KR100655248B1 - Interactive user interface - Google Patents

Abstract

The user interface for the interactive information distribution system includes a graphics area, a video area and a hide / draw layer. The user interface is generated at the head end of the system as a digital bitstream and transmitted to the subscriber equipment for display. Operation of the user interface is facilitated by functions at the local level in the subscriber equipment and at the system level in the headend. One example of a user interface is an interactive program guide.

Description

Interactive User Interface {INTERACTIVE USER INTERFACE}

This application claims the advantages of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 093,891 filed on July 23, 1998 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 129,598 filed on April 15, 1999, the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. And forms part of the present invention.

In addition, this application is partly continuous with US Patent Application No. 09 / 293,526, filed April 15, 1999, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein as part of this invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention generally relates to communication systems, and more particularly, to an interactive user interface suitable for use in an interactive multimedia information delivery system.

In the last few years, the television industry has seen variations in the technology of distributing programming to consumers. Cable television systems are doubling or even triple the bandwidth as they are moved to hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable installations. Many consumers who are reluctant to join a local cable system are switching to a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) system. In addition, a variety of other methods have been attempted that focus primarily on high bandwidth digital technology, intelligent bidirectional set-top boxes, or other methods to provide services that differ from standard cables and services beyond public broadcast systems.

As bandwidth increases, so does the number of programming choices. The expanded text information on further to the availability and separate intelligent set-top boxes, star sites (Starsight) and preview guide (Prevue ^TM Guide), etc. Some companies are interactive list of individual programs for a huge channels of water arrangement It is developing a complex system that provides the ability to look ahead to plan television viewing in the weeks ahead, and the option to automatically program the VCR to record upcoming television programs.

Unfortunately, current program guides have some drawbacks. Current program guides tend to require a significant amount of memory, some of which require more than 1 megabyte for Set Top Terminals (STTs). They are very slow to obtain the current database of programming information when first started up or next restarted (eg, large databases are only downloaded to the STT using the Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) data insertion technique). May be]. Inconveniently, such slow database acquisition may result in the loss of data database information and, in the case of Pay Per View (PPV) or Video On Demand (VOD) systems, planned flexibility for the information provider. This is limited. In addition, the user interface of the current program guide is generally not the same as a conventional television control interface; Rather, the user interface is like a 1980's type computer display (ie, bluntly formed text and / or graphics).

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an interactive program guide in a manner that tends to reduce the aforementioned problems.

The present invention provides a user interface that includes an object (element on the display screen) that can be selectively hidden and revealed. The user interface is exemplarily implemented as an Interactive Program Guide (IPG) generated at the head end of an information distribution system as a digital video bitstream. The bitstream is decoded and displayed on the viewer's equipment, such as user terminals and televisions.

More specifically, the user interface includes a graphics area and a video area. In an exemplary IPG embodiment, the graphics area includes a time axis and a channel axis. Certain programming information, such as a program title, is aligned along the axes forming a grid-like pattern that allows viewers to quickly understand the identity of a program, the time it will be broadcast, and the channel from which the program is viewed. In addition, the IPG further includes a video region for generating video images and sounds for product and service advertisements, programming trailers, and the like. In addition, the IPG includes a text area that displays text associated with the selected program or other object in the graphics area. Such text may include a description of the selected program, the duration of the program and the actor / actress, and the like.

The user interfaces may be created as a plurality of individual interrelated interfaces that allow a user to seamlessly move between the interfaces. To facilitate this interaction, the plurality of interfaces is combined with a connectivity map that associates each interface with a different interface through selectable or hidden regions within a particular interface. For example, by selecting the "right arrow" in the program grid, an interface showing the next program guide that includes all programming for the next time interval may be identified.

Mask and reveal functions are used to reveal, highlight or identify objects (icons and / or text) within the user interface. In addition, the hide and reveal functions are used to reduce "clutter" within the user interface. For example, the viewer can identify "favorite programming" that is stored in a database. When the user selects the "preferred" icon on the IPG, only the programming that the viewer previously identified as a preference is revealed. All other programming is completely hidden from view (highlighted) or partially hidden by overlays with opacity higher than 0%. The ability to reduce such interface clutter can be used to filter programming based on other categories such as sports, child programming, and the like.

The present invention can be easily understood by referring to the following examples in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of an exemplary interactive information distribution system that can benefit from the interactive user interface of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of subscriber equipment suitable for use in an interactive information distribution system.

3A-3C illustrate a first embodiment of an interactive user interface.

4 shows a first embodiment of an interactive user interface while highlighting a new time slot.

5A-5C are flow charts of steps from one object to another in a first embodiment of an interactive user interface.

6A-6C illustrate a second embodiment of an interactive user interface.

7A-7B are flowcharts of a user's conversation routine.

8 illustrates a third embodiment of an interactive user interface.

9 illustrates an example of a layout of an IPG page.

10 shows another example of the layout of an IPG page;

11 is a functional description table for a key on an input device that can be used to control a user interface.

For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals have been used as much as possible to indicate the same elements in common in the drawings.

 The present invention is directed to a unique user interface exemplarily implemented as an interactive program guide that allows a user to review, preview and select programming for a television system.

1 shows a high level block diagram of an information distribution system 100 for creating an interactive user interface in accordance with the present invention. System 100 is called headend 102, distribution network 104, and user terminal 106 (commonly referred to as a set-top terminal (STT) or set-top box, and may be included in a user's television or other video display equipment). ] Is included. For simplicity, only a single headend 102 and a single STT 106 are shown in the block diagram, but multiple headend systems may be combined to provide the desired functionality for the entire system. In practical applications, a plurality of STTs 106 are connected to the distribution network 104 such that a plurality of users can receive information from the headend 102.

The distribution network 104 is generally a high bandwidth full duplex communication network, such as a hybrid fiber coex (HFC) network. However, the distribution network 104 may also include a plurality of unidirectional communication channels, in which a simple communications channels are combined to provide bi-directional communications between the headend and the STT, such as the forward channel. The device transmits information from the headend to the STT via the cable system, while the reverse channel can transmit information from the STT to the headend via the telephone system.

Headend 102, with most of the user interface related processing and storage capabilities, includes user interface graphics generator / storage device 108, video source 110, compositor 112, encoding device 114, A multiplexer 116, a video modulator 118, a Video Session Manager (VSM) 120 or a plurality of VSMs depending on the viewer / subscriber load, and a video server 122. An apparatus for generating and encoding an ISG is disclosed in more detail in general assigned U.S. Patent Application No. ________ (Lawyer Dock No. 168 CIP1) filed concurrently with this application, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. Forms part of the invention.

The VSM 120 performs command and control functions and acts as a bridge between the user interface graphical generation / storage device 108 and the STTs (one of which is indicated by the STT 106), thereby communicating between the headend and the STT. Establish and maintain it. In particular, the VSM controls the user interface transmission to the STT and the system's response to user requests made through that user interface.

As described in detail below, the user interface includes graphical information and video information under the control of the VSM 120. Video information for the user interface is generated by video source 110 (or sources). Graphical information for the user interface is generated at the user interface graphic generation / storage device 108. The user interface graphics generation / storage device 108 includes a graphics storage device 124, a graphics server 126, and a graphics formatter 128. The graphics server 126 recalls the graphics information from the graphics storage device 124 and formats the recalled information in the graphics formatter 128 to generate the graphics in a format suitable for use in the user interface. The graphics server 126 transmits the bitmap including the graphic information for the user interface to the compositor 112.

The compositor 112 combines the graphics with the video to produce a composite video frame sequence. The frame sequence is then encoded in the encoding device 114. The encoding device 114 includes a plurality of real-time MPEG encoders 130 ₁ , 130 ₂ ,... 130 _n , where n is an integer. Encoding device 114 also includes an audio encoder 132 that encodes audio information associated with the video source signal.

The compositor 112 generates a plurality of frame sequences comprising graphics and video. For example, to create a correlated user interface, the videos in each sequence are the same, but the graphics are different. Each of these sequences is encoded using, for example, a real-time encoder that produces an MPEG compliant bitstream. Each bitstream is coupled to a multiplexer 116 that forms one or more transport streams, such as an MPEG compliant transport stream. Each encoded user interface is identified in the transport stream using a unique identifier, such as a program identifier (PID) code. For example, STT 106 may select a particular user interface for display by selecting an identifier, such as a PID. The encoded and multiplexed transport stream or streams are then coupled to a digital video modulator 118 (eg, a spherical amplitude modulation scheme (QAM) modulator) and then transmitted over the distribution network 104 to the STT 106.

As described in detail below, a user interface transmitted as a digital video bitstream may be used to control and request video and other information from information server 122. Information server 122 communicates with VSM 120 to generate the requested information for transmission to a particular STT 106, all STTs, or a particular set of STTs.

2 is a block diagram of an STT 106 suitable for use in producing a display of a user interface in accordance with the present invention. The STT 106 includes a tuner 210, a demodulator 220, a transmission demultiplexer 230, an audio decoder 240, a video decoder 250, an on-screen display processor (OSD) 260. , Frame storage memory 262, video compositor 290, and controller 270. User conversation is provided through the remote control device 280. Tuner 210 receives a radio frequency (RF) signal from a downstream (forward) channel, including, for example, a spherical amplitude modulated (QAM) information signal. The tuner 210 tunes a specific signal of the QAM information signals in response to the control signal TUNE to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) information signal. Demodulator 220 receives and demodulates the intermediate frequency QAM information signal to produce an information stream, eg, an MPEG transport stream. The MPEG transport stream is coupled to a transport stream demultiplexer 230.

The transport stream demultiplexer 230 demultiplexes (extracts) the audio information stream A and the video information stream V in response to the control signal TD generated by the controller 270. When audio information stream A is coupled to audio decoder 240, audio decoder 240 decodes the audio information stream and then provides the decoded audio information stream to an audio processor (not shown), which is provided next. . When video information stream V is coupled to video decoder 250, video decoder 250 decodes compressed video information stream V to produce decompressed video information stream VD that is coupled to video compositor 290. The OSD 260 generates a graphic overlay signal VOSD coupled to the video compositor 290 in response to the control signal OSD generated by the controller 270.

The video compositor 290 synthesizes the graphics overlay signal VOSD and the decompressed video information stream VD to produce a modified video stream (ie, the video image under the graphic overlay) that is coupled to the frame storage 262. . The frame storage device 262 stores the modified video stream frame by frame according to the frame rate of the video stream. Frame storage 262 provides the stored video frame to a video processor (not shown), which is then processed and provided to the display device. The frame storage device 262 stops (not updates) the currently stored video frame in memory in response to the control signal F generated by the controller 270, so that the video information provided to the video processor becomes a still image. This is useful, for example, when the user interface uses scrolling information, when the telephone number or address is briefly displayed, or when the user simply wants to watch the currently displayed frame for a longer period of time.

Controller 270 includes microprocessor 272, input / output module 274, memory 276, infrared (IR) receiver 275, and support circuitry 278. The microprocessor 272 cooperates with conventional support circuits 278, such as power supplies, clock circuits, cache memories, etc., as well as circuits to help execute software routines stored in memory 276. In addition, the controller 270 is an input / output that forms an interface between the controller 270 and the tuner 210, the transmit demultiplexer 230, the OSD 260, the reverse channel modulator 295, and the remote control device 280. Circuit 274. Although controller 270 is shown as a general purpose computer programmed to perform certain interactive program guide control functions in accordance with the present invention, the present invention may be implemented in hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). For example, the processing steps described herein are intended to be broadly interpreted as being equivalently performed by software, hardware or a combination thereof.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the remote control device 280 includes an eight-position joystick, a numeric pad, a "select" key, a "freeze" key, and a "return" key. When the user manipulates the joystick or key of the remote control device, it is transmitted to the controller via an infrared (IR) link. Controller 270, in response to such user manipulation, executes the appropriate user conversation routine 300, uses the specific dynamic overlay available in dynamic overlay storage 276-2, and static overlay storage 276. Use the specific static overlay that makes up -1).

3A-3C illustrate exemplary embodiments of a user interface that includes program guide information, that is, the user interface forms an interactive program guide for a television system. This program guide is completely generated at the headend of the information distribution system of FIG. 1 and transmitted to the user's STT for decoding and display. The OSD graphics layer is stored in the STT or transmitted along with the user interface to hide and reveal masks that provide a technique for highlighting, hiding or identifying objects (graphic icons and / or text) within the user interface. Facilitate the reveal function.

The IPG display 300A of FIG. 3A includes first, second, and third time slot objects 305A, 305B, and 305C, a plurality of channel content objects 310-1 through 310-8, and a pair of channels. Indicator icon 341A, 341B, video barker 320 (and associated audio barker), cable system or provider logo 315, program description area 350, day of week identification object 331, time object 339 ), Next time zone icon 334, time increment / decrement object 332, "FAVORITES" filter object 335, "MOVIES" filter object 336, "KIDS" (i.e. , Youth) programming filter icon 337, "SPORTS" programming filter object 338, and VOD programming icon 333. It should be noted that the day identification object 331 and the next time zone icon 334 may consist of independent objects (as shown in FIG. 3A) or may be considered together as part of a combined object.

Additionally, in order to better understand the present invention, FIGS. 3A-3C show a display screen of an interactive program guide (IPG), in which various objects (icons and / or texts) are highlighted in the interactive program guide of FIG. 3A, respectively. .

The interactive program guide display 300A includes a "video layer" and a "graphic layer". In this regard, the "video layer" includes imagery from a decoded digital video bitstream containing video and graphical information of the user interface. As described above with respect to FIG. 1, video information representing each object (icon and text) is generated at the headend of the system and transmitted as part of the video stream. Thus, the actual display parameters associated with each object (ie size, shape, color, position and other visual parameters) are entirely controlled at the headend.

The objects (icons and text) that can be changed via the viewer dialog are selected by the remote control device associated with the STT, for example. Screen object selection combines each operable object or element with a corresponding graphic overlay element (eg, an XY coordinate box or other element) to cause a locally stored and / or locally generated graphic overlay to identify that selected object on the screen. Let's do it. Overlay elements are selectively highlighted or de-highlighted through manipulation by the remote control device (eg, selectively shading, highlighting, coloring, etc.).

The IPG display 300A of FIG. 3A is logically divided into two operating regions, namely a guide region (graphic region) 302 and an image region (video region) 304. The guide area 302 includes a time zone object 305, channel content objects 310-1 through 310-8, and channel indicator icons 341A and 341B. Image area 304 includes the remaining objects depicted above. When a user or viewer speaks with the program guide of the present invention, only one of these two areas will be active at any one point in time. Some keys or controls that the user uses to control the IPG work differently depending on which area is active. The different action between the two regions will be described in more detail below.

In the guide area 302 of FIG. 3A, it can be seen that the first time zone 305A is highlighted by the time zone highlight processing object 305H. The first time zone 305A is highlighted relative to other time zones 305B and 305C, which may be referred to as de-emphasized. The first time zone 305A can be highlighted by highlighting the time zone using the colored highlighting overlay graphic 305H, which highlighting opacity is 0% so that the first time zone text 305A is visible. A window may be provided and other time zones may be overlaid with graphics having an opacity of 0% or more, such as 25%, 50% or 75%. The level of opacity is chosen to clearly highlight the selected time zone by weakening the intensity of the unselected time zone. Similarly, the first title object 311A of each of the plurality of channel content objects 310-1 to 310-8 may appear to be highlighted or highlighted by the title highlighting object 311H. Time zone highlighting is combined with title highlighting. That is, when the first time zone object 305A is highlighted, that is, highlighted, the first title object 311A of each of the plurality of channel content objects 310-1 through 310-8 is also highlighted, that is, highlighted. Similarly, when the second time zone object 305B is highlighted, i.e., highlighted, as in FIG. 3B, the second title object 311B of each of the plurality of channel content objects 310-1 to 310-8 is also highlighted, i.e. Highlighted. Finally, when the third time zone object 305C is highlighted as shown in FIG. 3C, the third title object 311C of each of the plurality of channel content objects 310-1 to 310-8 is also highlighted, that is, highlighted. . This harmonized highlighting, ie highlighted time zone 305 and title 311, assists the user in determining which time zone the title in each respective channel content object 310-1 through 310-8 relates to.

In another embodiment of the present invention, harmonized highlighting, or highlighting, of time zones and titles is accomplished by adjusting the color, brightness, or other attribute of an object or by using a graphics layer that displays the area around the object. For example, the highlighting, ie, the enclosing X-Y coordinate grid (rectangular cell) or other shape that is highlighted may be altered in color or luminance level to highlight the enclosed or proximity object. Similarly, de-highlighting, i.e., an object-enclosing X-Y coordinate grid or other shape that is de-highlighted, may be altered in color or luminance level to de-emphasize the enclosed or proximity object.

Program description area 350 of image area 304 is used to display a description of the current indicated (highlighted) title. The description may illustratively include one or more brief textual descriptions of the title, title start and end times, title run times, title ratings (eg, MPAA or other ratings), title reviews [eg, “thumbs-up”. "Or" thumbs-down "or other indication of nature", title ranking compared to other titles (eg, popularity, collective positive or passive response), and the like.

A pair of channel indicator icons 341A and 341B (or a single channel indicator icon 341A or 341B) indicates that any of the plurality of channel content objects 310-1 to 310-8 is associated with a title within the program description icon 350. It is used to indicate whether a highlighting process with a description, ie, the highlighted title object 311 is included. That is, channel indicator icons 341A and 341B provide the viewer with visual indications of the current indicated channel.

It should be noted that the video barker 320 of FIG. 3A is the object itself that may be selected in some embodiments of the invention. In particular, in such an embodiment where video barker 320 is used to provide a movie trailer, the selection of video barker object 320 by a user implies a desire to watch the movie, for example in an on-demand video context. Thus, in an embodiment of the invention in which the video barker includes an active or selectable object, the selection of the video barker directs the user to an on-demand video chat screen that provides the user with the opportunity to purchase a movie provided to the video barker. do. Similarly, where video barkers are used to provide goods or other products and / or services for sale, the selection of video barkers is a dialog screen suitable for achieving the user's desire to purchase or shop for such goods and / or services. Guide the user (e.g., enter a name and address and then, via a virtual or formal mail, an advertisement from the store is associated with the virtual mall and an advertisement for the restaurant is associated with the food coupon search system).

In FIG. 3B, the second channel 310-2 indicated by the channel icons 341A and 341B includes a second title 311B associated with the highlighting process, that is, the highlighted second time zone 305B. In one embodiment of the present invention, by selecting such a title to be provided in the future (ie by pressing the "Select" key when the guide area is active), the user is taken to a preview screen depicting a preview of the selected title. . For example, if the selected title is, for example, a television sitcom to be broadcast for 20 minutes from the current time, by selecting the title, a preview information screen associated with the sitcom is displayed. Similarly, if the selected title is usually a boxing match or other sporting event associated with some kind of pre-game show or pre-match program on one or more channels, the screen the user may select to watch any of these pre-match programs. Is displayed. Alternatively, a screen describing the upcoming match is displayed.

When the guide area 302 is active, the user can, for example, manipulate the right and left arrow keys on the remote control device to change the highlighting process, ie the highlighted time zone. On the other hand, the user can operate the up and down arrow keys to change the indicated channel. When the time zone or the channel indication is changed, the content of the title description information displayed in the program description area 350 is also changed. When the user uses the left and right arrow keys to highlight or highlight an object in the image area (ie, icons 331-339), the guide area 302 is inactive and the image area 304 is active. It is in a state.

As mentioned above, the video stream for IPG display may be included as a PES in a single transport stream. Thus, a user who wishes to see a time interval of the next hour and a half (eg, 9:30-11:00) may activate a "scroll right" object (or the program in the program grid 302 is finally displayed). You can also move the joystick to the right when the time interval is occupied). Note that such activation will require the STT's controller to require a new time interval. The video stream corresponding to the new time interval will then be decoded and displayed. If the corresponding video stream is present in the same transport stream (ie a new PID), the video stream will be decoded and provided immediately. If the corresponding video stream is present in another transport stream, the other transport stream will be extracted from the broadcast stream and the appropriate video stream will be provided decoded. If the corresponding transport stream is in another broadcast stream, that other broadcast stream is tuned, the other transport stream is extracted from the other broadcast system, and the appropriate video stream will be decoded and provided.

Note that each extracted video stream is associated with a common audio stream. Thus, the video / audio barker function of the program guide is provided continuously regardless of the selected video stream.

Similarly, when the user selects a previous time interval or other channel group, the appropriate video stream is retrieved and provided. If the appropriate video stream is not normally part of the broadcast video stream, a pointcast session is started. That is, the STT transmits a request for a specific stream to the headend through the reverse channel. The headend processes the request, retrieves the appropriate stream from the information server, and then combines the appropriate stream into the transport stream as a video PID (ideally the transport stream is now tuned / selected by the STT), which PID The STT is informed that the STT should be demultiplexed and from which transport stream the PID should be demultiplexed. The STT then retrieves the appropriate video PID. If the appropriate video PID is present in another transport stream, the STT must first demultiplex the other transport stream (maybe even tune to another QAM stream in the forward channel).

When viewing of the appropriate stream is complete, the STT instructs the headend that the stream is no longer needed, after which the headend stops the pointcast session.

4 shows an IPG display 400 illustrating a user interface from next time zone 9:30 to 11:00. The next time zone object 334 of FIG. 3A indicates 9:30 PM in each example time zone, including an hour and a half time interval. When the user selects the object 334 of FIG. 3A, the time zone of the guide area is changed from 9:30 PM to 11:00 PM. Therefore, time zone objects 305A, 305B, and 305C in FIG. 4 indicate 9:30, 10:00, and 10:30, respectively. The time zone object is also changed to indicate 11:00 PM in FIG.

When the image area 304 is active, if the user manipulates the up and down arrows via the remote control device, the next time zone indicated is increased and decreased. Upon receiving the selection command, a video PID is retrieved that includes channel information for the time indicated by the next selected time zone object 334. If the video stream is part of a currently broadcast or currently used video stream (eg, when another user has requested this stream), the headend identifies the video PID that the set-top terminal contains the appropriate channel guide information for. It provides set-top terminals with information that allows them to do so. The set top terminal then retrieves the appropriate video PID. If the selected video PID is located in another transport stream, the audio PID is also retrieved from the new transport stream.

The process of moving from one program guide page to another program guide page is illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C. FIG. 5A shows a flow diagram 500A illustrating a contextual change in IPG display screen 300A in response to horizontal increase and decrease (right / left) commands, such as right arrow and left arrow key activation from a remote control. Illustrated. Each object shown in the contextual flow chart includes a video object with an associated graphical overlay that provides highlighting indicating an active (ie, selectable) object or de-emphasizing indicating an inactive (ie, non-selectable) object.

The object shown in the context flow diagram 500A of FIG. 5A includes some objects shown on the IPG display screen 300 of FIG. 3A. In particular, the object shown in the contextual flow diagram 500A of FIG. 5A includes the first time zone object 305A, the second time zone object 305B, and the second time zone object of the IPG display screen guide area in the order highlighted in response to the right arrow, that is, the horizontal increase. The third time zone object 305C is included. These objects are the following IPG display screen image area objects: day identification object 331, next time zone object 334, "preferred" filter object 335, "movie" filter object 336, "child" filter object ( 337), followed by a "sports" filter object 338 and a VOD user interface object 338. Note that although the object shown in the contextual flow diagram 500A includes the object shown in the IPG display screen 300, other IPG display screens may be adapted accordingly.

For this discussion, assume that the highlighting process, ie the highlighted first object, is the first time zone object 305A. In FIG. 5A, in response to the first right arrow, that is, the horizontal increase 501, the first time zone object 305A is unhighlighted and the second time zone object 305B is highlighted; In response to the second right arrow or horizontal increment 502, the second time zone object 305B is unhighlighted and the third time zone object 305C is highlighted; In response to the third right arrow or horizontal increment 503, the third time zone object 305C is unhighlighted and the day of week identification object 331 is highlighted; In response to 504, the next time zone object 334 is highlighted; In response to 505, the " preferred " object 335 is highlighted; In response to 506, the “movie” selection object 336 is highlighted; In response to 507, the “child” selection object 337 is highlighted; In response to 508, the “sport” selection object 338 is highlighted; In response to 509, the “VOD” selection object 436 is highlighted and finally returns to the first time zone object 305A (610).

The graphical representation of FIG. 3A is divided into a guide region object (three time zone objects 305A to 305C) and an image region object (remaining objects 331 to 338). The functions of vertical increase (up arrow), vertical decrease (down arrow), page up and page down depend on which area is activated. The difference between the guide area key function and the image area key function will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 5B and 5C.

When the guide area is active (if one of the objects 305A-305C is highlighted), the up and down arrow keys are used to scroll through the various parts of the guide area. That is, the channel content object numbers 310-1 through 310-8 are changed by one step (ie, increased or decreased) in response to the up arrow or down arrow activation. Similarly, the displayed video stream is changed (by selecting the next or previous video PID) in response to page up or page down key activation. Thus, the active guide area function provides navigation to the various video streams that provide the user with a broadcast IPG picture.

When the image area is active (if one of the objects 331 to 338 is highlighted), the up and down arrow keys are used to change the next time zone object 334, while the page up and page down keys are the day identification object 331. Is used to change Specifically, in response to the up arrow key activation, the next time zone object 334 is incremented, for example, by an hour and a half by selecting a video PID that includes guide information for the next three time zone objects of the current channel provided in the guide area. Similarly, in response to page up key activation, day of week identification object 331 is incremented by day of the week by selecting a video PID that includes guide information for the next day of the current channel provided in the guide area.

5B shows a context flow diagram illustrating a change in IPG display screen 300A in response to a received vertical increase and decrease (up / down) command while the guide area object is highlighted, i.e., highlighted.

The object shown in the context flow diagram 500B of FIG. 5B includes some objects shown on the IPG display screen 300 of FIG. 3. Specifically, the object shown in the context flow diagram 500B of FIG. 5B includes channel content objects 310-1 through 310-8 pointed to by the channel indicator objects 341A and / or 341B. In response to the successive down arrow or vertical decrement key activation, the indicated channel content object is 310-1 to 310-2 (520); 310-2 to 310-3 (521); 522 310-3 to 310-4; 310-4 to 310-5 (523); 310-5 to 310-6 (524); 310-6 to 310-7 (525); 526 is moved from 310-7 to 310-8. Similarly, in response to successive up arrow or vertical increment key activations, the indicated channels are moved in reverse order.

In response to down arrow activation while channel object 310-8 is indicated, the "next" video PID is selected for display. That is, a video PID is selected that includes the next eight channels to be displayed during the currently shown time zone. If the last eight channels are currently being displayed, the video PID associated with the first eight channels is selected (ie channel "roll-over"). If the "next" video PID is part of another transport stream, the relevant transport stream is retrieved and the appropriate video PID and the associated audio and data PID are extracted.

In response to the up arrow activation while channel object 310-1 is indicated, the "old" video PID is selected for display. That is, a video PID is selected that includes the previous eight channels to be displayed during the currently shown time zone. If the first eight channels are currently being displayed, then the video PID associated with the last eight channels is selected (ie channel "roll-under"). If the "old" video PID is part of another transport stream, the relevant transport stream is retrieved and the appropriate video PID and associated audio and data PID are extracted.                 

5C shows a contextual flow diagram illustrating a change in IPG display screen 300A in response to a received vertical increase and decrease (up / down) command while the image area object is highlighted, i.e., highlighted.

The object shown in the context flow diagram 500C of FIG. 5C includes the next time zone object 334 shown in the IPG display screen 300A of FIG. 3A. Specifically, when the image area object is active, the next time zone object 334 is incremented or decremented in response to the up arrow or vertical increment key activation and the down arrow or vertical decrement key activation, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the next time zone object 334 is delineated 24 hours at 1.5 hour intervals (ie, time zones following the three time zones 305A, 305B, and 305C of the guide area).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the operations described in the contextual flow chart 5C can only highlight or highlight the next time zone object 334 or the object in which the day of the week object 331 and the next time zone object 334 are combined. It only happens when In another embodiment of the present invention, the operation described in the contextual flow chart 5C occurs when any image region object is highlighted or highlighted.

In response to successive up arrow or vertical increment key activations, the indicated next time zone object is (for the current time) from the actual next time zone 551 to the next time zone + 3 552 via the path 5512; Via route 5523 to the next time zone + 6 553; Via route 5534 to next time zone + 9 554; Etc; Travel to the next time zone + 21 558 via route 5578. In response to an additional up arrow or vertical increment key activation, in this embodiment, return to the next time zone 551 via path 5551. Similarly, in response to the down arrow or vertical decrement key activation, the next time zone object indicated is changed in the opposite way except for one case. Specifically, when the down arrow or vertical decrement key is activated when the next time zone 551 is indicated, the system enters the time travel mode 556 via the path 5516.

6a shows a second embodiment of a user interface according to the invention. If the first time zone 305A is highlighted, only the first title object 311A in each channel content object 310 is shown. That is, only title objects associated with the highlighted time zone are "revealed" while title objects associated with the non-highlighted time zone are "masked." This "hide and reveal" display method provides some viewers with an IPG display that is better recognizable than the de-emphasis display method (FIGS. 3A-3C) in a manner that weakens or reduces opacity as described above. However, the de-highlighting method of weakening or reducing opacity provides the viewer with more information on each IPG display.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C simultaneously, FIG. 6A shows an IPG display 600A having a highlighted first time zone 305A and each title object 311A associated with the exposed first time zone, while the time zone is not highlighted. Each title object 311B and 311C associated with 305B and 305C is hidden (hidden). In FIG. 6A, the first time zone object 305A is highlighted, and the second and third time zones 305B and 305C are unhighlighted; In FIG. 6B, the second time zone object 305B is highlighted, and the first and third time zones 305A and 305C are unhighlighted; In FIG. 6C, the third time zone object 305C is highlighted and the first and second time zones 305A and 305B are unhighlighted. In all cases, the operation of the title description object 350 remains the same, and the video barker 320 and all other functional elements of the program guide remain the same. By using hide and reveal techniques, inappropriate information is effectively removed from the IPG display to simplify the user interface. When the user predefines a certain program as a preference, the subsequent selection of the "preferred" icon 335 hides all non-preferred programming. Similarly, the selection of the "sport" icon 338 hides all nonsports programming.

7A and 7B together form FIG. 7 and include a user dialogue method 700 according to the present invention. 7 illustrates a user conversation routine 700 in accordance with the present invention. The user conversation routine 700 enters step 702 when the subscriber equipment is first powered on or initialized. When the user conversation routine enters step 704, the first or default stream is tuned and demodulated. When user dialogue routine 700 enters step 706, the first or default video stream and associated audio stream are demultiplexed and displayed. When user conversation routine 700 enters step 708, the appropriate overlay is retrieved and displayed with the display, i.e., the provided video stream. When the user conversation routine 700 enters step 710, the STT waits for user input, eg, via the remote control device 280. Upon receiving user input, the user conversation routine enters step 712 to evaluate the user input. When the user conversation routine 700 enters step 714, whether the user conversation abstraction level is contextual, i.e. a contextual IPG change requiring information sent from the headend, or dialog processing. A query is made whether it is local / contextual, passing it locally to the STT and passing request information from the headend.

If the query in step 714 indicates that a contextual change is requested by the viewer, then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 716, where a query is made for the type of key being pressed. If the RETURN key is pressed, the algorithm enters step 718, and the system reacquires the previous context. For example, when a viewer has previously watched a movie trailer and the movie trailer ends, the viewer returns to the IPG context. After that, when the viewer presses the return key, the viewer returns to the previous context and the movie trailer is displayed again. When the requested context is finished, the user conversation routine 700 returns to step 710.

In step 716, if the viewer presses the SELECT key to select the currently highlighted or highlighted object, the user dialogue routine 700 enters step 720 and the context is confirmed to have changed. In step 722, a new context function is performed. For example, the user may highlight and select the "VOD" icon. Such a selection will enter the system into the VOD context. In this context, the STT is sent to the VOD Navigator in a pointcast fashion that allows the user to select a movie to watch. Other context changes are made when the viewer selects a video barker, any program in the guide area of the IPG display, or the like. Barker selection causes the system to be in a Barker defined context, that is, if the Barker is displaying a movie trailer; If Barker is advertising a product, she enters a sales page. Selecting a program that can be watched in the current time frame, the system sends the program video to the STTs as a pointcast or broadcast stream. The stream type depends on the program selection. When you select a program that is loaded in the upcoming time zone, a trailer of the selected program is displayed.

If the query in step 714 indicates that a local conversation is being requested by the user, the user conversation routine 700 enters step 740 and a query is made to confirm the type of key pressed by the user. If the query in step 740 indicates that the FREEZE key has been pressed, the user conversation routine 700 enters step 734, and the video frame currently stored in the frame storage 262 is stopped. That is, frame storage 262 is not updated by the next video frame until the stop key or other key is pressed. User conversation routine 700 enters step 710, and the processor waits for user input.

If the query in step 714 indicates that one of the increment or decrement keys has been pressed (eg, a channel indication increase or decrease command), the user conversation routine 700 enters step 744. If the query in step 740 indicates that one of the page up or page down keys has been pressed, the user conversation routine 700 enters step 742.

In step 742, a query is made to determine if the page up key was pressed. If the page up key is pressed, the user conversation routine 700 enters step 732. In step 732, a query is made to determine whether the PID being viewed is the first PID of the transport stream. In the case of the first PID, depending on the combination of video PIDs of a single or a plurality of transport streams, it is tuned to the previous broadcast stream or returned to the last video PID of the same transport stream. If the query in step 732 indicates that the PID being viewed is not the first PID of that transport stream, then the previous video PID of the same transport stream is demultiplexed and displayed. If the query in step 742 indicates that the page down key has been pressed, the user conversation routine 700 enters step 726. In step 726, a query is made to determine whether the PID being viewed is the last PID of the transport stream. In the case of the last PID, it is tuned to the next broadcast stream or returned to the first video PID of the same transport stream according to the combination of video PIDs of a single or a plurality of transport streams. If the query in step 726 indicates that the PID being viewed is not the last PID of that transport stream, then the next video PID of the same transport stream is demultiplexed and displayed.

In step 744, a query is made as to whether the increment key has been pressed. If the answer to the query in step 744 is YES, then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 746. If the answer to the query at step 744 is "no" (ie, the decrement key is pressed), then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 748.

In step 746, a query is made as to whether the top channel (ie, channel content object 310-1) of the program guide is currently indicated by channel icons 341A and 341B. If the answer to the query in step 746 is "yes", then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 732 and continues as described above. If the answer to the query at step 746 is no, then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 750.

In step 750, a query is made as to whether the upper threshold level has been reached. The upper threshold level is a preset channel number (in the channel group of the IPG page) that should request the previous channel PID when the previous channel PID is not available. If the answer to the query in step 750 is "yes", then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 754. If the answer to the query at step 750 is no, then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 758.

In step 754, a determination is made as to whether the previous channel group is available. Available channel groups are channel groups in a video stream that are currently broadcast or narrowcast or pointcast to one or more set-top terminals. As noted previously, set-top terminals receive information that associates each group of channels with a particular video stream identified by a unique PID. If its only PID or its associated video stream is not being broadcast, narrowcasted, or pointcasted, then at this point the time required for the previous channel group without excessive delay (e.g., the user is required to process and respond to the request for the video stream). It is appropriate to ask the headend to start a pointcast session so that it can be received by the set-top terminal without experiencing a delay due to volume. If the answer to the query at step 754 is no, then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 756, and a request for the previous channel group is sent to the headend for processing. The user conversation routine 700 then enters step 756. If the answer to the query in step 754 is "yes", then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 758.

In step 758, the channel indicator is moved up one channel content object 310. That is, the channel content object immediately above the currently indicated channel content object is immediately indicated. The user conversation routine 700 enters step 710 and waits for the next user input.

If the answer to the query at step 744 is no, then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 748. In step 748, a query is made as to whether the currently indicated channel is the lowest channel. That is, a query is made as to whether the currently indicated channel is channel content object 310-8 in FIG. 3A. If the answer to the query in step 748 is "yes", then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 726. If the currently indicated channel is associated with channel content object 310-8, as noted above in FIGS. 5B and path 532, the decrease command may be the highest channel of the next channel group (ie, channel content object 310-1 of the next channel group). Note that it requires a selection for the next channel PID to indicate. If the answer to the query at step 748 is no, then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 760.

In step 760, a query is made as to whether the lower threshold level has been reached. If the answer to the query at step 760 is no, then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 768. If the answer to the query in step 760 is "yes", then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 764.                 

In step 764, a determination is made as to whether the next channel group is available. That is, in a similar manner as described above in step 754, a determination is made whether the current broadcast, narrowcast or pointcast stream includes an IPG guide display that includes information related to the next channel group.

In step 764, a query is made as to whether the next channel group is actually available. If the answer to the query in step 764 is "yes", then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 768. If the answer to the query at step 764 is "no", then the user conversation routine 700 enters step 766.

In step 766, the set-top terminal tells the headend the information associated with the next channel group (i.e., the guide and image portion of the IPG display that includes the next channel group, or, alternatively, the previously stored video screen that includes the appropriate information). Request to send. As noted previously, by requesting such information at this point, the apparent latency of the system experienced by the user is greatly reduced.

In step 768, channel icons 341A and 341B are decremented or moved down by one channel content object 310. The user conversation routine 700 enters step 710 and waits for user input.

FIG. 11 shows a table describing functions for various keys on an input device, such as a remote control device, during guide area and image area operations. The functions for some of the shown keys have been described above and will not be described further. Specifically, FIG. 11 shows the increase (up arrow) key, decrease (down arrow) key, page up key, page down key, horizontal increase (right move) key, horizontal decrease (left move) key, select key and add / remove. The functions for the guide area and the image area of the removal key are shown. The selection key is used to highlight the highlighted object, i.e. select the highlighted object, to enter another mode of operation of the indicated channel tuning (guide area response) (image area response). The add / remove key is used to add the currently tuned channel to the preference list. If the currently tuned channel already exists in the preference list, the channel is removed from the preference list. Optionally, the viewer is asked if they really want to remove the channel from the preference list.

8 shows a third embodiment of an interactive program guide (IPG) 800 according to the present invention. Specifically, the exemplary interactive program guide screen 800 includes a day / date time (TOD) indicator 805, a promotional “splash” icon 810, a cable system or supplier logo 815, a video barker ( 820 (and associated audio barker), program time indicator 825, channel number indicator 830, channel identifier (text or logo) 835, pair of channel display increment icons 840a and 840b, pair of Channel display decrease icons 845a and 845b, time increase icon 848, time decrease icon 847, program grid 850, and scrolling promotion banner 855. The interactive program guide display 800 is displayed, for example, on a television screen or other video providing device in the subscriber's home of a cable television or other information distribution system using the interactive electronic program guide.

FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of a display screen of an interactive program guide (IPG) 800 formed in a similar manner as described above with respect to the IPG display 300 of FIG. The main differences between the IPG displays of FIGS. 8 and 3 are as follows:

1. The IPG Display 300 only shows programs in a certain time interval, such as 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM, and the IPG Display 800 shows programs in the entire time interval.

2. The IPG display 300 does not include a grid structure showing program information for time intervals. It is thoroughly unique user interface design.

3. The IPG display 800 of FIG. 8 utilizes a program grid 850 to provide programming information, and the IPG display 300 of FIG. 3 reduces the display congestion experienced when a viewer navigates through and selects available programming. Use advanced "hide and reveal" techniques to provide more information. Only the desired program is shown.

4. The IPG display 300 of FIG. 3 illustratively includes a program description object 350 used to display a brief textual description of a program occupying the currently indicated time zone of the currently indicated channel.

In addition to these differences, there are many other things that differentiate the two user interfaces. However, the support system is designed to create either of these interfaces.

Upon receiving a "select" entry from the remote control device, the set-top terminal sends information identifying the selected object to the headend via a reverse channel or some other communication path. Note that changing the emphasis on an object or element using hide and reveal techniques is performed entirely at the local level within the STT. That is, the actual video information sent to the subscriber by the headend does not change. Only the graphic overlay layer on the display is changed in the STT to facilitate object highlighting.

Interactive program guide display 800 (i.e., the video layer provided by the headend) shows program provision for 10 channels within a 1.5 hour interval. Since a day is 24 hours, 16 video streams (each representing one program guide screen) are required to show program provision for 10 channels of 24 hours. These sixteen video streams may be included in a single transport stream. Thus, a user who wants to see the next 1.5 hour interval (eg, 9:30-11:00) may activate the "right scroll" object (or when a program in the program grid 850 occupies the last displayed time interval). You can also move the joystick to the right]. Note that such activation will require the STT's controller to require a new time interval. The digital video stream corresponding to that new time interval will then be decoded and displayed. That is, the STT selects a bitstream in the transmission strum representing the desired program guide and decodes the bitstream. The process of selecting and decoding the bitstream is accomplished in the same manner as described above.

9 and 10 illustrate two different program guide layout types. 9 is a program guide screen including a horizontally arranged guide area 910 occupying most of the lower half of the IPG screen 901 and a video barker or image area 920 occupying a portion of the upper half of the IPG screen 901. To show. 10 is a program guide screen including a horizontally arranged guide area 1010 occupying most of the lower half of the IPG screen 1002 and a video barker or image area 1020 occupying a portion of the upper half of the IPG screen 1002. To show.

While the foregoing description details three layouts for the user interface, all user interface layouts that can be generated at the headend and transmitted to the user as digital video bitstream are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, the information video may be a program being watched and the graphic imagery may be an HTML page associated with the program. In addition, the program video may be included in the IPG display to allow the viewer to continue watching the program while browsing the IPG display for other program scheduling information.

While various embodiments in accordance with the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other variations of the embodiment that have not yet been presented and described herein.

Claims (91)

In the user interface generated at the headend, The selection graphic object includes a graphics area that is hidden or revealed by the hide / draw layer, The graphics region comprises a video layer image generated at the headend and distributed as a compressed video stream, The hide / draw layer includes a graphic layer image that visually interacts with the selection graphic object, the hide / draw layer is sent to the user terminal along with the graphics area of the user interface, The graphics area includes a plurality of objects, the hiding / extracting layer reveals a selected number of objects among the objects and hides the remaining objects, The user selecting the "preferred" icon reveals only those objects that the user previously identified as a preference. The method of claim 1, Wherein the hide / draw layer has a controlled opacity. The method of claim 1, A hidden object is a user interface that is de-highlighted for an exposed object. The method of claim 3, The hidden object is de-highlighted by a hidden / extracting layer having increased opacity over the hidden object. delete The method of claim 4, wherein Wherein the objects are a list of program titles. In the user interface, Graphics area; Video region; And Hide / Extract Layer Including; The video and graphics region comprises a video layer image generated at the headend and distributed as a compressed video stream, The hide / draw layer includes a graphic layer image that visually works with the selection object in the video and graphics area to hide or reveal the selection object, the hide / draw layer along with the graphic area of the user interface. Sent to the terminal, The graphics area includes a plurality of objects, the hiding / extracting layer reveals a selected number of objects among the objects and hides the remaining objects, The user selecting the "preferred" icon reveals only those objects that the user previously identified as a preference. The method of claim 7, wherein Wherein the hide / draw layer has a controlled opacity. The method of claim 7, wherein A hidden object is a user interface that is de-highlighted for an exposed object. The method of claim 9, The hidden object is de-highlighted by a hidden / extracting layer having increased opacity over the hidden object. delete The method of claim 10, Wherein the objects are a list of program titles. In how to talk to the interactive program guide, Generating in the headend of an information distribution system a bitstream comprising a compressed video image representing an interactive program guide having a video region and a graphics region, wherein a portion of the graphics region is associated with a corresponding portion of the video region. Acting visually; Delivering the bitstream to subscriber equipment; Switching the bitstream to the display of the interactive program guide within the subscriber equipment; And Generating a hide / draw overlay suitable for selectively hiding and revealing an interactive program guide image within the subscriber equipment; Including, The graphics area includes a plurality of objects, the hide / draw overlay reveals a selected number of objects and hides the remaining objects, Selecting a "preferred" icon reveals only the objects that the user has previously identified as a preference. The method of claim 13, And the graphics area comprises a grid of programming titles aligned along the first channel axis and the second time axis and along the axis. The method of claim 13, The time base comprises a plurality of increments identified by a time icon, Identifying a time icon; And Highlighting a schedule program title in the grid corresponding to the identified time icon in response to the identification. The method of claim 13, And identifying the channel using the channel icon. The method of claim 13, Selecting the identified channel and time icon to cause the headend to transmit the appropriate program to the subscriber equipment. The method of claim 17, The appropriate program is a program identified in the program title grid if the identified time icon represents a current time and the appropriate program is a preview of the identified program if the identified time icon represents a later time than the current time. How to talk with an interactive program guide. The method of claim 13, Displaying a text graphic corresponding to the identified program. The method of claim 13, Identifying and selecting a video on demand (VOD) icon that initiates a video on demand (VOD) context. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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