Interactive video distribution systems – Operator interface – To facilitate tuning or selection of video signal
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-05
2001-05-08
Kostak, Victor R. (Department: 2611)
Interactive video distribution systems
Operator interface
To facilitate tuning or selection of video signal
C348S043000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230322
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to electronic systems and more particularly, to a system and method for providing a music channel graphical user interface.
2. Description of Art Related to the Invention
Over the last few years, there has been a growing demand for entertainment systems working in conjunction with various types of broadcasting systems. One type of entertainment system includes a broadcast satellite system; namely, a digital satellite system (DSS). Normally, a DSS comprises an antenna, an integrated receiver decoder (IRD) and a television receiver (TV). Also, the DSS may include an analog video cassette recorder (VCR) to receive analog data for recording purposes. The operations of the IRD are controlled by a remote control.
The antenna receives and routes digital bit streams to the IRD. Typically, a digital bit stream includes sensory data (e.g., video and/or audio) and programming data for one or more shows and/or programs. Upon receiving a first command from the remote control, the IRD generates an “electronic guide screen” displaying programming data for each show capable of being received by the DSS.
FIG. 1A
illustrates a typical format as provided by the electronic guide screen
100
. The user may select shows from any of the listed channels for viewing or listening. These channels include video channels (such as ESPN and CNN) and audio channels (such as the music channel (s)).
Currently, the DSS Music Choice channels only broadcast audio information such as songs. Sometimes, video information or text describing the songs, the associated album and/or artist is also broadcast. When only audio information is broadcast, the electronic guide screen
100
becomes blank, and when corresponding video information is also broadcast, the electronic guide screen
100
displays textual information regarding the currently featured song, as shown in FIG.
1
B. As a result, the electronic guide screen
100
remains underutilized and the associated processor is idle since little or no information is displayed. More importantly, there is no means for the user to control the various audio features of the song that is currently being broadcast, since the audio information is provided to the user as received.
Accordingly, there is a need in the technology for an apparatus and method for providing a graphical user interface for use with a music channel, so that user interactivity and control of various audio features of audio information that is being broadcast, may be facilitated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an entertainment system and method for selectively adjusting an audio parameter of a currently broadcast audio program. The system comprises a display monitor, having a screen menu including an information area on a first portion of the display. The information area displays a plurality of textual information regarding a currently broadcast audio program. The screen menu also includes a parameter area on a second portion of the display, which displays a status of a parameter corresponding to the currently broadcast audio program. An adjustment mechanism adjusts the status of the parameter, so that the parameter area is updated to display the corresponding adjusted status of the parameter. A broadcast receiver coupled to the display monitor includes a front-end unit capable of receiving and broadcasting programming data associated with an audio program and corresponding video information for viewing on the display monitor.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5581621 (1996-12-01), Koyama et al.
patent: 5784095 (1998-08-01), Robbins et al.
patent: 5790958 (1998-08-01), McCoy et al.
Legrand Lubric
Saib Joseph
Blakely , Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Kostak Victor R.
Sony Corporation
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