MXPA05010857A - Method and apparatus for selecting broadcast programs - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for selecting a broadcast program is conducive for worldwide or global use. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of receiving a first user input representing a first digit associated with the broadcast program, storing first data representing the first digit within one (T1) of a first predetermined time interval for a first region and a second predetermined time interval for a second region, and processing the first data for selecting the broadcast program.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING TRANSMITTED PROGRAMS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to a technique for selecting transmitted programs, and more in particular, to a method and apparatus for selecting transmitted programs that are suitable for global or global use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In certain conventional products, such as television signal receivers, a tuner incorporated therein may require that users select a broadcast program by entering (eg, through a remote control device) one or more digits that represent a channel / program number. Although it is a very rudimentary task, the selection of a broadcast program is very important, since it is a task that users perform virtually every day. In accordance with this, it is desirable that the task of selecting a broadcast program be simple for users to understand and perform. In some geographic regions, such as North America (for example, the United States and Canada) and South America, the digits entered by the user to select a broadcast program can be referred to as the channel number, while in other geographical regions, such as in Europe and Asia, these digits can be called as a program number. As it is called here, however, the terms "channel" and "program" can be used interchangeably. User perceptions and interaction methods related to channel / program selection can vary greatly in different regions of the world due to differences inherent in culture and / or transmitted programming. For example, in North and South America, cable and satellite television service providers often offer more than 100 channels / programs, which is the opposite of some countries in Europe and Asia, where transmissions with less than 10 channels / programs are very popular. Due to such differences, the same techniques for selecting transmitted programs, in the form in which they are currently found, are not used on a global or global basis, since such differences tend to create different perceptions for the user and different methods. of interaction related to the channel / program selection transmitted. The lack of a technique to select channels / programs that is appropriate for use on a global basis is problematic for several reasons. In particular, it requires that manufacturers of electronic consumables develop software versions (that is, one for each individual region) to enable channel / program selection. Since the interaction methods for selecting channels / programs in different regions can vary greatly, a significant amount of resources can be devoted to the development of different software versions. The requirement of multiple (and probably very different) versions of software, in turn, increases the costs of product development, which is generally not convenient for the manufacturers and / or consumers of the product. Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus for selecting transmitted programs that addresses the above problems, and therefore, is appropriate for use on a global or global basis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for selecting a transmitted program is described. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises the steps of receiving a first user input, which represents a first digit associated with the transmitted program, storing the first data representing the first digit within a first predetermined time interval for a first region and a second predetermined time interval for a second region and processing the first data to select the transmitted program. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is described. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a tuning means for tuning a frequency offered by the transmitted program. A memory means stores the first data representing the first digit associated with the program transmitted in response to the user's first input. The memory means stores the first data within a first predetermined time interval for a first region and a second predetermined time interval for a second region. A processing means that processes the first data and controls the tuning means to select the transmitted program. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a television signal receiver is described. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the television signal receiver comprises a tuner that operates to tune a frequency that provides a transmitted program. A memory operates to store the first data representing a first digit associated with the program transmitted in response to the user's first input. The memory stores the first data within a first predetermined time interval for a first region and a second predetermined time interval for a second region. A processor operates to process the first data and to control the tuner to select the transmitted program. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, another method for selecting a transmitted program is described. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises the steps of receiving a first user input representing a first digit associated with the transmitted program, receiving a second user input representing a second digit associated with the transmitted program, processing data. which correspond to the first and second user inputs to select the transmitted program when the second digit is in the first group of digits, and wait for a third user input representing a third digit associated with the transmitted program without selecting the transmitted program when the second digit is in the second group of digits, where the first group of digits is different from the second group of digits. In accordance also with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is described. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a tuning means for tuning the frequencies offered by the transmitted programs. A processing means detects a first user input representing a first digit associated with a transmitted program and a second user input represents a second digit associated with the transmitted program. The processing means processes data corresponding to the first and second user inputs to select the transmitted program when the second digit is in the first group of digits. The processing means waits for a third user input representing the third digit associated with the transmitted program without selecting the transmitted program when the second digit is in the second group of digits. The first group of digits is different from the second group of digits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of achieving them, will be apparent and the invention will be better understood by referring to the following description of the embodiments of the invention, when taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an exemplary environment suitable for implementing the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram that provides further details of the apparatus of Figure 1, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a diagram representing a program selection technique transmitted in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and Figure 4 is a diagram representing a program selection technique transmitted in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The examples set forth herein illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention, and such examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1, an exemplary environment 100 is shown for implementing the present invention. As indicated in Figure 1, the environment 100 comprises an input means such as a user input device 10, and a channel / program receiving means such as the apparatus 20. The user input device 10 operates to generate and emitting control signals that control the operation of the apparatus 20 and / or other devices. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the user's input device 10 includes a plurality of input keys and outputs control signals in a wired and / or wireless manner (e.g., through infrared link or radio frequency, etc.). ) that respond to the pressing of their input keys. The control signals emitted from the user's input device 10 may, for example, represent one or more digits of a channel / program number and / or other commands controlling the apparatus 20. The user's input device 10 may for example , be incorporated as a manual remote control device, a wired and / or wireless keyboard or other user input device. The apparatus 20 operates to receive transmitted channels / programs (e.g., television programs, radio programs, etc.) provided from one or more sources of transmission as a source of terrestrial, cable, satellite, Internet and / or other transmission. transmission source, which responds to user inputs through the user's input device 10. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 20 is incorporated as a television signal receiver, but can be incorporated as any device or apparatus such as a radio with a transmitted channel / program receiving function. With reference to Figure 2, a block diagram is shown which provides further details of the apparatus 20 of Figure 1, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 20 of Figure 2 comprises a front panel means such as a front panel assembly (FPA) 11, an amplifying means such as the amplifier 12, a processing means such as the processor 13, a memory medium such as the memory 14. , and a tuning means such as the tuner 15. Some of the above elements of Figure 2 can be incorporated with the use of integrated circuits (IC) and some elements can be included, for example, in one or more IC. For clarity of description, certain conventional elements associated with the apparatus 20 such as certain control signals, energy signals and / or other elements may not appear in Figure 2. The FPA 11 operates to receive the user inputs from the device 10 of user input, and to output signals corresponding to the user inputs to the amplifier 12. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the FPA 11 receives wireless signals, such as IR and / or FR signals from the remote control device 10 and generates corresponding signals that are emitted to the amplifier 12. The amplifier 12 operates to amplify the signals provided from the FPA 11 to emit them to the processor 13. The processor 13 operates to perform various signal processing functions of the apparatus 20. According to an exemplary embodiment, the processor 13 can execute a software code that represents algorithms that allow channel / program selection in accordance with the present invention. According to an exemplary embodiment, the processor 13 operates to detect the user inputs provided through the user's input device 10, process the data corresponding to such input and can control the device 20 and / or other devices that respond to such tickets. For example, the processor 13 can generate and output control signals that control the tuner 15 that responds to user inputs provided through the user's input device 10. The processor 13 also operates to control and monitor various synchronizers, and allow different deployments used for channel / program selection in accordance with the present invention. The memory 14 operates to carry out the data storage functions of the apparatus 20. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the memory 14 stores data including a software code representing the channel / program selection algorithms executed by the processor 13. The memory 14 can also store other data that includes the data corresponding to the user inputs (eg, channel / program digits, user setting data for the apparatus 20, etc.) provided through the device 10 of user input. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the user adjustment processor of the apparatus 20 may allow the user to enter user adjustment data including the applicable region and / or the transmission source for the apparatus 20. The applicable region of the apparatus 20 may for example, referring to a geographic region (eg, Europe, Asia, North America, South America, etc.), and / or a service provider region. Here, the "service provider region" can refer to a region that receives programs transmitted from a particular service provider (for example, an Internet service provider, a cable service provider, a satellite service provider, etc.) .). The transmission source applicable to the apparatus 20 can be referred to a type of transmission source (eg, cable, terrestrial, satellite, Internet, etc.) from which the apparatus 20 will receive the transmitted programs. As will be described later, the selection of the transmitted program can be executed in different ways in accordance with the present invention, depending on the applicable region and / or the transmission source for the apparatus 20. For example, different ranges can be used. predetermined time when the selection of the transmitted program is executed depending on the applicable region and / or the transmission source for the apparatus 20. The data indicating the applicable region and / or the transmission source for the apparatus 20 can also be stored in the memory 14 during the manufacture of the apparatus 20. The tuner 15 operates to tune frequencies that provide signals including audio, video and / or data signals that represent the transmitted programs (e.g., television programs, radio programs, etc.). ) provided from one or more sources of transmission, such as sources of terrestrial transmission, cable, satellite, Intern et and / or another source of transmission. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the tuner 15 selectively tunes such frequencies in response to the control signals provided from the processor 13. Referring now to Figure 3, a diagram is shown 300 representing a program selection technique transmitted in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. In particular, diagram 300 illustrates different user states and interactions associated with the broadcast program selection technique that can be used for the 1-digit and / or 2-digit channel / program numbers. The transmitted program selection technique of Figure 3 can be used, for example for terrestrial transmissions in regions such as North America, South America, Europe and Asia, cable transmissions in regions such as North and South America, as well as other types of transmissions as transmissions Internet in several regions of the world. As indicated above, users may select an applicable region such as a geographic region and / or a region of the service provider during the process of adjusting the apparatus 20. For exemplary and explanatory purposes, Figure 3 will be described with reference to apparatus 20 of Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 3, several abbreviations can be used as follows: • CH / PR represents the channel / program transmitted. • T1 represents a predetermined time interval. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, T1 may represent a first predetermined time interval (e.g., 1 second, etc.), which may be used for a first region (e.g., Europe / Asia, first region of the service provider, etc.) and / or a second predetermined longer time interval (e.g., 1.5 seconds) that can be used for a second region (e.g., North / South America, a second region of the service provider, etc.). • T2 represents another predetermined time interval (for example, 1.5 seconds, etc.) • T5 represents another predetermined time interval (for example, 5 seconds, etc.) • D represents a digit (for example, DX-Y) represents the digits X to Y).

