JP2002507866A - Graphical display of current time by electronic program guide - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Summary The EPG (Electronic Program Guide) system 1000 includes an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) (72, 114, 120) that includes a graphical display (116, 122, 126, 128) of the current time with respect to the program area (74). , 124, 128, 132), the viewer can intuitively evaluate the current time for a particular program, and can also evaluate the remaining time of that program. Graphical display of the current time is implemented by a change in the color of the program area with respect to the background (shading), a change in the background color of the graphical time line adjacent to the program area, or a hash mark / check mark (128/126). . Such display of the current time within the program area (74) and for programs on channel (76) is associated with an increment of the time line (78) indicating the length of the currently displayed program.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control system for an electronic device such as a television receiver and a personal computer (PC), and more particularly to providing information to a user and simplifying use of the device. The present invention relates to a control system including a user interface system. One example of such a user interface is an electronic program guide in a television system.
e: EPG).

BACKGROUND EPG of the invention, the on-screen display of the interactive format (On-Screen Displ
ay: OSD) and displays information similar to a TV program listing found in local newspapers or other print media. In addition, the EPG checks programs (colla
te) and contains the information needed to decrypt. The EPG provides information about each program within the time frame covered by the EPG (30 minutes from now to 7 days from now). E
The information contained in the PG includes program characteristics such as channel number, program name, start time, end time, elapsed time, remaining time, rating (if applicable), topic, theme, program content. There is a short explanation. The EPG is typically arranged in a two-dimensional table, i.e., a grid in which one axis represents time and the other axis represents channel numbers.

[0003] A program that is broadcast on another channel while remaining on one channel for 2 hours to 3 hours.
Unlike a non-interactive guide that only scrolls in time, the EPG allows viewers to obtain and view program information (including the current channel, some channels, and all channels) in various formats. Further, as a feature of the EPG, individual cells of a grid on which program information is placed can be highlighted. When highlighted, the viewer can perform functions associated with the selected program. For example, the viewer can immediately switch to the selected program if it is currently being broadcast. Also, the viewer can program the video cassette recorder (VCR) with one touch, provided that the television set is properly configured and connected to the recording device. Such EPGs are known in the art, for example, US Pat. No. 5,353,121 issued to Young et al. And assigned to StarSight Telecast. , 5,479,268, 5,479,26
No. 6.

Also, US Pat. No. 5,515,106 issued to Channey et al. And assigned to the same assignee as the present invention discloses data necessary to implement an exemplary program guide system. An embodiment including a packet structure is described in detail.
The exemplary data packet structure is such that channel information (channel name, call code, channel number, type, etc.) and descriptive information associated with the program (title, rating, star, etc.) are transmitted from the program guide database provider to the receiving device. It is transmitted efficiently.

[0005] User interfaces such as EPGs are available for analog and digital television systems, as well as other electronic devices such as personal computers. As electronic devices become increasingly complex with numerous features, the need for a robust and easy-to-use user interface is emphasized. At present, individual systems with respective interfaces for controlling the characteristics of each system are combined into a single system using a single user interface. One specific example is a so-called PCTV, which has the characteristics of both a personal computer and a television receiver. A user interface system for such a device would provide clear communication of information related to the computer and the television, and easily control the functions associated with the computer (including the use of the Internet) and the television. Is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present inventors recognize the limitations of current EPGs. One such limitation is that the current EPG simply displays the current time (eg, 5:55 PM) in an unrelated graphical or textual form in one corner of the display, with a graphical display of a two hour time frame. It is. In an example of the display of the current time according to the known EPG, the range of the time frame (usually delimited by a box or outlined in a specific way) is from 30 minutes before now to 7 days from now Is preset to display. The EPG typically starts with displaying information from 30 minutes ago, 3
Since it is only updated every 0 minutes, the user cannot determine at all how much time remains for a particular program. That is, the current EPG displays the start or end of the 30-minute update period. Since the current time is not displayed graphically in connection with the graphical display of the program along the time grid,
You cannot intuitively know the remaining time of the program.

