US007107532B1
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Billmaier et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`*Sep. 12, 2006
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FOCUSED
`NAVIGATION WITHIN A USER INTERFACE
`
`(75) Inventors: James A. Billmaier, Woodinville, WA
`(US); John M. Kellum, Seattle, WA
`(US); Anthony F. Istvan, Snoqualmie,
`WA (US); Dewey M. Reid,
`Woodinville, WA (US); Philip A.
`Rogan, Bozeman, MT (US)
`(73) Assignee: Digeo, Inc., Kirkland, WA (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 448 days.
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/138,810
`(22) Filed:
`May 3, 2002
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/315,731, filed on Aug.
`29, 2001, provisional application No. 60/317,612,
`filed on Sep. 6, 2001, provisional application No.
`60/324,997, filed on Sep. 26, 2001.
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04N 7/25
`(52) U.S. Cl. ...................... 715/720; 715/719, 715/721:
`725/39; 725/41; 7.25/52
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ 71.5/719,
`715/720, 721; 7.25/56, 41, 52, 39, 37, 38
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`|U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
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`
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`
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`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`
`1 028 570 A1
`
`8/2000
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/138,803, filed May 3, 2002, James A. Billmaier
`et al.
`
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner—Raymond J. Bayerl
`Assistant Examiner–Dennis Bonshock
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Kory D. Christensen; Stoel
`Rives, LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents
`available options within an information system. In response
`to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively
`displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In
`response to a subsequent user action, the successive display
`is discontinued to display a particular card representing a
`selected option.
`
`53 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`2–
`
`* 300a
`1000c - |& charter
`
`2T 1000b
`
`
`
`1000d TN
`
`4
`4
`300b
`Select a 362
`Program
`
`
`
`O
`
`3rd Rock
`|–1000a
`Ch. 2 (KCBS) |}^
`7:00PM
`30 min.
`
`Ty
`
`Page 1 of 28
`
`SONY EXHIBIT 1001
`
`

`

`US 7,107,532 B1
`Page 2
`
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/260,738, filed Sep. 30, 2002, Billmaier et al.
`|U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/097,174, filed Mar. 12, 2002, Billmaier et al.
`-
`A 12/2000 Noguchi et al. ............ ** U.S. Appl. No. 10/105,088, filed Mar 22, 2002, Billmaier
`6,163,345
`1/2001 Harms et al. ..... “ ?º U.S. Appl. No. 10,105,083, filed Mar 22, 2002, Billmaier
`B1 *
`6,175.362
`B1 - 22001 Fong et al. ...... " **** Us Appi, No. 10,097,195 filed Mar 12, 2002, Bilmaier et al.
`6,188,406
`6,262,722
`B1 * 7/2001 Allison et al. ................ 725/39
`-
`-
`B1
`7/2001 Matthews, III et al. ..... 345/.352
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/108,178, filed Mar. 27, 2002, Billmaier et al.
`6,266,059
`B1
`7/2001 Cove et al. ..........
`... 348/563
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/113,889, filed Mar. 29, 2002, Billmaier et al.
`6,266,098
`B1 * 8/2001 Sciammarella .......
`.... 348/564
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/107,601, filed Mar. 27, 2002, Billmaier et al.
`6,281,940
`B1
`11/2001 Matthews, III et al. ..... 345/718
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/113,820, filed Mar. 29, 2002, Billmaier et al.
`6,313,851
`B1
`2/2002 Takahashi et al. .......... 348/563
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/186,209, filed Jun. 27, 2002, Istvan et al.
`6,344,880
`6,408,437
`B1
`6/2002 Hendricks et al. .......... 725/132
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/186,210, filed Jun. 27, 2002, Billmaier et al.
`6,418,556
`B1
`7/2002 Bennington et al. .......... 725/40
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/230,964, filed Aug. 29, 2002, Istvan et al.
`B!” 72002 Sciammarella et al. ~ 72538
`U.S. Appl. No. 10260,700, filed Sep 30, 2002, Billmaier et al.
`6.425,129
`B1
`3/2003 Dobbelaar ........... "º" Us Appl. No. 10270.738, filed sep. 30, 2002, Billmaier et al.
`6,538,672
`B1* 62003 Proehl et al. ..
`" ** Us Appi No. 10260208 filed sºn 30, 2002. Bilmiere a
`6,577.350
`B1
`9/2003 Miller ...........
