MXPA00003654A

MXPA00003654A - A method and apparatus for displaying an electronic program guide

Info

Publication number: MXPA00003654A
Application number: MXPA/A/2000/003654A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Kazuto Mugura; Fujio Noguchi; Takaaki Ota
Original assignee: Sony Electronics Inc
Priority date: 1997-10-17
Filing date: 2000-04-14
Publication date: 2001-07-09

Abstract

A method and apparatus for channel surfing while using an electronic program guide (1301) are provided. A multiple channel broadcasting system is tuned to a first channel to provide a display of a broadcast of a first program on a screen. An electronic program guide (1301) is displayed that identifies a plurality of channels and programming on the channels. A first display information packet (1302) containing a description of the first program is displayed with the electronic program guide. A system pointer is manipulated in response to input by the user to an area of the electronic program guide associated with a second program. The display of the first display information packet (1302) is subsequently replaced with a display of a second display information packet containing a description of the second program. A method for providing a status indication of a tuner and a pointer in a multiple channel broadcasting system are also provided.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the presentation of information of channels, programs and broadcasts for a multi-channel television broadcasting system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Television broadcasting technology has improved significantly since its inception. Nowadays television signals are broadcast on air waves, through cables, and via satellite. The number of stations accessible today has increased to hundreds of stations. To select a program, many viewers simply, "move on the channels" until - they find a channel that has a desirable program. Channel shifting refers to the process of using the "plus" or "minus" channel key to sequentially view each of the channels. Even when certain viewers find that moving between channels among hundreds of stations is a pleasant activity, most viewers prefer a more direct method of selecting a program. Some guides of selection of television channels of the prior art offer a guide of selection of television channels that presents a list of the channels typically in numerical order and the titles of the programs broadcast or that will be broadcasted in the channels. A simplified block diagram of such a guide is illustrated in Figure 1. The viewer or user of the system can then select the channel by entering the channel number or by selecting a program. The system responds by removing the presented guide and tuning the selected station and presenting the signals emitted from the station. This system has numerous drawbacks. First, the guide offers only the title of the program. To have additional information such as written description of the program, the user must select an information button that responds by providing a second menu letter that has the description of the program. Thus, as the number of stations increases, the efficiency of program reviews and program descriptions decrease. In addition, many viewers prefer to preview a real station broadcast before selecting this station. In the prior art systems, the user has to select each station and subsequently return to the channel guide in order to see program titles in other channels. While other systems of the prior art may offer a list of programs that have a transparent background superimposed on a broadcast program, it is still difficult to see the broadcast program through the list of programs. In addition, in any television system, a user can move between channels by jumping from channel to channel in sequence using the "up" or "down" channel buttons. However, when one moves between channels in the systems of the prior art, the user can not take advantage of the channel list and the program description information. While some channel selection guides of the prior art allow movement between channels while the guidance is displayed, these systems change the channel as the user moves a selection or pointer device toward each new channel. Again, this impedes the maximum use of the broadcast system guidance since while the system guide provides program descriptions, a user may wish to see a particular channel while moving between the program descriptions of other channels. Another limitation of the prior art television channel selection guides is that, while offering the current time in the guide display, they do not provide a clear representation of the current time in relation to the channel program listings. Therefore, it is difficult for a user to determine the amount of time that has passed since the beginning of a particular program.

In the current generation of broadcast technology, a viewer has many options in terms of programs available for broadcast. These options include, but are not limited to, the selection on request of pay-per-view broadcasts, the selection of a broadcast for automatic registration and the programming of an emission system to be tuned to a preselected station at a specified time. As the number of options increases, so does the need for a user-friendly system interface. The channel selection guides of the prior art do not provide a ready state indication as part of the channel selection guide. In addition, since the channel selection guides become more interactive they provide the viewer with more selections, the lack of status displays for system pointers and tuners can cause a lot of frustration on the part of the viewer. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION A method and an apparatus for displaying the programming information by moving the display of a broadcast of a program are provided. According to an aspect of the present invention, a multi-channel emission system is tuned to provide a display of a broadcast of a program on the screen. The programming information is displayed which identifies channels in the broadcast system. When the programming information is displayed, the display of the broadcast program is transferred to a smaller broadcast window on the screen. The translation comprises two steps. A step on puts at least one window profile of a series of window profiles of successively smaller emission in the display of the broadcast on the screen. Another step displays the emission in the smallest emission window. Accordingly, the programming information is displayed together with the program broadcast on the screen in such a way that no part of the broadcast is covered by the programming information. Thus, a viewer has an unobstructed view of the selected program while simultaneously accessing the channel program selections of the programming information. Programming information includes an electronic program guide, and a visualization information package, and an electronic category guide, and an electronic subcategory guide. A method and apparatus for moving between channels while using an electronic program guide is provided. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a multi-channel emission system is tuned to a first channel to provide a display of an emission of a first program on the screen. An electronic program guide is displayed which identifies a plurality of channels and programming in the channels. A first display information package containing a description of the first program is displayed with the electronic program guide. The emission system displays a system pointer. The system pointer is manipulated in response to some input as part of a user in an area of the electronic program guide associated with a second program. The display of the first display information packet is subsequently replaced with a display of a second display information packet containing a description of the second program. The broadcast system remains tuned to the first program while the user sees the program information for a second program on a second channel. A method and apparatus for providing an indication of a state of a tuner and a pointer in a multi-channel emission system is also provided. In accordance with one aspect of the present emission, the multi-channel emission system is tuned to a channel to provide a display of a broadcast in a screen program. An electronic program guide is generated which identifies a plurality of channels and schedules in the channels. A system pointer is supplied which focuses on a location in the electronic program guide which identifies a channel program in the broadcast system. An indication is provided to the user as to the tuner status of the broadcast system and as to the system pointer. The status is indicated by the display of a block of programs of a corresponding program in the electronic program guide that appears as if it were pressed on the screen when the broadcasting system is tuned to the channel program. The status is indicated by the display of a program block of a corresponding program in the electronic program guide that appears as if it is exiting the screen when the vision system is not tuned to the channel program. The status is indicated by the display of a program block of a corresponding program as underlined when the system pointer is indicating the program of the channel. The status is indicated by displaying a program block of a corresponding program as not highlighted when the system pointer is not pointing to the channel program. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the attached drawings and from the detailed description and appended claims presented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to a person skilled in the art from the following detailed description in which: Figure 1 is a simplified illustration of a digital satellite system guidance visualization direct from the prior art. Figure 2 is a simple illustration of one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a block diagram representing the elements used in the receiver of the television signals. Figure 4 is a representation of a remote control used to tune television stations in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Figure 5 is a simplified block diagram of the circuit used in a remote control device. Figure 6 illustrates the type of data used to present the electronic program guide in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Figure 7 illustrates the pointers to the data that is used to generate the electronic program guide in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Figure 8 illustrates the Master Guide presented to allow the viewer to see the programming that is being broadcast and which will be broadcast. Figures 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate an embodiment of the present invention in which an audio and video broadcast is displayed behind the Master Guide. Fig. 10 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the translation of a display to a small window in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 illustrates an emission display in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 illustrates the superimposition of easingly smaller emission window profiles in an emission display in the translation of the e ^ emission window in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 illustrates the display of an electronic program guide together with a program broadcast on a screen in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the integration of the translation of a display into a small window with other broadcast system functions in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 illustrates the display of an electronic program guide in an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the process for using the font size for a display space available in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 17 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the process for integrating the source size optimization process with other functions in an emission system in one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 18 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the displacement between channels in an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 19 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the process for providing the display of pointer tuning state in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 illustrates the display of an electronic program guide in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 21 illustrates the display of an electronic sub-category guide with an electronic program guide in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 22 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the process for providing an icon to indicate the program status in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 23 illustrates the display of an electronic program guide having program status icons in a mode of the present invention. Fig. 24 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating a process for providing a time bar with a current time marker in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 25 illustrates the display of an electronic guide of program having a graphical representation of the current time with the relation to channel programming times in a modality of the present invention. Fig. 26 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the process of providing an on-screen menu having different levels of transparency in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 27 illustrates the display of an on-screen menu having different levels of transparency in one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the method and apparatus of the present invention, the described emission system is a direct satellite broadcast system. However, it is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other emission systems having the ability to receive and present several stations may employ the method and apparatus of the present invention. In addition, in the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are presented. Menus, flow diagrams and system configurations in order to offer a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the present invention. In other cases, well-known electrical structures and circuits are illustrated in block diagram form so as not to obscure the present invention unnecessarily. Figure 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating a Direct Satellite System (DSS). The system has an antenna 3, an integrated receiver / decoder 2 (IRD), a remote control 5 and a monitor 4. data packets are transmitted by a responder on the satellite. Each responder transmits data in a shared manner regarding time at a predetermined frequency. A tuner 21 of a decoder is tuned to the frequency of the responder corresponding to a channel, which is designated by a viewer in such a way that the digital data packets are received by the decoder. Antenna 3 receives a coded data signal sent from a satellite. The received encoded signal is decoded by the IRD. Antenna 3 has a low noise block abatement converter 3A (LNB). The LNB 3A converts a frequency of a signal sent from one satellite to another frequency. The converted signal is supplied to IRD 3. The monitor 4 receives a signal from the IRD 3. Figure 3 is an IRD block diagram 3. A radio frequency (RF) signal output from LNB 3a of the antenna 3 is supplied to a tuner 21 of a front end 20. the output of the tuner 21 is supplied to a demodulation circuit 22 of quadrature shift manipulation (QPSK) for demodulation. The output of the demodulation circuit QOSK 22 is supplied to an error correction circuit 23 to correct errors. The data is received in encrypted and compressed form. The integrated transport circuit 24 receives the data stream consisting of data packets, from the error correction circuit 23 and sends portions of the data stream to the copied circuit for processing. The digital data stream sent from a satellite includes headers to classify the different portions of the data in the digital data stream. The integrated transport circuit stores the headers in registers and uses headers to direct the data. The data stream sent from the satellite includes video data in the format specified by the Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) standard, MPEG audio data and electronic programming data (EPG). The data that is identified by its header as video data is transferred to the MPEG25 video decoder. The data that is identified by its header as audio data is transferred to an MPEG26 audio decoder. Similarly, data having a header identifying the data as EPG data is transferred to a predetermined area in the data buffer 51 designated to store the EPG. A conditional access module 33 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The conditional access module determines whether the user is authorized to receive certain data such as audio / video for a pay-TV station, using the authorization information stored in his memory. Thus, if the conditional access module determines that the user is entitled to access, a key to decode the incoming data is provided to the transport integrated circuit 24 which decodes the data using the provided key. In one modality, a smart card is used. This card is inserted into the card reader interface 32 to form an interface with the transport integrated circuit 24. It is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the conditional access module is not limited to smart cards and can be configured in other types of circuits. The MPEG 25 video decoder decodes the video signal received from the transport integrated circuit. A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) 25a connected to the MPEG video decoder 25 is used to form a buffer and store video data during processing by the MPEG video decoder. The decoded digital video signal is supplied to an encoder 27 of the National Television System Committee (NTSC) (Committee of National Television System) and is converted into a luminance signal (Y) and a chroma signal (C) which are produced respectively through a buffer amplifier 28Y or 28C in the form of a video signal S A composite video signal is also produced through a 28V buffer memory amplifier. The MPEG 26 audio decoder decodes the digital audio signal. A DRAM 26a connected to the MPEG audio decoder 26 is used to serve as a data and information buffer during processing by the MPEG audio decoder 26. The decoded digital audio signal is converted into an analog audio signal by means of the converter of digital pulses in analog signals 30 (D / A). The left audio signal is produced through an intermediate buffer 31L and the right audio signal is produced from a buffer memory amplifier 31R. An RF modulator 41 mixes a composite signal produced by the NTSC27 encoder with an analog audio signal output prior to the converter of digital pulses into analog signals (D / A). The RF 41 modulator converts the mixed signal into an RF signal and sends the RF signal from there. The central processing unit 29 is the central control mechanism and executes a code stored in the read-only memory 37 to carry out certain functions of the system. For example, the central processing unit processes certain data to control the generation of the program list in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In addition, the central processing unit receives and processes the user input, received from the front panel buttons or switches 40 and the photodetector circuit 39 to provide the user with functionality and access to the system described herein. In addition, the central processing unit has access to user settings / preferences to process information and system configuration. The user settings are stored in the non-volatile memory, such as for example an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) 38. In addition, the central processing unit maintains a list of pointers, stored in a static random access memory ( SRAM) 36, to the channel information and program information stored in the SRAM 51. Thus, when a user wishes to display a form of IPG on the screen, the central processing unit 29, having access to pointers stored in SRAM 36 communicates with the transport integrated circuit 34 to recover data from the data buffer (RAM) 51 identified by the pointers. The central processing unit formulated after the format and other digital data forming the guide or list on the screen and sends the representative data of the guide / list to the transport integrated circuit 34 which sends the data to the DRAM 25a of the video decoder MPEG 25 for subsequent sending to the screen. Figure 4 shows an example of a remote control employed by a user to transmit command and to make program selections in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Figure 5 is a simplified block diagram of the remote control. The remote control 400 has an infrared ray source device 405, a set of operation buttons 410, a central processing unit 415, a read only memory 420, and a random access memory 425. the central processing unit 415 receives a signal sent from an operation button 410 through an input port 430. the signal is processed in accordance with a program stored in the read-only memory 420. The random access memory 425 is used as the I work in order to produce a transmission code. The transmission code is sent to the infrared ray source device 405 through an output port and converted into an infrared signal. The infrared signal is transmitted to the IRD. Operation buttons 410 include an arrow key to designate a pointer address such as north, south, east and west, an "EPG" key, a key "FAVORITES", a "SELECT" key, a "MENU" key, an "EXIT" key, a ten-key numeric keypad and an "ENTRY" key. The operation button set 410 allows the user to select programs through the electronic programming guide in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating the data stored in a portion of the RAM 51 data buffer. As indicated above, the random access memory 51 stores EPG data including guidance data, channel data, and program data. General information is included in the guide data, such as the current date and time. The responder list identifies the number of the responder that transmits a segment. The channel list identifies the channel number of the first channel of a data portion. Channel data includes data that relates to channels, such as the channel number, the channel name (ie, the call sign of a broadcast station), the logo ID (an identification of the channel logo) , Data ID, which is an identification of an MPEG video data channel number or MPEG audio data, number of programs, which identifies the number of programs to be transmitted on a channel during a predetermined period of