US6133962A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic program guide having different modes for viewing
Assignee: Sony Corp
•
Filing: 1998-10-30
•
Granted: 2000-10-17
•
Expires: 2018-10-30
Abstract
Abstract An improved electronic programming guide (EPG) having time blocks capable of selectively expanding and contracting in size, according to a mode of the EPG, in order to facilitate fast and efficient time navigation through available programming by a viewer of multiple channel broadcast system. In one implementation, when a navigation element remains stationary over a time block for a period of time, a multiple program display mode is initiated, and the time block increases in size relative to other displayed time blocks. Responsive to the navigation element moving outside the time block, a navigation mode is initiated, wherein the time block as well as other displayed time blocks become equal in size, and display only the channel information for a particular channel segment.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew M. Proehl
- 👤 Eduardo A. Sciammarella
- 👤 Franklin Servan-Schreiber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:32
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/47; H04N21/41; H04N21/422; H04N21/42204; H04N21/42206; H04N21/42221; H04N21/43; H04N21/431; H04N21/4312; H04N21/4314; H04N21/482; H04N21/4821
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer of a multiple channel broadcast system, comprising the steps of: in response to a navigation element of the multiple channel broadcast system remaining stationary over a time block of a plurality of time blocks of the electronic program guide for a predetermined period of time, entering a multiple program display mode in which the time block increases to a first size and the size of the rest of the plurality of time blocks decrease to a second size that is smaller than the first size and channel information for each channel segment of a plurality of channel segments of the time block are displayed on a display screen of the system; and in response to the navigation element of the system moving outside the time block, entering a navigation mode in which the time block decreases in size and the rest of the plurality of time blocks increase in size so that each time block of the plurality of time blocks are of equal size and only a channel information corresponding to a channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block is displayed on the display screen.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer of a multiple channel broadcast system, comprising the steps of: in response to a navigation element of the multiple channel broadcast system remaining stationary over a time block of a plurality of time blocks of the electronic program guide for a predetermined period of time, entering a multiple program display mode in which the time block increases to a first size and the size of the rest of the plurality of time blocks decrease to a second size that is smaller than the first size and channel information for each channel segment of a plurality of channel segments of the time block are displayed on a display screen of the system; and in response to the navigation element of the system moving outside the time block, entering a navigation mode in which the time block decreases in size and the rest of the plurality of time blocks increase in size so that each time block of the plurality of time blocks are of equal size and only a channel information corresponding to a channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block is displayed on the display screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the channel information of the channel segment is a title of a program of the channel segment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the channel information corresponding to the channel segment is displayed over the channel segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the navigation element is controlled by a remote control device of the multiple channel broadcast system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the navigation element is controlled by a computer of the multiple channel broadcast system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the navigation element is controlled by a set-top box of the multiple channel broadcast system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the viewer of the multiple channel broadcast system controls movement of the navigation element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
209 words
A storage media containing a computer program for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer of a multiple channel broadcast system, comprising: in response to a navigation element of the multiple channel broadcast system remaining stationary over a time block of a plurality of time blocks of the electronic program guide for a predetermined period of time, instructions for entering a multiple program display mode in which the time block increases to a first size and the size of the rest of the plurality of time blocks decrease to a second size that is smaller than the first size and channel information for each channel segment of a plurality of channel segments of the time block are displayed on a display screen of the system; and in response to the navigation element of the system moving outside the time block, instructions for entering a navigation mode in which the time block decreases in size and the rest of the plurality of time blocks increase in size so that each time block of the plurality of time blocks are of equal size and only a channel information corresponding to a channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block is displayed on the display screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
209 words
A storage media containing a computer program for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer of a multiple channel broadcast system, comprising: in response to a navigation element of the multiple channel broadcast system remaining stationary over a time block of a plurality of time blocks of the electronic program guide for a predetermined period of time, instructions for entering a multiple program display mode in which the time block increases to a first size and the size of the rest of the plurality of time blocks decrease to a second size that is smaller than the first size and channel information for each channel segment of a plurality of channel segments of the time block are displayed on a display screen of the system; and in response to the navigation element of the system moving outside the time block, instructions for entering a navigation mode in which the time block decreases in size and the rest of the plurality of time blocks increase in size so that each time block of the plurality of time blocks are of equal size and only a channel information corresponding to a channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block is displayed on the display screen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
220 words
An electronic program guide of a multiple channel broadcast system displayed on a display screen of the system, comprising: a plurality of time blocks each having a plurality of channel segments, with each channel segment corresponding to a channel a plurality of channels displayed on the display screen; and a navigation element, wherein in response to the navigation element remaining stationary over a time block of the plurality of time blocks for a predetermined period of time, entering a multiple program display mode in which the time block increases to a first size and the size of the rest of the plurality of time blocks decreases to a second size that is smaller than the first size and channel information for each channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block are displayed on the display screen; and in response to the navigation element of the system moving outside the time block, entering a navigation mode in which the time block decreases in size and the rest of the plurality of time blocks increase in size so that each time block of the plurality of time blocks are of equal size and only a channel information corresponding to a channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block is displayed on the display screen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
220 words
