KR100405617B1 - Graphical display of current time on electronic program guide - Google Patents

Abstract

The electronic program guide system can display an electronic program guide (EPG) that includes a graphical representation of the current time for the program time interval region, which allows the user to intuitively evaluate the current time associated with a particular program. You can also assess the remaining time for the program. The graphical representation of the current time may be implemented as a color change or shading of the program time interval region with respect to the background, a background color change of the graphic timeline adjacent to the program time interval region, and / or a hash / tick mark. Such graphical representation of the current time within the program area and for the program channel program listing also relates to an incremental time line showing the time interval of the currently displayed program listing.

Description

GRAPHICAL DISPLAY OF CURRENT TIME ON ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE}

EPG is an interactive on-screen display feature that displays information similar to TV listings found in local newspapers or other print media. In addition, the EPG also contains the information needed to collate and decode the program. The EPG provides information about each program within the time frame covered by the EPG, typically ranging from the immediately preceding 30 minutes to the next seven days. Information contained in the EPG may include programming characteristics such as channel number, program title, start time, end time, elapsed time, remaining time, rating (if applicable), topic, theme, and brief description of program content. . EPGs are routinely arranged in a two-dimensional table or grid format with time on one axis and channel numbers on the other.

Unlike non-interactive guides that reside on a dedicated channel and scroll through current programming on other channels for the next two to three hours, EPGs allow viewers to program in multiple formats, including the current channel, a partial list of channels, and all channels. Get information and watch. The EPG characteristic may further include the ability to highlight individual cells of the grid containing program information. Once inverted, the viewer can perform a function belonging to the selected program. For example, a viewer can immediately switch to a program if it is currently being broadcast. Viewers can program One Touch Video Cassette Recording (VCR), etc., if the TV is properly configured and connected to a recording device. Such EPGs are known in the art and are described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 5,353,121, 5,479,268, and 5,479,266, all to Young et al. And assigned to StarSight Telecast.

In addition, US Pat. No. 5,515,106, issued to Chaney et al. And assigned to the same assignor of the present invention, describes in detail an exemplary embodiment that includes a data packet structure necessary to implement an exemplary program guide system. An exemplary data packet structure is a program guide database in which both channel information associated with a program (e.g., channel name, call letter, channel number, type, etc.) and program description information (e.g., title, rating, actor, etc.) It is designed to be effectively transmitted from the provider to the receiving device.

User interfaces such as EPG are applicable to both analog and digital TV systems as well as other electronic devices such as personal computers. As electronic devices become increasingly complex with many features, the need for robust and easy-to-use user interfaces cannot be overemphasized. For example, separate electronic systems with each interface for controlling the characteristics of each system are now being combined into a single system requiring a single user interface. One particular example is the so-called PCTV, which includes the characteristics of both personal computers and televisions. The user interface system for such a device should provide clear communication of both computer and TV related information and provide simple control of both computer and TV related characteristics, including the use of the Internet.

The present invention relates to a control device for an electronic device such as a TV and a personal computer (PC), and more particularly to a control system having a user interface for providing information to a user and simplifying the use of the device. . An example of such a user interface is the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) in a TV system.

1A is a block diagram of a multimedia system suitable for implementing a user interface system including an EPG, and processing both analog NTSC (PAL, or other structure) TV signals and Internet information.

1B is a block diagram of an MPEG compatible multimedia system for implementing a user interface system including an EPG.

FIG. 2 shows each program in the program channel as an essentially rectangular of a predetermined color on the background color, with a length corresponding to a time interval generally equal to the total program time length, each graphically representing the current time. Figure 2 shows an exemplary screen from an EPG in grid guide viewing mode, showing a two hour time segment for a program on multiple program channels, where color variations or shading are used within the rectangle.

3 shows a two-hour time segment for a program on multiple program channels, with each program of the program channel represented substantially rectangular on the background, where a background color change or shading is used to graphically represent the current time. Illustrating an example screen from an EPG in grid guide viewing mode.

