Abstract: A system for recalling surfed channels includes functionality that stores identifications of surfed channels and recalls each of the surfed channels in response to a user pressing a button on a device.

Abstract: A mapping method and apparatus for digital television channel mapping is described. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a virtual channel selected by a user where the virtual channel is divided into major and minor channels, obtaining a first physical channel in a first mapping table that maps to the major channel, causing the first physical channel to be tuned, and collecting a first VCT from the first physical channel. The method further includes retrieving a first TTSID assigned to the first physical channel and a CTSID of the virtual channel from the first VCT, and decoding audio and video signals from the first physical channel if the first TTSID is equal to the CTSID. The first and second mapping tables are generated beforehand, e.g., during auto programming.

Abstract: Transmission synchronization and bandwidth adjustment in a broadcast system are described. At least one service tool in the broadcast system supplies service information useful for selecting, from a series of broadcast events, broadcast events to be viewed by subscribers of the broadcast system. A conditional access (CA) unit in the broadcast system applies conditional access attributes to the series of broadcast events. Transmission synchronizing apparatus in the broadcast system synchronizes the CA unit and the at least one service tool by instructing the CA unit to blackout a particular event from the series of broadcast events to subscribers that are refused access to the particular event and instructing the at least one service tool to provide a replacement service to the subscribers that are refused access to the particular event.

Abstract: An interactive system is provided in which information is displayed in response to the entry of the digits of a channel number. The interactive system may be implemented on a television, a computer, or a radio system. The displayed information may be program listings information such as the channel designator or the program currently airing on the channel. The displayed information may also be a list of channels. The list of channels may be associated with the entered digits, may be component channels, or channels of the same type and may be sorted by various techniques such as numerically, by favorite channels, by type, etc. The interactive system may allow a user to specify a source identifier to channels from different sources and display the channels with the source identifier when they are entered.

Abstract: A method for controlling a program guide by which a viewer can easily identify the title of a program currently being broadcast among program titles of the respective channels to select the channel on which a desired program is broadcast, is provided. Among the titles of the programs being broadcast on the respective channels by broadcast time, displayed on the screen by receiving the program schedule data transmitted from the respective TV broadcasting stations, only the programs of the respective channels having started before the current time and ending after the current time are highlighted to be displayed on the screen. The titles of the programs currently being broadcast on the respective channels can be easily identified by displaying the same in a different color from the programs of the respective channels broadcast at different time in a TV program guide mode. Therefore, viewers can easily select and watch a desired program among a plurality of programs currently being broadcast.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding broadcasting information of a TV is disclosed, in which various and detailed information is provided to permit a user to easily identify a program and fulfill the user's visual desire.

Abstract: In an apparatus capable of listing broadcast programs, there are provided a broadcast program display method, a broadcast program display apparatus, and a broadcast receiver configured to list broadcast programs matching an interest and the other broadcast programs with varied visibilities on the screen so as to be able to efficiently select intended broadcast programs from many ones. The apparatus is provided with a program display means for listing broadcast programs on the screen. The program display means lists broadcast programs matching an intended interest, e.g., those selected in accordance with a genre or the like and the other broadcast programs with varied visibilities on the screen.

Abstract: A digital signal receiving apparatus for receiving a digital broadcast signal having a first information table and a second information table is disclosed, the first information table representing the relation between physical information of transmission paths and deliverable data, the second information table representing deliverable data, the apparatus comprising a means for successively searching services represented with the second information table, a means for generating a list that represents services represented with the first information table, and a means for performing a predetermined process corresponding to the generated list.

Abstract: The efficient and intuitive presentation, navigation, and selection of AV information in a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a display apparatus of an AV system. Related AV information is organized as items within lists that correspond to various navigable fields of a status bar of the GUI during the GUI interactive mode. A highlighted navigable field of the status bar displays its list of related AV information and the items of the list are scrolled through the navigable field by a user causing a scrolling cylinder of a navigation and selection device to move in a scroll. A different field of the status bar may be selected by the user moving the scrolling cylinder in a lateral movement. Activation of the selection mechanism of the navigation and selection device will cause an AV device to be controlled in accordance with the currently displayed AV options.

