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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a program schedule guide and,
more particularly, to a system and process for allowing a television
viewer to access on-screen television program listings and other
information services in an easy and convenient way.
The number of television channels available to a user has grown
dramatically within the last decade, primarily due to the availability of
cable and direct broadcast satellite systems. As the number of programs of
potential interest to the viewer has increased, a variety of electronic
program guides have been developed to help the viewer select programs of
particular interest. For example, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.
4,706,121 and 5,353,121 each describes schedule information processing
systems which provide the viewer with a convenient way to select programs
based on viewer supplied selection criteria.
Given the hectic lifestyle of today's society, a system which provides
other information in addition to television program schedule information
would be very convenient for the busy viewer. Examples of information
viewers may desire are weather information, financial information, and the
like. Hence, an information system such as a guide with regions reserved
for such information would provide a valuable service to a user.
Furthermore, these regions could be used for advertising or promotional
purposes, which may or may not be interactive, thereby enabling more
services to be provided without increasing the cost of the guide.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The system and method of the present invention provides a program schedule
guide with information regions for displaying additional information.
Alternatively, the additional information may be provided by a separate
information guide, and a user may "hypertune" from the program schedule
guide to the information guide, and vice versa. The information to be
displayed is received by a peripheral device which can either be a
stand-alone device, such as a set-top box or a web-browser box; or
integrated into the user's television, VCR, computer, satellite IRD, cable
box, and the like. In addition, the information may be displayed on a
computer screen, a television screen, or a television monitor screen.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the program guide interactively
displays a program schedule guide and the screen contains additional
non-interactive information regions which can be used for displaying
advertising or promotional messages for products or programs in a static
or scrolling manner. The advertising may be for special programming events
such as pay-per-view movies, current or upcoming programs, or for
merchandise and services or messages to the user. The promotional
information may relate to an individual network/broadcaster, or for a
selected program, merchandise or services.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, both the program guide
and the information regions are interactive with the user. The interactive
information regions may also display information in a static or scrolling
manner, and may contain promotional information regarding a current or
upcoming program or product advertising information. In addition, if the
information region contains advertising information regarding a product,
the user may click on the information region to see a billboard or
schedule a recording of an infomercial on the product. The interactive
program schedule guide and the information regions may further be combined
with various other forms of information. Potential sources of additional
information include news, sports, and weather. This additional information
may either be available on command by the user, or continuously displayed
within an area of the program guide. In another preferred embodiment, the
information is displayed in a separate information guide.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the program guide is non-interactive,
however the information regions containing the advertising and promotional
information are interactive and may be either static or scrolling. The
user may activate icons or menu items in the information regions or click
on the region itself to gain access to additional displays of advertising
and promotional information. In this embodiment, the user may switch
between full screen display of the guide and a partial or reduced size
picture-in-picture (PIP) window display of the guide via, for example, an
on screen menu with cursor or pointer control. This feature allows a user
to see a large scale version of the guide, or to be able to see the guide
through a PIP window while also getting a "flavor" for a currently
selected show through a partial observation of the show. Preferably in
this mode, the audio for the show also continues to be played.
In preferred embodiments, if an information region is interactive and
displays information regarding a program, the user may click on the
information region and direct tune to the program if it is currently on.
Alternatively, the user may schedule automatic tuning to the program when
the program comes on. If the user schedules an "autotune," the system may
request confirmation from the user just prior to, or at the time of the
scheduled tuning of the program. Alternatively, the system may tune to the
program directly. If the program is a pay-per-view program, the system may
authorize payment for the program automatically. Preferably, the system
will request user confirmation before tuning to or authorizing payment of
the program. In addition, the user may choose to record a current program
or record a future program. To do this, the user would highlight the
program desired on the information region, then choose the record option,
and the system would record a current program or asks if it should
schedule recording of a future program.
In another preferred embodiment, the advertising or promotional information
may appear only during times when the user is more likely to actually be
watching the program schedule guide. The guide may further contain
commercial icons that allow a user to get more information about the
product or service advertised. In addition, the information displayed may
change as the user moves the cursor from cell to cell in the program
guide. Alternatively, the information displayed in the information regions
may change after the passage of a predetermined number of seconds,
regardless of user activity. Additional information regions may be
displayed while the user confirms that he/she desires to autotune to an
upcoming program. These information regions may contain advertising for
products, programs, or services and may be displayed until the user makes
his/her confirmation.
