Navigating through television programs
US6405371B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N5/50
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of navigating through television programs is disclosed. A television receiver displays a mosaic image with sub-images representing the available programs. The receiver further receives an electronic program guide with program descriptions. Upon activating a “theme” button (42), the viewer can enter a desired program type, e.g. “movie”. In response thereto, the brightness of the sub-images representing programs that are not desired is reduced. The user is thus assisted in navigating through programs he is interested in, while maintaining the mosaic structure he is familiar with, and without losing the association between channels and their positions on the mosaic screen.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.