JP2004505558A - Interaction paradigm for live and stored content - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for organizing and managing content for an on-screen interface. Content such as television programs are typically displayed as raindrops. The raindrop passes from the arrival area to the current line area when the content represented by the raindrop is the latest state (that is, the state in which the television program goes live). The term "content" relates to any type of program or information that can be broadcast or transmitted to a user.

Description

[0001]
[Cross-reference to related applications]
This application is a provisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60 / 221,405 entitled "TV Interaction Paradigm For Live And Stored Content-The Raindrop Model" by Inventors George Marmarpopoulos and CliveevernVan. This is a regular application filed on March 28. The entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0002]
[Background of the Invention]
The present invention relates generally to program schedules and program guides, and more particularly to a user interface system that can be used to display content in a user-friendly manner.
[0003]
Digital television is changing the entertainment at home and will continue to do so by providing large amounts of digital content. Due to the large number of channels and the large amount of various types of content available, some viewers may not be able to browser display the content using conventional channel surfing techniques.
[0004]
An electronic program guide (EPG) as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,706,121 and 5,353,121, which are incorporated herein by reference, describes a scheduled content processing system. And providing the viewer with a convenient way of selecting programs based on the selection criteria provided to the viewer. However, EPGs, despite current developments, are insufficient to provide a level of personalization for the large amount of content available.
[0005]
Various devices and systems, such as personal TV recorders and agent technology, provide some level of personalization. These systems operate at the metadata level using EPGs and user preferences. Such devices typically have a hard disk capable of storing several hours of video content, which can facilitate the process of watching selected programs. However, these devices and systems have difficulty providing content to users in a familiar manner.
[0006]
[Summary of the Invention]
According to the present invention, systems and methods organize and manage content for on-screen user interfaces. In one aspect, the method displays a representative representation of the content, such as a television program, as a raindrop. The raindrop moves from the incoming area through the current line area when the content represented by the raindrop is up to date (i.e., when the television program is live).
The term "content" relates to any type of program or information and can be broadcasted or otherwise transmitted to a user.
[0007]
In some embodiments, the user selectively records the raindrop for storage or viewing. Thereby, the stored raindrop is generated. The method further includes storing the selected content represented by the stored raindrop on a storage medium and displaying the stored raindrop on the storage medium. The method includes passing at least one raindrop through the work area for a preset period of time and storing the selected content represented by the at least one raindrop when the stored raindrop passes entirely through the work area. Including erasing.
[0008]
In various embodiments of the present invention, the length, area, or width of the raindrop is proportional to the temporal length of the content. A raindrop may also include a still image as a representative expression, a moving image as a representative expression, or an actual segment of the content represented by the raindrop. In addition, the raindrop moves vertically or horizontally on the screen.
[0009]
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the user performs selective recording by highlighting the raindrop using a remote control device. The highlighted raindrop contains suggestions when selected for storage.
[0010]
In another embodiment, the stored raindrop has a different shape than the raindrop. In addition, the stored raindrop includes the date and time when it expires. The stored raindrop begins to pass through the work area depending on the date and time that it expires. Further, the user may change this expiration date and time.
[0011]
In another aspect, the system displays a raindrop user interface. The system includes display means for displaying raindrops corresponding to various types of content (eg, television programs). The raindrop moves in time from the arrival area through the current line area. In addition, the system includes a microprocessor and a storage medium.
[0012]
In one embodiment, the system includes means for moving a cursor to selectively record the raindrop for recording or viewing. The system may also include means for recording or viewing content corresponding to the selectively recorded raindrop.
In one embodiment, the display means is a television or monitor screen.
[0013]
In various other embodiments, the storage medium temporally stores all content passing through the current line area until all content has completely passed through the current line area. Once completely passed through the current line area, the selectively unrecorded content is erased.
[0014]
In another aspect, program segments stored on a processor-readable medium organize and manage content for an on-screen user interface. The program segment includes a part for displaying a raindrop representing the content, and a part for moving the raindrop from the arrival area through the current line area when the content represented by the raindrop is updated. .
