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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for informing a user of an interactive viewing system that a selected program is available for viewing and to a system for allowing a user to select a future program for later reminding.
2. Description of Related Art
As communication technology continues to expand, individuals are faced with an ever increasing number of information sources. For example, many cable television services offer dozens of different channels from which a user can choose. Some
available satellite systems claim to offer hundreds of channels and it is widely expected that cable services will expand in an effort to match or exceed this capability. Similar gains in the quantity of available programs and services are anticipated
in areas of communication other than television.
With so many program choices, a user may frequently not be aware or may forget when a desired program is available. As a result, users may fail to view desired programs and may fail to gain the full benefit of their program options.
To assist users in identifying the availability of future programs and in planning their viewing schedules, many publishers provide printed schedule information. Typically such printed schedule information is presented as a time-based grid with
increments of time arranged in columns and various channels arranged in rows. Program titles are printed in the grid at the intersection of the time at which the programs air and the channel on which they are broadcast. Such information, however, may
often be incomplete and may include information for only prime time programs or for only the most widely available channels. Moreover, the availability of printed program information does little to remind a user that a desired show is about to begin.
More recently, some service providers provide on-line program guides. For example, on some systems a channel is dedicated for broadcasting a display of program schedule information. Typically, the information is presented as a time-based grid
similar to conventional printed program guides. However, because the size of the screen is limited, such systems can typically display only a small amount of program schedule information at any given time. Usually, such systems scroll through a list of
channels and display corresponding program schedule information for a one and one-half to two hour time period. This is often inadequate to allow a user to plan future viewing. Moreover, because a user seeking information about a particular channel
must wait for the system to scroll to that channel in the grid, use of such systems can be frustrating and time consuming. As a result, such systems have not been satisfactory in assisting a user to plan a future viewing schedule or in informing a user
when a desired program is about to begin.
Some devices, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,081,754 to Jackson, allow users to program their televisions to tune to desired channels at preset times. Thus, users can refer to a printed or broadcast program guide to find the time
and channel for a desired program and then program the system to turn to the desired program automatically. However, this process can be tedious and complicated and is subject to errors in the programming process. Moreover, given the short future
timespan for which many program guides supply program schedule information, it is often not practical or useful to undertake the programming effort required by this type of device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system that reminds a user of an interactive viewing system when a preselected program is available and that allows a user to quickly and easily find and select desired future
programs for reminding.
A system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is integrated into an interactive viewing system. The interactive viewing system typically includes a central head end in bidirectional communication with one or more
viewer stations. Each viewer station has an interactive station controller, a video display operably coupled to the interactive station controller and an input device for providing user input to the interactive station controller. The head end makes
available to the viewer stations a number of programs at different times and on different channels.
The interactive viewing system further includes one or more interactive program guides. For example, the system may include a program time guide which provides program schedule information identifying the times and channels for various programs. The system may also include a category-based guide which identifies programs by category and possibly subcategory, and personalized program guides which identify programs based on a user's personal preferences and viewing habits. The interactive program
guides allow a user to navigate through the displayed program information and identify selected programs.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user may select a future program from a program guide and using the input device set a reminder for that program. The reminder is stored and monitored by the system and shortly before the
selected program is available, the user is reminded of the program's availability. The reminder may be stored at the head end. Preferably, the reminder is accomplished by displaying a reminder panel on the user's video display. The reminder panel
identifies the selected program and informs the user that it will shortly be available. The reminder panel may also be accompanied by an audio indication.
In one aspect of the invention, the user may enter a command through the input device that turns directly to the channel on which the selected program will be available.
In another aspect of the invention, the system identifies a program for which a reminder has been set with an icon indicative of the reminder whenever the program is displayed in a program guide. This allows a user to quickly and easily identify
programs for which reminders have been set.
In another aspect of the invention, a viewer station may have multiple users which log onto the system in a manner that identifies each of the multiple users. The system automatically keeps track of which user sets a reminder and which user or
users are currently using the system. The reminder panel is displayed at a viewer station only if the user that set the reminder is using that viewer station at the time set for its display.
