Motorola Mobility, Inc. v. Apple, Inc.

Filing 94

NOTICE by Motorola Mobility, Inc. of Filing Brief on Claim Construction (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit, # 8 Exhibit, # 9 Exhibit, # 10 Exhibit, # 11 Exhibit, # 12 Exhibit, # 13 Exhibit, # 14 Exhibit, # 15 Exhibit, # 16 Exhibit, # 17 Exhibit, # 18 Exhibit, # 19 Exhibit, # 20 Exhibit, # 21 Exhibit, # 22 Exhibit, # 23 Exhibit, # 24 Exhibit, # 25 Exhibit, # 26 Exhibit, # 27 Exhibit, # 28 Exhibit, # 29 Exhibit, # 30 Exhibit, # 31 Affidavit)(Giuliano, Douglas)

Exhibit 12
to Motorola’s Opening Claim Construction Brief
July 28, 2011

111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
US005621456A

United States Patent

[11]

Florin et al.
[54]

[75]

[73]

42nd Annual Convention and Exposition of the National
Cable Television Association, Jun. 6, 1993, SF, CA, pp.
82-89, Mack Daily "Addressable Decoder With Downloadable Operation".

Inventors: Fabrice Florin, Mill Valley; Michael
Buettner, Burlingame; Glenn Corey,
San Rafael; Janey Fritsche, Mill
Valley; Peter Maresca, Palo Alto;
Peter Miller, Los Altos Hills; Bill
Purdy, San Anselmo; Stuart Sharpe;
Nick West, both of San Francisco, all
of Calif.

(List continued on next page.)

Primary Examiner-John K. Peng
Assistant Examiner-Chris Grant
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Blakely, Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman

[21]

Filed:

An interactive audio-visual (AIV) transceiver is advantageously coupled to a television and/or telephone (TIT) cable,
a TV, a video recorder (VCR), and other AIV devices. The
AIV transceiver switches data between a program/service
provider and the connected AIV devices. In one embodiment, the transceiver includes three primary modules, a
main module including a CPU, a system bus, system
memory, an infra-red (JR) control unit, an audio-visual bus,
an AIV decoder, an AIV processor, and an AIV encoder, an
AIV connect module including a number of tuner/demodulators and a switch, and an optional CD ROM module. The
AIV transceiver hardware is complemented with an operating system and software program which supports the functions provided in the AIV user interface. Additionally, a
remote control device is provided to communicate with the
AIV transceiver to interactively manage selection of program and service sources, selection program and service
offerings from any selected source, viewing of selected
program offerings, and interaction with selected service
offerings. The remote control device is advantageously
provided with a basic AIV control button group, an interactive control button group, an auxiliary control button group
and a numeric key pad to facilitate control of the transceiver.
The interactive control button group includes an info button,
a list button, a categories button, a pix button, a mark button,
a jump button, and a pointing device consisting of up, down,
left, and right arrow buttons, and a center select button.

Appl. No.: 82,056

[22]
[51]
[52]
[58]

The term of this patent shall not extend
beyond the expiration date of Pat. No.
5,583,560.

Jun. 22, 1993
6

Int. CI. ..................................................... H04N 7/173
U.S. CI.................................... 34817; 348112; 348113;
455/5.1; 45514.2
Field of Search .................................... 34817, 10, 12,
348113, 734, 906, 563, 564, 565, 566, 567,
1, 2; 455/4.2, 2; H04N 7116, 71173, 5/44,
5/445,5/00

[56]

References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

Re. 32,632
Re. 34,340

3/1988 Atkinson ................................. 340/709
8/1993 Freeman .................................... 358/86

(List continued on next page.)
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
0239884 10/1987
393555 10/1990

ABSTRACT

[57]

Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc., Cupertino,
Calif.
Notice:

European Pat. Off..
European Pat. Off..

11 Claims, 50 Drawing Sheets

(List continued on next page.)

50

54

~

.-----L----.~
~ ~ (~I

~

\

58 TELEy/SION SET

~O
0

56

OTHER AUOIO-YISUAL
DEVICES

57

*Apr. 15, 1997

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR
AUDIO-VISUAL INTERFACE FOR THE
DISPLAY OF MULTIPLE PROGRAM
CATEGORIES

[ *]

Date of Patent:

5,621,456

Patent Number:

[45]

[19]

0

0

--;;:'oTE

180 SCREEN

CONTROL

EXHIBIT 12
PAGE 1

000

5,621,456
Page 2

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,290,142
4,381,522
4,533,910
4,536,791
4,555,775
4,573,072
4,622,545
4,641,205
4,706,121
4,750,036
4,772,882
4,785,408
4,812,834
4,829,558
4,847,604
4,847,700
4,873,623
4,884,223
4,890,320
4,899,136
4,914,517
4,914,732
4,931,783
4,935,865
4,939,507
4,959,720
4,977,455
4,987,486
4,995,078
5,008,853
5,014,125
5,047,867
5,062,060
5,072,412
5,148,154
5,151,782
5,151,789
5,157,768
5,177,604
5,195,092
5,206,722
5,220,420
5,223,924
5,236,199
5,239,540
5,247,347
5,253,066
5,253,067
5,283,819
5,323,240
5,353,121
5,357,276
5,367,316
5,404,393
5,410,326
Bl 4,977,455

911981
411983
811985
8/1985
11/1985
2/1986
1111986
211987
1111987
611988
911988
1111988
311989
511989
711989
711989
511987
11/1989
1211989
211990
411990
411990
611990
611990
711990
911990
1211990
1/1991
2/1991
4/1991
5/1991
911991
1011991
1211991
911992
9/1992
911992
10/1992
111993
311993
411993
611993
611993
811993
811993
911993
1011993
1011993
2/1994
611994
1011994
1011994
1111994
411995
411995
411993

Schnee et aI ............................... 455/3
Lambert .................................... 358/86
Sukonick et aI ........................ 340n21
Campbell et aI. ...................... 3581122
Pike ........................................ 364/900
Freeman .................................... 358/86
Atkinson ................................. 340n47
Beyers, Jr. .............................. 358/335
Young ..................................... 358/142
Martinez ................................. 3581147
MicaI ...................................... 340n09
Britton et al. .......................... 364/513
Wells ...................................... 340n21
Welsh ........................................ 372/92
Doyle ...................................... 340n06
Freeman .................................. 358/343
Lane et aI ............................... 364/188
Ingle et aI ............................... 364/550
Monslow et aI .......................... 380110
Beard et aI. ............................ 340n06
Duffield ............................... 3581191.1
Henderson et aI. .................... 340/825
Atkinson ................................. 340nl0
Rowe et aI. .. .......................... 3641188
Beard et aI ............................. 340n06
Duffield et aI ....................... 3581191.1
Young ..................................... 358/455
Johnson et aI ............................ 358/86
Monslow et aI .......................... 380110
Bly et aI ................................. 364/900
Pocock et aI. ............................ 358/86
Strubbe et aI .......................... 358/335
Kolnick ................................... 364/521
Henderson, Jr et aI ................ 395/159
MacKay et aI ......................... 340n12
Ferraro ...................................... 358/86
Young .................................. 3581194.1
Hoeber et aI ........................... 395/157
Martinez ................................... 358/86
Wilson et aI .......................... 370/94.2
Kwan ........................................ 358/86
Hoarty et al. ............................. 358/86
Strubbe ..................................... 358/86
Thompson, Jr......................... 273/439
Rovira et aI .............................. 370n7
LitteraI et aI ............................. 358/85
Vogel.
Chaney et aI ........................ 358/191.1
Glick et aI ................................ 379/90
Amano et aI ............................... 34811
Young et aI ..
Banker et aI ..
Ikezaki .................................... 3451158
Remillard .................................. 379/96
Goldstein ................................ 348/134
Young ..................................... 358/142

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
61-74476

411986

Japan ............................. H04N 5/445

48879 2/1990
8601962 311986
8912370 1211989
9001243 211990
396062 1111990
420123 411991
9118476 1111991
9311639 6/1993
9311640 6/1993
9311638 611993

Japan.
WIPO.
WIPO.
WIPO.
WIPO.
WIPO.
WIPO.
WIPO.
WIPO.
WIPO.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS
18th International Television Symposium and Technical
Exhibition, Jun. 10, 1993, Montreux, Switzerland, pp.
555-567, Hoarty "Multimedia on Cable Television Systerns".
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 34, No. 7A, Dec.
1991, pp. 375-377, "Interactive Computer Conference
Server".
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 36, No. 07, Jul.
1993, pp. 53-54, "Interactive Device for Conventional TVs
to Improve Functionality".
Elektor, No.4, Apr. 1990, pp. 10-12, "D2B-Homebus Fur
Audio and Video".
42nd Annunal Convention and Exposition of the NCTA,
Jun. 6, 1993, SF, CA, pp. 223-236, Bestler "Flexible Data
Structures and Interface Rituals for Rapid Development of
OSD Applications".
Alexander, Visualizing cleared-off desktops, Computer
World, May 6, 1991, p. 20.
Hiroshi Ishii, Kazuho Arita, Clearface: Translucent Multiuser Interface for Team WorkStation, ECSCW, Sep., 1991,
pp.6-lO.
Hirosi Ishii, Naomi Miyaka, Toward an Open Shared Workspace, Communications of the ACM, Dec., 1991, vol. 34, No.
12, pp. 37-50.
Article entitled: Learning Considerations In User Interface
Design: The Room Model; author: Patrick P. Chan; publication of the Software Portability Laboratory, University of
Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Jul., 1984.
Article entitled: CreationIModification of the Audio Signal
Processor Setup For a PC Audio Editor; publication of
International Business Machines, IBM Technical Disclosure
Bulletin, vol. 30, No. 10, Mar. 1988.
Article entitled: Browsing Within Time-Driven Multimedia
Documents; authors: Stavors Christodoulakis and Steven
Graham; publication of the Institute for Computer Research,
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Jul.,
1988.
Article
entitled:
Impact:
An
Interactive
Natural-Motion-Picture Dedicted Multi-Media Authoring
System; authors: Hirotada Ueda, Takafumi Mityatake, and
Satoshi Yoshizawa; Communications of the ACM, Mar.,
1991, pp. 343-350.

EXHIBIT 12
PAGE 2

u.s. Patent

Apr. 15, 1997

5,621,456

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In the computer industry, a variety of graphic user interfaces have been developed to facilitate human interaction
with computer systems. Many display systems utilize metaphors in the design of the interface as a way of maximizing
5 human familiarity, and conveying information between the
user and the computer. It is well known that designing
RELATED APPLICATIONS
around a familiar metaphor helps reduce human learning
time (See for example, Patrick Chan, "Learning ConsiderThe present application is related to the following conations In User Interface Design: The Room Model", Report
temporaneously filed applications:
10 CS-84-16, University of Waterloo Computer Science
(a) Ser. No. 08/082,081, entitled "An Audio-Visual SysDepartment, Ontario, Canada, July, 1984, and the references
tem For Selectively Viewing And Interacting With Programs
cited therein). Research in interface design using metaphors
And Services From A Number of Program/Service Sources";
in man-machine interfaces may be applied to multi-media
(b) Ser. No. 08/081,931, entitled "Method And Apparatus
systems, and in particular, to interactive television systems.
For Controlling An Audio-Visual System For Selectively 15
The marriage of video and television technology with
Viewing And Interacting With Programs And Services From
computer interface technology provides consumers with
A Number of Program/Service Sources";
maximum flexibility in storing, retrieving and viewing tele(c) Ser. No. 08/081,471, entitled "Methods And Apparatus
vision and other audio-visual programming. As will be
For Managing Viewing Of And Interaction With Audiodescribed, the present invention provides methods and appaVisual Program And Service Offerings".
20 ratus for presenting an improved audio-visual user interface,
which includes various user-selectable features for viewing
and controlling a television, video tape recorder (VCR) and
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
other audio-visual devices. As will be disclosed, the present
invention's user interface provides a user-friendly mecha1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of audio-visual 25 nism for consumers to view, record, and play back TV and
AN programs, as well as control other AN home entertainsystems. More spedfically, the present invention relates to a
ment devices using a remote control device. Furthermore,
system for selectively viewing and interacting with proinformation such as TV program listings and additional
grams and services from a number of program/service
information related to programs as well as selecting and
sources, a control device for controlling the system, and the
methods and apparatus incorporated in the system for man- 30 controlling categories of interactive programs and services
may be provided through the user interface of the present
aging selection, viewing, and interacting with the program/
invention.
service offerings.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR
AUDIO-VISUAL INTERFACE FOR THE
DISPLAY OF MULTIPLE PROGRAM
CATEGORIES

2. Art Background
Over the past 40 years, television and motion pictures
have become an important aspect of everyday life for people
in the industrialized world. The development of advanced
technology in the areas of digital and high definition television (HDTV), video recording systems, laser disks and
compact disc (CD) entertainment systems, coupled with
satellite, cable television and telephone services, have provided opportunities for viewers to store, retrieve and selectively display a variety of television and audio-visual or
interactive programming on home entertainment systems.
Over the past decade, improvements in personal computing
systems have provided a variety of powerful miniaturized
personal computers which permit the storage of data and
control of home appliances, such as entertainment systems,
through the use of microprocessors. Additionally, a variety
of graphic user interfaces have been developed to ease
human interaction with these new personal computer systems.
The combination of computer technology with television
(TV) and audio-visual (AlV) systems, has fostered the
development of multi-media interactive entertainment systerns. The combination of computer hardware and software
with audio-visual systems has brought new forms of art and
entertainment into being. CD read only memory (ROM)
systems coupled to personal computers permit interactive
video computer simulations, unique self-paced learning
environments and interactive "movies", not possible in
earlier television systems (See, "The Revolution Starts
Here", Newsweek, page 42 (Jan. 18, 1993». It is known that
consumers desire interactive television and multi-media
applications for home usc. One of the biggest challenges for
an interactive television service is the design of an interface
that is easy and fun to use by average consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for
presenting an improved audio-visual user interface for
selecting and displaying cable television or other audiovisual programs, as well as controlling various audio-visual
devices and interactive services. The present invention
assumes a service provider provides cable television and/or
telephone (TIT) service to users via a TIT cable, including a
digital channel of program/service listings, at least one
digital back channel (from the user's home to a central file
server), a number of analog TV channels, a number of digital
pay-per-view channels, and other interactive services transmitted from remote storage devices such as digital file
servers. Under the present invention an interactive audiovisual (AN) transceiver is advantageously coupled to a
user's television, video tape recorder, and the TIT cable. In
one embodiment, the transceiver includes three primary
modules. A main module includes a central processing unit
(CPU) coupled over a digital system bus to system memory
and, preferably, an infrared (IR) or similar wireless control
unit. The main module is further coupled over an audiovisual bus to an AN decoder, an AN processor, an AN
encoder, a TV, an AN connect module connected to the TIT
cable, and to one or more VCRs and other AN devices. The
main module may also be coupled to an optional CD ROM
module, to permit the playback of multi-media CD ROM
titles, audio CDs, and the like. Other optional modules or
external devices (such as additional VCRs, CDs, hard disks,
telephone, fax and answering machines) may be connected
to this transceiver and controlled through the use of the
audio-visual user interface of the present invention. The AN
transceiver hardware is complemented with an operating
system software program which supports the functions pro-

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vided in the present invention's audio-visual user interfaee.
In operation, the cable or telephone service provider
transmits an interleaved data stream preferably including a
television program listing, together with program titles,
program times, categories, channel numbers and the like,
from a central file server on the digital channel of program
listings to the transceiver. The data is interleaved such that
the current day's data is followed by other weekly data.
A remote control device is preferably provided for communicating with the transceiver, and includes a number of
user selectable interactive functions such as: an info button,
a list button, a categories button, a pix button, a mark button,
a jump button, a select button, and a pointing device
consisting of a set of cross-hair arrow buttons (up, down,
left, right) or other pointing devices capable of providing the
same functions (such as a mouse, thumb stick or touch pad).
While viewing the TV, a user may obtain additional information on a current program by depressing the info button,
and obtaining more detailed information using the pointing
device. By depressing the list button on the remote control
device, the transceiver displays a program listing of the
current programs available for viewing. Through the use of
the pointing device, viewers can scroll up and down the
program listing or view a highlighted program in full screen
by pressing the select button. By pushing the right or left
arrow buttons on the pointing device, program listings may
also be viewed for different hours, days and up to several
weeks in advance through the present invention's use of data
interleaving. The depression of the categories button on the
remote control device results in the display of a categories
menu bar on the TV screen, which includes categories such
as "all", "sports", "news" and "favorites". The selection of
one of these categories results in the display of only programs within that category. Moreover, through the depressions of both the list button and the categories button, a
program listing is displayed of the currently available programs within the selected category. Through the use of the
arrow buttons on the pointing device, category listings for
different times and dates up to several weeks in advance may
also be viewed. The selection of the favorites category
results in the display of currently available favorite programs, including programs that are frequently watched by a
particular TV household, marked programs, or programs
that match preselected user preferences.
The depression of the pix button results in the display of
a "visual menu" of multiple picture-in-picture (PIP) windows along the perimeter of the TV screen. Each of the PIP
windows displays one of the programs currently being
received by the NY transceiver in the last category selected
by the viewer. The PIP windows are displayed at a variable
frame rate (N) (depending on the number of windows), and
are captured by one or more tuners in the transceiver. A
center PIP window displays a larger video image (along with
audio) of the currently highlighted PIP window. The other
PIP windows can be similarly viewed by using the pointing
device on the remote control. The depression of the mark
button allows users to "bookmark" a particular program for
later viewing. The depression of the jump button allows a
user to jump between previously marked programs.
Additional features, functions, and interface screens are
available to the viewer using the teachings of the present
invention, including a menu button for controlling other
devices connected to the NY transceiver (such as CD, VCR,
etc.), a record button for making copies of programs onto
connected AlV recording devices (such as VCRs, hard disks,
etc.), a plurality of control buttons for playing back, stopping, rewinding, or fast-forwarding audio-visual programs

on connected NY playback devices, a numeric keypad for
dialing channel numbers, confirming financial transactions
with personal identification numbers, an optional microphone with talk button for supplementing the present user
interface with direct voice commands through the use of
voice recognition technology, a pay-per view interface, and
a home shopping interface, as well as other features
described herein.

5

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the audio-visual
(AlV) system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the major
components of the audio-visual transceiver of FIG. 1 in
further detail.
FIG. 3a diagramatically illustrates the electronic spectrum
utilized by the present invention.
FIG. 3b conceptually illustrates the present invention's
use of an interleaving data stream to download programl
service listings, and other information, to the present invention's NY transceiver.
FIG. 4a illustrates one embodiment of the remote control
device of the present invention with the sliding panel in a
closed position.
FIG. 4b illustrates the first embodiment of the remote
control device of the present invention shown in FIG. 4a
with the sliding panel in an open position.
FIGS. Sa and Sb illustrate a second embodiment of the
remote control device of the present invention with no
sliding panel and additional features.
FIG. 6 illustrates the present invention's full screen viewing function as viewed by a user with a graphic overlay
panel which includes the current channel number as well as
the channel logo and identifier.
FIG. 7 illustrates the present invention's info function
showing the first page of the basic information track ("infotrack").
FIG. 8 illustrates the present invention's info function
with a second page of basic information, obtained by using
the right arrow button on the remote control device.
FIG. 9 is an additional illustration of the info function of
the present invention in which the user has requested a third
page of information using the remote control device.
FIG. 10 illustrates the present invention's use of the info
function providing the user with additional tracks of information (such as the "Tid Bits" information track), by using
the down arrow button of the remote control device.
FIG. 11 is a further illustration of additional information
tracks ("info-tracks"), such as this "Info Mart", accessible to
the user of the present invention using the down arrow
button of the remote control device.
FIG. 12 illustrates the present invention's use of the list
function to display current program/service listings and to
highlight a particular program. Viewers may scroll up or
down that list by using the up or down arrow buttons on the
remote control device.
FIG. 13 illustrates the list function of the present invention in which the NTV programming during the hour of 8:00
to 9:00 p.m. includes two programs, one starting at 8:00
p.m., the other starting after the previous program has ended.
FIG. 14 illustrates the list function of the present invention which allows the user to highlight the second program,
which starts at 8: 10 p.m., using the right arrow button ofthe
remote control device.

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FIG. 15 is an additional feature of the list function of the
programs", is highlighted displaying a list of previously
present invention where the user marks the highlighted
marked programs.
program with the mark button of the remote control device.
FIG. 33 conceptually illustrates the pix function of the
FIG. 16 illustrates the selection of an alternate hourly time
present invention wherein multiple PIP windows are disslot beginning at 9 p.m. using the right arrow button of the 5 played by pressing the pix button on the remote control
device.
remote control device.
FIG. 17 illustrates the selection of an alternate day for the
FIG. 34 illustrates the pix function of the present invenprogram/service listing by depressing the right arrow button
tion in which a new PIP window has been highlighted and
of the remote control device.
is displayed in a larger format in the center of the display
FIG. 18 illustrates displaying of a record panel confirming 10 screen.
the title and length ofthe program to be recorded, along with
FIG. 35 is a further illustration of the present invention's
a confirmation of which VCR and tape to record on, by
pix function in which, through the use of the remote control
depressing a select button in the remote control device.
device, a PIP window showing a pay-per-view program has
FIG. 19 illustrates the present invention's use of the select
been highlighted and is displayed in the center portion of the
button on the remote control device while the programJ 15 screen.
service listing is displayed to instruct the selected VCR or
FIG. 36 illustrates the menu function which permits users
AIV recording device to make a copy of the highlighted
to press a menu button to switch the television display to
program.
other audio-visual devices coupled to the transceiver, such
FIG. 20 illustrates the present invention's "reminder"
as VCR, CD, on-line services, telephone, etc. For example,
feature, which automatically displays a live picture-in-pic- 20 once VCR is selected, with the right arrow button, the TV
ture (PIP) window of a previously marked program when the
displays an image from the videotape currently in the VCR
program is received by the AIV transceiver.
and the user can press the play button on the remote to
FIG. 21 illustrates the present invention's jump function,
playback a previously recorded program on the video tape.
wherein pressing a jump button one the remote control
FIG. 37 illustrates one embodiment of the present invendevice permits a user to jump directly to a full screen view 25
tion for selecting a pay-per-view channel offering entitled
of a previously marked program, and wherein pressing the
"Jeff's World" through the use of the select button of the
jump button again results in the display of another marked
remote control device.
program.
FIG. 38 illustrates a preview feature of pay-per-view
FIG. 22 illustrates the categories function of the present
invention which is displayed by pressing the categories 30 under the above illustrated embodiment.
button on the remote control device.
FIG. 39 illustrates a credits feature of pay-per-view under
the above illustrated embodiment.
FIG. 23 further illustrates the categories function wherein
the "favorites" category is highlighted by pressing the right
FIG. 40 illustrates an info feature of pay-per-view under
the above illustrated embodiment.
arrow button on the remote control device.
FIG. 24 further illustrates the categories function wherein 35
FIG. 41 illustrates a confirmation feature for ordering a
the "sports" category is highlighted by depressing the right
pay-per-view offering through the use of the numeric keypad
arrow button on the remote control device.
on the remote control device under the above illustrated
embodiment.
FIG. 25 illustrates a representative television image in the
case where the "sports" category has been selected by 40
FIG. 42 illustrates the reminder feature advising the user
depressing the select button on the remote control device.
that the selected offering of pay-per-view will begin in three
minutes under the above illustrated embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a further illustration of a representative television image in which the "sports" category has been
FIG. 43 illustrates one embodiment of the present invenselected, and an alternate sports channel has been further
tion for selecting and interacting with a home shopping
selected by a user through the use of the up arrow button on 45 service (TV Shop) offering.
the remote control device.
FIG. 44 illustrates a sample commercial shown to the user
FIG. 27 illustrates a sports program listing in which the
if the home shopping service is selected through the use of
list button has been depressed after the "sports" category has
the select button on the remote control device under the
been selected.
above illustrated embodiment.
FIG. 28 illustrates the categories function in conjunction 50
FIG. 45 illustrates a menu permitting the user to select
with the list function.
various shops available on the home shopping service using
the select button on the remote control device under the
FIG. 29 further illustrates the categories and list functions
above illustrated embodiment.
when the down arrow button is depressed on the remote
control device, breaking down the "sports" category into
FIG. 46 is a further illustration of the home shopping
sub-categories such as baseball or football.
55 service in which a cookware product is highlighted under the
above illustrated embodiment.
FIG. 30 is a further illustration of the categories and list
functions in which the category "favorites" is highlighted
FIG. 47 is a further illustration of the home shopping
and can now be selected by depressing the select button or
service in which a mini-espresso machine is highlighted, and
broken down into sub-categories by depressing the down 60 can be selected for ordering with the select button on the
arrow button on the remote control device.
remote control device under the above illustrated embodiment.
FIG. 31 further illustrates the categories and list functions,
where the "favorites" category has been broken down into a
FIG. 48 is an information screen provided to the user after
sub-category of "frequent" programs which are currently
selecting a mini-espresso machine for ordering under the
listed.
65 above illustrated embodiment.
FIG. 32 is a further illustration of the categories and list
FIG. 49 is an order screen in which the user, using the
functions, where another "favorites" sub-category, "marked
numeric keypad on the remote control device, enters a

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personal identification number to order the mini-espresso
machine under the above illustrated embodiment.
FIG. 50 is a sample order confirmation provided to the
user subsequent to ordering a product in the home shopping
service under the above illustrated embodiment.

info, list, record, mark, jump, category, pix and menu
functions, as well as the overall structure and operation of
the present invention's user interface.
In addition, in the following description, numerous specific details are set forth such as functional blocks representing data processing devices, and metaphors such as
screen, menu and other configurations to assist the user in
navigating through the user interface, etc., to provide a
thorough understanding of the present invention. However,
it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without these specific details. In
other instances, well known circuits and structures are not
described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention
unnecessarily. For the purpose of this application, the word
"audio-visual" and its abbreviation, "AN", will be used
interchangeably and will have the same meaning.

5

NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE
The detailed descriptions which follow are presented
largely in terms of interface display images, algorithms, and
symbolic representations of operations of data bits within a
computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data
processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of
their work to others skilled in the art.
An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self
consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result.
These steps are those requiring physical manipulations of
physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these
quantifies take the form of electrical or magnetic signals
capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared,
displayed and otherwise manipulated. It proves convenient
at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer
to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, images, terms, numbers, or the like. It should be borne
in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to
be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and
are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities.
In the present case, the operations are machine operations
performed in conjunction with a human operator. Useful
machines for performing the operations of the present invention include general purpose digital computers, digitally
controlled displays or other similar devices. In all cases,
there should be borne in mind the distinction between the
method operations of operating a computer and/or display
system, and the method of computation itself. The present
invention relates to method steps for operating a computer
and interactive display system, and processing electrical or
other physical signals to generate other desired physical
signals.
The present invention also relates to apparatus for performing these operations. This apparatus may be specially
constructed for the required purposes or it may comprise a
general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. The
method steps presented herein are not inherently related to
any particular computer or other apparatus. In particular,
various general purpose machines may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may
prove more convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required
structure for a variety of these machines will appear from the
description given below. Machines which may perform the
functions of the present invention include those manufactured by the Assignee, Apple Computer, Inc., as well as other
manufacturers of computer and computer controlled mutimedia systems.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
INVENTION

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General System Configuration
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The following detailed description will be divided into
several sections. The first of these will describe a general
system arrangement for receiving and generating the audiovisual user interface of the present invention. Subsequent
sections will deal with the functional aspects such as the
present invention's interactive functions, which includes the

