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WO1999030492A1 - Guide de programmes electronique a fonction de tri alphanumerique - Google Patents

Guide de programmes electronique a fonction de tri alphanumerique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999030492A1
WO1999030492A1 PCT/US1998/026175 US9826175W WO9930492A1 WO 1999030492 A1 WO1999030492 A1 WO 1999030492A1 US 9826175 W US9826175 W US 9826175W WO 9930492 A1 WO9930492 A1 WO 9930492A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
titles
program
displayed
title
displaying
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/026175
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kenneth D. Johnson
George E. Loughmiller, Jr.
John N. Doyle
Keith W. Hunwick
David M. Folker
Original Assignee
Starsight Telecast, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Starsight Telecast, Inc. filed Critical Starsight Telecast, Inc.
Priority to AU18123/99A priority Critical patent/AU1812399A/en
Publication of WO1999030492A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999030492A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/08—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division
    • H04N7/087—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division with signal insertion during the vertical blanking interval only
    • H04N7/088—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division with signal insertion during the vertical blanking interval only the inserted signal being digital
    • H04N7/0884—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division with signal insertion during the vertical blanking interval only the inserted signal being digital for the transmission of additional display-information, e.g. menu for programme or channel selection
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
    • H04N21/84—Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
    • H04N5/445—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards for displaying additional information

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to television schedule information, and more particularly to a system and method for providing previews of scheduled programming to assist a viewer in making scheduling decisions.
  • the television set of the future will include a micro-computer, a modem of interconnectivity with other computers over networks, intranets, and the internet, and be connectable to computer peripherals such as printers.
  • Such capabilities as near “video on demand” (NNOD), "video on demand”, “access to the world wide web”, “audio on demand”, etc. will present the viewer with a plethora of information and bandwidth.
  • the television schedule includes a series of menu screens having an array of cells corresponding
  • the viewer may scroll through the cells to view which television programs are being presented on various channels at various times.
  • the viewer may select certain cells to obtain more information on the associated progr.am or to pull up other submenus with additional options.
  • programs may be alphabetically searched by title.
  • program title information selected according to a selection symbol, and associated descriptive information are displayed in response to viewer input, a r.
  • EPG functions may be performed based on interaction with a response screen.
  • Figs. 1A and B are schematic diagrams of screen displays for implementing an alpha sorting feature
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a TV system
  • Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a hardware unit for generating an on-screen electronic 2 programming guide (EPG);
  • EPG electronic 2 programming guide
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the hierarchical database utilized to generate the EPG
  • Figs. 5 to 10 are schematic diagrams of data structures in the database
  • Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram depicting the transmission of an EPG in a digital satellite system; and . - Fig. 12 is a flow chart depicting the operation of an embodiment of the alpha sorting function.
  • a conventional electronic program guide typically displays programming in a number of different formats, including a grid or matrix with channels listed vertically, times listed horizontally, and guide entries placed in the grid entries indexed by a particular channel and time.
  • EPG electronic program guide
  • the present invention employs a different format that is particularly well suited to identify television programs arranged alphabetically by title.
  • Figs. 1A and IB depict a
  • the EPG 10 has a small window 12 across which the letters of the alphabet scroll horizontally, a large window 18 that lies under window 12, and an area 20 adjacent to window 18 in which program details are displayed.
  • Scroll command arrows 12 and 16 lie on the sides of window 12.
  • Fig. 1 A illustrates the nature of the details in area 20 in the case when the program having the highlighted title has a single episode.
  • Fig. IB illustrates the nature of the details in area 20 in the case when the program
  • windows 12 and 18 could be linked unilaterally or bilaterally.
  • the unilateral case when the viewer has scrolled through all the titles beginning with the letter appearing in window 12, the scrolling stops and another letter must be selected before the viewer can scroll through any other titles.
  • the bilateral case when the viewer has scrolled through
  • window 12 used as described above is the preferred mode of selecting the list of titles displayed in window 18, the selection could be made in other ways.
  • the multiple character boxes disclosed in PCT Application WO 96/17473 published on 6 June 1996 could be used to select the list of titles.
  • the described program guide can be used in the same manner as a grid or matrix guide to schedule programs for recording or watching or to tune the television receiver to a current program. The viewer simply highlights the title of the desired program in window 18 and then presses an appropriate key on the remote controller. Alternatively, icons could be displayed on the screen to enable the viewer to select the desired function with cursor 24.
  • the EPG system includes a database (described in detail
  • the sorting "alphabet” is not limited to the characters A-Z but may include any defined initial characters in a database (such as 0-9) or divisions of the alphabet (such as Bl if there are too many "B”s to sort effectively). Special cases such as the upside-down question mark or
  • the electronic program guide of the invention may be implemented either on a personal computer, a PCTV, a television connected to a set-top box, or j r, a television including a custom board.
  • the invention is not limited to any particular hardware configuration and will have increased utility as new combinations of computers and television systems are developed. In the following any of the above will sometimes be referred to as a "TV system”.
  • Block diagrams of representative TV systems are depicted in Fig. 2. Details of implementation are not depicted because the invention is not limited to any particular TV
  • the picture to be displayed may be transmitted as an analog signal, for example according to the NTSC standard utilized in the United States, or as a digital signal modulated onto an analog carrier.
  • the signals may be received over a cable or via an antenna or satellite dish.
  • television sets are designed to receive analog signals and computer
  • ⁇ display devices are designed to display pictures encoded in a digital format.
  • the decoder system converts the digital data to an analog signal for display on a television set and TV modems can format analog TV signals for display on a monitor.
  • analog or digital TV signals received via cable 30, antenna 32, or satellite dish 34, are provided to a television system. If the signal is from a digital broadcast service, then a
  • ⁇ j - decoder 36 converts the signal to baseband video and audio or channel 3/4 RF. If the signal is an analog signal it is passed through as a live video output.
  • the television system 38 depending on its configuration, receives selected ones of the outputs and displays the received program.
  • a PCTN includes a TV card 40, connected to either live video, baseband video, or channel
  • the PCTV is also coupled to land telephone lines by a modem 42.
  • the TV card of the PCTV digitizes the analog signal and extracts included information from the vertical blanking intervals.
  • the signal is a digital signal separate audio, video, VBI (vertical blanking information such as
  • the video and audio bitstreams for programs are converted to a fonnat for display and the program guide information is processed to form a program guide database.
  • the processor executing software stored in memory, generates interactive electronic program guide images and images of received programs.
  • the guide can be
  • a television system configured to display an electronic program guide such as a guide provided by StarSight Telecast includes an on-screen display controller and other hardware described below. If a standard analog broadcast signal is received, program guide data is extracted from the VBI by a VBI data sheer and processed to form a program database. If a DBS
  • VBI digital signal
  • program data are provided in separate bit streams.
  • the program guide images are either generated locally or remotely and provided to an on-screen display controller. Interactivity is provided via a remote control.
  • the program guide can be displayed on a computer monitor that interactively controls the television set through, for example, an IR interface, including an IR 5 blaster 44, to generate IR codes to control the television and/or a VCR.
  • an IR interface including an IR 5 blaster 44, to generate IR codes to control the television and/or a VCR.
  • the system for creating the electronic programming guide must receive television schedule information and process the received information to create a database.
  • the system requires a data reception unit, a processor, memory to store program code and a database, an on-screen display generator (OSD), and a
  • the schedule information is transmitted as a set of short commands of specified formats. Different commands communicate information such as a show schedule for a given channel, the title of each show in the schedule, descriptions and information attributes about each show in the channel. Thus, information for a show to be broadcast at a
  • •jr particular time is transmitted in several commands.
  • ID numbers in the commands facilitate organizing the information into a relational database utilizing database engine (DBE) software stored in memory and executed by the processor.
  • DBE database engine
  • a board is included at a viewer's television set and the
  • - database is stored locally and commands are transmitted in the VBIs of programming on a designated channel, for example PBS.
  • a designated channel for example PBS.
  • An example of a board for receiving program guide information, generating program guide database, displaying the program guide, and interactively controlling the program guide is depicted in Fig. 3.
  • the commands are transmitted to the board in the vertical blanking intervals of programming broadcast on a designated channel.
  • the commands could be transmitted to the local unit over land telephone lines.
  • the database is built remotely and the guide itself is transmitted to the local unit.
  • the database engine builds a hierarchical database in the RAM.
  • the hierarchical structure of the database is depicted in Fig. 4.
  • the database is structured internally as schedule data
  • Each handle is an index to a handle table which contains pointers to blocks of memory where items of the database are stored.
  • program guide data is transmitted as a bit stream that is processed by the database engine.
  • N.E.W.S. news, entertainment, weather, and sports
  • Commands including story text and story IDs are transmitted.
  • Links from the program guide to stories related to a program can be created and the related stories can be accessed from the guide.
  • An advertisement database is also created from commands including advertising text and 5 logos including IDs for linking the ads to shows displayed in the EPG. The user may access the advertising information directly from the guide.
  • An internet database is also created from commands including URLs to internet sites related to programs displayed on the EPG. If the viewer is viewing the EPG on a platform that is Web enabled, e.g., WebTV, a PC, or PCTV, then a linked site can be accessed directly from
  • a graphics program module builds various displays utilizing schedule, show title, and other information from the database. If the OSD controller operates in the character mode the display is a grid of character codes which are transferred to the OSD controller which generates the on-screen display.
  • An input-response user interface program module responds to user input to generate new displays responsive to the particular input.
  • the user utilizes an input device, e.g., a remote control, mouse, or keyboard, to place a pointer over a part of the current display and click.
  • the input-response module responds to the position of the pointer and the particular display currently displayed to generate a responsive display or take a particular 5 action.
  • the user interface responds to function buttons on a remote control. Specific examples will be described below.
  • Fig. 3 is a block diagram an embodiment of the electronic hardware unit 52 utilized to perform the electronic on-screen schedule display and other functions.
  • the particular hardware unit 52 depicted is for TVRO (TV Receive Only) customers having home satellite dishes for television viewing. This unit is coupled in series with existing customer TVRO equipment.
  • TVRO TV Receive Only
  • the unit receives Baseband Video in 123 from the customer TVRO system.
  • 5 unit optionally outputs Baseband Video out 128 or channel 3/4 RF out 130.
  • the unit includes an
  • 8-bit microprocessor 100 64 bytes of code ROM 101, 512K of RAM 102 for program data storage, a custom gate array 103, segmented base registers 104 for fast memory data manipulation, security logic 106 for decoding incoming encrypted data, a serial bus 108 for display controller interface, serial bus 110 for inter-processor communication, watchdog timer
  • the on-screen display controller and formatter (OSDCF) 124 functions as an I/O
  • VBI vertical blanking interval
  • Digital data for example close-captioned data, is modulated onto the carrier signal during the VBI.
  • the OSDCF 124 includes an analog-to-digital convenor (ADC) which digitizes the incoming baseband video and extracts digital information transmitted in the VBIs. As explained more fully below, messages for transmission to the database are transmitted in the VBIs. These messages are transferred to the processor 100 which executes a database engine process to build or update the database.
  • ADC analog-to-digital converter
  • the OSD p-art of the OSDCF 124 includes cache memory, character memory, timing functions, and an external RAM.
  • the OSD reads high level graphic commands sent from the processor 100 and stores graphic information in the RAM.
  • the OSD outputs red (R), green (G), blue (B), graphic data which is used to generate a local video signal.
  • the OSD local "video output or the incoming live video 5 will be displayed.
  • screen display graphic data generated by the database engine is transfeired to the RAM of the OSD which then generates a local video signal that causes the display screen to be displayed on the television screen.
  • the DBE builds a hierarchical database in the RAM.
  • the hierarchical structure of the database is depicted in Fig. 4.
  • the database is structured internally as schedule data structures and theme data structures linked by handles and handle tables.
  • Each handle is an index to a handle table which contains pointers to blocks of memory where structures of the database are
  • the hierarchy for the schedule data structures, in descending order, is:
  • Channel Data Table contains subscriber unit's list of channels
  • Show List contains time slots for each show scheduled to be broadcast for a channel
  • Show Description contains show's ratings, attributes, and description text.
  • a channel data table depicted in Fig. 5A, is the highest data structure in the hierarchy. This table includes an entry for each channel received by the subscriber unit.
  • Each channel data table entry includes information concerning the channel and a handle to a show list handle table for the channel.
  • the next data structure in the hierarchy is the show list depicted in Fig. 5B.
  • the show list includes a start time typically being midnight GMT and 24 hours of scheduling.
  • the channel's schedule is given by an ordered sequence of show slots, with a show slot for each show to be broadcast by a particular channel for a particular day.
  • Each slot includes a duration, show title handle, and show description handle. Finding an entry corresponding to a given start time requires the entries to be scanned, in order, from the beginning of show list and adding duration values. , 5
  • the database when fully constructed, holds a week's worth of show lists for each channel.
  • the days of the week are accessed by incrementing the show list handle by two bytes.
  • the show lists are updated each day at midnight GMT, with the show list for the day just completed being deleted and the show list for same day next week being added to the database.
  • the next data structures in the schedule hierarchy are the show title entries, depicted in Fig. 5C, and show description entries, depicted in Fig. 5D.
  • For a given show slot the show title entry and show description entry are accessed utilizing the handles included in the slot.
  • the show title and show description entries are stored in a memory pool divided into blocks. Each show title is identified by a unique 20-bit show identification number (SID) and each show description is identified by a unique 20-bit number assigned at the head end.
  • the show title handles are
  • ⁇ based on the SID and the show title handles are offsets into a show title handle table.
  • the entry in the show title table accessed by a particular show title handle includes the address of the first block in the memory pool where the show title entry is stored.
  • the show description handle table entry accessed by a show description handle stores the address of the first block in the memory pool where the show description entry is stored.
  • Each show title entry includes a theme index ID and the text of the show title.
  • a single show title entry will be referenced by many show lists for different channels, days, and times.
  • all show lists reference a single show title entry in memory so that memory is efficiently used.
  • Many show title entries have a long life because the show titles may be for series that are broadcast over long periods of time and may be
  • Each show description entry includes a theme index ID, critic's rating, MPAA rating for the show, traits mask bits, year produced, and show description text. Show description entries tend to have a shorter life than show title entries because a description is only valid for a particular episode of a series.
  • To obtain schedule information for a particular time and to display the schedule information in the programming grid requires the following steps. For each channel in the channel list, the show list for the day is accessed and scanned. Horizontal blocks for the channel on are sized according to the duration of the show slots including and following the selected time.
  • the show title entry referenced by each show slot is accessed and the show title is displayed in the horizontal block corresponding to the show slot.
  • An ad list data structure is similar to the show list. It includes a start time and 24 hours of ad scheduling.
  • the ad list is regionalized and includes an ad slot for each ad to be broadcast for a given day.
  • the ad slot includes a duration and an Ad ID utilized to access an ad entry.
  • Each add entry includes an ad banner text field, an ad text field, and a pointer to an ad logo, if appropriate.
  • the ad logo includes a graphics file to be displayed with the ad.
  • the ad entries include the ad banner text and ad text.
  • the database is built by a database engine software module operating on the processor.
  • commands comprising discrete commands are received by the database engine.
