US7159177B2 — System and method for focused navigation within a…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 126 words

A method for navigation of television program listings within a user interface, the method comprising: shifting a first sequence of visual cards through a single focus area that is both vertically and horizontally fixed within the user interface; shifting a second sequence of visual cards through the focus area from a perpendicular direction, wherein each visual card of the second sequence of visual cards represents a respective episode of a plurality of episodes of a particular television program, and wherein no visual card in the first sequence is also included in the second sequence; and allowing a user to select the visual card of the second sequence of visual cards within the focus area in order to view the episode represented by the selected visual card.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 126 words

A method for navigation of television program listings within a user interface, the method comprising: shifting a first sequence of visual cards through a single focus area that is both vertically and horizontally fixed within the user interface; shifting a second sequence of visual cards through the focus area from a perpendicular direction, wherein each visual card of the second sequence of visual cards represents a respective episode of a plurality of episodes of a particular television program, and wherein no visual card in the first sequence is also included in the second sequence; and allowing a user to select the visual card of the second sequence of visual cards within the focus area in order to view the episode represented by the selected visual card.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing the first and second sequences of visual cards.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 1 wherein each visual card in the second sequence graphically represents the television program.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 1 wherein each visual card in the second sequence graphically represents a broadcast television channel.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 1 wherein each visual card in the second sequence graphically represents a broadcast television network.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 1 wherein each visual card in the second sequence graphically represents the episode of the television program represented by the selected visual card.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the shifting of visual cards is in response to a single user action.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 7 wherein selection of a particular visual card is in response to an additional user action.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 1 wherein selection of a particular visual card is in response to a single user action.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 73 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the first sequence of visual cards represents episodes of the particular television program in a broadcast time slot, the method further comprising replacing the second sequence of visual cards in response to a single user command with a third sequence of visual cards, the visual cards of the third sequence of visual cards representing episodes of the particular television program in a later broadcast time slot.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein each visual card includes a picture to graphically represent the associated episode.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 11 , wherein the picture comprises a digital photograph.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 11 , wherein the picture comprises a captured video frame.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 11 , wherein the picture comprises an animated picture.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 74 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the second sequence of visual cards represents episodes of the particular television program in a broadcast time slot, the method further comprising replacing the second sequence of visual cards with a third sequence set of visual cards in response to a single user command, the visual cards of the third sequence of visual cards representing episodes of the particular television program in an earlier broadcast time slot.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 133 words

A system for focused navigation of a plurality of television programs within a user interface, the system comprising: a user input detector configured to detect actions of a user; and a processor configured to shift first and second sequences of visual cards through a single vertically and horizontally fixed focus area within the user interface from perpendicular directions, wherein no visual card of the first sequence is also included in the second sequence, each visual card of the second sequence of visual cards representing a respective episode of a plurality of episodes of a particular television program, the processor further configured to allow a user to select the visual card of the second sequence of visual cards within the focus area in order to view the episode represented by the selected visual card.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 133 words

A system for focused navigation of a plurality of television programs within a user interface, the system comprising: a user input detector configured to detect actions of a user; and a processor configured to shift first and second sequences of visual cards through a single vertically and horizontally fixed focus area within the user interface from perpendicular directions, wherein no visual card of the first sequence is also included in the second sequence, each visual card of the second sequence of visual cards representing a respective episode of a plurality of episodes of a particular television program, the processor further configured to allow a user to select the visual card of the second sequence of visual cards within the focus area in order to view the episode represented by the selected visual card.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 16 , further comprising a storage device configured to store the visual cards.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 16 wherein each visual card of the second sequence graphically represents the television program.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 16 wherein each visual card of the second sequence graphically represents a broadcast television channel.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 16 wherein each visual card of the second sequence graphically represents a broadcast television network.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 16 wherein each visual card of the second sequence graphically represents the episode represented by the selected visual card.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 16 wherein the processor shifts the visual cards in response to a single user action.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 22 wherein selection of a particular visual card is in response to an additional user action.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 16 wherein selection of a particular visual card is in response to a single user action.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 76 words

The system of claim 16 wherein the first sequence of visual cards represents episodes of the particular television program in a broadcast time slot, and wherein the processor is further configured to replace the second sequence of visual cards with a third sequence of visual cards in response to a single user command, the visual cards of the third sequence of visual cards representing episodes of the particular television program in a later broadcast time slot.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 25 wherein each visual card of the third sequence of visual cards graphically represents a television program.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 25 wherein each visual card of the third sequence of visual cards graphically represents a broadcast television channel.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 25 wherein each visual card of the third sequence of visual cards graphically represents a broadcast television network.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 16 wherein each broadcast time slot is defined by the television program broadcast therein.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 16 , wherein each visual card includes a picture to graphically represent the associated episode.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 30 , wherein the picture comprises a digital photograph.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 14 words

The system of claim 30 , wherein the picture comprises a captured video frame.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 30 , wherein the picture comprises an animated pictures.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 76 words

The system of claim 16 , wherein the second sequence of visual cards represents episodes of the television program in a broadcast time slot, and wherein the processor is further configured to replace the second sequence of visual cards with a third sequence set of visual cards in response to a single used command the visual cards of the third sequence of visual cards representing episodes of the television program in an earlier broadcast time slot.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 46 words

The system of claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to replace the visual card in the focus area with a reduced-size version of the episode corresponding to the visual card prior to an explicit selection action by the user to display the episode.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 146 words

A method for navigation of television program listings within a user interface, the method comprising: shifting a first sequence of visual cards through a single focus area that is both vertically and horizontally fixed within the user interface, at least one visual card of the first sequence of visual cards representing a television program; discontinuing the shifting of the first sequence of visual cards to show a particular visual card representing a particular television program; and shifting a second sequence of visual cards through the focus area of the user interface, each visual card of the second sequence of visual cards representing a respective episode of a plurality of episodes of the particular television program, wherein the first and second sequences are shifted in perpendicular directions through the focus area, and wherein no visual card of the first sequence is also included in the second sequence.

Claim 39

Independent Claim 146 words

A method for navigation of television program listings within a user interface, the method comprising: shifting a first sequence of visual cards through a single focus area that is both vertically and horizontally fixed within the user interface, at least one visual card of the first sequence of visual cards representing a television program; discontinuing the shifting of the first sequence of visual cards to show a particular visual card representing a particular television program; and shifting a second sequence of visual cards through the focus area of the user interface, each visual card of the second sequence of visual cards representing a respective episode of a plurality of episodes of the particular television program, wherein the first and second sequences are shifted in perpendicular directions through the focus area, and wherein no visual card of the first sequence is also included in the second sequence.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 36 wherein the shifting of visual cards is in response to a single user action.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 37 wherein selection of a particular visual card is in response to an additional user action.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 36 wherein selection of a particular visual card is in response to a single user action.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 36 wherein the user enables the shifting of the second sequence of visual cards by shifting the particular visual card of the first sequence of visual cards into the focus area.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 73 words

The method of claim 36 , wherein the second sequence of visual cards represents episodes of the particular television program in a broadcast time slot, the method further comprising replacing the second sequence of visual cards with a third sequence of visual cards in response to a single user command, the visual cards of the third sequence of visual cards representing episodes of the particular television program in a later broadcast time slot.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 41 wherein each visual card of the third sequence of visual cards graphically represents a television program.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 41 wherein each visual card of the third sequence of visual cards graphically represents a broadcast television channel.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 41 wherein each visual card of the third sequence of visual cards graphically represents a broadcast television network.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 41 wherein each visual card of the third sequence of visual cards graphically represents the episode represented by the selected visual card.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 36 , further comprising replacing the visual card in the focus area with a reduced-size version of the episode corresponding to the visual card prior to an explicit selection action by the user to display the episode.

Claim 50

Independent Claim 134 words

A system for focused navigation of a plurality of television programs within a user interface, the system comprising: means for shifting a first sequence of visual cards through a single focus area that is both vertically and horizontally fixed within the user interface; means for shifting a second sequence of visual cards through the focus area from a perpendicular direction, wherein each visual card of the second sequence of visual cards represent a respective episode of a plurality of episodes of a particular television program, and wherein no visual card in the first sequence is also included in the second sequence; and means for allowing a user to select the visual card of the second sequence of visual cards within the focus area order to view the episode represented by the selected visual card.

Claim 51

Independent Claim 134 words

A system for focused navigation of a plurality of television programs within a user interface, the system comprising: means for shifting a first sequence of visual cards through a single focus area that is both vertically and horizontally fixed within the user interface; means for shifting a second sequence of visual cards through the focus area from a perpendicular direction, wherein each visual card of the second sequence of visual cards represent a respective episode of a plurality of episodes of a particular television program, and wherein no visual card in the first sequence is also included in the second sequence; and means for allowing a user to select the visual card of the second sequence of visual cards within the focus area order to view the episode represented by the selected visual card.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2010-01-01	2010-07-03	2011-01-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2014-01-01	2014-07-03	2015-01-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2018-01-01	2018-07-03	2019-01-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

System and method for focused navigation within a user interface

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag