EP0670652A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Improved graphical user interface for interactive television and video on demand
Assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
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Filing: 1995-01-31
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2015-01-31
Abstract
Abstract An improved graphical user interface for displaying and selecting video programs, such as video on demand, includes a video on demand server coupled to a communication medium. A plurality of settop box receivers are coupled to the communication medium for receiving digitized programming in the form of movies and the like from the video on demand server. The settop box includes a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a memory and other electronic modules. The CPU generates and displays the present invention's graphical user interface on the subscriber's television. The graphical user interface is based upon a metaphor in which a world of spaces are organized as part of a studio back lot through which a user may navigate. The back lot includes a Poster wall which presents to the user a series of movie posters representing available selections. When a user touches a Poster on a touch sensitive screen of the television, the CPU generates an animation which displays the Poster coming off of the wall and appearing in the foreground of the screen. If a subscriber selects the Poster to view a feature presentation, the video on demand server downloads the selected video which is displayed on the television. The interface of the present invention further includes Extras which appear in animated form on the interface and move freely between spaces within the studio back lot metaphor. If a user selects an Extra, the Extra is transformed into a movie poster or advertisement. The user may then select the Poster and view the feature presentation.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles H. Clanton Iii
- 👤 Emilie Young
- 👤 Marcel Janssens
- 👤 Joseph M. Palrang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0484; G06F3/0486; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482; G06F3/04847; G06F3/0485; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/465; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/08; G09B5/14; H; H03; H03J; H03J1/00; H03J1/0008; H03J1/0025; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/06; H04B1/16; H04B1/20; H04B1/202; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2803; H04L12/2807; H04L12/2812; H04L12/2816; H04L12/282; H04L12/283; H04L12/2834; H04L67/00; H04L67/50; H04L67/75; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/4104; H04N21/4126; H04N21/41265; H04N21/4131; H04N21/422; H04N21/42204; H04N21/43; H04N21/431; H04N21/4312; H04N21/4316; H04N21/436; H04N21/43615; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/4722; H04N21/482; H04N21/4821; H04N21/485; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/812; H04N21/85; H04N21/858; H04N21/8586; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/038; G06F2203/0384; H03J2200/00; H03J2200/25; H03J2200/26; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329; H04N21/426; H04N21/478
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 80
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A display system for the display of audiovisual programming, comprising: an audiovisual program source for providing audiovisual programming; a receiver including a circuit for receiving said audiovisual programming from said audiovisual program source; a user interface for the display of said audiovisual programming on a display, said user interface incorporating a metaphor having a plurality of Spaces, each of said Spaces displaying representations of available audiovisual programming for display on said display; a user interacting with said Spaces using a user input device, said interaction permitting said user to select a desired audiovisual program, such that said selection results in said selected audiovisual program being displayed on said display.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
32 words
The display system as defined by Claim 1 wherein said Spaces are arranged in said user interface such that each of said Spaces is disposed relative to one another within said metaphor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The display system as defined by Claim 2 further including an element enabling said user to navigate between said Spaces in said metaphor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The display system as defined by Claim 3 wherein at least one of said Spaces presents said user with a plurality of said representations of available programming.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The display system as defined by Claim 4 wherein said user interface further includes an Agent which moves within said metaphor in an animated fashion between said Spaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The display system as defined by Claim 5 wherein said Agent, upon activation by said user using said input device, displays a representation of an additional audiovisual program selectable by said user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The display system as defined by Claim 4 or 6 wherein upon said selection of one of said representations by said user using said input device, said user interface displays a video viewing space on said display.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The display system as defined by Claim 7 wherein said audiovisual program corresponding to said selected representation is displayed for viewing by said user in said video viewing space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The display system as defined by Claim 8 wherein said video viewing space includes a plurality of user selectable controls displayed on said display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The display system as defined by Claim 9 wherein a preview of said selected audiovisual program of said selected representation is displayed prior to said selected audiovisual program, said selected audiovisual program being displayed upon a further selection of said selected representation by said user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The display system as defined by Claim 10 wherein said at least one of said Spaces presenting said user with a plurality of said representations of available programming is in the form of a wall, and each of said plurality of representations is in the form of a Poster disposed on said wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The display system as defined by Claim 11 wherein upon said user selecting one of said Posters disposed on said wall, said Poster is displayed in an animated form in the foreground of said metaphor on said display.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The display system as defined by Claim 12 wherein said Poster displayed in animated form on said display further displays additional information relating to the audiovisual representation to which said Poster relates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The display system as defined by Claim 13 wherein said Agent, upon selection by a user, is displayed on said interface as changing into the form of a Poster in the foreground of said metaphor on said display.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The display system as defined by Claim 14 wherein said Agent which has changed into the form of said Poster displayed in animated form on said display, further displays additional information relating to the audiovisual representation to which said Poster relates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The display system as defined by Claim 15 wherein said controls displayed on said display in said video viewing space includes a volume adjustment control selectable by said user.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The display system as defined by Claim 15 wherein said controls displayed on said display in said video viewing space includes a mute control adjustment selectable by said user.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
