Method and system for displaying an animated focus item
US5687331A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S715/977
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A viewer interface is disclosed for use in an interactive television network operative for providing an animated focus item in association with a control item to indicate that the control item is in a state responsive to commands from a user input device. An "animation" is any form of highlighting that is non-static, including but not limited to flashing, varying illumination, varying size, varying shape, varying position, varying color, varying display components, a moving and/or changing cartoon type image, a video image, a sound track, or a combination of these elements. Selection of the control item to receive focus and selection of options presented by control items having focus are accomplished by viewer interaction with the remote control unit, and such selections do not require a keyboard or mouse to indicate the viewer's desire to change the focus from one control item to another or to select an option. The user interface is also suitable for use in a general computing environment as well as in an interactive television environment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.