[0015]
In another embodiment, the program segment includes a portion for selectively recording raindrops to store the content and generate the stored raindrops. The program segment also includes a part for storing the selected content represented by the stored raindrop on the storage medium, and a part for displaying the stored raindrop on the storage medium. The program segment passes the stored raindrop through the work area for a preset period of time and stores the selected content represented by the stored raindrop in response to the stored raindrop passing entirely through the work area. To delete.
[0016]
The present invention offers many advantages over the prior art. For example, the systems and methods can display content in an integrated space. Here, current (ie, live) content, next (ie, incoming) content, and past (ie, stored) content can be viewed simultaneously and immediately. Certain other advantages include the ability to quickly organize and easily view large amounts of content using icons and typical raindrops.
[0017]
Further, the stored content is organized in a clear and user-friendly manner. Erasure can also be controlled by the user and can be preceded by a monitorable event. These and many other advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following embodiments.
[0018]
[Embodiment of the invention]
The proposed method and system are capable of displaying content selected by a user in an integrated space. The integrated space includes the current line area (live content currently being played), the incoming area (next content), and the past area (stored content), immediately and simultaneously. You can see.
[0019]
FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the proposed user interface system. The type of content displayed is based on the selection made by the user. The user selects from the characteristics of the content along with categories 20, sub-categories 21, and other parameters such as personal viewing selection, viewing history, agent discovery, and the like. Once this pre-filtering process is completed, the relevant content (ie, the television program) is displayed.
[0020]
Inventively, the device utilizes a raindrop paradigm to indicate incoming content, live content, and stored content. The raindrops 10, 11, 12 are stored or released through the work area 13. For example, incoming content (i.e., rendrops 11, 12) is represented by a corresponding image or icon in the form of a vertical "raindrop". These raindrops are either automatically generated by the system at the arrival area 22 or provided to the arrival area 22 by a broadcaster.
[0021]
The live content (that is, the raindrop 10) is displayed passing through the current line area 40 to the past area 23. When the incoming content starts playing (i.e., goes live), the incoming content starts passing from the current line area 40 to the past area 23.
[0022]
The length of each of the rain drops 10, 11, and 12 indicates the temporal length of the content. Incoming content (i.e., raindrops 11, 12) and live content (i.e., raindrop 10) move down the screen vertically over time as the vertical axis.
[0023]
In the horizontal direction, the content is organized according to channels 31, 32, 33. The channels 31, 32, and 33 are displayed in alphabetical order, in numerical order, or in any order based on the user's personal selection and viewing history. If the number of associated channels is greater than the number that can be displayed simultaneously on the system, horizontal scrolling is possible.
[0024]
A user may select content by moving left, right, up and down using conventional input devices such as a remote control or other custom designed input device. When the content is highlighted (that is, when the raindrop 10 includes the cursor 41 that highlights a portion outside the raindrop 10), a still image or a moving image 50, which is a typical expression, is set in the background. Is displayed. Some texture content 51 may also be included with the still or moving image 50.
[0025]
In the case of live content, live video can be played back and displayed. All still and moving images 50 used as background should be in dual tone mode to avoid excessive busyness, ie, disruption of the visual environment.
[0026]
The user has the option to record either incoming content representing various raindrops (i.e., raindrops 11, 12) and live content (i.e., raindrop 10). Once the user makes a selection, an indicator, such as symbol 100, appears on raindrop 10, indicating that the represented content has been selected for recording.
[0027]
Raindrops (not shown) that have not been selected for recording will change their appearance as they pass through the current line 40, and some or no previously broadcasted content will be stored or not stored Is shown.
[0028]
When the live content ends (ie, passes entirely through the current line 40) and is not selected for recording, it disappears from the screen. However, if selected for storage, the shape of the raindrop collapses into a circular shape. This circular shape, the stored raindrop, automatically moves to the bottom of the screen. At the bottom of the screen, a stored raindrop, such as a stored raindrop 60, is displayed. To extend this visual impact, this action can be performed in a video-like manner.
