`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Kelts
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2001/0030667 Al
`Oct. 18, 2001
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`1111111111111111 IIIIII IIIII 11111 1111111111 11111 1111111111 111111111111111 IIII
`US 20010030667 Al
`
`(54)
`
`INTERACTIVE DISPLAY INTERFACE FOR
`INFORMATION OBJECTS
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Brett R. Kelts, Newport Beach, CA
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`GRAY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH
`4365 EXECUTIVE DRIVE
`SUITE 1600
`SAN DIEGO, CA 92121-2189 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/746,149
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 22, 2000
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Non-provisional of provisional application No.
`60/195,955, filed on Apr. 10, 2000.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ....................................................... G06F 3/14
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`............................................ 345/854; 345/855
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A navigation interface display system generates a navigation
`map that organizes a plurality of information sources in an
`easy-to-use manner. In practical embodiments, the informa(cid:173)
`tion sources are cable or satellite television stations, online
`music or video files, or the like. The navigation map
`employs a hierarchical display protocol for a plurality of
`map items that serve as links to the various content sources.
`The hierarchical display scheme displays a limited number
`of active map items at a first magnification level and
`additional active map items at a second magnification level.
`In addition, the map items are displayed on distinctive areas
`or features of the map, where such features represent dif(cid:173)
`ferent content genres or categories. Subcategories can also
`be displayed in a hierarchical manner, thus providing addi(cid:173)
`tional information related to the content as the magnification
`level of the map changes. The navigation interface display
`system is deployed in a layered architecture with centralized
`servers, centralized databases related to the map data and the
`content data, and different presentation layers associated
`with different presentation or display devices (such as tele(cid:173)
`vision systems, personal computers, wireless telephones,
`personal digital assistants, etc.). The layered architecture
`allows a single deployment of the display system to service
`multiple users, where each user can utilize any number of
`different presentation devices.
`
`\OJ..-
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`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 1
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
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` DISH v. BBiTV
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` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 3 of 27
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`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 4
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
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`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 5
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
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`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 6
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
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`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 7
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
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`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 8
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 8 of 27
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`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 9
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 9 of 27
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`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 10
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 10 of 27
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
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`1400
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`shift request
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`handled by
`oontaining
`application
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`request
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`Fig.14
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`request
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`on Map
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`hovering over
`map
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`activation
`request
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`shift request
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`2100
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 11
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 11 of 27
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
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`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 12
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 12 of 27
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
`
`Zoom Request
`
`1600
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`1602
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`Zoom Level
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`increment Map
`Zoom Level
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`Level to Selected 14-----'l'-------..__ _ _ _ _ , . f \ - - - - - '
`Zoom level
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`
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`Map Zoom
`Level
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`control to reflect
`current Zoom level
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`1622
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`End Zoom Request
`
`Fig.16
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 13
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 13 of 27
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
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`1700
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`selected direction
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`to reflect new
`view
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`End Pan Request
`
`Fig. 17
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 14
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
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`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 14 of 27
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`US 2001/0030667 Al
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`1800
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`Point
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`
`Fig.18
`
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`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 15
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
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`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 15 of 27
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
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`1900
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`1904
`
`1906
`
`Change appearance of
`previous map item to 1 - - - - - - ~
`reflect no hovering
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`window near previous
`map item
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`No
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`No
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`Display hovering popup
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`new map item to reflect 1-----~ window near OOH map
`
`item
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`hovering
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`End Hovering
`
`Fig.19
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 16
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 16 of 27
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`US 2001/0030667 Al
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`2000
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`2006
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`2002
`
`Notify application that an
`item has been activated. 1 - - - ~
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`activation action.
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`2004
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`Notify user that an
`item must be
`selected to periom,
`activation function
`
`End activation
`Request
`
`Fig. 20
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 17
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 17 of 27
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`US 2001/0030667 Al
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`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 18
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 18 of 27
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
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`2200
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`Direction Key
`Request
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`Shift map in
`selected direction
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`of map item
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`Request
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`Fig. 22
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 19
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 19 of 27
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
`
`2304
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`Yes
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`De-select old
`selection
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`2308
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`Yes
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`Hide previous
`guidance arrows
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`No
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`Yes
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`2316
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`Pan map to ensure
`new selection in
`"Show Selection"
`rectangle
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`14-------Yes---
`
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`appearance of
`selection to reflect
`selected state
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`2318
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`Yes
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`Display new
`guidance arrows
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`No
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`No
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`Update Preview Area
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`Update Description Area
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`2324
`
`Update ltem-Specifc
`Control /vea
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`2328
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`End Change
`Selection
`
`Fig.23
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 20
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 20 of 27
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`IN1{) ~'c.<;:,(.N'H\111"1
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`
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`l.l{\L-\ ON O\~P1.,~-y
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 21
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 21 of 27
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
`
`2500
`
`2502
`
`2508
`
`2512
`
`Map System Request
`
`Presentation Layer
`Requests (via URL} a
`map
`
`2516
`
`2504
`
`2506
`
`Map System retrieves
`portion of map in
`request.
