Starsight Telecast Incorporated

Rovi Guides, Inc.

Keith W Hunwick

David M Folker

Theresa A Alba

Steven Michael Schein

James Jay Leftwich

Molly K King

Kenneth David Johnson

Marcia A Casement

William De Stein

Jim Leftwich

Marcy A Casement

William DeStein

An on-screen menu method and system for controlling the functions of integrated electronic devices and a television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day and an interconnected series of menus to control the features of the integrated electronic devices. An input device allows the viewer to move a pointer over different interactive areas of the guide and the function performed when the area is activated is displayed in a contextual help window. Various control glyphs provide for recursive interaction with the guide.

Television control interface with electronic guide

A television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. An input device allows the viewer to browse through the schedule information area and/or obtain more information about programs of particular interest. In one aspect, the viewer may watch a program on the currently-tuned channel, while browsing through the other channels on a portion of the television screen. In another aspect, the viewer may watch programs currently being shown on the television, while he or she browses through the program guide. In yet another aspect, the system includes a database, a processor and associated software for automatically customizing the television schedule guide to an individual viewer or a group of viewers, e.g., a family, to facilitate use of the television schedule.

System and method for using television schedule information

Method and system for displaying advertising, video, and program schedule listing

A television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. An input device allows the viewer to move a pointer over different interactive areas of the guide and the function performed when the area is activated is displayed in a contextual help window. Various control glyphs provide for recursive interaction with the guide. Additionally, a video window is interactive and provides tuning functions.

Electronic program guide with interactive areas

A remote control device 2 for navigating and interacting with a television schedule information system that is displayed, for example, on the viewer's television screen. The remote control device comprises a casing 4, a local controller 20 for scrolling a movable cursor 110 within an individual screen area or window on the television screen and a global controller 22 for moving the cursor between adjacent screen areas. The local controller includes a rolling cylinder 24 for vertical scrolling and a pair of buttons 32, 34 on either side of the cylinder for horizontal scrolling. The local and global controllers allow viewers to quickly and efficiently browse through the television guide, perform various actions, such as selecting or activating items, and interact with services related to the television programs without having to remove their eyes from the television.

Remote control device and method for using television schedule

Growing community of inventors

Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Keith W Hunwick