Apparatus and method for channel scanning by theme

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A remote controller for selecting channels on a television system by theme, the remote controller comprising:

means responsive to actuation of first selected keys on the remote controller for identifying each of a plurality of themes;

means responsive to actuation of second selected keys on the remote controller for entering channel indicators corresponding to each of the themes;

means for storing the entered channel indicators corresponding to each theme;

means for accessing and transmitting to the television system each channel indicator in sequence corresponding to a first theme of the plurality of themes to control channel selection for the television system, if the first selected keys on the remote controller for identifying the first theme are actuated;

means for pausing a set period of time after accessing and transmitting a channel indicator of the first theme before continuing to access and transmit channel indicators corresponding to the first theme in sequence; and

means for continuing to display the channel represented by the channel indicator beyond the set period of time, if the first selected keys on the remote controller for identifying the first theme are actuated again within the set period of time.

2. The remote controller of claim 1 wherein the first selected keys on the remote controller for identifying each of a plurality of themes comprises one key dedicated to each theme.

3. The remote controller of claim 1 wherein the plurality of themes comprises news, sports and movies.

4. The remote controller of claim 1 wherein the first selected keys on the remote controller for identifying each of a plurality of themes comprises a key sequence dedicated to each theme.

5. The remote controller of claim 1 wherein the second selected keys on the remote controller for entering channel indicators corresponding to each of the themes corresponds to keys on an alphanumeric keypad.

6. The remote controller of claim 1 wherein the means for storing the entered channel indicators corresponding to each theme comprises a memory.

7. The remote controller of claim 1 wherein the means for accessing and transmitting to the television system each channel indicator corresponding to the first theme of the plurality of themes in sequence to control channel selection for the television system, if the first selected keys on the remote controller for identifying the first theme are actuated, comprises:

addressing means for accessing each channel indicator corresponding to the first theme of the plurality of themes in sequence; and

a transmitter for transmitting channel indicators to the television system.

8. The remote controller of claim 1 wherein the means for pausing a set period of time after accessing and transmitting a channel indicator before continuing to access and transmit channel indicators corresponding to the first theme in sequence comprises a timer.

9. The remote controller of claim 1 wherein further comprising:

means for entering times for enabling each channel indicator; and

means for storing the entered times; and

wherein the means for accessing and transmitting each channel indicator comprises means for comparing stored times for enabling the channel indicatior with time read from a clock and accessing and transmitting the channel indicator only if a time for enabling compares to the time read from the clock.

10. The remote controller of claim 1 further comprising means for commanding the television system to display the channel corresponding to an accessed and transmitted channel indicator as a small display within a full television display.

11. The remote controller of claim 10 wherein the continuing means further comprises means for commanding the television system to switch the small display to the full television display, if the first selected keys on the remote controller for identifying the first theme are actuated again.

12. A method for selecting channels on a television system by theme, the method comprising the steps of:

entering into a remote controller channel indicators for at least one of a plurality of themes;

storing in the remote controller the entered channel indicators corresponding to each theme;

accessing and transmitting to the television system each channel indicator corresponding to a first theme of the plurality of themes in sequence to control channel selection for the television system, if selected keys identifying the first theme are actuated, wherein each theme is identified by selected keys on the remote controller;

pausing a set period of time after accessing and transmitting a channel indicator before continuing to access and transmit channel indicators corresponding to the first theme in sequence; and

stopping the means for accessing and transmitting from accessing and transmitting each channel indicator corresponding to the first theme of the plurality of themes, if the selected keys identifying the first theme are actuated again.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of commanding the television system to display the channel corresponding to an accessed and transmitted channel indicator as a small display within a full television display.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of stopping the means for accessing and transmitting further comprises the step of commanding the television system to switch the small display to the full television display, if the selected keys identifying the first theme are actuated again.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein:

the step of entering channel indicators comprises the step of entering times for enabling the channel indicator;

the step of storing the entered channel indicators comprises the step of storing the entered times; and

the step of accessing and transmitting each channel indicator comprises the step of comparing stored times for enabling a channel indicator with time read from a clock and enabling the step of accessing and transmitting the channel indicator only if a time for enabling compares to the time read from the clock.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the selected keys on the remote controller for identifying each of a plurality of themes comprises one key dedicated to each theme.

17. A remote controller for selecting channels on a television system by theme, the remote controller comprising:

means responsive to actuation of selected keys on the remote controller for identifying each of a plurality of themes;

means for accessing and transmitting to the television system channel indicators corresponding to a first theme of the plurality of themes in sequence to control channel selection for display of programs by the television system, if the selected keys on the remote controller for identifying the first theme are actuated;

means for pausing a set period of time after accessing and transmitting a channel indicator of the first theme before continuing to access and transmit channel indicators corresponding to the first theme in sequence; and

means for continuing to display beyond the set period of time the program corresponding to the transmitted channel indicator, if the selected keys on the remote controller for identifying the first theme are actuated again within the set period of time.

18. The remote controller of claim 17 wherein the selected keys on the remote controller for identifying each of a plurality of themes comprises one key dedicated to each theme.

19. The remote controller of claim 17 further comprising a memory for storing the channel indicators.

20. The remote controller of claim 17 wherein the means for accessing and transmitting to the television system each channel indicator corresponding to the first theme of the plurality of themes in sequence to control channel selection for the television system, if the first selected keys on the remote controller for identifying the first theme are actuated, comprises:

addressing means for accessing each channel indicator corresponding to the first theme of the plurality of themes in sequence; and

a transmitter for transmitting channel indicators to the television system.

21. The remote controller of claim 17 further comprising means for commanding the television system to display the channel corresponding to an accessed and transmitted channel indicator as a small display within a full television display.

22. The remote controller of claim 21 wherein the means for stopping the means for accessing and transmitting further comprises means for commanding the television system to switch the small display to the full television display, if the first selected keys on the remote controller for identifying the first theme are actuated again.

23. A method for selecting channels on a television system by theme with a remote controller, the method comprising the steps of:

accessing and transmitting to the television system channel indicators corresponding to a first theme of the plurality of themes in sequence to control channel selection for the television system, if selected keys identifying the first theme are actuated, wherein each theme is identified by selected keys on the remote controller;

pausing a set period of time after accessing and transmitting a channel indicator before continuing to access and transmit channel indicators corresponding to the first theme in sequence; and

stopping accessing and transmitting each channel indicator in sequence corresponding to the first theme of the plurality of themes, if the selected keys identifying the first theme are selected again.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of commanding the television system to display the channel corresponding to an accessed and transmitted channel indicator as a small display within a full television display.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of stopping the means for accessing and transmitting further comprises the step of commanding the television system to switch the small display to the full television display, if the selected keys identifying the first theme are actuated again.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of accessing and transmitting each channel indicator comprises the step of comparing times for enabling a channel indicator with time read from a clock and enabling the step of accessing and transmitting the channel indicator only if a time for enabling compares to the time read from the clock.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein the selected keys on the remote controller for identifying each of a plurality of themes comprises one key dedicated to each theme.

28. A method for surfing a spectrum of television channels comprising the steps of:

storing in a memory a first group of channels and time periods of the day when individual channels of the first group are enabled for viewing;

tuning a television receiver to a given channel;

displaying in the background on a television screen the program being telecast on the given channel;

retrieving from memory channels in the first group of channels which are currently enabled based on a current time period of the day; and

sequentially displaying in a picture-in-picture window of the screen the programs being telecast on the retrieved channels.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising a second group of channels, and in which the first group of channels relates to one theme and the second group of channels relates to another theme and the storing step comprises keying into the memory command representing channels and commands representing themes so the channels are stored in locations identified with specific themes.

30. The method of claim 29, in which the keying step comprises pressing a store key, one or more channel number keys, and a theme key on a remote controller for each channel assigned to a group.

31. The method of claim 28, in which the retrieving step comprises keying into the memory a command representing the first group of channels.

32. The method of claim 31, in which the first group of channels relate to one theme and the second group of channels relate to another theme and the keying step comprises pressing a theme key on a remote controller corresponding to the selected group of channels.

33. The method of claim 31, in which the sequentially displaying step changes from channel to channel each time the command representing the first group of channels is keyed into memory.

34. The method of claim 28, in which the sequentially displaying step changes from channel to channel after a predetermined time.

35. The method of claim 34, in which the predetermined time is changed.

36. The method of claim 28 additionally comprising the steps of selecting one of the programs sequentially displayed in the window and tuning the receiver to the channel on which the selected program is telecast to display the selected program outside the window.

37. The method of claim 38 additionally comprising the step of undisplaying the window when the selected program is displayed on the screen to present the selected program in unobstructed format.

38. The method of claim 37, in which the undisplaying step comprises pressing the theme key.

39. The method of claim 36, in which the receiver is controlled by a remote controller having a theme key and the selecting step comprises pressing the theme key.

40. The method of claim 36, in which the receiver is controlled by a remote controller having a theme key and the undisplaying step comprises pressing the theme key.

41. A method for surfing a spectrum of television channels comprising the steps of:

storing in a memory a group of channels and time periods of the day when individual channels of the stored group are enabled for viewing;

tuning a television receiver to a given channel;

displaying a background field and a foreground field on a television screen;

inserting in one of the fields the program being telecast on the given channel;

sequentially retrieving from the memory the channels from the group which are currently enabled based on a current time period of the day; and

sequentially inserting in the other field the programs being telecast on the retrieved channels.

42. The method of claim 41, additionally comprising the steps of:

generating a command signal; and

displaying on the screen full frame the program being telecast on the retrieved channel when the command signal is generated.

43. A method for surfing a spectrum of television channels comprising the steps of:

storing a group of channels in a memory;

tuning a television receiver to a given channel;

displaying on a television screen a foreground field and a background field;

inserting the program being telecast on the given channel in one of the fields;

sequentially retrieving from the memory the stored channels of the group;

sequentially inserting the programs being telecast on the retrieved channels in the other field;

generating a command signal; and

displaying on the screen full frame the program being telecast on the retrieved channel when the command signal is generated.

44. The method of claim 43, additionally comprising the step of generating a channel sequencing command signal and the retrieving step retrieves a channel each time the channel sequencing command is generated.

45. The method of claim 44, in which the foreground field is a PIP window and the step of sequentially inserting the programs being telecast on the retrieved channels inserts the programs in the PIP window.

46. The method of claim 43, in which the retrieving step retrieves a channel if the command signal is not generated after a set period of time.

47. The method of claim 43, in which the foreground field is a PIP window and the step of sequentially inserting the programs being telecast on the retrieved channels inserts the programs in the PIP window.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to controlling channel selection on a television and particularly to apparatus and methods for selecting channels by theme.

2. Description of the Related Art

In presently used television systems, many channels are available that broadcast a wide range of topics including news, sports, movies, programming for kids, and music. Due to the large number of channels available via cable and satellite receivers, a viewer is often overwhelmed when selecting a channel for viewing. Even when the viewer knows the exact program and broadcast channel (for example, Prime Ticket on channel 39) the viewer may still have trouble locating the program because cable channel numbers are often different depending on the cable channel company that is transmitting the channels. Guides are published which describe the local programming; however, the guides are increasing complicated to read and not always up to date. When a user turns on a television system, the user often knows the program theme that he or she wishes to watch. For example, the user may wish to watch news. If the user does not know the channel number of a particular news station, then the user will often use a remote controller to scan through the channels until a channel with news is found. The user does this by pressing the channel up or down command on the remote controller. This method of scanning the channels available on a television system is often called channel surfing. The user surfs the channels until a program is found that matches the theme the user wishes to watch.

A number of attempts have been made to make the selection of channels corresponding to a particular theme easier to accomplish.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,931 (Na) discloses a channel selecting method for programs of the same category. Arbitrary channels are assigned according to the same types of programs as those contained in signals broadcast from a broadcasting station using a VPS function. The method determines whether a received broadcast signal uses the video program system (VPS broadcasting) and recognizes codes corresponding to the programs and arbitrarily assigns channels for the programs according to the codes. Then, if a desired channel is selected, the same types of programs corresponding to that channel can be automatically recognized, so that the broadcasting channel selection for viewing the same type of programs can be easily performed.

For example, the character "A" may be assigned to amusement programs, the character "B" to sports programs and the character C to serial dramas and encoded onto the video signal output. The VPS data is sent during the vertical blanking interval of the video signal.

A disadvantage of Na is that a user must first select a desired channel before other channels having the same types of programs can be automatically recognized. Also Na requires that the VPS broadcasting signal be used and requires the availability of a television system that can recognize the VPS data embedded in the vertical blanking interval of the video signal.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,611 (Yee) discloses an apparatus and technique for automatically tuning an audio video device in accordance with a topic selection made by user. Knowledge of specific broadcast of programs and times is not necessary. A user makes a selection of a subject matter from a menu or list and necessary tuning is thereafter automatically done under control of a menu or list control interface. Digital information is transmitted in the vertical blanking interval to provide a menu. The menu control interaction automatically adjusts the tuner in accordance with the menu selection made by the user to choose an arbitrary channel and page of information within that channel. Digital data is transmitted with the broadcast signal to characterize the subject matter content of the broadcast signal. The tuner will seek to any arbitrary frequency having a digital code matching the subject matter chosen by the user.

Yee has the disadvantage that a television system must have a means of decoding the digital information in the vertical blanking interval. Another disadvantage of Yee is that although a menu is used to select a particular channel or a category of programs, the accessed channel may not have the program that the user wishes to view. Thus, the user must reaccess the menu and select the proper subject matter again and go to another channel within the subject matter and repeat this process until a channel is found that the user wishes to view.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,209 (Schwob) discloses a broadcast receiver capable of selecting a broadcast station based upon a user selected program format and the geographical location of the receiver. After a user inputs the geographical location of the receiver in the desired program format the data base may be scanned to select a broadcast frequency corresponding to the input geographical location and program format for retrieval. The apparatus has a number of format selection keys which may be as follows: classical, CNW for country and western, rock, jazz, and talk for news, sports and public affairs.

The disadvantage of Schwob is that similar to Yee, the data base is accessed to select a particular broadcast frequency which is then tuned to. If the user does not wish to listen to that broadcast frequency then the user must reaccess the data base for selection of another broadcast frequency having the same desired format.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,651 (Templin) is a system for controlling a receiver to tune to only a selective set of channels. Separate groups of VHF, UHF or CATV channels are programmed by means of a key switch having various positions of engagement corresponding to individual groups of channels. Following key switch selection of a given group of channels, any number of channels within that group may be programmed for viewing by means of channel up and down selector keys. A RAM is used to store saved and skipped channels for each key switch position.

Templin allows a user to set a selected set of channels as the preferred channels. Once these preferred channels have been selected then the tuner will only tune to those channels. This saves some time in searching channels for a particular program; however, Templin does not allow the user to select a program category or theme. Thus, the user is required to search through all the selected channels to find channels having a particular theme.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,034 (Na) provides an automatic picture-in-picture (PIP) channel search apparatus and method for, when operating the scan key while the user is watching TV or a video tape on a video cassette recorder using the TV having a PIP function, searching channels by taking the currently viewed picture as a main screen and taking the searched broadcasting channels as subscreens, to thereby facilitate channel selection. The automatic PIP channel search apparatus and method involves the steps of setting the currently viewed broadcast signals in a main screen if a scan key is input when watching a TV channel, setting broadcast channels excluding the channel set as the main screen, as subscreens to display in turn the subscreen channels, and displaying only a specific channel broadcast on the main screen, if the scan key signal is input again.

Na has the disadvantage that each of the TV channels excluding the channel being displayed as the main screen are displayed as a PIP in turn. This does allow the user to surf through the channels; however the user must scan through all of the TV channels to find a channel having a desired theme. This is very similar to surfing through all the channels by pressing the channel up or down buttons on a remote controller for reviewing all the channels to find a channel with a particular theme. Due to the large number of channels available on current cable and satellite systems, the user is greatly inconvenienced by having to search through all of the channels.

Japanese patent application 02-152453 (Yoshihisa) filed Jun. 11, 1990 and published on Feb. 14, 1992 with publication No. 04-044475, discloses a channel selection control section that controls an on-screen display as required to display on the screen of a television a category menu. A user can select a category from the category menu and then the tuner is controlled to select channels corresponding to all broadcast stations belonging to the selected category. Each channel corresponding to the selected category is displayed sequentially on the screen together with an indication of the broadcast station name. Each channel is displayed for a prescribed time. A desired channel is selected by depressing an enter key when the picture of the desired broadcast station is displayed on the television.

Yoshihisa has the disadvantage that an on-screen display is required to display