4 shows a two-hour time segment for a program on multiple program channels, where each program of the program channel is represented by a rectangle on the background color, where a graphical time line with color change or shading is used to represent the current time. Illustrating an example screen from an EPG in grid guide viewing mode.

5A shows a program on multiple program channels, in which the program time length of each program is represented by a color change or shaded outline around each program, wherein vertical hash marks and / or tick marks are used to graphically represent the current time. An example screen from an EPG in grid guide viewing mode, showing a two hour time segment for a time slot.

FIG. 5B shows an essentially rectangular representation of each program in the program channel as a graphically induced inset portion, with a vertical hash mark and / or tick mark to graphically represent the current time. A diagram showing another type of example screen from an EPG in grid guide viewing mode, showing a two-hour time segment for a program on multiple program channels, where is used.

FIG. 6 is a detailed guide control panel viewing mode showing a two hour time segment for a program on multiple program channels, which may be represented by any graphical representation of the current time in accordance with the present invention. illustrating an exemplary screen from an EPG in mode).

7 is in SurfGuide control panel viewing mode, showing a two hour time segment for a program on multiple program channels, which may be represented by any graphical representation of the current time in accordance with the present invention. Diagram showing an example screen from an EPG.

8 is a system hardware block diagram of a simplified EPG implementation system that may utilize the present invention.

9 is an EPG screen request program flow diagram in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

10 illustrates the source code of an embodiment for graphically representing the current time on an EPG in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

We have recognized the limitations in the current EPG. One such limitation is that the current EPG represents the current time in an unrelated graphic or text format, eg 5:55 PM, typically in one corner of the display, with an optional two hour time frame graphical representation. will be. In an exemplary embodiment of the known EPG current time display, the time frame range, which is universally boxed or contoured in a particular manner, is preset for display between the preceding half hour and the next seven days. EPGs typically start by displaying historical information from the previous half hour and are updated only every 30 minutes, so the user cannot simply determine how much time is left in a particular program. In other words, the current EPG display can occur from the start or end of a 30 minute update period. The current time is not displayed graphically on the EPG with respect to the graphical representation of the program along the graphical time grid, whereby the user cannot intuitively know the amount of time remaining in the desired program. Thus, the user is relegated to watching the current time and then the end time of the subject program as displayed in one corner of the EPG.

The present invention describes a user-selectable graphical display for displaying the current time in an electronic program guide (EPG) by changing the color, shade, etc. of a portion of the EPG representing the program from the beginning of the program to the end of the program. . In this way, the current time, either in terms of time scale or program length grid, can be intuitively assessed by the viewer.

In a preferred form, color, shade, etc. may comprise the beginning of a time period preceding, for example, half an hour over and including the current time. The user can easily determine how much time is now left in a given program by evaluating the location of the nearest edge of the program's starting shadow display relative to the edge, indicating the completion of the program.

The update rate of the graphical representation of the current time can be set at any time, for example one minute, three minutes, or six minutes apart. The user typically does not need to first read the current time, depicted in text format in one corner of the display, and then interpret the graphical EPG display to determine the length of time remaining for a given program.

In an alternative embodiment of the present intuitive graphical display for representing the current time in the EPG, a tick mark, for example an inverted triangle, is used to graphically represent the current time within the display time window. reference time bar). Vertical "hash marks", for example dots or dash lines, may be used with or without subject tick marks to also graphically represent the current time.

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention, methods of achieving the present invention will become more apparent, and the present invention will be described with reference to the following detailed description of the embodiment (s) of the present invention in connection with the accompanying drawings. Will be better understood.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples disclosed herein illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, which should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

One example of a TV system suitable for providing a user interface as mentioned above is a TV receiver for processing both analog NTSC TV signals and Internet information, such as system 1000 shown in FIG. 1A. System 1000 has a first input 1100 for receiving wireless RF TV signals from a source such as an antenna or cable system and a second input 1102 for receiving baseband TV signals, for example, from a VCR or DVD player. ). As is known in the art, tuner 1105 and IF processor 1130 operate in a conventional manner to tune and demodulate a particular TV signal at RF_IN input 1100. Although FIG. 1A illustrates input 1102 as a baseband signal, the TV receiver may include a second tuner and an IF processor to generate a second baseband video signal from signal RF_IN or a second RF signal source. . All kinds of multiple signal inputs can be provided for processing.

