Abstract:
A system and method for displaying a simplified electronic program schedule guide on a user&#39;s television monitor is provided. In one embodiment, the program schedule guide is abbreviated to include only the programs currently available for viewing on a subset of the available channels. In another embodiment, the program guide screen visually distinguishes between programs for the convenience of the viewer.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/599,924, filed Jun. 22, 2000, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/884,376, filed Jun. 27, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,118,492), which is a nonprovisional application of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/023,692, filed Aug. 14, 1996. All of these prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a program schedule guide and, more particularly, to a system and process for allowing a television viewer to access on-screen television program listings in an easy and convenient way. 
     The number of television channels available to the user has grown dramatically within the last decade, primarily due to the availability of cable and direct broadcast satellite systems. As the number of programs of potential interest to the viewer has increased, a variety of electronic program guides have been developed to help the viewer select programs of particular interest. For example, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,706,121 and 5,353,121 each describes schedule information processing systems which provide the viewer with a convenient way to select programs based on viewer supplied selection criteria. 
     Although electronic program guides alleviate many of the problems associated with selecting programs of interest from the wealth of available channels, some users prefer lower cost systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The system and method of the present invention provides a program schedule guide which displays less program information, thereby lowering the program cost. The program information to be displayed is received by a peripheral device which can either be a stand-alone device, such as a set-top box, or integrated into the user&#39;s television or VCR. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the program guide displays an abbreviated program schedule guide. In this embodiment, instead of allowing the user access to schedule information for every program being broadcast on the user&#39;s television system(s), the user has only limited schedule information access. The invention can either be designed to allow the user or the system operator to select the schedule information to be presented in this abbreviated mode. 
     In one embodiment, if the information is presented in an abbreviated format, the user may elect to pay more and get the full format. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the program schedule guide only presents programs that are currently being broadcast and/or programs that are to be broadcast in the next thirty minute time slot. 
     In another embodiment, the user is able to view the schedule guide in either of two modes. In the first mode the schedule guide is displayed on the entire television screen. In the alternate mode, the schedule guide is displayed as an overlay partially covering the broadcast program on the TV screen. Thus in the alternate mode the user is able to view the schedule guide at the same time as they view the desired program. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the program schedule guide and information is visually distinguished by color or font, thus making the guide more user friendly. Programs which are currently being broadcast can be designated a different color or font from programs which are to be broadcast during the next time slot. Programs can also be color coded by type, thus allowing the user to quickly differentiate between dramas, comedies, sports, news, etc. The program currently being viewed by the user and to which the television tuner has been set can also be coded by font or a different color. 
     The program guide can be easily upgraded to a guide system offering more user features. The upgrade can be purchased either through the system operator or through a local store. In one embodiment of the invention, the user can install the upgrade without requiring technical assistance from the system operator. 
     A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of a TV/computer system on which a program schedule guide according to the present invention may be displayed; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a program schedule guide screen according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the program schedule guide screen which only provides schedule information for programs which are currently available for viewing; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of a theme selection screen used in an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of a VCR programming screen in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of a basic system configuration according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention provides a television (TV) schedule system which displays less program information, thereby lowering the program cost.  FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of TV/computer system  1  that displays a program schedule guide according to the present invention. As shown, system  1  includes a distribution center  10  and multiple receiving locations. Distribution center  10  compiles data for a data-stream. In a preferred embodiment, this data-stream is broadcast to receiving locations  16 ,  18 ,  20 , and  22 . Several methods are available for broadcasting the data-stream from distribution center  10  to receiving locations  16 - 22 . For example, satellite  15  may broadcast this data-stream within the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a television channel (e.g., PBS) or a dedicated channel to receiving locations  16 ,  18 ,  20 , and  22 . Alternatively, the data may be broadcast out of band, i.e., using non channel specific mechanisms. In another embodiment, the data-stream is provided to receiving locations  16 ,  18 ,  20 , and  22  via transmission line  13 . Transmission line  13  may be, for example, optical fiber, coax cable, telephone line, or the like. 
     In yet another embodiment, peripheral devices, which are located within the receiving locations, receive the data-stream from, for example, a local service provider  40 . Service provider  40  receives the data-stream from distribution center  10  via line  17 , and broadcasts the data-stream to the receiving peripheral devices via satellite  15  (or another satellite), or via lines  19  and  13 . The receiving peripheral devices may be televisions  30 , televisions  34 , VCRs  32 , VCRs  36 , and/or set-top boxes  38 . In still further embodiments, PCTVs may be utilized, or the data-stream may be provided to a personal computer for use with the computer and/or more of the above devices. 
     In the preferred embodiment, information in the data-stream includes TV schedule information. Software located within the peripheral devices utilize the schedule information provided in the data-stream to generate a schedule guide. The software is stored on a computer-readable storage medium such as a ROM, RAM, disk, or other storage device. If the schedule guide is in a grid format, for example, the available channels may be listed on the “y” axis and various times may be listed on the “x” axis. For more information on how the schedule system displays information, see U.S. Pat. Nos. B1 4,706,121 and 5,151,789. Both these patents, like the present patent application, are assigned to StarSight Telecast, Inc., and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a program schedule guide screen according to the present invention. As illustrated, program guide  100  substantially covers the display screen of the user&#39;s television monitor. The system may also be designed such that program guide  100  covers a portion of the screen, thus allowing the user to view both program guide  100  and a specific program simultaneously. According to one embodiment, the user may switch between a full screen display and an overlay screen to the current show via, for example, an on screen menu with cursor control. This feature allows a user to see a large scale version of the guide, or to be able to see the guide while also getting a “flavor” for a currently selected show through partial observation of the show. Preferably in this mode, the audio for the show also continues to be played. 
     A central portion  105  of guide  100  gives program schedule information for various channels. A cell  110  indicates the day of the week for which the program guide information shown in portion  105  is applicable. Portion  105  is divided into cells  115 , the length of each cell representing the duration of the program in question. Next to cell  110  and above cells  115  is a header portion  120 . Cells  125  &amp;  130  within portion  120  indicate the program times which correspond to the programs shown in individual cells  115 . 
     In one embodiment of the invention, cells  125  and  130  are the only time cells. Cell  125  shows the current ½ hour increment, thus every program cell  115  which falls below cell  125  would represent a program which is currently on. This allows the user to immediately recognize what programs are currently available for viewing. In order to make the currently available programs more readily apparent, a portion  135  of portion  105  which is directly below time cell  125  may be color coded or have some other visually distinguishing characteristic. For example, the program names shown in portion  135  may have a different font or size or background. Thus when program guide  100  appears on the user&#39;s television screen, the color coding or other visually distinguishing characteristic allows the user to immediately know which shows are available for viewing, i.e., current programs and future programs may be visually distinguished. Programs may also be visually distinguished according to subject content, language, whether they are re-runs or whether or not the programs are being viewed or recorded or scheduled for recording. 
     Time cell  130  indicates the next ½ hour increment immediately following the time shown in cell  125 . Therefore if time cell  125  indicates a time of 8:27 PM as used in  FIG. 1 , time cell  130  indicates a time of 8:30 PM. All of the programs listed in cells  115  which fall directly below cell  130  are programs which are upcoming in the next ½ hour time slot. Therefore the user is able to immediately determine the programs which are about to be broadcast. If desired, program cells  115  falling below time cell  130  may be color coded with a different color from that used to code the programs presently being broadcast or otherwise visually distinguished. Future programs may also be visually distinguished according to subject content, language, whether they are re-runs or whether or not the programs are being viewed or recorded or scheduled for recording. Furthermore, by noting whether or not there is a cell division  142  lying directly below the division between time cells  125  and  130 , the user is able to determine whether or not the show in question is beginning or already in play. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, it is not possible for the user to manipulate the program guide in order to obtain schedule information for programs beginning at a time after that indicated in cell  130 . 
     Portion  140  of guide  100  contains cells  145 . Each cell  145  indicates the channel number corresponding to the program guide cell  115  lying immediately adjacent to it in the program guide. Instead of, or in combination with the channel number, cells  145  may contain the program service name. For example, a cell  145  may contain the channel number  8 , the service name HBO, or both. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, not all of the channels which are available on the user&#39;s television system are represented within program guide  100 . The channels which are to be represented in the guide can either be selected by the user or by the system operator, depending upon how the system is configured. If the user designates the channels to be represented, channels which are seldom viewed can be “discarded”, thus allowing the user to more efficiently review the program guide information. If the system operator designates the channels to be represented, then both time and cost savings may be realized since the system may provide less information. 
     The system operator can use a variety of criteria to determine which channels are to be represented. For example, only the most popular channels may be represented. The system operator may also charge each broadcaster an additional fee to be listed on this particular guide. The system operator may also charge an additional fee, per time slot, to make a specific program “special”. A number of different schemes can be used to draw the user&#39;s attention to special programs. For example, the program may be listed first in the program guide, shown in a different typeface, presented in a different color, or given additional space for a program description. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a program guide  200  only provides program schedule information for a single time period, that period representing programs which are presently available for viewing. A cell  205  indicates the time period for which program schedule information is provided. Cell  205  changes every half hour. The programs available for viewing during the designated time period are listed in a plurality of cells  210 . Cells  215  indicate the channel number or service name for the corresponding cells  210 . In this embodiment the program schedule information is preferably updated approximately 3 minutes before the half hour. Therefore if the time of day is 7:55 PM when the user requests program guide information, the program guide would provide information for the time period beginning at 7:30 PM. However, if the user waits until 7:58 PM to make the same request, the information provided by the system will be for programs starting at 8:00 PM. The system can be further configured to indicate to the user whether or not a program is continued from a previous time period and/or whether or not the program will be continued after the present half hour time increment. These aspects of the invention can be implemented by either color coding the particular cell in question or through the use of some other form of marking or notation. 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of a screen which may appear before program guide screen  100  or  200  in an alternate embodiment of the invention. Screen  300  appears on the user&#39;s television monitor when the user selects the program guide feature. The user is prompted to select a theme from a list of very broad categories shown in a portion  305  of screen  300 . The subsequent program guide screen then supplies the user with all of the programs fitting the theme requirement for the times provided in the guide. 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of a VCR programming screen  400  that may be used in combination with any of the previously described program guides. Screen  400  is divided into a seven day grid. The day of the week is indicated in cell  405 . Adjacent to each day of the week is a linear grid  410  which divides each 24 hour day into 48 half hour increments. Due to the limited resolution of a standard television screen, grid  410  can be divided into several segments (e.g., 6, 8, or 12 hour segments), and the user may page through the grid to find the desired time slot. Grid  410  can also be limited to 12 hours, with the screen also having cells  415 , which the user may use to indicate AM or PM. 
     In this embodiment the user first indicates the desire to program the VCR. Typically the initial program guide screen contains an icon labeled VCR. When the user selects this icon, screen  400  pops up. The user then selects the times over which recording is desired, for example by moving the cursor to the desired time slot and pressing ENTER. Thus if the user wishes to record a program on Thursday night starting at 9:00 PM and ending at 9:30 PM, the user simply moves the cursor to the 9:00 PM slot for Thursday night and presses enter. In the preferred embodiment, if the user wishes to record a program which lasts longer than 30 minutes, the user merely moves the cursor to each successive time slot and presses enter. After the user indicates a specific day and time period through the use of a cursor, the program guide requests that the user enter a channel number. Preferably screen  400  begins flashing a question mark (i.e., “?”) in a cell  420  adjacent to the day of the week on which recording has been requested. Screen  400  can also request that the user indicate the channel using a message shown in a message portion  425  of screen  400 . 
     After the user has indicated the time and channel for recording, the screen notifies the user with a message in portion  425  that the programming has been successfully completed. In addition, the message in portion  425  may also ask whether the user wishes to set the VCR for recording of another event. If the user has made a programming error, for example, by attempting to record multiple programs at the same time and day, a message in portion  425  notifies the user that the programming was not successfully completed. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the hardware elements of a preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown, the configuration utilizes a program guide controller  505  (for example, a data processor), one or more televisions sources  510 , and a TV, PCTV or computer monitor  515 . The system may also include a VCR  520  and a remote control  525 . Program guide system  505  may be a stand-alone device or incorporated into another system such as a television, a cable decoder, computer, PCTV, or a VCR. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a plug-in program guide controller module  530 . Module  530  determines the extent of program guide  505 &#39;s capabilities. Thus module  530  may only allow program guide  505  to present an abbreviated program schedule to the user, the abbreviated schedule showing a limited selection of channels covering a limited time span. For example, in this mode the program guide may contain no more than 20 channels, only showing what is currently on as well as what is to be broadcast during the next half hour increment for each of the selected channels. When the user wishes to upgrade program guide  505 , for example, adding a 7 day program guide for all channels as well as detailed category searching, module  530  may be simply replaced with a different module authorizing more extensive guide capabilities. This embodiment has the distinct advantage of allowing the system to be significantly altered without requiring major hardware changes. For example, module  530  may be upgradeable by the user, thus not requiring the system operator to provide technical support. In this scenario the user would merely procure a different module  530 , install the new module into the program guide system  505 , and pay the new fee set by the system operator for the new benefits. 
     Preferably the system operates under the control of software  531  on a removable computer memory. The memory for software  531  may be located in one or more ICs, for example, the plug-in module of the data processor, or in ROM, RAM, or a combination of the two. Accordingly, the disclosures and descriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims.