated set of keys,
etc.
[0038] Communications paths 46 preferably have sufficient bandwidth
to allow television distribution facility 38 to distribute
scheduled television programming, pay programming, advertising and
other promotional videos, and other video information to set-top
boxes 44 in addition to non-video program guide and advertising
data. Multiple television and audio channels (analog, digital, or
both analog and digital) may be provided to set-top boxes 48 via
communications paths 46. If desired, program listings and
advertising information may be distributed by one or more
distribution facilities that are similar to but separate from
television distribution facility 38 using communications paths that
are separate from communications paths 46.
[0039] Certain functions such as pay program purchasing may require
set-top boxes 48 to transmit data to television distribution
facility 38 over communications paths 46. If desired, such data may
be transmitted over telephone lines or other separate
communications paths. If functions such as these are provided using
facilities separate from television distribution facility 38, some
of the communications involving set-top boxes 48 may be made
directly with the separate facilities.
[0040] Users may interactively order additional information,
products, or services. Such orders may be satisfied by fulfillment
facilities 49 and 51. If desired, orders may be transmitted
directly to fulfillment facilities such as fulfillment facility 51
via links 53, which may be telephone links, the Internet, or other
suitable communications links. Orders may also be transmitted to
television distribution facility 3B via links 46, where the billing
system of the television distribution facility may be used. After
the television distribution facility 38 has processed the user's
order, television distribution facility 38 may transmit the order
to fulfillment facility 49 via link 55.
[0041] A number of suitable techniques may be used to distribute
videos related to advertising. For example, if each path 46
includes a number of traditional analog television channels, one or
more of these channels may be used to support a number of digital
channels. The bandwidth of each analog channel that is used to
support digital channels may support ten or more of such digital
channels. If desired, videos may be provided from server 42 in a
continuously looped arrangement on these digital channels.
Information provided to set-top box 48 may then be used to
determine which digital channels to tune to when it is time to
display a desired video. Alternatively, videos may be provided on
demand. With this approach, set-top box 48 and server 42 may
negotiate to determine a channel on which to provide the desired
video. Videos that originate from main facility 32 or a separate
facility are preferably distributed to user television equipment 44
using these or other suitable techniques.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the capabilities of server 42 may be
provided using servers 56 located at network nodes 58. Servers such
as servers 56 may be used instead of server 42 or may be used in
conjunction with a server 42 located at the television distribution
facility.
[0043] Graphics information for advertisements may be downloaded
periodically (e.g., once per day) to set-top boxes 48 of FIG. 1 and
stored locally. The graphics information may be accessed locally
when needed by the program guide implemented on set-top box 48.
Alternatively, graphics information may be provided in a
continuously-looped arrangement on one or more digital channels on
paths 46. With such a continuously-looped arrangement, a map
indicating the location of the latest graphics information is
preferably downloaded periodically to set-top boxes 48 (e.g., once
per day). This allows the content on the digital channels to be
updated. The program guides on set-top boxes 48 may use the map to
locate desired graphics information on the digital channels.
Another approach involves using a server such as server 42 or
servers 56 (FIG. 2) to provide the graphics information after a
set-top box 48 and that server have negotiated to set up a download
operation. A bitmap or other suitable set of graphics information
may then be downloaded from the server to the set-top box. If
desired, the server may download instructions informing the set-top
box where the desired graphics information can be located on a
particular digital channel. The graphics information can be updated
periodically if the server that is responsible for downloading the
instructions for informing the set-top box of the location of the
graphics information is also updated periodically.
[0044] Text information for advertisements may be provided to
set-top boxes 48 using the same paths that are used for
distributing program guide data. For example, advertising data from
database 36 of FIG. 1 may be provided to set-top boxes 48 using
link 40, television distribution facility 38, and paths 46. The
text information may be stored locally in set-top boxes 48 and
updated periodically (e.g., once per day).
[0045] Text information, graphics information, and videos for
advertisements may also be distributed using a combination of these
techniques or any other suitable technique.
