as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 0) Pub. No.: US 2002/0059603 Al
`(43) Pub. Date:
`May16, 2002
`Kelts
`
`US 20020059603A1
`
`(54)
`
`INTERACTIVE CONTENT GUIDE FOR
`TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Brett R. Kelts, Newport Beach, CA
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`TERRANCE A. MEADOR
`GRAY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH, LLP
`4365 EXECUTIVE DRIVE
`SUITE 1100
`
`SAN DIEGO, CA 92121-2133 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/829,263
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 9, 2001
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/746,149,
`filed on Dec. 22, 2000, which is a non-provisional of
`provisional application No. 60/195,955,filed on Apr.
`10, 2000.
`
`Ente C07 cacsccssssssssssensssssesnstsnssnsisevee GO6F 3/00
`(SL)
`(52) US. Ch.
`ceeesessssssssnsssessssnssnsssesnesnatnessesse 725/47
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Anavigation interface display system generates a navigation
`element that organizes television programming data in an
`easy-to-use manner. The navigation element employs a
`hierarchical display protocol for a plurality of selection
`items that represent the various television programs, chan-
`nels, and/or networks. The hierarchical display scheme
`displays a limited numberof active selection itemsata first
`magnification level and additional active selection items at
`a second magnification level. In addition, the selection items
`are displayed on distinctive areas or features of the naviga-
`tion element, where such features represent different content
`genres or categories. Subcategories can also be displayed in
`a hierarchical manner, thus providing additional information
`related to the content as the magnification level of the
`navigation element changes.
`
`loy
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`SONY - Ex.-1016
`Sony Corporation - Petitioner
`
`1
`
`SONY - Ex.-1016
`Sony Corporation - Petitioner
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 16,2002 Sheet 1 of 13
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`Patent Application Publication May 16,2002 Sheet 7 of 13
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`Patent Application Publication May 16,2002 Sheet 8 of 13
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`Patent Application Publication May 16,2002 Sheet 9 of 13
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`Patent Application Publication May 16,2002 Sheet 10 of 13
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`Patent Application Publication May 16,2002 Sheet 11 of 13
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`Patent Application Publication May 16,2002 Sheet 13 of 13
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`

`US 2002/0059603 Al
`
`May 16, 2002
`
`INTERACTIVE CONTENT GUIDE FOR
`TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0006] Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for an
`effective and intuitive system for locating, identifying, and
`displaying television programming, which may be provided
`by multiple information sources and service providers, via a
`communication network.
`
`[0001] This application claimspriority of U.S. provisional
`patent application serial No. 60/195,955, titled “Method and
`Apparatus for Providing Streaming Media in a Communi-
`cation Network,” filed Apr. 10, 2000. This application is a
`continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`09/746,149, titled “Interactive Display Interface for Infor-
`mation Objects,” filed Dec. 22, 2000.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present invention relates generally to interac-
`tive menu interfaces for identifying content provided via a
`communication system. More particularly,
`the present
`invention relates to a system for retrieving television pro-
`gramming information and for generating an interactive
`navigation interface for displaying such television program-
`ming information.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] The prior art is replete with communication and
`entertainment systems that provide information in different
`formats to many users. For example, digital cable and
`satellite television systems, which are now commonplace,
`can transmit audio and video content to a single home using
`hundreds of different channels; the large number of video
`and music channels can be overwhelming to many users.
`Instead of a relatively small numberoftraditional radio and
`television stations available in major metropolitan markets
`or via standard cable orsatellite systems, users are presented
`with thousandsof possibilities. Never before has there been
`such a vast selection of alternatives, with broadcasters
`providing every imaginable permutation for every conceiv-
`able area of interest, from mainstream popular music to the
`most obscure and unlikely niches.
`
`[0004] Television viewers often have difficulty searching,
`locating, viewing, and recording suitable content due to the
`vast number of available channels and/or content sources.
