Television – Combined with diverse art device
Reexamination Certificate
1997-04-28
2001-11-27
Lee, Michael (Department: 2614)
Television
Combined with diverse art device
C348S563000, C348S564000, C348S901000, C725S056000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06323911
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to television schedule information, and more particularly to a system and method for displaying a television program guide on a television screen.
As the number of television stations in a metropolitan area or on a cable network has increased, the number of programs of potential interest that are presented to a viewer has risen dramatically. With the use of dish antennas capable of receiving direct satellite signals, the multitude of programs available to the viewer has further increased. Consequently, television schedule systems that are provided directly on the viewer's television screen have been developed to assist the viewer in sorting through these various programs and determining which programs to watch or record. One such television schedule system is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,121 (Young et al.), the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In one embodiment of Young, the television schedule includes a series of menu screens having an array of cells corresponding to different television programs. The viewer may scroll through the cells to view which television programs are being presented on various channels at various times. In addition, the viewer may select certain cells to obtain more information on the associated program or to pull up other submenus with additional options.
The recent development of television schedule systems, such as the above described patent to Young, have created many new challenges. One such challenge is providing a system and method that allows the viewer to quickly and efficiently navigate through the various menus and submenus of the schedule guide and to interact with the items contained therein. Ideally, the system and method would provide the viewer with the ability to browse through the television guide and/or perform various actions, while still displaying the currently-tuned program on the television screen so that the viewer can keep track of the program. In addition, it would be desirable to provide a system that can be customized for an individual and/or a group of viewers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system and method for displaying schedule information on a visual interface, such as a television screen, a computer monitor or the like. The present invention also provides a system and method for allowing the viewer to navigate and interact with a program guide that is displayed, for example, on the viewer's television screen. The program guide will usually include a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. With an input device, such as a remote control device, pointing device, mouse, keyboard, microphone or the like, the viewer can browse through the schedule information area and/or obtain more information about programs of particular interest.
In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for allowing the viewer to watch a program on the currently-tuned channel of a television, while browsing through the other channels on a portion of the television screen. The system includes a browsing window for displaying program information over a portion of the television screen in conjunction with the primary display. The browsing window is usually smaller than the main program guide and located in a convenient place on the television screen, e.g., in a corner, so that the viewer can simultaneously view the primary display and the browsing window. The browsing window includes an active window for displaying programs on channels other than the currently-tuned channel, and an input device for switching the program that is displayed on the active window. In a preferred configuration, the browsing window further includes an information window for allowing the viewer to access a television schedule program guide and to obtain more information on the program that is shown in the active window.
In another aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for allowing the viewer to watch programs currently being shown on the television, while the viewer browses through the program guide. In this embodiment, the program guide includes a smaller, active window for displaying a program that is currently being shown on a television channel. The input device has a controller for interacting with the active window to control the program that is shown therein. For example, the active window may show the program on the currently-tuned channel, i.e., the channel that the viewer was watching prior to activating the program guide. Alternatively, the active window may show the programs that the viewer selects in the program information area. In this embodiment, each program title is contained within a cell or window. As the controller moves a cursor, for example, to each cell within the program information area, the program displayed on the active window will change so that the program displayed on the active window corresponds to the program title within the cell containing the cursor.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a system and method are provided for indicating the amount of time left in each program in the program guide. In this embodiment, the program guide includes a matrix of cells, with each cell containing information associated with a television program. and having a length that is proportional to a length of the television program. Each cell will include a visual display for displaying an amount of time left in the associated television program. For example, the visual display can be a physical icon indicating the amount of time left in the program. Alternatively, each cell can be highlighted in such a way that either the highlighted or non-highlighted portion of the cell represents the amount of time left in the associated television program. In the latter embodiment, the highlighted or non-highlighted portion of the cell will be reduced with time to continuously indicate the amount of time left in the associated program.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for automatically or manually customizing the television schedule guide to an individual viewer or a group of viewers, e.g., a family. In this embodiment, the program guide includes a matrix of cells, with each cell containing information associated with a television program. The input device includes a controller for moving a cursor to each cell and for selecting the television program associated with each cell. The system further includes a memory for storing the television programs that have been selected by the viewer. The programs can be selected for a variety of reasons, such as designating the program as a favorite, placing a reminder to watch the program or, when the television schedule system includes a recording device, placing an automatic reminder to the program guide to record the program.
In a specific configuration, the system further includes a visual display, such as a physical icon within the program's cell, for indicating that a program has been selected. In addition, the program guide includes a selection window that displays some or all of the programs that have been selected by the viewer. The input device will allow the viewer to activate and deactivate the selection window, and to move between each program within the selection window and activate programs to obtain information associated with the selected program.
In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a database containing each program within the television schedule. The database may be included within a computer integrally combined with the television (e.g., PCTV), a computer that is coupled to the television through suitable lines, or the database may be accessed from a remote computer, e.g., via the internet or other communication medium. Within the database, each program is associated with a variety of criteria or features, such as particular actors, actresses, directors, the type of movie (e.g., a
Alba Theresa
Folker David M.
Hunwick Keith
King Molly K.
Leftwich James J.
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Lee Michael
Lo Linus H.
StarSight Telecast Inc.
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