[0046] If desired, advertising related information (whether video,
graphics, text, or a combination of video, graphics, and text) may
be presented to the user based on the user's interests, as
determined by the user's interactions with the program guide. This
is described in Knudson et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/034,939, filed Mar. 4, 1998, which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
[0047] A suitable remote control 60 that may be used to operate the
program guide implemented on user television equipment 44 is shown
in FIG. 3. Remote control 60 has cursor keys 62, a select or "OK"
key 64, channel up and down keys 66. Remote control 60 also has
various other keys for controlling the program guide and user
television equipment that are not shown to avoid over-complicating
the drawings.
[0048] A conventional program guide browse display arrangement is
shown in FIG. 4. Video for the current channel to which the user's
set-top box is tuned (i.e., the current channel that the user is
viewing) is displayed on the user's television screen 68. When the
user presses a remote control cursor key, browse display 70 is
provided as an overlay on top of screen 68. Initially, browse
display 70 contains program listings information for the current
channel and time (e.g., channel 6 and 10:30 AM), as shown on the
upper screen in FIG. 4. If the user presses a cursor key, the video
for the current channel that is displayed on screen 68 is not
changed, but the program listings information in browse display 70
is changed to the next available channel (e.g., channel 7), as
shown on the lower screen in FIG. 4. As indicated by arrows 72, the
user may use cursor keys to browse program listing for various
other channels and times without disturbing the video for the
current channel that is displayed on screen 68. If the user locates
a currently airing program of interest, the user may press a remote
control "OK" key that directs the program guide to tune to the
channel for that program. Pressing the "OK" key when the program
listing in the browse display is a future program directs the
program guide to provide an opportunity to set a reminder for that
program.
[0049] A conventional flip display arrangement is shown in FIG. 5.
Video for the current channel to which the user is tuned is
displayed on screen 74. When the user presses a remote control
channel up or down key, flip display 76 is provided as an overlay
on top of screen 74. As shown on the upper screen in FIG. 5, flip
display 76 contains program listings information for the current
channel (e.g., channel 6). If the user presses a channel up or down
key, the video for the current channel that is displayed on screen
74 is changed to the next available channel (e.g., channel 7) and
the program listings information in flip display 76 is also changed
to the next available channel (e.g., channel 7), as shown on the
lower screen in FIG. 4.
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in one mode (browse mode) the
program guide provides a program listings overlay (the browse
display) that is allowed to go out of synchronization with the
current channel, whereas in another mode (flip mode) the program
guide provides a program listings overlay (the flip display) in
which the current channel and the program listings information in
the overlay remain in synchronization. The user may operate the
program guide in either browse mode or flip mode by using the
appropriate remote control keys (e.g., cursor keys for browse mode
and channel up and down keys for flip mode).
[0051] In accordance with the present invention, the program guide
provides browse and flip displays that contain advertisements. An
illustrative browse display that may be provided by the program
guide is shown in FIG. 6. Video for the current channel to which
the user (i.e., set-top box 48 of FIG. 1) is tuned is displayed on
screen 78. When the user presses a suitable key such as a remote
control cursor key 62 (FIG. 3), the program guide implemented on
user television equipment 44 of FIG. 1 provides browse display 80
as an overlay on top of screen 78 (which may be, e.g., the screen
of television 52 of FIG. 1). Browse display 80 contains
advertisement 82 and may contain a logo 83. Advertisement 82 may
contain text, graphics (including animation), and video.
Advertisement 82 may be a programming-related advertisement that is
used to promote a television program or channel or may be a
conventional advertisement used to promote non-programming products
and services. If desired, advertisement 82 may be selectable by the
user (e.g., using remote control keys). If advertisement 82 is
selectable, the program guide may take various actions upon
selection of advertisement 82 by the user. The content of
advertisement 82 may be cycled (i.e., replaced periodically by
another advertisement). A fade may be provided between
advertisements as they are cycled.