`For example, the large quantity of available broadcast sta-
`tions presents a paradox: while users undoubtedly benefit
`from the unprecedented number of choices in genre and
`content which broadcasters provide, they cannot easily and
`efficiently select from among the hundreds of stations,
`channels, and/orentities broadcasting a given type of music,
`video, or program. In addition, viewers cannot identify what
`is interesting, relevant, or available, or determine other
`characteristics of the available broadcasts.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0007] The present invention provides a system for gen-
`erating an interactive navigation interface for display at an
`end user device such as a television monitor. In accordance
`
`with a preferred embodiment, the end user device merely
`functions as a display element; the navigation interfaceitself
`is generated, maintained, and processed by one or more
`remote components, such as a server or a separate process-
`ing apparatus coupledto the display element. The navigation
`interface is configured to allow a user to intuitively, effec-
`tively, and easily determine the broadcast status associated
`with a large numberof content providers, channels, stations,
`or the like. The navigation interface utilizes a magnification
`(zoom) feature along with a hierarchical protocol for the
`display of active selection items representing different infor-
`mation sources or programs. In this respect, the navigation
`interface displays only a limited numberofactive selection
`items at an initial magnification level and introduces addi-
`tional active selection items as the magnification changes.
`The interactive navigation interface may include a number
`of additional features designed to enhance the display of
`useful information to the user and to makeit easier for the
`
`user to view and locate appropriate content.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0008] A more complete understanding of the present
`invention may be derived by referring to the detailed
`description and claims when considered in conjunction with
`the following Figures, wherein like reference numbersrefer
`to similar elements throughout the Figures.
`
`[0009] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary navigation interface
`display screen at a relatively low magnification level;
`
`[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a portion of the navigation interface
`display screen of FIG. 1 at a relatively high magnification
`level;
`
`[0011] FIG. 3 is a portion of the navigation interface
`display screen of FIG. 1, representing a different display
`State;
`
`[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an example
`selection item;
`
`[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an example
`selection item;
`
`[0005] Current solutions employed in conjunction with
`cable television set-top boxes andsatellite television decod-
`ers typically operate in a primitive manner. These devices
`usually display information in a text format or by showing
`every available station or channel in a long list. Due to the
`limited size and resolution of a television screen display,
`paging through long lists of channels can be a tedious and
`frustrating process. While this type of interface may argu-
`ably be considered adequate in many current environments,
`[0017] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a time-
`it is unsuitable for systems having a very large number of
`
`content providers, stations, and/or channels to choose from. shifting elementinafirst state;
`
`[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a naviga-
`tion interface display system in which the techniques of the
`present invention may be implemented;
`
`[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an exem-
`plary interface server architecture that may beutilized in the
`system shown in FIG.6;
`
`[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a set-top
`presentation layer;
`
`15
`
`15
`
`

`

`US 2002/0059603 Al
`
`May 16, 2002
`
`[0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a time-
`shifting element in a secondstate;
`
`[0019] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a navigation element
`operation process according to one practical embodimentof
`the present invention;
`
`[0020] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of a user interaction
`process;
`
`[0021] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a zoom process
`according to one practical embodimentofthe present inven-
`tion;
`
`[0022] FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of a time shifting
`process;
`
`[0023] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of a change selection
`process;
`
`[0024] FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of an interface display
`presentation process according to one practical embodiment
`of the present invention; and
`
`[0025] FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of an interface request
`process.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`[0026] The present invention may be described herein in
`terms of functional block components and various process-
`ing steps.
`It should be appreciated that such functional
`blocks may be realized by any number of hardware com-
`ponents configured to perform the specified functions. For
`example, the present invention may employ various inte-
`grated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, digital
`signal processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables,
`and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions
`under the control of one or more microprocessors or other
`control devices. In addition, those skilled in the art will
`appreciate that the present invention may be practiced in
`conjunction with any numberof data transmission protocols
`and that the systems described herein are merely exemplary
`applications for the invention.
`
`It should be appreciated that the particular imple-
`[0027]
`mentations shownand describedhereinare illustrative of the
`invention and its best mode and are not intended to other-
`
`wise limit the scope of the invention in any way. Indeed, for
`the sake of brevity, conventional
`techniques for signal
`processing, data transmission, signaling, network control,
`and other functional aspects of the systems (and the indi-
`vidual operating components of the systems) may not be
`described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines
`shownin the variousfigures contained herein are intended to
`represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical
`couplings between the various elements. It should be noted
`that many alternative or additional functional relationships
`or physical connections may be present
`in a practical
`embodiment.
