Patent · US Expired

TV graphical user interface providing selection among various lists of TV channels

US6175362A · kind A · utility

157Cited by
11References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 21, 1997
Grant dateJan 16, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 21, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N21/47
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A TV graphical user interface (GUI) in a satellite TV system enables users to create customized lists of TV channels. Everyday, favorite and theme lists may be generated to respectively combine TV channels being watched regularly, favorite TV channels and channels relating to particular subjects. An oval list name object is arranged on a screen to indicate the name of the currently selected list of TV channels. The users may click on the list name object to make their selection among various TV channel lists available in the TV system. In a channel changer mode, the TV GUI displays a graphical channel changer composed of channel boxes that show numbers and logos of TV channels in the currently selected list. To switch the TV set to a required TV channel, the user clicks on the graphical channel box that indicates the required channel. In a program guide mode, a list of TV programs may be provided based on the channel changer. Vertical program bars that display TV programs are aligned with the channel boxes indicating TV channels that carry the corresponding TV programs. To identify various TV channel lists available in the TV system, the oval list name object, as well as the channe…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.