  • commands include a Region Command which specifies channels available for a particular subscriber unit to be included in the Channel Data Table; a Channel Data command including information utilized to form the entries in the Channel Data Table; and show list, Show Title, and Show Description commands including SIDs and DIDs referencing areas in memory.
  • the database engine creates storage locations in memory for all SIDs and DIDs included in any show list. Information included in commands having matching SIDs or DIDs is written to the referenced memory area. In practice the SIDs and DIDs are processed by a hashing system
  • the messages may be transmitted to a subscriber unit in various ways.
  • a system for receiving messages in the VBIs of broadcast programming has been described above.
  • the messages may be transmitted in a dedicated bit stream.
  • bitstreams encoding information such as audio, VBI (vertical blanking information data such as closed caption and teletext), program guide infonnation, and conditional access info ⁇ nation, are provided as separate bitstreams, multiplexed into a composite bit stream, and
  • the database itself may be transmitted in a digital data stream.
  • a digital data stream includes headers for classifying different portions of the data in the stream.
  • the data stream transmitted from a satellite includes video data in the format specified by the Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) standard, MPEG audio data, and EPG data.
  • MPEG Motion Pictures Expert Group
  • the MPEG video and audio data is decoded and transformed into signals which may be utilized by a television, monitor, or other display devices.
  • the EPG data is stored in a buffer and utilized by a controller to generated an EPG display and to tune to correct programs specified by user input data.
  • a decoder at the viewer's location receives 16 carriers and controls a tuner/demodulator to select one carrier.
  • the carrier is sampled, decoded, error-corrected, and demultiplexed to separate the various bit streams.
  • the decoder includes video decoder chips which decompress
  • the block for that time period is loaded into memory so that the user can interact with the guide.
  • a future time and different channel there may be a time delay. For example, if the current programming block were Bl and the block currently received is B4 the user must wait for blocks B5, B6, and B7, to be transmitted before the current
  • 2 Q programming can be received and displayed.
  • the viewer would wait for a time delay equal to the sum of time durations for transmitting each block, i.e., d5+d6+d7. If the program guide block is modulated onto a different band the cable box must tune to the band and wait until the desired block is transmitted on the carousel, so if the guide is accessed for future programming there could be a delay.
  • the database is built at a programming data center and sent over land-lines to the cable head end.
  • the cable company sends data any way it wants, e.g. VBIs, satellite, digital, etc.
  • all the data could be stored and processed at a central station, e.g., a head end, and called by the viewer terminal
  • some of the data could be stored and processed at the central station.
  • the user interface takes remote control commands as its primary input.
  • the user interface takes remote control commands as its primary input.
  • a user requests various functions by pressing function buttons on a remote control.
  • the GUI is utilized with different interactive regions on a displayed screen corresponding to different functions.
  • the user moves the cursor over the interactive region corresponding to a desired function and selects the function to generate a command.
  • the particular form of entering a command is not critical and technology for utilizing voice
  • the user interface receives commands and responds with a requested display screen and by performing the function requested by the command.
  • the function performed may be to perform an action such as recording a program, tuning to a channel, accessing a related internet site, purchasing a pay-per-view program, or purchasing merchandise.
  • each screen is dependent on the previous screen, time of day, the contents of the database, the command received, and other parameters.
  • a state table is used to define the screen flow.
  • the entrance function is called when a state is first entered to collect all necessary data and format the screen.
  • the exit function is called to
  • the update function is called once per minute to update the screen time and to re-draw the screen if any information displayed on the screen needs to be updated.
  • the table contains a reference to another software function corresponding to each key on the remote control or to each interactive region on the screen.
  • the viewer moves the cursor over the record interactive region which is then selected to request that the recording function be performed. A confirmation screen will then be generated.
  • a record daemon is then called from the real-time executive to examine the queue and manage recording functions.
  • the screens are displayed by the on-screen display (OSD) controller based on graphic display commands issued by the database engine.
  • OSD on-screen display
  • primitive commands needed to draw system display screens are the Erase Screen Command; Draw Rectangle Command; Save
  • Each screen includes areas that are constant and based on code and data stored in nonvolatile memory and variable areas such as show titles and descriptions which utilize data stored in the database.
  • the database is
  • Fig. 7 is a flow chart depicting the steps of performing the alpha sorting function. As represented by a block 26, window 12 is displayed as a letter selection input. As depicted in Figs. 1A and IB, and described above, a GUI is utilized which preferably includes scroll buttons to move forward and backward through the alphabet. The scroll buttons are interactive regions activated by the user to scroll through the alphabet to select a particular letter.
  • the processor executes software, as represented by a block 28, to sort the show list entries and select those entries having the selected letter as the first letter in the entry. If desired, all the show list entries could be alphabetized in advance to speed up the selection of the titles after the first letter is entered.
  • the other tables in the database are then utilized, as described above, to generate details, i.e.,
  • 5 descriptive information such as channel, time of broadcast, and show summaries associated with each selected show title entry.
  • FIG. 1 A and IB An alphabetical program guide is then built as depicted in Figs. 1 A and IB displaying the show title entries beginning with the selected letter.
  • the list of titles in area 18 is in columnar form on a background of tiles, one tile for each title. One of the tiles is changed in color or
  • the fly as different letters are displayed in window 12.
  • the titles displayed in window 18 could appear after a delay if the sorting function is performed in real time each time a new letter appears in window 12. If a highlighted show title is scheduled to be broadcast multiple times then the episodes are listed in area 30, as depicted in Fig. IB.
  • the viewer inVokes a pop-up menu listing the choices of EPG actions by pressing a key on the remote controller or clicking or an on-screen icon.
  • the selects a choice from the pop-up menu the selected EPG action is carried out.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un guide de programmes électroniques comportant une fonction de tri alphanumérique permettant de générer un écran présentant une liste de titres de programmes, et une information descriptive associée à l'un des titres d'émissions affichés mis en évidence (24), et ce, selon un symbole désigné par un téléspectateur. Une lettre de l'alphabet s'affiche dans une petite fenêtre (12) et des titres commençant par l'initiale affichée dans la petite fenêtre s'affichent en colonne dans une deuxième fenêtre (18). Les détails se rapportant à l'émission dont le titre est mis en évidence s'affichent dans une zone (20) proche de la grande fenêtre. Il est possible de lancer des actions de guide de programmes électronique directement à partir de ce guide.
PCT/US1998/026175 1997-12-09 1998-12-09 Guide de programmes electronique a fonction de tri alphanumerique WO1999030492A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU18123/99A AU1812399A (en) 1997-12-09 1998-12-09 Epg with alpha sorting feature

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US6915197P 1997-12-09 1997-12-09
US60/069,151 1997-12-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999030492A1 true WO1999030492A1 (fr) 1999-06-17

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PCT/US1998/026175 WO1999030492A1 (fr) 1997-12-09 1998-12-09 Guide de programmes electronique a fonction de tri alphanumerique

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001047238A2 (fr) 1999-12-21 2001-06-28 Tivo, Inc. Guide de programme televise interactif, distribute; systeme et procede
EP1398964A2 (fr) * 2002-09-03 2004-03-17 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Appareil et procédé d'enregistrement de contenus, appareil et procédé de reproduction de contenus, et support d'enregistrement
WO2004043070A1 (fr) * 2002-11-08 2004-05-21 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Procede et appareil fournissant une liste permettant de selectionner des elements de contenu

Citations (2)

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WO2001047238A2 (fr) 1999-12-21 2001-06-28 Tivo, Inc. Guide de programme televise interactif, distribute; systeme et procede
EP1250799B1 (fr) * 1999-12-21 2016-07-27 TiVo, Inc. Guide de programme televise interactif, distribute; systeme et procede
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