time, and a first program offset that identifies the movement of the header to the first channel data in a segment. The program data includes the program title, program start time, program duration, program category such as movies, news, sports, etc., program sub-category such as drama, horror, children's movies or baseball, basketball, football for the category of sports, the classification of the film and the program description that offers a detailed description of the program. Figure 7 illustrates how the pointers to the EPG data are classified for viewing in a guide on the user's television screen. As indicated above, the EPG data includes guide data, channel data and program data which are stored in the data buffer (RAM) of the IRD (as shown in Figure 3). When a viewer selects a channel, the central processing unit of the system determines the packet containing the channel information and extracts the responder number from the channel information. The front end of the system begins to tune the frequency of the designated responder in order to receive the data that is transmitted from this responder. If a viewer does not select any channel, the last channel is designated. As indicated above, the central processing unit generates a table of pointers 736 to the EPG stored in the memory. Table 736 is used to change the order of channels or programs in accordance with the information to be presented in the user guide. Table 736 includes an entry for the address pointer to the corresponding channel data and an input to the corresponding program data. A table for generating a display information is stored in the read-only memory 37. Certain data in the table is read from the read-only memory 37 and stored in a DRAM 25a. Preferably, the data is stored in compressed form. Therefore, when a character is displayed on the screen, the set of compressed characters is decoded in order to generate the character to be displayed. The encoder refers to a dictionary that includes a set of words and frequently used portions of words and numbers that correspond to each word or word portion. The encoder encodes each word in each number by using the dictionary. The decoder refers to the same dictionary as the encoder to carry out the decoding function. Once decoded, each character of the decoded word includes a character code that corresponds to an American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCCII) code (Standard Code) American for Information Exchange). A non-volatile memory (for example EEPROM 38) has two tables. The first table contains maps of these characters in the different sources available for each character. The second table identifies the address in the first table in which the bitmap of these characters is extracted. The address is determined in accordance with the character code. The bitmap image of the character is transmitted to DRAM 25a and subsequently accessed to display the character on the screen. In one embodiment of the present invention, the channel data is received from a predetermined responder and the channel number and channel name are stored in a DRAM 25a. Additional channel information such as channel logo is stored in the read-only memory 36. The read-only memory 36 preferably includes a table of logo IDs and the address of the logo data stored in ROM 36. Accordingly , once a logo ID is determined, the address of the logo data is determined, said address is recovered and a DRAM 25a is stored. The channel data provides the initial address of the program data for a particular program. The actual location on the screen where the program information is displayed depends on the format of the guide. For example, the time-based system, the location where the program type is displayed is determined by the initial time and the duration that is stored in the program data. Using this information downloaded from the satellite transmission, programming information and channel selection is provided to the viewer. In the system and method of an embodiment of the present invention this information is provided to the user in an innovative manner in order to allow the viewer to easily determine and select stations or programs. For example, Figure 8 illustrates a Master Guide that provides such information according to the channel call sign 810, the channel number in the system, the channel logo of the selected station 820, an embossing 825 indicating the location of the channel. system pointer operable through the arrow direction buttons, a description program 830 for the program in which the system pointer is located, as well as a program time information 835. This guide is superimposed on the issuance of channel 840 in which the system pointer is located. Thus, the user not only has the data of the television system that shows the television channels, times of broadcasts of the programs and descriptions of the programs, but also has the audio and video of a channel, all at the same level of Guide menu. By moving the pointer 845 (in the current example, by manipulating the highlighted information), the channel to which it is tuned changes automatically, allowing the user to remain on the menu while watching a part of the actual channel highlighted in the guide . This process is illustrated through Figures 9A, 9B and 9C. The discussion will now continue to focus on general process flows for one embodiment of the present invention. It is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that additional functions can be added to the process and modified or removed functions are still within the spirit and scope of the invention. The system offers an innovative and user-friendly access to a large amount of information regarding the programming available in the broadcasting system. In the present invention, numerous functions can be selected through the remote control device. It is apparent that these functions can be selected through other devices such as a lever or other means such as menu on the screen. Figure 10 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the displacement of a display to a small window in an embodiment of the present invention. The process of resizing provides innovative feedback for the user while offering the sender system time to carry out the necessary calculations to resize the window. In the present modality, the transmitting device is moved to a small window when the user selects the electronic program display. Thus both the broadcast and the electronic program guide are displayed without splicing. It is readily apparent that the process of resizing the window can be used to resize the windows for various purposes. With reference to Figure 10, the operation begins in block 1000, wherein a transmitting system is tuned to a channel to provide a display of a broadcast of a program. The broadcast window corresponds to the entire display. Figure 11 illustrates an emission display 1102 in one embodiment of the present invention. It is easily apparent that the size of the window does not have to correspond initially to the entire display but can be a part of that visualization. The operation proceeds in block 1002 where a series of successively smaller emission window profiles are superimposed on the program display when it is desired to move to a smaller window. Figure 12 illustrates the overlap of these increasingly smaller emission window profiles 1202-1210 in an emission display device 1201 in the transfer of an emission window in an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Figure 12, profile 1202 is displayed first, followed by profiles 1204, 1206, 1208, and 1210 respectively. Preferably, the profile 1202 is shorter in length and narrower in width than the perimeter of the screen 1220 even though it is contemplated that the profiles may progress in one dimension. Each of the profiles 1204, 1206, 1208 and 1210 is shorter in length and narrower in width than the preceding profile, respectively. Referring again to Figure 10, the operation proceeds in block 1004, where the program display device is shifted to a smaller broadcast window. Preferably, the size of the broadcast window does not change until the size of the smaller overlay broadcast window profile has been equal to a predetermined smaller broadcast window size. In an alternative mode, the size of the broadcast window changes as the profile size changes. The operation proceeds in block 1006, where a programming information having the form of an electronic program guide is displayed on the screen with the broadcast on the screen such that no portion of the broadcast is covered by the electronic program guide. . In an alternative mode, a programming information made before the translation of the program broadcast is displayed. Figure 13 illustrates a display mode of an electronic program guide 1301 with a program broadcast 1310 on the display 1320. The electronic program guide 1301 includes the broadcast channel number 1330, the broadcast network identification 1332, the program title 1334, the start and end times of a program 1336, the current day 1338, the current date 1340, and the current time 1342. it is easily apparent that other modalities of visualizations of electronic program guides that present different information They can also be used. With reference to Figure 13, a user can easily see not only the emitted audio and video, but also the electronic program guide of the programming and program description. A display information pack 1302 containing a description of the program broadcast can be displayed with the electronic program guide 1310. The display information packet 1302 also contains the program title 1350, the broadcast network identification 1352, the broadcast channel number 1354, start time and end time of program 1356, and program rating 1358. Alternately, the user can selectively replace the visualization of the display information pack 1302 with the display of an electronic category guide. The electronic category guide contains a list of the categories of the programming. After viewing the programming selections in the electronic program guide, a viewer can change the selection of the electronic program guide display. The electronic program guide display is also removed from the selection when a channel is selected by the user. By eliminating the selection of the electronic program guide, the emission system transfers the broadcast of a program displayed in the small window by overlaying a series of successively larger profiles of broadcast windows in the display. In the present embodiment, the first larger broadcast window is longer in length and wider in width than the small window in which the program is displayed. Each successive profile is longer in length and wider in width than the previous profile. After the translation, the video broadcast is displayed again in an area defined by each successively larger window profile. Fig. 14 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the process for integrating the translation of a display into a small window with other functions of an emission system. The operation starts in the block 1402 wherein the television or display screen is currently showing a broadcast of a selected station. The operation proceeds in block 1404, where a user can select the electronic program guide for viewing. The system monitors the states of the buttons on a user's remote control device to determine when the user has pressed a