[0007] The inventor of the present invention has proposed a part of an EPG representing a program from the start to the end of the program,
EP by changing shading (shading, light and dark, shading)
Teaches a user selectable graphical display to display the current time in G (Electronic Program Guide). The current time is intuitively evaluated by the viewer in relation to a time scale or a program length grid.

[0008] In a preferred form, the tint, shading, etc., includes the start of an earlier time (eg, 30 minutes) to the current time. By evaluating the shaded border representing the start of the program and the location of the border representing the end of the program, the user can easily determine the remaining time of the program.

The update of the graphical display of the current time can be set to an arbitrary time at one-minute, three-minute, or six-minute intervals. When determining the remaining time of a program, the user does not need to first read the current time (displayed in text form at one corner of the display) and then interpret the graphical EPG display.

In order to display the current time on the EPG, in another embodiment of this intuitive graphical display, a check mark (eg, an inverted triangle) is added within the reference time bar to display the current time in a window. It can also be displayed graphically within. Using a vertical hash mark (eg, dotted or dashed) with a check mark,
The current time can also be displayed graphically.

[0011] A television suitable for providing a user interface as described above.
One example of a system is a television receiver that processes NTSC analog television signals and Internet information, such as the system 1000 shown in FIG. 1a. The system 1000 includes a first input 1100 for receiving a wireless RF television signal from a signal source such as an antenna or a cable system, and, for example,
A second input 1102 is provided for receiving a baseband television signal from a VCR or DVD player. As is well known in the art, tuner 1
105 and IF processor 1130 operate in a conventional manner, with RF_IN input 110
At 0, it tunes to a specific television signal and demodulates it. Although FIG. 1a shows the input 1102 as a baseband signal, the television receiver includes a second tuner and an IF processor to provide a second signal from the signal RF_IN input or from a second RF signal source. Of baseband video signals. Many input terminals of any kind can be provided for signal processing.

A microprocessor (μP) 1110 controls the system by using a well-known I ² C serial data bus protocol (or other protocol, such as 1394) to control the serial data bus. Commands and data are transmitted and received via the I ² CBUS 1170. Further, as is well known in the art, the μP 1110 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1112,
1112 is coupled to an external memory (e.g., EEPROM) and responds to commands provided by a user via an IR (infrared) receiver 1122. Of course, other bus protocols or configurations could be used. Further, the μP 1110 can control the operation of the communication interface device 1113 to download / upload Internet information. Communication interface device 1113 includes, for example, a modem for connecting to an Internet provider via a telephone or cable television line. Communication interface device 1113
Provides Internet-related functions such as web browsing and communication functions in addition to receiving television programs.

The CPU 1112 controls well-known functions (for example, an auxiliary data processor 1115 and an OSD processor 1117) included in the μP 1110 via a bus 1119. Auxiliary data processor 1115 includes auxiliary data;
For example, a star site (StarSight: registered trademark) is extracted. StarSight® data comprises EPG information as described above, along with various Internet related information including Internet links. The processor inside the StarSight® module 1160 formats the data and stores the data in a memory internal to itself. When a StarSight (registered trademark) EPG display is activated (for example, when a user operates a specific key on the remote controller 1125), the CPU 1112 displays the formatted Starsite EPG display data.
The data is transferred from the star site module 1160 to the OSD processor 1117 via the I ² C BUS. OSD processor 1117 operates in a conventional manner and, when coupled to a display, generates a display image representing OSD information (eg, graphics and text making up the EPG). OSD processor 11
17 generates a control signal FSW. The control signal FSW controls the high speed switch to insert the signal OSD_RGB into the system's video output signal when displaying OSD information.