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The multi-media interactive television system of the
present invention is illustrated in schematic form in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, a cable or telephone service provider 50
provides cable television or telephone (Tff) services over a
Tff cable 52 to a plurality of users coupled to the cable or
telephone system, as is known. Although in this Specification reference is made to a cable television or telephone
system, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that
the present invention may be used in conjunction with a
variety of other electronic transmission systems including
satellite service systems, microwave systems, fiber optic,
and radio frequency (RF) systems.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the Tff cable 52 is coupled to an
audio-visual transceiver 54 which comprises a number of
separately identifiable modules. The transceiver 54 is
intended to be located in proximity to and coupled to a VCR
56, a television (TV) 58, as well as one or more optional
audio-visual devices 57 such as additional VCRs, laser disc
players, camcorders, stereos, various storage devices, telephones, faxes and answering machines, as shown. Moreover, it is contemplated that transceiver 54 may be directly
incorporated into the VCR 56, the TV 58, or one the other
AN devices 57. As will be described below, a remote
control device 60 communicates with the transceiver 54
preferably through a wireless transmission signal (for
example, an infrared (IR) signal), or other mechanisms
known in the art. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the
transceiver 54 is further capable of communicating with the
television 58, the VCR 56 and the other AN devices 57
through infrared or other means.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the transceiver 54
comprises three primary modules: a main module 62, an AN
connect module 66 and an optional compact disc read only
memory (CD ROM) module 70. The main module 62
includes a central processing unit (CPU) 63 coupled over a
system bus 64 to a system memory 65 and an infra-red (IR)
control unit 82, which sends and receives wireless control
signals to and from the remote control device 60. The CPU
63 is further coupled through the system bus 64 to a memory
and bus controller 80, which is itself coupled through an AN
decoder 74 and an AN encoder 78 to the AN connect
module 66, as well as to an optional CD ROM module 70.
The CPU 63 is also coupled through the system bus 64, the
memory and bus controller 80 and an AN bus 73 to an AN
processor 77 and an optional AN memory 75.
The AN connect module 66 switches and receives analog
audio-visual signals and digital data from a plurality of
audio-visual sources including the Tff cable 52, the video

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cassette recorder (VCR) 56, or the other AN devices 57, and
couples those signals and data to the main· module 62
through the video decoder 74. The AJV connect module
further switches audio-visual signals and data received from
the main module 62 through the video encoder 78, and sends
them back out to the Tff cable 52, the VCR 56, the other
NV devices 57 and/or the TV 58. The NV connect module
66 includes a switcher 69 and one or more programmable
tuners/demodulators 67, wherein one tuner/demodulator
reads and displays a current program from one of the
channels received over the Tff cable 52, and additional
tuners/demodulators (or the same tuner/demodulator, used
in alternation) are used to read and display data from the
side-band channels in picture-in-picture (pip) windows. In
addition, the AJV connect module 66 may include descrambling circuitry (not shown) to descramble premium programs received over the Tff cable 52. It is further contemplated that the NV connect module 66 provides a graphic
overlay function that superimposes an AJV signal from the
video encoder 78 against another AJV signal from the Tff
cable 52, the VCR 56, or the other AJV devices 57 allowing
both signals to be simultaneously displayed on the TV 58,
the VCR 56 or the other AJV devices 157. Finally, the AJV
connect module 66 can be used to transmit data such as order
information to the cable (Tff) service provider 50 over a
back channel 102 described below.
The AJV decoder 74 is used to decode data encoded in the
vertical blanking interval or special side-band cable channels into digital data and couple them to the CPU 63 through
the memory and bus controller 80 and the system bus 64.
Furthermore, the AJV decoder 74 is used to convert analog
audio-visual signals from the AJV connect module 66 into
digital AJV data and couple them to the AJV processor 77
through the memory and bus controller 80 and the AJV bus
73. Moreover, the AJV decoder 74 may be used to resize
audio-visual signals from the AJV connect module 66 in
order to create picture-in-picture windows and the like. It is
also contemplated that the AJV decoder 74 may be used to
decompress certain analog or digital signals (such as MPEG
motion video and the like) and couple them to the AJV
processor 77 through the memory and bus controller 80 and
the NV bus 73.
The memory and bus controller 80 is used to route data
and control signals between the system bus 64, the AJV bus
73, the NV decoder 74, the AJV encoder 78 and the optional
CD ROM module 70. The AJV bus 73 is a high-speed digital
bus used to free up the system bus 64 during the transmission of large amount of audio-visual data between the AJV
processor 77, the optional AJV memory 75 and, through the
memory and bus controller 80, the AJV decoder 74, the AJV
encoder 78, and the optional CD ROM module 70. The AJV
processor 77 coupled to the AJV bus 73 is used to manipulate, process, render, mix and otherwise re-arrange digital
data into coherent audio-visual displays. An optional AJV
memory module 75 also coupled to the AJV bus 73 can be
used to store NV data before or after processing by the AJV
processor 77 (using components such as video random
access memory (VRAM) to hold, for example, a frame
buffer equivalent to one 640x480x8-bit color image in
memory).
The AJV encoder 78, coupled to the AJV bus 73 through
the memory and bus controller 80, is used to convert digital
AJV data from the AJV processor 77 or the optional AJV
memory 75 into analog audio-visual signals which are
routed to the TV 58, the VCR 56 or the other AJV devices
through the AJV connect module 66. It is also contemplated
that the AJV encoder 78 may be used to encode other data