certain button. The implementation of monitoring, such as combination, events driven by interruptions, are well known in the art and will not be discussed in more detail here. If the user does not select the electronic program guide for viewing, the operation proceeds in block 1402, where the system continues to view the broadcast and monitor the selection by the user of the electronic program guide function. If the user does not select the electronic program guide for display in block 1404, then the operation proceeds in block 1406 where a series of successively smaller profiles of broadcast windows is displayed. The operation proceeds in block 1408, where the display of a broadcast is transferred to a smaller broadcast window in the display device. The operation proceeds in block 1410 where an electronic program guide is displayed in an area adjacent to the smallest broadcast window. An electronic guide exemplary program was previously discussed with reference to Figure 13. The operation proceeds to block 1412, wherein a packet of information display is displayed together with the electronic program guide in an area adjacent to the emission window in the electronic program guide. The visualization information package contains a description of the currently selected program. The operation proceeds in block 1414, where a user can select an electronic category guide to be viewed by using the buttons on the remote control. If the user selects the display of an electronic category guide, the operation proceeds in block 1416, where the display of an electronic category guide replaces the visualization of the display information package. The electronic category guide includes several programming categories. The emission system then identifies programs in channels that correspond to each category contained in the electronic category guide. The programs that correspond to the particular categories of the electronic category guide are then highlighted in the electronic program guide. If the user does not select the electronic category guide for viewing, or after viewing the electronic category guide when the user selects the electronic category guide for viewing, the operation proceeds to block 1418, where the user can Remove the selection from the electronic program guide display using the buttons on the remote control. If the user does not remove the selection of the electronic program guide in program block 1418, the operation proceeds in block 1410, where the issuing system continues to display the electronic program guide. If the user removes the selection of the electronic program guide in block 1418, the operation proceeds in block 1420, where a series of successively larger profiles of broadcast windows is displayed. The operation proceeds in block 1422, where the electronic program guide is removed from the display. If the electronic category guide was not selected by the user, then the display information packet is also removed from the display in block 1422. If the electronic category guide was selected by the user, then the electronic category guide is also removed from the display in block 1422. The operation continues in block 1424, where the display of the broadcast is moved to a larger window on the display screen. As previously observed and with reference again to Figure 13, the user can select a display information package for viewing together with the electronic program guide. In one embodiment, the display information package contains a description of the program selected for viewing. Preferably, the system automatically resizes the display information packet text in such a way that all the text appears in the window. FIGURE 15 illustrates a display of an electronic program guide in an embodiment of the present invention displayed with a display information packet 1502 that contains a greater number of characters than the display information packet 1302 of FIG. 13. the area assigned to the display information packet in a mode of the broadcast system has a constant fixed size, the broadcasting system is configured to adjust the font size of the characters based on the number of characters present for viewing. Optimizing font size causes the display of a maximum number of characters in a given display area. Fig. 16 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the process of optimizing the font size for a display space available in an embodiment of the present invention. The operation begins in block 1602, where the issuing system determines a number of characters to be displayed. The operation proceeds in block 1604, where the emission system determines the number of display pixels available for character display. The operation proceeds in block 1606, where the emission system adjusts the size of character fonts in order to display all characters in the available number of display pixels. The operation proceeds in block 1608, where the issuing system displays the characters in the display information packet. Fig. 17 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the process for integrating the source size optimization process into the display information paging with other functions of a broadcast system in one embodiment of the present invention. The operation begins in block 1702, where a television screen or display device is currently showing a broadcast of a selected station. The operation proceeds in block 1704, where a user can select a display of an electronic program guide. If the user does not select the electronic program guide for viewing, the operation proceeds in block 1702, where the system continues to view the broadcast. If the user selects the display of an electronic program guide, the operation proceeds in block 1706, where the electronic program guide is displayed. The operation proceeds in block 1702 where a user selects a display information packet for display together with the electronic program guide. Upon selecting the display information packet for display, the operation proceeds in block 1710, in which the broadcast system determines the number of pixels available for the display packet. The operation proceeds in block 1712, wherein the emission system determines the number of characters in the display information packet that must be displayed. In one embodiment, the maximum number of characters is 256. the operation proceeds in block 1714, wherein the issuing system determines whether the number of characters is less than 180. one embodiment of the present invention employs three font sizes for the display characters in the display information package. If the emission system determines in block 1714 that the number of characters is less than 180, then the emission system selects the largest of the three font sizes. After the selection of the largest font size, the operation proceeds in block 1722, where the broadcasting system displays the display information packet using the largest source. If the emission system determines in block 1714 that the number of characters is not less than 180, then the operation proceeds in block 1716, where the emission system determines whether the number of characters is greater than 180 and less than 220. characters. If the number of characters is greater than 180 and less than 220, then the emission system selects the average font size. After the selection of the average font size, the operation proceeds in block 1722, where the emission system displays the display emission packet using the medium size font. If the emission system determines in block 1714 that the number of characters is not greater than 180 and less than 220, then the operation proceeds in block 1718, in which the emission system determines that the number of characters is greater than 220. The operation continues in block 1720, where the emission system selects the smallest of the three font sizes. The operation proceeds in block 1722, in which the broadcast system displays the display information packet using the smallest font size. Due to the number of television broadcasting stations accessible today that include hundreds of stations, many viewers move between channels until they find a channel that has a desirable program. Channel shifting refers to the process of using a "MAS" or "LESS" channel key to sequentially view each channel. While some viewers enjoy moving between channels among hundreds of stations, some viewers prefer a more direct method of program selection. For this reason, one embodiment of the system of the present invention employs two modes, a non-channel shift mode and a channel shift mode, from which a user can select channels. The non-travel mode between channels is described with reference to Figures 9A, 9B and 9C. When the user selects non-scrolling mode between channels, the broadcasting system is first tuned to a channel 233 to provide a broadcast of a program on a screen or on a viewing device 910. the user then selects a display of an electronic guide of program 912 to identify the channels available in the broadcast system and the programming available in the channels. A display information pack 916 is displayed together with the electronic program guide 912, and the display information pack 916 contains a description of the program to which the broadcasting system is currently tuned. In addition, a system pointer 918 is displayed in the electronic program guide 912. The system pointer 918 is used to select a program to be viewed by the user and, as such, can be manipulated by the user within the area of the system. electronic program guide 912. In the non-channel shift mode, the broadcast system is tuned to the channel indicated by the system pointer 918. In addition, the display information pack 916 presents a description of the program for the program to which the emission system is tuned. Accordingly, when the user manipulates the system pointer to a different channel 229 and 240 in non-channel shift mode, the broadcast system tunes this channel and displays program 9 5 and 930 currently broadcast on this channel, respectively. In contrast to the non-channel shift mode, it is the channel shift mode of one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 18 is an exemplary flow chart illustrative of the process of shifting between channels in an embodiment of the present invention. In block 1802, the broadcasting system is tuned to a first channel and a display is generated consisting of a broadcast window, an electronic program guide, a display information packet, and a system pointer. A first program broadcast is displayed in the broadcast window. The operation proceeds in block 1804 where a display information packet is displayed for a first program broadcast. This display information package contains a description of the first program broadcast. In block 1806, the user moves the system pointer to an area of the electronic program guide associated with a second program broadcast. The operation proceeds in block 18 '8 where in the transmission system it replaces the display information packet of the first program with a display information packet of a second program broadcast. The broadcast system remains tuned to the first program broadcast and continues to display the first program broadcast. In channel shift mode, the user can manipulate the system pointer to a program or channel in the electronic program guide that is different from the program or channel currently issued. For this reason, it is