Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-25
2001-01-09
Sax, Steven (Department: 2773)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172674
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This Application is related to the following Applications:
System For Data Entry And Navigation in a User Interface, by Robert C. Etheredge.
Electronic Program Guide With Multiple Day Planner, by Robert C. Etheredge, by Robert C. Etheredge.
Each of these related Applications is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a system for filtering information.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the number of television stations provided on a cable system increase and satellite antennas become more popular, the multitude of television programming available to the viewer is increasing at a significant rate. Viewers must consult lengthy program guides in order to select programs for viewing. For example, if the viewer is interested in watching a particular set of programs, the viewer may need to read a multitude of program listings in order to learn when and on what channels those particular programs are being broadcast. In some cases, the viewer does not have a particular program in mind but is still interested in watching television. That viewer would need to sort through a large magnitude of information, including information relevant to shows that the viewer would never be interested in watching. A more efficient method for the viewer to find a suitable program or scheduling information would be able to filter all the scheduling information so that the viewer could restrict the viewer's searching to a manageable subset of information.
Electronic program guides are available that can be used to display television scheduling information. Some of these electronic program guides include filters. However, existing filters are only “all or nothing” filters where the user can select one criteria and the data will be filtered to find shows meeting that one criteria. There is no concept of any continuum of criteria. Furthermore, prior filters do not allow changing the filter criteria without performing a cumbersome profile set up routine.
Therefore, a system is needed that allows the user of a program guide to quickly filter a large set of information into a subset of information that is of potential interest to the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, roughly described, provides for an information filtering system that can be used with an electronic program guide. The filtering system provides a variable selection element on a display device. The variable selection element includes a plurality of selection levels, each selection level being associated with a set of selection criteria. Scheduling data is accessed and filtered according to the selection criteria associated with a chosen selection level. The data that passes the filter is displayed to the user. In one embodiment, the selection criteria is graphically displayed to the user. The present invention can be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of the two. When implemented in a combination of hardware and software, the software can reside on a processor readable storage medium.
The filtering system is described in detail below in conjunction with an electronic program guide for use with television program information. However, the filtering system can be used with electronic program guides or other information systems that utilize information other than television program information.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth in conjunction with the drawings.
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Fliesler Dubb Meyer & Lovejoy
Liberate Technologies
Sax Steven
LandOfFree
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