Abstract: An MPEG-2 digital TV headend and settop box includes a method and apparatus for enabling the presentation of electronic program guide (EPG) information. Television program guide information is downloaded from a source of television programming data to the headend of the TV broadcast system. The downloaded EPG data is translated into a plurality of HTML Web pages, which are continuously transmitted as a rotating data carousel in an MPEG-2 data stream. The digital TV settop box further includes a general-purpose web browser responsive to viewer commands to select and display a selected web page from the rotating carousel of HTML web pages. The digital TV settop further includes a data cache for downloading and storing partial HTML web page EPG information in advance, which reduces the necessary bandwidth allocated for the EPG information, and allows the settop box to quickly display the basic information for a channel related program guide.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus implementing a technique for selecting a channel in a digital television. In one implementation, selecting a channel includes: receiving a major and minor channel number sequence, including a major channel number, a delimiter, and a minor channel number, where the delimiter separates the major channel number and the minor channel number; identifying a physical channel which corresponds to the major and minor channel number sequence by accessing a channel look up table, where the channel look up table includes correspondences between major and minor channel number sequences and physical channels; identifying a virtual channel table which corresponds to the physical channel, where the virtual channel table indicates a virtual channel which corresponds to the major and minor channel number sequence; tuning to the physical channel to receive a signal carried on the physical channel; and decoding the virtual channel from the tuned signal.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a plurality of parental control subsystems within an entertainment system is provided. The system includes a computer interfaced to a plurality of audio and/or audiovisual devices, wherein at least two of the audio and/or audiovisual devices within the system each comprise a native parental control subsystem or locking mechanism having adjustable parameters. A software locking mechanism operates the computer to allow a user to input one or more general parental control parameters and then sets the adjustable parameters of each native parental control subsystem within the system by mapping the parental control parameters onto each separate, native mechanisms for each device.

Abstract: A system for switching television channels provides a first tuner by which a first television channel is received and a second tuner by which a second television channel is received once a channel selection is made while the first channel is being viewed. The current channel being viewed is immediately switched to the selected second channel once the second tuner has acquired that channel.

Abstract: In a content distribution system, in which broadcast content is distributed and provided to a television viewer, a method and apparatus for providing a compact guide display of a plurality of television show or program recommendations, optionally with descriptions, which are available and selectable for viewing by a viewer without interrupting the presently-viewed content.

Abstract: A video clip is captured from a television broadcast on each of a plurality of channels. The captured video clips are provided to a display interface, which successively displays the captured video clips within a focus area of a user interface in response to an initiating action by a user. The display interface then discontinues the successive display of video clips to show a particular video clip corresponding to a selected channel in response to a terminating action by the user.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first unit to provide an Electronic progaming guide (EPG), a second unit to operate the EPG in response to voice commands, and a third unit to produce an audibile response.

Abstract: A device for provisioning, retrieving, and using data guide information transmitted in a digital broadcast signal is disclosed. A receiver receives the digital broadcast signal which includes digital television programming packets multiplexed with data packets and thereafter routes the received signal to a demodulator. The demodulator provides a demodulated signal to a detector which identifies data packets contained therein. A processor then determines the types of data in the data packets, as well as the respective channels on which the identified types of data are transmitted. The processor prepares a menu for a display screen enabling a user to select the channel of interest, and enables the user to be connected accordingly.

Abstract: The invention provides a television system for receiving data broadcast to a number of broadcast data receivers at different locations. The broadcast data receivers generate video and audio from the received data to represent television programmes selectable by a user. The invention provides for the transmission of portions of data in addition to the data for the programmes available at that instant. The portions of data allow the generation of video and/or audio “trailers” which represent a programme or service available for user selection and viewing in the future. The user can select the programme or service via the broadcast data received at the time of display of the video or audio trailer generated from the portion of data.

Abstract: A television signal of a certain TV program is captured for a specified period and memorized in an image memory as a representative image of that TV program. The representative image is read from the image memory when, for example, the same kind of the TV program is found in a TV listing (list of scheduled programs). The representative image is then attached to the program title in the TV listing. Since the representative image presents visual information, a user can learn more about a scheduled program from the TV listing.

Abstract: A program guide display apparatus for displaying a table of programs, which is a two dimensional arrangement for displaying program cells assigned to respective programs along the time and channel axes, is provided: a broadcast program search device which searches for a program whose broadcast time includes the current time; an earliest end time storage device which stores an end time of a program which finishes earliest of all the searched program, as an earliest end time; an earliest end time determination device which determines whether the current time is the stored earliest end time, or later than the stored earliest end time; and a program cell display device which displays a program cell with the stored earliest end time as a top display time of the table of programs, if the current time is the stored earliest end time, or later than the stored earliest end time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus can provide and use a channel history map that shows a user's previous channel selections. Such a method and apparatus can include, for example a digital television system. A method can include building a database, which includes a plurality of channel information sets for channels that are previously tuned by a user for a prescribed time, previously tuned in sequence, or previously tuned for a preset time interval or the like and outputting or displaying a channel history map based on the database using an OSD (On Screen Display) when a request for displaying the history map is made by the user. The method can also include providing a set of channel related functions in the channel history map for the previously tuned channels concurrent selection. By providing a channel history map that shows the user's previous channel selections, the user is able to select one of the previously selected channels and perform a TV-related function in an efficient manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for the construction of graphical user interface objects representing peripheral devices of a computer-based home entertainment system. The method includes providing a database of device functionality and user interface build elements, retrieving information about specific devices connected to the system, and constructing graphical user interface objects for specific and full functional and featural control of connected peripheral devices.

Abstract: A video frame is captured from a television broadcast on each of a plurality of channels. The captured video frames are provided to a display interface, which successively displays the captured video frames within a focus area of a user interface in response to an initiating action by a user. The display interface then discontinues the successive display of video frames to show a particular video frame corresponding to a selected channel in response to a terminating action by the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for displaying an electronic program guide on a screen of a digital television. A hundred of channels are classified by category, and representative functions of the EPG are classified into few categories. When searching the classified channels and programs, a time axis and a channel axis are arrange on the screen by being displayed in a vertical direction of the screen. By storing the searched channel once time in a predetermined device, the stored information can be used when searching the searched channel again.

Abstract: Method and apparatus suitable for use within a television receiver for storing program guide information, wherein a scan list identifies a plurality of channels available for viewing, channels not included within the scan list have corresponding program guide data deleted from a program guide database. The program guide database may be arranged as a plurality of objects including channel objects, schedule objects, and program objects.

Abstract: A computer based graphical user interface for facilitating the selection and display of transmitted audio, video and data includes a main menu state with a first multi-segment display having an active video/audio segment and a tuning segment. The active video segment displays a currently tuned program and the tuning segment includes an elongated graphic bar. The elongated graphic bar is dynamically sub-divided into a plurality of contiguous regions so that each of the regions uniquely corresponds to a program parsed from a multi-program data stream. The tuning segment also includes a graphic slider that overlays the graphic bar and that is movable along the length of the graphic bar so that the currently tuned program corresponds to the portion of the graphic bar underlying the current position of the graphic slider.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for adapting an entertainment schedule comprising a plurality of programme items. During the execution of the schedule, unforeseen conditions as represented by conditions data (106) may occur causing the data processor (101) to adapt the remaining portion of the schedule. The data processor co-operates with a tuner (118), a library server (120) and a timeshifter (122) to execute the adapted schedule. The timeshifter adjusts specified programme items received from the tuner (118) and library server (120) in conjunction with timeshifter storage (126) thereby ensuring a sequence of programme items are output at (128), the sequence comprising substantially the same material as contained in the original schedule prior to the occurrence of the condition.

Abstract: Disclosed are an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, an information providing apparatus and an information providing method, and a program thereof. In an information processing apparatus, the apparatus comprises: an acquiring element for acquiring a file which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to the provider; a generating element for generating internal data based on the channel data in the acquired file, the generated internal data specifying the numbers and names of the channels; and a reception controlling element for controlling reception of the TV programs by selecting the channels based on the internal data.

Abstract: To transmit EPG information efficiently in a small volume of transmission, it is so disposed that SDTs corresponding to respective transponders are referred in an NIT stating the overall configuration of the network and necessary information for reception. In each SDT, a real channel for transmitting video signals and a corresponding dummy channel are provided in a pair, and the dummy channel is provided with a gEMT and a dEMT for stating information on events. An ETT is provided correspondingly to the real channel. In an ETT, a gEMT is caused to be referred to. In a dEMT, outline documents of events are stated, and in a gEMT information other than the outline documents of events is stated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely programming a set top box and for remotely scheduling an event on a set top box. A set top box includes a server that allows an access device to access the set top box over an always on connection between the set top box and a network such as the Internet. The access device retrieves program guide data that is locally stored on the set top box and, using the program guide data, selects and schedules events. The events are sent back to the set top box over the connection where they are implemented by the set top box.

Abstract: A user interface is presented on a monitor of a media device for providing information about available programs. The user interface includes an array having three columns (channel, current show, and next show) with commonly aligned rows. Each row of the channel column includes an indicator. Each row of the current show column includes a title naming a program currently available on a channel of the media device corresponding to the indicator in a commonly aligned row of the channel column. Each row of the next show column includes a title naming a show available after the current program on the same channel. The currently available program may be displayed on the monitor in response to a viewer selected row, indicator, and/or title in the array.

Abstract: Channel lineup information in a television system is efficiently managed with an internal electronic program guide manager (IEM). The IEM creates and maintains an internal electronic program guide (EPG) information database for a user program preference determination engine (PDE), which is resident in a STB, DTV or PVR. The internal EPG data are for use by software agents of the PDE only. The external EPG is used for graphical user interface display. The IEM provides other software agents with various control interfaces to enable extraction of the program information from the IE database, for maintenance and to update changes.

Abstract: In a receiver, when a channel is registered on the channel map 15, the receiver 1 registers the channel by the unit of a physical channel, and when a channel is deleted from the channel map 15, the receiver 1 deletes the channel by the unit of a sub-channel. A common user has a tendency of watching most of a plurality of sub-channels contained in one physical channel and a tendency of not watching a portion of the plurality of sub-channels which the user does not like.

Abstract: An image-oriented electronic programming guide system is provided in which programming choices are represented as reduced video images of real-time programming displayed in individual image areas comprising one or more independent or geometric surfaces. The reduced video images may be snapshots captured from a standard video channel and updated at regular intervals or after detecting a scene change in the real-time programming. The most presentable snapshot may be further filtered to represent the real-time programming in the best manner. The reduced video images may also be thumbnail video streams selected from an enhanced preview channel.

Abstract: A method for parsing EIT parsing and providing program specific information of broadcasting programs at a rapid speed. The method includes the steps of: extracting the EITs from a program specific information signal sequence in a transport stream packet transmitted from a broadcasting station; parsing each the EIT in a prescribed priority order in the EITs; and displaying the parsed EIT on a TV screen. The method for parsing EIT according to the present invention can provide the information on the broadcasting program on the time period when an audience rating is highest to a viewer at a more rapid speed than the conventional EIT parsing method.

Abstract: An electronic program guide including virtual channels for interactive television includes multiple television listings and multiple Web site listings. Each television listing is linked to a respective television channel indicator. Moreover, each Web listing is linked to a respective virtual channel indicator. The electronic program guide also includes an information panel. As the user scrolls through the television listings and Web listings, information relevant to them is displayed in the information panel. A consumer can link directly to a Web site by selecting a virtual channel. Thus, a consumer who does not have an Internet computer is able to “surf” the Internet using his or her interactive television.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying an electronic program schedule guide is provided. The system has areas for displaying program schedule information. In addition, the system also has areas that may be used for advertising programs, products or services. In another embodiment, the system has areas for displaying messages to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying the program contents and a method for displaying the program contents in which either the channel condition setting or the category setting can be easily carried out in one screen at any one of the present program table and the program table of specified period of time, wherein there are provided a display having a screen, a selector for selecting and displaying a present program table indicating a title of program being broadcast at present in program data supplied through a broadcasting wave and a program table for specified period of time to indicate a title of program to be broadcast within a predetermined period of time and further displaying the table in the screen of the display in such a way that the present program table and the program table for specified period of time may be provided with a channel condition setting section for sorting channels and a category setting section for sorting categories of programs.

Abstract: In a channel selection and video recording reservation of television broadcast programs, there is provided a video recording and playback device that applies a program list display device which can visually display a past video recording state and a guide of programs scheduled to be broadcast.