[0029]
The stored raindrop is displayed in the lower area of the screen (that is, the storage area 61). The stored raindrops are organized in chronological order, regardless of the channel order in which the stored raindrops are recorded. Alternatively, the stored raindrops can be organized according to the viewer's preference for a given individual viewing.
[0030]
For incoming content 11, 12 and live content 10, the selection of the stored raindrop 60 can be made using conventional input devices such as a remote control or other custom-designed input device, left, right, This is made possible by moving up and down. When the stored raindrop 60 is highlighted, the content represented by the raindrop 60 starts playing in the background. For the same visual clarity reasons, the video can be displayed in the background in dual tone mode.
[0031]
If the number of stored raindrops is greater than the number that can be simultaneously displayed on the screen by the system, horizontal scrolling of the channel is possible. Incoming content (ie, raindrops 11, 12) and live content (ie, raindrop 10) are independent of each other. This is to leave the impression of the space given to the user unchanged and to ensure that there is no jump from one space to another.
[0032]
Each stored raindrop is located above the opening, for example, as the opening 14 appears at the bottom of the screen. Each stored raindrop has an expiration date and time predetermined by the user. Alternatively, the system can determine a period of time to store the content for a predetermined period (ie, 4 days) or for user selection, available space, and incoming content to be recorded.
[0033]
If the stored raindrop is inactive during that period, it will begin to disappear through the work area 13. This means that it has been erased from the storage space of the system. The erasure process can be immediate, but may take some predetermined time. During this period, a circular stored raindrop representing the stored content passes down the corresponding work hole 14. The user can choose to recover that particular content until the point where the entire stored raindrop disappears.
[0034]
The user can also choose to keep the content as long as the user prefers, by excluding the expiration date and time. This can be represented graphically by filling the hole 24 in the work area 13 below the corresponding stored raindrop 60. The hole can be reopened each time. This will re-activate the expiring date and time.
[0035]
FIG. 2 shows a system in which a raindrop user interface is displayed. The display screen 101 displays a user interface 102. The user interface 102 includes an incoming area 22, a current line area 40, and a past area 23 for displaying the incoming content and the current content by corresponding the raindrops 10, 11, and 12. Have been. The raindrops 10, 11, 12 are moved from the arrival area 22 through the current line area 40 to the past area 23.
[0036]
Raindrops can be selected and recorded for storage and viewing via cursor 41. Cursor 41 can be moved left, right, up and down using conventional input devices such as remote control 105 or other custom input devices known in the art.
[0037]
The input device and the display device can be integrated with each other (eg, a computer touchscreen display, or a palmtop device). Also, the interface may be provided on a mobile phone LCD display or other communication device capable of transmitting control and data over a communication channel. This is useful, for example, when a user is on a regular holiday and wants to know what content is stored on his home device and what content to keep until he returns home.
[0038]
The raindrop recorded for storage is arranged in the storage area 61. Once the stored raindrop reaches the expiration date and time, it passes through the work area for a preset period. The stored content represented by the stored raindrop is erased in response to the stored raindrop 60 passing entirely through the work area 13.
[0039]
The microprocessor 103 selects the content and the raindrop according to the user input, and stores the content and the raindrop in the storage medium 104. The amount of content that can be recorded simultaneously by the system depends on the number of tuners 106 available and the storage capacity of the storage medium 104 of the system. Assuming a sufficient number of tuners and storage capacity, the system can temporally store all live content, if not recorded for storage, until it completely passes through the current line area.
[0040]
This allows the user to select to store the content or delete the content at any time during the broadcast time. The link between the storage medium 104 and the microprocessor can be a local communication channel, similar to a network (public or private). The storage device may be an array of storage servers capable of storing all content.
[0041]
The block diagram of FIG. 3 illustrates how program segments stored on a processor-readable medium organize and manage content for an on-screen user interface. At step 300, the program segment filters content from tuner 106 to see if the content matches an available category.