A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present
invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the
specification and the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a system on which a program
schedule guide according to the present invention may be displayed;
FIG. 2(a) is an illustration of a program schedule guide screen according
to the present invention with program information, information icons, and
information regions;
FIG. 2(b) is an illustration of a promotional message screen shown to the
user when the user selects the information region of FIG. 2(a);
FIG. 3(a) is an illustration of a program schedule guide screen according
to the present invention with program information, and information
regions;
FIG. 3(b) is an illustration of a promotional message screen shown to the
user when the user selects the information region of FIG. 3(a);
FIG. 4(a) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the program
schedule guide screen according to the present invention with program
information and an information region;
FIG. 4(b) is an illustration of a promotional message screen shown to the
user when the user selects the information region of FIG. 4(a);
FIG. 5(a) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the program
schedule guide screen according to the present invention with program
information and an information region;
FIG. 5(b) is an illustration of a promotional message screen shown to the
user when the user selects the information region of FIG. 5(a);
FIG. 6(a) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the program
schedule guide screen according to the present invention with program
information and an information region;
FIG. 6(b) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the program
schedule guide screen which includes virtual channels;
FIG. 6(c) is an illustration of a submenu screen shown to the user when the
user selects the information region of FIG. 6(a) or the virtual channel of
FIG. 6(b);
FIG. 6(d) is an illustration of a data page shown to the user when the user
selects one of the options shown in the submenu screen of FIG. 6(c);
FIG. 7 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the program
schedule guide which includes information regions;
FIG. 8 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the program
schedule guide screen which includes information icons;
FIG. 9(a) is an illustration of an embodiment of the information guide;
FIG. 9(b) is an illustration of a submenu of the information guide with
news highlighted;
FIG. 9(c) is an illustration of a news information screen;
FIG. 10(a) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of a submenu of
the information guide with sports highlighted;
FIG. 10(b) is an illustration of a sports submenu;
FIG. 10(c) is an illustration of a sports information screen;
FIG. 11(a) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the information
screen with weather highlighted;
FIG. 11(b) is an illustration of a weather submenu;
FIG. 11(c) is an illustration of a weather information screen;
FIG. 11(d) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the weather
submenu;
FIG. 11(e) is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of a weather
information screen; and
FIG. 12 illustrates the hardware elements of a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention provides a schedule system which contains information
regions for displaying other than television program schedule information.
FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of television/computer system
100 that displays a program schedule guide according to the present
invention. As shown, system 100 includes a distribution center 110 and
multiple receiving locations. Distribution center 110 compiles data for a
data-stream. In a preferred embodiment, this data-stream is broadcast to
receiving locations 116, 118, 120, and 122; and peripheral devices that
are located within the receiving locations receive the data-stream.
Several methods are available for broadcasting the data-stream from
distribution center 110 to receiving locations 116-122. For example,
satellite 115 may broadcast this data-stream within the vertical blanking
interval (VBI) of a television channel (e.g., PBS) or a dedicated channel
to receiving locations 116, 118, 120, and 122. Alternatively, the data may
also be broadcast out of band, i.e., using non channel specific
mechanisms. In another preferred embodiment, the data-stream is provided
to receiving locations 116, 118, 120, and 122 via transmission system 113.
Transmission system 113 may be, for example, optical fiber, coax cable,
telephone line, over the air television broadcast, or the like.
In yet another embodiment, the peripheral devices receive the data-stream
from, for example, a local service provider 140. Service provider 140
receives the data-stream from distribution center 110 via line 117, and
broadcasts the data-stream to the receiving peripheral devices via
satellite 115 (or another satellite), or via lines 119 and 113. The
receiving peripheral devices may be televisions 130, televisions 134, VCRs
132, VCRs 136, and/or cable, satellite IRD, web-browser or set-top boxes
138. In still further embodiments, PCTVs or personal computers may be
utilized, or the data-stream may be provided to a personal computer for
use with the computer and/or one or more of the above devices. Hence, the
system is not dependent on hardware platforms, rather it may be a software
application that may be downloaded to different systems.
In a preferred embodiment, information in the data-stream includes
television schedule information, advertising information, news
information, weather information, financial information, internet address
linking information, and the like. The information in the data-stream may
further include messages from the system operator to a specific user or to
subscribers of the system in general. Software applications, which may be
downloaded from the distribution center or located within the peripheral
devices, utilize the schedule information provided in the data-stream to
generate a schedule guide. The news, weather, financial, and other
information may be included in the schedule guide, or a separate
information guide may be generated. Advertising information and messages
from the system operator to a user are included on the schedule guide, and
may be included on the information guide as well. In yet another preferred
embodiment, data in the front and back end of the data-stream may be
compressed to send a tickler instead of a regular full screen video
display. The tickler would be a PIP window, and because the window size is
small, the quality of the picture is sufficient even though it is
generated from compressed data.
If the software applications are located within the peripheral devices,
they may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium such as a RAM,
disk, or other storage device. Where applicable, the computer-readable
storage medium may also be a ROM. If the schedule guide is in a grid
format, for example, the available channels may be listed on the "y" axis
and various times may be listed on the "x" axis. For more information on
how the schedule system displays information, see U.S. Pat. No. B1
4,706,121, U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,266, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,268. These
patents, like the present patent application, are assigned to StarSight
Telecast, Inc., and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety
for all purposes.
In another preferred embodiment, satellite 115 has processing capability.
Hence, in addition to distribution center 110, satellite 115 may also
compile data for the data-stream. This embodiment is very advantageous as
it ensures continued and reliable data transmission in situations where
satellite 115 may not be able to receive data from distribution center
110. An example of such situations is during periods of atmospheric or
terrestrial interferences, which occur when satellite 115 is in-line with
distribution center 110 and the Sun. The Sun, having immense energy, emits
a lot of noise thereby interfering data transmission from distribution
center 110 to satellite 115. With its own data processor, satellite 115
may continue to transmit data, hence, ensuring continued and reliable data
transfer to the receiving locations. This embodiment also ensures
continued and reliable data transmission when distribution center 110 is
out of service.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a program schedule guide screen according to
the present invention. As illustrated, program guide screen 200 has
program information, information regions for offering product and program
information, and information icons for offering information such as
sports, news and the like. FIG. 2 shows only two information regions, 220
and 250, although guide screen 200 may have multiple information regions.
As shown in FIG. 2, cell 220 shows a promotion for NBC's program featuring
Travolta. Program guide screen 200 also contains an advertisement space
250. This space can be used to provide additional advertising
opportunities, an example is advertisements for a system operator.
Preferably the space is used for short advertisements that change
periodically, for example, on three minute intervals. An example of a
suitable advertisement is "Enjoy Coke|". Here cell 250 shows an
advertisement from RCA. In another embodiment the information displayed in
the information regions may change as the user moves from cell to cell in
the program guide. Alternatively, the information may change automatically
after the passage of a predetermined number of seconds, regardless of user
activity. In addition or as an alternative, there may be commercial icons
to allow the user to get more information about the product or service
advertised.
Information regions 220 and 250 may be color coded or otherwise visually
distinguished. They may also be placed at strategic positions within the
guide to better catch the user's attention. As described, when an
information region contains program information, such as cell 220, the
user may move the cursor to the region (or the cursor may point to the
region by default) and tune to the program if it is currently on. If the
program is not currently on, the user may schedule an autotune to the
program when the program airs. The user may further record a current
program or schedule a recording of a future program. When an information
region contains product information, such as cell 250, the user may click
on the information region to tune to an infomercial on the product.
Alternatively, the user may schedule an autotune to the infomercial at a
later time period, or schedule a recording of the infomercial on the
product. In a two way system, which has a back-channel for transmitting
information or requests from the user, the user may also order a product
by clicking on an information region and providing the necessary customer
information for transmission to a supplier of the product, or to the
system operator (service provider).
Portion 240 of guide screen 200 contains cells 245. Each cell 245 indicates
the channel number corresponding to the program guide cell 255 lying
immediately adjacent to it in the program guide. Instead of, or in
combination with the channel number, cells 245 may contain the program
service name. For example, a cell 245 may contain the channel number 32,
the service name PBS, or both.
The system operator may charge television program providers an additional
fee, per time slot, for promoting and featuring programs in the
information regions. In this manner, the system operator may provide the
guide to a user at a reduced price while providing more information. A
number of different display arrangements can be used to draw the user's
attention to such "special" programs. For example, the program may be
listed first in the program guide, shown in a different typeface,
presented in a different color, given additional space for a program
description, or have some other form of graphic enhancement, including
animation.
FIG. 2(b) is an illustration of a promotional message screen 260. Screen
260 is shown to the user when information region 220 is interactive, and
the user clicks on information region 220. Promotional screen 260 may also
contain an icon to allow immediate tuning to the program described by the
promotional message. In addition, promotional screen 260 may contain
another icon that returns the user to guide 200. Since the system operator
may charge a fee for displaying such promotional information, some or all
of a message portion 275 may also be used as an additional revenue source.
In FIG. 2(b), portion 275 contains the promotion: "Amid the flash of 70's
Disco, an aspiring young dancer . . . " This promotional material, which
in this example would typically be provided by NBC, provides the user with
several benefits. First, it allows a program to be promoted which is not
currently represented in the program schedule guide. Second, portion 275
may be used to provide further information about a specific program, such
as the staring actors or a brief description of the program content, thus
possibly gaining a larger viewing audience or market share. Third, by
promoting a program through prominent featuring of the program in the
program guide, the broadcaster may be able to prevent potential viewers
from becoming engrossed in a program which is to continue after the start
time of the promoted program.
Portion 280 of screen 260 is used to indicate the sponsor of the
promotional message shown in portion 275. The sponsor indication can be by
broadcaster call letters, channel number, broadcaster name, or broadcaster
insignia (e.g., the NBC peacock). It is also possible to eliminate portion
280, thereby enlarging portion 275. Additional information may therefore
be displayed in portion 275. Since portion 280 of screen 260 displays
information regarding a program, the user may click on the information
region and direct tune to the program if it is currently on.
Alternatively, the user may schedule automatic tuning to the program when
the program comes on. If the user schedules an autotune, the system may
request confirmation from the user before tuning to the program, or the
system may tune to the program directly. Preferably, the system will
request user confirmation before tuning to the program. If user
confirmation is requested, additional information regions may be displayed
until the user makes his confirmation. These information regions may
include advertising for products or services.
If the promoted program is a pay-per-view program, the system may authorize
payment for the program automatically. Preferably, the system will request
user confirmation before authorizing payment of the program. The user may
further choose to record the promoted program, whether it is a current
program, a future program, or a pay-per-view program. If the user requests
recording of a pay-per-view program, the system may ask for confirmation
before authorizing payment for the program. If the user requests recording
of a future program, the system may also request user confirmation.
Additional information regions may al | | |
