Abstract: In association with an interactive television system, a system for displaying a control object in which characters may be entered or edited via a character spin dial. Each character and empty space in which a character may be entered is displayed in a separate cell within the control object. Each cell accepts entry or editing of characters therein via a character spin dial. The character spin dial is displayed to the user as an up arrow and a down arrow displayed above and below the cell, respectively. By manipulating a directional control on a remote control associated with the interactive television network in the up or down position, the user scrolls the character spin dial through a list of selectable characters until the desired character is displayed in the cell.

Abstract: A video entertainment system includes a video display device and a user interface unit connected for operation in conjunction with the video display device to receive a television image and to display the television image on the video display device. The system also includes a remote control handset having viewer-actuable controls. The remote control handset sends commands to the user interface unit in response to actuation of the viewer-actuable controls. The user interface unit has a graphics overlay component which is programmable to display entertainment images on the video display device overlying the received television image. The user interface unit has a viewer participation program that a viewer can initiate with the remote control handset. The viewer participation program allows the viewer to use the remote control handset to draw, "drop," or "throw" designs or pre-rendered graphics on top of the television image.

Abstract: A viewer interface is disclosed for use in an interactive television network operative for providing an animated focus item in association with a control item to indicate that the control item is in a state responsive to commands from a user input device. An "animation" is any form of highlighting that is non-static, including but not limited to flashing, varying illumination, varying size, varying shape, varying position, varying color, varying display components, a moving and/or changing cartoon type image, a video image, a sound track, or a combination of these elements. Selection of the control item to receive focus and selection of options presented by control items having focus are accomplished by viewer interaction with the remote control unit, and such selections do not require a keyboard or mouse to indicate the viewer's desire to change the focus from one control item to another or to select an option.

Abstract: A system for displaying a list of items containing information or alternative choices associated with a subscriber service of an interactive network system. At least one item in the list is displayed in its entirety. The items at the border of the list are only partially displayed to give the user an indication that the list extends beyond the borders of the list. Additional list items can be displayed by scrolling the list by manipulating a directional control on a remote control unit that operates in conjunction with a set-top terminal of the interactive system. An item in the list, or another control object on the display screen, is highlighted in a manner to give the user a visible indication that the list can be scrolled, or shifted, within the display to display new items in the list and remove previously displayed items.

Abstract: An object-oriented system for generating and displaying control items that allow users of an interactive network to recognize and select control functions via a graphical user interface. The manipulation of the control items on a display screen is linked to a set-top terminal associated with the interactive network. The control items, which can be visible or audible, are associated with control objects. Control objects are arranged in a hierarchy, and can contain one or more child control objects. Attributes of a child control object are inherited from an ancestor control object. A control item can be graphically manipulated independently by drawing the control item into its own sprite, or can be manipulated by drawing the control item into the sprite of a parent. The system provides building blocks of control elements that can be composed and customized to produce versatile interfaces for applications and content.