`... 71.5/526
`.S. Appl. No.
`,2U8, Illed Sep. 30,
`, B111maler et al.
`6,613,100
`B1 * 1 1/2003 Vallone et al. .
`. 715/721
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/328,754, filed Dec. 23, 2002, Rappaport et al.
`6,642,939
`B1
`1/2004 Wilcox et al. ....
`... 725/42
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/259,199, filed Sep. 27, 2002, Young et al.
`6,678,891
`B1 *
`2/2004 Proehl et al. ..
`. 715/720
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/138,805, filed May 3, 2002, Billmaier et al.
`6,690,391
`B1
`8/2005 Reichardt ......
`... 715/719
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/138,803, filed May 3, 2002, Billmaier et al.
`6,938,208
`6,941,325
`B1
`9/2005 Benitez et al. .............. 707/200
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/183,804, filed May 3, 2002, Billmaier et al.
`6,965,415
`B1
`11/2005 Lundblad et al. ........... 34.8/556
`U.S. Appl. No. 60/317,612, filed Sep. 6, 2001, Reid et al.
`A 32002 Sciammarella et al. ~ 343838
`U.S. Appl. No. 60324,997, filed Sep 26, 2001, Reid et al.
`2002/0033848
`AI
`52002 Blackketter et al. ........ ...!!:
`Us Appl. No. 10,186,094, filed Jun. 29, 2002, Bilmaier et al.
`2002/00561.29
`A1
`5/2002 Yugami et al. ...... " **** Us Appi No. 10187.118 filed jun. 29, 2002, Bilmaiere a
`2002/0060746
`A1
`6/2002 Yeo et al. .........
`... 345/723
`.S. Appl. No.
`, 118, Illed Jun. 29,
`, Bulmaier et al.
`2002/0070958
`A1
`6/2002 Feinberg et al. ..
`... 725/9
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/186,095, filed Jun. 29, 2002, Billmaier et al.
`2002/0078440
`A1 10/2002 Dudkiewicz ...
`. 725/136
`U.S. Appl. No. 60/377,627, filed May 3, 2002, Billmaier et al.
`2002/0152474
`A1* 1/2003 Bernhardson ..
`. 345/786
`U.S. Appl. No. 29/161,708, filed Jun. 3, 2002, Nguyen et al.
`2003/0001898
`A1
`3/2003 Card et al. ........
`... 345/660
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/251,366, filed Sep. 20, 2002, Allen et al.
`2003/0052900
`A1
`5/2003 Segerberg et al.
`... 345/786
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/260,881, filed Sep. 30, 2002, Allen et al.
`2003/0090524
`2003/0093.792
`A1
`5/2003 Labeeb et al. ................ 725/46
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/320,900, filed Dec. 16, 2002, Kolde et al.
`2003/0169302
`A1
`9/2003 Davidsson et al. ......... 345/810
`U.S
`.S. Appl. No. 10/328,514, filed Dec. 23, 2002, Kolde et al.
`Nokia Mediaterminal 511S; www.nokia.com/multimedia/pdf/
`mediaterminal.pdf, pp. 1-12; Dec. 11, 2001.
`Nokia Mediamaster 9470S, http://www.digitv.de/ifa01/nokia9470s.
`shtml; pp. 1-2; Dec. 11, 2001.
`* cited by examiner
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/138,804, filed May 3, 2002, James A. Billmaier
`et al.
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/138,805, filed May 3, 2002, James A. Billmaier
`et al.
`
`
`
`Page 2 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 16
`Sheet 1 0f 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`402
`102
`
`104
`104
`
`| 110
`
`I 110
`
`F|G. 1
`FIG. 1
`
`Page 3 0f 28
`
`Page 3 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`204
`
`206
`
`208
`
`210
`
`200a
`
`212
`
`200b
`
`212
`
`200c
`
`212
`
`202a-rºll!
`
`204
`
`206
`
`214
`
`
`
`202b
`
`
`
`204
`
`206
`
`208
`
`210
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Page 4 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 3 of 16
`Sheet 3 0f 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`306
`
`
`
`300
`
`I
`
`200d
`
`304
`
`2006
`
`200C
`
`200a
`
`
`
`
`
`202a
`
`
`102
`102
`
`104
`104
`
`110
`110
`
`FIG. 3
`FIG. 3
`
`Page50f28
`
`Page 5 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 4 of 16
`Sheet 4 0f 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`
`
`102
`102
`
`104
`104
`
`110
`110
`
`102
`102
`
`104
`104
`
`110
`110
`
`20km
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`402
`402
`
`110 FIG. 4
`
`102
`102
`
`104
`104
`
`110
`
`Page 6 0f 28
`
`Page 6 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 5 of 16
`Sheet 5 0f 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`202e«-@ Fwtba“
`202C, 10:
`«$3212
`
`FIG. 5
`FIG. 5
`
`Page 7 0f 28
`
`Page 7 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`6 of 16
`Sheet
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`604
`
`606
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`01/20/02
`
`3:30-4:00 pm
`
`Ö1/20/02
`
`4:00–7:00 pm
`
`King of Queens
`202b| 01/20/02
`7:00-7:30pm
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CSI: Crime Scene Inv...
`
`01/20/02
`
`7:30-8:30 pm
`
`2000
`
`King of Queens
`01/20/02 7:00-7:30 pm
`
`1 610
`
`200n
`
`CSI: Crime Scene Inv...
`01/20/02
`7:30-8:30 pm
`
`608
`
`200r
`
`Cops
`8:30-9:00 pm
`
`01/20/02
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`102
`
`104
`
`110
`
`302
`
`102
`
`104
`
`110
`
`302
`
`102
`
`104
`
`110
`
`302
`
`F|G. 6
`
`Page 8 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 7 of 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`Ally McBeal
`04/2002 7:00-730pm
`
`
`
`Boston Public
`04/2002 7.30-8:30pm
`–
`
`70's Show
`01:2002 830-9:00pm
`
`200w
`
`200w
`
`200x
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`King of Queens
`ot?:0/02 700-7:30pm
`
`CSI: Crime Scene
`Inv...
`
`Cops
`
`
`
`º |
`× 33:33&
`;
`
`
`
`CSI: Crime Scene
`Inv...
`olfzooz 730-8:30pm
`
`Nº. 204
`|
`212
`214
`
`202n
`
`202n
`
`
`
`202n
`
`sº,
`NBA Basketball
`01/2002 400-7:30pm
`
`?
`
`lº,
`Frasier
`01:2002 730-800pm
`
`Friends
`01/2002 800-8:30pm
`
`Page 9 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 8 of 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`200S
`
`2000
`
`302
`
`200w
`
`Ally McBeal
`
`__ " -> *
`
`200t LLSV- 712
`200n |
`
`Oºs (2)
`
`714
`
`
`
`
`
`302
`
`||
`
`||
`
`200MW
`
`
`
`200u
`
`200m
`
`302
`
`200x
`
`|
`
`CSI: Crime Scene
`Inv.,.
`01/2002 730-830pm
`T?ºi Boston T
`
`708
`
`CSI: Crime Scene
`Inv...
`04/2002 7:30-830pm
`
`-
`|
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`712
`
`714
`
`Page 10 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 9 of 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`712
`
`CSI: Crime Scene
`InV.
`01:2002 730-8:30pm
`
`
`
`700c
`
`200 wº
`
`| C.
`
`CD
`
`- - - -
`
`718
`
`Boston
`Public
`
`
`
`2008w
`
`200t
`
`3O2
`
`200n
`
`Page 11 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 10 of 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`804
`
`806
`
`
`
`810
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7130-830 pm
`01I20l02
`
`
`
`
`
`01/13/02
`
`
`D1 /06/02
`
`
`7:30-8:30 pm
`
`
`
`
`
`7:30—8:30 m _
`
`
`
`4:306:30 pm
`zozb 01/15102
`
`2142
`
`I||IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII :
`
`I|I|IIII|IlIIIIlIII
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Page 12 0f 28
`
`Page 12 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 11 of 16
`Sheet 11 0f 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`
`[3003
`L/\20C}d
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 13 0f 28
`
`Page 13 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 12 of 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`1000c
`
`1000b
`
`
`
`
`
`1000d
`
`
`
`
`
`4
`Select a 362
`Program
`
`
`
`3rd Rock
`Ch. 2 (KCBS)
`7:00PM
`30 min.
`
`
`
`1000a
`
`FIG, 10
`
`Page 14 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 13 of 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`
`
`300
`2.
`
`2006
`
`2006
`
`200c
`
`www.time.co
`mforder
`
`1122
`
`
`
`
`
`1124
`
`
`
`
`
`Welcome to TIME
`
`To receive your 4 issues,
`please enter your name
`and address in the space
`provided.
`
`FIG. 11
`
`102
`
`104
`
`110
`
`102
`
`104
`
`110
`
`Page 15 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 14 of 16
`Sheet 14 0f 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`
`
`,
`i902
`916 +H:
`W1 HHWHWFW
`*
`A£304
`
`916
`
`FIG. 12
`FIG. 12
`
`Page 16 0f 28
`
`Page 16 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 15 of 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`1 106 6
`
`
`
`Input
`Interface
`
`Interface
`
`To
`Network
`
`TO
`TV 102
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Page 17 of 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`1 100
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Store a sequence of cards
`
`1 102
`
`Wait for user input
`
`1 104
`
`1106
`
`detected?
`
`Yes
`
`Successively display the cards in a
`focus area of user interface
`
`1 108
`
`detected?
`
`Yes
`
`Discontinue the successive display to
`show a particular visual card
`
`1112
`
`F|G. 14
`
`Page 18 of 28
`
`

`

`US 7,107,532 B1
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FOCUSED
`NAVIGATION WITHIN A USER INTERFACE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application is related to and claims priority
`from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/315,731, filed
`Aug. 29, 2001, entitled “System and Method for Visual
`Channel Surfing,” which is hereby incorporated by reference
`in its entirety. The present application is also related to and
`claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.
`60/317,612, filed Sep. 6, 2001, entitled “System and Method
`for Visual Channel Surfing,” which is hereby incorporated
`by reference in its entirety. The present application is further
`related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Appli
`cation No. 60/324,997, filed Sep. 26, 2001, entitled “System
`and Method for Visual Channel Surfing Using Center
`Focused Navigation,” which is hereby incorporated by ref
`erence in its entirety.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ITV system;
`FIG. 2 is an illustration of a plurality of cards;
`FIGS. 3–11 are illustrations of various techniques for
`focused navigation of a plurality of options within a user
`interface;
`FIG. 12 is a timing diagram for displaying a sequence of
`cards;
`FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a set-top box
`(STB):
`FIG. 14 a flowchart of a method for focused navigation of
`a plurality of options within a user interface.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Reference throughout this specification to “one embodi
`ment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular described
`feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one
`embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of
`the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in
`various places throughout this specification are not neces
`sarily all referring to the same embodiment.
`Furthermore, the described features, structures, or char
`acteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one
`or more embodiments. In the following description, numer
`ous specific details are provided, such as examples of
`programming, software modules, user selections, network
`transactions, database queries, database structures, etc., to
`provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the
`invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize,
`however, that the invention can be practiced without one or
`more of the specific details, or with other methods, compo
`ments, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known struc
`tures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in
`detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
`While the following description makes particular refer
`ence to ITV systems, it should be recognized that the present
`invention may be used in conjunction with any type of
`information system in which selectable options may be
`displayed on a display screen. Examples of such information
`systems include, but are not limited to, ITV systems, per
`sonal computers, and mobile computing devices, such as
`PDAs, webpads, cellular telephones, and the like.
`Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram
`of an ITV system 100 according to an embodiment of the
`invention. In one configuration, the ITV system 100 includes
`a television (TV) 102 or other display device having a
`display screen 104, a set-top box (STB) 106, and a remote
`control 108.
`The STB 106 serves as a gateway between the TV 102 and
`a broadband communication network (not shown), such as a
`cable television network or a direct broadcast satellite (DBS)
`network. One commercially-available example of an STB
`106 is the Motorola DCT5000.R interactive set-top terminal.
`The STB 106 receives encoded television signals and
`other data from the broadband network and processes the
`same for display on the display screen 104. The STB 106
`may also include hardware and software for presenting a
`graphical user interface (GUI) 110 on the display screen 104
`for operating the various functions and services of the STB
`106. In alternative embodiments, the STB 106 may be
`integrated into the TV 102 or may be embodied within a
`personal computer (PC), mobile computing device, or the
`like.
`The remote control 108 is provided for convenient remote
`operation of the STB 106 and the TV 102. The remote
`control 108 may include a wireless transmitter 112 for
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`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates generally to the field of
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`information systems. More specifically, the present inven
`tion relates to a system and method for focused navigation
`within a user interface of an information system.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Recent advances in technology have vastly increased the
`number of available options within personal computers
`(PCs), interactive television (ITV) systems, personal digital
`assistants (PDAs), cellular telephones, and other informa
`tion systems. For instance, current ITV systems offer hun
`dreds of broadcast channels and a variety of interactive
`options, including e-mail, videoconferencing, instant mes
`saging, online banking, online purchasing, and so forth.
`Unfortunately, despite technological advances, user inter
`faces for these systems have remained largely unchanged,
`making navigation through all of the newly available options
`no easy task. For example, a user of a modern ITV system
`must scan through potentially hundreds of channels and
`other options, often by repeatedly pressing a button on a
`remote control. Such an outdated approach is far too slow
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`and inconvenient to facilitate effective operation of a mod
`ern ITV system.
`Similar problems exist with PC interfaces. The graphical
`user interface (GUI) of a modern PC looks remarkably
`similar to the first GUI developed twenty years ago. Small
`icons representing user options are arranged in rows and
`columns on a graphical representation of a desktop. Many of
`the icons are identical, requiring the addition of text labels
`as a distinguishing feature. Typically, a user must individu
`ally examine each icon and read each label—a time-con
`suming process that does not lend itself to effective navi
`gation of the numerous options available in a modern PC.
`Accordingly, it would be an advancement in the art to
`provide a user interface that allows for rapid and efficient
`navigation of a plurality of options without the drawbacks of
`conventional approaches.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
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`Non-exhaustive embodiments of the invention are
`described with reference to the figures, in which:
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`transmitting control signals to a wireless receiver 114 within
`the STB 106 using radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR)
`techniques.
`In addition, the remote control 108 may include a number
`of buttons or other similar controls. For instance, the remote
`control 108 may include an “Up” button 116, a “Down”
`button 118, a “Left” button 120, a “Right” button 122, and
`a “Select” button 124. In an embodiment, the remote control
`108 may further include a “Forward” button 126 and a
`“Backward” button 128. Of course, a variety of other
`buttons or controls may be provided within the scope of the
`invention. In alternative implementations, the remote con
`trol 108 may be embodied as a keyboard, mouse, or other
`suitable input device.
`As noted, an ITV system 100 typically provides access to
`a plurality of selectable options, such as channels, programs,
`applications, digital media files, etc. For instance, an ITV
`system 100 may provide access to literally hundreds of
`broadcast TV channels, pay-per-view (PPV) channels,
`music channels, and the like. Additionally, an ITV system
`100 may provide access to a number of interactive channels
`or applications, including web browsers, e-mail programs,
`chat clients, personal video recorder (PVR) applications,
`contact directories, and the like. Furthermore, an ITV system
`100 may store or provide access to stored PVR recordings,
`digital photographs, audio (MP3) files, or other forms of
`digital media.
`As shown in FIG. 2, each selectable option within the ITV
`system 100 may be associated with a card 200. A card 200
`is an object or other suitable data structure that provides
`information about and/or access to an available option
`within an ITV system 100. A card 200 may be a container of
`all of the attributes, actions, and/or states needed to facilitate
`interaction with the option represented thereby. Cards 200
`may be stored in any suitable format within a memory or
`disk drive of the ITV system 100.
`Each card 200 may include a graphical representation 202
`for display in the GUI 110, as described in detail below. The
`graphical representation 202 may include various types or
`combinations of artwork, digital photography, captured
`video frames, animations, or the like.
`As depicted in FIG. 2, cards 200a–c may be used to
`represent television programs or channels. The television
`programs may be ongoing (live), upcoming, or previously
`recorded as of the time of review by a user of cards 200. In
`addition to a graphical representation 202, such cards 200
`may include but not necessarily display, for instance, a
`channel number 204, a channel name or identifier 206, a
`starting time 208, a running time 210, and a text description
`212. In one embodiment, and as an alternative or in addition
`to the starting time 208 and running time 210, cards 200 may
`include a time slot 214. Of course, cards 200 representing
`other types of options may include additional or different
`types of information, such as audio/video clips, file or path
`names, network addresses (URLs), etc.
`The graphical representations 202 associated with cards
`200 may have different levels of specificity or granularity.
`For instance, a graphical representation 202a may corre
`spond generally to a television series, e.g., “3" Rock from
`the Sun,” while another graphical representation 202b may
`correspond to a television programming source such as a
`television station, e.g., “TBS,” or network, e.g., “CBS.” In
`other embodiments, a graphical representation 202 may
`correspond to a specific episode of a television series (e.g.,
`a series premier), or even a product (purchase opportunity)
`associated with the television program. In still other embodi
`ments, a generic graphical representation 202 may be pro
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`vided, which may be overlaid by the channel number 204,
`text description 212, or other information, where a more
`specific card 200 is not available.
`Cards 200 may be generated locally within an ITV system
`100 or may be received via the broadband network using
`HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol), FTP (file transfer pro
`tocol), ATVEF (advanced television enhancement forum)
`triggers or other well-known protocols or techniques. In one
`embodiment, a card 200 may be received with data encoded
`in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a television signal.
`Additionally, information associated with cards 200 (e.g.,
`channel number 204, starting time 208, running time 210)
`may be dynamically updated with information received in
`ATVEF triggers.
`Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of cards 200 may be
`arranged or grouped together in a package or sequence 300.
`The sequence 300 may be circular (as depicted), linear, or
`configured in other ways. The sequence 300 may be
`arranged in numerical order by channel number 204, in
`alphabetical order by the text description 212, or in other
`preset or user-defined ways.
`In the illustrated embodiment, one card 200a in the
`sequence 300 is active or in “focus.” As shown, the active
`card 200a may be displayed within a focus area 302 of a GUI
`110 displayed on the TV 102. For brevity, the phrase
`“displaying a card” refers herein to displaying, or presenting
`as output to a display device, a graphical representation 202
`associated with the card 200. Other information associated
`with the card, e.g., the channel number 204 or text descrip
`tion 212, may or may not be displayed.
`A focus area 302 is a single location of the GUI 110 at
`which the cards 200 are successively displayed (i.e., dis
`played one at a time in any direction along a sequence). The
`focus area 302 may be located at a central or visually
`dominant location of the GUI 110, although the invention is
`not limited in this respect. As used herein, the term “focused
`navigation” refers to a technique of displaying a sequence
`(e.g., sequence 300) of cards 200 within a focus area 302.
`In response to a single user action, the cards 200 in a
`sequence 300 are successively displayed within the focus
`area 302. Where the sequence 300 is circular, the successive
`display of cards 200 may continue indefinitely until halted
`by the user by a subsequent action, as described more fully
`below.
`The single user action to initiate navigation may be
`pressing (or pressing and holding down) a button on the
`remote control 108. For example, the user may press the
`“Up” button 116 to initiate the successive display in a first
`direction within the sequence 300 (indicated by line 304),
`and press the “Down” button 118 to initiate navigation in the
`opposite direction (indicated by line 306). Alternatively, the
`user may speak a command into a microphone (either within
`the STB 106 or remote control 108) to initiate navigation.
`Alternatively, the STB 106 or remote control 108 may
`incorporate one or more sensors that allow a user to navigate
`the cards 200 using bodily gestures. Such or similar sensors
`may further allow a user to invoke the GUI 110 using bodily
`gestures. Alternatively, the STB 106 or remote control 108
`may incorporate one or more sensors that receive and
`interpret electromagnetic signals generated by the body of a
`user in order to navigate the cards 200. Alternatively, the
`ITV system 100 may be configured such that navigation of
`cards 200 may be accomplished by touching or otherwise
`physically contacting the display screen 104. Of course, the
`user action may be performed in a variety of other ways
`within the scope of the invention.
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`5
`In one embodiment, the sequence 300 of cards 200 is
`successively displayed at a rate selected by the user. For
`instance, initially pressing the “Up” button 116 may cause
`the sequence 300 to be displayed at a rate of two cards 200
`per second. As the user continues to hold the “Up” button
`116, the rate may increase gradually or in steps to any
`practical rate within the limit of a typical user’s ability to
`recognize individual cards 200 when they are displayed.
`Many users are able to recognize individual cards 200 at a
`rate of seven or more cards 200 per second (420 per minute),
`facilitating rapid navigation of available options.
`The cards 200, when displayed within the focus area 302,
`may be sufficiently large to permit user recognition from a
`comfortable viewing distance for the particular display
`screen 104. Thus, unlike PC icons, which typically occupy
`as little as %00 of the display area of the display screen 104,
`the displayed cards 200 (and the card 200 in the focus area
`302 in particular) may occupy between Vío and V4 of the total
`display area.
`When the user sees displayed a card 200 of a channel or
`option that she desires to select or view, the user may take
`some additional action and the successive display of cards
`200 is halted. For example, where navigation was initiated
`by pressing and holding down the “Up” button 116, the user
`may release the “Up” button 116 to discontinue navigation.
`In an alternative embodiment, where the successive display
`was initiated simply by pressing a button, the user may press
`the same or a different button to halt the successive display.
`Of course, the user may discontinue navigation in a variety
`of other ways within the scope of the invention.
`If the user’s reaction time is fast enough, the card 200
`representing the desired channel remains displayed in the
`focus area 302 once navigation is discontinued. However,
`the user’s reaction time may not be fast enough and one or
`more cards 200 may be subsequently displayed. In such a
`case, the user may manually backtrack to the desired card
`200 by repeatedly activating a suitable control on the remote
`control 108. For example, briefly pressing the “Up” or
`“Down” buttons 116, 118 may result in the previous or next
`card 200, respectively, being displayed. Alternatively, as
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`described in greater detail below, the ITV system 100 may
`attempt to determine the delay between the user recognizing
`the desired card 200 and taking the subsequent action and
`compensate for that delay by reverting to a previously
`displayed card 200.
`The user may select the channel or option associated with
`the displayed card 200 by taking a selection action. For
`instance, the user may press the “Select” button 124 on the
`remote control. Alternatively, the selection action may sim
`ply be waiting a set amount of time without activating any
`controls on the remote control 108.
`The effect of activating the card 200 will vary depending
`on the type of card 200. For instance, in the case of a card
`200 representing a live television program, the GUI 110 may
`be replaced by a full-size version of the program. Alterna
`tively, activating a card 200 corresponding to a purchase
`opportunity may result in the display of a web browser
`directed to a particular website.
`As shown in FIG. 4, one or more previous and next cards
`200 within the sequence 300 may be displayed along an axis
`of the GUI 110 to provide the user with a more complete
`navigational context within the sequence 300. For example,
`at least a subset of the sequence 300 of cards 200 may be
`displayed along a vertical axis, with the active card 200a
`being displayed in the focus area 302. In alternative embodi
`ments, the cards 200 may be displayed along horizontal or
`diagonal axes, or in other suitable ways.
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`Typically, one or more cards 200 in a sequence 300 are not
`displayed. These off-screen or hidden cards may be dynami
`cally changed, replaced, or updated during navigation, e.g.,
`a card 200 representing an advertisement may change from
`one sponsor to another.
`When a user activates one of the navigation buttons of the
`remote control 108 (e.g., the “Up” or “Down” buttons 116,
`118), the displayed cards 200 in the sequence 300 may
`appear to shift or cycle downward or upward, respectively,
`with a new card (e.g., card 200c or 202f entering the focus
`area 302. Alternatively, the “Left” or “Right” button 120,
`122 may be used for the same purpose.
`As depicted, the card 200a in the focus area 302 may be
`visually emphasized in various ways. For example, the card
`200a may be enlarged relative to the other displayed cards
`200. Alternatively, the card 200a may be animated, marked,
`illuminated, highlighted, or otherwise set apart from the
`other cards 200.
`In certain embodiments, if the user allows a card 200
`representing a live television program to remain in the focus
`area 302 for a certain amount of time (e.g., 2 seconds), the
`card 200a may be overlaid by a video window 402 showing
`the live television program. Furthermore, if the user contin
`ues to linger on the card 200a (or if the user presses the
`“Select” button 124), the video window 402 may be
`enlarged 402 to fill the entire display screen 104. Other types
`of cards 200 may exhibit different types of behaviors when
`the card 200 remains in the focus area 302 for an established
`period of time.
`Where the cards 200 represent live television programs, a
`card 200 corresponding to the currently-tuned channel (at
`the current date and time) may be selected by default for
`display in the focus area 302 each time the GUI 110 is
`shown. This may occur, for instance, when the user is
`watching TV and presses a button (such as the “Select”
`button 124) in order to display the GUI 110. Additionally, an
`indication of the currently-displayed card 200 in the focus
`area 302 may be stored in non-volatile memory or otherwise
`maintained such that if a reset condition occurs (e.g., the
`STB 106 is rebooted or reset after a power loss, etc.) the
`last-displayed card 200 may be restored to the