`
`[0028] Overview
`
`[0029] The present invention provides end users with an
`interactive navigation interface that makesit easy for the end
`users to view a plurality of graphical symbols, navigation
`objects, or selection items correspondingto different content
`sources, programming information, or the like. In practical
`deployments,
`the present invention is suitable for use in
`
`schedules,
`programming
`television
`connection with
`recorded programs, streaming media (audio and/or video)
`broadcast information, or the like. The present invention
`provides users with a graphical display metaphorthat is easy
`to understand andis capable of organizing and displaying a
`large amount of information in an intuitive and easy-to-use
`format. The user’s experience is enhanced by displaying the
`information using a suitable metaphor or theme that
`is
`graphical, dynamic, interactive, and enjoyable to use. For
`example, the program guide mayutilize a geographical map
`analogy having navigation objects that appear as a number
`of islands or land masses corresponding to different pro-
`gramming genres. Alternatively,
`the program guide may
`categorize content using navigation objects that appear as
`representations of animals, buildings, vehicles, people,
`books, or any number of graphical objects. The interactive
`interface leverages spatial memory to allow users to quickly
`re-locate media items that they found during a previous
`viewing.
`
`the
`list-based approach,
`In lieu of a traditional
`[0030]
`navigation interface displays programming information in
`conjunction with a hierarchy of graphical navigation objects
`generated in a format suitable for use with a television
`monitor. In the preferred implementation,
`the navigation
`interface features a mythical groupofislands, each with a set
`of symbols or icons (referred to herein as “selection items”)
`representing available broadcasters, service providers, pro-
`gram titles, broadcasting networks, or
`the like.
`In this
`preferred embodiment, different regions are labeled to rep-
`resent a different genre or category, with related selection
`items located within the appropriate region. In addition,
`logical sub-regions represent subsets or subcategories of a
`genre. For example, one massive island representing sports
`programming maybe identified as “Sports.” One portion of
`this island may be dedicated to baseball, another mayrelate
`to golf, and so on.
`
`[0031] The content guide can display features in a two-
`dimensional manneror in a three dimensional perspective.
`The end user can zoom in and out, select a categorized
`navigation object, select an active selection item to view
`additional information regarding the associated content, and
`access otherrelated fimctions. In accordance with one aspect
`of the present invention, the content guide is dynamic in that
`it reflects real-time operating conditions and/or program-
`ming characteristics. For example, the appearance of the
`active selection items may change depending upon what
`content is being broadcast, the level of interest to the user,
`whether the selection items are marked as personal “favor-
`ites,” or any othercriteria.
`
`the interactive
`In the preferred implementation,
`[0032]
`navigation interface employs a natural hierarchical scheme,
`which enables it to support thousands of media sources and
`channels without overwhelmingthe user. An analogyto this
`schemeis a roadmap where the most important information,
`€.g., Major cities and highways, is displayed prominently
`and more obscure information, e.g.,
`two-lane roads and
`small towns, is displayed in a less pronounced manner or
`perhaps only displayed on a more detailed (or magnified)
`map view.
`
`[0033] Apractical implementation of the present invention
`may reside in a numberof software elements that reside at
`one or more processing locations. In accordance with one
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`embodiment, the software is configured to operate in con-
`junction with any Java-based webserver platform operating
`open database connectivity (ODBC) or SQL compliantdata.
`This ensures that the back-end is highly scalable, robust,
`distributable, and easy to maintain. The interactive naviga-
`tion system can be configuredto be entirely server based and
`capable of automatically scaling its features to the capability
`of the client presentation device. Consequently, the end user
`need not perform any downloading, software installation, or
`hardware reconfiguring. In addition, ongoing maintenance,
`changes, and enhancements to the navigation interface sys-
`tem can be centralized at a server and can be made com-
`pletely transparent to the end user. Alternatively, the navi-
`gation system can be configured such that most of the
`display processing and formatting is performed locally by
`the presentation layer. With this arrangement, the presenta-
`tion layer need only communicate with a server to obtain
`programming data or to obtain modifications to general
`characteristics of the navigation interfaces, e.g., the graphi-
`cal theme, the numberof navigation objects, the number of
`selection items, the categorization of the selection items, and
`the like.
`
`[0034] The system architecture is also capable of storing
`end user personalization data in an industry standard SQL
`data store. Thus, broadcast service providers employing the
`navigation system can use online analytical processing
`(OLAP)tools to extract critical demographic data about the
`end users, thus enabling more efficient marketing, advertis-
`ing, and programming techniques. Accordingly, in addition
`to enhancing the users’ experiences through pervasive per-
`sonalization, service providers can learn more about the
`users’ viewing habits and access patterns, which allows the
`service providers to deliver better services and, ultimately,
`generate more revenue.
`
`In addition to the above features, the navigation
`[0035]
`system may be configured to cooperate with a set of author-
`ing tools to allow the creation and management of naviga-
`tion interfaces, XML configuration files to allow easy con-
`nection to
`legacy databases,
`and utilities
`to make
`deployment a simple process. In one practical embodiment,
`these additional tools may be accessed (via,e.g., the Inter-
`net) by the entity that deploys the navigation system archi-
`tecture. Such tools may communicate with the system serv-
`ers in a suitable manner to enable direct customization of
`
`interactive navigation interfaces by the broadcast service
`providers.
`
`[0036] Navigation Interface Display
`
`[0037] An exemplary navigation interface display screen
`100 is depicted in FIG. 1. As described in moredetail herein,
`the navigation system generates “navigation interfaces,”
`“navigation elements,”“navigation objects,” and “selection
`items.” As used herein, a “navigation interface” is generally
`defined as the overall graphical user interface, which may
`include any numberof display screens corresponding to any
`number of different states. A “navigation element” is gen-
`erally defined as that portion of a navigation interface that
`includes the navigation objects and selection items.
`In
`practice,
`the user manipulates navigation elements when
`viewing the program information. A “navigation object” is
`generally defined as a graphical feature rendered on a
`navigation element, while a “selection item” is generally
`defined as a graphical feature rendered on or proximate to a
`
`navigation object. Each of these graphical elements are
`described in more detail herein.
`
`[0038] As described in more detail below, display 100 is
`preferably generated by a system configured in accordance
`with the present
`invention. Display 100 is shown and
`described herein for purposes of illustration; display 100 is
`not intended to limit orrestrict the scope or applicability of
`the present invention in any way. Indeed, the specific con-
`figuration of display 100 may vary depending upon the
`particular application, system preferences, user preferences,
`and/or display device characteristics. For example, any
`numberof the following (and other) features of display 100
`may vary from application to application: the appearance of
`the graphical navigation objects displayed in the navigation
`element; the graphical theme employed by the navigation
`interface; the layout of the displayed navigation objects; the
`numberor arrangementof the selection items on the navi-
`gation element; the number or arrangement of descriptive
`indicia on the navigation element; the size or shape of the
`various display elements; the colors used in display 100; and
`the type of media, content, or programming associated with
`the selection and control items.
`
`the characteristics of the navigation
`In addition,
`[0039]
`interface display 100 may vary to accommodate different
`presentation devices. For example, display 100 may be
`suitable for use in connection with a remote control device
`
`having a limited number of directional navigation buttons,
`function keys, or menu buttons (such remote control devices
`are commonly used to control set-top converter boxes in
`cable and satellite television systems). Yet another embodi-
`ment may utilize a navigation interface display having
`relatively low resolution and reduced functionality to
`accommodate smaller presentation devices such as a remote
`control console having a small display screen.
`[0040] Navigation interface display 100 may be subdi-
`vided into a numberof general elements or components. For
`example, display 100 may generally include an information
`element 102 and a navigation element 104. As described in
`more detail below, information element 102 and navigation
`element 104 may each include or be associated with any
`number of additional functional elements or display ele-
`ments. Briefly, navigation element 104 preferably includes a
`number of navigation objects that graphically represent a
`grouping of programs, and each navigation object may
`include any numberofselection items associated therewith.
`The selection items preferably correspond to specific tele-
`vision programs available from the content provider.
`[0041]
`Information element 102 preferably contains “live”
`or real-time information regarding the currently selected
`selection item and/or
`the currently selected navigation
`object. Such information may change in accordance with
`variations in the broadcast or programmingstatus, the spe-
`cific content requested by the user, or any other variable
`criteria. In various embodiments,
`the displayed selection
`items may represent any broadcast information, audio pro-
`grams, television networks, pay per view programs, video
`on demand programs,locally recorded video programs, and
`any combination thereof. Accordingly, the content of infor-
`mation element 102 may vary depending on the particular
`application, and such content need not be limited any
`particular form of programming.
`[0042]
`In accordance with the practical embodimentillus-
`trated in FIG. 1,
`the displayed selection items represent
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`In response to the
`cable or satellite television stations.
`selection of an active selection item on navigation element
`104, information element 102 displays information related
`to the programming associated with the respective station. In
`this respect, the selection of an active selection item may
`promptthe display of additional data or cause the navigation
`display system to perform further related processes. For
`example, information element 102 may contain the station,
`network, or channel name, a station identifier such as an
`alphanumeric character string, an icon or logo associated
`with the station or program, the title of the program currently
`being broadcast, the start and end times of the program,
`and/or a brief description or summary of the program.
`
`Information element 102 may also include a dura-
`[0043]
`tion indicator 106 that graphically indicates, in real time, the
`amount of time remaining in the program, the amount of
`time elapsed, and/or the total duration of the program. The
`operation of duration indicator 106 is described in more
`detail below in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5. Information
`element 102 may also include a preview area 108 (e.g., a
`“picture-in-picture” window) for displaying a live video
`feed of a selected program.
`
`In addition to the above features, information ele-
`[0044]
`ment 102 (or other elements ofdisplay 100) may include any
`numberof features, including: additional pull-down or pop-
`up information related to the listed programs; VCR or other
`audio or video recording control; bandwidth,signal strength,
`station reliability, or other quality of service parameters
`related to the transmission of the selected program; popu-
`larity ratings for the selected program; polling or rating
`inputs, which allow the user to rate the station or program;
`and adding stations to the user’s list of “favorites.” Infor-
`mation element 102 may also leverage known program
`listing technologies and formats to provide a rich and
`user-friendly navigation experience.
`
`[0045] Remote Control Operation
`
`[0046] The preferred embodiment described herein is suit-
`able for use with a television system. Accordingly,
`the
`navigation system can be designed to accommodate remote
`control operations and functions. For the sake of conve-
`nience, a number of exemplary remote control commands
`and their respective functions will be described herein in
`connection with different features supported by the naviga-
`tion system. It should be appreciated that the navigation
`system maybe alternatively (or additionally) configured to
`support on-screen menu functions or an on-screen pointing
`device controlled by a remote control, a mouse, a touchpad,
`or thelike.
`
`[0047] A“guide” button on the remote control functions to
`activate a channel guide (the interface described herein) that
`allows the user to view, search, locate, and select a television
`program via a numberof navigation objects and selection
`items.
`If the channel guide is currently displayed,
`the
`“guide” button can be activated to switch back into the full
`screen video mode.
`
`[0048] Directional arrow buttons (e.g., up, down, right,
`and left arrows) on the remote control enable the user to
`navigate between navigation objects, selection items, menu
`items,
`lists, and the like. The specific function of each
`directional arrow button may vary depending upon the
`current state of display 100.
`
`[0049] Forward and backward buttons on the remote con-
`trol may be used to advance a time shift display element
`(described in more detail below) forward or backward in
`time. On many platforms with recording capabilities, these
`buttons may also function as the fast forward and rewind
`buttons.
`
`“Zoom in” and “zoom out” buttons (e.g., buttons
`[0050]
`marked “+” and “-”) on the remote control function to
`control
`the zoom or magnification level for the current
`navigation element or for specific navigation objects. On
`most platforms,
`these buttons can also function as the
`channel up/down buttons or the page up/down buttons,
`depending upon the current operating mode.
`
`[0051] A “menu”button on the remote control may func-
`tion in a conventional mannerto pull up a main menu(or any
`designated menu) from any location or state within the
`navigation system.
`
`[0052] A “jump”or “recall” button on the remote control
`preferably functions to immediately direct the user to a
`specific location maintained by the navigation system. For
`example, the user can enter an alphanumeric code (e.g., a
`three-digit number) that uniquely identifies a specific navi-
`gation object, then press the “jump” button to cause the
`navigation system to display the navigation object corre-
`sponding to the entered code. Thus, the user can memorize
`the codes corresponding to any numberof navigation objects
`and use the “jump” button as a shortcut to traverse the
`navigation elements. The “jump” button may also function
`in a conventional manner (when the television system is in
`the normal viewing mode) to return to a previous channel or
`to jump between two channels.
`
`<A “display” button on the remote control may
`[0053]
`function to toggle the visibility of a schedule box (described
`below) or a channel listing corresponding to a highlighted
`selection item. This feature allows the user to quickly view
`a time schedule of programming for a selected channel or
`station. On mostplatforms, the “display” button can also be
`used in the viewing mode to show a summary of program-
`ming information for the current program.
`
`[0054] A “select,’“enter,” or “OK” button on the remote
`control functions in a conventional manner to enable the
`user to select displayed items and to enable the user to
`activate features. For example, the “select” button can be
`usedto select highlighted menu items,to activate viewing of
`a highlighted selection item, or the like.
`
`[0055] A“context” button on the remote control allows the
`user to display