The state 2 represents a state of deployment that provides the CH / PR number and / or the CH / PR name. V represents valid. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the CH / PR and / or its number may be considered valid when it is different from the current CH / PR, different from the digit 0, in the CH / PR range from 1 to 99 for transmissions in certain regions (for example, Europe / Asia, certain regions of the service provider, etc.) in the CH / PR range from 2 to 69 for terrestrial transmissions in certain regions (for example, North America / South America, certain regions of the service provider). service, etc.) and / or in the CH / PR range from 1 to 125 for cable transmissions in certain regions (for example, North / South America, certain regions of the service provider, etc.). Other conditions can also be used to consider validity.

In Figure 3, the selection of the transmitted program begins when the user enters a first digit D through the user input device 10, which creates a state 1 represented by the reference number 310. In state 1 of Figure 3, the apparatus 20 offers a "D" - display, under the control of the processor 13, but no change occurs in the current CH / PR. Also in state 1 of Figure 3, processor 13 starts a predetermined time interval T1, and data corresponding to the first digit D is stored in memory 14 within this predetermined time interval T1, under the control of the processor 13. In Figure 3, a first predetermined time interval, such as 1 second or other time interval can be used for the time interval T1 in a first region (eg, Europe / Asia, a first provider region of service, etc.) or a second predetermined time interval longer than 1.5 seconds or another time interval can be used for example, for the time interval T1 in a second region (e.g., North America / South America, a second region of the service provider, etc). All time intervals referred to here are presumed to be positive time intervals (ie, not zero). From state 1 of Figure 3, the process flow can advance to state 2 represented by reference number 320. The process flow proceeds from state 1 to state 2 of Figure 3, when the predetermined time interval T1 expires before the processor 13 detects another user input, as represented by the reference number 312. In state 2 of Figure 3, apparatus 20 continues to provide display "D-", and processor 13 makes a determination to see if the number CH / PR represented by the first digit D is valid in the manner described above. When the number CH / PR represented by the first digit D is valid, the processor 13 issues a control signal to the tuner 15 in order to switch the current CH / PR to the CH / PR D. Conversely, when the number CH / PR represented by the first digit D is invalid, no change occurs in the current CH / PR. Also in state 2 of Figure 3, processor 13 starts another predetermined time interval T2. In Figure 3, the predetermined time interval, such as 1.5 seconds or another time interval can be used for the time interval T2. From state 1 of Figure 3, the process flow can advance to state 3 represented by reference number 330. The process flow progresses from state 1 to state 3 in Figure 3 when the processor 13 detects that the user entered an "OK" key of the user's input device 10 before the predetermined time period T1 expires, as represented by the reference number 317. In state 3 of Figure 3, the apparatus 20 temporarily provides the "D" display and is then switched to the state 2 display as described above under the control of the processor 13. Also in the state 3 of Figure 3, the Processor 13 makes a determination to see if the number CH / PR represented by the first digit D is valid in the manner described above. When the number CH / PR represented by the first digit D is valid, the processor 13 issues a control signal to the tuner 15 in order to switch the current CH / PR to CH / PR D. Conversely, when the number CH / PR represented by the first digit D is invalid, no change occurs in the current CH / PR. From state 1 of Figure 3, the process flow can advance to the state 5 represented by the reference number 350. The process flow proceeds from state 1 to state 5 in Figure 3, when the processor 13 detects that the user entered a second digit D through the user's input device 10 before the time period T1 expires and the first and second DD digits are not 00, as represented by the reference number 322. In state 5 of Figure 3, the apparatus 20 temporarily provides the "DD" display and then is switched to a status display 2 as described above under the control of the processor 13. Also in state 5 of Figure 3, the processor 13 makes a determination to see if the number CH / PR represented by the first and second digits DD is valid in the manner described above. When the number CH / PR represented by the first and second digits is valid, the processor 13 issues a control signal to the tuner 15 in order to switch the current CH / PR to a CH / PR DD. Conversely, when the number CH / PR represented by the first and second digits DD is invalid, no change occurs in the current CH / PR. From state 1 of Figure 3, the process flow can advance to the state 6 represented with the reference number 360. The process flow proceeds from state 1 to state 6 of Figure 3 when the first digit D is 0 and processor 13 detects that the user entered a second digit 0 through the user's input device 10 before the expiration of the predetermined time period T1, as represented by the reference number 327. In state 6 of Figure 3, apparatus 20 provides the display "-" under the control of processor 13, and no change occurs in the current CH / PR. Also in state 6 of Figure 3, processor 13 starts another predetermined time interval T5. In Figure 3, a predetermined time interval of 5 seconds or another time interval can be used for the time interval T5. From state 2 of Figure 3, the process flow can advance to state 4 as represented by the reference number 340. The process flow progresses from state 2 to state 4 of Figure 3 when the predetermined time interval T2 expires, before the processor 13 detects another user input, as represented by the reference number 332. In state 4 of Figure 3, the apparatus 20 provides the deployment status 2 as described above, and no change occurs in the CH / PR. From state 2 of Figure 3, the process flow can advance to state 6 as described above. The process flow progresses from state 2 to state 6 in Figure 3, when the first digit D is 0 and in processor 13 it detects a second digit 0 of user input through the user's input device 10 before the user expires. T2 period of predetermined time, as represented by the reference number 337. From state 6 of Figure 3, the process flow can advance to state 1, as described above. The process flow proceeds from state 6 to state 1 of Figure 3 when the user enters a digit 0 through the user's input device 10 before the predetermined time period T5 expires, as represented by the number 342 of reference. From state 6 of Figure 3, the process flow can advance to state 7 represented with reference number 370. The process flow progresses from state 6 to state 7 of Figure 3 when the processor 13 detects that the user entered a digit D from 1 to 9 through the user's input device 10 before the time period T5 expires, as represented by the reference number 347. In state 7 of Figure 3, apparatus 20 provides a "D-" display under the control of processor 13, but no change occurs in the current CH / PR. Also in state 7 of Figure 3, the processor starts the predetermined time interval T5. From state 6 of Figure 3, the process flow can advance to state 8, as represented by the reference number 380. The process flow proceeds from state 6 to state 8 of Figure 3, when the predetermined time period T5 expires before the processor 13 detects another user input, as represented by the reference number 352. In state 8 of Figure 3, the apparatus 20 provides a blank display under the control of the processor 13 and no change occurs in the current CH / PR. From state 7 of Figure 3, the process flow can advance to state 5, as indicated above. Process flow progresses from state 7 to state 5 of Figure 3 when processor 13 detects that the user entered another digit D before the predetermined time period T5 expired, as represented by reference number 357. From state 7 of Figure 3, the process flow advances to state 8, as indicated above. Process flow progresses from state 7 to state 8 of Figure 3, when the predetermined time period T5 expires before processor 13 detects another user input, as represented by reference number 352. Referring now to Figure 4, a diagram is shown 400 which represents a program selection technique transmitted in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. In particular, the diagram 400 illustrates different states and user interactions associated with the technique of selecting a transmitted program that can be used for channels / programs of 1 digit, 1 digit and / or 3 digits. For exemplary and illustrative purposes, it is assumed that in Figure 4 the first digit of entry is 1, although it may be intuitive for those skilled in the art that the principles reflected in Figure 4 can also be used when the first digit of entry it is not 1. The transmitted program selection technique of Figure 4 can be used for example, for cable transmissions in regions such as North and South America, as well as other types of transmissions such as Internet transmissions in various regions of the world. Figure 4 also uses many abbreviations used in Figure 3, as described above. Also, for exemplary and explanatory purposes, Figure 4 will be described with reference to the apparatus 20 of Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 4, the selection of the transmitted program begins when the user enters a digit 1 through the input device 10. of the user, whereby the state 1 represented with the reference number 410 is created. In state 1 of Figure 4, apparatus 20 provides a display "1 -" under the control of processor 13, but no change occurs in the current CH / PR. Also in state 1 of Figure 4, the processor 13 starts the predetermined time interval T2, and the data corresponding to the digit 1 is stored in the memory 14 within the predetermined time interval T2 under the control of the processor 13. In the Figure 4, a predetermined time interval such as 1.5 seconds or another time interval can be used for the time interval T2. From state 1 of Figure 4, the process flow can advance to state 2 represented by reference number 420. The process flow proceeds from state 1 to state 2 of Figure 4 when the predetermined time interval T2 expires before the processor detects another user input, as represented by the reference number 412. In state 2 of Figure 4, the apparatus 20 provides a blank display under the control of the processor 13 and no change occurs in the current CH / PR. From state 1 of Figure 4, the process flow can advance to state 3 represented by reference number 430. The process flow progresses from state 1 to state 3 in Figure 4 when the processor 13 detects that the user entered the "OK" key of the user's input device 10 before the predetermined time period T2 expires, as shown. with reference number 417. In state 3 of Figure 4, the apparatus 20 temporarily provides the display "1" and is switched to the display of the state 2 as described above under the control of the processor 13. Also, in the state 3 of Figure 4, the processor 13 issues a control signal to tuner 15 to thereby switch the current CH / PR to CH / PR 1. From state 1 of Figure 4, the process flow can advance to state 4 represented with reference number 440. The flow of the process advances from state 1 to state 4 of Figure 4 when the processor 13 detects that the user entered a digit D from 3 to 9 through the user's input device 10 before the predetermined time period T2 expired. , as represented by reference number 422. In state 4 of Figure 4, the apparatus 20 temporarily provides the "1D" display and is switched to the state 2 display as described above under the control of the processor 13. Also in state 4 of Figure 4, the processor 13 outputs a control signal to tuner 15 to switch the current CH / PR to CH / PR 1D. From state 1 of Figure 4, the flow of the process can advance to the state 5 represented with the reference number 450. The flow of the process advances from state 1 to state 5 in Figure 4, when the processor 13 detects that the user entered a digit D from 0 to 2 through the user's input device 10 before the expiration of the time period T2 default, as represented by the reference number 427. In state 5 of Figure 4, apparatus 20 provides the display "1D-" under the control of processor 13 and no change occurs in the current CH / PR. Also in state 5 of Figure 4, processor 13 again starts the predetermined time interval T2. From state 5 of Figure 4, the process flow can advance to state 4, as indicated above. The process flow progresses from state 5 to state 4 of Figure 4 when the processor 13 detects that the user entered the "OK" key of the user's input device 10 before the predetermined time period T2 expired, as shown. with the number 432. From state 5 of Figure 4, the process flow advances to the state 6 represented with the reference number 460. The process flow proceeds from state 5 to state 6 in Figure 4 when the predetermined time interval T2 expires before the processor 13 detects another user input, as represented by the reference number 437. In state 6 of Figure 4, the apparatus 20 provides the display "1D" and the processor 13 issues a control signal to the tuner 15 to switch the current CH / PR to the CH / PR 1D. Also in state 6 of Figure 4, processor 13 again starts the predetermined time interval T2. From the state 5 of Figure 4, the process flow can advance from the state 8 represented with the reference number 480. The flow of the process advances from state 5 to state 8 of Figure 4 when the processor 13 detects that the user entered a digit D through the user's input device 10 before the predetermined time period T2 expired, as shown. with reference number 442. In state 8 of Figure 4, the apparatus 20 temporarily provides the "1DD" display and is switched to the state 2 display as indicated above, under the control of the processor 13. Also in the state 8 of Figure 4, the processor 13 makes a determination to see if the number CH / PR represented by the digits 1DD is valid in the manner described above. When the number CH / PR represented by the digits 1DD is valid, the processor 13 issues a control signal to the tuner 15 to switch the current CH / PR to CH / PR 1DD. Conversely, when the CH / PR number represented by the 1DD digits is invalid, no change occurs in the current CH / PR.

