(12) United States Patent
`Sciammarella
`
`US006281940B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,281,940 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Aug. 28, 2001
`
`(54)
`
`DISPLAY OF PREVIEWED CHANNELS
`WITH ROTATION OF MULTIPLE
`PREVIEWED CHANNELS ALONG AN ARC
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Eduardo A. Sciammarella, New York,
`NY (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignees: Sony Corporation, Tokyo (JP); Sony
`Corporation of America, New York,
`NY (US)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(51)
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Appl. No.: 09/283,369
`Filed:
`Mar. 31, 1999
`Int. Cl." ~. H04N 5/445
`U.S. Cl. ............................ 348/564; 348/569; 725/38;
`725/56
`Field of Search ..................................... 348/564, 563,
`348/565, 569, 906; 725/39, 40, 41, 53,
`56, 37, 38; H04N 58/445, 5/45
`
`2/2000 Rosin ..................................... 348/38
`6,028,600 *
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner—Sherrie Hsia
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Christopher M. Tobin;
`Harold T. Fujii
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Information corresponding to previewed channels is dis
`played using a sequential arrangement having a main chan
`nel location and several remaining channel locations. A
`currently previewed channel resides in the main channel
`location. The channels move along the sequential arrange
`ment and into the main channel location for previewing. An
`arc shaped arrangement having the main channel location at
`an intermediate point allows channels to progress from one
`side of the arc, then into the main channel location for
`previewing, then to the other side of the arc. A jog dial can
`be rotated to cause the previewed channels to rotate along
`the arc. Thus, the user can cycle through available channels
`or a subset of channels by merely holding the jog dial in a
`given position.
`
`20 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
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`
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`800
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`PROGRAMTITLE
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`Page 1 of 15
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`SONY EXHIBIT 1008
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 28, 2001
`Aug. 28, 2001
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`Sheet 1 of 8
`Sheet 1 of 8
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`US 6,281,940 B1
`US 6,281,940 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 28, 2001
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`Sheet 2 of 8
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`US 6,281,940 B1
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`WHOWEW|| WOH ||WOH?EE
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`98/888HOLOE|| BCJOLOHd
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 28, 2001
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`Sheet 3 of 8
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`US 6,281,940 B1
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`—FUNCTION.—
`CABLE TV DSS
`
`FIG. 3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 28, 2001
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`Sheet 4 of 8
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`US 6,281,940 B1
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`DATAOF PROGRAM GUIDE
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`|
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`|GUIDE
`
`CHANNEL
`*N** |CHANNELSEGMENT
`CHANNEL3
`CHANNEL4 | CHANNELSEGMENT2
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`PROGRAM 1-1
`PROGRAM1-2.
`PROGRAM1.
`3
`PROGRAM 1. 4
`PROGRAM1-5
`PROGRAM 1-6
`PROGRAM 1-7
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`PROGRAM1-8. PROGRAMSEGMENT
`PROGRAM 2-1
`PROGRAM2.2
`PROGRAM2-3.
`PROGRAM 2-4
`PROGRAM25
`PROGRAM 2-6
`PROGRAM 2-7
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`PROGRAM 3-1
`prodiº |PROGRAMSEGMENT2
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`PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
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`FIG. 4
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`Page 5 of 15
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`JINGOWFINGOWTINGOW
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`MalAddd
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`AVldSId
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`FINGOW
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`80S
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`GVIA
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`00SSINGOWMalAdYdTANNVHO
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug.28, 2001
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`Sheet 5 of 8
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`US 6,281,940 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 28, 2001
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`Sheet 6 of 8
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`US 6,281,940 B1
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`START
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`RECEIVE PREVIEW SIGNAL
`
`OBTA|N LIST OF CHANNELS AND CURRENTLY
`PREVIEWED CHANNEL
`
`DISPLAYCURRENTLY PREVIEWED CHANNEL
`|N|MAIN CHANNELLOCATION WITHAUDIO AND
`VIDEO, AND INFORMATION FOR OTHERCHANNELS
`|N REMAINING CHANNELLOCATIONS
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`602
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`604
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`606
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`END
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`YE
`S
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`608
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`612
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`UPDATE
`CURRENTLY
`PREVIEWED
`CHANNEL
`|NDEX
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`NO
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`NO
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`610
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`
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`NEXT
`PREVIEWED
`CHANNE
`')
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`YES
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`FIG. 6
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 28, 2001
`Aug. 28, 2001
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`Sheet 7 of 8
`Sheet 7 of 8
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`US 6,281,940 B1
`US 6,281,940 B1
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`800
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`800
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`FIG. 7A
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` 800
`800
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`PROGRAMTITLE
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`FIG. 7C
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 8 of 8
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`US 6,281,940 B1
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`804
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`804
`2–—s
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`CH2CH3|cº
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`804
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`CH05
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`C
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`C
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`7
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`FIG. 8B
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`FIG. 8C
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`FIG. 8D
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`US 6,281,940 B1
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`DISPLAY OF PREVIEWED CHANNELS
`WITH ROTATION OF MULTIPLE
`PREVIEWED CHANNELS ALONG AN ARC
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`This application is related to application Ser. No. 09/283,
`370, entitled “CHANNEL PREVIEW WITH RATE
`DEPENDENT CHANNEL INFORMATION,” filed on Mar.
`31, 1999 by Eduardo A. Sciammarella and Andrew M.
`Proehl, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by
`reference.
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`2
`channel locations residing at first and second sides of the arc
`that are separated by the intermediate point. Thus, as chan
`nels to be previewed rotate along the arc, they progress
`along the first side, then to the main channel location, and
`then to the second side. Alternatively, the channels to be
`previewed progress from the second side, then to the main
`channel location, then to the first side.
`Preferably, a remote control jog dial is used to provide
`control signals which cause the channels to be previewed to
`rotate along the sequence of channel information locations.
`Thus, when used in conjunction with the arc embodiment,
`maintaining the jog dial in a rotated position causes channels
`to continue to rotate along the arc such that a series of
`channels move into the main channel location for preview
`by the user. Using the jog dial allows the user to preview
`channels while maintaining the jog dial in a certain position.
`Such a maneuver would not require the user to continue to
`look for control buttons on the remote control, thus allowing
`the user to concentrate on the display as channels are being
`previewed. Preferably, the rotation of the jog dial matches
`the rotation of the channels to be previewed. Specifically, if
`the jog dial is maintained in a position where it is rotated
`clockwise, then channels to be previewed rotate clockwise
`along the arc. Similarly, if the jog dial is maintained in a
`counter-clockwise position, then channels to be previewed
`rotate counter-clockwise along the arc.
`The channels to be previewed may be a full set of the
`channels available for viewing, or may be a subset, such as
`a list of the user’s favorites or all of the available channels
`that have programming from a specific category such as
`sports, movies, or subcategories such as comedies, dramas,
`baseball, or any subset of available channels.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`These and other more detailed and specific features of the
`present invention are more fully disclosed in the following
`specification, reference being had to the accompanying
`drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment
`of a digital satellite system.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an IRD including an
`embodiment of previewing channels in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 3 is an illustration of a remote control for providing
`control signals used in accordance with the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary
`data table including channel information.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of
`a channel preview module in accordance with the present
`invention.
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a
`method for displaying channel information in accordance
`with the present invention.
`FIGS. 7A–C are illustrative diagrams showing an
`embodiment of a sequential arrangement of channel infor
`mation locations used to preview channels in accordance
`with the present invention.
`FIGS. 8A-D are illustrative diagrams showing additional
`embodiments of sequential arrangements of channel infor
`mation locations used to preview channels in accordance
`with the present invention
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Certain embodiments of the present invention described
`herein may be used with a direct broadcast satellite system.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`This application relates generally to displaying channel
`information, and more particularly to displaying information
`corresponding to previewed channels.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Home entertainment continues to change at a rapid pace,
`with ever increasing content becoming seemingly available.
`For example, cable or satellite broadcasting system viewers
`may now expect to select programming from among hun
`25
`dreds of available channels. Also, the convergence of com
`puter network architectures and traditional broadcast enter
`tainment promises to further increase the availability of
`information.
`Typically, a user may preview available channels in
`sequential fashion, or may manually jump to a given
`channel, with each previewed channel occupying the
`entirety of the display. Various electronic program guides
`(EPGs), such as those provided in a cable television system
`or satellite system, have also become available to preview
`channels. Specifically, EPGs typically provide textual pro
`gramming information about available channels. Many
`EPGs display a grid detailing certain programming infor
`mation for the channels available for viewing. The columns
`in the grid may represent various programming times, while
`the rows in the grid may represent various available chan
`nels. The intersection of rows representing the available
`channels with the column for a given time provides the
`programming information for that time.
`While conventional EPGs have been helpful in compiling
`channel information, they may be inadequate interfaces for
`users navigating numerous channels, and do not efficiently
`convey information to the user.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In accordance with the present invention, methods and
`apparatus convey information corresponding to previewed
`channels using a display configuration having a plurality of
`channel information locations arranged in a sequence. One
`of the channel information locations is the main channel
`location, and the other channel locations may be referred to
`as remaining channel locations. When a user is previewing
`channels, information for both the currently previewed
`channel and other channels is displayed. The currently
`previewed channel resides in the main channel location, and
`the other channels reside in the remaining channel locations.
`Channels to be previewed move along the sequence of
`channel information locations until they reach the main
`channel location as the currently previewed channel.
`In one embodiment, the channel information locations are
`arranged in an arc, with the main channel location residing
`at an intermediate point along the arc, and the remaining
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`However, the ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize that
`other broadcast systems and formats, including without
`limitation cable and terrestrial systems, digital televisions,
`computer systems, and combinations of all such systems
`may utilize the method and apparatus of the present inven
`tion. Furthermore, in the following description, for purposes
`of explanation, numerous details are set forth, such as
`flowcharts and system configurations, in order to provide an
`understanding of an embodiment of the present invention.
`However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
`these specific details are not required in order to practice the
`present invention.
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a Direct Satel
`lite System (DSS), which is an example of a system that may
`be used in conjunction with the present invention. The
`system has an antenna 3, an IRD (Integrated Receiver/
`Decoder) 2, a remote control 5, and a display device 4.
`Signals are transmitted by a satellite transponder and
`received by the antenna 3. The IRD 2 also includes circuitry
`for decoding the signals received by the antenna 3, and for
`appropriately tuning or filtering signals so as to provide a
`display output according to user’s selections and desires.
`Typically, the satellite transponder transmits packetized data
`in a time shared manner at a predetermined frequency. The
`IRD 2 receives the packetized data through the antenna 3,
`and then demodulates and decodes the data to produce
`signals appropriate for producing the display 4a.
`The IRD 2 may also be referred to as a set top box. Also,
`the functionality of the IRD 2 may be provided within the
`television housing. The IRD 2 may also be an open con
`figuration that allows receipt from various programming
`sources (e.g., cable, satellite, conventional television,
`HDTV, etc.).
`The block diagram of FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of
`an IRD 2 in further detail. As described above, the antenna
`3 receives an encoded data signal sent from a satellite. The
`antenna 3 has a low noise block down converter 3a (LNB),
`which converts a frequency of a signal sent from the satellite
`to another frequency. This signal is decoded by the IRD 2.
`For IRD 2 embodiments receiving programming from other
`sources, other appropriate front end circuitry would be
`provided, such as a network interface for Internet sources, or
`an NTSC decoder for conventional television.
`The IRD 2 includes a front end 20 having a tuner 21,
`quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) demodulation circuit
`22, and an error correcting circuit 23. A radio frequency (RF)
`signal output from the LNB 3 a is supplied to the tuner 21,
`the tuner 21 output is supplied to the QPSK demodulation
`circuit 22 for demodulation, and the QPSK demodulation
`circuit 22 output is suppled to the error correcting circuit 23
`for error correction.
`The received data is an encoded packetized data stream
`that is passed to an AV processing module 40 that includes
`a demultiplexer 42, video decoder 43, audio decoder 45,
`graphics processing module 44 and D/A converter 46. The
`AV processing module 40 is in communication with AV
`memory 31 and EPG/Graphics memory 32, as well as the
`CPU 30. The demultiplexer 42 receives the packets of data
`from the error correcting circuit 23 and directs portions of
`the data stream as appropriate for processing, buffering data
`in the AV memory 31 or EPG/Graphics memory 32 as
`needed. Typically, the multiplexer 42 uses header informa
`tion provided in the data stream to identify different types of
`data. For example, the header distinguishes which packets
`comprise video, audio and EPG data. Data that is identified
`as video data is provided to the video decoder 43, audio data
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`to the audio decoder 45, and EPG data to the EPG/Graphics
`memory 32. The data format can be that specified by the
`Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG), including MPEG2
`and MPEG4. Various conventional MPEG data parsing
`circuitry or software can be used for the demultiplexer 42,
`and conventional decoding techniques can be used for the
`decoders 43, 45.
`The video decoder 43 decodes the video signal received
`from the demultiplexer 42. Also, as indicated, AV memory
`31 may buffer video data during processing by the video
`decoder 43. The decoded signal is provided to the graphics
`processing module 44, which converts the signal to the
`format required for the display 4. For example, the graphics
`processing module may include a National Television Sys
`tem Committee (NTSC) encoder for conversion to lumi
`nance (Y) and chroma (C) signals which can be output
`through buffer amplifiers (not shown) as an S video signal.
`The graphics processing module 44 also provides graphics
`overlays, such as those provided when displaying an EPG
`over a video image, and also may provide a cursor layer for
`facilitating the receipt of cursor based input. For example,
`the graphics processing module 44 may access EPG data in
`the EPG/graphics memory 32 and display such data over a
`video image for a currently tuned channel, or may display
`such data over another graphical layer. Additionally, the
`graphics processing module 44 may grab still frames for
`currently tuned channels, store them in the EPG/Graphics
`memory 32, and later display the still frames along with the
`video for a subsequently previewed channel as provided in
`certain embodiments of the present invention, described
`further below. Conventional pixel mixing circuitry or soft
`ware may be used for displaying the various image and
`graphics layers.
`The audio decoder 45 decodes the digital audio signal,
`and the AV memory 31 may buffer data for processing by the
`audio decoder 45. The decoded digital audio signal is
`converted into an analog audio signal by D/A converter 46,
`and output through one or more amplifiers (not shown).
`The various components of the AV processing module 40
`are preferably provided as software executed by the CPU 30.
`However, the AV processing module 40 may be software,
`hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. Also, in
`lieu of sole CPU 30 instruction execution, the AV processing
`module 40 (or any module in the IRD 2) may be a separate
`integrated circuit, and may have separate processing
`capabilities, such as those provided by an embedded RISC
`processor.
`The CPU 30 executes instructions and uses data to
`provide functionality including the channel preview func
`tionality of the present invention. Instructions to be executed
`by the CPU 30 are stored in ROM 37 and memory 36;
`however, such code may alternatively be stored in other
`types of memory. The CPU 30 also accesses data such as that
`stored in memory 36 and electrically erasable programmable
`read-only memory (EEPROM) 38, and processes user input
`received via the front panel 63 and the photodetector circuit
`64. For example, the CPU 30 accesses user settings and
`preferences for processing information and configuring the
`system. The user settings may be stored in non-volatile
`memory, such as EEPROM 38, so that they are retained
`when power to the system is interrupted. The EEPROM 38
`may also be updated to provide new IRD 2 control pro
`grams. A hard disk (not shown) may also be used to store
`data and code as needed.
`Preferably, the CPU 30 maintains a list of pointers stored
`in memory 36 for the programming information stored in the
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`EPG/Graphics memory 32 (although various memories 31,
`32, 36 are shown to be separate, they can reside in a single
`memory if desired). Thus, when the user requests the display
`of an EPG on the screen or a switch between a broadcast and
`an EPG, the CPU 30 as instructed by the graphics processing
`module 44 accesses the pointers stored in the memory 36,
`the corresponding EPG data stored in the EPG/Graphics
`memory 32, and formats the EPG data to appropriately
`update the display. Some EPG data, such as that used to
`provide the look of the EPG, may originate in IRD 2 while
`other EPG data, such as the content portion may originate
`from the data transmitted to the IRD 2 as described above.
`Alternatively, all of the EPG data may originate in the data
`transmitted to the IRD 2, or may originate from any source.
`FIG. 3 shows an example of a remote control 300 which
`allows the user to transmit control signals to the IRD 2. The
`remote control 300 may also be referred to as a remote
`controller, or a REMOTE COMMANDER. The remote
`control 300 has an infrared transmitting device 305, and
`various control buttons 310–324 for providing correspond
`ing signals to be transmitted to the IRD 2. Specifically, the
`remote control 300 includes power buttons 310 to turn on
`devices for cable, terrestrial broadcast television (TV), and
`satellite programming. Alternatively, as described previ
`ously a single IRD 2 or set top box could service the various
`origins of programming, in which case a remote control 300
`would likely not include separate power buttons.
`Function buttons 312 allow the remote control 300 to
`alternately control the receivers for cable, TV or satellite.
`Additionally, the numeric buttons 314 allow manual entry of
`channel numbers, the channel button 324 allows the user to
`sequentially navigate among channels, and the volume but
`ton 322 allows the user to adjust the audio volume. The
`guide button 316 allows the user to enter a programming
`guide mode, while the exit button 318 may be used to exit
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`the programming guide for a return to the viewing mode. A
`favorite button 326 allows the user to enter a mode wherein
`a selected subset of available channels may be previewed or
`otherwise manipulated by the user. These channels may be
`selected using conventional menus and corresponding
`commands, using the illustrated control buttons, or other
`conventional menu and related control buttons (not shown).
`The jog dial 320 is a rotating control button that allows the
`user to provide various control signals. The jog dial 320
`rotates both clockwise and counterclockwise, and has a
`position indicator 320a which resides on the rotating dial
`and indicates the current position of the dial along with
`stationary markings (O, B1-B3, A1—A3). The default or rest
`position is typically that shown in FIG. 3, where the indi
`cator 320a points to position “O”. The user may also rotate
`the jog dial 320 clockwise such that the indicator 320a
`points to position R1, then R2, then R3, or counterclockwise
`such that the indicator 320a points to position F1, then F2,
`then F3. When used in connection with this embodiment of
`the present invention, these different jog dial positions 320a
`can provide control signals which dictate the direction for
`previewing channels, as is described further below. The
`various positions can also dictate the rate of channel
`preview, as well as the amount of information conveyed to
`the user, wherein slow rates allow more information to be
`displayed. These rate and variable information aspects are
`described further in the above referenced related application
`Ser. No. 09/283,370, entitled “CHANNEL PREVIEW
`WITH RATE DEPENDENT CHANNEL INFORMA
`TION.” Although a jog dial 320 is described as the preferred
`65
`mechanism for controlling the preview of channels, the
`artisan will recognize alternative input devices.
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`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating EPG data,
`which is an example of some of the channel information that
`can be displayed in accordance with the present invention.
`The shown EPG data includes guide data, channel identifi
`cation data, and program data. The guide data is general
`information, such as the current date and time. Additional
`information, such as transponder identification information,
`channel list, and segment information may also be included
`in the guide data. The channel identification data includes
`data relating to channels, such as the channel number,
`channel name (i.e., the call sign of a broadcast station), logo
`ID (i.e., an identification of the channel logo), data ID,
`which is an identification of a channel number of MPEG
`video data or MPEG audio data, number of programs, which
`identifies the number of programs to be transmitted on a
`channel during a predetermined time frame, and first pro
`gram offset which identifies the offset from the header to the
`first channel data in a segment.
`The program data includes the program title, start time of
`the program, time length of the program, program category
`such as movies, news, sports, etc., program subcategory
`such as drama, horror, children’s for the movies category, or
`baseball, basketball, football for the sports category, the
`program rating and a program description that provides a
`detailed description of the program. The various program
`entries for each channel (e.g., 1-1 through 1-8) may be
`provided in the sequence with which they are to be shown,
`or in any desired fashion.
`Referring now to the block diagram of FIG. 5, an embodi
`ment of a channel preview module 500 is shown to reside
`within the memory 36 of the IRD 2, and to include a preview
`rate module 502, channel information module 504, channel
`index module 506, and preview display module 508. The
`channel preview module 500 receives control signals origi
`nated from the remote control, and in response to such
`control signals causes the display to be updated with pro
`gramming information such as the EPG data, or other
`channel information such as video and audio for previewed
`channels, channel logos, and the like.
`The preview rate module 502 receives control signals and
`determines the current rate for previewing channels, and
`provides the channel preview rate for the channel informa
`tion module 504, which determines the level of detail for
`previewed channels dependent upon that rate.
`The channel index module 506 maintains the list of
`channels being previewed, which may comprise all available
`channels, or a subset of the available channels such as
`favorite channels. Other subsets, such as those that currently
`have particular programming (e.g., movies (or subsets
`dramas, comedies) or sports (or subsets baseball, football)),
`can be indexed for preview. The information for compiling
`these subsets can be obtained from user input and/or par
`ticular fields in the EPG data, or elsewhere.
`Finally, the preview display module 508 provides the
`display configuration for previewing channels. The preview
`display module 508 is in communication with the channel
`information channel 504, and includes routines which deter
`mine how the previewed channels will be displayed. To
`carry out its functionality, the channel information module
`504 may implement conventional graphical and display
`driving functionality of the graphics processing module 44,
`such as providing still images and corresponding graphical
`and textual information for previewed channels on graphical
`layers that can be simultaneously displayed using conven
`tional pixel mixing techniques. The front end 20 and AV
`processing module 40 can also be used by the preview
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`display module 508 to provide video and audio for a
`currently previewed channel in a particular display location.
`The flow chart of FIG. 6 and the diagrams of FIGS.
`7A-7C illustrate an embodiment of displaying previewed
`channels in accordance with the present invention. In step
`602, a preview signal is received by the channel preview
`module 500, whereupon the preview mode is entered. The
`preview signal may result from various controls, such as
`when the user hits the remote control guide button (316,
`FIG. 3), or simply when the user manipulates the jog dial out
`of the O position while in the normal viewing mode. In the
`preview mode, channel information for numerous channels
`is displayed for the user. In step 604, a list of channels and
`the identification of the currently previewed channel is
`obtained, such as from the channel index module 506.
`Preferably, the currently previewed channel is the channel
`watched by the user before entry into the preview mode.
`Thus, if the user was watching channel 7 upon entering the
`preview mode, then channel 7 would be the currently
`previewed channel. Otherwise, a default or preset channel
`can be provided as the currently previewed channel.
`In step 606, the currently previewed channel is displayed
`in a main channel location, while other channels are dis
`played in remaining channel locations. The illustrative dia
`gram of FIG. 7A shows an embodiment for displaying
`previewed channels in accordance with the present inven
`tion. Preferably, previewed channels are arranged in a
`sequence having a plurality of channel information loca
`tions. One of those channel information locations is referred
`to as the main channel location 802, and the other channel
`information locations are referred to as remaining channel
`locations 804a—f. The currently previewed channel, which is
`channel “7” in FIG. 7A, resides in the main channel location
`802. Audio and video are provided for the currently pre
`viewed channel. Additionally, other channel information
`such as the program title (denoted “program title” in the
`FIG. 7A) can be provided for the currently previewed
`channel, residing in the main location 802. Channels resid
`ing in the remaining channel locations 804a–f would not
`have audio and video; however, identifying information
`such as the channel number, channel logo, and a still image
`are preferably provided.
`If an exit signal is received (608), then the preview mode
`terminates, and the user is provided with a full screen view
`of the currently previewed channel in a normal viewing
`mode. The exit signal can be provided directly by the user,
`or can result where the user leaves the currently previewed
`channel in the main channel location 802 for a given time
`period.
`As described previously, the video and audio for the
`currently previewed channel in the main channel location
`802 can be provided in conventional fashion by tuning to
`that channel. Additionally, graphical and textual channel
`information can be provided by accessing such information
`from the EPG data or elsewhere, and using layering and
`pixel mixing techniques to concurrently display the various
`channel information locations 802, 804a–f. Further, still
`images can be frames from video corresponding to the
`channel, or can be any still image that identifies, for
`example, the channel or programming on the channel.
`Still referring to FIG. 7A, preferably the channel infor
`mation locations 802,804a–f are arranged in an arc, with the
`main channel location 802 residing at an intermediate point
`along the arc. Also, some remaining channel locations 804a,
`804b, 804c reside at one side of the arc, while other
`remaining channel locations 804d, 804e, 804f reside at
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`8
`another side of the arc, separated from the intermediate
`point. Also, as shown in FIG. 7A, the main channel location
`802 can reside at the arc apex, around the upper middle
`portion of the display 800, so that the user can focus
`primarily on the currently previewed channel.
`If an exit signal is not received (608) and a signal
`requesting the next previewed channel is received (610),
`then the currently previewed channel index is updated (612),
`and the display is updated according to the index update.
`Preferably, the remote control jog dial 320 is used to provide
`the control signals which prompt display updates in the
`preview mode. Thus, when used in conjunction with the arc
`embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, maintaining the jog dial
`320 in a rotated position causes channels to be previewed to
`move along the arc and successively move into the main
`channel location 802. Preferably, rotating the jog dial in the
`counter-clockwise direction (towards the “A” positions)
`causes the channels to be previewed to rotate counter
`clockwise. For example, referring to channels 7 and 8 shown
`in FIGS. 7A and 7B, this causes channel 8 to rotate counter
`clockwise from one remaining channel location 804d into
`the main channel location 802, and channel 7 to rotate out
`of the main channel location 802 and into a remaining
`channel location 804c. Once present in the main channel
`location 802, the audio and video for channel 8 would be
`provided, along with the program title and any other desired
`channel information. Some channel information, such as a
`still image, the channel number, and a channel logo, could
`still be provided for channel 7, but the audio and video
`would no longer be provided. Additionally, when channel 7
`and 8 rotate, the other previously displayed channels (5, 6,
`9, 10) similarly rotate counter-clockwise into new remain
`ing channel locations 804a, 804b, 804d, 804e, and previ
`ously un-displayed channel 11 moves into the rightmost
`remaining channel location 804f.
`By maintaining the jog dial 320 in a counter-clockwise
`rotated position, the channels would continue to rotate in the
`same direction along the arc. A single preview rate could be
`provided, or different jog dial positions could be used to
`provide different rates of preview (the rate with which
`channels rotate along the arc). Specifically, position A1
`could provide a relatively slow preview rate, and A2 and A3
`could provide progressively faster scrolling rates.
`The amount of channel information provided to the user
`can depend upon the rate with which the channels are being
`previewed. At relatively slow rates, the most information
`can be provided, while at relatively fast rates, the least
`information can be provided. Thus, for example, at the
`slowest rate (A1), audio and video along with the channel
`number, logo, and program title could be provided; at a
`faster rate (A2), the channel number an