Interactive program guide systems and processes

Background of the Invention The present invention relates to a television program guide system, in particular, to automatically tune a television based on a program selection created from program schedule information displayed on the television or other suitable video monitor. It relates to an interactive television program guide system and related methods that can be used or can be programmed into a video cassette recorder (VCR). More specifically, the present invention allows viewers to find programs of interest by applying limited search selection criteria and non-limiting sort attributes to program schedule information. On an interactive television program guide system that provides an intuitive search utility and related methods. In response to viewer demand, cable and satellite television services have increased programming diversity primarily by increasing the number of program channels available to customers. For example, many cable television broadcast services now offer dozens to hundreds of channels of programming, and this number is steadily increasing as more cable services replace coaxial cable networks with fiber optic networks. It is expected to do. Satellite television services will also continue to increase the variety of program offerings by increasing the number of program channels available to customers. Needless to say, the increased diversity of program offerings is welcomed by the general public, but it is not without its burden. One problem that viewers often encounter is that as the number of channels increases, it becomes more difficult to quickly find and tune the show of interest. Before cable television became commonplace, it was common for viewers to briefly try programs broadcast on each of the few available terrestrial channels to select which program to watch. .. However, this technique, called "channel surfing," must consider programs on dozens to hundreds of channels. If not, it is difficult, and while doing this, the viewer may miss an undesiredly large portion of the program that they ultimately choose to watch. Another concern is that the increased number of channels makes it more likely that two programs of interest will be aired at the same time. Therefore, viewers often consider it necessary to record one program for later viewing and to watch the other program in the meantime. Therefore, as the number of channels offered by television broadcast services increases, so does the need for systems and methods that simplify the infamously difficult task of scheduling programs for VCR recording. Over the past few years, in the United States, television viewers have become accustomed to scrolling television program guides provided by many television broadcast services. One such guide is known as the preview channel, which provides a scrolling grid containing program schedule information for each channel provided by the television broadcast service (channel selected by the television broadcast service). Present to the viewer. The horizontal axis of the scroll grid indicates the program schedule time, and the vertical axis indicates the program channel. Typically from the current time period (unit time, typically 30 minutes) 1. Program schedule information for 5 hours is provided. The grid format used by the preview channel to provide program schedule information has been favorably received by the general public. In essence, the body of the grid is an array, and each cell represents a program that is or is aired on the channel specified by the vertical axis at the time specified by the horizontal axis. The size of each cell (ie, cell width) represents the length of the program (over one or more time periods). Scrolled grid program guides have proven valuable to viewers over the past few years, but they are not interactive program guides. As a result, it lacks certain performance that viewers find very useful. For example, the scroll grid does not have the ability to provide program schedule information for television broadcast times that exceed a relatively short time (eg, 1.5 hours) from the current time. Also, the grid scrolls at a pace that the viewer cannot control. Therefore, it can take several minutes for the scrolling grid to proceed to the program schedule information that the viewer wants to consider. Finally, viewers cannot use the direct scrolling grid to tune the television to the desired channel or to program the VCR. Attempts have been made to provide interactive program guides with such performance. One system is described in US Pat. No. 4,706,121, but the system described in the above patent has drawbacks for several reasons. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,706, The system described in No. 121 allows the viewer to select a plurality of program selection criteria, and the plurality of program selection criteria are combined to provide a program list that meets the combined criteria. This acts to limit the display of program schedule information to only programs that meet the combined user program selection criteria. Once the selection criteria are activated, the viewer cannot select to watch and record programs that do not meet the selection criteria. Because such programs are not listed. In order to select such a program, the viewer may deactivate the selection criteria or use different combinations of criteria (or perhaps a single criterion) to capture the show of interest in the program list. Must be tried. Moreover, the approach of combining user program selection criteria, adopted in US Pat. No. 4,706,121, can often lead to an undesirably over-restricted list of programs. In fact, it is possible that no program will appear in the list because there is no program that fits the too limited combination of user program selection criteria. In that case, if the viewer turns off the selection criteria, the entire schedule will be available to the viewer, in the order defined by the television broadcast service (eg, typically by television broadcast time and channel). Is. Viewers are not given the ability to sort a complete or limited program list in a meaningful way without any restrictions. Similarly, other interactive program guide systems have been introduced by US Pat. No. 5,353,121 and V. Brugliera in "Digital On-Screen Display-A New Technology for the Consumer Interface" in 18th International Television Symposium and Technological Exhibition, Montereux, It is described in Switzerland (June 10-15, 1993). Thus, an interactive program system and related methods that allow viewers to apply non-limiting sort attributes to program schedule information in addition to or in place of limited selection criteria. It is desirable to provide. An interactive program guide system and related systems that allow television broadcast services to define a set of multiple non-limiting sort attributes and limited selection criteria that viewers can apply to program schedule information. It is desirable to provide a method. In addition, the television broadcast service defines a number of different sets of non-limiting sort attributes for the viewer for the viewer to select according to the limited selection criteria applied by the viewer to the program schedule information. It is desirable to provide an interactive program guide system and related methods that can be used. It is important that the interactive program guide can provide several days' worth of program schedule information so that the viewer can schedule a VCR recording of the selected program well in advance of the television broadcast time. .. However, current interactive program guides do not provide a convenient interface that allows viewers to quickly select program schedule information for a particular day. Thus, an interactive program guide system and related methods that provide a graphical user interface that displays the days when program schedule information is available and allows the user to select program schedule information for a particular day. It is desirable to provide. It is typically necessary to use several different screens to provide the viewer with an interactive program guide with all the features. In that case, each screen is associated with one or more features of the system. However, viewers often get stuck in such systems without a clear understanding of how to return to a particular screen of interest within the system. I will end up. Thus, a menu that can be called by the viewer from any screen of the interactive program guide, including a menu used by the viewer when navigating (manipulating) through the various screens of the interactive program guide. It is desirable to provide an interactive program guide system and related methods. It is also desirable for television broadcast services to provide an interactive program guide system and related methods that can define available menu choices. Abstract of the Invention An interactive program guide system and related systems that allow viewers to apply non-limiting sort attributes to program schedule information in addition to or in place of limited selection criteria. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method. The television broadcasting service also provides an interactive program guide system and related methods that allow viewers to define non-limiting sort attributes and limited selection criteria that can be applied to program schedule information. It is also an object of the present invention. The television broadcast service may define several different sets of non-limiting sort attributes for the viewer for the viewer to select according to the limited selection criteria applied by the viewer to the program schedule information. It is another object of the present invention to provide an interactive program guide system and related methods capable of it. Non-limiting sort attributes and limitations available for viewer selection, along with program schedule information that meets the selected limited selection criteria, in the sort order defined by the viewer by the selected sort attribute. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an interactive program guide system and related methods for simultaneously displaying a target selection criterion on a single screen. Provides a graphical user interface that displays the days when program schedule information is available and allows the user to select program schedule information for a particular day. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an interactive program guide system and related methods. An interactive program guide system and a menu that can be invoked by the viewer from any screen of the interactive program guide, including menus used by the viewer to navigate through the various screens of the interactive program guide. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method associated thereto. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an interactive program guide system and related methods by which television broadcasting services can define available menu choices. According to the present invention, the television can be automatically tuned based on the program selection created from the program schedule information displayed on the television or other suitable video monitor, or a video cassette recorder (VCR). An interactive program guide system and related methods that can be programmed are provided. The interactive program guide is preferably performed using a microprocessor-controlled set-top box connected to the viewer's television receiver. The set-top box receives program schedule information and software from the head-end (top-level) television broadcast center. Preferably, the program schedule information for that day and the following 6 days is stored in the memory in the set-top box. The program schedule information used in connection with the present invention includes program schedule information that may be used for other purposes, such as a set-top box whose data differs from the performance described above or has other performance with additional performance. It is comprehensive in the sense that it includes. Preferably, the program schedule information includes the program title, television broadcast time, channel, program description, and other useful information. The interactive program guide of the present invention operates in a display mode that can be selected by several different viewers in order to present information to or obtain information from the viewer. To make. The main display mode is the program guide display mode. In this mode, the interactive program guide presents program schedule information in a well-known grid format. The viewer can move the cursor to the desired program using the navigation keys on the remote control. Once the show of interest is found and highlighted by the cursor, the viewer can use the remote control to tune to the show selected in the set-top box ("Point and Tune"). ), Or have the show scheduled to be viewed or recorded (if not yet aired). The interactive program guide of the present invention also provides a program search display mode. The program search display mode can be used by viewers to search a list of program schedule information about a program they want to watch or record, using limited search selection criteria and non-limited sort attributes for program schedule information. The interactive program guide preferably provides simultaneous display of available selection criteria and sort attributes and the results obtained as a result of applying the selection criteria and / or sort attributes to the program schedule information. Preferably, the selection criteria and sort attributes are defined by the headend television broadcast center and transmitted to the set-top box as operating parameters along with the software used to perform the interactive program guide. The headend television broadcast center also defines default selection criteria and default sort attributes that are automatically applied to program schedule information when the program search display mode is invoked. In addition, the non-limiting sort attributes available to the viewer may be a feature of the particular user program selection criteria previously selected by the viewer. The interactive program guide of the present invention also includes two display modes that facilitate viewer navigation in the program search display mode. The first is the date Called view display mode, used to navigate the program guide display to program schedule information for a particular time range (ie, "day part") for a particular day, and more specifically for the selected day. Be done. The second, called the favorite channel display mode, allows viewers to define their favorite channel lineup. After the viewer establishes a favorite channel lineup, the program schedule information displayed in the program guide display mode is sorted according to the channel selected by the viewer. The favorite channel lineup is preferably non-limiting. That is, the channels selected by the viewer are moved to the beginning of the program guide in the order selected by the viewer, followed by the other channels. The viewer's favorite channel lineup is preferably not applied to the program search display mode. The interactive program guide of the present invention also provides a convenient menu (referred to herein as a "quick menu") that the viewer can call from any of the display modes described above. The quick menu includes menu choices that allow the viewer to quickly switch from one mode of the above display modes to another. In addition to the display mode choices, the quick menu also includes menu choices that act as shortcut navigation tools in program guide display mode. For example, the viewer will have the interactive program guide automatically navigate the program grid to programs that are scheduled to air during prime time (eg, starting at 7 pm) regardless of the current time of day. You can select quick menu choices. The quick menu may also include context-sensitive menu choices that are defined according to the display mode in which the quick menu is called. Available quick menu choices, including default menu choices (ie, the choices that appear when the quick menu is called) are preferred