The display system as defined by Claim 15 wherein said controls displayed on said display in said video viewing space includes a Wayback exit control selectable by said user, the selection of said exit control resulting in said user interface automatically navigating said user to the last Space from which said user was located in said metaphor prior to said user entering said video viewing space.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The display system as defined by Claim 15 wherein said audiovisual source comprises a video on demand server for providing a plurality of user selectable audiovisual programs to said receiver.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The display system as defined by Claim 19 wherein said audiovisual source further provides television audiovisual programming to said receiver.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The display system as defined by Claim 20 wherein said controls displayed in said video viewing space includes a video purchase control selectable by said user for purchasing an audiovisual program selected by said user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The display system as defined by Claim 21 wherein said video purchase control may be activated by said user during the display of a preview of said selected audiovisual program in said video viewing space.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
The display system as defined by Claim 21 wherein said controls displayed in said video viewing space includes a television channel selector, said user selecting a desired television channel for viewing on in said video viewing space using said input device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
50 words
The display system as defined by Claim 21 wherein said controls displayed in said video viewing space include an intermission control, the activation of said intermission control by said user resulting in said video on demand server pausing said selected video purchased by said user using said video purchase control.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The display system as defined by Claim 24 wherein said video on demand server pauses said selected video purchased by said user for a predetermined time.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display system as defined by Claim 25 wherein said input device includes a touch sensitive screen.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The display system as defined by Claim 25 wherein said input device comprises a remote control device in communication with said receiver.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a display system for the display of audiovisual programming, a method for the display and selection of said programming comprising the steps of: providing audiovisual programming from an audiovisual program source; providing an element including a circuit for receiving said audiovisual programming from said audiovisual program source; providing a user interface for the display of said audiovisual programming on a display, said user interface incorporating a metaphor having a plurality of Spaces, each of said Spaces displaying representations of available audiovisual programming for display on said display; providing an element for interacting with said Spaces using a user input device, said interaction permitting a user to select a desired audiovisual program, such that said selection results in said selected audiovisual program being displayed on said display.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined by Claim 28 wherein said Spaces are arranged in said user interface such that each of said Spaces is disposed relative to one another within said metaphor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined by Claim 29 further including the step of enabling said user to navigate between said Spaces in said metaphor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined by Claim 30 wherein at least one of said Spaces presents said user with a plurality of said representations of available programming.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as defined by Claim 31 wherein said user interface further includes an Agent which moves within said metaphor in an animated fashion between said Spaces.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined by Claim 32 wherein said Agent, upon activation by said user using said input device, displays a representation of an additional audiovisual program selectable by said user.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as defined by Claim 31 or 33 wherein upon said selection of one of said representations by said user using said input device, said user interface displays a video viewing space on said display.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as defined by Claim 34 wherein said audiovisual program corresponding to said selected representation is displayed for viewing by said user in said video viewing space.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as defined by Claim 35 further including the step of displaying in said video viewing space a plurality of user selectable controls displayed on said display.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as defined by Claim 36 further including the step of displaying a preview of said selected audiovisual program of said selected representation prior to said selected audiovisual program, said selected audiovisual program being displayed upon a further selection of said selected representation by said user.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method as defined by Claim 37 wherein said at least one of said Spaces presenting said user with a plurality of said representations of available programming is in the form of a wall, and each of said plurality of representations is in the form of a Poster disposed on said wall.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as defined by Claim 38 wherein upon said user selecting one of said Posters disposed on said wall, said poster is displayed in an animated form in the foreground of said metaphor on said display.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined by Claim 39 wherein said poster displayed in animated form on said display further displays additional information relating to the audiovisual representation to which said Poster relates.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as defined by Claim 40 wherein said Agent, upon selection by a user, is displayed on said interface as changing into the form of a Poster in the foreground of said metaphor on said display.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as defined by Claim 41 wherein said Agent which has changed into the form of said Poster displayed in animated form on said display, further displays additional information relating to the audiovisual representation to which said Poster relates.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as defined by Claim 36 further including the step of displaying a volume adjustment control selectable by said user as one of said controls displayed on said display in said video viewing space.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as defined by Claim 36 further including the step of displaying a mute control adjustment control selectable by said user as one of said controls displayed on said display in said video viewing space including.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method as defined by Claim 36 further including the step of displaying said controls displayed on said display in said video viewing space including a Wayback exit control selectable by said user, the selection of said Wayback exit control resulting in said user interface automatically navigating said user to the last Space from which said user was located in said metaphor prior to said user entering said video viewing space.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined by Claim 36 wherein said audiovisual source comprises a video on demand server for providing a plurality of user selectable audiovisual programs to said receiver.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as defined by Claim 46 wherein said audiovisual source further provides television audiovisual programming to said receiver.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as defined by Claim 47 further including the step of displaying a video purchase control selectable by said user for purchasing an audiovisual program selected by said user as one of said controls displayed in said video viewing space.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined by Claim 48 wherein said video purchase control may be activated by said user during the display of a preview of said selected audiovisual program in said video viewing space.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as defined by Claim 49 further including the step of displaying a television channel selector, said user selecting a desired television channel for viewing on in said video viewing space using said input device.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as defined by Claim 50 further including the step of displaying an intermission control, the activation of said intermission control by said user resulting in said video on demand server pausing said selected video purchased by said user using said video purchase control.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as defined by Claim 51 wherein said video on demand server pauses said selected video purchased by said user for a predetermined time upon the activation of said intermission control.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as defined by Claim 52 wherein said input device includes a touch sensitive screen.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined by Claim 52 wherein said input device comprises a remote control device in communication with said receiver.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
115 words
A video on demand display system for the display of video programming, comprising: a video on demand server for providing video programming; a settop box including a circuit for receiving said video programming from said video on demand server; a user interface for the display of said video programming on a display, said user interface incorporating a metaphor having a plurality of Spaces, each of said Spaces displaying representations of available audiovisual programming for display on said display; a user interacting with said Spaces using a user input device, said interaction permitting said user to select a desired video program, such that said selection results in said selected video program being displayed on said display.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
32 words
The display system as defined by Claim 55 wherein said Spaces are arranged in said user interface such that each of said Spaces is disposed relative to one another within said metaphor.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
The display system as defined by Claim 56 further including an element enabling said user to navigate between said Spaces in said metaphor.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
23 words
The display system as defined by Claim 57 wherein said Spaces presents said user with a plurality of said representations of available programming.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
28 words
The display system as defined by Claim 58 wherein said user interface further includes an Extra which moves within said metaphor in an animated fashion between said Spaces.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
32 words
The display system as defined by Claim 59 wherein said Extra, upon activation by said user using said input device, displays a representation of an additional audiovisual program selectable by said user.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
35 words
The display system as defined by Claim 60 wherein upon said selection of one of said representations by said user using said input device, said user interface displays a video viewing space on said display.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
29 words
The display system as defined by Claim 61 wherein said audiovisual program corresponding to said selected representation is displayed for viewing by said user in said video viewing space.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
24 words
The display system as defined by Claim 62 wherein said video viewing space includes a plurality of user selectable controls displayed on said display.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
45 words
The display system as defined by Claim 63 wherein a preview of said selected audiovisual program of said selected representation is displayed prior to said selected audiovisual program, said selected audiovisual program being displayed upon a further selection of said selected representation by said user.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
53 words
The display system as defined by Claim 64 wherein said at least one of said Spaces presenting said user with a plurality of said representations of available programming is in the form of a wall, and each of said plurality of representations is in the form of a Poster disposed on said wall.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
38 words
The display system as defined by Claim 65 wherein upon said user selecting one of said Posters disposed on said wall, said Poster is displayed in an animated form in the foreground of said metaphor on said display.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
32 words
The display system as defined by Claim 66 wherein said Poster displayed in animated form on said display further displays additional information relating to the audiovisual representation to which said Poster relates.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
38 words
The display system as defined by Claim 67 wherein said Extra, upon selection by a user, is displayed on said interface as changing into the form of a Poster in the foreground of said metaphor on said display.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
41 words
The display system as defined by Claim 68 wherein said Extra which has changed into the form of said Poster displayed in animated form on said display, further displays additional information relating to the audiovisual representation to which said Poster relates.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an interactive video on demand display system for the display of video programming, a method for the display and selection of said video programming comprising the steps of: providing video programming from a video on demand server; providing a settop box, including a circuit, for receiving said video programming from said video on demand server; providing a user interface for the display of said audiovisual programming on a display, said user interface incorporating a metaphor having a plurality of Spaces, each of said Spaces displaying representations of available video programming for display on said display; interacting with said Spaces using a user input device, said interaction permitting a user to select a desired video program, such that said selection results in said selected video program being displayed on said display.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined by Claim 70 wherein said Spaces are arranged in said user interface such that each of said Spaces is disposed relative to one another within said metaphor.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined by Claim 70 further including the step of enabling said user to navigate between said Spaces in said metaphor.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as defined by Claim 72 wherein at least one of said Spaces is in the form of a wall and presents said user with a plurality of said representations of available video programming, said representations in the form of video Posters disposed on said wall.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as defined by Claim 73 wherein said user interface further includes an Extra which moves within said metaphor in an animated fashion between said Spaces.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined by Claim 74 wherein said Extra, upon activation by said user using said input device, displays a Poster of an additional video program selectable by said user.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as defined by Claim 75 further including the step of displaying a preview of said selected video program of said selected Poster prior to said selected video program, said selected video program being displayed upon a further selection of said selected Poster by said user.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as defined by Claim 76 wherein upon said user selecting one of said Posters disposed on said wall, said Poster is displayed in an animated form in the foreground of said metaphor on said display.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined by Claim 77 wherein said Poster displayed in animated form on said display further displays additional information relating to the video program to which said Poster relates.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as defined by Claim 78 wherein said Extra, upon selection by a user, is displayed on said interface as changing into the form of a Poster in the foreground of said metaphor on said display.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as defined by Claim 79 wherein said Extra which has changed into the form of said Poster displayed in animated form on said display, further displays additional information relating to the video program to which said Poster relates.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
WO1993011639A1
Cited
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