[0042]
If the content does not match the available categories, at step 301, the program directs the microprocessor to filter or delete the content. If the content matches the available category 20, at step 302, the program checks if there is a raindrop for the content.
[0043]
If there is no raindrop for the content, at step 303 the program directs the microprocessor to generate a raindrop. If there is a raindrop for the content, or if a raindrop has been generated once, at step 304, the program instructs the microprocessor 103 to determine the length of the content, and according to the determination, Adjust the area of
[0044]
In step 305, the program checks whether the content is an incoming content. If the content is incoming content, at step 306, the program directs the microprocessor 103 to display a raindrop (ie, raindrop 12) corresponding to the incoming area 22. Then, in step 308, the program instructs the microprocessor 103 and the display screen 101 to move the raindrop in time until the raindrop reaches the current line area 40.
[0045]
If at step 305 the program determines that the content is not incoming content, or if at step 308 the raindrop has reached the current line area, then at step 307 the program proceeds to step 307 where the content is the current content. Find out if there is. If the content is not the current content, at step 301, the program directs the microprocessor 103 to filter or delete the content.
[0046]
If the content is the current content, at step 309, the program instructs the microprocessor 103 to display a raindrop on at least a portion of the display 101 within the current line area 40. In step 310, the program instructs the microprocessor 103 to move the raindrop in time until it has completely passed through the current line area 40.
[0047]
FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a program segment stored on a processor-readable medium that stores content for an on-screen raindrop user interface. In step 400, the program determines whether a raindrop has been selected. If no raindrop has been selected, at step 401 the program instructs the microprocessor 103 to continue moving the raindrop through the current line area 40.
[0048]
In step 402, the program queries whether the raindrop has passed the current area 40. If the raindrop has passed the current area, at step 403, the program instructs the microprocessor to remove the raindrop from the display and erase the content represented by the raindrop. If the raindrop has not passed through the current line area, the program returns to step 401.
[0049]
If the program determines at step 400 that a raindrop has been selected, then at step 404 an inquiry is made as to whether the user wishes to store the content represented by the raindrop. If the user does not want to store, the program returns to step 401. If the user desires to store, at step 405, the program instructs the microprocessor 103 to display the indicator 100, and at step 406 stores the content on the storage medium 104.
[0050]
Then, in step 407, the program queries whether the raindrop has passed the current line area 40. If the raindrop has passed the current line area 40, at step 409, the program directs the microprocessor 103 to generate and display the stored raindrop (ie, the stored raindrop 60). If the raindrop has not passed through the current line area 40, at step 408 the program directs the microprocessor 103 to continue passing the raindrop through the current line area 40.
[0051]
FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a program segment stored on a processor-readable medium for erasing stored content for an on-screen raindrop user interface. In step 500, an inquiry is made as to whether the expiration date and time are set to the stored raindrop (that is, the stored raindrop 60). If the expiration date and time have not been set, then at step 501, the program instructs the microprocessor 103 to enter the expiration date and time.
[0052]
In step 502, the program determines whether an expiration date and time have been entered. If the expiration date and time have not been entered, the program returns to step 501. If the user has entered an expiration date and time, at step 503, the program directs the microprocessor 103 to store the entered information.
[0053]
Once the expiration date and time are set, in step 504, the program queries whether the date and time have been reached. If not, the program instructs the microprocessor 103 to hold and display the stored raindrop, and the program causes the storage medium 104 to hold the content represented by the stored raindrop. This is performed in step 505.
[0054]
Once the expiration date and time has been reached, at step 506, the program directs the microprocessor 103 to pass the stored raindrop through the work area. Step 506 can be performed immediately or for a time that is observable by the user.
[0055]
In step 507, the program checks whether the stored raindrop has completely passed through the work area. If not, at step 508, the program directs the microprocessor 103 to continue moving the stored raindrop through the work area. If the stored raindrop has completely passed through the work area, at step 509, the program instructs the microprocessor 103 to erase the stored raindrop. In step 509, the program causes the content represented by the stored raindrop to be erased from the storage medium 104.