`
`Map System retrieves
`map items located in
`portion of map request
`
`2510
`
`2514
`
`Yes
`
`Map System applies any
`required global filtering
`
`Yes
`
`Map System applies any
`required ..-filtering
`\)e,-- \) ~t.f'"
`
`No
`
`No
`
`Map System send back
`requested information to l . - - - - - - - - - _ _ , J l - - - - - - - - - - - ~
`Presentation Layer
`
`2518 _ _ _ _ _ _,_~
`
`2520
`
`Presentation layer
`applies any required
`local filtering
`
`Yes
`
`2522
`
`Presentation
`layer2Dor
`3D rendering
`
`End
`
`Fig. 25
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 22
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 22 of 27
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
`
`/"' ,o
`----------------------------~--~
`
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`(e.g.. INTERNET)
`u
`
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`
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`
`USER
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`
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`
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`COMPUTER N
`
`Fig. d-b
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 23
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 23 of 27
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
`
`- .
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`,.. ,..._ .....
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`I
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`I
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 24
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 24 of 27
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
`
`Title/Banner Area
`
`Tab Bar
`Station Data
`
`Info.
`Bar
`
`Tab-Specific Interface
`
`Fig.
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 25
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 25 of 27
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
`
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`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 26
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 26 of 27
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
`
`Fig.
`
`30
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 27
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 18, 2001 Sheet 27 of 27
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
`
`Database 1 - - - - - - ~
`Server
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`Fig.
`
`~ 1
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 28
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
`
`Oct. 18, 2001
`
`1
`
`INTERACTIVE DISPLAY INTERFACE FOR
`INFORMATION OBJECTS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. provisional
`patent application Ser. No. 60/195,955, titled "Method and
`Apparatus for Providing Streaming Media in a Communi(cid:173)
`cation Network," filed Apr. 10, 2000. This application is
`related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ___ , titled
`"System and Method for Providing an Interactive Display
`Interface for Information Objects," filed ___ .
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present invention relates generally to interac(cid:173)
`tive menu interfaces for identifying content provided via a
`communication system, a computer system, or other elec(cid:173)
`tronic equipment. More particularly, the present invention
`relates to a system for retrieving programming information
`and for generating an interactive navigation interface for
`displaying such programming 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. As another example, the
`growing popularity of the Internet has resulted in the online
`accessibility of music, video, and application files. The
`Internet itself, and the World Wide Web in particular, allows
`a user to access an almost unlimited number of different web
`pages identified by a like number of unique uniform
`resource locators (URLs). In addition, wireless telephones
`have migrated into flexible communication devices having
`enhanced features or functions such as web browsers, email,
`video games, calendar/scheduler, and media player. Indeed,
`in today's communication-based environment, the lines
`between previously distinct devices such as personal com(cid:173)
`puters, televisions, video game consoles, wireless phones,
`personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital media players,
`home entertainment equipment, and home appliances are
`becoming increasingly blurred.
`
`[0004] New technologies promise to bring a vast assort(cid:173)
`ment of audio and video broadcasts, including movies, news
`programs, dramatic works, music, sports programs, talk
`shows, and other content. Such content may be provided
`from a remote location in the form of streaming media or in
`the form of a cable or satellite television broadcast. Many
`cable and satellite television companies also provide a large
`number of digital music channels to their subscribers; the
`large number of video and music channels can be over(cid:173)
`whelming to many users. Instead of a relatively small
`number of traditional radio and television stations available
`in major metropolitan markets or via standard cable or
`satellite systems, users are presented with thousands of
`possibilities. Never before has there been such a vast selec(cid:173)
`tion of alternatives, with broadcasters providing every imag(cid:173)
`inable permutation for every conceivable area of interest,
`from mainstream popular music to the most obscure and
`unlikely niches.
`
`[0005] End users of various devices often have difficulty
`searching, locating, viewing, and downloading suitable con(cid:173)
`tent due to the vast number of content files and/or content
`sources. For example, the large quantity of available Internet
`and broadcast stations 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/or entities broadcasting
`a given type of music, video, program, or file. In addition,
`users cannot identify what is interesting, relevant, or avail(cid:173)
`able, or determine the quality of service or other operational
`parameters of the available broadcasts.
`
`[0006] Known solutions utilized by many Internet sites are
`based on the garden variety search engine interface. In one
`form of this interface, the user enters a search query ( a word
`or a phrase) and is eventually presented with a multi-page
`list of hundreds or thousands of possible matches. Alterna(cid:173)
`tively, the user may be shown a hierarchical list of catego(cid:173)
`ries, with each category serving as a higher level in the
`hierarchical display of relevant content. In this manner, the
`user can continue selecting links to navigate deeper into the
`hierarchy until he finds a suitable file or link.
`
`[0007] Current solutions of cable television set-top boxes
`and satellite television decoders typically operate in a more
`primitive manner. Since most of these devices lack a key(cid:173)
`board, they can only display information in a hierarchical
`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 chan(cid:173)
`nels can be a tedious and frustrating process. While this type
`of interface may arguably be considered adequate in many
`current environments, it is unsuitable for systems having a
`very large number of content providers, stations, channels,
`and/or web site addresses to choose from.
`
`[0008] One prior art system is implemented as a stand(cid:173)
`alone software application that resides at the end user's
`computing device. This system utilizes a number of icons
`categorized together as a planet, where the icons represent
`links to different web pages or files stored on the computing
`device. This system maintains no connectivity between the
`user's computing device and any real-time data maintained
`by a remote server. Consequently, this system is not capable
`of providing current programming information related to
`broadcast content that is available to the end user.
`
`[0009] Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for an
`effective and intuitive system for locating and identifying
`media and other content, which may be provided by multiple
`information sources and service providers, via a communi(cid:173)
`cation network.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0010] The present invention provides a system for gen(cid:173)
`erating an interactive navigation interface for display at an
`end user device. In accordance with a preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the end user device merely functions as a display
`element; the navigation interface itself is generated, main(cid:173)
`tained, and processed by one or more remote server com(cid:173)
`ponents. The navigation interface is configured to allow a
`user to intuitively, effectively, and easily determine the
`broadcast status associated with a large number of content
`providers, channels, stations, web sites, or the like. The
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 29
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
`
`Oct. 18, 2001
`
`2
`
`navigation interface utilizes a magnification (zoom) feature
`along with a hierarchical protocol for the display of active
`map items representing different information sources or
`programs. In this respect, the navigation interface displays
`only a limited number of active map items at an initial
`magnification level and introduces additional active map
`items as the magnification changes. The interactive naviga(cid:173)
`tion interface may include a number of additional features
`designed to enhance the display of useful information to the
`user and to make it easier for the user to view and locate
`appropriate content.
`
`[0011]
`In accordance with another aspect of the present
`invention, the navigation interface system is configured in a
`layered architecture. In this manner, the system can be
`deployed in a centralized mode using remote servers. Vari(cid:173)
`ous presentation layers associated with different presenta(cid:173)
`tion devices are utilized to obtain generic display charac(cid:173)
`teristic data from the remote servers. In turn, the respective
`presentation layers act as an interface between the generic
`data and data formatted for compatibility with the presen(cid:173)
`tation devices. Consequently, the system need not employ
`customized server applications for the different presentation
`devices.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0012] 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 numbers refer
`to similar elements throughout the Figures.
`
`[0013] FIG. 1 is an exemplary navigation interface dis(cid:173)
`play screen at a relatively low magnification level;
`
`[0014] FIG. 2 is the navigation interface display screen of
`FIG. 1 at a relatively intermediate magnification level;
`
`[0015] FIG. 3 is the navigation interface display screen of
`FIG. 1 at a relatively high magnification level;
`
`[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a naviga(cid:173)
`tion interface display;
`
`[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a naviga(cid:173)
`tion interface display system in which the techniques of the
`present invention may be implemented;
`
`[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an exem(cid:173)
`plary map server architecture that may be utilized in the
`system shown in FIG. 5;
`
`[0019] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a personal
`computer presentation layer;
`
`[0020] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a cellular
`telephone presentation layer;
`
`[0021] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a wireless
`personal digital assistant presentation layer;
`
`[0022] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a set-top
`presentation layer;
`
`[0023] FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a time(cid:173)
`shifting element in a first state;
`
`[0024] FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a time(cid:173)
`shifting element in a second state;
`
`[0025] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a navigation map
`operation process according to one practical embodiment of
`the present invention;
`[0026] FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of a user interaction
`process;
`[0027] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of a zoom process
`according to one practical embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion;
`[0028] FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of a zoom request
`process;
`[0029] FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of a pan request process;
`[0030] FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of an on-map selection
`process;
`[0031] FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of a hovering process;
`[0032] FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of an activation request
`process;
`[0033] FIG. 21 is a flow diagram of a time shifting
`process;
`[0034] FIG. 22 is a flow diagram of a directional key
`request process;
`[0035] FIG. 23 is a flow diagram of a change selection
`process;
`[0036] FIG. 24 is a flow diagram of a navigation map
`presentation process according to one practical embodiment
`of the present invention;
`[0037] FIG. 25 is a flow diagram of a map system request
`process;
`[0038] FIG. 26 illustrates a system block diagram of one
`embodiment of a network system in which the techniques of
`the present invention may be used;
`[0039] FIG. 27 illustrates one embodiment of a computer
`system suitable for use in the network system shown in FIG.
`26;
`[0040] FIG. 28 illustrates one embodiment of a layout of
`a graphical user interface provided in accordance with the
`principles of the present invention;
`[0041] FIG. 29 illustrates one example of the graphical
`user interface depicted in FIG. 28;
`[0042] FIG. 30 illustrates one embodiment of a navigator
`bar used in the graphical user interface of the present
`invention; and
`[0043] FIG. 31 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the
`architecture of a system that implements the principles of the
`present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`[0044] The present invention may be described herein in
`terms of functional block components and various process(cid:173)
`ing steps. It should be appreciated that such functional
`blocks may be realized by any number of hardware com(cid:173)
`ponents configured to perform the specified functions. For
`example, the present invention may employ various inte(cid:173)
`grated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, digital
`signal processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables,
`
`DISH Ex. 1107, p. 30
` DISH v. BBiTV
` IPR2020-01281
`
`
`
`US 2001/0030667 Al
`
`Oct. 18, 2001
`
`3
`
`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 number of data transmission protocols
`and that the systems described herein are merely exemplary
`applications for the invention.
`[0045]
`It should be appreciated that the particular imple(cid:173)
`mentations shown and described herein are illustrative of the
`invention and its best mode and are not intended to other(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`vidual operating components of the systems) may not be
`described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines
`shown in the various figures 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.
`[0046] Overview
`[0047] The present invention provides end users with an
`interactive navigation interface that makes it easy for the end
`users to view, search, and locate a plurality of graphical
`symbols corresponding to different content files, content
`sources, data, information, web pages, active links, or the
`like. In practical deployments, the present invention is
`suitable for use in connection with television programming
`schedules, streaming media ( audio and/or video) broadcast
`information, web page bookmarking, computer file manag(cid:173)
`ing and organizing, or the like. The present invention
`provides users with a graphical display metaphor that is easy
`to understand and is 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 map metaphor that is graphical,
`dynamic, interactive, and enjoyable to use. The interactive
`map interface leverages spatial memory to allow users to
`quickly re-locate media items that they found during a
`previous viewing.
`[0048]
`In lieu of a traditional hierarchical or list-based
`approach, the navigation interface displays available broad(cid:173)
`casters using a graphical map generated in a format suitable
`for use with the particular presentation device, e.g., a
`television, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant
`(PDA), a wireless telephone, or the like. In the preferred
`implementation, the map features a mythical group of
`islands, continents, and seas, each with a set of symbols or
`icons representing available broadcasters, service providers,
`program titles, files, media items, web site addresses, or the
`like. In this preferred embodiment, each region on the map
`is labeled to represent a different genre or category, with
`related icons or active map items located within the appro(cid:173)
`priate region. In addition, logical sub-regions represent
`subsets or subcategories of a genre. For example, one
`massive island representing sports programming may be
`identified as "Sports Land." One portion of this island may
`be dedicated to baseball, another may relate to golf, and so
`on.
`[0049] The navigation map can be displayed in a two(cid:173)
`dimensional manner or in a three dimensional perspective,
`
`with rolling hills, water, forests, deserts, and other features.
`The end user can zoom in and out, scroll or pan across the
`overall map, select an active map item to view additional
`information r