A video signal processor (VSP) 1155 performs conventional video signal processing functions (eg, luminance and chroma processing). The output signal generated by video signal processor 1155 is suitable for coupling to a display, for example, a picture tube or an LCD (not shown), to generate a displayed image. The video signal processor 1155 also includes a high-speed switch to couple the signal generated by the OSD processor 1117 to the output signal path when including graphics / text in the displayed image. The high-speed switch is used to display the main μP1 when displaying text / graphics.
It is controlled by a control signal generated from the OSD processor 1117 in the 110. The input signal of the video signal processor 1155 is picture-in-picture (PIP).
) The signal PIPV output from the processor 1140.

The display data contained in the EPG display is generated from the OSD processor 1117 and included in the output signal by the video signal processor 1155 in response to the fast switch FSW. When the μP 1110 detects the activation of the EPG display, for example, when the user presses an appropriate key on the remote controller, the μP 1110 causes the OSD processor 1117 to output a StarSight (registered trademark) module 116 to the OSD processor 1117.
An EPG display is generated using information such as program guide data from zero. Microprocessor 1110 causes video signal processor 1155 to combine the EPG display data from OSD processor 1117 with the video signal in response to signal FSW to generate a display including an EPG. The EPG occupies all or only a part of the display area.

When the EPG display is being performed, the μP 1110 executes a control program stored in the EEPROM 1127. The control program monitors the position of a position index (eg, cursor / highlight) in the EPG display. The user, for example,
The position of the position index is controlled using the direction / selection key of the remote controller 1125. This system can also use a mouse. The microprocessor 1110 includes:
Detect activation of the selection device (e.g., click a mouse button) and, in conjunction with the displayed EPG data, evaluate the current cursor position and tune to the desired function, e.g., a particular program Confirm that. Thereafter, microprocessor 1110 initiates a control operation associated with the selected function.

Another example of an electronic device implementing a user interface system is a system that processes digital video and audio signals, for example, receiving an MPEG encoded transport stream representing a broadcast program. M to do
It is a system compatible with PEG. The user interface system can also be used with other types of digital signal processing devices, for example, systems that are incompatible with MPEG with other types of encoded data streams. Other devices include, for example, digital video disc (DVD) systems, digital video computer / television functions, so-called "PCTV" and high definition television (High Definition Televisio).
n: HDTV) receiver.

FIG. 1 b illustrates processing and customizing program guide information in accordance with the present invention.
5 shows another example of an electronic device that can be (mize). As explained below,
The system illustrated in FIG. 1b is an MPEG compatible system that receives an MPEG encoded transport stream representing a broadcast program. The user interface system can also be used with other types of digital signal processing devices, for example, MPEG-incompatible systems with other types of encoded data streams. Further, while the systems described below are described as processing broadcast programs, this is merely exemplary. The term "program;program" refers to any form of packetized data, such as digital video / audio information received over a cable, telephone messages, computer programs, Internet data, audio presentations (
For example, from a remote or local source, such as a compact disc or other audio medium, or other communication (commu)
nation).

The video and audio decoders 21 and 23 each have a transport
The compressed data from system 25 is decoded to provide an output for display.
The data port provides an interface for communicating the compressed data from the transport system to other devices, for example, a computer or a high definition television (HDTV) receiver. The storage device 31 stores the compressed data from the transport system 25 in a storage medium 33. The storage device 31
The compressed data from the storage medium 33 is processed by the transport system 25, decoded, transmitted to other devices, or stored on a different storage medium (not shown for simplicity of the drawing). Supports retrieval of compressed data in playback mode.

Considering FIG. 1b in detail, the carrier modulated with the video / audio data received at antenna 10 is converted to digital form and input processor 1
5 is processed. Processor 15 includes a radio frequency (RF) tuner and an intermediate frequency (I)
F) Includes a mixer and an amplification stage to convert the input video signal to a relatively low frequency suitable for further processing. The resulting digital output signal is demodulated by demodulator 16 and decoded by decoder 17. The output from decoder 17 is further processed in transport system 25, which responds to commands from remote control 1125. Transport system 25 provides the compressed data output for storage and further decoding or transmission to other devices.

The data supplied to the transport system 25 is in the form of a packetized transport data stream conforming to the MPEG defined in MPEG System Standard Section 2.4, and includes program guide information and one or more program guide information. Data contents of the program channel. Each packet including a specific program channel is identified by a packet identifier (PID). The transport system uses program specific information (Program Specific In).
format: PSI), which is used to identify the PID, collect individual data packets, and play back the contents of all program channels consisting of packetized data streams. Under the control of the system controller 27, the transport system obtains and checks the program guide information from the input transport stream, the storage device 31, or the Internet provider via the communication interface device 1113. Individual packets containing the content of a particular program channel or program guide information are identified by their packet identifier (PID) included in the header information. As mentioned above, the description of the program
It consists of things related to the program, such as different descriptive fields, for example, titles, stars, ratings, and the like.

A user interface incorporated in the receiver shown in FIG. 1B allows a user to activate various features by selecting a desired one from an OSD (On-Screen Display) menu. Included in the OSD menu are the electronic program guide (EPG) described above, and other features described below. The data representing the information displayed in the OSD menu is responsive to the stored program guide information, the stored graphics information, and, as described above, the program guide / graphics information received via the input signal. Generated from the system controller 27. The software control program is, for example,
It is stored in a built-in memory (not shown) of the system controller 27.

Using the remote control 1125 (or other selection means such as a mouse), the user can select from the OSD menu items, for example, the icon to be selected, the program to be viewed, the program to be stored, the storage medium. Type / accumulation method, scrolling of the EPG, and the like. The system controller 27 uses the selection information (supplied via the remote unit interface 29) to configure the transport system 25 (configure: configure).
e) Then, a program for storage and display is selected, and a PSI suitable for the selected storage device / storage medium is generated. The operation of other well-known functions of the transport system 25 illustrated in FIG. 1b is not discussed here since it is not necessary to understand and implement the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary EPG screen display 72. The screen display 72 is in the grid guide mode, and a program 74 for a certain period is displayed along a time display line 78 for a certain number of program channels 76. Each program is shown horizontally adjacent to its corresponding channel 76. The channels shown on the EPG screen 72 depend on the user's choices and system defaults. In FIG. 2, the program 74 is represented by a rectangular area and is typically colored or shaded against a background 138. The horizontal length of the program corresponds to the time increment along the time display line 78. In general, the length of a program increases by 30 or 60 minutes, so the rectangular boxes of the program are 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and so on. Accordingly, the time display line 78 is shown in increments of 30 minutes. Title information is displayed in the program area. Programs that extend for more than 30 minutes are indicated by a series of 30 minute increment boxes, the total number corresponding to the total length of the program. The start time and end time are indicated by vertical lines at the beginning and end of the program area. If the program is longer than the two hour window of the EPG, it is indicated by an arrow 118 instead of a vertical end line. Depending on whether the program was started before or after 2 hours (or any time), the direction and position indicated by arrow 118 will be different. The arrow pointing to the left indicates that the program was started before the earliest time displayed on the time display line 78. An arrow pointing to the right indicates that the program will continue past the latest time displayed on the time display line 78. The various programs include an axis (vertical) representing channel 76 and a time increment 78.
Is displayed along the axis (horizontal) representing the grid (guide) mode control panel display. The grid mode control panel can display seven program channels over a two hour time slot and covers the entire screen of the display, but can display any number of program channels.

In addition to the above, the screen display 72 further includes a program guide name 80, a current date 82
, Text format time 84, viewing category 86, highlight (highlig)
ht) The title 88 of the performed program and the date 90 of the viewing guide are displayed. The displayed channel 76 is a channel identification character (for example, HBO below the channel number).
, CNBC, MTV) to allow the viewer to easily identify the desired channel name. Along the bottom of the screen 72, menu icons are arranged. This menu provides access to the capabilities and features of the EPG. The EPG system allows access to various Internet capabilities and other EPG / Internet features through various icons in menu 92 using a cursor (not shown). Instead of a cursor, arrow keys on a remote control or other similar device may be used to select the function corresponding to the displayed icon.

