Program guide data selection device

Claim 2

A programming guide data selection device for selecting program guide data corresponding to available programming content, comprising: a processor operable to filter the programming guide data according to different filter categories and individual filter ranges associated with the respective categories, and a graphical user interface to provide first and second transversely extending and intersecting scroll bars which each comprise a plurality of scroll bar elements that can be scrolled successively through a focus region positioned at the intersection of the first and second scroll bars, the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar signifying individual filter ranges of the filter categories, which are individually selectable by being scrolled into the focus region, such that when selected individually, the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar signify individual program content items from the program data that fall within the filter category and range of the selected first scroll bar element, said individual program content items being individually selectable by scrolling the second scroll bar to place the element of the second scroll bar corresponding to the program item into the focus region, at least one of the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar comprising a multiple depiction of more than one of said individual filter ranges of the filter categories selectable from the multiple depiction individually by being moved into the focus region, and a viewing region for viewing a program content item selected in the focus region.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 wherein the multiple depiction of said more than one filter category ranges comprises a three dimensional depiction thereof.

Claim 4

The device of claim 1 wherein the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar include multiple facets that signify individual filter ranges of different categories.

Claim 5

The device of claim 1 wherein the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar are polygonal and are rotatable about a common axis extending longitudinally about the first scroll bar.

Claim 6

The device of claim 4 wherein the elements are rotatable in unison about said axis.

Claim 7

The device of claim 2 wherein the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar each include facets associated with respective different filter categories.

Claim 8

The device of claim 1 further including a controller operable by a user to scroll the scroll bars individually through the focus region.

Claim 9

The device of claim 7 wherein the controller includes a selector device to select an individual scroll bar element corresponding to a filter category and range.

Claim 10

The device of claim 7 wherein the controller includes a selector device to select a filter category and range corresponding to an individual scroll bar element when scrolled into the focus region.

Claim 11

The device of claim 1 wherein the processor is operable to perform multiple filtering whereby scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar are selected successively, and the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar signify individual program content items from the program data that fall within the filter categories and ranges of all of the successively selected first scroll bar elements.

Claim 12

An interactive display device for displaying content from a plurality of different sources thereof on a display screen, including a programming guide data selection device for selecting program guide data corresponding to available programming content, comprising: a processor operable to filter the programming guide data according to different filter categories and individual filter ranges associated with the respective categories, a graphical user interface to provide a display on the display screen that includes a focus region, first and second transversely extending scroll bars which intersect in the focus region, and which each comprise a plurality of scroll bar elements, the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar signifying individual filter ranges of the filter categories, which are individually selectable by being scrolled into the focus region, such that when selected individually, the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar signify individual program content items from the program data that fall within the filter category and range of the selected first scroll bar element, said individual program content items being individually selectable by scrolling the second scroll bar to place the element of the second scroll bar that corresponds to the program item into the focus region, at least one of the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar comprising a multiple depiction of more than one said individual filter ranges of filter categories, selectable from the multiple depiction individually by being moved into the focus region, and a controller operable by a user to scroll the scroll bar elements of the first and second scroll bars through the focus region to select individual program items.

Claim 13

An interactive display device for displaying content from a plurality of different sources thereof on a display screen, including a programming guide data selection device for selecting program guide data corresponding to available programming content, comprising: a processor operable to filter the programming guide data according to different filter categories and individual filter ranges associated with the respective categories, a graphical user interface to provide a display on the display screen that includes a focus region, first and second transversely extending scroll bars which intersect in the focus region, and which each comprise a plurality of scroll bar elements, the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar signifying individual filter ranges of the filter categories, which are individually selectable by being scrolled into the focus region, such that when selected individually, the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar signify individual program content items from the program data that fall within the filter category and range of the selected first scroll bar element, said individual program content items being individually selectable by scrolling the second scroll bar to place the element of the second scroll bar that corresponds to the program item into the focus region, at least one of the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar comprising a multiple depiction of more than one said individual filter ranges of filter categories, selectable from the multiple depiction individually by being moved into the focus region, and a controller operable by a user to scroll the scroll bar elements of the first and second scroll bars through the focus region to select individual program items.

Claim 14

The device of claim 11 further including the display screen.

Claim 15

The device according to claim 11 comprising a control unit for a multi-channel television set.

Claim 16

The device according to claim 13 and comprising a set top box.

Claim 17

The device of claim 11 configured to receive programming data selected from a group consisting of satellite transmissions, cable transmissions, the Internet and pre-recorded digital data.

Claim 18

The device of claim 11 wherein the controller comprises a handheld device connected to the circuitry by a wireless link.

Claim 19

A data carrier provided with a program to be run by a processor to provide as graphical user interface for a programming guide data selection device which is operable to select program guide data corresponding to available programming content, the interface including a focus region, first and second transversely extending scroll bars which intersect in the focus region and which each comprise a plurality of scroll bar elements, the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar signifying individual filter ranges of the filter categories, which are individually selectable by being scrolled into the focus region, such that when selected individually, the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar signify individual program content items from the program data that fall within the filter category and range of the selected first scroll bar element, said individual program content items being individually selectable by scrolling the second scroll bar to place the element of the second scroll bar that corresponds to the program item into the focus region, at least one of the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar comprising a multiple depiction of more than one of said individual filter ranges of filter categories, selectable from the multiple depiction individually by being moved into the focus region.

Claim 20

A data carrier provided with a program to be run by a processor to provide as graphical user interface for a programming guide data selection device which is operable to select program guide data corresponding to available programming content, the interface including a focus region, first and second transversely extending scroll bars which intersect in the focus region and which each comprise a plurality of scroll bar elements, the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar signifying individual filter ranges of the filter categories, which are individually selectable by being scrolled into the focus region, such that when selected individually, the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar signify individual program content items from the program data that fall within the filter category and range of the selected first scroll bar element, said individual program content items being individually selectable by scrolling the second scroll bar to place the element of the second scroll bar that corresponds to the program item into the focus region, at least one of the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar comprising a multiple depiction of more than one of said individual filter ranges of filter categories, selectable from the multiple depiction individually by being moved into the focus region.

Claim 23

The method of claim 18 wherein the selecting from the multiple depiction includes rotating the elements of the first scroll bar.

Claim 24

The method of claim 18 wherein the selecting from the multiple depiction includes shuffling facets which signify the individual filter category ranges.

Claim 25

The method of claim 18 including performing multiple filtering whereby scroll elements of the first scroll bar are selected successively, and such that the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar signify individual program content items from the program data that fall within the filter categories and ranges of all of the successively selected first scroll bar elements.