[0052] When browse display 80 is initially invoked by the user by
pressing a cursor key 62, browse display 80 contains program
listing 84 for the current channel (e.g., channel 6) and time, as
shown on the upper screen in FIG. 6. If the user presses a cursor
key 62, the video for the current channel that is displayed on
screen 78 is not changed, but the program listing 84 in browse
display 80 is changed to the next available channel (e.g., channel
7), as shown on the lower screen in FIG. 6. As indicated by arrows
86, the user may use cursor keys to browse program listing for
various other channels without disturbing the video for the current
channel that is displayed on screen 78. If the user locates a
program of interest with browse display 80, the user may press "OK"
key 64 to direct the program guide to tune to the channel for that
program.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 7, the program guide may provide a browse
display 88 that allows the user to browse program listings for
programs that are scheduled to be aired at times other than the
current time. Arrow keys 90 indicate that the user may use left and
right cursor keys 62 to direct the program guide to display program
listings information 92 for different times. Pressing the "OK" key
64 when the program in browse display 88 is a future program may
direct the program guide to provide an opportunity to set a
reminder for the program or to schedule a recording of the program.
As with the arrangement of FIG. 6, browse display 88 of FIG. 7
contains an advertisement 94. If advertisements such as
advertisements 82 and 94 are selectable, the browse display may be
provided with a movable highlight as shown in FIG. 8. When browse
display 104 of FIG. 8 is initially overlaid on screen 106 (e.g.,
when the user first presses a cursor key 64), the program guide
provides a highlight 108 positioned on program listing 110, as
shown in the upper screen of FIG. 8. If the user presses an up
cursor key 62, program listing 110 is changed to the program
listing for the next available channel and highlight 108 remains
positioned on the listing. If the user presses a down cursor key
62, program listing 110 is not changed. However, highlight 108 is
positioned on advertisement 112, as shown in the center screen of
FIG. 8. Further activation of the down cursor key 62 directs the
program guide to replace the existing program listing 110 (e.g.,
the program listing for channel 2) with the program listing for the
previous channel (e.g., the program listing for channel 1), as
shown in the lower screen of FIG. 8. When the browse display is as
shown in the lower screen of FIG. 8, further activation of the down
cursor key 62 scrolls the program listings further, but does not
move highlight 108. Activation of the up cursor key 62 when the
browse display is as shown in the lower screen of FIG. 8 moves
highlight 108 back to program listing 110, without changing the
channel for the program listing 110.
[0054] Another way in which the program guide may allow the user to
select advertisements such as advertisements 82 and 94 is to
provide a special remote control button. Left and right cursor keys
may be used to access advertisements (e.g., panel advertisements to
the left or right of the program listing) if desired.
[0055] A program guide flip display 96 containing an advertisement
98 is shown in FIG. 9. Video for the current channel to which the
user (i.e., set-top box 48) is tuned is displayed on screen 100.
When the user presses a suitable key such as a channel up or down
key 66 (FIG. 3), flip display 96 is provided as an overlay on top
of screen 100. As shown on the upper screen in FIG. 9, flip display
96 contains a program listing 102 for the current channel (e.g.,
channel 6). If the user presses a channel up or down key 66, the
video for the current channel that is displayed on screen 100 is
changed to the next available channel (e.g., channel 7) and the
program listing 102 in flip display 96 is changed to the next
available channel (e.g., channel 7), as shown on the lower screen
in FIG. 9.
[0056] Another aspect of the invention involves removing program
listings displays such as browse and flip displays from the screen.
Browse displays may be removed after a period of inactivity (e.g.,
5 minutes) that indicates that the user is no longer interested in
browsing the program listings. The flip display (which may appear
automatically whenever the user changes channels with the channel
keys) may be removed after a shorter period of time (e.g., 5
seconds).
[0057] The program guide may remove program listings displays such
as browse and flip displays from the screen using special effects.
One such special effect (a vertical glide) is illustrated in FIG.
10. A full-size browse or flip display 114 is shown overlaid on the
upper screen 116 of FIG. 10. After a suitable time period (e.g.,
after 5 minutes if display 114 is a browse display or after 5
seconds if display 114 is a flip display), the program guide
smoothly glides display 114 off of screen 116, as shown in the
center and lower screens 116 of FIG. 10.
[0058] The glide effect shown in FIG. 10 is only one illustrative
special effect that may be used to remove program listings displays
from the screen. Any suitable special effect may be used to remove
such displays. Examples of suitable special effects include glides,
dissolves, collapses, bounces, explosions, etc.
[0059] Steps involved in using such special effects to remove a
program listings display from the screen are shown in FIG. 11. At
step 118, the program guide provides the user with an opportunity
to select a desired special effect for the program guide to use in
removing program listings. The user may make this selection from a
suitable setup menu in the program guide. The user is also provided
with an opportunity to deselect or otherwise cancel the use of
these special effects. At step 120, the program guide provides a
program listings display such as a flip or browse display on a
screen (e.g., the user's television screen) in user television
equipment 44. After a suitable time period (e.g., after 5 minutes
if display 114 is a browse display or after 5 seconds if display
114 is a flip display), the program guide removes the program
listings display (e.g., the flip or browse display) from the screen
using a special effect at step 122. The program guide may use a
default special effect at step 122 or may use a special effect
selected by the user at step 118.
[0060] Another browse and flip display arrangement containing
advertising is shown in FIG. 12. Screen 124 contains a reduced-size
video window 126 containing video for the channel to which the user
(i.e., set-top box 48) is tuned. Screen 124 also contains
advertisements 128a, 128b, and 128c. Logos 130 and a region 132
containing the current time and current channel may also be
contained in screen 124. Program listing 134 may be provided in
screen 124 adjacent to reduced-size video window 126. Program
listing 134 may contain channel information 136, title information
138, and icons 140 (e.g., for showing ratings information,
close-captioning status, etc.).
[0061] Like the browse and flip program listings display regions
shown in FIGS. 6-9, program listings display region 142 contains a
single program listing (for the program "ER" in the example of FIG.
12) and may contain one or more advertisements if desired. However,
because video window 126 is reduced in size (i.e., it occupies less
than a full screen), it is not necessary to overlay program
listings display region 142 on top of the current channel.
[0062] Program listings display region 142 may operate in either
browse mode or flip mode. The user may invoke the browse mode by
activating a cursor key or other suitable key. Further use of the
cursor key in browse mode directs the program guide to change the
program listing 134 to a new channel without changing the channel
for video window 126. If desired, left and right cursor keys may be
used to browse program listings for different times. Activating
"OK" key 64 directs the program guide to tune the channel for video
window 124 to the channel of the current program listing. The user
may invoke the flip mode by activating a channel up or down key or
other suitable key. Further use of the channel up or down key in
the flip mode directs the program guide to change the channel for
both video window 126 and program listing 134 simultaneously. If
desired, advertisement 128c may be omitted to provide more space
for listing 134 and video window 126. The user may navigate to
panel advertisements such as advertisements 128a and 128b using
special (e.g., dedicated or numeric) remote control buttons or by
using the left and right cursor keys (in which case the left and
right cursor keys are not used for browsing program listings at
different times).
[0063] As shown in FIG. 13, advertisements such as the
advertisements in the program listings display regions shown in
FIGS. 6-9 and 12 may contain video text and graphics. More than one
advertisement may be displayed in each program listings display if
desired.
[0064] Advertisements such as those shown in FIGS. 6-9 and 12 may
be selectable. The user may navigate to a selectable ad using any
suitable arrangement, such as using special remote control
navigation keys. Once the user has navigated to a given
advertisement, the user may select that advertisement using an "OK"
key. Any other suitable technique for selecting an advertisement
may be used if desired.
[0065] Steps involved in using selectable advertisements are shown
in FIG. 14. At step 144, the program guide provides a selectable
advertisement in a flip or browse display. At step 146, the user
selects the advertisement. At step 148, the program guide takes a
suitable action. If the advertisement is for a television program
that is currently being aired, the program guide may provide the
user with an opportunity to tune to that program. If the
advertisement is for a future television program, the program guide
may provide the user with an opportunity to set a reminder for that
program. If desired, the program guide may provide the user with an
opportunity to have the program recorded. Pay-per-view and
video-on-demand (VOD) programs may be ordered. When an
advertisement is for a particular television channel, selecting the
advertisement may direct the program guide to provide the user with
a list of programs for that channel. Additional information (e.g.,
on a program, product, or service) may be requested by selecting
certain advertisements. Brochure and literature requests and other
such inquiries for additional information may be handled by the
program guide at step 148 if the user selects an advertisement
involving such an inquiry. Selectable advertisements may also be
provided that promote goods and services. If the user selects such
an advertisement at step 146, the program guide system may process
an order for the goods or services being advertised at step
148.
[0066] The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of
this invention and various modifications can be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of
the invention.
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