Exemplary Icons Draw on EPG Display Screen 72 and Their Functions /
The actions are as follows: EXIT icon 94 (allows the user to leave this program guide); "?" Icon 96 (helps the user); user selection icon 98 (user defined program list / internet related) Movie icon 100 (select movie program list / internet related resources); sports icon 102 (select sport program list / internet related resources. Down arrow icon 104 (current guide) To the next page item); all program icon 106 (select a list of all available programs); alphabet (alpha) icon 108 (select an alphabetical program list); scout icon 110 (future) User defined in the program list of Selecting a result from the keyword search); other guide icon 112 (to select another guide formatted program list).

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, as shown in the current time text display 84, the current time 5:22 PM corresponds to the current program period (5:00 P shown on the time display line 78).
M to 7:00 PM), the current time is graphically represented on the EPG screen 72. Also, the current date 82 is compared with the viewing date 90 to see if they match, and the current time is shown graphically. In FIG. 2, if the current time is within the displayed time, a time display line 78 is displayed.
In the program area from the start of the program displayed above to the current time, the current time is graphically displayed by color changes, shading, etc. In general, the EPG can not only scroll the program list up and down, but also move the program list right and left along the time axis (the time display line 78). The direction of the color change coincides with the direction of time along the time grid 78. The color change is continuous from the left edge (i.e., the beginning of the program area) to the current point in time (before the program area ends) or to the end of the program. The color change / shading is linear or non-linear while it provides contrast to the background 78 and is monochromatic or polychromatic / shading.

For example, the program “Renegrade” of channel 101 (USA) is 5:00
pm (vertical start line at the left end of the program area 5:00 pm below the time display line 78) and ends at 6:00 pm (vertical end line at the right end of the program area almost below 6:00 pm of the time display line 78). I do. Therefore, "Renegade"
The color change area starts from the vertical start line at the left end of the program area, and extends in the horizontal direction along a distance corresponding to a length of 22 minutes (5: 00 + 0: 22 = 5: 22 = current time). The processing ends at the vertical end line before 5:30 pm of the time display line 78. Channel 104 (HBO) program "APOLLO13" is 5
Start before 0:00 pm and end at 6:30 pm. Therefore, "APOLLO1
At the left end (program start) of the program area of "3", there is a left-pointing arrow indicating that this program started before the time currently being watched, and the right end vertical end line (
End of program) is approximately 6:30 pm below time grid 78. Thus, "
The color change area of "APOLLO13" starts at 5:00 pm on the time grid 78 and extends 22 minutes past 5:00 pm on the time display line 78. Of course, a right-pointing arrow indicates that this program will end after the time it is currently being watched.

FIG. 3 shows another method of graphically representing the current time in the EPG. The screen display 114 of the EPG displays the programs 7 of various channels 76 along the time display line 78.
4 and thus the grid guide mode. Again, the duration of the currently watched program is two hours (from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm). EPG screen display 114 provides essentially the same features / performance as EPG screen display 72. However, the EPG screen display 114 graphically displays the current time of the program using the change in the color of the background (shading). In one embodiment,
The change in the background color can be identified by a color area (color bar) 116 corresponding to the program below the time display line 78.

FIG. 4 shows another method of graphically displaying the current time on the EPG. EP
The G screen display 120 also displays various channels 76 along the time display line 78.
, And thus in grid guide mode. EPG screen display 120 provides essentially the same features / performances as EPG screen displays 72 and 114, except that time bar 122 is located below time display line 78. Using the color change (shading) of the time bar with respect to the background 38, the current time for the program is graphically displayed. The color change can be identified by a time bar 122 corresponding to the program below the time display line 78.