preferred that the broadcast system provide in the electronic program guide an indication to the user as to the state of the broadcast system tuner and as to the system pointer. However, the status indication is not required to operate the inter-channel shift mode in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The 3B Figure 19 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the process for providing the tuner and displaying pointer status in a mode of the present invention. An electronic program guide is generated in block 1902. In block 1904, a system pointer is provided for the electronic program guide. The operation proceeds in block 1906, where a status indication is provided from the system tuner and the system pointer. Each program is displayed in the electronic program guide that is displayed in a program block or area associated with a particular channel and a particular time segment. The status indication is provided by controlling the appearance of the program block according to the location of the system pointer and channel to which the system is tuned. Particularly, when the broadcast system is tuned to a program, and therefore the broadcast window displays the programming of the channel to which the system is tuned, the corresponding program block is displayed in the electronic program guide by the appearance of being Pressed on the screen. The program blocks of the remaining programs that are not broadcast but shown in the electronic program guide appear above the screen. Accordingly, when the broadcasting system is not tuned to a program, the corresponding program block is displayed in the electronic program guide in the form of an outstanding appearance of the screen. The status indication of the system pointer causes a different effect. Particularly, when the system pointer is pointing to a program, the corresponding program block is displayed highlighted in the electronic program guide. When the system pointer is not directed to a program, the corresponding block program block is displayed without highlighting in the electronic program guide. There are four primary combinations of state indications in accordance with what is employed by a mode of the broadcast system of the present invention. First, the display of a program block has a depressed appearance on the screen and highlighted to indicate that the broadcast system is tuned to the corresponding program and the system pointer is pointing to the corresponding program. Second, the display of a program block has a depressed appearance on the screen and not highlighted to indicate that the broadcast system is tuned to the corresponding program while the system pointer is pointing to a different program. Third, the display of a program block appears to stand out from the screen and has a highlighted appearance to indicate that the system pointer is pointing to the corresponding program while the broadcast system is tuned to a different program. Fourth, the display of a block of a program has the appearance of leaving the screen but without highlighting to indicate that the emission system is not tuned to the corresponding program and the system pointer is not pointing to the corresponding program. Figure 13 illustrates a pointer and tuner status display in a mode of the present invention. The broadcasting system of Figure 13 is tuned to the National Geographic Explorer program in the TBS network in accordance with that indicated by the corresponding program block 1380 that appears pressed on the screen. The system pointer is also focused on the National Geographic Explorer program in accordance with that indicated by the highlighted presentation of the program block 1380. Figure 20 illustrates the situation in which an emission system is tuned to a channel and the system pointer is pointing to another place than the channel with which it is tuned. Particularly, the transmission system of figure 20 is tuned with the National Geographic Explorer program in the TBS network in accordance with that indicated by the corresponding program block 2002 that appears in the depressed state on the screen. An electronic category guide is selected for viewing instead of a display information package. The system pointer is pointing to the category box "ALL" 2004 in the electronic category guide as indicated by the highlighted presentation of the category block 2004. As shown in figure 20, instead of selecting an information packet of display for display in block 1806 of Figure 18, the user can select an electronic guide of category 2006 for viewing with the electronic program guide 2001. The electronic guide of category 2006 that includes a number of programming categories 2010. The emission system then identifies programs "is channels that correspond to each category 2010 contained in the electronic guide of category 2006. The programs that correspond to the particular categories of the electronic guide category 2Q06 are then indicated or highlighted in the electronic guide of the 2001 program. The system pointer can be manipulated by the user to an area of the 2006 category electronic guide, and a system pointer status is indicated. When the system pointer is focusing on a category block, the category block is displayed highlighted in the category 2006 electronic guide. The system pointer is focusing on the category block "ALL" 2004 in the electronic guide of category 2006 in accordance with what is indicated by the highlighted presentation of the category block 2004. If the user, using typically the remote control of the emission system, selects one of the categories from the electronic category guide, then the visualization of the the electronic category guide replaced by a visualization of an electronic guide of subcategories. Figure 21 illustrates the display of an electronic subcategory guide 2002 with an electronic program guide 2104 in one embodiment of the present invention. The selected category 2006 is displayed together with the electronic subcategory guide 2102 and the electronic program guide 2104. The electronic subcategory guide 2102 includes several subcategories 12108. The emission system identifies programs in channels corresponding to each subcategory contained in the guide electronic subcategories 2102. The programs that correspond to the particular categories of the subcategory 2102 electronic guide are indicated or highlighted in the electronic program guide. The status of the system pointer is displayed and changes as the pointer is moved around the display. For example, the system pointer can be manipulated by the user to an area of the electronic sub-category guide 2102. When the system pointer is focusing on a block of subcategories, the block of subcategories is displayed highlighted in the electronic guide of categories. In Figure 21, the system pointer is indicating the block of "ALL" subcategories 2108 in the electronic subcategory guide 2102 in accordance with that indicated by the highlighted presentation of the subcategory block 2108. The multi-channel broadcast system of a The method of the present invention offers the user several options in terms of the programs available for broadcast. The multi-channel issuance system allows the user to select pay-per-view broadcasts for their acquisition. In addition, the sender system allows the user to select corresponding programs for recording. In addition, the multi-channel emission system allows the user to set a broadcast system timer to automatically tune the broadcast system to a program at a particular time. further, the multi-channel broadcast system allows the user to designate certain preferred programs. Accordingly, the multi-channel emission system of one embodiment of the present invention has icons that offer the user the status of the programs while viewing the electronic program guide. Fig. 22 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the process for providing a papar icon indicating a program state in an embodiment of the present invention. The operation begins in block 2202, where the broadcast system is tuned to display a program broadcast. The operation continues in block 2204, where an electronic program guide is generated. Electronic menus can be viewed along with the electronic program guide. Electronic menus control pay-per-view purchases, selections of programs for recording, settings of the broadcast system timer, and selection of preferred programs. In block 2206, graphic images indicating program status are generated. The operation proceeds in block 2208, where the graphic images are displayed within the electronic program guide. The icons or graphic images can serve as electronic links between the electronic program guide and a corresponding menu of the electronic menus and a display information package. Figure 23 illustrates the display of an electronic program guide having program status icons in one embodiment of the present invention. Icon 2302 displayed in program block 2304 to indicate that a pay-per-view issue is selected resembles a dollar symbol. Icon 2306 displayed in program block 2308 to indicate that a recording is selected resembles a videotape. The icon 2310 displayed in a program block 2312 to indicate that the broadcast system timer is activated to tune the broadcast system to a program at the time of the corresponding program resembles a clock. An icon can be displayed in a block of programs to indicate that a program is a preferred program. An icon 2314 in a program block 2316 is a possible representation of a preferred program icon. The multiple channel emission system of one embodiment of the present invention offers a display of the time when a user can see the current time in relation to the programming hours and program blocks. Fig. 24 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating a process for providing a time bar with the current time marker in an embodiment of the present invention. The operation begins in block 2204, where a television screen or display device is currently showing a broadcast of a selected station. The operation proceeds in block 2404, where a user can select a display device from an electronic program guide. If the user does not select the display of an electronic program guide, the operation proceeds in block 2402, where the broadcasting system continues to view a broadcast of the currently selected station. If the user selects the display of the electronic program guide, the operation continues in block 2406, where the electronic program guide is displayed through the issuance system. After the display of the electronic program guide, the operation continues in block 2408, at which time the bar is displayed which identifies programming times in the channels in the emission system, the operation proceeds in block 2410, in the which generates a graphic representation of the current time. The operation continues in block 2412 in which the graphical representation of the current time is displayed in the vicinity of the time bar in order to indicate the current time in relation to the programming times in the channels of the transmission system. In one embodiment of the present invention, the graphical representation of time is displayed as an inverted triangle in the time bar. The graphic representation of time can include a digital presentation of the current time. The graphic representation of time can also include an icon with the current time display.

Figure 25 illustrates the display of an electronic program guide and a graphical representation of the current time in relation to channel programming times in a modality of the present invention. When the user selects the display of an electronic program guide, the electronic program guide 2502 is displayed by the broadcast system. With the electronic program guide, a time bar 2504 is displayed which identifies the programming times 2506 in the channels in the transmission system. One embodiment of the present invention generates a graphical representation of the current time 2508. This graphical representation of the current time 2508 is displayed in the vicinity of the bar of times 2504 in order to indicate the current time in relation to the programming times in the channels of the emission system. This graphical representation of the current time 2508 is displayed as an inverted triangle in the time bar and includes a digital bar of the current time. In addition to the electronic program guide discussed here, one embodiment of the multiple broadcast system of the present invention offers a menu display on the screen that allows the user to operate different system functions. Figure 26 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the process for providing a menu on the screen that has several levels of transparency in one embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 26, the operation begins in block 2602, where an electronic menu display is generated. The menu display comprises several components, multiple alphanumeric characters, and multiple icons that identify different functions of the broadcast system. The operation continues in block 2604, in which different levels of transparency are applied to the different electronic menu components. Different levels of transparency are applied to the components in such a way that the number of opaque components is minimized and the background is highly transparent. The operation proceeds in block 2606, where the electronic menu is superimposed on the display of a program broadcast. While opaque components are minimized, the obstruction of the video of the broadcast by the electronic menu display is minimized. Preferably, different levels of transparency can be selected by the user. When the user selects an electronic menu for its display then alphanumeric characters and icons are generated that identify different emission system functions. The user can select the levels of transparency to be applied to the characters and icons of the electronic menu display. If the user does not select the levels of transparency to be applied to the characters and icons of the electronic menu, then the multi-channel emission system applies the least transparent level to the electronic menu icons. In addition, the multi-channel emission system applies the transparent sinus level to the verbal description of the emission system functions. In addition, the multi-channel broadcast system applies the most transparent level of transparency to the numbers of the electronic menu display. Figure 27 illustrates the display of a menu on the screen having different levels of transparency in one embodiment of the present invention. The electronic menu display 2702 comprises various components 2711-2719, various alphanumeric characters 2720-2722, and various icons 2731-2739 that identify different functions of the transmission system. Different levels of transparency apply to different components of the electronic menu. The different levels of transparency are applied to the components in such a way that the number of opaque components is minimized and in such a way that the background presents a high transparency level. After generation of the electronic menu 2702, the electronic menu 2702 is superimposed on a program broadcast 2750. The invention has been described in combination with the preferred embodiment. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made in relation to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention presented in the claims. Therefore, the specification and drawings should be considered as illustrative but not as restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS In a multi-channel broadcasting system where programs are broadcast for viewing on a screen, a method for generating a guide on the screen for a user to select channels, comprising the steps of: tuning a channel to provide a channel display of a broadcast of a first program on the screen; present an electronic program guide that identifies channels and programming in the broadcast system; moving the display of a broadcast of the first program to a smaller broadcast window on the screen, said moving step comprises the steps of superposing some profile of a series of successively smaller broadcast window profiles in the display of the broadcast in the screen and display the broadcast in a smaller broadcast window; visualize the electronic program guide together with the broadcast on the screen, in such a way that no part of the broadcast is covered by the electronic program guide.
The method according to claim 1, wherein a display information packet containing a program description is displayed with the electronic program guide.
The method according to the provisions of claim 2, wherein an electronic category guide is displayed with the electronic program guide.
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: displaying a first display information packet containing a description of said first program; display a system pointer; manipulating said system pointer in response to input by said user to an area of an electronic program guide associated with a second program; and replacing the display of the first display information packet with a display of a second display information packet containing a description of the second program.
The method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of: indicating the selection of a channel indicated by the pointer; tuning said broadcasting system to said channel if said channel is different from said first channel; remove the electronic program guide and the display information packet in response to the selection of a channel.
The method according to claim 4, further comprising a method for generating a guide on the screen in a second mode for a user to select channels, comprising the steps of: tuning a first channel to provide a broadcast of a first program on the screen; visualize an electronic program guide that identifies a plurality of channels and programming in the channels; displaying a first display information packet containing a description of said first program; display a system pointer; manipulating said system pointer in response to an input by said user to an area of the electronic program guide associated with a second program; and tuning said broadcast system to said second program and displaying a second display information packet containing a description of said second program.
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: displaying a status indication in said electronic program guide that indicates to said user a state of said broadcast system tuner; display a status indication in said electronic program guide that indicates to said user a status of said system pointer.
The method according to claim 7, wherein said step of displaying said state indication of said broadcast system tuner comprises the steps of: displaying said channel program in said electronic program guide in pressed display on said screen when said broadcast system is tuned to said channel program; displaying said channel program in said electronic program guide as if it were protruding from said screen when said honest broadcast system tuned to said channel program.
The method according to claim 7, wherein said step of displaying said state indication of said system pointer comprises the steps of: displaying said channel program in said electronic program guide in a highlighted manner when said pointer is indicating said channel program; displaying said channel program in said electronic program guide in a non-highlighted manner when said pointer is not indicating said channel program. .
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: displaying an electronic category guide; and displaying a system pointer that can be manipulated in response to an entry by said user to an area of the electronic category guide. .
The method according to that indicated in claim 10, wherein the user selects one of several categories, the selection presents an electronic guide of subcategories comprising the steps of: displaying said selected category; display a subcategory guide that identifies several subcategories; identify programs in channels that correspond to each subcategory of said various subcategories; highlight the programs in said program guide that are identified as the selected subcategory; where all the programming can be observed and the selected subcategory of programs is highlighted so that the user can easily see it.
A system comprising: a processor configured to be coupled with a display device, said processor is configured to control the system for tuning a first channel in a multi-channel emission system to provide an emission of a first program in the device display; is configured to control the system to generate an electronic program guide that identifies channels and channel programming in the broadcast system; is configured to control the system to shift the display of the first program broadcast to a smaller broadcast sale in the display device, said offset overlays at least one of a series of successively smaller broadcast window profiles in the display of the broadcast on the display device; and is configured to control the system to display the electronic program guide together with the broadcast on the display device, so that no part of the broadcast is covered by the electronic program guide.
The system according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to control the system to generate a display information packet containing a description of said first program.
The system according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to control the system to generate an electronic category guide containing a plurality of programming categories. .
The system according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to: control the system to display a first display information packet containing a description of said first program; control the system to display a system pointer; controlling the system for manipulating said system pointer in response to an input by said user to an area of the electronic program guide associated with a second program; and controlling the system to replace the display of the first display information packet with a display of a second information packet containing a description of the second program. .
The system according to claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a guide on the screen in a second mode for a user to select channels to view said processor configured to: control the system to display a first packet of display information containing a description of said first program; control the system to display a system pointer; controlling the system to manipulate said system pointer in response to an entry by said user to an area of the electronic program guide associated with a second program; and controlling the system to tune said broadcast system to said second program and display a second display information packet containing a description of said second program. .
The system according to that set forth in claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to: control the system to display a first status indication in said electronic program guide indicating said user a state of said broadcast system tuner; displaying a second status indication in said electronic program guide that indicates to said user a status of said system pointer.
The system according to that set forth in claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to: control the system to display an electronic category guide; and controlling the system to visualize a system pointer that can be manipulated in response to an entry by said user to an area of the electronic category guide. .
The system according to claim 12, wherein said user selects one of several categories, the processor is further configured to display an electronic guide of subcategories is response to the selection by: the display of said selected category; the display of a subcategory guide that identifies a plurality of subcategories; the identification of programs in channels that correspond to each subcategory of said various subcategories; the highlighting of these programs in said program guide that are identified as the selected categories; where all the programming can be seen and the selected subcategory of programs is highlighted so that the user can easily see it. .
A system for generating a guide on the screen comprising: an electronic program guide displayed on a display device, said electronic program guide is configured to operate in a first mode to identify channels and to program in a channel broadcast system multiple; an emission of a first program displayed on the display device; and a controller that transfers the emission from a first size to a smaller second size when the electronic program guide is displayed by overlaying at least one of a series of successively smaller emission window profiles in the display of the emission on the screen. .
The system according to claim 20, further comprising a display information packet containing a description of the first program, the display information packet displayed together with the electronic program guide. .
The system according to claim 21, wherein said display information packet is selectively replaced by an electronic category guide containing a plurality of programming categories. .
The system according to the provisions of claim 20, further comprising: a display information packet configured to contain a description of said first program; a system pointer configured to be manipulated in response to an input by said user to point to an area associated with a second program in said electronic program guide, said controller is further configured to, in response to said manipulation of said pointer, maintaining said broadcasting system tuned to said first channel, thus allowing said user to see the content of said area associated with said second program while watching said broadcast of said first program on said screen.
24. The system according to the provisions of claim 23, further comprising an electronic category guide, comprising: a plurality of categories; an identification of programs in channels that correspond to each category of said various categories; a highlight of said programs in said program guide that are identified as belonging to the selected category.
25. The system according to claim 23, further comprising a second mode in which said controller causes the system to be tuned to said second program and displays said second display information packet when the system pointer is manipulated to point to the area associated with the second program.
26. The system according to the provisions of claim 23, further comprising: a first status indication displayed in said electronic program guide which indicates to said user a state of said broadcast system tuner; a second status indication displayed in said electronic program guide that indicates to said user a status of said system pointer.
27. A computer readable medium containing executable instructions that, when executed in a processing system, cause the system to perform the steps to generate a guide on the screen so that a user can select channels in an emission system of multiple channels comprising: tuning a channel to provide a display of a broadcast of a first program on a display device; generate an electronic program guide that identifies channels and programming in the broadcast system; transferring the display of the first program broadcast to a smaller broadcast window on the screen, said transfer step comprising the steps of superimposing at least one of a series of successively smaller broadcast window profiles on the broadcast display on the screen and display the broadcast in a smaller broadcast window; and to visualize an electronic guide of programs together with the emission in the screen, in such a way that no part of the emission is covered with the electronic guide of programs.
28. The means readable in the computer according to the provisions of claim 27, further comprising instructions, which, when executed, perform the steps of: displaying a system pointer; manipulating pointer said system pointer in response to an input by said user to an area of the electronic program guide associated with a second program; and replacing the display of the first display information packet with a display of a second display information packet containing a description of the second program.
29. The computer readable medium in accordance with that indicated in claim 28, said instructions, when executed, further carry out the steps of: indicating the selection of a channel indicated by the pointer; tuning said broadcasting system to said channel if said channel is different from said first channel; and remove the electronic program guide and display information packet in response to the selection of a channel. .
The computer readable medium according to the provisions of claim 29, further comprises instructions for generating a guide on the screen in a second mode so that a user can select channels, said instructions when executed, carry out the steps of: manipulate said pointer in system in response to an input by said user to an area of the electronic program guide associated with a second program; and tuning said broadcast system with said second program and displaying said second display information packet containing a description of said second program. .
The computer readable medium according to the provisions of claim 27, further comprising instructions which, when executed, carry out the steps of: viewing an electronic category guide; and displaying a system pointer that can be manipulated in response to the entry of said user to an area of the electronic category guide.
32. The computer readable medium according to the provisions of claim 31, wherein the instructions for viewing the electronic category guide, when executed, perform the steps of: displaying a category guide that identifies several categories; identify programs in channels that correspond to each category of said various categories; highlight the programs in said program guide that are identified as the selected category; where all the programming can be seen and the selected category of programs is highlighted so that the user can see it more easily.
33. The computer-readable medium according to those set forth in claim 32, further comprising instructions, which when executed, and in response to selection by the user of one of several categories, perform the steps of: display said selected category; display a subcategory guide that identifies several subcategories; identify programs in channels that correspond to each subcategory of said various subcategories; highlight those programs in said program guide that are identified as the selected subcategory; where all the programming can be seen and the selected subcategory of the program is highlighted so that the user can easily see it.
34. The computer readable medium according to the provisions of claim 27, further comprising instructions, which, when executed, perform the steps of: supplying a pointer to a system indicating a location in said electronic guide of programs, said location identifies a channel program in the issuance system; and providing an indication to said user as to the state of the tuner of the broadcast system and said system pointer comprising the steps of: displaying said channel program in said electronic program guide as if it appeared pressed on said screen when said system broadcast is tuned to said channel program; displaying said channel program in said electronic program guide as if it were protruding from said screen when said broadcasting system is not tuned to said channel program; displaying said channel program in a highlighted manner when said pointer is pointing to said channel program; and displaying said channel program in a non-highlighted manner when said pointer is not pointing to said channel program.
35. In a multi-channel emission system that displays a first window containing an emission of a program and a second window containing a programming information, a method for removing programming information from a display, comprising the steps of: transferring the broadcast of a program displayed in the first window to a larger window in the display by overlaying at least one profile of a series of successively larger video window profiles on the screen; remove the display of said programming information from said display; View said video of a broadcast in the area of the larger video window profile.
36. A system comprising: a processor configured to be connected to a display device, said processor is configured to control the system for tuning a channel in a multi-channel broadcast system to provide an emission of a program in said display device; display in a first sale in the display; is configured to control the system to generate programming information that identifies channels in the broadcast system; is configured to control the system for transferring video from a broadcast of a program to a smaller broadcast window in the display device, said transfer overlaying at least one profile of a series of successively smaller profiles of broadcast windows in the broadcast on the display device; is configured to control the system to display the programming information together with the broadcast transferred on the display device. .
The system according to that indicated in claim 29, wherein the programming information is removed from the display device, said processor is configured to control the system to transfer video from a broadcast of a program displayed in the smallest broadcast window to a larger broadcast window in the display device by overlaying at least one profile of a series of successively larger profiles of broadcast windows in the display device; it is configured to control the system to remove the display of the programming information from said display device; is configured to control the system to display the video of the broadcast in the area of the largest broadcast window profile. .
In a multi-channel broadcasting system where programs are broadcast for display on a screen, a method for generating a guide on the screen in a first mode for a user to select channels, comprising the steps of: tuning a first channel to provide a broadcast of a first program on the screen; visualize an electronic program guide that identifies a plurality of channels and programming in the channels; displaying a first display information packet containing a description of said first program; display a system pointer; manipulating said system pointer in response to input by said user to an area of the electronic program guide associated with said second program; and replacing the display of the first display information packet with a display of a second display information packet contains a description of the second program. .
The method according to that set forth in claim 38, further comprising the steps of: indicating the selection of a channel indicated with the pointer; tuning said broadcasting system to said channel if said channel is different from said first channel; and remove the electronic program guide and the display information packet in response to the selection of a channel. .
The method according to claim 38, further comprising a method for generating a guide on the screen in a second mode for a user to select channels for viewing them comprising the steps of: tuning a first channel to provide a broadcast of a first program on the screen; visualize an electronic program guide that identifies a plurality of channels and schedules in the channels; displaying a first display information packet containing a description of said first program; display a system pointer; manipulating said system pointer in response to input by said user to an area of the electronic program guide associated with a second program; and tuning said broadcast system to said second program and displaying a second display information packet containing a description of said second program. .
The method according to the provisions of claim 38, further comprising the steps of: displaying a status indication in said electronic program guide that indicates to said user a status of said broadcast system tuner; display a status indication in said electronic program guide that indicates to said user a status of said system pointer. .
The method according to that set forth in claim 41, wherein said step of displaying said status indication of said broadcast system tuner comprises the steps of: displaying said channel program in said electronic program guide appearing as pressed in said screen when said broadcasting system tunes said channel program; displaying said channel program in said electronic program guide that appears protruding from said screen when said broadcasting system does not tune said channel program. .
The method according to that set forth in claim 41, wherein said step of displaying said status indication of said system pointer comprises the steps of: displaying said channel program in said electronic program guide in accordance with the highlighted when said pointer is pointing towards said channel program; displaying said channel program in said electronic program guide is not highlighted when said pointer is not pointing to said channel program. .
In a multi-channel broadcast system where programs are broadcast for display on a screen, a method for generating a guide on the screen so that a user can select channels to watch them including the steps of: tuning a first channel to provide a broadcast of a first program on the screen; visualize an electronic program guide that identifies several channels and schedules in the channels; visualize an electronic category guide; and displaying a system pointer that can be manipulated in response to an entry by said user to an area of the electronic category guide. .
The method according to claim 44, wherein said step of displaying said electronic category guide comprises the steps of: displaying a category guide that identifies a plurality of categories; identify programs in channels that correspond to each category of said plurality of category; highlight the programs in said program guide that are identified as belonging to the selected category; where all the programming can be seen and the selected category of programs is highlighted so that the user can easily see it. .
The method according to that set forth in claim 44, further comprising the steps of: displaying a status indication of said electronic program guide that indicates to said user a state of said broadcast system tuner; displaying a status indication in said electronic program guide that indicates to said user a status of said system pointer, displaying a status indication in said electronic category guide indicating said user a status of said system pointer, said indication of state causes that one of several categories in said electronic category guide can be displayed in a highlighted manner when said pointer is pointed towards said category.
47. The method according to the provisions of claim 44, further comprising the steps of viewing an electronic guide of subcategories in response to the selection by a user of one of said various categories, comprising the steps of: said selected category; visualize a category guide that identifies a plurality of subcategories; identify programs in channels that correspond to each subcategory of said plurality of subcategories; underline the programs in said program guide that are identified as the selected subcategories; where all the programming can be seen and the selected subcategory of programs is highlighted so that the user can see it easily.
48. A computer system comprising: a processor configured to be connected to a display device, said processor is configured to: control the system to tune the first channel to provide a broadcast of a first program on the screen; control the system to display an electronic program guide that identifies a plurality of channels and schedules in the channels; controlling the system to display a first display information packet containing a description of said first program; control the system to display a system pointer; controlling the system to manipulate said system pointer in response to an entry by said user to an area of the electronic program guide associated with a second program; and to control the system to replace the display of the first display information packet with a display of a second paguate of information containing a description of the second program. .
The computer according to claim 48, wherein said processor generates a guide on the screen in a second mode for a user to select channels that he wishes to see, said processor is configured to: control the system to tune a first channel to provide a broadcast of a first program on the screen; controlling the display system of an electronic program guide that identifies a plurality of channels and schedules in the channels; controlling the system to display a first display information packet containing a description of said first program; controlling the system to manipulate said system pointer in response to an input by said user in an area of the electronic program guide associated with a second program; and controlling the system for tuning said broadcast system with said second program and displaying a second display information packet containing a description of said second program.
50. A computer system comprising: a display device; a processor connected to said display device, said processor is configured to: control the system to tune a first channel to provide a broadcast of a first program on the screen; controlling the display system of an electronic program guide that identifies a plurality of channels and schedules in the channels; control the system to view an electronic category guide; and controlling the system to display a system pointer that can be manipulated in response to an entry by said user to an area of the electronic category guide. .
The computer system according to the provisions of claim 50, wherein said display of said electronic subcategory guide comprises: displaying said selected category; display a subcategory guide that identifies a plurality of subcategories; identify programs in channels corresponding to each subcategory of said plurality of subcategories; highlight the programs in said program guide that are identified as the selected subcategory; where all the programming can be seen and the selected subcategory of the program is highlighted so that the user can easily see it. .
A system for generating a guide on the screen in a first mode for a user to select channels for viewing them comprising: a multi-channel broadcasting system configured to tune a first channel to provide a broadcast of a first program on a screen; an electronic program guide configured to operate 11 in a first mode for identifying the plurality of channels and schedules in the channels in the broadcast system; a display information packet configured to contain a description of said first program; a system pointer configured to be manipulated in response to an input by said user to point to an area associated with a second program in said electronic program guide; and a controller configured to, in response to said manipulation of said pointer, maintain said broadcast system tuned to said first channel thereby allowing said user to see the content of said area associated with said second program while viewing said broadcast of said first program. on that screen. .
The system according to claim 52, further comprising the first status indication indicating the state of said broadcast system tuner by: displaying said channel program in said electronic program guide that appears depressed in said screen when said broadcasting system tunes said channel program; the display of said channel program in said electronic program guide that appears protruding from said screen when said broadcasting system is not tuning said channel program; and a first status indication displayed in said electronic program guide that indicates to said user a status of said broadcast system tuner; a second status indication displayed in said electronic program guide that indicates to said user a status of said system pointer, the second status indication indicates the status of said system pointer by: the display of said channel program in said guide program electronics highlighted when said pointer is pointed to said channel program; the display of said channel program in said electronic program guide not highlighted when said pointer is not pointing to said channel program. .
A computer-readable medium containing instructions that can be executed which, when executed in a processing system, cause the system to carry out the steps to generate a guide on the screen in a first mode so that a user can select channels to see in a multi-channel broadcast system, comprising: tuning a first channel to provide a broadcast of a first program on the screen; visualize an electronic program guide that identifies a plurality of channels and schedules in the channels; displaying a first display information packet containing a description of said first program; display a system pointer; manipulating said system pointer in response to an input by said user to an area of the electronic program guide associated with a second program; and replacing the display of the first display information packet with a display of a second display information packet containing a description of the second program.
55. The computer readable medium according to claim 54, wherein generating a screen guide in a second mode for a user to select channels to view, comprises the steps of: tuning a first channel to provide a broadcast of a first program on the screen; visualize the electronic program guide that identifies a plurality of channels and schedules in the channels; displaying the first package of the display information containing the description of said first program; display the system pointer; manipulating said system pointer in response to an entry by said user to an area of an electronic program guide associated with the second program; and tuning said broadcast system to said second program and displaying the second display information packet containing a description of said second program. . A computer-readable medium containing executable instructions, which when executed in a processing system causes the system to perform the steps of generating a guide on the screen in a first mode for a user to select channels to view in a multi-channel broadcasting system, comprising: tuning a first channel to provide a broadcast of a first program on the screen; visualize an electronic program guide that identifies a plurality of channels and schedules in the channels; visualize an electronic category guide; and displaying a system pointer that can be manipulated in response to an entry by said user to an area of the electronic category guide. . The computer readable medium in accordance with that set forth in claim 56, wherein said instruction for displaying said electronic subcategory guide comprises: displaying said selected category; display a subcategory guide that identifies a plurality of subcategories; identify programs in channels that correspond to each subcategory of said various subcategories; highlight the programs in said program guide that are identified as belonging to the selected subcategory; where all the programming can be seen and the selected subcategory of programs is highlighted so that the user can see it easily.