The above expressions and descriptions are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a raindrop user interface.
FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a system in which a raindrop interface is displayed.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of program segments stored on a processor-readable medium for organizing and managing content for an on-screen raindrop user interface.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a program segment stored on a processor-readable medium that stores content for an on-screen raindrop user interface.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a program segment stored on a processor-readable medium for erasing content stored for an on-screen raindrop user interface.

Claims (31)

A method of organizing and managing content for an on-screen user interface,
Displaying at least one raindrop representing said content;
Moving the at least one raindrop from an incoming area through a current line area when the content represented by the at least one raindrop is up-to-date;
A method comprising: Selectively recording said at least one raindrop to store content and generate a stored raindrop;
Storing the selected content represented by the stored raindrop on a storage medium;
The method of claim 1, further comprising: Further comprising the step of displaying the stored raindrop in a storage area,
The method of claim 2. Passing at least one stored raindrop through a work area over a preset time period and representing the stored raindrop in response to the stored raindrop being passed entirely through the work area. Erasing the deleted content;
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: The incoming area represents the next content, the current line area represents live content, and the past area represents past content;
The method of claim 1. The step of moving further comprises horizontal or vertical movement on a screen;
The method of claim 1. The length, area or width of the at least one raindrop proportionally represents the length of the content;
The method of claim 1. The at least one raindrop includes a representative example of a still image or a moving image,
The method of claim 1. The video comprises a segment of content represented by the at least one raindrop;
The method of claim 8. The stored raindrop has a different shape than the at least one raindrop;
The method of claim 2. The step of selectively recording further comprises the step of highlighting the at least one raindrop using a remote control device.
The method of claim 2. The at least one highlighted raindrop includes a suggestion when selected for storage;
The method of claim 11. The storage area is adjacent to the work area,
The method of claim 1. The stored raindrop further comprises an expiration date and time;
The method of claim 2. The stored raindrop begins to pass through the work area according to the expired date and time;
The method according to claim 14. The expiration date and time can be changed or deleted by the user,
The method of claim 15. A system for displaying a raindrop user interface,
Display means for displaying the content as at least one raindrop moving temporally from the arrival area through the current line area;
A microprocessor,
A storage medium;
A system comprising: Further comprising means for moving a cursor for selectively storing the at least one raindrop for viewing or storing content;
The system according to claim 17. Further comprising means for recording or viewing content corresponding to the selectively recorded at least one raindrop;
The method of claim 17. The display means includes a television or a monitor,
The system according to claim 17. The content comprises at least one television program;
The system according to claim 17. The storage medium temporally stores the content represented by the at least one raindrop until the at least one raindrop completely passes through the current line area;
The system according to claim 17. The content that is not selectively recorded is deleted;
23. The system of claim 22. Said means for recording or watching comprises at least one television tuner;
The system according to claim 17. The storage device is a server having a large storage capacity,
The system according to claim 17. The server can be remotely accessed using a mobile communication device;
26. The system of claim 25. The mobile communication device includes a display unit, receives an input command,
27. The system of claim 26. The mobile communication device further comprises a touch screen interface or a palmtop device,
27. The system of claim 26. A program segment stored on a processor-readable medium for organizing and managing content for an on-screen user interface, comprising:
A portion for displaying at least one raindrop representing the content;
A portion for moving the at least one raindrop from an incoming area through a current line area when the content represented by the at least one raindrop is up-to-date;
A program segment comprising: A portion for selectively recording said at least one raindrop to store content and generate a stored raindrop;
A portion for storing the selected content represented by the stored raindrop on a storage medium;
A portion for displaying the stored raindrop in a storage area;
30. The program segment according to claim 29, further comprising: Passing at least one stored raindrop through a work area over a preset time period and representing the stored raindrop in response to the stored raindrop being passed entirely through the work area. A section for erasing the selected content,
The program segment according to claim 2, further comprising:

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