An electronic program guide of a multiple channel broadcast system displayed on a display screen of the system, comprising: a plurality of time blocks each having a plurality of channel segments, with each channel segment corresponding to a channel a plurality of channels displayed on the display screen; and a navigation element, wherein in response to the navigation element remaining stationary over a time block of the plurality of time blocks for a predetermined period of time, entering a multiple program display mode in which the time block increases to a first size and the size of the rest of the plurality of time blocks decreases to a second size that is smaller than the first size and channel information for each channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block are displayed on the display screen; and in response to the navigation element of the system moving outside the time block, entering a navigation mode in which the time block decreases in size and the rest of the plurality of time blocks increase in size so that each time block of the plurality of time blocks are of equal size and only a channel information corresponding to a channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block is displayed on the display screen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electronic program guide of claim 9, wherein the channel information of the channel segment is a title of the program of the channel segment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electronic program guide of claim 9, wherein the channel information corresponding to the channel segment is displayed over the channel segment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic program guide of claim 9, wherein the navigation element is a cursor controlled by a viewer of the multiple channel broadcast system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic program guide of claim 9, wherein the navigation element is controlled by a remote control device of the multiple channel broadcast system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electronic program guide of claim 13, wherein the navigation element is a cursor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electronic program guide of claim 9, wherein the navigation element is controlled by a computer of the multiple channel broadcast system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electronic program guide of claim 15, wherein the navigation element is a cursor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electronic program guide of claim 9, wherein the navigation element is controlled by a set-top box of the multiple channel broadcast system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electronic program guide of claim 17, wherein the navigation element is a cursor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
223 words
An electronic program guide of a multiple channel broadcast system displayed on a display screen of the system, comprising: a plurality of time blocks each having a plurality of channel segments, with each channel segment corresponding to a channel of a plurality of channels displayed on the display screen; a navigation element; means for entering a multiple program display mode in which the time block increases to a first size and the size of the rest of the plurality of time blocks decreases to a second size that is smaller than the first size and channel information for each channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block are displayed on the display screen, in response to the navigation element remaining stationary over a time block of the plurality of time blocks for a predetermined period of time; and means for entering a navigation mode in which the time block decreases in size and the rest of the plurality of time blocks increase in size so that each time block of the plurality of time blocks are of equal size and only a channel information corresponding to a channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block is displayed on the display screen, in response to the navigation element of the system moving outside the time block.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
223 words
An electronic program guide of a multiple channel broadcast system displayed on a display screen of the system, comprising: a plurality of time blocks each having a plurality of channel segments, with each channel segment corresponding to a channel of a plurality of channels displayed on the display screen; a navigation element; means for entering a multiple program display mode in which the time block increases to a first size and the size of the rest of the plurality of time blocks decreases to a second size that is smaller than the first size and channel information for each channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block are displayed on the display screen, in response to the navigation element remaining stationary over a time block of the plurality of time blocks for a predetermined period of time; and means for entering a navigation mode in which the time block decreases in size and the rest of the plurality of time blocks increase in size so that each time block of the plurality of time blocks are of equal size and only a channel information corresponding to a channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block is displayed on the display screen, in response to the navigation element of the system moving outside the time block.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
295 words
A multiple channel broadcast system capable of providing an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer of the multiple channel broadcast system, comprising: a display screen that displays the electronic program guide, wherein the electronic program guide comprises: a plurality of time blocks each having a plurality of channel segments, with each channel segment corresponding to a channel of a plurality of channels displayed on the display screen; and a navigation element; an antenna for receiving one or more channel to be displayed on the display screen; an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) having a computer program that is operatively coupled to the display screen and the antenna; and a remote control device operatively coupled to the computer program of the IRD that controls navigation of the navigation element, wherein in response to the navigation element remaining stationary over a time block of the plurality of time blocks for a predetermined period of time, entering a multiple program display mode in which the time block increases to a first size and the size of the rest of the plurality of time blocks decreases to a second size that is smaller than the first size and channel information for each channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block are displayed on the display screen, and in response to the navigation element of the system moving outside the time block, entering a navigation mode in which the time block decreases in size and the rest of the plurality of time blocks increase in size so that each time block of the plurality of time blocks are of equal size and only a channel information corresponding to a channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block is displayed on the display screen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
295 words
A multiple channel broadcast system capable of providing an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer of the multiple channel broadcast system, comprising: a display screen that displays the electronic program guide, wherein the electronic program guide comprises: a plurality of time blocks each having a plurality of channel segments, with each channel segment corresponding to a channel of a plurality of channels displayed on the display screen; and a navigation element; an antenna for receiving one or more channel to be displayed on the display screen; an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) having a computer program that is operatively coupled to the display screen and the antenna; and a remote control device operatively coupled to the computer program of the IRD that controls navigation of the navigation element, wherein in response to the navigation element remaining stationary over a time block of the plurality of time blocks for a predetermined period of time, entering a multiple program display mode in which the time block increases to a first size and the size of the rest of the plurality of time blocks decreases to a second size that is smaller than the first size and channel information for each channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block are displayed on the display screen, and in response to the navigation element of the system moving outside the time block, entering a navigation mode in which the time block decreases in size and the rest of the plurality of time blocks increase in size so that each time block of the plurality of time blocks are of equal size and only a channel information corresponding to a channel segment of the plurality of channel segments of the time block is displayed on the display screen.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 20, wherein the channel information of the channel segment is a title of the program of the channel segment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 20, wherein the channel information corresponding to the channel segment is displayed over the channel segment.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 20, wherein the navigation element is a cursor controlled by a viewer of the multiple channel broadcast system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5793438A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-17 | 2004-04-17 | 2004-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-17 | 2008-04-17 | 2008-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-17 | 2012-04-17 | 2012-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |