System for and method of providing an electronic guide over a television program schedules along with remote selection of products
Abstract
An electronic television program guide system with which a user may purchase television programming services, comprising user television equipment on which an interactive television program guide application is implemented, wherein the user television equipment is configured to: provide the user with an opportunity to select a television programming service that is displayed on a screen generated by the interactive television program guide application; determine whether the selected television programming service is part of a package of television programming services, wherein the package includes a plurality of different television programming services; and present the user with an opportunity to purchase the package of which the selected television programming service is a part when it is determined that the selected television programming service is part of a package.

Term
Term ended
Expired 24 April 2016, 10.4 years ago.
- Priority and filed
- Granted
- Expired
- Today
27 claims: 4 independent, 23 dependent
- 1Zastrzeżenia patentowe 1. Sposób przedstawiania elektronicznego planu emisji programu telewizyjnego z możliwością zamawiania produktu programowego, w którym zapamiętuje się informacje o planie emisji programu dla zbioru programów, wydaje się rozkazy sterujące użytkownika do zespołu przetwarzania danych i generuje się rozkazy sterujące wyświetlaniem sygnału wizyjnego i przesyła się, do generatora sygnału wizyjnego, rozkazy wyświetlania z zespołu przetwarzania danych i informację o planie emisji programu telewizyjnego z zespołu pamięci i wyświetla się informację, znamienny tym, że zapamiętuje się, dla przynajmniej jednego programu, informację wskazującą że konkretny produkt, związany z przynajmniej jednym programem, ale od niego odrębny, jest dostępny w sprzedaży, wyświetla się informację o planie emisji dla przynajmniej jednego programu i udostępnia wskaźnik (401) wskazujący, że konkretny produkt, związany z programem, jest dostępny w sprzedaży, przesyła się pierwszy rozkaz użytkownika do zespołu przetwarzania danych (16, 20) i wyświetla informację opisującą produkt, przesyła się drugi rozkaz użytkownika do zespołu przetwarzania danych (16, 20) i generuje żądanie informacji i/lub zamówienie produktu oraz trasmituje się żądanie i/lub zamówienie do zdalnego punktu przetwarzania i zamawia produkt.
- 2Urządzenie do przedstawiania elektronicznego planu emisji programu telewizyjnego z możliwością zamawiania produktu programowego, zawierające zespół odbioru informacji dla zbioru kanałów dostępnych dla użytkownika, zespół pamięci, do przechowywania informacji o planie emisji programu, dla zbioru programów nadawanych w zbiorze kanałów, zespół sterowania dla użytkownika do wydawania rozkazów sterujących, zespół przetwarzania danych do odbierania rozkazów sterujących i do generowania rozkazów sterujących wyświetlaniem sygnału wizyjnego, pobierający z zespołu pamięci wybraną część informacji o planie emisji programu telewizyjnego i generujący rozkazy do wyświetlania tej wybranej części, znamienne tym, że zespół przetwarzania danych (16) jest dostosowany, przynajmniej w jednym trybie pracy, do generowania rozkazów wyświetlania wskaźnika (401), odbioru i/lub zapamiętania że produkt i/lub usługa programowa, odrębna od programu, jest dostępna, przy czym zespół przetwarzania danych (16) jest dostosowany do reakcji na rozkaz użytkownika przez generację zamówienia produktu i/lub usługi.
- 3Urządzenie według zastrz. 2, znamienne tym, że jest zaopatrzone w zespół odzyskiwania danych (30A), zawartych w sygnale telewizyjnym z aktualnie odbieranego kanału, przy czym zespół przetwarzania danych (16) jest dostosowany do określania, na podstawie odzyskanych danych, czy produkt i/lub usługa programowa, odrębna od programu, jest dostępna w aktualnie odbieranym kanale i jeśli tak, do generowania rozkazu wyświetlania wskaźnika (401).
- 4Urządzenie według zastrz. 3, znamienne tym, że zespół odzyskiwania danych (30A) stanowi dekoder VBI, odzyskujący dane w impulsach wygaszania ramki w sygnale aktualnie odbieranego kanału.
- 5Urządzenie według zastrz. 3, znamienne tym, że sygnał telewizyjny w aktualnie odbieranym kanale stanowi sygnał cyfrowy, a odzyskiwana informacja jest zawarta wewnątrz pasma kanału cyfrowego.
- 6Urządzenie według zastrz. 3 albo 4, albo 5, znamienne tym, że zespół przetwarzania danych (16) jest dostosowany do reakcji na sterujący rozkaz użytkownika przez proste znakowanie zamówienia produktu i/lub usługi znacznikami czasu i programu. 180 240
- 7Urządzenie według zastrz. 3 albo 4, albo 5, znamienne tym, że zespół przetwarzania danych (16) jest dostosowany do reakcji na sterujący rozkaz użytkownika przez odzyskiwanie informacji identyfikującej produkt z danych zawartych w odebranym sygnale telewizyjnym i dołączania odzyskanej informacji identyfikującej produkt do zamówienia.
- 8Urządzenie według zastrz. 3 albo 4, albo 5, znamienne tym, że zespół przetwarzania danych (16) jest dostosowany do reakcji na pierwszy sterujący rozkaz użytkownika przez odzyskiwanie informacji opisującej produkt i/lub usługę z danych zawartych w sygnale telewizyjnym z aktualnie odbieranego kanału i do generacji rozkazów wyświetlania tej informacji oraz do reakcji na drugi sterujący rozkaz użytkownika przez generację zamówienia.
- 9Urządzenie według zastrz. 2, znamienne tym, że jest dostosowane do generowania rozkazu wyświetlania wskaźnika (401) odnoszącego się do programu telewizyjnego, którego plan emisji jest zapamiętany w zespole pamięci (18).
- 10Urządzenie według zastrz. 2, znamienne tym, że jest dostosowane do trybu pracy, w którym zespół przetwarzania danych generuje rozkazy generowania warstwy graficznej (51), zawierającej informację o programie dla aktualnie odbieranego kanału, przy czym warstwa graficzna (51) jest nałożona na odbierany sygnał programu (55).
- 11Urządzenie według zastrz. 9 albo 10, znamienne tym, że jest dostosowane do trybu pracy, w którym zespół przetwarzania danych generuje rozkazy generowania warstwy graficznej (51), zawierającej informację o programie dla dowolnego kanału, również dla, chociaż nie jedynie, aktualnie odbieranego kanału, przy czym warstwa graficzna (51) jest nałożona na odbierany sygnał programu (55).
- 12Urządzenie według zastrz. 9 albo 10, znamienne tym, że jest dostosowane do przynajmniej jednego trybu pracy, w którym tytuły bieżących i/lub przyszłych programów dla kilku kanałów są wyświetlone w rastrze lub kolumnie na podstawie rozkazów generowanych przez zespół przetwarzania danych.
- 13Urządzenie według zastrz. 9 albo 10, znamienne tym, że zespół przetwarzania danych (16) jest dostosowany do reakcji na pierwszy sterujący rozkaz użytkownika przez odzyskiwanie informacji opisującej produkt i/lub usługę z danych zawartych w zespole pamięci i/lub w aktualnie odbieranym sygnale telewizyjnym i do generacji rozkazów wyświetlania tej informacji oraz do reakcji na drugi sterujący rozkaz użytkownika przez generację zamówienia.
- 14Urządzenie według zastrz. 9 albo 10, znamienne tym, że zespół pamięci jest dostosowany do gromadzenia informacji opisujących zbiór produktów i/lub usług związanych z przynajmniej jednym programem, a zespół przetwarzania danych (16) jest dostosowany do reakcji na pierwszy sterujący rozkaz użytkownika przez odzyskiwanie informacji opisującej produkt i/lub usługę z danych zawartych w zespole pamięci (18) i/lub w odbieranym sygnale telewizyjnym, do wyboru jednego ze zbioru produktów i/lub usług w odpowiedzi na drugi sterujący rozkaz użytkownika oraz do reakcji na trzeci sterujący rozkaz użytkownika przez generację zamówienia.
- 15Urządzenie według zastrz. 2, znamienne tym, że jest zaopatrzone w odbiornik (12) sygnałów wejściowych (11) rozsiewczych, kablowych lub satelitarnych zawierających transmitowany strumień danych, środki (13, 15) demodulacji odebranego sygnału i podawania danych oraz środki gromadzenia (16,17, 20) danych w zespole pamięci (18) RAM.
- 16Urządzenie według zastrz;2, znamienne tym, że zespół pamięci (18) RAM jest dostosowany do gromadzenia informacj i o produkcie związanym z przynajmniej j ednym programem.
- 17Urządzenie według zastrz. 2, znamienne tym, że zespół przetwarzania danych (16) j est dostosowany do generowania rozkazów wyświetlania wybranej ikony stanowiącej wskaźnik (401), że produkt i/lub usługa związane z programem, ale odrębne od programu, są dostępne.
- 18Urządzenie według zastrz. 17, znamienne tym, że zespół sterowania dla użytkownika zawiera klawisz (*) desygnowany przez ikonę do generowania pierwszego rozkazu sterującego.
- 19Urządzenie według zastrz. 2, znamienne tym, że zespół sterowania dla użytkownika stanowi zdalny sterownik (31). 180 240
- 20Urządzenie według zastrz. 2, znamienne tym, że środki przetwarzania danych (16,20) zawierajązespół autoryzacji zamówień użytkownika dotyczących produktu, przed wygenerowaniem zamówienia.
- 21Urządzenie według zastrz. 20, znamienne tym, że zespół sterowania dla użytkownika jest zaopatrzony w środki wprowadzające kod autoryzacji do zespołu przetwarzania danych.
- 22Urządzenie według zastrz. 21, znamienne tym, że zespół przetwarzania danych jest dostosowany do porównania kodu autoryzacji podanego przez zespół sterowania dla użytkownika, z określonym kodem uprzednio wprowadzonym do zespołu przetwarzania danych i generowania zamówienia w odpowiedzi na to porównanie.
- 23Urządzenie według zastrz. 2, znamienne tym, że jest zaopatrzone w środki transmisji zamówienia, zawierające linię telefoniczną i/lub kabel koncentryczny.
- 24Urządzenie według zastrz. 23, znamienne tym, że jest zaopatrzone w zespół automatycznego wybierania numeru telefonicznego i transmisji zamówienia przez linię telefoniczną.
- 25Urządzenie według zastrz. 23, znamienne tym, że środki transmisji zamówienia sądostosowane do transmisji zamówienia zasadniczo natychmiast po wygenerowaniu zamówienia.
- 26Urządzenie według zastrz. 2, znamienne tym, że jest rozmieszczone w obudowie konwertera telewizji kablowej lub odbiornika'satelitarnego.
- 27System do przedstawiania elektronicznego planu emisji programu telewizyjnego z możliwością zamawiania produktu programowego, zawierający zespół pamięci, do przechowywania informacji o planie emisji programu dla zbioru programów, zespół sterowania dla użytkownika do wydawania rozkazów sterujących, zespół przetwarzania danych do odbierania rozkazów sterujących i do generowania rozkazów sterujących wyświetlaniem sygnału wizyjnego oraz generator sygnału wizyjnego, odbierający rozkazy wyświetlania z zespołu przetwarzania danych i pobierający z zespołu pamięci informację o planie emisji programu telewizyjnego i generuj ący rozkazy do wyświetlania tej informacji, znamienny tym, że zespół pamięci (18) jest dostosowany do zapamiętania, dla przynajmniej jednego programu, informacji wskazującej, że konkretny produkt, związany z przynajmniej jednym programem, ale od niego odrębny, jest dostępny w sprzedaży, generator sygnału wizyjnego (24) jest dostosowany do udostępnienia wskaźnika (401) podczas wyświetlania informacji o planie emisji dla przynajmniej jednego programu, wskazującego, że konkretny produkt, związany z programem, jest dostępny w sprzedaży, zespół przetwarzania danych (16,20) jest dostosowany do wyświetlania informacji opisującej produkt w odpowiedzi na pierwszy rozkaz użytkownika i generowania żądania informacji i/lub zamówienia produktu w odpowiedzi na drugi rozkaz użytkownika, przy czym system jest zdolny do zamawiania produktu i zawiera środki transmisji żądania i/lub zamówienia do zdalnego punktu przetwarzania. * * *
Independent claims27
652 paragraphs in 179 sections, as filed
The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and system for presenting an electronic broadcast schedule of a television program with the possibility of ordering a program product.
The electronic television program schedule system provides the user with information on the broadcast schedule of programs broadcast by stations both by radio and via cables, viewed by the user through a television set. In particular, the invention relates to an electronic program guide that provides the user with the ability to order products and services remotely from where the user is located by simply pressing a button on a remote control or other user-controlled device.
This application is in part a continuation of application number 247101 which is a continuation part of application number 119367.
Electronic Program Guide (EPG) systems are known in the art. For example, one of the existing systems uses an electronic character generator to display text information about a television program on the full screen of the television set. Another currently existing system presents electronically stored information about a television program to the user, while allowing the user to choose the format in which it is to be presented. Another system uses a processor to enter user-selected product criteria, then stores only the TV program data that meets the above criteria, and sequentially uses the collected data to automatically tune the receiver's programmable tuner or start a recording device while broadcasting selected TV programs. . These systems are generally discussed in the "Stay Tuned for Smart TV" article, published in Popular Science in September 1990.
Another system, known from US 4908707, uses already existing teletext transmissions for programming the video recorder. The broadcasted programs are labeled as transmitted by the system, so that even changing the broadcasting time does not disturb the recording order. The invention also relates to a video recorder provided with a corresponding teletext decoder.
The teletext decoder is also used in the method and system of US Patent 4,977,455, also related to VCR programming. In this case, the information for the user is output to the screen by a microprocessor connected to the teletext receiver. The microprocessor also starts recording and selects the preset channel when the system time matches the recording time entered.
A system integrating control of a television receiver and a video recorder is disclosed in US Patent No. 5,047,867. The user enters information into the system about favorite programs broadcast by stations or stored on tape, and the appropriate device switches the television to receive broadcasts, recorded on a tape or generated in the system.
A method for automatically tuning television receivers is disclosed in US patent 5,210,611. The receiver automatically tunes to stations with a profile selected by the user. It is not necessary to know the transmission times of the programs, since digital information identifying the program is transmitted during the frame blanking pulses, enabling the receiver to be automatically tuned.
In the solution disclosed in US 5353121, the television program information is displayed as the background of the base picture, at least in part of the screen. Display can be activated or suspended.
A system enabling interactive control of television reception is disclosed in US Patent 5,523,796. The system stores information describing programs, a program guide and program samples ("Video Clip"). The user can, using the remote control, send commands to the microprocessor to select the appropriate program. The microprocessor displays the video signal with superimposed selected data describing the selected position and its sample, and the programming window.
In summary, legacy electronic program systems are not adapted to the browsing habits of the user of such electronic program systems. Moreover, many of these systems are complex to construct and costly to implement. Ease of use and economy are key features of television broadcasters and viewers of interest due to the dramatic increase in the number and nature of television networks and other television based services. Moreover, with the dramatic increase in the number of television channels available to the user, and with the advantages of the new satellite and cable based technologies, the use of the prior art systems presented herein is substantially diminishing.
These prior art systems do not provide the user with sufficient information, for example regarding prices and the like, regarding events such as
180 240 billing by the mere fact of watching a program, special services or other program packages that the user does not wish to order and does not enable the user to automatically order such programs on demand or impulse. Moreover, the existing systems do not provide the possibility of introducing effective and automatic methods of updating or replacing computer programs that perform the functions of an electronic guide on the user's side, but rely on manual or other equally inconvenient forms of inspection or replacement of hardware systems that cannot be updated without physical replacement of integrated circuits and / or other parts.
Moreover, these legacy electronic guide systems do not have the ability to connect the user with other applications or information systems that are not part of the program or data, electronic program guides.
Moreover, the existing programming guide systems do not provide video promotion elements for television programs and other services that are functionally linked and visually presented in an integrated manner. Program promotion is an important part of successful television program marketing. Promotion of billable-pay-per-watch (that is, "card") and other unregulated programming services is particularly important to cable operators under federal government regulation. Currently, the promotion of programs by means of video is carried out through dedicated advertising programs that use full-screen commercials (ie promotional shows) which may or may not be accompanied by information on prices and ordering methods. Recently, such promotional videos have been presented on split screens, where a portion of the screen presents general information about a television program over a period of time approximately relating to the time period over which the promoted television program will be broadcast. Accordingly, there is a need for an electronic program guide that can provide an improved form of imaging, and to combine video promotion with television program information as well as other program ordering functions.