[Simple explanation of drawings]

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the detailed description and drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a television broadcasting system that may provide an interactive program guide of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a set-top box suitable for carrying out the interactive program guide of the present invention. 3 to 10 are sample screen displays showing the operation of the interactive program guide of the present invention. 11 to 28 are logical flowcharts showing the control program used for implementing the interactive program guide of the present invention at the functional level. FIG. 29 is a sample screen display showing the operation of another embodiment of the interactive program guide of the present invention. 30 to 33 are sample screen displays showing the operation of a part of the program guide provided according to the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention First, the system 50 that provides the interactive program guide of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. However, although the present invention will be described in the case of a conventional cable television broadcasting system, the principles described herein also apply to satellite television broadcasting systems and other systems suitable for providing television services to viewers. Should be understood. System 50 includes a data center 52 and a headend television broadcasting center 54. The data center 52 includes a central computer system 56 that updates and stores program schedule information. The program schedule information maintained by the central computer system 56 is "complete" in the sense that it includes data used by all television broadcasting services that provide the interactive program guides of the present invention. The data are also comprehensive in the sense that they can be used by other systems that do not implement the present invention. Program schedule information may be supplied to the central computer system 56 via manual data entries (eg, keyboard) or on a magnetic medium (eg, keyboard). For example, it may be sourced from an external source via a tape or disk), a modem link, or any other suitable data transmission mechanism. Program schedule information includes at least the program's channel, title, and television broadcast time, as well as program descriptions, television broadcast callsigns, themes, and other information that can be used to categorize the program into one or more categories. Can include. The data center 52 uses the satellite transmitter 58 to transmit the program schedule information to the head-end television broadcasting center 54 via the satellite 60. The program schedule information is received by the satellite receiver 62, which transmits the data to the headend computer 64. Preferably, the data center 52 continuously supplies program schedule information to the head-end television broadcast center 54, whereby the head-end television broadcast center can quickly recover from unexpected data loss. The continuous supply also ensures that the headend television broadcast center 54 is supplied with the updates as soon as the program schedule information is updated. The data center 52 preferably supplies the headend television broadcasting center 54 with program schedule information for that day and at least the following 6 days. As mentioned above, the data center 52 transmits program schedule information for all television broadcasting services that provide the interactive program guide of the present invention. However, cable operators do not like viewers to see program schedule information for channels they do not receive. Therefore, one function of the head-end computer 64 is to select the program schedule information of only the channel provided by the head-end television broadcasting center 54. A "reduced" set of program schedule information is supplied to the set-top computer 66. The set-top computer 66 formats the program schedule information for transmission over the cable network 68 along with television program signals of a plurality of channels. (Pho The matted data is also inclusive in the sense that set-top boxes that do not implement the present invention can use data formatted for other purposes. ) Multiple set-top boxes 70 connected to cable network 68 receive television program signals and program schedule information. Any conventional method of transmitting program schedule information along with a television program signal can be used in connection with the present invention. Preferably, an out-of-band channel (eg, channel 0) is used to transmit a continuous supply of program schedule information over cable network 68. The transmission of a continuous supply of program schedule information allows for a quick recovery of the interactive program guide in the event of a power interruption in the set-top box 70. The transmission of a continuous supply of program schedule information also provides an immediate update of the schedule information in the event of a schedule change in the data center 52. Alternatively, program schedule information may be transmitted using one, some, or all vertical blanking interval (VBI) of the program channels provided by the headend television broadcast center. In addition to program schedule information, the headend television broadcast center 54 may also transmit software modules and operating parameters used by the set-top box 70 to implement the interactive program guides of the present invention. Further, the software modules and operating parameters may originate from the data center 52 instead of the headend television broadcast center 54. Operating parameters can include, for example, non-limiting sort attributes, limited selection criteria, menu choices, and default menu choices, all of which are described in more detail below. Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a set-top box 70 suitable for carrying out the interactive program guide of the present invention will be described. TV signals, program schedule information, operating parameters transmitted over cable network 68 , And the software module is first received by tuning circuit 72. The tuning circuit 72 processes the input signal in a conventional manner to extract program schedule information, operating parameters, and software modules. Program schedule information, operating parameters, and software modules are supplied to the control unit 74. Control YuThe Knit 74 is preferably microphone processor based. The control unit 74 stores program schedule information, operating parameters, and software modules in the memory 76. Memory 76, preferably random access memory (RAM), controls program schedule information, operational parameters, and instructions required for initial loading of software modules when the set-top box 70 is turned on. It may include read-only memory (ROM) or flash memory to feed unit 74. After the memory 76 is loaded, the memory 76 preferably contains program schedule information for that day and at least the following 6 days. The tuning circuit 72 also tunes the set-top box 70 to the channel of the program selected by the viewer, in addition to sending program schedule information, operating parameters, and software modules to the control unit 74. The viewer can make channel selection using the remote control 78 that communicates with the control unit 74 via the infrared receiver 80. Upon receiving the viewer's channel selection, the control unit 74 tunes the tuning circuit 72 to the selected channel. The television signal of the selected channel is received by the generator synchronous lock (genlock) circuit 82. When the interactive program guide is not on, the television signal of the selected channel passes through the Genlock circuit 82 and is received by the display 84. The display 84 is preferably a conventional television receiver. Display 84 displays television programs on the selected channel. The remote control 78 can also be used by the viewer to call the interactive program guide of the present invention. Upon receiving the appropriate command, the control unit 74 extracts at least a part of the program schedule information from the memory 76. The control unit 74 digitizes the extracted data. It is supplied to the tall video circuit 86, and the digital video circuit 86 converts digital data into a video signal. The video signal of the interactive program guide is then supplied to the Genlock circuit 82, which synchronizes the video signal with the television signal received from the tuning circuit 72. The interactive program guide appears as an overlay on the television program displayed on the display 84. When the viewer navigates the interactive program guide using the remote control 78, the control unit 74 pulls the appropriate program schedule information from the memory 76 and finally displays it on the display 84. When the viewer deselects the interactive program guide, the control unit 74 stops supplying data to the digital video circuit 86, and the interactive program guide disappears. The interactive program guide can be used by the viewer to select the program of interest to be displayed on the display 84. The interactive program guide can also be used to program a video cassette recorder (VCR) 88. The control unit 74 preferably controls the VCR88 through the use of an infrared transmitter 90 that communicates with the VCR88's infrared receiver (not shown). Controls may preferably include the start and end of recording by the VCR88, as well as channel selection and other more advanced control commands. In FIG. 2, the display 84 and the VCR88 are shown connected to the Genlock circuit 82. Other configurations are possible. For example, the VCR may be connected to the Genlock circuit 82 and the display 84 may be connected to the VCR. However, if the viewer wants to record and watch different programs at the same time, the VCR88 can be connected directly to cable network 68. The present invention also includes a set-top box (not shown) containing two tuners, one for the VCR88 and one for the display 84. Also consider the use of. The remote control 78 used with the set-top box 70 can be conventional in many respects. For example, remote control 78 may include a series of keys numbered 0-9. The above series of keys can be used by the viewer to tune the tuning circuit 72 to a particular channel. Preferably, the remote control 78 includes the following nine additional keys used in connection with the interactive program guide. Remote Control Key Guide Left Arrow Menu Right Arrow Select Page Forward (Page Forward) Up Arrow Page Backward Down Arrow The interactive program guide of the present invention preferably uses several different display modes to provide information and to obtain information from the viewer. When the viewer presses the guide key on the remote control 78, the interactive program first enters the "program guide" display mode. FIG. 3 shows a program guide screen 100 presented on display 84 when the "program guide" mode is first invoked (ie, by pressing a guide key on the remote control 78). The program guide screen 100 employs a well-known grid format that provides viewers with program schedule information. The screen 100 includes a time bar 102, which is divided into a plurality of horizontally arranged time cells 104 and date cells 106. Each cell 104 corresponds to a 30-minute time period provided by the television program. The date cell 106 identifies the airing date of the displayed program schedule information. The screen 100 also includes a channel bar 108, which is divided into a plurality of vertically arranged channel cells 110. The channel cell 110 identifies the channel on which the displayed program is broadcast (or is). Screen 100 further includes a program grid 112. In essence, the program grid 112 displays a subset of program schedule information stored in memory 76 (FIG. 2) at a given time. The program grid 112 is divided into a plurality of program cells 114. Each program cell 114 contains information about a particular television program. In a preferred embodiment, this information always includes the title of the program, but as shown, the information about any particular program is the year of release, MPAA (Motion Picture Association) rating (in the case of movies). ), Themes, etc. can also be included. The length of each program cell 114 corresponds to the length of the program described therein and can exceed an hour period. Therefore, the viewer can see the boundaries of the particular program cell 114 of interest and the time bar 102. The start time, end time, and length of each program can be easily determined by simply comparing. When the program guide display mode is first invoked by pressing the guide key on the remote control 78 (Figure 2), screen 100 also includes a menu overlay or "quick menu" 116. The quick menu 116 can also be invoked from any display mode of the interactive program guide by pressing the menu key on the remote control 78 (Figure 2). The quick menu 116 includes multiple menu choices that allow the viewer to control the behavior of the interactive program guide. Whenever the quick menu 116 is called, the current selected cell 118, the previous selected cell 120, And only three menu choices, one in each of the following selection cells 122, are displayed. The viewer navigates the quick menu 116 using the left and right arrow keys on the remote control 78 (Figure 2). Pressing the left arrow key moves the menu choices previously contained in the next selection cell 122 to the current selection cell 118. Pressing the right arrow key moves the menu choices previously contained in the previous selection cell 120 to the current selection cell 118. In this way, the viewer can scroll through the various menu choices until the desired menu is found. The quick menu 116 preferably operates in an endless loop format. When the desired menu choice appears in the current selection cell 118, the viewer presses the select key to activate the choice. There are two ways to remove Quick Menu 116 from screen 100 (or from any other screen where Quick Menu 116 is displayed). The menu key on the remote control 78 (Figure 2) acts as a toggle, so if the quick menu 116 is displayed with the menu key pressed first, pressing the menu key again removes the quick menu 116. Will be done. The viewer can also clear the quick menu 116 by pressing the up arrow key. When the quick menu 116 is cleared, the viewer can navigate within the screen below the quick menu, which is suitable for the current display mode. Below the quick menu 116 is the title bar 124. The title bar 124 includes a clock cell 126 that displays the current time. The title bar 124 also contains situational information. For example, when the quick menu 116 is displayed, the title bar 124 contains simple but intuitive instructions on how to use the quick menu 116. The menu choices available in Quick Menu 116 can be broadly categorized into two groups. Selection The first group of alternatives provides viewers with shortcuts (shortcuts) for navigating in program guide display mode. In a preferred embodiment, "Hot Picks", "What'" There are three shortcut choices called "Prime Time", or "Navigation Point". Selecting a navigation point from the quick menu 116 simply changes the data displayed on screen 100 without changing the display mode (ie, the display mode remains the program guide). A second group of choices is used by the viewer to choose from multiple display modes used in the interactive program guide. In a preferred embodiment, the display mode choices are Program Guide, Program Search, Day to View and Favorite Channel. Channel). FIG. 4 shows a state that can appear when a hot picks navigation point is selected on the program guide screen 100. It is also noted that the hot picks navigation point is automatically selected by the control unit 74 (Figure 2) when the viewer calls the interactive program guide by pressing the guide key on the remote control 78 (Figure 2). Should be. If the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) is not displayed, the title bar 124 informs the viewer that the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) can be invoked by pressing the menu key. As shown in Figure 4, the selection of hot picks navigation points causes the interactive program guide to present a "premium channel lineup." The premium channel lineup is available on the premium channel during the prime time of the day (eg starting at 7 pm) (and the current channel is also tuned to tuning circuit 72 (Figure 2) during the current time period). Includes program schedule information about the program. Preferably, the premium channel lineup fits on one screen (ie, the viewer does not have to scroll through the program grid 112 to see program schedule information for additional premium channels). Designating a particular channel as a "premium channel" is preferably achieved through the use of operating parameters stored in memory 76 (FIG. 2). In order to present the program schedule information that may be of local interest in an integrated manner, the designation of the premium channel can be made at the headend television broadcasting center 54 (Fig. 1). In FIG. 4, the program cell 127 is shown in a highlighted state to indicate the position of the cursor in the program grid 112. Viewers can use the left, right, up, and down arrow keys on the remote control 78 (Figure 2) in the traditional fashion to view the program. You can navigate (ie, move the cursor) within the mode 112. For example, if the right arrow key is pressed while program cell 127 is highlighted, the cursor moves to program cell 128. Program cell 128 is then highlighted, while program cell 127 is no longer highlighted. If the down arrow key is pressed while program cell 127 or 128 is highlighted, the cursor moves to program cell 130. When the viewer attempts to move the cursor beyond the displayed program schedule information, the program grid 112, time bar 102, and channel bar 108 scroll as needed. For example, if the viewer presses the left arrow key while program cell 127 is highlighted, the program grid 112 and time bar 102 are scheduled to air just before the program indicated by program cell 127. Scroll to the right enough to be able to display program schedule information about a given program. The continuation icon (pictogram) 132 indicates a particular program that starts before or ends after the time currently displayed in the time bar 102. The viewer can see when such a program starts or ends by scrolling through the program grid 112 with the arrow keys corresponding to the direction indicated by the continuous icon 132. From the viewer's point of view, the Interactive Program Guide behaves as if the premium channel lineup is prepended to a "main channel lineup" that contains schedule information about other available channels. Further, the program schedule information is preferably displayed in an endless loop format. By default, the main channel lineup contains program schedule information for all available channels (including designated premium channels), ordered by channel number. Therefore, if the viewer presses the down arrow key while program cell 134 is highlighted, the program grid 112 and channel bar 108 advance so that program schedule information for the first channel in the main channel lineup (eg, channel 2) appears in the last row of program grid 112. On the other hand, if the viewer presses the up arrow key while program cell 127 is highlighted, program schedule information about the last channel in the main channel lineup appears in the first row of the program grid 112. If the viewer then chooses to scroll through the entire main channel lineup, the program schedule information for the premium channel lineup will reappear in the program grid 112. However, it should be noted that the present invention allows viewers to modify (by sorting) the main channel lineup through the use of favorite channel display modes (discussed below in connection with FIG. 9). Page forward and page backward keys are also used to navigate in program guide display mode. (Left arrow, right arrow, up arrow, down arrow, page forward, and page backward keys are collectively referred to as "navigation keys.") For example, a page while the premium channel lineup is displayed. When the forward key is pressed, the program grid 112 and channel bar 108 scroll so that the premium channel lineup is replaced with program schedule information for the first six channels in the continuous channel lineup. When the page backward key is pressed instead, program schedule information for the last six channels in the continuous channel lineup is displayed. The selection key on the remote control 78 (Fig. 2) is used by the viewer to select the highlighted program. After a program is selected, the viewer can tune to the selected program, record the selected program, or simply see more information about the selected program. These features will be described in more detail later in relation to FIG. Figure 5 shows the viewer The program guide screen 100 that appears when the prime time navigation point is selected from the quick menu 116 (Fig. 3) is shown. The prime time program schedule information for the day shown in date cell 106 is displayed in the main channel lineup starting from the first channel (eg, channel 2). The time that constitutes the "prime time" is defined by the operating parameters stored in memory 76 (Fig. 2). Therefore, the time can be set by the data center 52 (FIG. 1) or the headend television broadcasting center 54 (FIG. 1). The display begins on the lowest channel at the start of prime time (regardless of the current time period or the channel to which tuning circuit 72 (Figure 2) is currently tuned). If a prime time is selected for the day and the current time period is later than the prime time start time defined by the operating parameters, the program grid 112 will preferably start the prime time if data is still available. Display program schedule information that starts from time to time. If the data is discarded because it is no longer valid, the program schedule information will be displayed from the top of the database. Alternatively, the invention may be implemented such that the next prime time period (next day) is displayed. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, time bar 102 indicates that the prime time schedule is set to start at 7 pm. Program cell 136 is shown highlighted to indicate the cursor position. The viewer can navigate within the program grid 112 using the six navigation keys on the remote control 78, as described above in connection with FIG. The viewer can even use the navigation keys to scroll back to the hot picks navigation point if desired. However, viewers prefer to call the quick menu 116 (Figure 3) instead by pressing the menu button to take advantage of the hot picks menu selection. It is possible. Whichever navigation method is used, the same data is made available to the viewer. Therefore, selecting a navigation point from the quick menu 116 (Figure 3) has no effect on the underlying data. Navigation points merely allow the viewer to quickly move from one point to another in program guide display mode. In a preferred embodiment, using either the hot picks or the prime time navigation point from the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) results in a channel for which tuning circuit 72 (FIG. 2) is also tuned for the current time period. Nevertheless, the program schedule information is displayed from the predetermined start time of the prime time (for example, 7:00 pm). The navigation keys then scroll horizontally through the program grid 112 and time bar 102 to schedule programs for other time periods, including the current time period (if the current time period is earlier than the start time of prime time). It can be used by the viewer to display information. The navigation keys on the remote control 78 (Figure 2) can also be used to scroll to program schedule information that corresponds to a program scheduled to air at a later date. The date cell 106 automatically displays the date corresponding to the program schedule information displayed in the program grid 112. FIG. 6 shows a program guide screen 100 that appears when the viewer selects the What's on navigation point in the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3). The program schedule information corresponding to the main channel lineup is displayed in the program grid 112 from the time period of 30 minutes immediately before the current time period. Navigation is accomplished in the same manner as described above in relation to FIGS. 4 and 5. Menu keys are still available to call Quick Menu 116 (Figure 3). Highlighted turn to watch or record Select keys are used to select pairs or to display additional information about the highlighted program. In another embodiment of the invention, when the Whites-on Navigation Point is selected, program schedule information is displayed from the time period following the current time period. Therefore, when the current time period is the time period of 2:00 pm, the program schedule information is displayed in the program grid 112 (FIGS. 3 to 6) from the time period of 2:30. Yet another embodiment will be described in connection with FIG. 29. In this embodiment, the program guide screen 140 operates in substantially the same manner as described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, time bars 142, channel bars 144, And includes the program grid 146. However, in this embodiment, the program grid 146 preferably includes a navigation cell 148 that includes at least two icons representing navigation points. The icon may represent any of the navigation points described above, but in this embodiment the navigation cell 148 includes a "what's on" icon 150 and a "hot picks" icon 152. Icon 150 is shown highlighted to indicate the cursor position. The viewer uses the navigation keys on the remote control 78 (Fig. 2) as described above to navigate the cursor from any of the program cells in the program grid 146 to either icon 150 or 152. be able to. Unlike the program cells contained within the program grid 146, the navigation cell 148 is considered "stationary" in that it does not move with the rest of the program cells when the viewer navigates