Abstract: A system and method for processing program guide information are described. A user processing request information is selected or entered by the user. This allows the user, for example, to request the system to suggest a program, or to perform a search of the program guide information based on user-entered information. The program guide information is then processed based on the entered user processing request information. The processed result is then displayed in a dedicated channel.

Abstract: In a television system in which at least program title information for programs which are to be transmitted in the future is transmitted in advance to form a channel guide listing, apparatus is provided for searching the listing for specific user-entered information, and upon successful conclusion to the search, the apparatus schedules the tuning of the desired program, or in the alternative, notifies the viewer of the availability of the program by sending an e-mail message to an address provided by the viewer. In those instances where descriptive text accompanies the program listing, apparatus of the invention performs a search of the text for a particular text string which may relate to the title, the star, the director, or the context of the program, among other search criteria.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system are provided for remote surfing control for television viewing. User input selections are received for defining a profile. The profile includes at least one channel list. Responsive to identifying a user input surfing selection, a channel list is identified from the profile. The identified channel list is used for selecting a channel responsive to the user input surfing selection. A surfing mode and a timer event are set responsive to the user input surfing selection. Other events, each including an event date and time and selected channel, are set responsive to user input selections. When an event including a timer event is identified, an audible signal is issued for the viewer, and a predefined viewing channel is set. When an event is identified and the television is off, the television is powered on and checking for a user acknowledgment signal is performed.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.

Abstract: An automatic reminding system for reminding a user or tuning a receiver, such as a television, radio, recording device, computer, etc. to a particular carrier based on a detected ID code broadcast on that particular carrier. A user first activates the system when a broadcast signal is broadcasting an ID code that corresponds to a program that is broadcast. The receiver will either automatically remind a user that a particular broadcast is being broadcast or tune to a carrier that broadcasts the broadcast that corresponds to the ID code that was previously stored. Further the ID code may alternatively program the receiver with a date/time stamp to automatically tune to a particular carrier at a particular time.

Abstract: An information display method comprises a first display step of displaying information icons EY for guiding respective information on a part of a display screen as the base units of an information guide; a second display step of displaying the summaries of information corresponding to the information icons EY in the forms of titles TY at display positions corresponding to the information icons EY; and a third display step of displaying the explanation of the contents of the information which corresponds to the information icons EY at positions respectively corresponding to the information icons EY and the displays of the titles TY. The respective display steps can be switched or changed by a viewer or a user, so that desired information can be more readily and understandably retrieved.

Abstract: A viewer-defined group of channels allows a viewer to quickly navigate through the channels in the group. A channel matrix is used to display channels having program types or transmission characteristics that are selected by a user in a manner that allows the viewer to quickly select one of these channels. The channel matrix includes rows and columns of channel numbers, each corresponding to one channel in a group of channels. Channels having any of the selected program types or features are highlighted in the matrix. The viewer selects a program type or transmission characteristic using a menu. The program types may be predefined or defined by the viewer according to a set of parameters.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system and method for content-based television program selection are provided that allow a viewer to “surf” directly between programs of a desired content category. The system includes a head-end server operable to receive program signals from a programming source, and a viewer input apparatus, such as a remote controller, which is operable to generate an input signal indicating a viewer's desired program content category. The system further includes at least one set-top box, where the set-top box has a program receiver for receiving program signals from the head-end server, and a viewer input receiver for receiving the input signal from the viewer input apparatus. In addition, the set-top box includes a processor that determines whether any channels are currently showing a program of the desired content category at the time the input signal is received.

Abstract: A method and a communication network are provided for supplying a receiver, such as a Set Top Box connected to the network, with tuning information for services provided on the network. A database is compiled comprising a plurality of service identifiers identifying the provided services and a plurality of sets of tuning parameters. Each of the sets is associated with a respective one of said plurality of service identifiers. Tuning parameters for a requested service are retrieved by accessing said database through one of said plurality of service identifiers and using said retrieved tuning parameters for tuning said receiver. The method and the network provide a flexible way of supplying information. A subscriber terminal and a computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for constructing databases for digital television services, wherein it comprises a step of tuning to a carrier frequency, a step of extracting the data representing the information table of the network corresponding to this frequency, a step of storing the trio of information items constituted by the information table, the carrier frequency, and an identifier, a step of extracting and storing the trio constituted by the service table, the frequency of the carrier and the identification of the SDT service table.