Moreover, prior art electronic program guides do not provide the user with a simple and efficient method of controlling access to individual channels and individual programs. The number of adult-only scenes, including scenes of sex and violence, has steadily increased over the past 40 years. Publishing the effects of the scenes on children or other viewers caught the attention of the entire nation. The ability to equip parents with the ability to block a channel is well known and widespread in certain types of television sets and cable TV converter boxes. Despite this availability, this option is rarely used by parents. The main obstacle to its effectiveness is the inconvenient way in which it is implemented, as well as the fact that in order to block access to one of the programs, it blocks the connecting channels. A channel-oriented parental lockout system is unfair to programs - which, for example, offer adult-oriented evening programs and youth-oriented morning programs - and are unsuitable for people who would like to access such programs. Thus, there is a particular need for a system that implements password control of individual programs and channels using a flexible and uncomplicated on-screen user interface.
Prior art electronic program guides do not provide the ability to view, on demand, the current balance of the account, which necessitates a system that can provide the user with information on the current balance of the account at the user's request.
An additional problem with prior art TV schedule guides is that they show the TV program information in grid form, i.e., columns represent time segments and rows represent individual channels, program names are generally abbreviated to match grid cells. . Cell width from
180 240 tells the duration of the program. 30-minute programs have only a small amount of space for the name of the program and its description, titles and / or description for a half-hour or even an hour program must often be abbreviated to fit in the space allocated to it. Some systems simply truncate the program description without truncating it in any way so that the user is not able to determine the subject of the TV program. For example, a description of a television program in a grid cell includes the text "Baseball: Yankees vs.". Despite this, some systems partially solve this problem by entering text on two lines in each cell, this solution is not ideal as the program description can still be abbreviated. A similar problem arises when the time intervals change, both automatically and as a result of a user command. Typically 90 minutes of TV program information is displayed simultaneously, and the 90 minute window is scrolled in 30 minute increments. In this case, a 30-minute change will display a cell that is 30 minutes in size, such as a two-hour movie, it is likely that the full movie title will not fit into the cell. So here too it is necessary to shorten the title. In this case, two lines of text might be enough to fit a title in a cell corresponding to 30 minutes, cells corresponding to 60 and 90 minutes can only fit a title on one line of text. .
Prior art electronic program guides lack a method of creating an electronically edited program queue while viewing the program currently being broadcast on the receiver screen. Moreover, these prior art program guides require the user to guess while navigating through the sequence of selected channels. When we jump through channels to find a program that is being broadcast on one of the channels, a phenomenon commonly known as "channel surfing", the user, while channel surfing, has to guess which channel is currently being broadcast from the image being viewed. When many - in some cases up to 30% - of the program that appears on any of the channels are advertisements or other commercial programs, the user has no information what program is currently viewed on the selected channel at a given time, and must wait until the end of the advertising block. or commercial before identifying the program appearing on the selected channel. Thus, there is a need for a TV program programmer that displays information about the current TV program on each of the channels while the user is surfing the available channels.
An interactive in-home shopping service is also known in the art. However, what is lacking in the prior art is a widespread interactive home shopping service combined with an electronic program guide that enables users of an electronic program guide, remotely ordering products and services associated with an electronic program guide, or program lists included in an electronic program guide.
In addition, with the availability of techniques to electronically block home recordings of copyrighted programs, it is now possible to prevent losses from infringement of copyright or other revenues that result from home users creating archival copies of copyrighted recordings. Many viewers may be willing to pay for professional copies of these programs, as they will no longer be able to copy them themselves through aerial recording. Thus, if appropriate devices are introduced to enable appropriate ordering of archival copies of copyrighted programs, new marketing opportunities will be created. Users who would otherwise create amateur copies of the program using their own hardware may choose to order a professionally made and packaged copy from a licensed distributor if they were unable to record the program themselves.
Accordingly, there is a need for a simplified electronic program plan that is much easier to build, friendly in appearance and effective.
180 240
There is also a need to provide the user with an electronic program guide system that presents both the program being broadcast and program information in a manner heretofore unavailable in other electronic program guides, in particular those using remote control.
For example, there is a particular need for a flexible program schedule system which allows a user to view a selected program being broadcast on a portion of the television screen while, on another part of the screen, simultaneously viewing the television program information of another channel and / or services. There is also a need for a program schedule system that allows the user to select from a variety of formats for presenting television program information. It is also advantageous to have a system which indicates to the user, in each particular mode of operation, those buttons on the remote controller which are currently active.
There is also a need for a system that enables the setting of a programmable reminder function for viewing future programs.
There is also a need for an electronic guide system that provides the user with comprehensive information about pay-per-view events, special services or other programming packages that the user would not normally order, and which enables the user to automatically order such programs on demand or impulse. There is also a need for an electronic program guide system that provides a reliable and effective software upgrade or replacement method that uses the electronic program guide on the user's side.
In addition, there is a need for an electronic TV program schedule guide that acts as a shell or window to enable the user to access other applications and information systems that are not part of the electronic program guide software or data.
There is also a need for an interactive in-home shopping service coupled to a program guide system that enables a program guide user to remotely order services and products included with the electronic program guide or program lists included in the electronic program guide.
There is also a need for a convenient device for ordering archival copies of copyright protected programs that cannot be recorded by viewers.
A method of presenting an electronic television program schedule with an orderable program product, wherein the program schedule information for a set of programs is stored, user control commands are issued to the data processing unit, and video display control commands are generated and sent to a signal generator vision, display orders from the data processing unit and television program schedule information from the memory unit, and the information displayed according to the invention is distinguished in that, for the at least one program, information is stored indicating that a specific product related to the at least one program but separate from it, it is available for sale, it displays information about the emission plan for at least one program and provides an indicator indicating, that the specific product associated with the program is commercially available, transmits the first user command to the data processor and displays information describing the product, transmits the second user command to the data processor, and generates an information request and / or product order, and transmits the request and / or an order to a remote processing point and orders the product.
An electronic television program schedule presentation apparatus with an orderable program product, comprising an information reception unit for a set of user-available channels, a memory unit, for storing information about
180 240 of the program schedule, for a set of programs broadcast in the channel bank, a control unit for a user to issue control orders, a data processing unit for receiving control commands and for generating commands to control the display of a video signal, retrieving from the memory unit a selected portion of the TV program schedule information and generating orders for displaying that selected part, according to the invention, is distinguished by that the data processing unit is adapted, in at least one mode of operation, to generate commands to display an indicator, receive and / or remember that a product and / or program service, separate from the program, is available. The data processing team is adapted to respond to the user's command by generating an order for a product and / or service.
The device is preferably provided with a unit for retrieving data contained in the television signal from the currently received channel. The data processing unit is preferably adapted to determine, on the basis of the retrieved data, whether a product and / or program service separate from the program is available on the currently received channel and, if so, to generate an instruction to display the indicator.
The data recovery unit is preferably a VBI decoder, recovering the data in the frame blanking bursts in the signal of the currently received channel.
The TV signal on the currently received channel is preferably a digital signal and the retrieved information is contained within the band of the digital channel.
The data processing unit is preferably adapted to respond to a user's command by simply marking a product and / or service order with time and program stamps.
The data processing unit is preferably adapted to respond to the user control command by retrieving the product identification information from the data contained in the received television signal and including the recovered product identification information in the order.
The data processing unit is preferably adapted to respond to the first control command of the user by retrieving information describing the product and / or service from data contained in the TV signal from the currently received channel and to generate instructions to display this information and to respond to the second control command of the user by generating an order. .
The apparatus is preferably adapted to generate an instruction to display an indicator relating to a television program whose broadcast schedule is stored in the memory unit.
The apparatus is preferably adapted to an operating mode in which the data processing unit generates orders to generate a graphic layer containing program information for the currently received channel, the graphic layer being superimposed on the received program signal.
The apparatus is preferably adapted to an operating mode in which the data processing unit generates orders to generate a graphic layer containing program information for any channel also for, but not limited to, the currently received channel, the graphic layer being superimposed on the received program signal.
The apparatus is preferably adapted to at least one operating mode in which the titles of the current and / or future programs for several channels are displayed in a raster or column based on the instructions generated by the data processing unit.
The data processing unit is preferably adapted to respond to the first control command of the user by retrieving the product and / or service description information from the data contained in the memory unit and / or the currently received TV signal and to generate instructions to display this information and respond to the second control. user order by generating an order.
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The memory unit is preferably adapted to collect information describing the set of products and / or services related to the at least one program, and the data processing unit is adapted to respond to the first control command of the user by retrieving the product and / or service description information from the data contained in the memory unit and / or in the received TV signal, for selecting one of the set of products and / or services in response to the second control command of the user, and to react to the third control command of the user by generating the order.
The apparatus is preferably provided with a broadcast, cable or satellite input signal receiver including the transmitted data stream, received signal demodulation and data feed means and data accumulation means in a RAM unit.
The RAM assembly is preferably adapted to collect product information related to the at least one program.
The data processing unit is preferably adapted to generate commands to display a selected icon representing an indicator that a product and / or service related to the program, but distinct from the program, is available.
The user control unit preferably comprises a key (*) designated by the icon for generating the first control command.
The user control unit is preferably a remote controller.
The data processing means further preferably comprises a user order authorization group for the product, prior to generating the order.
The user control unit is preferably provided with means for inputting an authorization code into the data processing unit.
The data processing unit is preferably arranged to compare the authorization code provided by the user control unit with a predetermined code previously entered into the data processing unit and generate an order in response to the comparison.
The device is preferably provided with an order transmission means comprising a telephone line and / or a coaxial cable.
The device is preferably provided with a means of automatic dialing a telephone number and transmission of the order over the telephone line.
The order transmission means are preferably adapted to the order transmission substantially immediately after the order is generated.
The device is preferably arranged in the housing of the cable converter or satellite receiver.
An electronic television program schedule display system with an orderable program product, comprising a memory unit for storing program schedule information for a set of programs, a user control unit for issuing control orders, a data processing unit for receiving control commands and for generating control orders video signal display and video signal generator, receiving display orders from the data processing unit and retrieving from the memory unit information on the broadcast schedule and generating orders to display this information, according to the invention, the memory unit is adapted to store, for the at least one program, information indicating that a particular a product related to, but separate from, at least one program is commercially available. The video signal generator is adapted to provide an indicator when displaying the broadcast schedule information for at least one program, indicating that a specific product associated with the program is commercially available. The data processing unit is adapted to display product description information in response to the user's first command and generate an information request and / or a product order in response to the second command of the user, the system being capable of
180 240 by calling a product and includes the means for transmitting the request and / or order to the remote processing product.
The system according to the invention allows the user to watch broadcast programs simultaneously while interactively viewing information on other programs.
The invention allows the user to select from a number of possible formats for presenting program information.
According to the invention, it is possible to indicate to the user of the system a program guide, in the course of his use, those buttons on the remote controller that are active in a particular mode of operation of the system.
According to the invention, it is possible to provide the user of the electronic program guide with the ability to set up programmable reminder information for any future program.
According to the invention, it is possible to provide the user of the system with full information on pay-per-view events, special services or program packages that the user does not order and the possibility to automatically order such programs on demand or impulse.
The invention allows for an electronic program guide system that provides a reliable and efficient method for updating and replacing software that uses the electronic program guide on the user's side.
According to the invention, it is possible to operate the electronic program guide as a shell or window providing the user with access to other applications or information systems that are not part of the software or data of the electronic program guide.
The invention allows the introduction of a system that would combine the video promotion of television programs and services and present them in an integrated form, facilitating the marketing and sale of such programs and services
According to the invention, it is possible to provide the user with real-time program information for all programs while the user is surfing the available channels. The invention makes it possible to provide a system in which the user can access his account information upon request, and a system that overlays a program list on a changing background viewed.
According to the invention, it is possible to provide an improved grid cell text display system including a television program listing page. According to the invention, the electronic program guide provides a home shopping interactive service for ordering products and services to be included in the electronic program guide or individual programs.
According to the invention, the electronic program guide provides an interactive home shopping service for ordering products and services to be included in the electronic program guide, or individual programs, by simply pressing a button on a remote control or other user-operated selection devices.
The subject matter of the invention, in an embodiment, is reproduced in the drawing in which Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing various elements of the preferred embodiment, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the combination of a program and program schedule information by a video superimposing device used in a preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 3 - a remote control transmitter that can be used in conjunction with a preferred embodiment of an electronic program guide system made according to the present application, Fig. 4 - an alternative embodiment of a remote control transmitter shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 - overlay shown on the screen in one of the operating modes of the preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 6 - the menu that appears on the TV screen in the MENU operating mode, a preferred embodiment
180 Fig. 6A - another menu that appears on the television screen in the MENU mode of the preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 - Viewer Preferences menu that appears on the television screen in one form of the preferred embodiment of the invention, 8 - Favorite Channel Selection submenu, Fig. 9 - Ordering impulse menu which appears on the television screen in one form of a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 10 - Special Services submenu that appears in one of the operating modes of the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 11 - graphic overlay showing on the television screen in the OVERVIEW operating mode of the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 12 - graphical overlay showing on the television screen in the OVERVIEW mode of a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing information other than that shown in Figs. 11, Fig. 12A - graphical overlay showing on the television screen in the INVIEW mode of the invention showing schedule information for a time and channel different from that shown in Fig. 11, Fig. 13 - graphical overlay showing in the RECALL mode of the preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 14 - another graphical overlay showing in the RECALL mode of operation of a preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 15 - another menu that appears on the TV screen in the MENU operating mode of the preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 16 - another menu that appears on the TV screen in the MENU operating mode of the preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 17 - another menu that appears displayed on the television screen in the MENU mode of the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 18 - a grid with TV program schedule lists shown in the All Lists mode of the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 19 - schedule information presented in the Display by Category mode of the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 20 - program schedule information presented in the Display by Channel mode of a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 21 - information presented in response to a user request for additional television program information, Fig. 22 - program information, ordering and promotional information presented in the Pay-Per-View mode of the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 23 - ordering submenu used in conjunction with The operation mode shown in Fig. 22, Fig. 24 - another ordering sub-menu used in conjunction with the operation mode shown in Fig. 22, Fig. 24A - another ordering submenu used in conjunction with the mode of operation shown in Fig. 22, Fig. 25 - another grid with TV schedule lists shown in the All Lists mode of operation of a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 26 - Special Services submenu that shows 27, the Messages menu that appears in one of the operating modes of the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 28 - exemplary messages used in conjunction with the menu of fig. 27, fig. 28A alternate Messages menu, fig. 29 - billing information used in conjunction with the menu of fig. 27, fig. 30 - the Access Lock Key menu which appears in one of the operating modes of the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 31, the menu shown in connection with the Interactive Television operating mode of the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 32 - information that appears in the Viewership Control menu in connection with the Interactive Television operating mode shown in Fig. 31, Fig. 33 - Other information that appears in connection with the Interactive Television operating mode of a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 34 a menu showing information that is displayed on the information screen in the Interactive Television operating mode of a preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 35 - a menu showing the information that appears on the sport screen in the Interactive Television operating mode of the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 36 ad - a block diagram showing the logical structure to be implemented in a computer program of an electronic program guide, Fig. 37 - a menu showing a screen A locator for locating a channel number and defining a favorite channel list, fig. 38 - an alternative menu that can be used in the MENU, Electronic Program Guide, Figs. 38A and 38B operating modes - from
180 240 respectively, the alternate main menu screen and the time-ranked list screen available from the main menu, Fig. 39 Lock menu, which can alternatively be used to allow or block access to specific programs, Fig. 40 - Settings menu, which can be used to set the position of the text and the ordering code for special programs and pay-per-view programs, fig. 40A - exemplary menu for entering the lock code, fig. 40B to 40E, respectively exemplary menu for entering, confirming, deleting or changing the ordering code, fig. 41 - Lock Confirmation menu, which is used in conjunction with the Lock menu of Fig. 39 Fig. 42 is a block diagram showing the operation of a preferred embodiment of the text matching circuitry of the present invention. 43 AE - one embodiment of a series of screens that can be used to order products attached to a program displayed by an electronic program guide, Fig. 44 - one embodiment of a screen that can be shown to the user after the user activates the ordering procedure while the cursor highlights the program list from which programs or services are available, fig. 45 illustrates a product or service ordering option in conjunction with the Hopper mode of the inventive system, Fig. 46 illustrates a product or service ordering option in conjunction with program information for a music program, and Fig. 47 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the invention.
Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a plurality of components of an electronic television program schedule system, generally indicated at 10. Physically, the circuit components may be located in the end user's cable TV converter box, or other signal receiving and processing apparatus, such as a satellite receiver. Alternatively, the components can be mounted in a separate housing, or incorporated as part of a television, VCR, personal computer, or media player, or as an application distributed in a wide area network architecture. The input signal 11 is routed to a receiver 12 which receives the transmitted data stream from a data provider. A data stream may contain, for example, information about programs or services available in a particular geographic or other market. Input 11 can be, for example, part of a standard terrestrial, cable, or satellite broadcast or other form of data transmission such as a video signal. A data provider is a program information provider, satellite manager, local cable operator, or a combination of these sources, the data stream contains TV program schedule information for all TV programs and other services available in the operator's geographic market.
The data stream may be modulated and then transmitted over the cable line in many different ways as part of a specific transmission channel operating at a frequency of, for example, 75 MHz. It will be understood by those with the appropriate background that many other transmission schemes may be used to transmit the data stream, such as being placed in vertical blanking intervals of a broadcast TV program signal. As will be described in more detail below with reference to the invention, the transmitted data stream may additionally include software applicable to, or updating the electronic program guide, on the user side. The transmitted TV program schedule data or software is received by the receiver 12, from the output signal line 11. The received signal is transferred from the receiver to a data demodulator 13, such as a QPSK demodulator or GI Info-Cipher 1000R, which demodulates the transmission and forwards it to the buffer 15.
A microcontroller 16, such as the M6800EC, receives the data transferred to the buffer 15. The bootstrapping of software that may be used to capture the program guide software that is being upgraded is stored in read-only memory (ROM) 17. The microcontroller 16 uses the received program to organize its records accordingly. in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) in memory unit 18. Pr
180 The stored program schedule information may be updated on a recurring basis, such as hourly, daily or weekly, or whenever there is a change in the program schedule or other factors affecting the update. The circuit further includes a system clock 19.
Alternatively, the program schedule information could be provided in ROM, on disk, or some other permanent form of memory, or it could be transferred to a disk or other data storage device. The invention is not directed to a particular method of transmitting or receiving information about a television program.
If the microcontroller 16 recognizes the received data as software that can control a program guide system and not as program schedule information, it stores it in non-volatile memory such as an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) 20 or a battery backed static RAM (SRAM). This configuration will allow for the correction or replacement of the software version to be transferred directly from the software manufacturer to the user's terminal via cable or other transmission system.
In the case where an EEPROM is used, a correction or a new version of the software transferred from the manufacturer is first placed by the microcontroller 16 in DRAM 18 under the control of the executing program stored in ROM 17. The stored software may then be validated by, for example, checksum analysis or other verification procedure.
After the programming has been validated, the microcontroller 16 initiates a reprogramming routine of the EEEPROM 20 where the program is permanently stored. The microcontroller 16 will issue an appropriate control command to reprogram the circuit 21 which is adapted to apply the appropriate programming voltage and logically control the signals 22 required to erase and write the EEPROM. It supplies the voltage Vprog, as well as any other required control signal, such as read or write enable, to the EEPROM 20 upon receiving a command from the microcontroller 16. After the contents of the EEPROM 20 have been electrically erased, the microcontroller 16 initiates the transmission of the new firmware from DRAM 18 to EEPROM 20 for storage.
When using battery-backed SRAM as non-volatile memory, the microcontroller stores a corrective or new version of the software transferred from the manufacturer, directly into the SRAM, again under the control of the transfer software contained in the ROM. The stored software may be validated by, for example, checksum analysis or other verification procedure.
When power is first applied to system 10, the bootstrap software will check that the program guide software is in memory. If it is not there, the bootstrap software is waiting for the software to transfer. When the software is in memory, the microcontroller 16 executes the program from the specific portion of DRAM 18. Alternatively, the software may be loaded directly from non-volatile memory 20. Under the control of the program guide software, the microcontroller 16 first checks to see if the program schedule information is in the DRAM 18. If not, the microcontroller waits for the program schedule information to be transferred as described above. Alternatively, if the software is in memory but the database of records containing TV schedule information is not yet available, the software can be configured to perform other tasks, such as allowing the user to use features that do not require television program schedule information and displaying relevant information to show that the database is not yet available.
The guide chip works, as we detail below, the microcontroller 16 takes the TV program schedule information stored in DRAM 18, in
180 240 associated with other transferred data types, such as stored bitmaps for screen configuration, graphic symbols, or logos to be represented, stored in non-volatile memory 20, or alternatively in DRAM 18, providing them to a video signal generator (VDG) 23 which in the illustrated embodiment may be a commercially available graphic card of the VGA type, such as a Rocgen card, manufactured by Roctec. The video signal generator includes a standard RGB generator 24 that receives digital TV schedule information sent by the microcontroller 16 and converts it to RGB format in accordance with a bitmap suitable for the particular configuration of the displayed screen, which is presented to the user on the television screen 27. The configuration of each screen is presented and described in detail in the section describing the system operation.
The video signal generator further comprises an overlay device 25 that accepts an RGB input signal as well as input from a conventional TV tuner 27, such as a conventional tuner made by General Instrument or a Jerrold DPBB tuner that provides the program signal in standard NTSC video format. An overlay device 25 processes and combines the RGB signal with the signal from tuner 28 to produce a composite NTSC output signal including the program signal and program schedule information as shown in Fig. 2. This composite video signal is provided to a modulator 26 shown in FIG. in fig. 1, which may be a modulator, such as available from a Radio Shack, and then to a television 27 that the user keeps tuned to one of the modulated channels, e.g., channel 3 or 4. The composite video signal may also be delivered directly to a television or other receiver. a receiving device from the video signal generator through the video port 25A in the video signal generator.
The circuit elements described in connection with Fig. 1 may all be implemented on the preferred platform, for example, an IBM personal computer equipped with a transmission link and a graphics card, such as those manufactured by Roctec. Other platforms, such as cable TV converter boxes equipped with microprocessor and memory, or a distributed network, may also be used. Examples of specific components are the following: Microcontroller - Motorola MC68331-16 type; ROM - Texas Instruments type TMS27PC512; DRAM - Texas Instruments type TM4256; EEPROM - Intel type 28F001BX-T. In any event, it will be apparent to those having the appropriate education that the particular details of the hardware and memory item storing data are a function of a particular implementation of the system and are not the subject of the invention.
As described below, the user navigates the program guide system with a remote controller, such as shown in Figure 3, which operates based on conventional receiver-receiver remote control logic, such as an infrared or other type of transmission system. or any other suitable user interface. Remote controller 31 communicates with microcontroller 16 via remote control receiver 29, shown in Fig. 1, which may be a Silent Partner IR receiver and which receives the signals sent by the remote controller 31 and provides the microcontroller 16 with appropriate digital signals indicating which button has been pressed by the user.
A remote controller suitable for the invention, such as that shown in Fig. 3, which may be a remote controller manufactured by Universal Electronics or Presentation Electronics' Silent Partner, may include power 32, volume 33 and mute 34 control buttons, ENTER 35 key, numeric keys from 0 to 9 36, the four directional arrow keys 37A and 37B, the Mode key 38, and an information key 39, which is denoted by a lowercase "i". The power 32, volume 33 and volume keys 34 operate in the same way as on a conventional remote control, typically used in daily operation of a television set. The numeric keys also function in the same way as on a traditional remote controller. Brief description of the remaining keys.
180 240
The Mode of Operation key 38 takes the user through the various layers of the electronic program guide system 10, generally allowing the user to return to the previous screen when in a submenu. The up and down arrow keys 37A allow the user to navigate through different channels when the TV program scheduler is in the Skip or Browse mode as will be described in detail below, and also allow the user to navigate between the illuminated beams on the TV screen when is in the Menu operating mode. Left Right Directional Arrow Keys 37B allow the user to navigate through selected periods of time while the TV schedule scheduler is in the Browse mode as will be described below. In addition, they allow the user to navigate across thematic categories when it is in the Categories submenu of the Operation Mode menu, as well as to navigate across time segments when the TV schedule layout is in Pay-Per-View mode, and generally to navigate left or right to select various icons and other objects. The information key or "i" 39 allows the user to view additional programs or other information in the various modes of the program guide system. The ENTER key 35 creates and enters a command when the user has made a selection via the remote controller keys. The functions and operation of these keys will become clearer after the detailed description of the Skip, Browse, and Menu modes below.
The second embodiment of the remote controller 40 is shown in Fig. 4. This embodiment of the remote controller also includes a power key 41, numeric keys 42, arrow keys 43A and 43B, an information key 48, an ENTER, SELECT or OK key 44, volume control 45 , 45A lock key, mute key, and 48A help key. Also includes pound and asterisk keys. This embodiment of the remote controller further includes several keys indicated by the icons 47A and 47B that relate to different sub-menus or modes of operation of the program guide system. The icons 47A and 47B may also be displayed on a television screen when the program guide system is operating. The icon-labeled keys substantially replace the Mode key 38 used in the embodiment of the remote controller of Fig. 3. By using these keys, the user can move from one mode of operation to another by simply pressing the key marked with an icon denoting the desired mode of operation of the Program Guide system. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the icons 47A and 47B are shown as graphic symbols located directly above their corresponding color keys. Alternatively, the color code of the keys could be eliminated and the keys could be formed into the shape of the icons themselves.
The remote controller embodiment shown in Fig. 4 also includes three color coded viewer preference or favorite channel keys 48A, 48B, 48C which are located immediately above the keys indicated by the icons. Each of these keys indicates to the program guide system a user-created preferred or favorite channel list, which is a list of specific channels previously selected by a specific user, arranged by the user through the program guide system, in the order in which the user wishes to watch them during the guide system software. Creating a list of preferred or favorite channels is described in the next section of the application. Thus, the system provides at least three individually set channel sets for three individual users.
The remote controller, of Figure 4, further may be equipped with a "Help" key 48A which, when pressed, causes the microcontroller 16 to retrieve previously stored instruction messages from memory, displaying them on the television screen 27. These messages are for the user to forward. help in the form of instructions to guide the user through the operation of the various modes of the electronic program guide. These can be text messages, or instructional video sequences, or audio sequences, too
180 240 based on system memory capacity, or any combination thereof. Moreover, these help messages may be structured in such a way that they respond to the situation, that is, the messages presented depend solely on the particular phase of operation of the electronic program guide system in which the user pressed the Help key. For example, the information provided could relate to remote controller operation, Hopper and Browse mode operation (described below), or any other operating mode of the system, such as pulse-ordering, setting interlocks, and the like. In order to meet these objectives, each operating step of the system may be coded such that the microprocessor can keep track of the current operating state of the system, e.g., by temporarily storing a code corresponding to the current step while the user operates the system. When the user depresses the help key 48A, the microcontroller 16 will call up the appropriate set of messages based on previously stored codes corresponding to the operating steps of the system. Additionally, the "i" key 39 could be used to act as a help key.
Additionally, each of the remote controller functions may also be built into the keyboard of the cable box or other equipment.
In operation, the electronic program guide system of the invention functions as follows.
When the user is watching a particular channel on a television set, the program of the guide system defaults to the Skip operating mode shown in Fig. 5. In this operating mode, the graphic layer 51 containing program information for the channel currently being viewed is on the television screen 27, superimposed on the received program signal 55, each time the user changes the channel, such as by using up and down arrows on, for example, a remote controller. A video overlay device 25, such as shown in Fig. 1, combines the computer-generated RGB video information layer with an NTSC format program signal from tuner 18 and provides the television 27 with an NTSC output signal that includes the program signal from the tuner. and an information layer about the program plan.
The program information contained in graphics layer 51 is supplied to the RGB video signal generator by a microcontroller. In the Skip mode of operation, the microcontroller first searches the TV schedule database located, for example, in DRAM 18, to read program information for the currently viewed TV channel 52 corresponding to the current time point; that is, the time the user turns on the television to watch the program. The microcontroller 16 then supplies the current channel and program information to the RGB video generator 24, which converts the digital data to RGB format and delivers it to overlay device 25.
Under normal operating conditions, the microcontroller 16 automatically proceeds to present all channels offered by the cable company in numerical order, which is determined by the position of the channel in the signal spectrum or by the marketing decisions of local cable operators. Using the Preference Channel submenu or the alternative Locator screen, both options are described below, the user can search the content and / or the order of channels presented on the TV set 27.
Generally, if the user does not command a change channel or other command with the remote controller 40 within a certain period of time in the Jump mode, the microcontroller 16 will instruct the video generator 23 to remove the graphic layer 51 from the TV screen, so it sends it will go to the TV set, only the video signal of the program being watched 55. The length of the time period in which graphics layer 51 appears is stored in non-volatile memory 20 addressed by the microcontroller 16. The user may change the duration of this interval by first entering the Viewer Options mode and then selecting the "Graphics layer duration" field. The microcontroller 16 will then display a message that prompts the user to select an appropriate length of time for the graphic layer to be displayed on the screen.
180 240
Using the numeric keys, the user can enter the appropriate value, for example between 5 and 60 seconds, and then press ENTER. The new time slot is then read and stored by the microcontroller 16 in the memory cell responsible for the display time of the graphic layer.
If the user commands, change the channel using the remote controller 40 before or after the time allowed for displaying the graphics layer, either with the up / down 43A directional arrows or by entering the desired channel number using the 42 numeric keys and then pressing the ENTER key 44, the microcontroller 16 will tune the tuner 28 to the desired channel - both when the channel immediately precedes or follows the current channel, as is the case with the up or down arrow 43A, and when the user has entered a specific channel number using the numeric keys - and will also immediately search and display information about the current channel. Thus, when the user hopes through the channels, the schedule information of any program currently watched automatically appears on the graphic layer 51, while the program 5 appearing on the selected channel at a given time occupies the remainder of the screen.
The system can be configured to emit error messages, such as an audible beep or a displayed text, to indicate misuse of the keyboard if the user presses the left or right arrow keys in the Jump mode.
To initiate the Browse mode of operation, the user presses the Run Mode key while the system is in Jump mode when using the first embodiment of the remote controller 31 shown in Fig. 3. Using the second embodiment of the remote controller 40 shown in Fig. 4, the user must press the key below the icon 47A for Viewing.
In the Browse mode, the user is provided with the ability to view schedule information for any channel, including, but not limited to, the channel currently being watched, while at the same time continually watching the TV program previously selected. As shown in fig. 11, in this operating mode, the graphic layer information that appears in the Skip operating mode is replaced by program information of the channels currently being viewed, which may or may not be the channel currently being viewed by the user. After the user has issued the commands by the remote controller 40, the commands go to the Browse mode, the graphic layer 111 is generated, such as for the Skip mode, with information about the program broadcast on the currently viewed channel 112, and the test indicator 113 Browse, reminding the user of the current mode of operation as shown in Fig. 11.
If the user presses one of the up or down arrows on the remote controller 40 while the system is in the Browse mode, in the superimposed part of the graphics layer 111 on the TV screen 27, the previous or next channel information will be displayed, while the tuner remains tuned to the channel that was being watched on the television set when the user entered the Browse mode as shown in Fig. 12 while still remaining visible. Each successive pressing of either down or up arrows will generate information about the corresponding channel in relation to the selected channel. The graphics layer may further include a small video window showing the current video of the viewed channel or a portion of a future program corresponding to program schedule information then appearing in the graphics layer. In this way, the user can simultaneously view schedule information for all channels while continuously watching at least one selected program on the television receiver. With the capabilities of technologically advanced televisions, it may be possible to simultaneously present many broadcast programs on one television screen, or to split the screen to present, for example, broadcast.
180 240 important programs in connection with advertisements. The Browse feature could be used in any of these situations.
If at any time while viewing schedule information in the Browse mode, you wish to switch TV 27 from the channel currently being viewed to the channel indicated in the schedule information on the graphic layer, simply press the ENTER key 44 and the tuner 28 will tune to this channel. If the user does not want to continue viewing the next channel and wants to exit the Browse mode and thus delete the graphic layer 111, along with the program schedule information, he must press the Run Mode button twice in the first embodiment of the remote controller 31. First press of the Run Mode key, will switch the user to the Run Mode Menu, described below, a second press will take the user to the Skip mode. In the Jump mode, the graphic layer will be removed after the duration of the switching interval. In the second embodiment of the remote controller shown in Fig. 4, the user presses the key marked with the Browse icon to exit the Browse mode.
When the user first enters the Browse mode and then begins to browse the channels, the program schedule information in graphics 111 describes the programs currently broadcast on each of the specific channels. To view information on earlier or later programs, the user uses the left and right arrows 43B. Consequently, the system will display future program information for the specific channel previously selected with the up and down arrows, regardless of whether it is the channel currently being viewed or any other available channel. The presented information about the program schedule includes the program title, as well as the start and end time of the broadcast. The instantaneous chip architecture, designed with memory persistence in mind, will prevent the user from viewing information about programs earlier than the present. The system could easily be equipped with such an option as long as adequate memory was available. It is sometimes desirable, for example, to allow the user to view program schedule information for an earlier time to find a specific program and then allow the user to issue a command to the microcontroller to find and present future program broadcast dates, or the microcontroller might simply automatically execute this operation.
When viewing the program schedule information for a later time in the Browse mode, the displayed broadcast time 121 of the specific program 122 is highlighted, as are the channel number and service indicator 123, as shown in Fig. 12A. Such highlighted information reminds the user that he is viewing program plan information for the future. In addition, when viewing future program schedule information on a particular channel in the Browse mode, pressing the Channel Up button, the Up arrow button on the remote controller 40 will display the next channel program schedule information that corresponds in time to the channel's program schedule. that was viewed before the user pressed the Up Arrow key. The key channel lower, arrow down, 43B works in this mode in the same way.
If, while viewing program information for the future in the Browse mode, the user presses the ENTER key on the remote controller, the microcontroller 16 will command the video generator 23 to display the message layer 130 Remind, as shown in Fig. 13, which is displayed as the second layer 131 appears. above the Browse layer 132. The Remind 130 message prompts the user if he or she wants the system to remind the user at a certain time before the program starts that he or she has wanted to view the marked program, as shown in Fig. 13. If the user answers yes, the microcontroller 16 will store reminder data containing at least the channel, time and day of emission of the selected program in a booster buffer that contains similar information for all programs for which the user has run the option.
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Remind. At a predetermined time before broadcasting the highlighted program, for example, five minutes, the microcontroller 16 will read the schedule information, including title and service, based on the reminder data, and instruct the video generator 23 to present on the television screen 27, the Remind message layer 140 as shown in Fig. 14 to remind the user that he or she has previously set the Remind options to remind you of the selected program. The Remind 140 message includes the channel, service, and program start time. In addition, it also shows the number of minutes remaining until the broadcast starts, and it is updated every minute until broadcast. The Remind me 140 message also shows a Switch query that asks the user if he would like to switch to the selected program. When the user sets the Remind function repeatedly, the reminder layers are stacked, for example, in the order in which the reminder messages are to be generated, the next reminder message will appear on the TV screen after the user takes the appropriate action to remove the reminder message that is. currently displayed. The Remind message 140 could also be adapted to allow the user to present or modify a list of all user-set reminder messages. As with adjusting the display time of the graphic layer in the Skip mode, the user can select the length of the time interval before the selected program in which the message Remind by entering the Viewer options mode and the time field verification is displayed.
Using the remote controller 31 shown in Fig. 3, the user may enter the Menu operation mode from the Browse mode or the Skip mode by pressing the Mode 38 key once or twice, respectively. Using the remote controller 40 of Fig. 4, the user may to simply press the 47B key corresponding to the menu icon. Regarding fig. 6, in the menu operating mode, the system presents multiple menu items and icons that correspond to and enable the user to select a clear format for presenting program schedule information, local cable system information and other real-time information. The Menu icon, shown in Fig. 6, is full screen. In the embodiment shown in fig. 6, there are four vertically selectable horizontal bars 61-64 that can be accessed by using the up and down arrows 43A on the remote controller 31 and 40. On the left side of each bar, the identification icon 61A-64A is shown, which identifies the information represented by the bar. In the embodiment of Fig. 6, the "TV GUIDE" icon 61A in the first bar 61 corresponds to the programming information from TV GUIDE® magazine, the "Now Showing" icon 62A in the second bar 62 corresponds to pay-by-watch events and special packages, the "MSO Logo" icon 63 A on the third bar 63 corresponds to the consumer services or information messages of the local cable company, the circular icon 64A on the fourth bar 64 corresponds to other interactive services available to the user, or in the case of wide area networks, other services, such as home shopping, banking or telephone services. As shown in Figs. 6 and 6A, each of the strips additionally has a text description of its content.
When the user first enters the menu operation mode, the system will automatically select the TV schedule bar. When a particular bar is selected, the textual description is removed and multiple identification icons or boxes appear adjacent to the identification icon. In Fig. 6, the schedule bar is selected. Using the up and down arrow keys on the remote controller 40, the user selects vertically adjacent bars. Figures 15-17 show a selection of strip 62, Pay Per View, strip 63, Consumer Services and Announcements, and strip 64, Interactive Television service, respectively.
Alternative Main Menu screen 215 is shown in Fig. 38. Specific selection screens available from the menu shown in Fig. 38 are shown in Figs. 38A and 38B. It has three horizontal selectable stripes: program schedule 205, Domowy Theater 206, and Konsu Services
180 240 menus 207. Main Menu Screen 215 further includes an additional Locator Identifier which is described below.
When a particular bar from the Menu screen is selected, a plurality of icons 65A-65C are displayed horizontally selectable by the left and right arrows and the ENTER key on the remote controller 40. Each icon contains a graphic symbol appearing in the background of the window in a particular color. When a specific icon is selected, it is shifted from the window background and the window color changes. In Figure 6, the icon grid 65A immediately adjacent to the "TV GUIDE" icon on the first bar is selected. The functions associated with the selectable fields on the Main Menu screen will now be described with reference to Fig. It will be understood by those with the appropriate education that the same functions appear in the categories shown in Main Menu 215 shown in Fig. 38.
In the uppermost vertically selectable horizontal bar 61, the first grid of icons 65A represents the All Lists Mode of Operation in which program schedule information is displayed in a grid as shown in Fig. 18. Alternatively, a screen displaying a grid-like column may be used, such as shown in Fig. 25. In such format, the vertical y axis represents channel and service number, while the horizontal axis represents time. The screen shown in Fig. 18, further including in the upper left corner an operating mode identifier 180, in this case "All Lists", to remind the user of the current operating mode of the system. Immediately below the displayed operating mode, there is an illuminated inscription 181, specifying the number of the channel which the user watched before entering the Menu operating mode. In the upper right corner, an icon representing the multi-system operator logo 182 is displayed in the window immediately above the identifier 183 indicating a date and time that independently displays the current date and time.
At the center of the screen shown in FIG. 18 is an Active Keys area 184 that indicates to the user those keys on the remote controller that are active in a particular mode of program guide system operation. For example, in the screen of Fig. 18, the cursor can only move up, down, or right. If the user pressed the left arrow key on the remote controller at this point, the system will not perform any function because the cursor cannot move to the left. Thus, the left arrow key is not active, so its image is not shown in the active key field 184. Since the system will only respond to pressing the up, down, right, and ENTER keys, only images of these keys are shown in the hotkey graphic area 184. The Work Mode button, although not shown, is always active, changing the operating mode from one to another. When the user first accesses the All Lists guide, a chronological list is automatically displayed, starting in the half hour immediately preceding the current time, except when the current time is full or half an hour, in which case the presentation starts at a specific time of a full or half hour. and the channel list starts with the channel that was viewed by the viewer prior to entering the Menu operation mode. For example, in Fig. 18, the current time displayed is 7:13 p.m., the time list starts at 7:00 p.m. and the channel list begins with channel 4. In the All Lists mode of operation, a floating, highlighted cursor 185 is used to indicate to the user the currently selected program. The user controls the cursor movements using the directional arrow keys on the remote controller 40. Furthermore, when the cursor is at the bottom of the screen and the down arrow key is pressed, the entire information page moves up, similarly moves to the left when the cursor is in the rightmost position and the right arrow key is pressed. In this way, the user can navigate through the entire program schedule.
The folder icon 65B immediately to the right of the All Lists icon, in the top horizontal bar 61 of Fig. 6, defines a List by Category mode of operation in which program schedule information is displayed in categories ordered by program content as shown in Fig. 19. The specific presentation of the lists in Figure 19 includes categories
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Movies, Sports, Information and Kids 190A-190D. The database records stored for each category contain the identifier of a specific category, so the microcontroller can search the database and categorize the information according to the program content for presentation in the List by Category mode. As shown in Fig. 19. The user can control the cursor to the right or left to highlight one of the categories that appear in the list header. In fig. 19, Videos 190A is selected. As shown, the user shows a screen with all the movies listed chronologically and then alphabetically by title, starting with the half hour immediately preceding the current time, except where the current time is a full or half an hour, in which case the presentation starts at a specific full hour. or half an hour. The screen shown in Fig. 19, further includes a textual description of the current mode of operation of the program schedule system, as well as a hotkey graphical field 184, similar to that used in conjunction with the All Lists mode of operation.
As with the All Lists mode of operation, if the user highlights a program that is currently broadcast, he can immediately switch to that program by pressing the ENTER key on the remote controller 40. If the user has highlighted a program that is one of those programs that will be broadcast in the future, the user has the option to set the Remind message option.
The triangular icon 65C far right on the TV GUIDE 61 bar on the screen of Fig. 6 identifies a List by Channel mode in which program schedule information is arranged and represented by Channel category as shown in Fig. 20. The screen shown in Fig. 20, again includes a text mode identifier 201, a hotkey graphical field 184, and a window containing a multi-system operator logo icon 182, and a variable date and time indicator 183. In the header of the program list, further channels 202A-202C are the last channels viewed by the user before entering the Channel List operation mode. The channel in the center window 202B is highlighted, and schedule information for that channel is displayed. The screen identifies those programs which appear on the highlighted channel for the half hour immediately preceding the current time, except when the current time is a full or half an hour, in which case the presentation starts at a specific full or half hour. The user can view future cursor control lists down the screen and scroll the screen as previously described. The user may issue the change channel command as follows, when in the highlighted window 202B the next channel in the channel string is shown in the screen header, the program schedule for the newly selected channel is displayed on the television screen. As with other operating modes, if the user wishes to switch to the highlighted program that is currently broadcast, this can be done by simply pressing the ENTER key on the remote controller 40, and if the user wishes to view a future program, the user has the option to set a Remind message again.
In each of the Skip, Browse and Menu modes, a lowercase "i" icon appears in many instances in conjunction with specific program lists such as movies such as "i" 203 shown in Fig. 20. At any time this icon appears, the user may, by pressing the "i" key 48 on the remote controller 40, view additional program information, generally including a textual description of the program contents and / or other program related information, such as the names of the people present and the like. An example of a screen with this additional information is shown in Fig. 21.
The second horizontal bar 62 that appears on the screen in the Main Menu mode of operation shown in Fig. 6 is the "Home Theater" List. It applies to Pay-To-Watch events or services, specialized programs, and special programs. When the user selects this category, the television presents information as shown in Fig. 15. The first icon 150 representing a theater ticket that appears on the Theater bar.
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Home, determines how Pay-Per-View events and special programs will be presented, as shown in Fig. 22. As with other operating modes, the user can control the cursor by highlighting and selecting a specific program. In addition, the user may obtain additional information regarding Pay-Per-View events and special programs by pressing the "i" key 48 on the remote controller 40. A view of the Pay Per View menu screen is shown in Fig. 22, and further includes a video display portion 220 in which short promotional video clips of present and future events and services can be presented to the user while the user views the Pay Per View schedule information. . The screen appearance of Fig. 22 is a bitmap so that advertisement clips may be presented in the lower left square of the screen. Clips may be presented in a random order, or alternatively the clip could relate to a specific program selected from the event list, and could change as the user navigates through the list.
When a user highlights a Pay-Per-View event or service by pointing the cursor to the desired event or service using the directional arrow keys on the remote controller 40, the user can order the event or service by pressing the ENTER key on the remote controller, thereby linking the schedule functions program, promotional and ordering. If the user chooses. a specific Pay-Per-View event or service, in this way, the program scheduling system will present the user with a Pay-Per-View order screen such as that shown in Fig. 23. The screen includes numbers representing the price of the event or service. In addition, the screen prompts the user to select from a plurality of scheduled transmit times 230A-230C as well as asks if he would like to see a Remind message before the Pay Per View event or service starts. The user responds to these inquiries by using the directional arrow keys on the remote controller 40, positioning the cursor over the correct answer, then pressing the ENTER key. After the user has ordered a Pay Per View event or service, the program scheduling system will present the user with two confirmation submenu, such as shown in Figures 24 and 24A. In each of these submenus, the user can confirm or cancel the Pay Per View event or service.
If the user confirms the order, the microcontroller 16 stores the Pay-Per-View ordering information in the appropriate memory location. The ordering information can then be transmitted by the microcontroller 16 to the cable operator, both the telephone line and the cable line if the system has bidirectional communication or other interactive capabilities. Alternatively, the cable operator's computer will retrieve the memory contents when the microcontroller stores the Pay-Per-View ordering information. In due course, the cable operator will deliver the Pay-Per-View event or service, and it can be picked up by all users who have ordered the program.
The second icon 151 on the Pay-Per-View bar in Fig. 15 identifies specialized terrestrial, cable, or satellite broadcast services that are accessed by the user via the electronic program guide. In this mode of operation, the electronic program guide software operates to connect the user, via an appropriate communication link, to the program service, at which point the user interacts with the service. Alternatively, the electronic program guide provides navigation software containing menu and program schedule information for a specific program service. Such a service may be, for example, Television On Demand ("YCTV"), a service offering reruns or the most frequently broadcast programs both broadcast from terrestrial transmitters and by cable, in which case the icon may take a suitable form identifying it with Television On Demand. The programs available by Telewizja On Demand are delivered to the user through the electronic program guide system.
180 240
The last icon 152 that appears in the Pay To Watch bar of Fig. 15 identifies a screen listing all special services offered by the cable operator, as shown in Fig. 26. In operating mode, the user may select by ordering any of the special services by controlling the cursor with the directional arrow keys on the remote controller and pressing the ENTER key. Similarly, when ordering Pay By Watch, the system will present the user with a series of ordering screens and, if the service is requested by the user, the system will confirm the user's request with a confirmation submenu. If the order has been confirmed, the microcontroller 16 will store or transmit the ordering information without ordering a software package or a single service.
The third of the horizontal bars 63 of the Menu mode of operation shown in Fig. 6 is the Messages or Customer Service list. As shown in Figure 16, the first envelope icon 160 represents message information provided by the cable operator. When the user selects the messages icon, he is presented with a screen displaying the currently available messages as shown in Fig. 27. The view shown in Fig. 27, includes cable system messages 270, and account status information 271. If the user selects the cable system message option, he is presented with the local cable operator screen as shown in Figure 28. If the user selects the account balance option 271 shown in Figure 27. Fig. 27, current account information is presented to it as shown in Fig. 29. This information may include a history of purchases credited to the customer's account, current balance information, outstanding orders, and the amount of credit available, which may be an overdraft limit specified by an authorized cable operator or other operator. So the user can only choose one specific spending limit. When the Pay-Per-View fee level reaches the spending limit, the microcontroller will not allow further service requests. An alternative messages menu is shown in Fig. 28A.
The next icon 161 in the Customer Service information bar of Fig. 16 identifies the Viewer Preferences mode of operation that allows the user to create or correct a number of operating parameters of the program scheduling system. Once selected, the screen presents the user with several preference operations including specific operating parameters of the program scheduling system, such as watching specific channels and / or specific subject groups, e.g., those of Fig. 7.
The first option shown in Fig. 7 is the Parental option 70, which can also be referred to as the Access Locking Key option. When this option is selected by the user, the system displays the Key Access Blocking sub-menu such as that shown in Fig. 30.
The Key Access Lockout menu, shown in Figure 30, allows the user to control access to specific channels and programs or events by requesting the user to enter an access code key at a specific location containing a user-specified four-digit code before ordering or viewing these pre-selected channels. , programs or events. The layout of the Menu, shown in Fig. 30, shows a series of user-selectable subject categories along a vertical y-axis. A specific category is selected using the up and down arrow keys on the remote controller 40 by highlighting a specific field. When the user selects a specific subject category, he uses the left and right arrows to navigate within the selected category.
The first field of the subject category, as shown in Figure 30, is category 301 Parental Supervision. When the user selects this category and uses the cursor to highlight the field, the cursor can then be moved horizontally to the active window 302 which presents and selects one of the five letter-coded scaling elements in that category. The letter codes represent the thematic nature of the show: "V" violence, "N" nudity, "L" language, "AS" scenes for adults only, and "PD" parental selection. The user selects a specific item such as "L" by moving to the active window 302 using the key
180 240 right arrows, pressing the ENTER key will indicate to the microcontroller 16 that the access blocking key has been selected for programs classified as "L" denoting harsh and blunt language. The system indicates the activation of the access lock key by displaying the key icon directly below the "L" category field. When a pass lock key is set, it can be deleted by selecting the letter category and then pressing the ENTER key. This action will make the wrench icon disappear. The user may change the classification category in the active window 302 using the right or left directional arrow keys on the remote controller 40, whose identifiers are displayed on the screen, in the vicinity of the active window as information to the user. In this way, the user can select a different classification category to be set for the access blocking key for any program character identifier that appears in the Parental Control category.
The access blocking key code itself contains a four-digit code that the user can enter and modify at any time. To do so, the user highlights the fourth vertically selectable field, Change Access Locking Key Code 304, controlling the cursor to highlight it using the directional arrow keys on the remote controller. When the field is highlighted, the user enters a new four-digit code or corrects the existing code, and then presses the ENTER key. The microcontroller 16 then identifies the new access blocking key code and stores it in memory. The user can delete the access blocking key code, as well as other pre-set access keys, by going to the last field shown in Figs. 30, 304. Delete all access blocking key codes and all keys, which will highlight the OK box, then pressing ENTER key. This action will remove and deactivate all previously set keys as well as the key codes that block access. The program plan information database record for each program contains a field that corresponds to the program content ID under the Parental Control category. During operation, the microcontroller fetches this field in response to a user command to switch to or order, or provide program plan information, before switching, ordering, or presenting program plan information. If the parental control identifier in the program plan information database record matches any of the active parental control identifiers shown in Fig. 30, the user is prompted to enter a four digit access blocking key code before the system undertakes any other tasks. If the entered code matches a previously entered and remembered passkey code by the user, the system will undertake the requested user switching to the program, ordering it, or providing program schedule information relating to it. If the code is not recognized by the system, the requested action will not be taken and the user's request will be rejected.
By highlighting the cursor-controlled second field of the MPAA Classification 308, the user can also set an access blocking key based on the MPAA classification code, also shown in Fig. 30.
As with the Parental control category, when the MPAA Rating category is selected, the user can move horizontally inside the category to the active window 306 to select one of five classification codes, that is, "G" unlimited, "PG" Parental control, " PG-13 "suggested parental supervision, no one under the age of 13 can watch without adults," R "restricted access, and" X "for category x. By selecting the Parental Supervision category, by selecting a specific classification - using the left or right directional arrow key until a specific classification code appears in the active window - and then pressing the ENTER key, the user sets a key that blocks access to the classification, in which case the key icon will appear below the classification code. In addition, for the Parental Control category, when the access blocking key is set, the system will ask the user to enter a four-digit passkey code each time there is a request to switch to, order, or display.
180 240 program information, for a specific program having a classification code matching a classification code for which an access blocking key is active.
The Mode of Operation The Access Lock Key further includes an item category 303 for channel access control, which may be titled, for example, "Channel Lock" or "Channel Lock". As with Parental 301 and MPAA 308 categories, the user navigates to the Channel Lockout 303 category by operating the cursor using the directional arrow keys on the remote controller and pressing the ENTER key. Once the user has entered the Channel Lock category, he can move horizontally to the active window 307 which in Figure 30 indicates channel 2. When the user highlights this window by cursor control using the directional arrow keys on the remote controller 40, the lock key may be set. access for the channel shown in the active window. This can be done just like in other categories by pressing the ENTER key, which again causes the key icon to appear below the channel number in the active window. The user may move to the upstream channel by pressing the left or right arrow keys on the remote controller 40. In this way, the user may activate an access blocking key for any available channel.
As with Parental Control 301 and MPAA 308 categories, when a channel-specific access blocking key is set, the system will ask the user to enter the access blocking key code, before executing the switch to, order that channel instruction. If the entered access blocking key code matches a previously memorized access code, the user instruction is executed. Otherwise, the instruction is ignored. Thus, the user can control access to the video audio content of any available channel. In this case, the microcontroller 16 will not allow the video and audio signals to pass to the video signal generator, but it will allow the program schedule information for a given channel to be displayed.
An alternative efficient method of closing channels is implemented using a Blocking screen as shown in Fig. 39. Furthermore, to restrict access to programs based on Parental Control data, MPAA and channel criteria as described above, access may be restricted based on title. program. Fig. 39 depicts an alternative locking screen 250 that may be used to allow or restrict access to programs based on their title as an extension of the aforementioned criteria. Other parameters such as time of day, day of the week, credit limit, program nature category (e.g. talk show) can also be enabled.
To enter Lockout screen 250 shown in Figure 39, the user must enter a multi-digit lockout code using the numeric keys 42 and the ENTER key 44 on the remote controller 40. The lockout code is initially set when the system is first used or installed. To set a lock code in the first case, the user proceeds to a setup screen 260 such as shown in Fig. 40. Setting screen 260 will appear automatically the first time the electronic program guide is initialized. To access during normal operation of the electronic program guide, a suitable path to the Settings screen 260 may be provided, such as the corresponding icon from Main Menu 215.
In the Setup screen 260, Fig. 40, the user can navigate to the Lock Code 265 category and set a new locking code using the appropriate navigation and dialing keys on the remote controller 40. A corresponding menu for entering the locking code is shown in Fig. 40A. Once enabled, the lock code must be used to set or modify locks that restrict previously locked programs, or to remove or change the lock code. The memory location where the lock code is stored should be accessible externally, for example by the cable operator, in case the user forgets the lock code and has to be erased.
180 240
Once the lock code is entered and the Locking screen 205 of Fig. 39 is displayed, navigation within the screen is controlled by the direction keys 43A and 43B on the remote controller 40. Using the up and down arrow keys to move the cursor, select from the Movie Rating category. 251, Parental 252, Channel 253, Program Locked 254 or Lock Code 255. Within a category, the left and right direction keys 43B are used for navigation.
The removal of the previously set locking code is performed by moving the selection cursor to the Clear 256 field in the category of Locking Code 255 and pressing the ENTER key 44 on the remote controller 40. This causes the microcontroller to delete the stored locking code from the memory, as well as all the keys previously set by user. To change the current blocking code, the user must move the cursor to the Change 257 field in the Blocking Code 255 category and press the ENTER key 44 on the remote controller 40. The user is prompted to enter the new blocking code which is then stored in memory by the microcontroller.
To set a lock for any of the Film Rating 251 or Parental 252 categories, the user navigates to the selected field in Fig. 39 by controlling the cursor with the directional keys 43A and 43B on the remote controller 40 and then pressing a lock key on the remote controller such as the padlock 45A shown in Fig. 4. The microcontroller will appropriately modify the presented image, indicating that the lock is set, for example, by changing the background color of the text in the selected window, or by displaying the appropriate icon next to the text in the selected window. In Fig. 39, a padlock icon 258 appears in the field box "PG" in the Film Rating category 251. By pressing the lock key while the selection cursor is positioned on the highlighted field, we will enable or disable the lock function for that field. Similarly, to set a lock for a specific channel, the user selects the channel using the highlight cursor and then presses the lock key. In Fig. 39, the "4 KCNC" channel in the Channel category field 253 has been blocked as indicated by an inversion and a padlock icon appearing in the window.
Channel locks can also be set by title which can be locked in several ways. For example, when the Jump and Browse modes described above of the Electronic Program Guide are enabled, the program title is displayed along with other program schedule information, in a window superimposed on the current program signal that is currently being received, the user may restrict access to the program corresponding to displayed information by depressing the locking key 45A on the remote controller 40. The user may also restrict access to the currently viewed program by pressing the lock key 45A on the remote controller 40 while viewing the program, whether or not any of the Skip or Watch modes are present. In this case, the microcontroller first removes the program signal from the screen, then accesses the program plan information database record related to the program, then shows and sets an appropriate flag indicating that the program has been blocked. In addition, when we view the program schedule information in a grid or lists by category, as described above, for example shown in Fig. 18 to 20, the user may also select a program to be locked by highlighting it with the selection cursor and then depressing the lock key 45A on the remote controller 40.
In either case, the microcontroller will store the program title in a list of blocked titles stored in memory along with other titles that have so far been blocked by the user. The individual items in the Blocked Titles List are shown in alphabetical order in the Blocked Programs window 259 of Fig. 39, the user can navigate the list by moving the highlight cursor to the Locked Programs window 259 using the up and down arrow keys 43A on the remote controller, in Figure 40, and then using the right and left direction keys 43A on the remote controller. to move between items in the list.
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To save memory, alternatively, the microcontroller may be programmed to set flags or other flags in a particular database record containing program schedule information for a program that may be blocked and accessing the database to correct title information when this is to be displayed as if the viewer is viewing the list of blocked titles in the Blocked Programs window 259.
When a single title has been locked, the microcontroller can optionally be programmed to show an appropriate closing icon such as a padlock whenever the program schedule information for a locked program is to be presented, such as in the superimposed Jump and Browse mode window, or in multiple different category windows or mesh type in the Main menu operating mode. The system may also present appropriate text messages if someone tries to view a signal for a previously blocked program. Of course, when a program is blocked, in any case the microcontroller prevents access to the current signal for the program (they enable the audio and video parts of the program signal) until the appropriate code is entered or the block is removed.
Several methods can be used to block programs from being broadcast. For example, for the Movie Rating, Parental, and Channel categories, the program schedule information database record for each program has a field that corresponds to the rating, program character identifier, or channel, appearing under Movie Rating 251, respectively. Parental Control 256, Channel 256, Lock Screen 250 shown in Figure 39.
During operation, the microcontroller checks the appropriate fields in the database record in response to user commands, switch to, order the program, before executing the switch or order function. In addition, the lock code also may be used to restrict access to program plan information. In this case, the microcontroller also could inspect the appropriate field in the program plan database record before displaying the plan information for the program. If the movie, parental, or channel rating identifier in the program information database record matches any of the lock check boxes on Lock Screen 250, it is presented on the TV screen, overlapping the video signal, Lock Acknowledgment screen 300, such as is shown in Fig. 41. The user will be prompted to enter the pre-set lock code before the system takes any other action. As an extension of security, asterisks will be displayed in place of the numbers while the user is entering the locking code. If the entered code matches a code previously entered and stored by the user, as described above, the system will execute the user's request to switch to, order a program, or provide program schedule information for him. If the code is unrecognized by the system, no other action will be taken and the user's request will be rejected. In this case, the Lockout Acknowledgment screen 300 will remain displayed on the TV screen waiting for the correct code to be entered. If no action is taken by the user, the Lockout Acknowledgment screen will be removed after a predetermined period of time such as one or two minutes.
Similarly, in the case of a lock by title, the microcontroller could also check the title field in the program schedule information database record, and compare it with the list of program titles for which the user had previously set the lock. If, as described above, the microcontroller does not maintain a list of the current program titles locked by the title set, an identifier in the database record field could be used, indicating that the program was locked by title when the user set the lock, then the microcontroller could check this field. in response to a user's request such as switch to, order a program, or provide program schedule information.
An alternative method of effective blocking involves the use of a portion of the real-time program signal received by the television receiver. In this way, the codes corresponding to the program classification, parental control category,
180 240 of the title or channel are housed in and transmitted along with the program signal at vertical and horizontal blanking intervals or raster scan lines that are not visible on the television screen. When the program signal is received, these codes are extracted from the program signal and stored in memory. Methods and apparatus for inserting and receiving the transferred digital codes in a program signal are known in the art.
After the transmitted codes are separated from the program signal and stored in memory, the microcontroller can compare them with the locking criteria set by the user in the Locking screen, and take appropriate action as described above.
The Setup screen 260 shown in Fig. 40 further includes Order Code 270 categories which allows the user to set a numeric ordering code that must be entered before pay-per-view or specialty programs can be ordered. The Setup screen 260 shown in Fig. 40 includes fields for setting a new order code, and for clearing or changing a previously set password. In fig. 40B and 40E show the respective menus for setting, confirming, deleting or changing the ordering code. When the user sets the order code, the microcontroller will display the Order Code confirmation screen in response to the user's request to switch to, or order a special services channel or pay-by-watch program. The Confirm Order Code screen operates in a similar fashion to the Lock Acknowledgment screen 300 in which the user is prompted to enter a pre-set order code password before the microcontroller switches to or orders the desired program. If the correct order code is not entered, the microcontroller will take no further action and the Confirm Order Code screen will remain displayed waiting for the correct order code to be entered. If the user does not take any action within the predefined period of time, the Confirm Order Code screen will be deleted.
The next option, shown in Fig. 7, is Option List 71, Preferred Channels or "Favorite Channel". By highlighting this icon and pressing the ENTER key on the remote controller 40, the user is presented with a submenu screen such as that shown in Figure 8.
In normal operation, the program guide system presents the channels to the user in numerical order in response to a user channel up, channel down command using one of the directional arrow keys on the remote controller. The channel number presentation sequence contains all channels offered by the cable company in the order in which they were modulated in the channel by the operator. The program guide system provides the ability to select from several user-defined channel presentation sequences that are activated using one of the three keys 48A, 48B, or 48C, indicated by the "check mark" icons, on the remote controller 40 shown in FIG. 4. Each of the three keys of a specific list of preferred channels that a specific user has selected and that the microcontroller stores in memory as a "Preferred Channels" list as described below. To activate one of these preferred channel lists, the user presses the corresponding key marked with a check mark, in which case the microcontroller may display the selected icon on the screen in a full-screen graphic layer to remind the user that the particular preferred channel list is currently in use by the system. When the preferred channel list is activated, the system will restrict TV switching and showing schedule information to only the channels that are described in the active viewer preference list.
To correct the content and / or order of channels in the preferred channel list, the user enters the Menu operating mode of the program guide system. To enter the Menu operating mode from the Skip operating mode, the user presses the 38 Operating Mode key twice when using the remote controller 31, in Fig. 3. To enter the Menu operating mode when used
180 240 is an alternate embodiment of the remote controller 40, in FIG. 4, the user simply presses key 47B denoted by the Menu icon.
When the menu mode is first entered, it has a screen such as that shown in Fig. 6. To select a submenu for editing the preferred channel list, the user first selects a third horizontal bar 63, which may be titled, for example, "Messages" or "Service". client ", by controlling the cursor with the down arrow key as shown in Fig. 7. The screen of Fig. 6A is then displayed. The user then selects the second icon 161 that appears on this bar, denoted by the check mark that corresponds to the "Viewer Preferences" mode of operation, by highlighting the icon with the directional arrow keys and pressing the ENTER key again. This action will cause the microcontroller 16 to display the Viewer Preferences submenu as shown in Fig. 7. By selecting the Preferred Channels or "Favorite Channel" field 71, the user enters the Preferred Channels submenu shown in Fig. 8. If the user has not already done so, he could then press a particular key indicated by the check mark on the remote controller 40 of Fig. 4. by creating or correcting a specific list of preferred channels.
In the Preferred Channel submenu shown in Fig. 8, a list of 80 of all the channels available on a particular cable system is displayed on the left side of the TV screen, labeled "Selections" in Figure 8, and a list of user 81's preferred channels, labeled Selected, in Figure 8. Fig. 8 is displayed on the right. When a specific code such as End or the symbol "-1" appears on the first, top 82 position of user preferred channel list 81, the system displays information for all channels in numerical order for all operating modes. This is the default operating mode of the system.
By selecting channels in the correct order from the available list 80, and placing their desired order in the preferred channel list 81, the user may select a subset of channels and / or change the default sequence in response to user commands for the channel uplink or channel down. This is done by highlighting a channel in the list of available channels 80, using the up and down arrow keys on the remote controller 40, and pressing the ENTER key 44 which will rewrite the temporary contents of the field to the buffer.
The microcontroller 16 stores a list of all channels previously entered into the user's preferred channel list 81. When a particular channel is highlighted by the user, while navigating the list of available channels 80 displayed on the left side of the television screen, a window 84 appears surrounding the specific channel highlighted by the user. If a specific channel is already in the viewer preferences list 81, the system displays the DELETE message in window 84 as a reminder that the channel has already been selected from the list of available channels 80, and can only be removed from the list 81, which is confirmed by pressing the ENTER key. 44. If the specific channel highlighted in list 80 has not previously been selected, the system will display the CHOOSE message in window 84 as a reminder to the user that a specific channel will be selected to add to the viewer preference list 81 if the user presses the ENTER key 44. Microcontroller 16 will enter the selected channel to the end of list 81. In this way, the user may select or remove channels from the viewer preference list in any desired order.
The list of available channels 80 can further be provided with category fields 83 such as movies, news, sports or children's programs. The user can also highlight any of these fields and include them in the Viewer Preference List 81. If a user has included categories in his viewer preference list 81, when the user issues channel up and channel down commands, the system will display, in order, the first channel selected by the user in numerical order, and then all channels having a program whose content corresponds to the selected category, or categories at the moment.
180 240
As the user corrects the preferred channel list 81 in the manner described, the microcontroller 16 will keep track of the stored user-defined channel sequence in response to channel up, channel down commands issued by the user using one of the direction arrow keys. To activate the viewer preference list, the user presses one of the three check mark keys 48A, 48B, or 48C on top of the remote controller shown in FIG. 4. The Viewer Preference List can be used to selectively restrict TV switching or schedule information displayed in any of the Electronic Program Guide operating modes. In this embodiment, when the preference list is active, the system will restrict TV switching and schedule information display in the Skip and Browse modes, as well as in grid and channel list categories in the Menu mode of operation, to those channels that are placed on the active viewer preferences list. The tuner cannot be tuned to a channel, and the corresponding schedule information cannot be displayed for each channel not entered in the viewer preference list when this is active. In this case, it would be appreciated that setting the access lock key in the Parental Control 301, MPAA 308 or Channel Lock 303 categories will give a different result than when using display criteria such as the Preferred Channels Preference List described above. So, when the access blocking key will prevent the display or ordering of absent authorization code fields, audio and video information, but not program schedule information, if the specific channel is listed in the viewer's preference list and further has the access blocking key activated in the Channel Lock category 303, operating mode Access Blocking Key, this channel or the corresponding access plan information will not be displayed at any time.
To deactivate the previously selected list of viewer preferences, the user presses the key indicated by the appropriate icon with a check mark on the remote controller 40, in Fig. 4. When the list is inactive, the system will automatically revert to displaying and switching to all available channels, as well as showing information about the program schedule for all available channels. Alternatively, the viewer preference list 81, if active, can be used to control switching and display schedule information only in selected operating modes, such as in Skip mode only, thus allowing the user to switch to and view schedule information. only those channels that have been entered into the viewer preferences list 81 in Skip mode, while viewing all channels and the corresponding program schedule information in all other operating modes.
In this later configuration, as in the example where there was no active list of preferred channels and the system was in the default mode of operation, if there was a channel in the viewer preferences list 81 that corresponded to the services not requested by the user, the microcontroller 16 caused the ordering submenu to appear , instead of representing the program signal with a graphic layer as shown in Fig. 9. This submenu indicates to the user that he is not currently subscribed to the selected service, asking the user if he would like to subscribe to that service. If the user answers in the affirmative, the program scheduling system will take the user to another sub-menu of the ordering party to confirm the user's request as for impulse ordering.
The program guide may also be configured to have a Locator screen 201 such as that shown in Fig. 37 to assist the viewer in selecting a channel and determining a list of preferred channels. The Locator screen 201 displays all available channel numbers grouped by the source of program information appearing on a given channel at any given time, for example, terrestrial, cable, pay-per-view, future video on demand, satellite, or other source of information about program. Thus, the Locator screen 201 can be used to locate a particular channel or service as it introduces grouping, fast and efficient ways to
180 240 scrolling lists of available channels. Channel numbers may also be grouped according to other criteria, such as program category, program character, program rating, or any other standard based on the program content, availability time, numerical order, or other logical grouping criteria.
In the example shown in Figure 37, the user navigates the locator screen 201 using the directional keys 43A and 43B on the remote controller 40. The right, left 43B keys move the marker cursor over the category rows, while the up, down direction keys are used to highlight. specific category. From the Locator 201 screen, any particular channel can be selected for viewing by positioning the highlight cursor on the desired channel and pressing an input key 44 or an optional toggle key (not shown here) on the remote controller 40.
In addition, to facilitate channel selection, the Locator screen 201 also provides the user with the ability to conveniently define a list of favorite channels. To do this, the user first moves the selection cursor to the desired channel using the directional keys 43A and 43B or the numeric keys 42 on the remote controller 40, and then pressing the favorite channel 46A key located on the remote controller 40, which causes some change to the screen or characteristic indicating to the fact that the channel has been marked as a favorite channel, such as changing the color of the text identifying the channel or the test background, by displaying the appropriate icon or by any other suitable identification scheme. On the remote controller 40, of Fig. 4, the pound key "#" may function as the favorite channel key.
Also, if multiple favorite channel lists are used, the user could press the respective favorite channel list key on the remote controller to select a specific favorite channel list before pressing the favorite channel key. For example, as described above, the remote controller 40 shown in Fig. 4, has three color-coded, character-proven favorite channel keys, 48A, 48B and 48C, which provide at least three individual favorite channel lists to three individual users. Other identifying features could be displayed on the Locator 201 screen to indicate that that particular channel is selected in the favorite channel list. For example, an icon or image used to mark a favorite channel list on the remote controller, such as a checked character denoting the 48A key used on the remote controller 40, shown in Fig. 4, could be displayed on the Locator 201 screen, as well as on other program guide screens when the favorite channel list is active. Alternatively, the displayed text color or background could be changed to match the color of the selected favorite channel list.
There are several ways to get to the Locator 201 screen. For example, it may be included as part of a virtual channel which is conveniently placed in a channel switching sequence such as, for example, between the highest and lowest numbered channels - e.g. virtual channel 0. To the user, such virtual channel appears as a conventional channel. However, it does not require any additional transmission bandwidth. For example, it may be digitally generated at the subscribing station or placed in appropriate vertical blanking intervals on existing transmission band frequencies. Thus, the virtual channel is accessible by specifying the corresponding channel number using the 42 numeric keys on the remote controller, or by using the up, down 43 A directional keys to move from the highest numbered channel to the lowest numbered channel, or vice versa. As shown in Fig. 38, it may also be advantageous to enter a suitable identifier, such as an icon or test message 210, in the Main Menu screen 215, from which a user may access the Locator screen 201 by simply highlighting the identifier 210 by selection cursor and pressing input key 44 on remote controller 40. Alternatively, the remote controller may be equipped with a key corresponding to the Locator screen 201 that could be used
180 240 it is clear that the microcontroller would display the screen of Locator 201 when pressed by the user.
In addition to the Preference Channels or Favorite Channels keys, the remote controller 40 may also include a number of user-activatable preference category keys, such as movies, sports, or children's programs. The system may be adapted to present to the user only those programs which meet specific preference criteria when these are activated by the user. As with the Preferred Channels icons, the microcontroller can display icons corresponding to the activated preference categories to remind the user of the currently active operating mode of the system.
The question mark icon 162 on the far right of the third horizontal menu bar of Fig. 16 identifies a "Help" mode of the program guide system in which information is displayed to the user explaining the operation of the system. Again, by operating the cursor using the appropriate keys on the remote controller, the user can select this operating mode. Once selected, another submenu appears in the Help mode of operation, prompting the user to identify the specific part of the system that the user would like to view the Help information about.
The icons appearing on the last horizontal bar of the operating mode The Menus identify the particular interactive and / or other type of information services that the programming system uses as a gateway, making them available to the user, as shown in Fig. 17. By controlling the cursor, the user may select any of the available information services. service, such as shown in Figures 31 to 35.
For example, if a user pre-selects the "X * PRESS" icon that appears on the last horizontal bar, he is presented with a submenu as in Figure 31. Using the directional arrow keys and the input key on the remote controller, the user selects one of three fields appearing on the screen of Fig. 31. When a particular field is selected, the electronic program guide connects the user to the selected service and transfers control to the application of the particular service as shown in Figures 32 to 35. Alternatively, remote controller 40 may be provided with specific program keys corresponding to a plurality of program categories of a specific nature, for example, the Sport key, the Info key, the Movies key, and the like. When the user presses a program key with a specific character, the specific character operating mode is initiated. In Figure 4, the remote control is equipped with a 49 Sport key. If the user presses the 49 Sport key, the microcontroller will limit the display of programs and / or schedule information to those related to the sport. The microcontroller will prevent all other programs or schedule information from being displayed on the TV set. The microcontroller can be adapted to distinguish programs and program plan information that are related to the sport by checking the corresponding code attached to the program or program plan information. As described above, the encoding may be performed using a number of methods, such as placing the appropriate code at vertical blanking intervals in the program signal, or in a suitable memory location in the program plan information database record, or if the program plan information is received by a network of terrestrial transmitters, by including it in appropriate blanking intervals. The user activates the Defined Character operating mode by pressing the appropriate Defined Character key in any operating mode of the electronic program guide, including the Skip, Browse or Main Menu operating modes described above, and when no information about the program schedule is displayed and on the receiver screen only the program signal is visible. When the user requests the Specific Character mode of operation, the microcontroller immediately and directly activates the program criteria of the defined nature and maintains them for all modes of the guide until they are deactivated, which can be done, for example, by pressing the 49 Sport key again.
180 240
Instead of a dedicated Specified Criteria key such as the Sport 49 key, the system may be configured with a single generic Specified Character key which, when activated, would cause the microcontroller to display the Specified Character menu listing all program categories of the specified nature available to the user. The user could then highlight a specific category by controlling the selection cursor with the directional arrow keys on the remote controller, and selecting it by pressing ENTER or the OK key 44. As an alternative to using the Specific Character key on the remote controller, access to the Specific Character menu can be accomplished by entering the appropriate identifier on another screen of the electronic guide menu such as the Locator, Setup or Main Menu screens.
Moreover, in addition to blocking all unselected programs of a certain nature when a particular category of programs of a certain nature is selected, the microcontroller may be programmed to enable all programs and enhancement services that are specifically associated with the selected category of programs of a certain nature. For example, if the user has activated the Specified Sports Character mode, the microcontroller, in addition to allowing you to watch only sports programs or information about plans related to displayed sports programs, will actively search for and provide all sports-related enhancement services, such as sports-related trivia or games video, current results of games that are still in progress, game plans for different teams, replays of games of selected teams or players, which have already taken place, ordering souvenirs or tickets, and the like. Thus, information accessible through programs or services may be integrated into an electronic program guide environment. By simply transferring control to another service, as described above, the electronic program guide can thus act as an integrating system or interface, integrating the available information into a single package within the electronic guide environment, essentially by creating a series of modular software applications for the various available program categories by specific nature.
The Setup screen shown in Fig. 40 further includes a Text Location category 275 which includes "Bottom of Screen" and "Top of Screen" text boxes. By navigating to category 275 Text Positioning using the directional keys 43A, up and down on the remote controller 40, and to any of the "Up" or "Down" fields in that category, using the directional keys 43B, left and right on the remote followed by depressing the input or selection key 44, the user may control the location of the overlay window used in the various modes of operation of the electronic program guide to display information. The Settings screen of Figure 40 provides the user with two positional options: Top or bottom of the screen. Depending on the mode of operation of the program guide, it may be advantageous to provide the user with a greater number of selectable locations within the viewing area of the television set, or to provide the user with the option of selecting a different location for the information displayed in the different operating modes.
One of the modern solutions of the presented invention is the text matching system. The preferred embodiment of the text matching system includes an interactive computer program used to edit the program list data before it is transmitted to the user and stored in memory.
The interactive system works as follows: the raw (or partially edited) program list information is loaded into the processor. The data includes program titles, program schedule times, duration, category as well as additional descriptive information depending on the type of program. For example, for movies, the data includes the MPAA rating, year of production or black and white, and a list of actors and actresses. The processor extracts only the program title data, which may be a TV program title as well as a movie title, sports release, and other special event titles. Based on the duration of the program, the processor first analyzes the list data to determine what size list grid is necessary for each title. Thus, a two-hour movie may require four different processed titles to match each of the four different grid cells (30, 60, 90, 120 minutes). The processor then determines how much space is needed to represent the title based on the number of letters. If a title is to be displayed in the program schedule grid using proportional and condensed fonts, the processor may also take these factors into account when determining the space required to represent the title. The determination could then be based on the number of pixels required for a particular combination of characters in the title. The amount of space available for the title display depends on the size of the grid cell and the space required to represent the icons when they are active.
If the processor determines that the full title takes up too much space to fit one or more cells of the grid, the title is then presented to the editor using a display device connected to the processor, such as a screen monitor. The editor is then asked to change the title so that it fits in the space reserved for it. If the title needs to be edited to a size greater than one cell, the editor is asked to edit each one separately. In a preferred embodiment of an interactive program, the editor immediately sees whether the edited title will match its intended cell in the grid.
In a preferred embodiment, two lines of text are displayed in each cell of the program list grid. The title, as processed, appears on the first line, and if necessary, it also extends to the second line. The decision to move to the second line is based on the existence of natural breaks in the title such as word gaps, commas, periods, hyphens, and so on. These are standard techniques used in word processing procedures. The editor may also be asked to edit the title if the title will fit within the two lines of text intended for it, but a hyphen will be required due to the lack of natural breaks in the title.
Before asking the editor to shorten the title, the processor compares the title with the stored short title library to determine if the title has already been truncated when editing another program list database. Each time the editor makes changes to the title, the short title is added to the library. It goes without saying that this process of building a library of shortened titles substantially reduces the requirements for manual editing.
A flowchart illustrating the workflow of a text fitting system is shown in Figure 42. The flowchart illustrates the operation of editing a list presented in a program grid for a specific platform, but the flowchart is identical for all platforms. Editing text may also be necessary in other situations, except where cells of different sizes are used to represent the same title. For example, the described program guide may run on several different platforms, each with different constraints and grid cell space availability. Some may not display text using proportional fonts, some may have other limitations that reduce the available space. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the interactive program requests editing for all platforms for which it is required at the same time. In addition, text editing may be required in operating modes other than the program list grid. For example, in the List by Channel screen of Fig. 20, programs are represented in whole lines of a fixed length, but the line length may vary with platform, so a text matching system can be used to edit lists of different platforms operating in this mode. . The space available for presenting text also depends on how much space is reserved for presenting icons. The same process as shown in Fig. 42 could be used in this case, except that there would be no need to determine the quantity needed.
180 240 sides of the grid, because fixed-length lines are used for the presentation, not grid cells of different sizes.
It will be obvious for people with appropriate education that the described text matching system also has applications outside of title editing. The system can easily be adapted to provide message editing, "and" information screens, pay-per-view promotional copies, and similar text messages to fit in their designated space. In fact, the system could be used to edit any text intended to be presented in the described program planning system.
The computer program for the microcontroller 16 may further include a plan for displaying different background views depending on what schedule information of which program is overlaid, whether on a portion or the entire screen. Background views can be stored as in-memory bitmaps or other storage medium such as an optical storage device. For example, the microcontroller 16 could be programmed to command the video generator each morning at 6:00 am to display a rising sun view in the background. The background may then be changed during the day to a blue sky or an evening view, for example. It may also vary, for example, during the day, with the day of the week, month, year, or season. The nature of the background may also vary depending on the specific program category that the user is watching or to whom the information about the program schedule is presented. The nature of the background can also be adapted to the presented scenes, which are related to the user's location, such as the Rocky Mountains or Mt. Rainer, and the like. It is also possible to present standard images, such as ocean or forest. What's more, it is also possible to adjust the sound background to the specific character of the currently presented background. In addition, different background views can be used for holidays and special events such as Christmas, July 4th, Football Final Sunday and the like. The job of these different background views is to obliterate the monotony of viewing program lists. The microcontroller 16 may be adapted to automatically coordinate the display of the characteristic background. The user may also be given the option of selecting from a plurality of distinctive background views by adapting the microcontroller to display the appropriate Mood menu which lists all background character options available to the user and allows the user to select one or more by appropriately controlling the selection cursor. Access can be accomplished by placing the appropriate identifier in the appropriate system menu, such as the Locator screen or Settings screen.
In addition, the electronic program guide could be configured to store unique digital identifiers for each program together with its program schedule information in order to later use the identifier - for example, by transmitting it - to indicate to a recording or storing device such as a VCR. that the user wishes to register the program. The electronic program guide could also use the tag to automatically control the operation of the VCR. The electronic program guide could also be configured to use other stored program schedule information for this purpose.
The operation of the interactive home shopping option can be explained with reference to Fig. 43. Fig. 43a illustrates a "timed" screen of the electronic program guide showing a list of different programs to be broadcast at specific times on various channels. As shown in Fig. 43a, some of the items are equipped with an asterisk icon representing an indicator 401 indicating that the product or service associated with each of these items is available and can be ordered remotely by the user. The remote controller unit 40 described above may have an asterisk key used to order products or services. Alternatively, the existing asterisk key on keyboard 42 may be used. A specific icon used to signify that the indicated item has an attached product or
180 240 the orderable service is not part of this invention, any other suitable symbol may be used for this purpose.
The screen shown in Fig. 43 indicates that only two items, "Fuli Metal Jacket" and "Beverly Hills Cop III" have associated products or services. When the asterisk key on the remote controller is pressed while the cursor is highlighting the program position for "Full Metal Jacket", the format selection screen shown in Fig. 43b will be displayed. This screen informs the user about the specific products or services available and about the different options and / or formats available, and about the evaluation of the different options and formats. As shown in Fig. 43b, the left and right arrow keys 43B on the remote controller 40 are used to scroll between the different formats. As the user scrolls through the different formats, the displayed price changes automatically to match the price of the currently selected format. After selecting a specific product format (by pressing the "OK" or input key 44 on the remote controller 40), i.e. a VHS format cassette, the user is presented with the screen shown in Fig. 43c to select a payment method and a delivery method. The user scrolls through the various payment methods which may include various types of credit cards as well as the option to add the order price to the user's bill for software services. At the bottom of the screen, the user enters his credit card number and its expiry date. The user can also scroll through the different shipping methods and the total price will change with the different shipping methods. After selecting the payment and delivery methods, the user is presented with screen 43d to review and confirm the order. To prevent unauthorized persons from ordering products and services, an ordering code may be used as shown in Fig. 43e. The ordering code may be selected in advance in the same way as the lock code described above.
Screen 43d can be used where the user has previously entered his address and telephone number. The user may enter this information in advance using the Settings screen to enter all the necessary information when using the product ordering service for the first time. The initiation information may also include one or more credit card numbers such that when a product is ordered, the user only has to select a credit card from a previously entered list. Alternatively, the user's address and telephone number may be extracted from the system calculating the user's bill for program services.
The star icon can also be used to indicate that one of the products or services related to the television program is available. Fig. 44 illustrates one embodiment of a screen that may be presented to a user upon depressing the asterisk key while a cursor highlights the "48 Hours" program. As shown in Figure 44, both transcription and cassette (in VHS and Beta formats) are available. Using the arrow keys 43B on the remote controller unit 40, the user highlights the desired product and presses the "OK" key to order the product. Products and services can be ordered from any of the various operating modes of the electronic program guide by including the star icon in the program schedule screens that appear in each of the various operating modes of the system. Fig. 45 illustrates the use of the asterisk icon in conjunction with the system mode, Skip as described above.
There are many potential uses for a product ordering service. In addition to ordering videotapes or program transcripts, it is likewise possible to order various ancillary products such as T-shirts and other clothing items, books, film soundtracks, toys and the like. The ordering system shown is particularly useful in conjunction with programs that are copy-protected such as pay-per-view movies. These programs cannot be recorded using a VCR, so the described ordering service presents itself as a powerful marketing tool and allows the user to order their own professionally made licensed copy of, for example, a pay-by-watch movie.
180 240 by simply pressing a key on your remote control. One example of a service that may be introduced is the ordering of tickets for television programs with audience participation. Program list items such as contests and talk shows can use the star icon to order tickets for audiences or attendees at such performances. The star icon can also be used with the programming list items corresponding to local sporting events to order tickets for the listed event as well as for future events. The use of the product and service ordering capacity described does not have to be limited to television programs. For example, if your cable operator or other program provider provides music channels as well as TV channels, music program products and services may also be ordered through the program guide. Fig. 46 illustrates one embodiment of a screen that may be used to order products or services related to a music program. Products that can be ordered include CDs or cassette tapes of songs or albums. The ordering service can be used to order tickets for an upcoming concert of an artist who is currently performing on a chosen music channel.
The use of an electronic program guide introduces a new medium for marketing related to a program of products and services that can reach a very large audience, including those who would not normally switch to existing home buying channels.
The ordering of products and services can be easily implemented in the electronic program guide of the present invention. The various displays presented that include the electronic program guide are controlled by a microcontroller 16 which uses the program list data for each of the programs. If the data indicates that products or services related to a program are available, the microcontroller 16 will display a star icon whenever the name of a specific program appears, in the various modes of operation of the electronic program guide. The microcontroller 16 also controls the display of user-selected options in the electronic program guide such that when a particular item is highlighted by the user, when the user presses the star key on the remote controller 40, the microcontroller 16 displays the appropriate ordering information so that information for the correct product or product is displayed. services. The ordering of services is described above in connection with Fig. 9, with regard to ordering special services or events of the type you pay by viewing. Products may be ordered in a similar manner, using a telephone line, coaxial cable, optical fiber, or wireless transmission as the return path along which user orders are placed. There are many prior art methods that can be used to convey information about products and services ordered by a subscriber to a cable television network at home to a switchboard for execution. For example, the same techniques used for billing your bill may be used for ordering, for pay-per-view events. In one embodiment, the microcontroller 16 stores the subscriber's orders in memory for later transmission using the user's telephone line.
The microcontroller 16 is programmed to call the ordering center to place an order. Typically the toll-free "800" number is used for this purpose, calls are made when the user is not using the telephone. The microcontroller 16 can be programmed such that orders are accumulated throughout the day and a call is made once a day to transmit all collected orders.
Another way to order is to use the cable itself. This method can be used in one-way and two-way cable systems. In a unidirectional cable system, orders can be stored on the user's side in a converter box provided by the local cable operator. Converter box
180 The 240 can then be checked by the switchboard, using methods known in the art to determine if it is holding any orders that are to be wired to the switch. If orders are present, they are made available to the headquarters for fulfillment.
A bi-directional cable system is most beneficial if real-time ordering is desired. Using the reverse channel, orders can be placed and immediately transmitted to the network headquarters, where they can be processed and distributed among the individual fulfillment centers. In this way, orders can easily be fulfilled the same day and delivered to the user by overnight courier.
Another possible way is to control ordering from subscribers from the PBX. For example, a cable switchboard could oblige subscribers and program converter boxes to connect to the switchboard at a specific time to stagger the calls over time, avoiding overloading the data center at the switchboard. Of course, it is also possible that the control panel connects to each converter box via the telephone line and calls each viewer one by one to check if there are any pending orders.
It is also possible to keep the product ordering option completely separate from the cable system or other program operators' activities. The electronic program guide providing unit may maintain its own computing equipment at the cable operator's central office or elsewhere on the program broadcaster's side, so as to receive orders directly from users, without the need for any processing by the cable operator. User requests identified as product orders can then be separated directly without the involvement of the electronic program guide provider's computing equipment. This type of system architecture can be applied to more centralized national product ordering systems.
Information about each available product and service can be made available to users in any way.
In one embodiment, the program plan information database stored on the user's side may include all information regarding each product and service - product (s) or service (s) description, price, and any other required information. The disadvantage of this method, however, is that if a large number of programs contain products and services available for order, the system memory requirements are very high. Another way is to standardize the available products and services so that the information included in the database takes the minimum necessary to identify the type of product and service. For example, if only videotape and transcripts are available, the database only needs to include a flag for each entry indicating whether videotape or transcription is available, or both. An additional simplification is if all transcriptions and all videotapes have the same prices. The screens shown in Figures 43 to 46 can thus be standardization screens for all products so as to save memory space.
For people with appropriate education, it will be obvious that it is possible to make many different modifications. To introduce more flexibility, different categories of products and services can be established for different types of programs such as movies, news, sports, pay-per-view, and the like. The microcontroller 16 may then be configured to select product and service information to present to the user based on the type of program. In this way, when the user presses the order key on the remote controller, the microcontroller 16 will determine the type of program displayed by the program guide and select the appropriate ordering screen for presentation. Likewise, in relation to the price, price categories can be set. Microcontroller 16 can then read from
180 240 databases, price category for the product, and present the corresponding product price on screens 43 to 46.
An alternative embodiment of the ordering system described may be implemented. Instead of indicating the availability of a product or service with only the program lists stored on the user side, the availability of the product may be indicated when the user is not in one of the displayed operating modes of the program scheduling system by displaying an asterisk icon in the program signal if a product is associated with that program or service. In this way, program products and services not included in the program plan information database stored in DRAM 18 may also be accessible to the user. In this way, it is particularly convenient in conjunction with commercial advertisements, moreover, it enables the user to place an order for a product or service that is advertised via the remote controller 40. Alternatively, the user may simply request a mailing list to receive additional information about the advertised product or service as well as other related products and services.
An alternate embodiment (which may be used in conjunction with the above-described embodiment) may be implemented. A received program signal for a commercial program or other program may contain information about products or services related to the program. The information may be included in the vertical blanking intervals (VBI) of a standard analog television signal, as is known in the art to those of a relevant background. Similarly, the information may be bandwidth on a digital channel for programs delivered digitally. One advantage of including information in the vertical blanking bins or in the bandwidth of a digital channel is that it eliminates the need to consume user-side memory space and store product and service information.
The modified system shown in the flowchart of Fig. 47 is one embodiment of a system that enables a product ordering system using vertical blanking intervals in the program schedule system of the present invention. In this modified system, a second receiver 30 is used to receive a TV channel signal to which tuner 28 is tuned, controlled by the microcontroller 16. The signal is then applied to a vertical blanking bins decoder, which is a data recovery unit 30A, which decodes data contained in the vertical blanking bins of the received television signal. The data is then placed in buffer 15 and microcontroller 16 as described above for TV schedule information. The microcontroller 16 then determines whether products or services are available for the program displayed on the currently received channel, according to the data in the vertical blanking intervals. If there is a product or service available, microcontroller 16 will overlay the program signal with a product availability icon. In a preferred embodiment, the currently received television signal contains commercial advertisements and the available product or service is associated with the advertisement. One-stage or multi-stage ordering can be used. For example, in the simplest embodiment, only a single product is available, i.e., a product brochure. In this case, the microcontroller 16 can be configured to cause the video overlay device 25 to present a standard screen message such as "Press * to receive product brochure". This embodiment assumes that the user has previously entered his name and address, or that this information is extracted from a program service billing system such as described above. Alternatively, a multi-step process similar to that described above may be implemented. After pressing the key marked with the ordering icon, the microcontroller 16 can extract additional information describing the product or service from the vertical blanking intervals and cause the video overlay device 25 to present it on the TV screen.
180 240. The microcontroller may then present the user with a series of screens, similar to those in Fig. 43, to present the information requested by the user. In this case, however, the screen composition information is obtained from the program signal and not from the stored program schedule information. It is also possible to store the screen formats as bitmaps in memory, and use the information from the vertical blanking intervals to complete the information on the screens.
If the user selects to order a product or service, the microcontroller receives the request and may operate as follows. In the simplest embodiment, the microcontroller may simply note the time and channel the request has occurred. By entering the time of the request and the channel being viewed by the user at that time, the system operator can identify the advertisement or other program that the viewer was watching at the time the product or service was ordered, and thus can provide the user with the relevant product or service. Alternatively, in more sophisticated systems, the microcontroller 16 can extract from the vertical blanking interval or from the digital channel band information identifying an ordered product or service. The order may then be delivered to the cable network headquarters where it will be processed in any of the ways described above in conjunction with the products and services related to the program item.
The form and content of a specific computer program implementing the described invention will be obvious to those persons who have appropriate training in the field of video system programming and graphic presentation. A block diagram showing the operating logic of the system is shown in Figs. 36a to d. It is apparent to those having the appropriate education that a number of deviations from the particular embodiment of the invention set forth herein may be made without infringing upon its true scope as described by the appended claims.
180 240
VBI DECODER
3ΟΑ
RECEIVER
TUNER
SIGNAL
ENTRANCE
RECEIVER 75.0 MHz
<img file="PL180240B1_D0001.tif" />
ODO ODO ODO
[[receiver 1 | INFRARED!
<img file="PL180240B1_D0002.tif" />
BUFFER
MODULATOR
TV RECEIVER
DEMODULATOR
DATA
<img file="PL180240B1_D0003.tif" />
KEYBOARD. '
INTERFACE
USER j (Z5A ł - ROM
CLOCK L
DRAM
I will. -NON-OVERLAPPING-VISUAL SIGNALS ^ 25
SIGNAL, VIDEO \ RGB AND GENERATOR
<img file="PL180240B1_D0004.tif" />
PERSISTENT EEPROM
MICROCONE ·
-CONTROLLER
I VISIO GENERATOR AND -NOTE J <sup>X</sup>23
THRESHOLD.
2f
FIG. 47
180 240
To return to the additional music selection menu, press
Jump over (84 ΡΜΧ5) Alternative Rock Counting Crows: Mr. JonestE
FIG. 46
180 240
Hours Jan 20 1995 Transcription 34.95
To order a transcription or a videotape with this program, select the format and then press (q ^) (Cancel) (Transcript) (VHS) (Beta)
FIG. 44
Jump over (11 REQl) (7-9p)
Fuli Metal Jacket ☆
Guide
E.
FIG. 45
180 240
Fuli Metal Jacket
VHS $ 29.95
To order a professionally produced cassette with this program, select the format and press (6R)
Video cassette format <K vns) t>
FIG. 43 B
Fuli Metal Jacket
VHS UPS $ 39.95
Please select a payment and shipping method for this order, then press (OK)
Payment method
Delivery method <| (Fed-X) [>
Card number [] Date of shipment | ]
FIG.43C
Fuli Metal Jacket
VHS UPS $ 34.95
Please review your order. Prices include shipping and handling costs.
(Confirm) <| £> Cancel and press (^ K)
FIG.43D
Fuli Metal Jacket
VHS UPS $ 34.95
Please review your order. Prices include shipping and handling costs. Please enter your four-digit order code to confirm your order.
Ordering code (7
<img file="PL180240B1_D0005.tif" />
FIG.43E and @)
180 240
<img file="PL180240B1_D0006.tif" />
today 9: OOPM)
<td>2 KWGN</td><td>Gorillas in the Mist (7-9p) fi</td>
<td>4KCNC</td><td>ER (9-1 Op)</td>
<td>5 SHO</td><td>Fuli Metal Jacket (7: 35-9: 35p)</td>
<td>6KRMA</td><td>Mysteryl (8-9: 30p)</td>
<td>7KMGH</td><td>48 Hours (9-1 Op)</td>
<td>9 KUSA</td><td>Day One (9-10)</td>
<td>11 REQ1</td><td>Beverly Hills Cop III (9-11 p)</td>
<td>12 KBDI</td><td>Freedom Speaks (9-1 Op)</td>
FIG.43A
180 240
<img file="PL180240B1_D0007.tif" />
FIG. 42
180 240 τν · -
LGUIDEI enter your current four-digit number
Order Code
Ordering code: (* * * *)
X ___________________________________________.__________)
F1G.40E
RESERVED!
TO VIEW THIS PROGRAM, ENTER YOUR FOUR-DIGIT LOCKING CODE NUMBER, THEN PRESS OK
Blocking Code:
JUMP
DSC (2: 3O-3p) Ęasy Does Itfl
TV GUIDE
300
FIG.4I
180 240
<img file="PL180240B1_D0008.tif" />
iguide please re-enter your four numbers.
Order code:
(* * * * )
FIG.40C
TV
GUIDE
Then press
FIG.40D
180 240 τν
GUIDE
You do not have an 8:32 Blocking Code set. To restrict the availability of certain channels or programs, use the remote control to enter four digits (e.g. 4 5 6 7)
Locking code: aw
HG.40A
TV
[SUJPE
To restrict program ordering, use the remote control to enter four digits (e.g. 1 2 3 4)
Order code:
FIG.40B
180 240 τν GUIDE
Classification
Film <]
<img file="PL180240B1_D0009.tif" />
PG-13 Rodzfców Adult topics Erotic situations>
Channel <2KWGN 3PPV
CONC fi>
Program To lock a program or cycle, see Help locked:
Locking code
Clear Change
FIG. 39
<img file="PL180240B1_D0010.tif" />
260
SETTINGS
GUIDE
275
Text position
Locking code
Bottom of the screen
Top of the screen
New
Order code ^ 270
New
Clear
Change
This key positions the text at the bottom of the screen
Press OK to select
FIG. 40
180 240
<td></td><td colspan="4">MENU</td>
<td></td><td>Chrono - gently</td><td>By channel</td><td>Locator</td><td></td>
<td>IXdeI</td><td>Movies</td><td>Sport</td><td>Children's</td><td></td>
<td></td><td></td><td></td><td colspan="2"></td>
<td>NOW ON THE PROGRAM</td><td colspan="4">HOME THEATER</td>
<td>Ilogo A multi-system operator</td><td colspan="4">Customer service</td>
GUIDE
AND TODAY 7:30 PM
Additionally, additional lines
5ICSPN2
Gov't Program (IO-IOa)
SPICE Mom and Dad Saue the Worid (Φ6ρ)
53KWHD
MUN2 2KWGN
Rellglous Programmmg (l2— I2m)
Public Access (l2-I2m)
NBA Basketball (6- 3O-9p) f Mom and Dad Save the Worid $ 4.99
You requested this show at 4:00 PM
Enter your four-digit ordering code to complete the ordering process.
Ordering code: | *<sup>c 8</sup> »|
FIG. 38B
180 240
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td>TV IGUIDE</td><td colspan="2">LOCATOR</td><td> ^^3</td><td></td>
<td>Broadcasting: d</td><td>2KWGN</td><td>3PPV</td><td>4KCNC</td><td> <1</td>
<td>Cable: <1</td><td>41ABE</td><td>3AMC</td><td>24 BET</td><td></td>
<td>Special: <]</td><td>21DIS</td><td>I8ENC</td><td>14 HBO</td><td> <1</td>
<td>PZO:</td><td>II REOI</td><td>I5RE02</td><td></td><td></td>
Delete all favorite channels
Favorite channel
Activated
Off
Press * - Lines to make the text visible
FIG. 37
2f $
MENU
205.
TV
GUIDE
<img file="PL180240B1_D0011.tif" />
NOW IN THE 'PROGRAM
Chronological
<img file="PL180240B1_D0012.tif" />
<img file="PL180240B1_D0013.tif" />
<img file="PL180240B1_D0014.tif" />
HOME THEATER
CUSTOMER SERVICE pLOGO Multi-system operator.
207
FIG.38
180 240
CLOCK
AND
RECALL OPTION PLAN
RECALL (LAYER)
CUSTOMER SERVICE
<img file="PL180240B1_D0015.tif" />
MESSAGES MENU
PREFERENCES MENU
HELP ON SCREEN
<img file="PL180240B1_D0016.tif" />
<img file="PL180240B1_D0017.tif" />
OR
ACCESS KEY (UNDER DEFINING)
CABLE SYSTEM MESSAGES
ACCOUNT STATUS
FAVORITE CHANNEL. (DURING 'DEFINING)
<img file="PL180240B1_D0018.tif" />
CHOICE
FIG. 36D
180 240
<img file="PL180240B1_D0019.tif" />
FIG. 36C
180 240
TV REPERTOIRE
CHOICE
INFORMATION AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE INFORMATION,
INFORMATION AVAILABLE
LISTS BY CHANNEL
LISTS BY CATEGORY
<img file="PL180240B1_D0020.tif" />
STANDARD SERVICES - TO THE PZO
TIME NOW
TIME NOW
FUTURE
SPECIAL SERVICES PZO____
SPECIAL SERVICES PZO
STANDARD SERVICES.
±20—,___
FUTURE
<td>SPECIAL SERVICES PZO</td><td>STANDARD SERVICES. PZO</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="2">r ~ ____1_____</td>
<td>TIME NOW.</td><td>FUTURE - LOVE</td>
ALL LISTS WITH LAYER SET-N1A RECALL OPTION
LISTS BY CATEGORY WITH SET LAYER FOR RECALL OPTIONS
LISTS BY CATEGORY WITH AN OPTIONS SET LAYER REMINDERS.
YES
NO
YES
<img file="PL180240B1_D0021.tif" />
YES
<img file="PL180240B1_D0022.tif" />
LAYER LOOKS 5 MINUTES BEFORE EMISSION
LAYER
UP 5 MINUTES BEFORE EMISSION
LAYER LOOKS 5 MINUTES BEFORE EMISSION
LAYER
RECALL
LAYER
RECALL
LAYER
RECALL
BACK TO THE ORIGINAL LAYOUT OF THE SCREEN
<img file="PL180240B1_D0023.tif" />
FIG. 36B
180 240
SPORT
<img file="PL180240B1_D0024.tif" />
5:54 ohms
Major League BasebaB
Yesterday in the National League Action
Colorado 7, Houston 5
San Francisco 5, Chicago 4
Yesterday in American League Action
Detroit 4, Boston 1
Toronto 4, Milwaukee 2
FIG. 35
<img file="PL180240B1_D0025.tif" />
180 240
Graph High Low / Close
Last $ 22.87o l2.00pm. 05/29/93
<img file="PL180240B1_D0026.tif" />
<5:53. )
<img file="PL180240B1_D0027.tif" />
28 30 4 6 10 12 14 18 20 24 26
FIG. 33
INFORMATION
<img file="PL180240B1_D0028.tif" />
Jun7
US World News
Cubans used vitamins to fight the epidemic
Geneva - A costly campaign to supply vitamins to all Cubans has helped combat a mysterious epidemic that has caused thousands of people to suffer from vision problems, the World Health Organization said yesterday.
About 20,000 Cubans were blinded by the optic neuritis epidemic, and 6,000 other people, mostly women, were affected by the disease.
FIG. 34
180 240
ENTER
<img file="PL180240B1_D0029.tif" />
<img file="PL180240B1_D0030.tif" />
<img file="PL180240B1_D0031.tif" />
EXCHANGE
<img file="PL180240B1_D0032.tif" />
INFORMATION
<img file="PL180240B1_D0033.tif" />
SPORT
FIG. 31
<td></td><td colspan="3">Control Viewership</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td> 5:53</td><td></td><td rowspan="2"></td>
<td></td><td>Alarms</td><td></td><td>Symbol</td><td></td><td>final</td><td></td><td>Total (IOOs)</td><td></td><td>Change</td><td></td>
<td></td><td></td><td></td><td colspan="8">CMCSA 18 5415-0.25</td><td rowspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="3" rowspan="3"> /\</td><td colspan="8">CVC 29.75 129 -O.I25 JOIN IO.5 22 0</td>
<td colspan="8">LBTYA 18.125 873 0.625 LBTYB 18 0 1.5</td>
<td colspan="8">TCOMA 18.25 22 970 -0.5 TCOMB 19.25 51-0.375</td>
<td></td><td colspan="2"></td><td colspan="8">TUNE 5.375 407-0.125</td>
<td></td><td colspan="10">The assumed value is 433200 and your profit is 443</td><td></td>
<td></td><td colspan="11"></td>
FIG. 32
180 240
Bill ^<sup>5:52 </sup>ZM.OGO
A multi-system operator.
Name. ; TV Guide Onscreen Account no. ' 12345-098765-08-9
For the period from P5 / 25/93 to: 06/25/93 Toial: $ 3.99
For customer service matters, please call 79O ~ O9OO
Date
Hour Service / Pay Per View.
Price
7/6/93 9:00 p PASSENGER57 $ 3.99
FIG. 29
Teach
Access
ENTER
4:21 r- 30 / Parental Supervision
MPAA · ^
CREW
A multi-system operator.
Language
<img file="PL180240B1_D0034.tif" />
Block 3 <03
Channel
KWGN
Change the Access Key code ^ 303
Delete all keys and access codes OK
SAUCE
FIG.30
180 240
<td>Messages Network Operator</td><td><sup>5:52</sup>l / whom Operator "Multi-system.</td>
Batman Returns is available as part of Paying To Watch this month.
Check out a free HBO package this weekend.
The entire title of MSO
FIG. 28
TV ®LOGO
A multi-system operator.
GUIDE
<td> 13/171</td><td>Free HBOPreviewTonight</td>
<td> 13/221</td><td>Pay Per View Movie Sale Will be on Tonight only</td>
<td> 12/281</td><td>New Channel Next Weok on your Cable Networ</td>
<td></td><td></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td>Π2 / 23Ι</td><td>CaliforniaEarthquake Reeks Havoc on TV</td>
<td> 13/251</td><td>President Clinton Address</td>
<td> 13/301</td><td>PBS PledgeDriye Begins Tonight with Auction</td>
To navigate between cable systems and mailboxes, use the Left / Right arrows. To read the messages, use the Down arrow; when the header is highlighted, the full text of the message will appear here.
FIG. 28A
180 240
<td colspan="2">SPECIAL SERVICES</td><td>ENTER</td><td></td><td>r Λ ^ .OGO OPERATOR .Multi-syst.,</td><td></td>
<td>1 HBO</td><td colspan="4">Home BoxOff ice $ IO.4O / month</td><td></td>
<td>1 SHO</td><td colspan="5">Showtime $ 9.95 / month</td>
<td>1 DIS</td><td colspan="5">The Disney Channel $ 9.95 / month</td>
<td>1 TMC</td><td colspan="5">The Movie Channel $ 1.50 / month</td>
<td>1 ΜΑΧ</td><td colspan="5">Cinemax $ 9.95 / month</td>
<td>1 PLA</td><td colspan="5">Playboy at Night $ 4.95 / evening (5W to 3:00 '</td>
<td>1 ACT</td><td colspan="5">Action $ 5.95 / day (| l: OO until 3:00)</td>
Movie, specials and family programs!
You are not a subscriber. Press<sup>ENTER</sup> to order!
FIG. 26
MESSAGES MENU enter;
<img file="PL180240B1_D0035.tif" />
/whom
A multi-system operator.
---- y-270
CU NETWORK OPERATOR MESSAGES
<img file="PL180240B1_D0036.tif" />
FIG. 27
180 240 <fe<sup>7V1 </sup>ZM.OGO
Multisystem operator.
You Pay For Viewing Confirmation
You requested an order:
Passenger 57 $ 3.99
Yes, I would like to order
Passenger 57 has been ordered!
Switch to channel I at 9:00 am today
PZO / / Source
FIG.24A
<td colspan="5">LETTERS</td><td colspan="6">φ List At 6:06 16 Aug</td>
<td>5: OO</td><td colspan="3"> 5:30</td><td colspan="2">6: OO</td><td> 6:30</td><td> 7:00</td><td> 7:30</td><td>8.ΌΟ</td><td></td>
<td colspan="2">NBC</td><td></td><td></td><td colspan="6">News</td><td></td>
ABC
News
CBS
CBS News
Fox @ 9 Club Paradise (5:00)
PBS @ 9Mystery!
C0M O Tribute to Carson
HB0 83 Gremlins 2: The New Batch
ESN
Tennis (4:30)
AMC @ 3 Arise my Love (5:00)
DSC 83 Natura, World NIK OlLoveLucv
FIG. 25
180 240
You pay
For Watching
Ordering «DRIVE t>
V lvLOGO
The operator .wielosysterri $ 3.99
Passenger 57
When would you like to start watching?
Today 9.ΌΟ Tomorrow '12: 00 Tomorrow 6:00 <sup>v</sup>—230A
Would you like to see the countdown just before the broadcast starts?
Yes No
<img file="PL180240B1_D0037.tif" />
FIG. 23
You pay
For Viewing Confirmation .Enter ^ 5: 49 Multi-System Operator Logo.
You requested an order:
Passenger 57 $ 3.99
No, I don't want to order
<img file="PL180240B1_D0038.tif" />
Source
<img file="PL180240B1_D0039.tif" />
FIG. 24
180 240 τν
IGUIDE —ί I ΙΟ.-39 ।---------------------------- Today ------------ ----------- 8 SHO | Oscar (10.00-Ι2: ΟΟρ) (1991) PG. A gangster (Sylwester Stallone) tries to break with the mafia. Omelia Muti, Don Ameche, Peter Riegert, Tim Curry.
FIG. 21
You pay
For Watching ® OPERATOR LOGO IjĄ / IELOSYST ^
Make a selection Press ^ ow ^ DER! additional information Press (IJ
<img file="PL180240B1_D0040.tif" />
----------<sub>(</sub>
NOW AND
IN PROGRAM ]
P -------- Movies ---- Party Incorporated
Passenger 57 Pet Sematary Two
Ring of FlreihBlo
The Distinguished Ge
220
FIG. 22
180 240
<td colspan="2">Lists by <sub>4</sub> -r \ / ,,. ..<sup>and</sup> ENTER IV Category φ ---- Iguidei /YOU <sup>V</sup> Lj ..... and \ 5:45 J</td>
<td>Movies</td><td>Sports | Children's Information</td>
<td></td><td> ___ - - -</td>
<td>l</td><td>Today - .................... i</td>
<td colspan="2">22 LIF 1 4: 00p ACase of Deadly Force [T |</td>
<td>1 1 HOT</td><td>4: OOp Ring of Fire IliBlood and Steel EO</td>
<td>[34 AMC</td><td>4:00 p.m. Texas Across the River [T]</td>
<td>[31 ΜΑΧ</td><td>4: 00p The Ballad of the Sad Cafe EO</td>
<td>[8 SHO</td><td>5: OOp Big Girls Don t Cry-They Get Even ΕΠ</td>
<td>(46BRV</td><td>5: OOpQueenof Hearts and</td>
<td>27 TMC</td><td>5: OOp The Roaring Twenties EO</td>
<td colspan="2">[25TBS) 5 O5p No Mercy {jJ</td>
<td></td><td></td>
FIG. 19, 20 /
Lists by -<sup>7</sup>
ENTER
Channels
I 3 PREV || 4KRON
TV
GUIDE ^ 2O2c 6: 5Q pn> - y ^
ΚΡΙΧ
Today
4: 3Op Baseball _____________
7: 3Qp Entertainment Tonight
8: 00pFresh Pr ince
8: 3Op Blossom
9OOpPerryMason: Notorious Nun
OOpNews________________
11: 3O Tonight_____________________
12<sup>:</sup>3Oa David Letterman
<img file="PL180240B1_D0041.tif" />
FIG. 20
180 240
<img file="PL180240B1_D0042.tif" />
FIG. 17 ^ / 80
All Lists
<img file="PL180240B1_D0043.tif" />
/34
<td>TVIguideI 7:13 pm-</td><td> -/62 -/33</td>
KRON Baseball (4: 30-7: 30p)
<td>Today</td><td>7:00 p.m.</td><td>730P</td><td>8:00 p.m.</td><td>8:30 pm</td>
<td>4 CHRON</td><td rowspan="2">Baseball</td><td rowspan="2">Ent.Tonight</td><td rowspan="2">Fresh Prince</td><td rowspan="2">Blossom</td>
<td> /86^</td>
<td>5KPD (</td><td>Evening Shade</td><td>Major Dad</td><td colspan="2">Murphy Brown</td>
<td>6HB0</td><td colspan="2">JFK: In His Own Words</td><td colspan="2">JFK</td>
<td>7KG0</td><td>Jeopardy!</td><td>Wheel of Fortune</td><td colspan="2">Day One</td>
FIG. 18
180 240
<img file="PL180240B1_D0044.tif" />
FIG. I5
<img file="PL180240B1_D0045.tif" />
FIGJ6
180 240
<td></td><td colspan="4">June 7</td>
<td></td><td colspan="2">BROWSE</td><td></td><td></td>
<td></td><td colspan="3">Set the Remind On option</td><td></td>
<td>IN</td><td></td><td>2KTVU</td><td>5: 30p Mamas Family</td><td></td>
<td></td><td colspan="3">The arrows mark <Enter> to confirm</td><td>Yes</td>
73f
FIG.I3
<img file="PL180240B1_D0046.tif" />
180 240
<img file="PL180240B1_D0047.tif" />
6:48
BROWSE
Ilogo
MULTISYSTIST OPERATOR.
, 123 / W
Ul DIS irr ^ ay (8: 50-9: Ó6pi
Making TheirMark - ^ ______ ^ 122
<img file="PL180240B1_D0048.tif" />
GUIDE
FIG. 12A
180 240
<td colspan="2">SPECIAL SERVICES</td><td>ENTER</td><td></td><td>Ł! MULTISYISTER OPERATOR,</td><td></td>
<td>1 HBO</td><td colspan="4">Home BoxOff ice $ IO.4O / month</td><td></td>
<td>1 SHO</td><td colspan="5">Showtime $ 9.95 / month</td>
<td>1 DIS</td><td colspan="5">The Disney Channel $ 9.95 / month</td>
<td>1 TMC</td><td colspan="5">The Mowie Channel $ 1.50 / month</td>
<td>1 ΜΑΧ</td><td colspan="5">Cinemax $ 9.95 / month</td>
<td>1 PLA</td><td colspan="5">] Playboy ot Night $ 4.95 / evening (5OO to 3:00</td>
<td colspan="6">1 ACT 1 Action $ 5.95 / άζίθή (Π: 00 to 3.ΌΟ)</td>
<td colspan="4">Movie, specials and programs r You are not a subscriber. Press (2 ^^</td><td colspan="2">different! to order!</td>
FIG. ΙΟ
<img file="PL180240B1_D0049.tif" />
<img file="PL180240B1_D0050.tif" />
BROWSE nz 'III Dlś Ί (6: OO-8: OOp)
CREW
MULTISISTIC OPERATOR,
Looking forMiracles
TV
GUIDE /// and
FIG. II
180 240
FAVOURITE
CHANNEL
<img file="PL180240B1_D0051.tif" />
ENTER
<img file="PL180240B1_D0052.tif" />
GUIDE
12:25
<img file="PL180240B1_D0053.tif" />
<img file="PL180240B1_D0054.tif" />
ELECTIONS |
KCNC 5SHO 6KRMA 7KMGH 8MUN1
KUSA IOKTC1
II REQ1
Delete
[CHOSEN
H5 REQ2 ^ -9 KUSA
7KMGH
5SH0
PPV
MOVIES
MOVIES
INFORM.
FIG. 8
June
HBO is a special service.
To order a service, press enter
JUMP
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OPERATOR <sub>vol</sub>MULTIPLAYER
<td>6 HBO</td><td colspan="2">(4: 00-5: 30)</td>
<td colspan="2">Shaker Run</td><td>GUIDE! m</td>
FIG. 9
180 240
<img file="PL180240B1_D0055.tif" />
Total title
FIG.6A
ENTER
MENU
PREFERENCES
12:27 UoGO
OPERATOR ^ MULTIPLAY.
<img file="PL180240B1_D0056.tif" />
PARENTAL
FAVORITE CHANNEL
FIGJ
180 240
<img file="PL180240B1_D0057.tif" />
£>5
FIG. 6
180 240
TEAM
NTSC SIGNAL
<img file="PL180240B1_D0058.tif" />
------------ Ge / 7 ~
COMBINED NTSC SIGNAL
FIG. 2
<img file="PL180240B1_D0059.tif" />
180 240
<img file="PL180240B1_D0060.tif" />
Publishing Department of the UP RP. Circulation of 70 copies. Price PLN 6.00.
Contents179
95 sheets
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Numbers
- Application
- 32304796
Titles
- English
- SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF PROVIDING AN ELECTRONIC GUIDE OVER A TELEVISION PROGRAM SCHEDULES ALONG WITH REMOTE SELECTION OF PRODUCTS
Classification
- CPC, 25
- A63F13/12
- H04N7/025
- H04N7/173
- A63F2300/409
- H04N5/445
- H04N7/0884
- H04N7/0887
- H04N7/163
- H04N7/165
- H04N7/17318
- H04N7/17354
- H04N21/4345
- H04N21/4524
- H04N21/47
- H04N21/472
- H04N21/47211
- H04N21/4753
- H04N21/47815
- H04N21/482
- H04N21/4821
- H04N21/84
- A63F13/30
- G06Q10/08741
- A63F13/338
- G06Q10/087
- IPC, 24
- A63F13 12
- G06Q30 06
- G07F17 40
- H04H20 76
- H04N5 00
- H04N5 44
- H04N5 445
- H04N7 08
- H04N7 081
- H04N7 088
- H04N7 16
- H04N7 173
- H04N21 2543
- H04N21 258
- H04N21 262
- H04N21 434
- H04N21 45
- H04N21 47
- H04N21 472
- H04N21 4725
- H04N21 475
- H04N21 478
- H04N21 482
- H04N21 84