within the program grid 146. Can be. Rather, the navigation cell 148 preferably remains in the lower right corner of the program grid 146 as the channels and times in the channel bar 144 and the time bar 142 change, respectively. Thus, the viewer can always navigate the cursor to one of the icons 150 and 152 displayed in navigation cell 148. By pressing the select key on the remote control 78 (Figure 2) while either icon 150 or 152 is highlighted, the interactive program guide shows the program grid 146 within the selected icon. Navigate to the navigation point. For example, after the Whites-on icon 150 is selected, the interactive program guide navigates the program grid 146 to the current time period. When the hot picks icon 152 is selected, the program grid 146 is associated with the premium channel lineup from the earliest prime time time defined by the operating parameters. Display the program schedule information. In essence, selecting an icon from navigation cell 148 has the same effect as selecting the corresponding navigation point from quick menu 116 (FIG. 3). The advantage provided by this embodiment is that the viewer does not have to call the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) to quickly navigate to the desired position in the program schedule information. The program search screen 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. When the viewer selects the program search display mode from the quick menu 116 (Fig. 3), the program search screen 200 appears on the display 84 (Fig. 2). According to the present invention, the program search display mode allows the viewer to select limited search selection criteria and non-limited sort attributes. Selection criteria and sort attributes are applied to program schedule information to help viewers find programs of interest. Like screen 100 (FIGS. 3-6), screen 200 includes a title bar 124. The title bar 124 includes a clock cell 126 indicating the current time and an instruction that the viewer can call the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) by pressing the menu key on the remote control 78 (FIG. 2). When the menu key is pressed, the quick menu 116 (Figure 3) appears just above the title bar 124, partially covering some of the other information on the screen 200. The quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) operates in the program search display mode in the same manner as described above with respect to the program guide display mode. When the quick menu 116 (Fig. 3) is not displayed, the area on the title bar 124 of the screen 200 has three functional areas: search selection menu 202, sort menu 204, And divided into program menu 206. The search selection menu 202 is used by the viewer to select a single limited search selection criterion from a plurality of available search selection criteria. The sort menu 204 is used by the viewer to select a single non-limiting sort attribute from a plurality of available sort attributes. The program schedule information corresponding to the program that meets the selected search selection criteria is displayed in the program menu 206 in the order indicated by the selected sort attribute. A preferred embodiment of the present invention uses only a single selection criterion and a single sort attribute, but a combination of a plurality of selection criteria and a single sort attribute, a single selection criterion and a plurality of sort attributes. A combination of, or a combination of a plurality of selection criteria and a plurality of sort attributes can also be used without departing from the ideas of the present invention. When the screen 200 first appears on the display 84 after the program search display mode is selected from the quick menu 116 (Figure 3), the active selection criterion cell 208 appears highlighted and the cursor position. Represent. The presence of the cursor within the search selection menu 202 means that the viewer can interact with the menu 202 by using the up and down arrow keys on the remote control 78 (FIG. 2). The viewer can move the cursor to the sort menu 204 or the program menu 206 by using the left and right arrow keys. The menu containing the cursor of any of menus 202, 204, or 206 is the active menu (ie, the menu that the viewer can interact with). When the search selection menu 202 is active, the viewer can use the up and down arrow keys to select a single search selection from among the available selection criteria. Pressing the down arrow key causes the selection criteria (eg, "drama") displayed in the next search cell 210 to appear in the active selection criteria cell 208. Press the up arrow key to move forward The selection criteria displayed in the search cell 212 of is displayed in the active selection criterion cell 208. The search selection menu 202 preferably operates in an endless loop format, with additional selection criteria displayed as the viewer scrolls through menu 202. Available selection criteria are stored in memory 76 as operating parameters, which may be defined by either data center 52 (FIG. 1) or headend television broadcast center 54 (FIG. 1) as described above. .. Selection criteria include movies, dramas, actions, science fiction, comedy, sports, TV, documentaries, pay-per-view (paid shows), on-in next hours (next time shows), etc. Not limited to these. The order of the available selection criteria presented is also determined by the operating parameters. Further, a "default selection criterion" (ie, a selection criterion that appears in the active selection criterion cell 208 when the program search display mode is called) is also defined by the operating parameters. Therefore, the data center 52 (FIG. 1) or the headend television broadcast center 54 may set the default selection criteria to those that the majority of the general viewer may be interested in. For example, if a popular movie airs that night, it may be desirable to set the default selection criteria to pay-per-view. When the screen 200 is displayed after the program search display mode is selected, programs that meet the default selection criteria are available for viewer selection in the program menu 206. The selection criteria appearing in the active selection criterion cell 208 are preferably automatically applied to the program schedule information to present a list of program schedule information that meets a single selection criterion. In other words, the viewer does not have to press the select key (or any other key) to apply the search selection criteria to the program schedule information. Rather, programs that meet the active search selection criteria will appear in the program menu 206 when the viewer scrolls through the search selection menu 202. Will be available for user selection. Therefore, each time the up or down arrow key is pressed, the program schedule information displayed in the program menu 206 changes according to the new selection criteria displayed in the active selection criterion cell 208. Search selection is limited in the sense that programs that do not meet the active search selection criteria will not be available in the program menu 206 for viewer selection. In another embodiment, the selection criteria are not automatically applied to the program schedule information. Rather, the criteria do not apply until the viewer presses the select key. When the viewer moves the cursor to the sort menu 204, the active sort attribute cell 214 is highlighted (highlights are not shown in Figure 7). When the active sort attribute cell 214 is highlighted, the viewer can use the up and down arrow keys to select the sort attribute that applies to the program schedule information displayed in the program menu 206. .. By pressing the down arrow key, the sort attribute displayed in the next sort cell 216 appears in the active sort attribute cell 214. By pressing the up arrow key, the sort attribute displayed in the previous sort cell 218 appears in the active sort attribute cell 214. The sort menu 204, like the search selection menu 202, preferably operates in an endless loop format. The sort attribute, unlike the search selection criteria, is non-limiting and does not act to select the program schedule information to be presented in the displayed list of program schedule information. Therefore, when the viewer changes the sort attribute, as a result, the order in which the programs that meet the active search selection criteria are displayed in the program menu 206 is simply changed. The sort attributes available for viewer selection are defined by operating parameters stored in memory 76 (Figure 2). The default sort attributes (ie, the sort attributes that are active when the program search display mode is called) are also defined by the operating parameters. In addition, the operating parameters can define different sets of sort attributes for each search selection criterion. For example, if the selection criterion displayed in the active selection criterion cell 208 is "movie", the sort attributes available in the sort menu 204 are "television broadcast time", "alphabetical order" sort, and "channel" order. It can include comprehensive sort attributes such as sorting by, but can also include sorting by "rating". Since "rating" usually does not apply to the selection criterion "sports", it will not be available in sort menu 204 when "sports" is the active selection criterion. Alternatively, the sort menu 204 may provide a sort by "sports" as the sort attribute, and the sort attribute "sports", when selected, causes the sports program to be played by sports (eg, baseball, football, soccer, etc.). Divide into groups. The order in which the sport is presented is determined by the motion parameters. The program menu 206 displays program schedule information related to programs that meet the active search selection criteria in the order determined by the active sort attribute. When one of the program selection cells 220 is highlighted (indicating the presence of the cursor), the user can navigate the program menu 206. The program menu 206 includes a menu header 222 that identifies the number of programs that meet the active search selection criteria. At least one group header 224 is also displayed in the program menu 206. Group header 224 identifies subgroups resulting from the application of the active sort attribute to program schedule information. The program selection cell 220 preferably includes the program title, television broadcast time, and channel (call sign or channel number) of the program that meets the active search selection criteria. However, when the active sort attribute is "television broadcast time", the television broadcast time is preferably displayed in the group header 224 instead of the program selection cell 220. Similarly, the active sort attribute is " In the case of "channel", the callsign is preferably displayed in the group header 224 instead of the program selection cell 200. The viewer uses the up and down arrow keys to navigate the program menu 206. The cursor appears only on program cell 220 (not group header 224). Viewers can press the up arrow key while the cursor is on the first displayed program, or the cursor is last displayed, to see more program schedule information that meets the active search selection criteria. The program menu 206 can be scrolled by pressing the down arrow key while on the program. Program menu 206 preferably operates in an endless loop format. In order for the viewer to select a program to watch or record, or to see additional information about the program, the viewer highlights the program selection cell 220 corresponding to the program of interest. Press the select key in between. These features will be described in more detail later in connection with FIG. As mentioned above, the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) preferably senses the situation. The quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) includes a menu selection that is preferably identified as a "return" when called from program search display mode. Similar to the above navigation points, the program guide display mode is called by selecting the return menu option. However, when a return is selected, screen 100 (FIGS. 3-6) contains program schedule information corresponding to the program identified in the last program selection cell 220 highlighted in program menu 206. I'm out. This useful feature allows the viewer to consider other programs that may be scheduled to air at the same time as the highlighted program before making a selection. The day-to-view screen 300 will be described with reference to FIG. The day-to-view screen 300 appears on the display 84 (Fig. 2) when the viewer selects the day-to-view display mode from the quick menu 116 (Fig. 3). Book According to the invention, the day-to-view display mode is a convenient graphical that allows viewers to quickly navigate to program schedule information about a program that airs (or is) on a particular day. Provides a user interface. The day-to-view display mode provides more rigorous navigation by allowing the viewer to identify a particular daypart (ie, time range). When the viewer returns to the program guide screen 100 (Figs. 3 to 6) after identifying the day and day part using the screen 300, the program grid 112 navigates to the program schedule information related to the specified day and day part. Gate. However, the specified date and day part do not limit the amount of program schedule information available or displayed to the viewer, and do not limit the selection of the program schedule information in any way ( That is, it is not a limited selection criterion). Rather, the day-to-view display mode acts as a positioning tool. Like screen 100 (FIGS. 3-6), screen 300 includes a title bar 124. The title bar 124 includes a clock cell 126 indicating the current time and an instruction that the viewer can call the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) by pressing the menu key on the remote control 78 (FIG. 2). The quick menu 116 (Figure 3) appears directly above the title bar 124 when called. The quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) operates in the day-to-view display mode in the same manner as described above with respect to the program guide display mode. The area on the title bar 124 of the screen 300 includes two viewer menus, namely the calendar menu 302 and the division menu 304. Calendar menu 302 is similar to a traditional monthly calendar. The month selected to be displayed in the calendar menu 302 is the month with the date on which the program schedule information is available. Calendar cells 306, 308, Thick lines around 310, 312, 314, 316 and 318 indicate that memory 76 (FIG. 2) contains program schedule information for programs airing (or being) on these days. As shown in FIG. 8, the memory 76 (FIG. 2) preferably stores program schedule information for 7 days (February 9 to 15 in this embodiment) from the current date. Needless to say, the amount of program schedule information made available to the viewer can be changed without departing from the ideas of the present invention. Cell 306 is also highlighted to indicate the presence of the calendar cursor. When the day-to-view display mode is invoked, the cursor is placed in the cell corresponding to the last day in the program guide display mode where program schedule information is considered. Therefore, if the day-to-view display mode is called immediately after the interactive program guide is activated (ie, before the viewer attempts to navigate in the program guide display mode), the cursor will be on the current day. Appears in the cell that represents. The cell representing the current day is the first cell surrounded by a thick line. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, cell 306 indicates the current date. The viewer uses the left and right arrow keys on the remote control 78 (Figure 2) to move the cursor from one calendar cell to the next to select a new day. The cursor can only appear in one of the thick-lined cells 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316 and 318. When cell 306 is highlighted, pressing the left arrow key moves the cursor to cell 318. When cell 318 is highlighted, pressing the right arrow key moves the cursor to cell 306. Available program schedule information extends to the next month at the end of a given month. In this case, when the viewer moves the cursor from one month to the next, the month displayed in the calendar menu 302 changes automatically. For example, the program schedule from February 27th to March 5th If information is available, pressing the right arrow key while cell 320 (February 28) is highlighted will switch calendar 302 to the next month. The cursor appears on the cell for March 1st (not shown). By pressing the left arrow key while the cursor is on the March 1 cell, the February calendar is redisplayed in the calendar menu 302. The dipart menu 304 preferably comprises a plurality of dipart cells 322. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the day part menu 304 includes six day part cells 322, and each day part cell represents four hours of program schedule information. One of the day part cells 322 (morning cell) is highlighted to indicate the position of the day part cursor. Like the calendar cursor, the daypart cursor first appears on the most recently considered daypart in program guide display mode (Figures 3-6). The viewer moves the division cursor by pressing the up and down arrow keys on the remote control 78 (Figure 2). Therefore, the calendar cursor and the data part cursor are displayed on the screen 300 at the same time. However, the calendar cursor and the division cursor respond to different keys on the remote control 78 (Figure 2). The cursor moves the division menu 304 up and down as needed. After the day and day part are selected, the viewer can return to the program guide display mode (FIGS. 3-6) to view the program schedule information about the day and day part. This is achieved by invoking the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) by pressing the select key or by pressing the menu key, and then selecting the situation-sensitive menu option "return". The program grid 112 then navigates to the selected day and day part. The favorite channel screen 400 will be described with reference to FIG. Favorite (favorite) channel screen 400 allows viewers to use the quick menu 116 ( It appears on the display 84 (Fig. 2) when the favorite channel display mode is selected from Fig. 3). The favorite channel display mode allows the viewer to select a favorite channel lineup, and the favorite channel lineup is used to sort the channels displayed in the program guide display mode. The viewer can sort the program schedule information displayed in the program guide display mode by selecting the favorite channel lineup, so that the channel that the viewer is most interested in is selected by the viewer first. Appears in the order in which they were done. Program schedule information for other channels follows. The selected favorite channel lineup can preferably operate only in the program guide display mode (FIGS. 3 to 6), and preferably has no effect on the program search display mode (FIG. 7). Furthermore, the favorite channel lineup is preferably not applied to the premium channel lineup. Like screens 100, 200 and 300, screen 400 includes a title bar 124 with a clock cell 126. Quick menu 116 (Figure 3) is also available. The screen 400 also includes two menus, a full channel lineup menu 402 and a favorite lineup menu 404. Menu 402 presents a list of channels provided by the Headend Television Broadcasting Center 54 (FIG. 1). Menu 402 includes a plurality of cells 406 and 408, each of which displays one channel number and callsign of an available channel. Cell 406 is shown highlighted to represent the cursor position. The up and down arrow keys are used to move the cursor from one cell to the next. Menu 402 displays a subset of the available channels, but the viewer can consider other channels in the full channel lineup. You can scroll the 402. Menu 402 preferably operates in an endless loop format. The menu 404 also includes a plurality of cells 410 displaying channel numbers and callsigns corresponding to the viewer's favorite channel lineup. When the favorite channel display mode is called, the favorite channel lineup previously selected by the viewer is pulled out from the memory 76 (Fig. 2). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the viewer's favorite channel lineup includes the nine channels shown in cell 410. Unused cell 412 remains open (empty). If the viewer has not yet established a favorite channel lineup, menu 404 consists of an array of opening cells 412. If the viewer's favorite channel lineup contains more channels than can be displayed at one time, the menu 404 can be scrolled to display additional channels (similar to menu 402). The viewer uses the left or right arrow keys to move the cursor to menu 404 to scroll through menu 404. Screen 400 also includes a selection icon 414. The cursor can be placed on the selection icon 414 using the left or right arrow keys. If the select key on the remote control 78 (Fig. 2) is pressed while the selection icon 414 is highlighted, the favorite channel lineup in the menu 404 is stored in memory 76 (Fig. 2), and the interactive program guide is displayed. Return to the program guide display mode (Figs. 3 to 6). After that, the program schedule information is presented according to the viewer's stored favorite channel lineup. The viewer establishes a favorite channel lineup by selecting a channel from menu 402 and inserting the selected channel at a desired position in menu 404. For example, insert the channel shown in cell 406 (ie channel 2) To do this, the viewer presses the select key while the cursor is on cell 406. The cursor then automatically jumps to the first opening cell in the menu 404. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the first opening cell in the menu 404 is cell 412. The channel number and callsign are also displayed in cell 412 (not shown in Figure 9). The viewer then presses the select key to temporarily insert the selected channel into the highlighted position (eg, cell 412). It should be noted that the favorite channel lineup does not have to be organized in numerical order. The channel order defined by the viewer on screen 400 is used to present schedule information in the program guide display mode (FIGS. 3-6). To remove a channel from the favorite channel lineup, the viewer moves the cursor to menu 404 without selecting a channel from menu 402. The viewer can then move the cursor to any cell (eg, any cell 410) that contains the channel identifier. By pressing the select key while one of cell 410 is highlighted, a prompt (not shown) is displayed asking for confirmation of erasure. The erasure can be confirmed by pressing the select key. When the select key is pressed, the channels appearing in the highlighted cell are cleared. The opened cell can later be filled with another channel or left open to reduce the size of the favorite channel lineup. When the viewer is satisfied with the favorite channel lineup, the left or right arrow keys can be used to move the cursor to the selection icon 414. Then, by pressing the select key, the favorite channel lineup is stored and applied as described above. To exit screen 400 without saving changes, the quick menu 116 (Figure 3) can be called. Fu Once the varit channel lineup is stored in menu 76 (Fig. 2), it is automatically applied to the program schedule information each time the interactive program guide is called. In another embodiment, the interactive program guide allows the creation and storage of several different favorite channel lineups (eg, one for each member of the household). To achieve this, the interactive program guide requires a personal PIN (not shown) each time the guide is called. The personal PIN is used to uniquely identify each favorite channel lineup. It may be desirable to allow viewers to disable the favorite channel lineup. This can be achieved by including a context sensitive menu option within the quick menu 116 (Figure 3) labeled "disabled". Selecting Disable returns to screen 400 for the duration of the session or for the viewer to select the context-sensitive Enabled menu option (not shown) from Quick Menu 116 (Figure 3). Until then, the application of the favorite channel lineup is prevented. Next, the program selection screen 500 will be described with reference to FIG. The program selection screen is displayed on the display 84 (Fig. 2) when the viewer selects a program from either the screen 100 of the program guide display mode (Figs. 3 to 6) or the screen 200 of the program search display mode (Fig. 7). ) Appears on. The program selection screen 500 is also displayed when the viewer selects the menu option "player" (not shown) from the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 10, the screen 500 includes a title bar 124 having a clock cell 126. The quick menu 116 (Fig. 3) can be called from the screen 500 by pressing the menu key on the remote control 78 (Fig. 2). Screen 500 also includes a program title window 502, a description window 504, and a video clip. Includes window 506 and menu window 508. When screen 500 is called by selecting a program from either screen 100 (FIGS. 3 to 6) or screen 200 (FIG. 7), the program title window 502 displays the title of the selected program. Further, the description window 504 displays additional information that may be included in the program schedule information stored in the memory 76 (FIG. 2) for the selected program. Such information may include television broadcast dates and times, channels, key performers, MPAA ratings, and the like. The video clip window 506 is used to display a short video clip associated with the selected program (if the video clip is included in the program schedule information for the selected program). This feature is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and is simultaneously assigned to the same assignee as the present application, with the name "Video Clip Program Guide", US Patent Application Serial Number 08/246, It is described in No. 949. Windows 502, 504, and 506 are the opening when screen 500 is called from the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3). The choices presented in menu window 508 also depend on the environment in which screen 500 is called. The options shown in FIG. 10 are presented when the viewer selects a program that is not currently aired from screen 100 (FIGS. 3 to 6) or screen 200 (FIG. 7). Option 510 is shown highlighted to represent the cursor position. The up and down arrow keys are used to move the cursor from one choice to the next. Select keys are used to select menu choices. A menu option called "Scheduled Viewing List" is used to add an entry (list) of the selected program to the scheduled viewing list. When the current time approaches the TV broadcast time of the program listed in the scheduled viewing list, or matches the above TV broadcast time, Display 84 (Fig. 2) prompts (not shown). Display to let you know that the show you are interested in is about to begin. The prompt is displayed (as long as display 84 is on) even if the interactive program guide is not active. The viewer can clear the program by pressing any of the navigation keys on the remote control 78 (Fig. 2). The "Add to Recording List" menu option is used to add the selected program entry to the recording list. When the current time approaches the TV broadcast time of the program listed in the recording list, or matches the above TV broadcast time, the control unit 74 (Fig. 2) adjusts the tuning circuit 72 (Fig. 2). Tune to the channel. The control unit 74 (Fig. 2) also causes the VCR88 (Fig. 2) to start recording at the appropriate time via the infrared transmitter 90 (Fig. 2) (VCR88 (Fig. 2) is already turned on by the viewer. (Assuming it is). A menu option of "view scheduled viewing list" is used to call up a display (not shown) listing program schedule information about programs added to the scheduled viewing list. The "View upcoming viewing list" menu option works the same for recording lists. Preferably, the displayed information (not shown) includes the title of each program, television broadcast time, and channel. Navigation keys on the remote control 78 (Figure 2) can be used to clear any of the displayed lists. A menu option called "Other Times" is used to display a list (not shown) of television broadcast times other than the selected time for the selected program. To exit screen 500 and return to the original screen where screen 500 was called, the user selects the menu option "Exit". Alternatively, the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) can be used to exit screen 500. If screen 500 is invoked by selecting a program that is currently airing, the menu options "Add to scheduled viewing list" and "Add to recording list" will not be displayed. Instead, the first menu option that is preferably displayed is "tune to program." When "Tun to program" is selected, the control unit 74 (Fig. 2) tunes the tuning circuit 72 (Fig. 2) to the selected program. The selected program is then displayed on display 84 (Figure 2). When screen 500 is called from the quick menu 116 (Figure 3), only the menu choices "View Scheduled Viewing List", "View Recording List" and "Exit" are available. The present invention is also a suitable addition in dual cable networks (ie, cable networks that allow bidirectional communication between the set-top box 70 (Figure 2) and the headend television broadcast center 54 (Figure 1)). Menu selection Take into account the use of limbs. For example, in such a system, when the viewer calls screen 500 by selecting a pay-per-view program from either screen 100 (FIGS. 3-6) or screen 200 (FIG. 7), the menu The options may include the option of "ordering pay-per-view." If the viewer selects the above option, the set-top box 70 (FIG. 1) sends a request to the headend television broadcast center 54. The program schedule information stored in memory 76 (Fig. 2) is also shortened to allow the viewer to browse the program schedule information at the same time while watching the TV program on the display 84 (Fig. 2). Can be used to provide a guide. To implement the shortened guide, the remote control 78 (FIG. 2) preferably includes an additional key (eg, labeled "Browse") that calls the shortened guide. The shortened guide is preferably displayed as an overlay on the television program while the browse key is pressed. The shortened guide is preferably displayed at the bottom of display 84 (Figure 2) out of the way unnecessarily. The shortened guide according to the present invention can be understood by referring to FIGS. 30-33. Display 550 shows the shortened guide in a state that it can appear when first called. As shown in FIG. 30, when the shortened guide is called, the program schedule information is not displayed. Instead, Display 500 simply presents the title of the program currently displayed on Display 84 (Figure 2). The channel number (not shown) can be displayed, but is preferably displayed in the upper left corner of display 84 (FIG. 2). The channel number preferably remains visible for approximately 5 seconds, or until the viewer presses any navigation key on the remote control 78 (Figure 2). Therefore, pressing the browse key once gives the viewer an immediate and clear view of the program's channel and title displayed on display 84 (Figure 2). Provided. Display 550 is highlighted to indicate the presence of a cursor that the viewer can control using the navigation keys. When the viewer presses the right arrow key from display 550, the channel number in the upper left corner of display 84 (Figure 2) disappears immediately. In addition, display 556 appears in place of display 550. Display 556 does not yet present program schedule information (ie, neither channel is displayed). Rather, the display 556 includes a time bar 558, preferably containing four time cells 560, where each time cell 560 represents a 30 minute period (time period) of program offering. Display 556 also includes a one-line program grid 562 that includes a plurality of program cells 564, 566, 568 and 570 in this embodiment. Similar to the program cells of the program grid 112 (FIGS. 3-6), the widths of the program cells 564, 566, 568 and 570 vary depending on the length of the program identified by the program cells. Therefore, the program cell of the two-hour program spans the full width of the program grid 562. By pressing the right arrow key from display 550, the viewer moves the cursor to program cell 566. By pressing the right arrow key further, the cursor moves to the right until it reaches program cell 570. When the program cell 570 is reached, the program grid 562 and the time bar 558 scroll with the right arrow key held down to display more program titles for later time periods. The program grid 562 and time bar 558 also scroll to the left, preferably in response to the left arrow key, to the current time period (ie, program cell 564), if desired. However, upon reaching program cell 564, the shortened guide preferably resumes display 550 for the program currently displayed on display 84 (FIG. 2). This presentation immediately gives the viewer feedback that the title of the program corresponding to the program currently being viewed must be returned. When the display 550 is redisplayed in this way, the channel is suitable. Reappears in the upper left corner of Display 84 (Figure 2) for approximately 5 seconds or until the next navigation key is pressed. If the viewer presses the down arrow key from display 550, display 551 is presented instead of display 550. Display 551 does not yet present program schedule information (ie, no television broadcast time is provided). The display 551 includes a single channel cell 552 containing the channel number and callsign, and a single program cell 554 containing the title of the program currently airing on the channel indicated by the channel cell 552. Each time the viewer presses the down arrow key, the contents of channel cell 552 and program cell 554 are replaced with appropriate information about the next channel in the order of available channels. The viewer can use the up arrow keys to return until the current channel is reached. When the current channel is reached, display 551 is replaced with display 500. Once the viewer navigates in a dogleg (remote) format (ie, by moving the cursor away from both the current time and the current channel), the program schedule information (ie, television broadcast time) is shown in Display 572. , Channel, and title). Display 572 is channel cell 574, data cell 576, 1. Includes a 5-hour time bar 578 and a program grid 580. The viewer can navigate the program grid 580 in substantially the same manner as described above for the program grid 112 (FIGS. 3-6). The main difference is that program schedule information for only one channel is displayed at a given time. The select keys on the remote control 78 (Figure 2) are preferably operational with a shortened guide and tune the tuning circuit 72 (Figure 2) to the highlighted program if the show is currently airing. Let me. Otherwise, the select key has no effect. In another embodiment, the select key can instead be used to call the player screen 500 (FIG. 10), allowing the viewer to schedule a later viewing and recording of the highlighted program. To. The shortened guide preferably remains on the display 84 (Figure 2) for a predetermined period of time (preferably about 5 seconds) after the last key press on the remote control 78 (Figure 2). , Then it will be cleared automatically. A series of logical flowcharts are described with reference to FIGS. 11-28, which represent, at the functional level, the control program executed by the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) to implement the interactive program guide of the present invention. The main program loop 600 will be described in relation to FIG. Although the main program loop 600 is represented as a conventional top-down flowchart, it is preferably executed as a collection of interrupt-driven routines that perform the above functions. The program starts with test 602. In test 602, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) has program schedule information and / or software (including operating parameters) that is not currently stored in memory 76 (FIG. 2) headend television broadcast center 54 (FIG. 1). Determine if it is being received from. If such data or software is received, the control unit 74 (Figure 2) is The data received in Tep 604 is stored in the memory 76 (Fig. 2). Otherwise, control unit 74 (Figure 2) runs test 606 and the current time is stored in either the scheduled viewing list or recording list in memory 76 (Figure 2). Determine if the TV broadcast time is approaching. When the current time is approaching the stored television broadcast time, the control unit (Figure 2) determines in test 608 which list the television broadcast time is stored in. When the TV broadcast time is stored in the scheduled viewing list, the control unit 74 (Fig. 2) prompts the display 84 (Fig. 2) for viewing (as long as the display 84 is on). Inform people that the upcoming program is about to air. In another embodiment, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) displays on display 84 (FIG. 2) several prompts prior to the scheduled television broadcast time (eg, 3 before the scheduled television broadcast time). Display one prompt per minute per minute). Needless to say, other prompt display styles can also be used as considered appropriate. After the final prompt is displayed, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) clears the scheduled program entry from either the scheduled program list or the recording list in step 612. If in test 608 it is determined that the television broadcast time is stored in the recording list, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) proceeds to step 614 to schedule tuning circuit 72 (FIG. 2). Tune to the channel on which the program is being transmitted. Then, in step 616, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) causes the VCR88 (FIG. 2) to start recording at the stored television broadcast time. The control unit 74 (FIG. 2) then clears the program entry scheduled in step 612. Step 61 After 2, or if the control unit 74 (Figure 2) determines in test 606 that the current time is not close to the stored TV broadcast time, the TV 618 is run and the viewer controls the remote control 78 (Figure 2). 2) Decide whether or not you pressed the upper guide key. If not pressed, control unit 74 (Figure 2) loops back to test 602. When the guide key is pressed, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines in test 620 whether the interactive program guide is currently active. If active, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) inactivates the guide in step 622. If inactive, the navigation point is set to "hot picks" in step 624, after which the program guide routine (discussed below in connection with FIGS. 12 and 13) is called in step 626. After either step 622 or 626 is performed, control unit 74 (Figure 2) loops back to test 602. As mentioned above, the functions described with reference to FIG. 11 are preferably performed by the use of interrupt driven routines. Therefore, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) preferably has a guide key pressed while the scheduled viewing list, recording list, and interactive program guide are operating in any of the above display modes. Respond to. 12 and 13 represent a program guide routine 628. The program guide routine 628 is executed by the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) to provide the program guide display mode (FIGS. 3-6). After the program guide routine 628 is called, a series of tests 630, 632, 634, 636 and 638 are executed and the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) is placed in the program guide screen 100 (FIGS. 3-6) to schedule the program. Decide how to present the information. If test 630 determines that a hot picks navigation point has been set, control Unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines if the current time period is later than the start time of prime time stored in memory 76 (FIG. 2). If later, test 641 is run to determine if earlier prime time data is still available for display. If faster data is not available (because such data was discarded), in step 642 the control unit 74 (Figure 2) puts the premium channel lineup on the display 84 (Figure 2), from the top of the database, or. From the start of the next day's prime time, it will be displayed on screen 100 (Figs. 3 to 6). If the current time period is not later than the prime time start time (test 640), or if earlier prime time data is available (test 641), then control unit 74 (Figure 2) is in step 644. The premium channel lineup is displayed on the display 84 (FIG. 2) on the screen 100 (FIGS. 3 to 6) from a predetermined prime time hour (for example, 7:00 pm). After either step 642 or 644, test 646 is run to determine if the current run of program guide routine 628 is the first run since the guide key was pressed. If this is the first time, the quick menu (described later in relation to FIGS. 14 and 15) is called in step 648. If not for the first time, or after step 648 is complete, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) proceeds to test 632. If in test 632 it is determined that a prime time navigation point has been set, the control unit 74 (Figure 2) will have the prime time in test 650 where the current time period is stored in memory 76 (Figure 2). Determine if it is after the start time. If so, test 651 is run to determine if earlier prime time data is still available for display. If faster data is not available (such data is In step 652, the control unit 74 (Fig. 2) displays the premium channel lineup on the display 84 (Fig. 2) at screen 100 (Fig. 3) from the beginning of the database or from the start of the next day's prime time (because it was discarded). ~ Display in Fig. 6). If the current time period is not later than the prime time start time (test 650), or if earlier prime time data is available (test 651), then control unit 74 (Figure 2), in step 654, On display 84 (Figure 2), the main channel lineup (which can be sorted according to the viewer's favorite channel selection) is displayed on screen 100 (Figures 3-6) from a given prime time hour (eg, 7:00 pm). Display it. After either step 652 or 654, control unit 74 (Figure 2) proceeds to test 634. In test 634, the control unit (Figure 2) determines if a Whites-on navigation point has been set. If set, in step 656, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) displays the main channel lineup (which can be sorted according to the viewer's favorite channel selection) on display 84 (FIG. 2) from the current time period. Display on screen 100 (Figs. 3 to 6). After step 656, the control unit (Figure 2) proceeds to test 636. Alternatively, the system may be programmed to display the main channel lineup from a time period that follows the current time period, or from another time that does not contain the current time period. In test 636, the control unit (FIG. 2) determines whether the program guide routine has been called from the program search display mode (discussed below in connection with FIGS. 19-21). When called, in step 658, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) is set on the display 84 (FIG. 2) in the program search routine (FIGS. 19-21). From the program referred to by the inter, the program schedule information is displayed on the screen 100 (Figs. 3 to 6). After step 658, the control unit (Figure 2) proceeds to test 638. In test 638, the control unit (FIG. 2) determines whether the program guide routine has been called from day-to-view display mode (discussed below in connection with FIGS. 22 and 23). When called, in step 660, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) is displayed on display 84 (FIG. 2) from the date and day part selected in the day-to-view routine (FIGS. 22 and 23). , The program schedule information is displayed on the screen 100 (Figs. 3 to 6). Whether or not the test 622 was executed and the menu key on the remote control 78 (Fig. 2) was pressed after the control unit 74 (Fig. 2) presented the program schedule information on the screen 100 (Figs. 3 to 6). To decide. If the menu key was pressed, step 664 is performed to bring up the quick menu (Figures 14 and 15). If not pressed, and after step 644 has been performed, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) proceeds to step 666 to display the cursor in the program grid 112 (FIGS. 3-6). First, the cursor is placed on the first program in the program grid 112 (that is, the program displayed in the upper left cell in the program grid 112). However, when the cursor is displayed after the viewer returns from the quick menu (Figures 14 and 15), the cursor is hovered over the cell that was highlighted before the quick menu was called. After step 666, test 668 is run to determine if the viewer has pressed a navigation key on remote control 78 (Figure 2). If the navigation key has been pressed, step 670 is performed to determine if the next program to be highlighted is currently displayed in the program grid 112 (FIGS. 3-6). Is displayed If so, in step 672, the cursor is displayed in the appropriate program cell. If not displayed, in step 674, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) first displays the program grid 112 (FIGS. 3-6) on the display 84 (FIG. 2) (channel bar 108 (FIGS. 3-6) or Scroll the time bar (along with any of Figures 3-6), enough to display the appropriate program cells. Then, step 672 is executed to move the cursor to the newly displayed program cell. Test 676 is run to determine if the select key on the remote control 78 (Figure 2) was pressed if the navigation key was not pressed or after the cursor was moved. When the select key is pressed, the selection routine (described later in relation to FIGS. 16 to 18) is called in step 678. If not pressed, or after returning from the selection routine (FIGS. 16-18), control unit 74 (FIG. 2) loops back to test 662 and waits for the viewer to press a key. 14 and 15 represent the quick menu routine 680. Step 682 is executed after the quick menu 680 is called. In step 682, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) pulls from memory 76 (FIG. 2) a quick menu option for the original display mode in which the quick menu is called. The control unit 74 (FIG. 2) then causes the display 84 (FIG. 2) to display the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) at the bottom of the screen 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 in step 684. In step 686, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) positions the default quick menu choices for the current display mode within the current selection cell 118 (FIG. 3). In test 688, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) checks whether the viewer has pressed the menu key or up arrow key on remote control 78 (FIG. 2). If one of these keys is pressed in step 692, the quick menu 116 (Figure 3) is cleared and the control returns to the original routine in which the quick menu routine 680 was called. In test 694, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) checks whether the viewer has pressed the left or right arrow key on the remote control 78 (FIG. 2). If one of these keys is pressed, in step 696, the quick menu 116 (Figure 3) is scrolled in the appropriate direction. After test 694 or step 696, control unit 74 (Figure 2) performs a series of tests to determine the viewer's quick menu choices. In test 698, control unit 74 (Figure 2) determines whether the viewer has selected a "hot picks" navigation point. If selected, step 700 is performed to set the navigation point to "hot picks". The quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) is then cleared and in step 702 the control proceeds to the program guide routine (FIGS. 12 and 13). In test 704, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines whether the viewer has selected a "prime time" navigation point. If selected, step 706 is performed to set the navigation point to "prime time". The quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) is then cleared and in step 708 the control proceeds to the program guide routine (FIGS. 12 and 13). In test 710, control unit 74 (Figure 2) determines whether the viewer has selected a "what's on" navigation point. If selected, step 712 is performed to set the navigation point to "what's on". The quick menu 116 (Figure 3) is then cleared and in step 714 the control goes into the program guide routine (Figures 12 and 13). move on. In test 716, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines whether the viewer has selected the program search display mode. If selected, the quick menu is cleared and in step 718 the control proceeds to a program search routine (discussed below in connection with FIGS. 19-21). In test 720, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines whether the viewer has selected the day-to-view display mode. If selected, the quick menu 116 is cleared and in step 722 the control proceeds to a day-to-view routine (discussed below in connection with FIGS. 22 and 23). In test 724, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines whether the viewer has selected the "Return" quick menu option from the program search display mode. If selected, the quick menu 116 is cleared and in step 726 the control proceeds to the program guide routine (FIGS. 12 and 13). In test 728, control unit 74 (Figure 2) determines whether the viewer has selected the "Return" quick menu option from the day-to-view display mode. If selected, the quick menu 116 is cleared and in step 730 the control proceeds to the program guide routine (FIGS. 12 and 13). In test 732, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines whether the viewer has selected the favorite channel display mode. If selected, the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) is cleared and in step 734 the control proceeds to a favorite channel routine (discussed below in connection with FIGS. 24-28). In test 736, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines whether the viewer has selected the "Player" quick menu option. If selected, the quick menu 116 (Figure 3) is cleared and in step 738 the control has a selection routine (Figures 16-18). Proceed to. As shown in FIG. 14, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) loops back to test 688 after test 736. The loop is maintained until the viewer selects a menu option from the quick menu 116 (Figure 3), or until the viewer presses the menu or the up arrow key. 16-18 represent the selection routine 738. After the selection routine 738 is called, the control unit 74 (FIG. 3) displays the player screen 500 (FIG. 10) in step 740. In test 742, the control unit 74 (FIG. 3) allows the viewer to select a program from the program guide display mode (FIGS. 3 to 6) or the program search display mode (FIG. 7) on the player screen 500 (FIG. 10). ) Is called or not. If the viewer selects a program, in step 744, the title of the selected program is displayed in the title window 502 and additional information about the selected program is displayed in the description window 504 (FIG. 10). In step 746, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) displays the player menu in the menu window 508 (FIG. 10). As mentioned above with respect to FIG. 10, the options available in the menu window 508 depend on the environment in which the player screen 500 is called. The control unit 74 (FIG. 2) then performs a series of tests to determine the viewer's player menu choices. In test 748, control unit 74 (Figure 2) determines whether the viewer has selected the player menu option "Tun to program" (ie, whether the selected program is currently airing). To do. If selected, the interactive program guide is deactivated in step 750 (ie, cleared from display 84 (FIG. 2)). The control unit 74 (FIG. 2) then tunes the tuning circuit 72 (FIG. 2) to the channel transmitting the selected program in step 752. Then turn The pair is displayed on display 84 (Figure 2). In test 754, control unit 74 (Figure 2) determines whether the viewer has selected the player menu option "Add to scheduled viewing list" (ie, the selected program is not currently airing). Whether or not) is decided. If selected, test 756 is run to determine if the viewer has already scheduled to watch the selected program later. If the selected program has not yet been scheduled, in step 758, an entry for the selected program is added to the scheduled viewing list in memory 76 (FIG. 2). If the show is already scheduled, test 760 is run to determine if the viewer has confirmed that the already scheduled show has been removed from the scheduled viewing list. This is achieved, for example, by displaying a prompt on display 84 (FIG. 2) requesting that the viewer press the select key to confirm the erase or press the navigation key to cancel the erase. If the deletion is confirmed, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) deletes the entry of the program selected from the scheduled viewing list in step 762. In test 764, control unit 74 (Figure 2) determines whether the viewer has selected the player menu option "Add to recording list" (ie, whether the selected program is currently airing). decide. If selected, test 766 is run to determine if the viewer has already scheduled to record the selected program. If the selected program has not yet been scheduled, in step 768 an entry for the selected program is added to the recording list in memory 76 (FIG. 2). If the show is already scheduled, test 770 is run to determine if the viewer has confirmed that the already scheduled show has been removed from the scheduled viewing list. This is achieved in the manner described above for Test 760. Erase is certain If so, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) clears the entry for the selected program from the recording list in step 772. In test 774, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines whether the viewer has selected the player menu option "View Scheduled Viewing List". If selected, in step 776, the scheduled viewing list stored in memory 76 (FIG. 2) is displayed on display 84 (FIG. 2). In test 778, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) waits for the viewer to press the select key on remote control 78 (FIG. 2). Once the select key is pressed, in step 780 the scheduled viewing list is removed from display 84 (FIG. 2). In test 782, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines whether the viewer has selected the "view recording list" player menu option. If selected, in step 784, the recording list stored in memory 76 (FIG. 2) is displayed on display 84 (FIG. 2). In test 786, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) waits for the viewer to press the select key on remote control 78 (FIG. 2). Once the select key is pressed, in step 788 the recording list is removed from display 84 (FIG. 2). In test 790, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines whether the viewer has selected the player menu option "Other Time". If selected, in step 792, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) searches for program schedule information stored in menu 76 (FIG. 2) and the selected program is at a time other than the selected time. Determine if it is planned for. A list of different viewing times is displayed on display 84 (Figure 2). In test 794, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) waits for the viewer to press the select key on remote control 78 (FIG. 2). Once selected When the select key is pressed, in step 796 another list of viewing times is removed from display 84 (FIG. 2). In test 798, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines whether the viewer has selected the player menu option "Exit". If selected, in step 800 the control returns to the original routine in which the selection routine 738 was called. In test 802, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines whether the viewer has pressed the menu key on the remote control 78 (FIG. 2). If pressed, in step 804 the quick menu routines (FIGS. 14 and 15) are called. After test 802, control unit 74 (Figure 2) loops back to step 746 and waits for viewer selection. 19 to 21 show the program search routine 806. After the program search routine 806 is called, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) pulls the selection criteria from the memory 76 (FIG. 2) in step 808. In step 810, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) sets the active selection criterion to the default selection criterion indicated by the operating parameters stored in memory 76 (FIG. 2). In step 812, a subset of selection criteria is displayed in the selection menu 202 (FIG. 7) and the default selection criteria appear in the active selection criterion cell 208 (FIG. 7). After step 814, the selection menu 202 (Figure 7) is designated as the active menu. In step 816, the sort attributes associated with the active selection criteria are retrieved from memory 76 (FIG. 2). In step 818, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) sets the active sort attribute to the default attribute for active selection criteria indicated by the operating parameters stored in memory 76 (FIG. 2). In step 820, a subset of the sort attributes are displayed in the sort menu 204 (Figure 7) and the default sort attributes are the active sort attributes. Appears in cell 214 (Fig. 7). In step 822, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) pulls program schedule information about a program that meets the active selection criteria from memory 76 (FIG. 2). The extracted programs are sorted according to the active sort attribute in step 824. In step 826, the selected programs are displayed in the appropriate order in step menu 206 (FIG. 7) on display 84 (FIG. 2). The control unit 74 (FIG. 2) also causes the display 84 (FIG. 2) to display the total number of programs found and the group header in the program menu 206 (FIG. 7). In test 828, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) checks whether the viewer has pressed the left or right arrow key on remote control 78 (FIG. 2). If not pressed, control unit 74 (Figure 2) proceeds to step 832. Otherwise, before proceeding to step 832, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) first sets the active menu in step 830 to the menu selected by the viewer (selection menu 202 (FIG. 7), sort menu 204 (FIG. 7). Set to either 7) or program menu 206 (Fig. 7). In step 832, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) causes the display 84 (FIG. 2) to display the cursor in the active menu. In test 834, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) checks whether the viewer has pressed the up or down arrow key on remote control 78 (FIG. 2). If not pressed, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) proceeds to step 836. However, if one of these keys is pressed, the result depends on which menu is currently active. If control unit 74 (Fig. 2) determines in test 838 that selection menu 202 (Fig. 7) is active, steps 840 and 842 are performed to screen selection menu 202 (Fig. 7) in the appropriate direction. After rolling and scrolling, set the active selection criteria to the selection criteria displayed in active selection criteria cell 208 (Figure 7). If control unit 74 (Figure 2) determines in test 844 that sort menu 204 (Figure 7) is active, steps 846 and 848 are performed to scroll sort menu 204 (Figure 7) in the appropriate direction. After scrolling, set the active sort attribute to the sort attribute displayed in active sort attribute cell 214 (Figure 7). If control unit 74 (Fig. 2) determines in test 850 that program menu 206 (Fig. 7) is active, test 852 is run and the next program in the direction indicated by the key pressed by the viewer is , Currently determines whether or not it is displayed in the program menu 206 (Fig. 7). If so, the cursor moves to the next program in step 854. Otherwise, the program menu 206 (FIG. 7) is first scrolled in step 856 before step 854 is executed. In step 836, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) sets the pointer to the most recently highlighted program in program menu 206 (FIG. 7). In test 858, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) checks whether the viewer has pressed the select key on the remote control 78 (FIG. 2). If not pressed, control unit 74 (Figure 2) proceeds to test 860. Otherwise, test 862 is run to determine if program menu 206 (Figure 2) is the active menu. If inactive, control unit 74 (Figure 2) proceeds to test 860. Otherwise, in step 864, the control proceeds to a selection routine (FIGS. 16-18). In test 860, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) checks whether the viewer has pressed the menu key on the remote control 78 (FIG. 2). If not pressed, control Unit 74 (FIG. 2) loops back to step 816. Otherwise, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) proceeds to the quick menu routines (FIGS. 14 and 15) in step 866 before looping back to step 816. 22 and 23 represent the day-to-view routine 866. In step 868, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) causes the display 84 (FIG. 2) to display the calendar menu 302 (FIG. 8) of the current month on the screen 300 (FIG. 8). At step 870, the calendar cell corresponding to the date for which program schedule information is available in memory 76 (FIG. 2) is highlighted. In step 872, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) causes the display 84 (FIG. 2) to display the partition menu 304. At step 874, the calendar cursor is placed on the calendar cell corresponding to the current date. At step 876, the day part cursor is placed on the day part cell that corresponds to the current day part. The control unit 74 (FIG. 2) then performs a series of tests to determine if the viewer has pressed the right, left, down, or up arrow keys. If control unit 74 (Figure 2) determines in test 878 that the right arrow key has been pressed, test 880 is run to determine if the next calendar cell to be highlighted is currently displayed. To do. If so, the cursor moves to the next calendar cell in step 882. If not displayed, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) advances calendar menu 302 (FIG. 8) to the next month in step 884 before step 882 is performed. If the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines in test 886 that the left arrow key has been pressed, test 888 is run to determine if the previous calendar cell is currently displayed. If so, in step 890 Moves to the previous calendar cell. If not, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) displays the previous month in display 84 (FIG. 2) and calendar menu 302 (FIG. 8) in step 892 before step 890 is performed. Let me. If the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines in test 894 that the viewer has pressed the down arrow key, then in step 896 the partition cursor is displayed in the partition menu 304 (FIG. 8): Move to the day part. If the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines in test 898 that the viewer has pressed the up arrow key, then in step 900 the partition cursor is displayed before it appears in the partition menu 304 (FIG. 8). Move to the day part. It should be noted that both calendar menu 302 (FIG. 8) and partition menu 304 (FIG. 8) preferably operate in an endless loop format. Therefore, if the viewer attempts to move the cursor beyond the last choice in any menu, the cursor returns to the first choice. The same principle applies in the opposite direction. In step 902, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) sets the pointer to the day and division (ie, highlighted choice) selected by the viewer. In test 904, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) checks whether the viewer has pressed the select key. If the select key is pressed, the control proceeds to the program guide routine (FIGS. 12 and 13) in step 906. If not pressed, in test 908, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) checks to see if the viewer has pressed the menu key. If the menu key is pressed, in step 910 the quick menu routines (FIGS. 14 and 15) are called. If not pressed, or if the viewer chooses to exit Quick Menu 116 (Figure 3), Control Unit 74 (Figure 2) ) Loops back to test 878. 24 to 28 show the favorite channel 912. In step 914, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) causes the display 84 (FIG. 2) to display the full lineup menu 402 (FIG. 9). At step 916, menu 402 (FIG. 9) is designated as active. In step 918, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) pulls the viewer's favorite channel lineup, if any, from memory 76 (FIG. 2). In step 920, the favorite channel lineup 404 (FIG. 9) is displayed on display 84 (FIG. 9). At step 922, the selection icon 414 (FIG. 9) is displayed. In test 924, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) checks whether the viewer has pressed the left or right arrow key. If not pressed, the cursor appears in the active menu in step 926. Otherwise, in step 928, before step 926 is performed, the active menu is the menu selected by the viewer (ie, full lineup menu 402 (FIG. 9), favorite channel menu 404 (FIG. 9), Or it is set to the selection icon 414 (Fig. 9)). In test 930, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) checks whether the viewer has pressed the up or down arrow keys. If not pressed, control unit 74 (Figure 2) proceeds to test 932. Otherwise, tests 934 and 942 are run. In test 934, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines whether the full lineup menu 402 (FIG. 9) is active. If active, test 936 is run to determine if the next channel to be highlighted is currently displayed in the full lineup menu 402 (Figure 9). If so, the key pressed by the viewer in step 938 The cursor moves to the next channel in the full lineup menu 402 (Figure 9), as indicated by. Otherwise, step 940 is performed first to scroll through the full lineup menu 402 (Figure 9). In test 942, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines whether the favorite channel menu 404 (FIG. 9) is active. If active, test 944 is run to determine if the next channel to be highlighted is currently displayed in the favorite channel menu 404 (Figure 9). If so, in step 946, the cursor moves to the next channel in the favorite channel menu 404 (FIG. 9), as indicated by the key pressed by the viewer. Otherwise, step 948 is performed first to scroll through the favorite channel menu 404 (Figure 9). In test 932, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) checks whether the viewer has pressed the select key. If not pressed, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines whether the viewer pressed the menu key in test 950. If not pressed, control unit 74 (Figure 2) loops back to test 924. If the menu key is pressed, the quick menu routines (FIGS. 14 and 15) are called in step 952. If the viewer then exits the quick menu 116 (FIG. 3) without making a selection, the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) loops back to step 924. If the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines in test 932 that the viewer has pressed the select key, test 954 is run to determine if the full lineup menu 402 (FIG. 9) is active. .. When active, control unit 74 (Figure 2) sets a pointer to the highlighted channel in step 956. Then test 958 was run and Determines if the first opening of the favorite channel menu 404 (Figure 9) is currently displayed. If so, in step 960, the cursor moves to the first opening cell in the favorite channel menu 402 (Figure 9). Otherwise, step 962 is performed first, scrolling the favorite channel menu 404 (Figure 9) enough to display the first opening cell. In step 964, the channel referenced by the pointer set in step 956 is displayed in the highlighted cell of the favorite channel menu 404 (FIG. 9). In test 966, control unit 74 (Figure 2) again checks to see if the viewer has pressed the select key. If not, test 968 is run to check if the viewer has pressed the up or down arrow key. If not pressed, control unit 74 (Figure 2) loops back to test 966 and waits for the viewer to press either the select, up arrow, or down arrow key. If the viewer presses the up or down arrow key, test 970 is run to determine if the next opening in the favorite channel menu 404 (Figure 9) is currently displayed. If so, in step 972, the cursor moves to the next opening in the favorite channel menu 404 (FIG. 9), as indicated by the key pressed by the viewer. Otherwise, step 974 is first performed to scroll the favorite channel menu 404 (Figure 9) enough to display the next opening. In step 972, control unit 74 (FIG. 2) loops back to step 964. If the control unit 74 (FIG. 2) determines in test 966 that the viewer has pressed the select key, then in step 976, c in the favorite channel menu 404 (FIG. 9). The erased channel is temporarily inserted into the viewer's favorite channel lineup. In step 978, the previous content of the favorite channel menu 404 (Figure 9) is replaced with the new temporary favorite channel lineup. At step 980, the cursor is returned to the full lineup menu 402 (Figure 9). The control unit 74 (Figure 2) then loops back to test 924. If the control unit 74 (Figure 2) determines in test 954 that the full lineup menu 402 (Figure 9) is not active, then test 982 is run to see if the favorite channel menu 404 (Figure 9) is active. To determine. If active, in step 984, the channel highlighted in the favorite channel menu 404 (FIG. 9) is temporarily removed from the viewer's favorite channel lineup. In step 986, the previous content of the favorite channel menu 404 (FIG. 9) is replaced with a new temporary favorite channel lineup, allowing the opening to the cell previously occupied by the previously erased favorite channel. If control unit 74 (Figure 2) determines in test 982 that the favorite channel menu 404 (Figure 9) is not active, then test 988 is run to see if the selection icon 414 (Figure 9) is active. decide. If active, in step 990, the temporary favorite channel lineup is stored in memory 76 (Figure 2) for future use. Otherwise, control unit 74 (Figure 2) loops back to test 924. In this way, the interactive television program guide system and related methods allow the viewer to find the program of interest by applying limited search selection criteria and non-limiting sort attributes to the program schedule information. Nao that makes it possible An interactive television program guide system, including an visual search utility, and related methods are provided. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in ways other than those described above. The above embodiments are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention is limited only by the following claims.