The microprocessor (μP) 1110 transmits both commands and data over the serial data bus I ² C bus 1170 using the known I ² C serial data bus protocol (or other possible protocol, for example 1394) and Control the system by receiving. As is known in the art, μP 1110 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1112 connected to an external memory device, such as EEPROM 1127 and provided by a user, for example IR (infrared). ) Respond to the command provided via receiver 1122. Of course, other bus protocols and / or structures may be used. μP 1110 also controls the operation of communication interface unit 1113 to provide the ability to download and upload information, for example, from the Internet. The communication interface unit 1113 comprises a modem for connecting to, for example, an Internet service provider via a telephone line or a cable TV line. In addition to receiving TV programming, communication interface unit 1113 provides communication capabilities such as web browsing and Internet-related features.

The CPU 1112 controls known functions (such as the auxiliary data processor 1115 and the OSD processor 1117) contained in the μP 1110 via the bus 1119. Auxiliary data processor 1115 extracts auxiliary data, such as, for example, StarSight®. StarSite® data includes the EPG information as described above, along with various Internet related information including Internet links. The processor within StarSight® module 1160 formats and stores the data in a memory within itself. In response to the StarSight® EPG display being activated {eg, when the user activates a particular key on the remote controller 1125), the CPU 1112 is connected to the StarSite® via the I ² C bus. Sends the formatted StarSight® EPG display data from the module 1160 to the OSD processor 1117. The OSD processor 1117, when connected to the display device, operates in a conventional manner to generate a displayed image representing on-screen display information such as graphics and / or text including an EPG. The OSD processor 1117 also generates a control signal FSW for controlling fast switching to sometimes insert the signal OSD_RGB into the system's video output signal when the on-screen display should be displayed.

Video signal processor (VSP) 1155 performs conventional video signal processing functions such as luma and chroma processing. The output signal generated by the VSP 1155 is suitable for connection to a display device, such as a kinescope or LCD device (not shown in the figure), to produce the displayed image. VSP 1155 also includes fast switching to couple the signal generated by OSD processor 1117 to the output video signal path when graphics and / or text is included in the display image. When text and / or graphics are to be displayed, the fast switch is controlled by the control signal FSW, sometimes generated by the OSD processor 1117 in the main μP 1110. The input signal for the VSP 1155 is a signal PIPV output by the picture in picture (PIP) processor 1140.

For an EPG display, display data included in the EPG display is generated by the OSD processor 1117 and included in the output signal by the VSP 1155 in response to the fast switch signal FSW. When the μP 1110 detects the activity of the EPG display, for example when the user presses the appropriate key on the remote controller 1125, the μP 1110 causes the OSD processor 1117 to display the StarSight® module ( 1160 is used to generate an EPG display using information such as program guide data. Microprocessor 1110 causes VSP 1155 to combine the video image signal with the EPG display data from OSD processor 1117 in response to signal FSW to produce a display including the EPG. The EPG may occupy the entire area or the partial area of the display area.

When the EPG display is activated, μP 1110 executes a control program stored in EEPROM 1127. The control program monitors the position of the position indicator, such as cursors and / or color inversion, in the EPG display. The user uses the direction and selection keys of the remote controller 1125 to control the position of the position indicator. Alternatively, the system can include a mouse device. The microprocessor 1110 detects the activation of the selection device, such as clicking a mouse button, and determines the current cursor position information in conjunction with the EPG data to be displayed in order to determine the desired function, for example tuning to a particular program. Evaluate. The microprocessor 1110 consequently activates the control operation associated with the selection function.

Another example of an electronic device that implements a user interface system is a system for processing digital video and audio signals, such as an MPEG compatible system for receiving MPEG encoded transport streams representing broadcast programs. The user interface system is also applicable to other types of digital signal processing apparatus, including MPEG incompatible systems, which include other types of encoded data streams. For example, other devices include digital video disc (DVD) systems, digital video computer TV functions such as "PCTV", and high definition television (HDTV) receivers.

FIG. 1B illustrates another example of an electronic device capable of processing and customizing program guide information according to the present invention. As described below, the example system shown in FIG. 1B is an MPEG compatible system for receiving an MPEG encoded transport stream representing a broadcast program. The user interface system is also applicable to other types of digital signal processing apparatus, including MPEG incompatible systems, involving other types of encoded datastreams. Moreover, although the system described below is described as processing broadcast programs, this is merely exemplary. The term 'program' refers to, for example, cable, telephone messages, computer programs, Internet data, audio presentations (eg from remote sources or from local sources such as compact discs or other audio media), visual presentations. Any form of packetization, such as an audiovisual presentation (eg, from a remote source or a local source such as a compact disc or other audio medium), or digital video and / or audio information received via another communication device. It is used to represent the data.

Video and audio decoders 21 and 23 decode the compressed data from transport system 25, respectively, to provide output for display. The data port provides an interface for the communication of compressed data from the transport system 25 to another device, for example a computer or a high definition television (HDTV) receiver. The storage device 31 stores the compressed data from the transport system 25 on the storage medium 33. The device 31 is also controlled by the transport system 25 for decoding, communication with other devices, or storage on various storage media (not shown for simplicity of illustration) in a playback mode. It supports retrieval of compressed data from storage medium 33 for processing.

Referring to FIG. 1B in detail, the carrier modulated with video and / or audio data received by the antenna 10 is converted to digital form and processed by the input processor 15. The processor 15 includes a radio frequency (RF) tuner and an intermediate frequency (IF) mixer and amplification step for down converting the input video signal to a low frequency band suitable for other processing. The final digital output signal is demodulated by demodulator 16 and decoded by decoder 17. The output from the decoder 17 is further processed by the transport system 25 in response to a command from the remote control unit 1125. Transport system 25 provides compressed data output for storage, further decoding, or communication to other devices.

The data provided to the transport system 25 is in the form of an MPEG compliant packetized transport data stream as defined in MPEG System Standards Section 2.4 and includes program guide information and data content of one or more program channels. Individual packets containing a particular program channel are identified via a packet identifier (PID). The transport stream contains program specific information (PSI) for use in identifying PIDs and assembling individual data packets to recover the contents of all program channels including the packetized data stream. Under the control of the system controller 27, the transport system 25 obtains and merges program guide information from the Internet service provider via the input transport stream, the storage device 31 or the communication interface unit 1113. Individual packets containing either specific program channel content or program guide information are identified via a packet identifier (PID) contained within the head information. As discussed above, the description of a program may include various program description fields, such as title, actor, rating, and the like, regarding the program.

The user interface integrated into the video receiver shown in FIG. 1B allows the user to activate various features by selecting the desired characteristics from an on-screen display (OSD) menu. The OSD menu includes an electronic program guide (EPG) as described above and other features discussed below. Data representing information displayed in the OSD menu is generated by the system controller 27 in response to stored program guide information, stored graphic information, and / or program guide and graphic information received via an input signal as described above. do. The software control program can be stored, for example, in an internal memory (not shown) of the system controller 27.

Using the remote control unit 1125 (or other selection means such as a mouse), the user can select, for example, OSD menu items such as icon selection, program viewing, program storage, type and storage of storage media, and scrolling of the EPG. You can choose from. The system controller 27 selects programs for storage and display and selects the selection information provided via the remote unit interface 29 to configure the transport system 25 to generate a PSI suitable for the selected storage device and medium. use. Operation of other known functions of the transport system 25 shown in FIG. 1B is not discussed herein because it is not necessary to understand or implement the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary EPG screen display 72 is shown. Screen display 72 is in grid guide mode, in which program 74 is displayed according to time indicator line 78 for a defined time interval of program channel 76 for a given number. The individual program 74 is shown horizontally adjacent to the corresponding channel 76, with the channel or channels shown on the EPG screen 72 being dependent on user selection and / or system default (s). In FIG. 2, program 74 is outlined by a rectangular program area that is normally colored or shaded against the background 138 color. The horizontal length of the program corresponds to an incremental time interval along the time indicator line 78. Since the program generally has a program length in 30 and / or 60 minute increments, the program rectangle or box may be 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, etc., but is referred to herein as half an hour. The time indicator line 78 is thus shown in segments of half an hour. Title information is shown inside the program area. Programs over half an hour are represented by successive half hour time increment boxes, the total number of boxes corresponding to the total time length of a particular program. Start and end times are indicated by vertical end lines at the beginning and end of the program area corresponding to a particular program. If the program is followed by a length of time longer than the two hour time length window of the EPG, the end arrow 118 replaces the vertical end line. The direction and placement of the arrow 118 depends on whether the program started before or after a time period of two hours (or any segment length) of the EPG. The left pointing arrow replacing the left vertical end line indicates that the program started before the earliest time shown on time indicator line 78. The right pointing arrow replacing the right vertical end line indicates that the program continues beyond the last time shown on time indicator line 78. Since several programs are displayed along an axis (vertical) representing channel 76 and an axis (horizontal) representing time increment 78, such a display is called a grid mode (Grid Guide) control panel display. The grid mode control panel displays seven program channels over two time slots, can cover the entire screen of the display unit, and any program channel number can be displayed.

In addition, screen display 72 includes program guide name 80, current date information 82, time of text format 84, viewing category type 86, inverted program title 88, and viewing guide date. (90) is further displayed. The displayed channel 76 may include channel identification characters below the channel number, for example, "HBO", "CNBC", "MTV" to assist the viewer in easily identifying the desired channel by name. Can be. A menu 92 with a MENU icon is located along the bottom of the screen display 72. This menu gives you access to EPG capabilities and features. When implemented in an EPG system, a cursor (not shown) may be used to access various Internet capabilities and other EPG / Internet functions through various icons located on menu 92. Instead of the cursor, the arrow keys on the remote control or similar device can be used to select the function corresponding to the displayed icon.

Exemplary icons depicted on the EPG screen display 72 and their functions / operations include: an EXIT icon 94 that allows a user to exit the program guide; "?" To provide the user with the help function Icon 96; A USER PREFERENCE icon 98 for selecting user-defined program listings and / or internet related sources; MOVIE icon 100 for selecting movie program listings and / or internet related sources; A SPORTS icon 102 for selecting sports program listings and / or internet related sources; A DOWN ARROW icon 104 providing a page down for the item of the next page in the current guide; An ALL PROGRAMS icon 106 that selects a listing of all available programs; An ALPHABETIC (ALPHA) icon 108 to select an alphabetical program listing; SCOUT icon 110 for selecting results from a user-defined keyword search for future program listings; And OTHER GUIDE icon 112 to select another guided display formatted program listing.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the current time of 5:22 PM, as shown by text display 84 of the current time, is shown on time display line 78 for the program listing currently being shown. Since it is within the program time interval, ie 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the current time is displayed graphically on the EPG screen display 72. Additionally, the current date 82 depicts the graphical current time at hand and may be compared with the viewing date 90 to determine whether this date matches. In FIG. 2, the graphical representation of the current time is a program defined for a particular program (s), extending from the program start to the current time as indicated on time display line 78 if the current time is within the display time interval. The area consists of color changes, shades, and so on. EPGs not only have the ability to scroll up and down program listings universally, but also have the ability to move program listings left and right along the time axis (timeline 78) for incremental time stepping (viewing time shifts). . The direction of color change coincides with the direction of time along the time grid 78. Here, the color change starts along the left side of the program area, i.e. along the start point of the program, and continues from there until a point in time at the present time before the program area ends, i. Color variations, shading, etc. may or may not be linear, and may be single or multiple colors / shading as long as it provides contrast to the background 138.

For example, program "RENEGADE" on channel 101 (USA) starts at 5:00 PM, indicated by the left vertical start line of the program area below about 5:00 PM in time display line 78, and the time of day. It ends at 6:00 PM indicated by the right vertical termination line of the program area below about 6:00 PM on the display line 78. The color change area for "RENEGADE" starts at the left vertical start line of the program area and measures the horizontal distance corresponding to twenty-two (22) minutes (5:00 + 0:22 = 5:22 = current time) along the length. And ends at the right vertical end line at a distance before the time display line 78 becomes 5:30 PM. Program "APOLLO 13" on channel 104 (HBO) starts before 5:00 and ends at 6:30 PM. Thus, there is a left arrow on the left (program start) side of the program area for "APOLLO 13" to indicate that this program has started before the currently viewed time interval and is about 6:00 on the time grid 78. Below is the vertical termination line on the right (end of program) side. The color change area for "APOLLO 13" begins at 5:00 PM in the time grid 78 and extends beyond the 5:00 PM boundary in the timeline 78 to a distance representing twenty-two (22) minutes. Of course, in a similar manner in the opposite direction, the right pointing arrow indicates that the program will end after the time period in which it is currently viewed.

Referring to FIG. 3, another way of graphically representing the current time on the EPG is shown. The EPG screen display 114 shows the program 74 listed for the various channels 76 along the timeline 78 and is thus in grid guide mode. Again, the time interval for the currently viewed program listing is specifically two hours, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. EPG screen display 114 provides essentially the same characteristics / performance as EPG screen display 72. However, in the EPG screen display 114, a background color change or shade is used as a graphical representation to indicate the current time for a program adjacent to the appropriate program area. In one embodiment, the background color change is identified via a color area, ie bar 116, adjacent to the program area and above the program area and thus below the timeline 78.

In FIG. 4, another way of graphically representing the current time on the EPG is shown. The EPG screen display 120 again shows the program 74 listing for the various channels 76 along the timeline 78 and thus is in grid guide mode. EPG screen display 120 provides essentially the same characteristics / performance as EPG screen displays 72 and 114. However, the time bar 122 here is disposed below the time display line 78. The color change or shade in the time bar 122 against the background 138 is used as a graphical representation to represent the current time for the program listing. The color change identifies the same within the time bar 122 above the corresponding program area (s) and below the timeline 78.

In FIG. 5A, another way of graphically representing the current time on the EPG is shown. EPG screen display 124 again shows a program 74 listing for several channels 76 along timeline 78 and is thus in grid guide mode. EPG screen display 124 provides essentially the same characteristics / performance as the preceding EPG screen display of FIGS. However, the vertical hash mark 128 for each horizontal channel program listing herein corresponds to the current time and is located below the timeline 78 as appropriate. Tick mark 126, here a triangular mark, can be used as a graphical representation to represent the current time for a program in the same way as a hash mark. Tick mark 126 and hash mark 128 correspond to the current time and are associated with time display line 78. Thus, the relative position of the tick mark and the hash mark with respect to the timeline 78 provides the current intuitive current time in graphical form.

In FIG. 5B, EPG screen display 124 is shown, where program 74 is within a program area defined by an insertion area generated graphically. For a graphical depiction of the current time, hash mark 128 and tick mark 126 are used in the same manner as defined in connection with FIG. 5A.

In the operation of an exemplary multimedia system that provides such an EPG, activating the EPG feature button, for example by pressing the GUIDE key from the DSS view (or selecting "PROGRAM GUIDE" from the main menu), is a detailed guided control panel mode. The program guide (EPG) can be displayed. Pressing the GUIDE key every second will display the program guide in SURF GUIDE mode, while pressing the GUIDE key again will display the program guide in grid guide mode. In grid guide, detailed guide, and surf guide modes, line 78 represents the current time.

In FIG. 6, a detailed guide mode EPG screen display 128 is depicted. In detailed guide mode, the format of the EPG includes five channels 76 over a two-hour time slot / time grid 78, five line descriptions 130 on the inverted program, and other information as described above. Can be changed for display. In the detailed guide mode, the second color inversion remains on the final inversion program when the user moves to the softkeys. The program information for the program remains even if the user scrolls down the guide, even if the second reverse color is scrolled so that the second reverse color remains on the bottom line of the program area. EPG screen display 128 is depicted to show that other types of screen displays may use graphical representation (s) of the current time as described above in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

7 depicts an EPG screen display 132 for an EPG in surf guide mode in which no interactive channel banner is displayed. However, the EGP screen 132 actually includes a program guide name 80, a viewing guide date 90, a channel 76 and a time grid 78. While in surfguide mode, live video is displayed in the video display area 134 located within the screen display. The live video may be an inverted program, an internet display, or other video signal provided to the display. Additionally, title 136 can be displayed at the bottom of the screen. The title 136 may be an inverted program for the video in the video display area 134, or other video provided.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the style of the EPG screen display can be used in any style of graphical representation of the current time in the program listing. Therefore, any method of graphical representation of the current time can be used in any representation manner of the program area in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a simplified system hardware block diagram depicting the configuration of a system capable of generating an EPG, specifically an EPG as shown above and having various functions and capabilities in accordance with the principles of the present invention presented herein. Is shown. The tuner / receiver 20 receives input audio and / or video signals from several sources, both known and terrestrial and satellite sources, and provides the same signal to the demultiplexer 24 via the communication / data bus 22. do. Demultiplexer 24 demultiplexes the incoming signal from tuner / receiver 20 and sends the video portion containing the video of the selected program of the incoming signal to video decoder 26 via communication / data bus / line 28. Send. Under instruction from microprocessor 34 via communication / data line 38, video decoder 26 provides a decoded signal to display 30 via communication / data line 32. Demultiplexer 24 communicates with microprocessor 34 via communication / data line 36 during control of video decoder 26.

Demultiplexer 24 also stores another portion of the demultiplexed incoming signal for EPG data under communication from microprocessor 34 to memory 46 via communication / data line 50. EPG data is stored in memory 46 until such data is needed. Microprocessor 34 is under the direction of stored program 42, via communication / data line 44. The EPG data stored in the memory 46 is provided to the video decoder 26 for viewing on the display 30 when the display 30 is in the EPG display mode. Display 30 also communicates with microprocessor 34 via a communication / data line 40.

In one embodiment, tuner / receiver 20 tunes to channel broadcast starsite (EPG) data for a specific time in accordance with program 42. During data reception, demultiplexer 24 controlled by microprocessor 34 under instruction by program 42 stores EPG data in memory 46. During viewing, demultiplexer 24 also provides video information to display 30 under control by video decoder 26 and microprocessor 34. When activated, EPG data from memory 46 is displayed on display 30 containing the current graphical representation of the current time.

FIG. 9 shows a simplified flow chart 52 that defines the functionality of the software for generating an EPG according to the present invention, which may be used with the system depicted in FIG. 8 and now further reference is made here. Activation of the EPG can occur when the user presses the appropriate EPG key, such as the GUIDE key, directly from the broadcast system (DBS) viewing display via a remote device or other similar manner. When the EPG mode is activated by the user, under the control of program 42, microprocessor 34 receives a program guide screen request (54) and displays various parameters (e.g., program guides) for depicting on display 30. Time boundary, current screen time boundary, and current time). Once these parameters have been determined, the program 42 determines 58 that there is a current time within the current screen time boundary that the program is being displayed / displayed on the display 30 (58). If the current time is not within the current screen time boundary, the viewer is looking at future programming on the grid and the current time need not be displayed. After making a "no" decision, the program depicts an on-screen program guide (60). However, if the current time is within the current screen time boundary (58), the current time is converted to a horizontal (or vertical) screen pixel position using the same transfer function used for the program or event in the program guide display (62). After transformation 62, the screen pixel position is used to depict a graphical representation of the current time at the program box or the correct position on the grid of the program guide (64). Thus, the on-screen program guide is depicted on display 30 (60) and the program continues to normal (66).

FIG. 10 is an exemplary software listing designed to implement the functionality shown in the flowchart 52 of FIG. 9. Source code 70 determines various parameters (program guide and current screen time boundary and current time) 56, indicating that the user is viewing a listing of the show currently shown on display 30, Determine if the current time is within the current screen time boundary (58). Source code 70 then generates a graphical representation of the current time and places the graphical representation of the current time into the EPG channel / program versus time grid.

In one embodiment of a multimedia system, such as a DBS system, program guide information is continuously transmitted to and updated from the DBS system, which may support multiple guides. The Master Program Guide is sent on all transponders, other guides can be sent on other transponders and mapped from the master program guide. This master program guide contains a listing of all current programming, while other guides can be used for future programming.

Although the invention has been described as having a preferred design, the invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, this application is intended to cover any adaptations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using general principles. Moreover, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present invention as would come within ordinary practice or known in the art to which this invention pertains and which are within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims (21)

As an electronic program guide display screen, A plurality of cells, each cell comprising an identifying indicia representing each broadcast program and having a length that depends on the duration of the broadcast program identified by the identification marker, wherein the programs associated with each broadcast channel are identified. A plurality of cells, each divided into a plurality of groups, A time line comprising a mark representing a time block extending along an axis across the display screen, wherein each of the plurality of cells represents a mark on the time line representing a particular time interval over which the identified program is broadcast; Are arranged in groups of cells with Here, the current time is graphically displayed in association with the program-related information so that all full and partial cells arranged on one side of the current time shown on the time line are in the first color. The cell before time becomes the first color, All complete cells and partial cells arranged on the opposite side of the current time are the second color, and the cells after the current time become the second color, The current time comprises a time line, continuously updated, Electronic program guide display screen. The electronic program guide display of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cells are each selectable by a user to obtain additional information about the selected cell, wherein the selected cell is identified by highlighting the identification marker. screen. The portion of the selected cell on the opposite side of the current time, wherein the portion of the selected cell on the one side of the current time represented by the time line is the first color; Electronic program guide display screen, the second color. 2. The cell of claim 1, wherein the cells of the first color appearing on one side of the current time represented by the time line are shaded and disposed on the opposite side of the current time represented by the time line. And the cells of the second color are not shaded. The electronic program guide display screen of claim 1 wherein the time line extends horizontally across the display screen. A method of generating an electronic program guide display screen, Creating a time line comprising an indicia representing a time block; Displaying the time line along an axis across the display screen; Generating a plurality of cells, each cell comprising identifying an indicator indicative of each broadcast program, the length being dependent on the duration of the broadcast program identified by the indicator; Generating a plurality of cells, wherein the plurality of cells are divided into a plurality of groups each representing a program associated with each broadcast channel; Arranging the plurality of each cell in each group on the display screen with a marker on the time line indicating a specific time period during which the identified program is broadcast; Graphically displaying the current time in association with the program related information; Coloring all complete cells and partial cells disposed on one side of the current time indicated in the time line with a first color, so that cells before the current time are colored with the first color; Coloring all complete cells and partial cells disposed on opposite sides of the current time in a second color, so that cells after the current time are colored in the second color; And Continuously updating the current time; How to create an electronic program guide display screen. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: selecting one of the plurality of cells by a user to obtain additional information about the selected cell, and Highlighting the identification mark of the selection cell. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein coloring the cell with a first color on the one side of the current time comprises shading a cell of the first color, Coloring the cell disposed on the opposite side of the current time with a second color comprises leaving the cell of the second color unshaded. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the time line extends horizontally across the display screen. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete