Abstract: An audio/video set is operated with hierarchical menus. It displays a menu string of first items in a first coordinate direction on the screen and detects a user selecting an item thereamong. Upon so detecting, the set displays a menu string of second items in a coordinate direction transverse to the first direction and through the selected item. It detects user selection among the second items for activating an associated television functionality. It displays the items in a bulletized manner as annotated by supporting indicativity.

Abstract: A remote control device for remote control of home theater equipment has a display with a touch screen representing a GUI. User-activation of the GUI causes its appearance to change. The change is effected through animation. Animation is the simulation of movement created by displaying a series of bitmaps. The animation lets the user perceive the change as a smooth transition. Thus the impression is avoided of an abrupt confrontation with a new lay-out.

Abstract: A remote control device for a home theater has a macro creation/editing mode with authoring tools on the remote's GUI. One of the editing tools lets the user move a selected macro step visibly up or down the list of steps on the GUI.

Abstract: In a display device equipped with a picture-in-picture function, during controlling of the picture parameters of the main picture, one or several auxiliary pictures are presented on the screen, each having a certain combination of parameter settings. These may be preprogrammed, defined by a user, or automatically determined. The display device is provided with circuitry for transferring the parameter settings of one of the auxiliary pictures to the main picture. In a special embodiment, an auxiliary picture represents the parameter settings at the start of the picture parameter adjustment process. As a result, the old parameter settings may be compared with the new ones and, if so desired, may be reinstated in a simple manner.

Abstract: MPEG2-based transmission systems transmit a large number of digital television programs in a single physical channel. Disclosed herein is a "Channel Navigation System" which allows a user to get an overview of the digital programs provided, and to easily select a desired program. The method of the invention includes the transmission (in a separate program of a transport stream) of a video stream representing a mosaic picture, the sub-pictures of which are miniature versions of the video stream of other programs in that transport stream. The method further includes the transmission of information which links the position of each sub-picture within the mosaic picture with the program number from which the sub-picture is derived. The user selects a desired program by merely `pointing and clicking` its miniature version in the mosaic picture.