From state 6 of Figure 4, the process flow can advance to state 7 represented by reference number 470. The process flow proceeds from state 6 to state 7 in Figure 4 when the predetermined time interval T2 expires before the processor 13 detects another user input, as represented by the reference number 447. In state 7 of Figure 4, the apparatus 20 provides for the deployment of state 2 as indicated above, under the control of processor 13 and no change occurs in the current CH / PR. From state 6 of Figure 4, the process flow can advance to state 8 as described above. The process flow proceeds from state 6 to state 8 in Figure 4 when the processor 13 detects that the user entered a digit D through the user's input device 10 before the predetermined time period T2 expires, as shown. with reference number 442. There may be many variations of the selection techniques of a transmitted program of Figures 3 and 4, and they will fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the CH / PR deployments referred to in Figures 3 and 4 may be omitted based on the design option. As described above, the present invention provides an apparatus for selecting broadcast programs that is appropriate globally or globally. The geographical regions expressly mentioned herein are only examples and the present invention can be applied in other geographical regions. In addition, the present invention can be applied in several apparatuses having a channel / program receiving function, either with or without a deployment device. Accordingly, the phrase "television signal receiver" as used herein may refer to systems or apparatus that include, but are not limited to, television sets, radios, computers or monitors that include a display device and systems or devices such as transcoders, video cartridge recorders (VCRs), digital versatile disc players (DVDs), video game boxes, personal video recorders (PVRs), computers, or other devices that may not include a display device. While this invention has been described with a preferred design, the present invention can be modified within the spirit and scope of this description. Therefore, this application is for the purpose of encompassing any variation, use or adaptation of the invention with the use of its general principles. Furthermore, this application is intended to encompass such sections of the present invention that fall within the practice known or accustomed in the art to which the invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims (30)

1. A method for selecting a transmitted program, characterized in that it comprises: receiving a first user input representing a first digit associated with the transmitted program; storing the first data representing the first digit within a (T1) of a first predetermined time interval for a first region and a second predetermined time interval for a second region; and process the first data to select the transmitted program.

The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: the first predetermined time interval is shorter than the second predetermined time interval; and the first data is processed after one of the first and second predetermined time intervals expires.

The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: receiving a second user input representing a second digit associated with the program transmitted within one of the first and second predetermined time intervals; and process the second data to select the transmitted program.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: receiving the second user input representing the second digit associated with the transmitted program within a third predetermined time interval (T2) after one of the first and second intervals of predetermined time has expired; and process the second data to select the transmitted program.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first region includes Europe and Asia.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the second region comprises North and South America.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: the first region receives the first programs transmitted from a first service provider; and the second region receives the second programs transmitted from a second service provider.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: enabling the user to be selected from one of the first region and the second region; and storing data corresponding to one of the first region and the second region that respond to the selection of the user.

9. An apparatus (20) characterized in that it comprises: a tuning means (15) for tuning a frequency that provides the transmitted program; a memory means (14) for storing the first data representing the first digit associated with the transmitted program in response to the first user input, the memory means (14) stores the first data within a (T1) of a first predetermined time interval for a first region and a second predetermined time interval for a second region; and a processing means (13) for processing the first data and controlling the tuning means (15) to select the transmitted program.

The apparatus (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that: the first predetermined time interval is shorter than the second predetermined time interval; the processing means (13) processes the first data after one of the first and second predetermined time intervals has expired.

The apparatus (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that the processing means (13): detects a second user input representing a second digit associated with the program transmitted within one of the first and second time intervals predetermined; and process the second data to select the transmitted program.

The apparatus (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that the processing means (13): detect a second user input representing a second digit with the program transmitted within a third predetermined time interval (T2) after which one of the first and second predetermined time intervals has expired; and process the second data to select the transmitted program.

The apparatus (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that the first region includes Europe and Asia.

14. The apparatus (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that the second region comprises North and South America.

The apparatus (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that: the first region receives the first programs transmitted from a first service provider; and the second region receives the second programs transmitted from a second service provider.

The apparatus (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that the memory means (14) stores data corresponding to one of the first region and the second region and responds to the selection of the user of one of the first region. and of the second region.

17. A television signal receiver (20), characterized in that it comprises: a tuner (15) that operates to tune a frequency that provides the transmitted program; a memory (14) that operates to store the first data representing the first digit associated with the program transmitted in response to the user's first input, wherein the memory (14) stores the first data within a (T1) of a first predetermined time interval for a first region and a second predetermined time interval for a second region; and a processor (13) that operates to process the first data and control the tuner (15) to select the transmitted program.

The apparatus (20) according to claim 17, characterized in that: the first predetermined time interval is shorter than the second predetermined time interval; the processor (13) processes the first data after one of the first and second predetermined time intervals has expired.

19. The television signal receiver (20) according to claim 17, characterized in that the processor (13) also operates to: detect a second user input representing a second digit associated with the program transmitted within one of the first and second predetermined time intervals; and process the second data to select the transmitted program.

20. The television signal receiver (20) according to claim 17, characterized in that the processor (13) also operates to: detect a second user input representing a second digit with the program transmitted within a third interval ( T2) of predetermined time after one of the first and second predetermined time intervals has expired; and process the second data to select the transmitted program.

21. The television signal receiver (20) according to claim 17, characterized in that the first region includes Europe and Asia.

22. The television signal receiver (20) according to claim 17, characterized in that the second region comprises North and South America.

23. The television signal receiver (20) according to claim 17, characterized in that: the first region receives the first programs transmitted from a first service provider; and the second region receives the second programs transmitted from a second service provider.

24. The television signal receiver (20) according to claim 17, characterized in that the memory also operates to store data corresponding to a first region and a second region, in response to the selection of the user from one of the first region. and of the second region.

25. A method for selecting a transmitted program, characterized in that it comprises: receiving a first user input representing a first digit associated with the transmitted program; receive a second user input representing a second digit associated with the transmitted program; processing data corresponding to the first and second user inputs to select the transmitted program when the second digit is in the first group of digits; and waiting for a third user input representing a third digit associated with the transmitted program without selecting the transmitted program when the second digital is in the second group of digits, wherein the first group of digits is different from the second group of digits.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that: the first group of digits includes from 3 to 9; and the second group of digits includes from 0 to 2.

27. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that it further comprises: starting a predetermined time interval (T2) in response to the user's first input; and wherein the second user input is received within the predetermined time interval (T2).

28. An apparatus (20) characterized in that it comprises: a tuning means (15) for tuning frequencies that the transmitted programs provide; a processing means (13) for detecting the first user input representing a first digit associated with the transmitted program and a second user input representing a second digit associated with the transmitted program; wherein the processing means (13) processes the data corresponding to the first and second inputs of the user to select the transmitted program when the second digit is in the first group of digits; and wherein the processing means (13) waits for a third user input representing a third digit associated with the transmitted program without selecting the transmitted program when the second digit is in the second group of digits, wherein the first group of digits is different from the second group of digits.

29. The apparatus (20) according to claim 28, characterized in that: the first group of digits includes from 3 to 9; and the second group of digits includes from 0 to 2.

30. The apparatus (20) according to claim 28, characterized in that: the processing means (13) starts at a predetermined time interval (T2) in response to a first user input; and the second user input is detected by the processing means (13) within the predetermined time interval (T2).