Abstract: A TV graphical user interface provided on a TV screen includes a graphical channel changer for enabling a user to select a required TV channel among about 1000 channels provided by a satellite TV system. The graphical channel changer contains a vertical channel bar composed of channel boxes that display numbers and logos of selected TV channels. To switch a TV set to a required TV channel, the user directs the pointing device at the graphical channel box that indicates the required channel. Up and down scroll bars, that allow the user to scan through the entire list of TV channels, dynamically alter their size in accordance with the position of the TV channel being currently scanned to provide the user with visual feedback. A relative position indicator is arranged between the up and down scroll bars.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) for a TV receiver combines a graphical channel changer with an electronic program guide to enable a user to quickly and seamlessly go from a TV channel selection mode to a TV program selection mode. The graphical channel changer includes a vertical bar composed of channel boxes that contain number and logos of available TV channels. The user may tune the TV system to any one of the TV channels by directing a remote pointing device at the channel box that represents that TV channel. When the user switches to the program selection mode, the GUI transfers to the electronic program guide for displaying vertical program bars arranged in alignment with the channel boxes to show information on TV programs for the TV channels represented by the corresponding channel boxes.

Abstract: A TV graphical user interface is provided with a graphical channel changer for enabling a user to select a required TV channel among about 1000 channels offered by a satellite TV system. The graphical channel changer contains a vertical channel bar composed of channel boxes that display numbers and logos of selected TV channels. To switch the TV set to a required TV channel, the user directs the pointing device at the graphical channel box that indicates the required channel. A program guide that contains a list of TV programs may be provided based on the channel changer. Vertical program bars that display TV programs are aligned with the channel boxes indicating TV channels that carry the corresponding TV programs. An arrange guide mode is provided to enable the user to arrange the program guide in order of TV channel numbers, or in alphabetical order according to names of TV channels or TV programs.

Abstract: A TV GUI is provided to display a program guide that contains information on TV programming for a time period of predetermined duration. The program guide has a time scroll bar that enables a user to scroll a TV program schedule back and forward in time within the selected time period. When the user clicks on a MORE icon on the time scroll bar, the GUI switches into a "more times" mode to offer a menu of time options that represent various preselected time periods of TV programming. A time preset button may be provided on the program guide to enable users to review TV program information covering any preselected time period. A single click on the time preset button causes the GUI to switch to a program guide for the preselected time period.

Abstract: A TV graphical user interface (GUI) is provided to produce a multi-layered graphical presentation. The TV GUI operates in a channel changer mode to enable a user to tune to a required TV channel, and in a program guide mode to show TV program information. A memory for storing graphics data is capable of storing two graphics planes that represent upper and lower layers of graphics displayable on a TV screen. A graphics accelerator combines the graphics planes to produce various graphical effects on the screen. In the channel changer mode, the right hand side of the upper layer is made transparent to expose graphical buttons produced in the lower layer of graphics. In the program guide mode, the graphical buttons are partially covered by a program guide produced in the upper layer. When the user moves a cursor to the right hand side of the screen, the right hand portion of the program guide is made transparent to fully expose the graphical buttons in the lower layer.

Abstract: A TV graphical user interface (GUI) is provided in a satellite TV system to enable users to create customized channel lists. Everyday, favorite and theme lists may be generated to respectively combine TV channels being watched regularly, favorite TV channels and channels relating to particular subjects. In a regular channel changer mode, the TV GUI displays graphical channel changer composed of channel boxes that show numbers and logos of available TV channels. To create a customized channel list, the TV GUI is switched into a change list content mode, wherein a channel grid is displayed in addition to the channel changer. Using a "drag and drop" procedure, graphical boxes corresponding to selected channel boxes may be moved from the channel changer to cells of the channel grid, to create a customized list of TV channels or to add new channels to an existing list. TV channels may be removed from the list by moving boxes that represent unwanted channels from the grid and placing them outside the grid area.

Abstract: A TV graphical user interface (GUI) is provided to enable a user to input antenna location information required for setting up a dish antenna. When the TV GUI is set in a dish set-up mode, the user may activate a U.S. map button to display a map of the United States or another area on the earth's surface. When a remote pointing device is directed at a point on the map that represents the current location of a satellite receiver, the TV GUI displays a regional map that shows in more detail a region where the receiver is located. When the user selects the receiver location within the regional map, the CPU determines the latitude and longitude values of the selected location, and calculates magnetic north and elevation angles for the antenna installation. To provide the user with visual feedback, the TV GUI may indicate the city nearest to the selected location, and a distance to the nearest city.

Abstract: A graphics data decompression arrangement in a TV set top box that includes a system ROM for storing graphics data broken down into tiles, each of which is identified by a unique index number. The index numbers that identify the tiles of graphics data required to be included in a current picture on a TV set screen are written into a DRAM. An MPEG decoder reads the index numbers to convert them into a graphics address signal supplied via a ROM address bus to the system ROM to indicate the addresses of the required tiles of graphics data. In response, the required tiles are fed to the MPEG decoder for decompression in accordance with an MPEG decompression algorithm. A time-division multiplexing scheme allows the ROM address bus to be used for transmitting to the system ROM an address signal from a CPU that indicates where information required for CPU operations is located in the system ROM. In response to the CPU address signal, the required information is fed to the CPU.

Abstract: A satellite television receiver using a remote pointing device to provide random user access to a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a TV screen. When motion of the user's hand that holds the pointing device commands a cursor to move across the TV screen from any initial position to a position selected by the user, a CPU generates X, Y-coordinates that define the cursor path to the selected position. Cursor movement is displayed by multiple erasures and redraws of the cursor. The GUI may present a graphical channel changer that enables the user to tune an RF tuner of the TV receiver to a selected TV channel by directing the pointing device at the logo of the selected TV channel on the screen.