Other objects and aspects of the invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the invention which is presented by way of example and not as a limitation of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an interactive viewing system incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a viewer station as illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates the screen of the video display on which a sample of a preferred display of the program time guide is shown.
FIGS. 4a and 4b are a flow diagram illustrating the operation of a preferred embodiment of a program time guide in which a reminder system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been implemented.
FIG. 5 illustrates a partial screen of the video display on which an exemplary current program options menu panel illustrating available options for a selected currently available program is shown.
FIG. 6 illustrates a screen of the video display on which another sample of a preferred display of the program time guide is shown along with an exemplary future program options menu panel.
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating part of the operation of a preferred embodiment of a program time guide in which a reminder system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been implemented.
FIG. 8 illustrates a partial screen of the video display on which an exemplary remind options menu panel is shown.
FIG. 9 illustrates a screen of the video display on which an exemplary reminder panel is displayed.
FIG. 10 illustrates a partial screen of the video display on which an exemplary record options menu panel is shown.
FIG. 11 illustrates a partial screen of the video display on which an exemplary past program options menu panel is shown.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
The reminder system of the current invention may be implemented in a variety of environments. Here, it is described in the context of an interactive viewing system that offers at least a time-based program guide that allows a user to select a
program. Having used the program time guide, or any other program guide, to select a program, the user can quickly and easily set a reminder for the selected program. The system stores and monitors the reminders set by all users and shortly before a
selected program becomes available, reminds each user that has set a reminder for that program that the program is about to begin. To remind the user, the system displays a reminder message identifying the program and indicating that the program will be
available shortly.
To provide a context for understanding the current invention, a preferred example of an interactive viewing system and program time guide are described below. However, it should be appreciated that the reminder system could be implemented in
different environments or with different program guides.
A simple block diagram of an exemplary interactive viewing system 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The illustrated interactive viewing system is an interactive television system. The system 10 has a central head end 12 that supplies programming
over a network 14 to multiple viewer stations 16 that are typically located in the homes of system users or subscribers. Each viewer station typically includes an interactive station controller 18, a video display 20, and a user input device 22. The
viewer stations 16 accept user input and can, in addition to receiving programming from the head end 12, transmit information back to the head end. In this manner, the interactive viewing system 10, allows for independent two-way communication between
the head end 12 and each of the viewer stations 16.
For purposes of simplicity, the interactive viewing system 10 is described with reference to widely available systems and standards, including conventional analog television receivers and cable-based video networks. It should also be
appreciated, however, that the particular components of the interactive viewing system 10 may be implemented in accordance with a variety of conventions, standards, or technologies and still provide a suitable environment for implementation of the
underlying concepts of the present invention. For example, the conventional analog television receivers and cable-based video network illustrated in FIG. 1 could be implemented as digital video receivers and a satellite downlink transmission system,
respectively. Likewise, the cable-based network could be an electrically conductive cable network, an optically conductive cable network, some other network technology, or a combination of these technologies. It should also be realized that the
programming provided by the head end 12 is not limited to traditional television programs. Rather, the programming may include standard analog video signals (e.g., NTSC, PAL or SECAM), digital video signals (e.g., MPEG1 or MPEG2), digital information
related to computer-executed applications, or other types of programming.
As shown in FIG. 1, the head end 12 of the illustrated interactive viewing system includes a digital local area network (LAN) 24 that includes multiple computer servers 26 for performing various interactive system applications or functions and a
digital communication gateway 28 to a wide area network (WAN) (not shown). The servers 26, which store and process information at the head end, may include, for example, service and application servers 30, continuous media servers 32, and electronic
program guide data servers 34.
The service and application servers 30 process interactive service requests from subscribers and provide services and applications associated with network security, monitoring, object storage, financial transactions, data access, and other
administrative functions. The service and application servers 30 may also contain a subscriber database. The subscriber database may store subscriber specific information such as each user's identity, a login code which identifies different users, a
user's viewing preferences and history, and various user input for use by the system at future times. This database may be used to store, as described below, reminders and recording requests set by various users of the system.
The continuous media servers 32 provide storage and on-demand or near on-demand delivery of digitized video information. The digitized video information can include video programming of substantially any duration ranging from individual image
frames and brief video clips to full-length motion pictures.
The electronic program guide data server 34 stores program schedule information. For example, the program schedule information may include a program schedule database that identifies what program is available on a given channel at a given time.
The program schedule information may also contain additional information about any particular program, such as, a brief description of the program, the stars of the program, a link to a video preview (stored on the continuous media server 32) for the
program, whether the program is closed captioned, whether the program is stereo or a variety of other information. Such information is commercially available, for example, from Tribune Media Services or TV Data, both of Glens Falls, N.Y. Preferably,
such information is delivered to the head end 12 via digital communication gateway 28 and an associated wide area network.
As used here, the servers 26 may include various types of memories for storing information and various types of processors for processing information. Various functions of the servers described here may be combined so as to be carried out by a
single server or may be divided and allocated among more than one server. Moreover, there may likely be a variety of functions and services carried out by the servers 26 which are not described here.
The servers 26 communicate with the viewer stations 16 via a network communication switch 36, such as an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch. For communication from the servers 26 to the viewer stations 16, the network communication switch
36 arranges digital information from the servers 26 in a standard bidirectional digital communication format for transmission over the network 14. For communication from the viewer stations 16 to the servers 26, the network communication switch 36
converts digital information from a standard bidirectional digital communication format for delivery to the servers 26.
In the exemplary system illustrated in FIG. 1, digital information from the servers 26 is frequency modulated by a digital modulator system 38 for transmission over the network 14. Digital information that includes video programming is
preferably modulated at frequencies greater than the standard analog television frequency range, which is 50-450 MHz under the NTSC television standard. Digital information that does not include video programming may be modulated at baseband frequencies
that are less than the standard analog television frequencies, modulated at frequencies between the standard analog television frequencies, or modulated at frequencies above the standard analog television frequencies.
The head end 12 may be provided with analog signals through an analog feed 40. The analog signals provided to the head end may be standard analog video signals for conventional cablecast of television programs or other analog information. A
multiplexing system 42 receives and mixes the frequency modulated digital information from the digital modulator system 38 and analog signals obtained from the analog feed 40 and delivers a composite signal to the interactive network 14 where it is made
available to viewer stations 16. A reverse channel receiver system 44 receives and demodulates communications from the viewer stations 16 for processing by the servers 26.
Preferably, the network 14 carries such bidirectional communication between the viewer stations 16 and the head end 12. Alternatively, communication between the viewer stations 16 and the head end 12 can be carried by different communication
systems. For example, communication from the head end 12 to the viewer stations 16 could be carried on a satellite downlink while communication in the other direction is carried on a terrestrial modem link.
A simplified block diagram of an exemplary viewer station 16 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The illustrated viewer station includes an interactive station controller 18 which is sometimes referred to as a set top box, at least one video display 20
such as a television, and an input device 22 such as an infrared remote control. Although it is shown distinct from video display 20, the interactive station controller 18 could alternatively be integral with the video display 20.
The interactive station controller 18 controls the video display 20 and communicates with the head end 12. Controlling the video display 20 of a conventional analog type may include, for example, delivering an analog video signal directly to the
video display 20 for display on a screen 46, converting a digital video signal to a suitable analog form for display, generating a video signal for display, or executing an application that includes displays on video display 20.
The interactive station controller 18 includes an input 48 from network 14 that delivers communications or information from the central head end 12 to a communication interpretation system 50 having, for example, an analog television demodulator
52, a digital video decoder 54, and a digital network communication interface 56. The demodulator 52 functions as a conventional television tuner for selecting one or more of multiple conventional analog video signals present at input 48. The video
decoder 54 functions as a digital equivalent of demodulator 50 for selecting one or more of multiple digital video signals present at input 48. The network communication interface 56 communicates with digital information carried over baseband
frequencies below the conventional analog video signal frequencies, over frequencies between conventional analog video signal frequencies, and over frequencies above conventional analog video signal frequencies.
A central processing unit (CPU) 58 in conjunction with a memory system 60 controls operation of the interactive station controller 18. For example, the CPU 58 controls selection of analog-based programming, digital-based programming or
applications delivered from the head end 12, accesses or activates selected applications, or delivers information to or requests information from the head end 12.
The interactive station controller 18 also may include a graphics subsystem 62 that is controlled by the CPU 58 to form graphics images, including user interface displays, on the video display 20. A video processor subsystem 63, also controlled
by the CPU 58, provides control in generating and displaying video images. A mixer 64 receives the programming or applications signals received from the central head end 12 or CPU 58, graphics image signals from graphics subsystem 62, and video image
signals from the video processor subsystem 63 and delivers a mixed image signal to video display set 20. As used here, mixing may include compositing, blending and masking of image sources such as digital video, analog video, locally generated graphics
and various overlays and bitmap images.
The CPU 58 also includes an infrared receiver and decoder system 66 that receives user input from the user input device 22 and delivers the input to the CPU 58. The input device 22 can be used by a user of the interactive viewer system 10 to
input commands. The input device 22 is provided with a number of keys which may be pressed by a user to input commands. Based upon the keys pressed by a user, the input device 22 generates and emits infrared signals. These signals are detected by the
infrared receiver and decoder system 66 of the interactive station controller 18, decoded, and provided to the CPU 58. The commands may be processed by the interactive station controller 18, may be communicated to the head end 12 for processing, or a
combination of both. In the example system illustrated in FIG. 2, the input device 22 is a hand-held infrared remote control.
The illustrated input device includes at least a menu key 68, an action key 70, a channel up/down key 72, a navigation key 74, and a numeric keypad 76. The uses and functions of these keys are described further below.
The interactive viewing system 10 may include a variety of interactive program guides which allow a user to identify and select programs. For example, the system 10 may include a category-based program guide and personalized program guides based
on a user's personal preferences and viewing habits. The reminder system of the current invention could be implemented with any or all of these guides in much the same manner. However, for clarity, it is described here in the context of a program time
guide.
The screen 46 of the video display 20 showing an exemplary display screen 78 of a program time guide is shown in FIG. 3. The interactive station controller 18 controls the generation and display of the program time guide on the video display 20. In generating the program time guide, the interactive station controller 18 can receive input from the input device 22, can obtain information from the head end 12, and can utilize information stored in the memory system 60 at the interactive station
controller.
The exemplary display screen 78 includes a program grid 80 which provides a user with program schedule information as to the times and channels on which various programs are available. Associated with the program grid are a time panel 82 and a
number of channel panels 84. The time panel 82 extends horizontally across the upper portion of the program grid 80 and is, in the illustrated display, divided into half-hour time increments. The time increments are labeled and are separated by
dividers 86 so as clearly delineate a grid column 92a-92d for each time increment. The channel panels 84 are arranged along a vertical axis to identify rows 94a-94d within the program grid 80. In the illustrated program grid, time is on the horizontal
axis and channels are on the vertical axis. However, these could be switched in other embodiments.
The program grid 80 contains a number of program tiles 88. Each program tile 88 corresponds to a program and is provided with a label 89 to identify that program. Each program tile 88 is positioned within the program grid 80 at the intersection
of the times during which the program is available and the channel upon which the program appears. The label 89 of the program tile 88 may be the program title, an abbreviation of the program title or any other indicator which identifies the
corresponding program. The label 89 is typically displayed beginning at the left hand side of the program tile 88. However, if the left-most part of the program tile 88 extends off the program grid 80 or is obscured, the label is displayed beginning in
the left-most column that is fully visible. In this way, a user can readily see the label at all times.
The program tiles 88 have a uniform height. The length of each of the program tiles 88 may vary, however, and is determined by the length of the program it represents. For example, in the illustrated program grid, a half-hour program would be
represented by a program tile 88a that spans one column and an hour program would be represented by a program tile 88b which spans two columns. For programs whose duration is not a multiple of thirty minutes, the program tiles can be sized to span
fractions of a column. Similarly, if a program does not begin on the hour or on the half-hour, it may positioned so as to span only that portion of the column that corresponds to the time during which it is actually available.
The program grid 80 also includes a focus frame 102 which identifies a selected program tile within the program grid. In the illustrated embodiment, the focus frame 102 identifies a selected program tile by drawing a conspicuous border around
the tile. However, other methods of identifying the selected tile might also be used. For example, the focus frame 102 might identify the selected tile by shading it a different color. As explained below, the focus frame 102 can be used to obtain more
information about a particular program, to navigate through the program time guide, or to perform various actions such as identifying a program for which a reminder is to be set or for which a recording request is to be made.
In addition to the program grid 80, the exemplary display screen 78 includes various other components which facilitate use of the program time guide and provide additional information to the user. For example, the illustrated display includes a
display date panel 104, a current date and time panel 106, and a program summary panel 108. The display date panel 104 identifies the day of the week and the date for which program schedule information is currently being displayed. The display date
panel 104 is particularly useful to help a user remain oriented when viewing program schedule information for a date other than the current date. In the exemplary display screen 78, the current date and time panel 106 is superimposed over a lower
portion of the display. A program summary panel 108, which preferably provides additional information about the program identified by the focus frame 102, is displayed on the right side of the video display screen 46.
The illustrated program summary panel 108 may include a preview window 110, the full title of the program 112, a description of the program 114, and may also contain one or more informational icons (not shown) which indicate characteristics of
the program such as whether the program is closed captioned, whether the program is a rerun and whether the program is in stereo. In addition, user specific icons may be provided to indicate certain characteristics set by the user. For example, an icon
can be provided to indicate whether the user has set a reminder for the indicated program or whether the user has requested recording of the indicated program. In this manner, a user of the program guide can quickly and easily determine which programs
have been set for a reminder and which programs have been set for recording. In alternative embodiments, it may be desirable to display icons within the program tiles 88 rather than within the program summary panel 108.
The focus frame 102, in conjunction with a navigation key 74 on the input device, allows a user to navigate through the program grid 80. The navigation key 74, shown in FIG. 2, is preferably a rocker type switch which can be operated in at least
four distinct positions represented, in the illustrated embodiment, by arrows drawn on the input device. A single press on the navigation key 74 in the up direction will cause the focus frame 102 to move up one row in the program grid 80 and a single
press on the navigation key 74 in the down direction will move the focus frame 102 down one row. Likewise, a single press on the navigation key 74 in the left or right direction will move the focus frame 102 to the next program tile 88 in the left or
right direction, respectively. In alternative embodiments, the navigation key 74 may have more than four positions to allow diagonal movement of the focus frame. Holding the navigation key 74 in a pressed position causes the focus frame 102 to move in
the corresponding direction so long as the navigation key 74 remains pressed. The navigation key 74 might also be structured to sense pressure, so that the speed with which the focus frame 102 moves increases as the pressure used to press the navigation
key increases.
In the exemplary display of FIG. 3, the focus frame 102 can be moved freely within the fully visible columns 92b-92d and rows 94a-94d of the program grid, i.e. the "roam area". In the illustrated embodiment, the first column 92a, which is
partially obscured by the channel panels 84, is not considered fully visible. Any attempt to move the focus frame 102 beyond the roam area will cause the program grid 80 to scroll so as to maintain the focus frame within the fully visible portion of the
program grid. In particular, when the focus frame 102 is moved to a row or column of the program grid 80 that is outside the roam are | | |