FIG. 5A shows another method of graphically displaying the current time on an EPG.
The EPG screen display 124 also shows the programs 74 of the various channels 76 along the time display line 78, and is therefore in grid guide mode. The EPG screen display 124 provides essentially the same features / performance as the previous EPG screen display (FIGS. 2-4), except that for each channel program, a vertical hash mark 128 displays the current time below the time display line 78. It is located corresponding to. Tick mark
A mark 126 (here, a triangle) graphically displays the current time for the program, similar to a hash mark. The tick mark 126 and the hash mark 128 correspond to the current time in relation to the time display line 78. Therefore, the current time can be intuitively obtained in a graphical format by the positions of the check mark and the hash mark with respect to the time display line.

On the EPG display screen 124 shown in FIG. 5B, the program 74 is in the program area formed by the graphically generated insertion area. As in A of FIG. 5, hash mark 1
The current time is shown graphically using 28 and a tick mark 126.

In a multimedia system that provides such an EPG, for example, DSS
From the menu, press the GUIDE key (or from the main menu "Program Guide"
When the EPG button is activated (by selecting), the program guide (EPG) is displayed in the detailed guide control panel mode. Pressing the GUIDE key a second time displays the program guide in Surf guide mode, and pressing the GUIDE key again displays the program guide in grid guide mode. Grid Guide
In mode, detailed guide mode, and surf guide mode, the vertical line indicates the current time.

FIG. 6 shows the EPG screen display 128 in the detailed guide mode. In the detailed guide mode, the format of the EPG is changed to display five channels 76 over a two hour time slot / time grid 78, a five line description of the highlighted program, and other information as described above. In the detailed guide mode, the secondary highlight remains in the last highlighted program when the user moves to the soft key. As the user scrolls down the guide, this secondary highlight also scrolls, stays underlined in the program area, and the program information is still visible. The EPG screen display 128 graphically displays the current time on another type of screen display in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts the EPG screen display 132 in Surf Guide mode, with no interactive channel banner displayed. However, the EPG screen 132 includes the program guide name 80, guide date 90, channel 76, and time grid 78. During the surf guide mode, live video is displayed in the video display area 134 in the screen. Live video is a highlight program, Internet display, or other supplied video signal. Also, a title 136 is displayed at the bottom of the screen. Title 136 is for a highlight program, a video in video display area 134, or other video feed.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that this style of EPG screen display can be used with any style of graphical display of the current time. Thus, the graphical display method of the current time according to the principles of the present invention can be used with any display method of the program area.

FIG. 8 shows a simplified system hardware block that provides an EPG, in particular, an EPG having the various functions and capabilities described above and in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The figure is shown. Tuner / receiver 20 receives the input audio / video signal from various sources (terrestrial and satellite) in a known manner and provides it to demultiplexer 24 via communication / data bus 22. The demultiplexer 24 demultiplexes the incoming signal from the tuner / receiver and converts the portion of the incoming signal containing the video of the selected program via the communication / data bus / line 28 Send to video decoder 26. Demultiplexer 24 connects to microprocessor 34 via communication / data line 36,
It controls the video decoder 26.

The demultiplexer 24 controls the EPG under the control of the microprocessor 34.
Another portion of the demultiplexed incoming signal associated with the data is stored in memory 46 via communication / data line 50. EPG data is stored in memory 46 until such data is needed. The microprocessor 34
It is under the control of the stored program via the communication / data line 44. The EPG data stored in the memory 46 is supplied to the video decoder 26 and displayed on the display 30 when the display 30 is in the EPG display mode. The display 30 is also connected to the microprocessor 34 via a communication / data line.

In one embodiment, tuner / receiver 20 tunes to the channel that is broadcasting StarSight ^™ (EPG) data for a particular time period determined by program 42. During data reception, the demultiplexer 24 under the control of the microprocessor 34 under the control of the program 42 stores the EPG data in the memory 46. During viewing, demultiplexer 24 provides video information to video decoder 26 and display 30, also under the control of microprocessor 34. Upon activation, EPG data from memory 46, including a graphical display of the current time, is displayed on display 30.

FIG. 9 shows a simplified flowchart illustrating the function of the software that generates the EPG according to the present invention. This can be used for the system shown in FIG. When a user presses an EPG key (eg, a GUIDE key) from a display of a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) using a remote control or other similar method, the EPG is activated. When the user activates the EPG mode, under the control of the program 42, the microprocessor 34 receives a program guide screen request (54) and various parameters (eg, program guide time boundary; current screen time boundary; current time). 56
Is started to be displayed on the display 30 (56). After these parameters have been determined, the program 42 determines whether the current time is within the current screen time boundary for the program to be displayed or currently being displayed on the display 30 (58). If the current time is not within the current screen time boundary, there is no need to display the current time because the viewer is watching a future programming (program) on the grid. If it is determined that the current time is "not within" the boundary, the program provides an on-screen program guide (60). If the current time is within the current screen time boundary (58), the current time is calculated using the same transfer function used for the program or event in the program guide display, using horizontal (or vertical) screen pixels. It is converted to a position (62). After conversion (62), this screen pixel location is used to form a graphical representation of the current time in a precise location on the program guide grid or program box (64). Thereafter, an on-screen program guide is created on display 30 (60) and the program continues as usual (66).

FIG. 10 is exemplary software designed to perform the functions shown in flowchart 52 of FIG. The source code (source code) 70
The various parameters (program guide and current screen time boundary and current time) are determined (56) and the current time is within the current screen time boundary (user 30
(58). afterwards,
Source code 70 generates a graphical display of the current time and
Put it in the channel / program vs. time grid.

In one embodiment of a multimedia system, such as a DBS system, the program guide information is continuously transmitted to the DBS system, updated from the DBS system,
The DBS system supports multiple guides. The main program guide is transmitted by all transponders. Other guides are also transmitted on other transponders and mapped from the main program guide. The main program guide contains a list of all current programs, and other guides are used for future programs.

Although the present invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. This application therefore follows
The general principles of the invention are used to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention. In addition, this application covers departures from the present disclosure, such as falling within the scope of known or customary methods in the art, to which the present invention pertains and falls within the scope of the appended claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the manner of achieving them, will be more clearly understood by reference to the description of embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Become and well understood.

FIG. 1a is a block diagram of a multimedia system suitable for implementing a user interface system including an EPG. This system is analog N
Processes TSC (PAL or other) television signals and Internet information. FIG. 1b is a block diagram of an MPEG compatible multimedia system for implementing a user interface system including an EPG.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary screen of an EPG in grid guide viewing mode;
Programs on a plurality of channels are shown in two-hour intervals, and each program on the program channel is
It is represented by a rectangle of a fixed color on the background color. The length of the rectangle corresponds to the length of time of the program, and the current time is represented graphically using the color change (shading) in each rectangle. indicate.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary screen of the EPG in grid guide viewing mode;
Programs on a plurality of channels are indicated by two-hour intervals, and each program on the channel is represented by a rectangle on a background color, and the current time is graphically displayed using a change in the background color (shading).

FIG. 4 is an exemplary screen of the EPG in grid guide viewing mode;
Programs on multiple channels are shown in two-hour intervals, with each program on the channel represented by a rectangle over the background color, and the current time is displayed using a graphical time line with color changes.

FIG. 5A is an exemplary screen of the EPG in grid guide viewing mode, showing programs on multiple channels separated by two hours, and the length of each program time is indicated by a color change or Represented by a shaded contour, the current time is displayed graphically using vertical hash marks / check marks. FIG. 5B is another type of exemplary screen of the EPG in the grid-guided viewing mode, showing programs on multiple channels separated by two hours, with each program on a channel having a graphically induced insert. , Graphically displays the current time using vertical hash marks / check marks.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary screen of the EPG in the detailed guide control panel viewing mode, in which programs on a plurality of channels are displayed at intervals of two hours, and the current time is graphically displayed.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary screen of the EPG in the surf guide control panel viewing mode, in which programs of a plurality of channels are displayed in two-hour intervals, and the current time is graphically displayed.

FIG. 8 is a hardware block diagram of a simplified EPG implementation system utilizing the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a requested program on an EPG screen according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is source code of an embodiment for graphically displaying the current time on an EPG according to the principles of the present invention. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several drawings. The embodiments shown herein represent preferred embodiments of the present invention, and such embodiments are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

[Procedural Amendment] Submission of translation of Article 34 Amendment of the Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission Date] June 22, 2000 (2000.6.22)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY , CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP , KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (71) Applicant 46, Quai A, Le Gallo F- 92648 Boulogne Cedex France (72) Inventor Shinai Debend, Daniel Richard, United States Indiana, United States of America Feats Shears Tall Trees Drive 11221 F-term (reference) 5C025 CA06 CA09 CB06 CB09 DA05

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A method for generating an on-screen program guide, comprising: (a) determining a current time; and (b) displaying program related information received from a signal containing program data on a display. Generating a signal suitable for: (c) graphically displaying a current time in conjunction with the displayed program related information. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying, on a display, a grid of current times corresponding to a period of time in association with the graphical display of current times. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of continuously updating a graphical representation of a current time and periodically updating said program-related information for programs of a selected category. 4. A graphical display of the current time, displaying a graphical index of the current time with respect to a time axis of the program-related information, and shading a part of the graphical index as a function of the program start time and the current time. The method of claim 3. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein a graphical representation of a current time shades a portion of the program-related information, wherein the shaded portion corresponds to a current time. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the graphical representation of the current time shades individual areas adjacent to the program related information, and wherein the shaded individual areas correspond to the current time. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the graphical representation of the current time shades a plurality of individual areas adjacent to the program-related information, the shaded individual areas corresponding to the current time. . 8. An apparatus for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG), comprising: a display; a receiver connected to the display and adapted to receive and store program-related information from a program-related information signal; A controller connected to the receiver, the controller being devised to extract a portion of the program-related information, wherein the receiver displays the extracted portion of the program-related information on the display. And a means for displaying the determined current time graphically on the display in association with the program-related information. The device. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said time determination circuit constantly determines and updates the current time. 10. The display means shades a part of the program-related information.
The method according to claim 9. 11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said display means generates an index of a current time to be displayed with respect to a time axis of said program-related information. 12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said display means shades an individual area adjacent to said program-related information. 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said display means shades a plurality of individual areas adjacent to said program related information. 14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the extraction circuit extracts a portion of the program related information in response to a user request. 15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said extraction circuit extracts a portion of said program-related information in response to a preset time. 16. A method for generating a program guide on a display, comprising: receiving a signal having program related information; and selecting a category of programs available within a certain period from a signal including program data. Extracting program-related information from a program data signal corresponding to a selected category of programs available within a period, determining the current time, program-related information of the selected category of programs available within a period Displaying a time grid that includes the current time on the display; and displaying the current time in conjunction with the displayed program-related information and the time grid for the selected category of available programs. Displaying graphically on the display. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: continuously updating the graphical display of a current time and periodically updating program-related information for the selected category of programs. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the graphical representation of the current time graphically shades a portion of the program-related information on a display, wherein the shaded portion corresponds to the current time. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein in a graphical display of a current time, individual areas adjacent to the program related information are shaded on a display, and the shaded portion corresponds to the current time. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein a plurality of individual regions adjacent to the program information are shaded on a display with a graphical representation of a current time. 21. A method for generating an on-screen program guide, comprising: (a) establishing a current time; and (b) displaying program related information received from a signal including program data on a display. Generating a suitable signal; and (c) graphically displaying the relationship between the duration of the program and the current time contained in the program related information.