L CONFIGURED USER INTERFACE TO TV AND INTERNET
CONTENT
RELATED APPLICATIONS '
The present application is related to and claims priority from provisional application U.S. Serial No. 60/193,046, filed March 29, 2000, with inventor Anthony F. Istvan, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION -
The present application pertains to the fields of television reception and Internet access. More particularly, the present application pertains to a user interface to television broadcasts and Internet content.
BACKGROUND
Televisions and Internet technologies are beginning to converge. In particular, access to the World Wide Web via an Internet-enabled television system is progressing and becoming more popular. However, prior art user interfaces for such systems are limited in their capabilities and do not provide for user-friendly access to both broadcast television (TV) and Internet content.
U.S. Patent No. 6,034,689, entitled "Web Browser Allowing Navigation Between Hypertext Objects Using Remote Control," discloses browser software implemented in a set-top box which allows a user to navigate using a remote control through World Wide Web pages. This browser software has limited capabilities and comprises a relatively simple user interface which allows for selection of hypertext anchors. In this simple user interface, access to Web pages is provided for separately from access to broadcast TV.
SUMMARY
User interfaces for Internet-enabled television systems have unique needs stemming from their need to display, in a user-friendly way, both broadcast television and Internet content. The present invention provides for user-friendly access to both broadcast television and Internet content via a single integrated user interface.
One embodiment of the user interface comprises a "L" configuration of controls. Permanent controls are provided along a first direction of the "L," and context- sensitive controls are provided along a second direction of the "L." The context-sensitive controls that are provided depend on the content being displayed. A first pair of arrows on a remote control navigates among the permanent controls, and a second pair of arrows (peφendicular to the first pair) navigates among the context-sensitive controls. Switching between navigation among the permanent controls and navigation among the context- sensitive controls occurs automatically upon switching between using the first pair of arrows and using the second pair of arrows.
Advantageously, the user interface automatically adjusts itself by providing different context-sensitive controls depending on the type of multimedia content in the display area. Furthermore, the user interface enables one-button switching between the permanent controls and the context-sensitive controls to provide particularly user-friendly access to the content.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting a system 100 for distributing Internet content, in addition to TV content, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an illustrative screen frame of a display with a full-size video being displayed.
Fig. 3 depicts an example layout 300 of a user interface (UI) which has been activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is an illustrative screen frame of a UI which has been activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 depicts an example layout 500 of a UI with a user submenu activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 6 depicts an example layout 600 of a UI with a TV submenu 602 activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 depicts an example layout 700 of a UI with television listing controls in the context-sensitive area 304 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 8 is an illustrative screen frame of a UI in a TV listing mode which provides an electronic programming guide (EPG) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 9 depicts an example layout 900 of a UI with a browser submenu 902 activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 10 depicts an example layout 1000 of a UI with browser controls in the context-sensitive area 304 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 11 is an illustrative design for a remote control 1100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting a system 100 for distributing Internet content, in addition to TV content, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 is integrated with a cable TV distribution system. Such cable TV distribution systems may include cable headends and are well known in the art.
The system 100 includes an Internet 102, a plurality of content sources 104, a plurality of distribution centers (depicted as headends or H/E) 106, and a plurality of client terminals (depicted as set top boxes or STB) 108. In addition, a content source 104 is depicted as receiving data from data feeds 112, advertisement servers 114, image sources 116, and streaming video sources 118.
The plurality of content sources 104 are coupled to the Internet 102. For example, a content source 104 may comprise a web site portal such as Go2Net.com, or a news web site such as CNN.com, or other types of sources. Each content source 104 may have various data feeds 112, servers 114, and sources 116/118 coupled to it.
For example, news or stock quote feeds 112 may be fed into the content source 104. Servers 114 may provide advertisements for insertion into multimedia content deliveredy by the content source 104. Sources 116/118 may provide images 116, streaming video 118, and other content to the content source 104. Various other feeds, servers and sources may also be coupled to the content source 104.
The Internet 102 comprises a network of networks and is well known in the art. Communications over the Internet 102 are accomplished using standard protocols such as TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/internet protocol) and other protocols. The Internet 102 is coupled to the plurality of distribution centers 106. For example, a distribution center 106 may comprise a cable headend (H E).
Each distribution center 106 is coupled to a plurality of client terminals
108. For example, a client terminal 108 may comprise a set top box (STB), a personal computer, an interactive television set, or another type of communication device.
In alternative or in addition to the Internet 102 being used to distribute multimedia content from the content sources 104 to distribution centers 106, communications channels or networks 120 apart from the Internet 102 may couple one or more content source 104 to one or more distribution center 106. One example of such an alternate path for communications is illustrated in Fig. 1. Other configurations are also possible and meant to be included within the scope of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an illustrative screen frame of a display with a full-size video being displayed. While the screen frame is a still frame, the actual video is a motion video comprising a multitude of frames in sequence.
Fig. 3 depicts an example layout 300 of a user interface (UI) which has been activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, when the UI is activated, the full-size display (see Fig. 2) shrinks in an "animated" fashion (i.e. with visible motion to a viewer) to occupy a reduced-size area
301 of the display. Alternatively, when the UI is activated, the L configured UI may be superimposed (overlayed) over the full-size display. For example, sliririking the full-size display maybe used if the display is showing TV or video content, while superimposing over the full-size display may be used if the display is showing pages which do not scale well. A "menu" button on a remote control unit may be used to activate and deactivate the UI.
The UI includes a group of permanent controls 302 on a first side of the reduced-size area 301, a context-sensitive area 304 on a second side of the reduced-size area 301 (peφendicular to the first side), and a logo area 306 at the intersection of the two sides. In the example layout 300 shown in Fig. 3, the permanent controls 302 include user ("user name"), TV, mail, browser, and help controls or control icons.
Selection of these permanent control icons typically reveals a corresponding submenu. For puφoses of illustration, described in detail below are a selection of such submenus. First, an example of a user submenu 502 is described below in relation to Fig. 5. Second, an example of the TV submenu 602 is described below in relation to Fig. 6. Third, an example of a browser submenu 902 is described below in relation to Fig. 9.
The context-sensitive area 304 may display different information (non- selectable items) and control icons (selectable items) depending upon the content in the display area 301. Initially, the context-sensitive area 304 may display information on the TV content currently being displayed in the display area 301. The information may include, for example, channel number/network call letters, program title, and current time.
As the content in the display area 301 varies, so will the information and control icons in the context-sensitive area 304. For example, first, when display area 301 contains TV content, then context-sensitive area 304 may have the information shown in Fig. 3. Second, when the display area 301 contains electronic programming guide (EPG) content, then context-sensitive area 304 may have the controls described in relation to Fig. 7. Third, when display area 301 contains web content, then context-sensitive area 304 may have the controls described in relation to Fig. 10.
The logo area 306 may display, for example, a logo and name for a service provider. In this example, the service provider is named Charter Communications1"".
While the particular layout of Fig. 3 shows a "L" configured UI along the top and left sides of the display, other "L" configurations are also contemplated and within the scope of the present invention. For example, the "L" configured UI may instead be along the bottom and left sides, or the bottom and right sides, or the top and right sides.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a first pair of arrows on a remote control navigates among the permanent controls, and a second pair of arrows (peφendicular to the first pair) navigates among the context-sensitive controls. Switching between navigation among the permanent controls and navigation among the context-sensitive controls occurs automatically upon switching between using the first pair of arrows and using the second pair of arrows. An example of a remote control with such arrows is shown in Fig. 11 which is described below.
Fig. 4 is an illustrative screen frame of a UI which has been activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The frame shown in Fig. 4 is an implementation in close (but not exact) correspondence to the layout 300 of Fig. 3. Like the layout 300 in Fig. 3, the UI of Fig. 4 has permanent controls on the left side, a context-sensitive area on the top, and a service provider's logo at the upper left corner.
Regarding the permanent controls, "Bob234" is an example name of a currently active user. The "Surf control corresponds to the browser control. Regarding the context-sensitive area, "Conde Nast Traveler" corresponds to the program title.
"Channel 31, DSC" corresponds to the channel/network call letters. And, finally, "1:02 pm 02/28/00" corresponds to the current time (and date).
Fig. 5 depicts an example layout 500 of an UI with a user submenu 502 activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The user submenu 502 is activated by selecting the "user name" on-screen control from the group of permanent controls 302. The user submenu 502 may include various selections.
The "family" user is the default selection when the UI is activated. In one embodiment, the family user will be able to access only content which is accessible to all other users. In other words, the family user will have a "permission space" which is the intersection of permission spaces of all other users. Advantageously, this feature does not require a password to be entered upon turning on the TV. Nevertheless, this feature may
be used to prevent children from accessing excessively violent or adult-oriented content. Moreover, the protection provided may extend to both TV and Internet content.
User #2, user #3, ..., user #N, may be individual user names, each of which may have a password to protect against entry by an unauthorized person. For example, the different users may correspond to members of a family. These user names may be sorted alphabetically in the user submenu 502. When an individual user name is selected and password, if any, entered correctly, then the user name becomes the active user.
The "manage users" and "settings" selections may be used to perform such function as: editing user name, password, and other user-related information for a specified user account; allowing users to block certain emails; allowing a user with administrative privileges to add or remove users and change user privileges; and so on.
Fig. 6 depicts an example layout 600 of a UI with a TV submenu 602 activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The TV submenu 602 is activated by selecting the "tv" on-screen control from the group of permanent controls 302. The TV submenu 602 may include various selections.
The "listing" selection provides an electronic programming guide (EPG) to broadcast TV content. When the EPG is provide, corresponding controls are provided in the context-sensitive area 304 as described below in relation to Fig. 7. An example of such an EPG within the UI is illustrated in Fig. 8 which is also described below.
The "info" selection provides information relating to the TV program currently being viewed in the display area 301. The information may include a brief description of the program, names of actors/actresses, copyright year, and so on.
The TV "favorites" selection provides a user with a list of his/her favorite TV channels. When a TV channel is selected from the favorite list, then the embedded TV display changes to that channel.
The TV "recents" selection provides small screen video images of the last N (where N is a positive integer) TV channels viewed. For example, if N = 9, then video images of the 9 most recently viewed TV channels may be shown in a 3x3 matrix
configuration in the embedded display 301. The number N may be fixed, or it may be user selectable.
The TV "search" selection provides a mechanism to search electronic program guide (EPG) listings for a particular program or programs. The search may be by program title, type of program (e.g., "basketball" may be searched to find basketball games being broadcast), by actor/actress, and so on.
These and other selections may be provided in the TV submenu 602. For example, "recent links" and "channel setup" selections are depicted in the TV submenu 602 of Fig. 6. The "recent links" selection provides access to hyperlinks recently received via a mechanism such as an ATVEF (Advanced TV Enhancement Forum) trigger. ATVEF is a cross-industry alliance of companies from broadcast and cable networks, television transport, consumer electronics, and personal computer industries. The "channel setup" selection allows a user to specify which TV channels are included as channels to tune to as part of the channel up/down tuning sequence.
Fig. 7 depicts an example layout 700 of a UI with television listing controls in the context-sensitive area 304 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The television listing controls are provide when the display area 301 is used to provide an electronic programming guide (EPG).
The television listing controls shown in Fig. 7 include a "change day" control, an EPG "search" control, and a "stay on channel" control. The "change day" control allows the user to change the day of the program grid being shown by the EPG. The EPG "search" control provides access to a mechanism to search EPG listings for a particular program or programs. The "stay on channel" control comprises a toggle control to activate/deactivate this option. When the option is deactivated, then the TV tuner actively tunes to the selected channel in the program grid of the EPG. When the option is activated, then the TV tuner remains on the channel that was being displayed before entering the EPG.
Fig. 8 is an illustrative screen frame of a UI in a TV listing mode which provides an electronic programming guide (EPG) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The frame shown in Fig. 8 is an implementation in close (but not exact) correspondence to the layout 700 of Fig. 7. (The frame of Fig. 8, for example,
does not show a "stay on channel" toggle control.) The EPG shown provides a programming grid including rows representing different channels, and columns representing different timeslots. Other implementations of an EPG are also possible.
Fig. 9 depicts an example layout 900 of a UI with a browser submenu 902 activated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The browser submenu 902 is activated by selecting the "browser" on-screen control from the group of permanent controls 302. The browser submenu 902 may include various selections.
The "home" selection may provide access to a web page designated by a service provider (e.g., a MSO) as its "home" page. In one embodiment, when going to the home page, the L configured UI retracts, so that the home page is shown on a full-size screen.
The "user defined" selections provide access to specialized web pages which may be focused to various categories of content. For example, the specialized web pages may focus on categories such as news, money, sports, weather, entertainment, and others. Again, in one embodiment, when going to a specialized web page, the L configured UI retracts, so that the specialized page is shown on a full-size screen.
These and other selections may be provided in the browser submenu 902. For example, "more," "go to," browser "favorites," and browser "search" selections are depicted in the browser submenu 902 shown in Fig. 9. The "more" button provides access to other categories of content in addition to those specified by the "user defined" selections described above. The "go to" button provides a query text box which allows a user to specify a URL to be displayed in the browser. The browser "favorites" button provides access to an organized data structure of favorite links. These browser favorites may be provided separately from the TV favorites, or they may be provided together in an integrated data structure. The browser "search" control provides access to a mechanism to search for particular Internet or Web content. The browser search may be provided separately from the EPG search, or they may be provided together in an integrated search feature.
Fig. 10 depicts an example layout 1000 of a UI with browser controls in the context-sensitive area 304 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. The browser controls are provided when the display area 301 is used to access World Wide Web content and other similar hyperlinked content.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the left and right arrows 1002 may be individually selected. The left arrow scrolls or shifts the browser controls one button to the left. For example, in Fig. 10, the left arrow would cause the "home" button 1004 to scroll "behind" the arrows 1002 and a control button (not shown) to the right of the "reload" button 1014 to become visible at the right side of the context-sensitive area 304. Similarly, the right arrow scrolls or shifts the browser controls one button to the right.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the "home" button 1004 provides access to the web page designated by the user as his her "home" page. The "faves" or favorites button 1006 provides access to a list of web pages or URLs that the user selects as his/her favorites. The "save" button 1008 enables a user to save a web page currently being displayed as a favorite page. The "go to" button 1010 provides a query text box which allows a user to specify a URL to be displayed in the browser. The "search" button 1012 provides access to a mechanism to search for particular Internet or Web content. The "reload" button 1014 causes the content currently in the display 301 to be refreshed.
Other buttons may be provided to the right of the "reload" button 1014. In one embodiment, the other buttons may include a "print" button, a "find" button, a "send" button, and an "info" button. The "print" button provides for printing, with various options, of the web page being displayed. The "find" button provides for finding a specified text string within the web page being displayed. The "send" button provides for sending an email with the web page being displayed or its URL attached thereto or contained therein. Finally, the "info" button provides additional information about the web page being displayed.
Fig. 11 is an illustrative design for a remote control 1100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Many other designs with similar functionality are, of course, possible and would be within the scope of the present invention.
The menu button 1102 may be used to activate and deactivate the UI as described above in relation to Fig. 3. The "Go To TV" button 1103 returns the display to a full-screen television display as illustrated by Fig. 2.
The up arrow 1108 and down arrow 1110 may be used to navigate among the permanent controls 302. The left arrow 1104 and right arrow 1106 may be used to navigate among controls in the context-sensitive area 304. Switching between navigation among the permanent controls and navigation among the context-sensitive controls occurs automatically upon switching between using the up/down arrows 1108/1110 and using the left/right arrows 1104/1106. The "Go" button (which may also be designated the "OK" button) selects the screen object currently pointed to and triggers whatever event is associated with the object.
While specific embodiments and applications of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise configuration and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes, and variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, selecting one of the permanent controls 302 (user, TV, browser, etc.) may lead to alternative implementations other than submenus. Instead of submenus, a selection of buttons or a new page with controls may be utilized.