Interactive video distribution systems – Operator interface – To facilitate tuning or selection of video signal
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-28
2003-03-11
Faile, Andrew (Department: 2611)
Interactive video distribution systems
Operator interface
To facilitate tuning or selection of video signal
C725S047000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06532590
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to an electronic preview guide display system for use in digital broadcast receivers, for providing viewers broadcast program information.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recent development of the digital technologies in the broadcast industry has permitted digital satellite broadcast to come into service in many countries. One feature of the digital broadcast is directed to increasing broadcast channels, i.e., multi-channel broadcasting. According to the capability of multi-channel broadcasting, more and more the specific channels, for instance channels serving movie film programs or news for all day, are increasing. Thus it becomes convenient for viewers to enjoy a wide variety of programs.
However, the increase of channels makes it harder for viewers to easily find out about what programs are showing or will be showed in the plurality of channels.
Digital satellite broadcasts in Japan and the United States, or CATVs serving multi-channels in analog systems though, in the United States, have an accompanying preview channel for an EPG (Electric Preview Guide) data service to give viewers information regarding broadcast programs.
The EPG data is displayed in a grid pattern or a two-dimensional matrix with an axis listing channel numbers of TV station names (hereinafter referred to as a channel-list axis) and a time-axis listing program titles to be broadcast. However, the time-axis of the EPG screen is limited to the information of programs two hours ahead from the present time. The viewer cannot tell what programs will be broadcast thereafter. Further, along with the capability of the multi-channel broadcast of the program information, the number of TV channels to be listed should be increased. However due to the limitation of the display size, the number of the capable channels available on one screen would be in a range of 6 to 8. So that, a viewer has to many times operate scroll to search over or reach a program information of his/her interest.
As described above, the conventional electronic preview guide display system had a problem that it only shows program information within two or three hours in the direction of the time-axis, and about six to eight channels in the direction of the channel-list axis, so that it imposed a considerable inconvenience on viewers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In consideration of the above problem, the present invention has been made, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic preview guide display system capable of increasing an amount of information given in at least one of the directions of the time-axis direction and the channel-list axis of an EPG screen, while in a pattern easily readable for viewers.
In order to achieve the above object, an electronic preview guide display apparatus for use in a broadcast receiver, selectively presents viewers its broadcast schedule, in a grid pattern with one or more rows each showing a TV channel number or a TV station name and an array of slots containing preview guide messages of its broadcast schedule extending in the direction of time axis, by using a preview guide data broadcast by each broadcast station and a present time. The apparatus is provided with a display controller for making EPG slot at the present time or a viewer-designated time wider than other slots within the EPG screen.
Accordingly, viewers can easily view information of programs at a time, of a TV channel number or a broadcast station that they wish. In addition, the electronic preview display apparatus can display information of programs by compressing the size of other slots.
In the case, by using the non-linear logarithm characteristics in the change of the time-axis, or the change of the line width in the direction of the channel-list axis, viewers can view the display in a natural visual form. So that, viewers can perform a channel selection in agreeable to the occasion.
Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings, which are hereby incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5212477 (1993-05-01), Indekeu et al.
patent: 5812123 (1998-09-01), Rowe et al.
patent: 6005601 (1999-12-01), Ohkura et al.
patent: 6028600 (2000-02-01), Rosin et al.
patent: 6412110 (2002-06-01), Schein et al.
patent: 0 798 921 (1997-10-01), None
patent: 09200580 (1997-07-01), None
patent: 09219819 (1997-08-01), None
patent: 9-270969 (1997-10-01), None
Chung Jason
Faile Andrew
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method of displaying electronic preview guide does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method of displaying electronic preview guide, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method of displaying electronic preview guide will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3041686