Station jump loop

Details Station jump loop Station jump loop

1997-06-06

2003-01-07

Faile, Andrew (Department: 2611)

Interactive video distribution systems

Operator interface

To facilitate tuning or selection of video signal

C725S047000, C725S134000, C348S731000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06505346

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to user interface devices. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a user's ability to tune to a plurality of stations during a viewing period.
2. Description of Related Art
A television (TV) remote controller has a number of functions that are accessible to a user by pushing a particular key on the remote that corresponds to that function. One such function is the “JUMP” function. At any time when a user tunes to a station (e.g., station A) and then presses a “JUMP” key/button on the TV remote controller, the TV tunes to a prior tuned station (e.g., station B). In other words, the TV was tuned to station B before it tuned to station A. If the user presses the JUMP button again, the TV tunes to the prior station, in this case station A. Thus, the one JUMP button enables one user to toggle between the two most recently tuned stations. The JUMP function therefore allows the user to jump between the two most recently tuned stations instead of “surfing” through all the possible channels between the two stations. It follows that if the TV is tuned to station A and the user tunes to station C, the subsequent selection of the JUMP function will cause the TV to tune back to station A and toggling is achieved between station A and station C using the JUMP button.
Some remotes not only include a JUMP function but also include a favorite program function. For example, one cable box has a LAST CHANNEL RECALL (“LC”) button/key that allows a user to toggle back and forth between the last channel tuned and the currently tuned channel. The “LC” key acts like a standard “JUMP” key. In addition, the remote for the cable box has a favorite channel operation using a separate key labeled “PRGM” for adding favorite channels to a favorite channel queue in a semi-permanent way. The user tunes to the channel desired, then presses the “PRGM” key to add that channel as a favorite channel. The favorite channels are stored in nonvolatile memory such that the user can utilize them in a permanent manner (i.e., over numerous viewing periods). Once a channel is stored as a favorite channel, a user clicks on yet another key labeled “FC” to surf or scan through all the stored favorite channels. In order to delete all the currently stored favorite channels, the user must first press still another key labeled “F” then a second key titled “DELETE.” If, however, the user wishes to remove a particular favorite channel, a different procedure is followed. The user must tune to the channel to be deleted, then press the “DELETE” key.
SUMMARY
A method and apparatus for providing a multi-station JUMP function is described. The present invention expands upon the prior art JUMP function, which only allowed a user to toggle between the two most recently tuned stations. In contrast, the present invention allows a user to jump among any two or more stations, not just the two most recently tuned stations. Moreover, the present invention allows the user to assign up to five stations during a single viewing period as well as add and remove stations during a single viewing period with a single key. Furthermore, the JUMP Loop function is user-friendly as the same single key is used to jump, to store and to delete the stations in the JUMP Loop.


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