such as order information sent by the CPU 63 through the
memory and bus controller 80 and the system bus 64 and
transmit them to the service provider 50 through the NV
connect module 66 and a back channel 102 described below.
The CPU 63 is also coupled over the system bus 64 to a
system memory 65 including both volatile and non-volatile
memory components. The non-volatile part of system
memory 65 includes read-only memory (such as ROM),
which is used to store an operating system and playback
software, fonts, sounds and the like used in the present
invention. The non-volatile part of system memory 65 also
includes rewritable memory (such as SRAM), which is used
for persistent storage of mark or record indicators, listings of
programs viewed or taped, and other user preferences.
Additionally, the volatile part of system memory 65 includes
sufficient random access memory (such as RAM or DRAM)
for the temporary storage of data received over the Tff cable
52 or from the other devices 56-58 connected to the transceiver 54.
The transceiver 54 can also include an optional CD ROM
module 70 coupled through the memory and bus controller
80 to the system bus 64 and the CPU 63. This optional CD
ROM module 70 constitutes a general purpose storage
device to permit playback of optical compact discs (CDs),
including multi-media CD ROM titles, audio CDs, photo
CDs, and motion picture CDs on the TV 58. It is contemplated that those transceivers which do not include an
internal CD ROM module could instead include a CD ROM
interface allowing users to connect an external CD ROM
drive to the transceiver 54 at a later date. It is also contemplated that this CD ROM module 70 may in the future use
different electronic, magnetic, optical or storage technologies other than the current CD ROM embodiment.
Additional modules may be added to the transceiver 54
including, for example, such options as a small computer
system interface (SCSI) for accessing digital storage devices
such as hard disks, a modem for exchanging digital data over
telephone lines, or a serial port for controlling other devices
over a wired connection. Another module presently being
contemplated is a remote beeper button for locating the
remote control device 60. Many consumers often misplace
their remote control devices, and it is contemplated that the
present invention may provide a function wherein a speaker
on remote control 60 would beep while the beeper button is
pressed until the user locates the remote control.
Referring now to FIG. 3a, there is shown one possible
electronic spectrum of signals provided by the cable Tff
service provider 50 over the Tff cable 52 to the transceiver
54. As illustrated in FIG. 3a, the spectrum includes at least
one digital program listing channel 100, a plurality of back
channels 102, and a plurality of standard analog TV channels
103. In addition, and as will be described more fully below,
the spectrum includes pay-per-view digital channels 106,
and further additional definable digital channels 108 offering
a variety of interactive services, in addition to the general
purpose or special channels or services particular to the
specific application of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 3b, the digital program listing
channel 100 provides data representing daily and weekly
program listings and related information from the service
provider 50 to the transceiver 54. As shown in FIG. 3b, the
listing channel 100 includes a repetitive data stream having
data representing today' s listing 110 interleaved with weekly
listings. For example, there is shown today's data 110,
followed by Monday's data 112, and then once again followed by today's data 110. As seen in FIG. 3b, Tuesday's

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data 114 is followed once again by today's data 110, and
thereafter by Wednesday's data 116. Wednesday's data 116
is followed by today's data 110, and thereafter by Thursday's data 118. Thursday's data 118 is followed once again
by today's data 110, and thereafter by Friday's data 119.
Finally, following today's data 110, Monday's data 112 is
once again transmitted along the data stream provided by the
service provider 50. For programming purposes, the data
preferably will include titles of programs, show times,
special captions, length information, categories, and key
words, as well as channel numbers provided from the service
provider 50 over the Trr cable 52, and received by the
transceiver 54. The data stream is an interleaved data stream
which repeats on a weekly basis as shown in FIG. 3b. It is
presently contemplated that there would be at least 100
different channels of programs and/or services. A weekly
program/service listing with information relating to 100
channels of programs/services could require over 2 megabytes of information. This data stream of programs/services
listing information (illustrated in FIG. 3b) is received by the
transceiver's main CPU module 62, whereafter the sections
that are most relevant to the users are stored in the system
memory 65. By interleaving the current day's data with the
weekly data, the daily data, the CPU module 62 can update
the system memory 65 periodically and still provides quick
access to the viewer, without having to store all the received
program/service information, thereby reducing the amount
of system memory 65 required and the associated hardware
cost.
Referring once again to FIG. 3a, the back channels 102
are used to engage in a variety of transactions, such as
ordering products, home banking services and pay-per-view
movies, as will be described more fully below. In operation,
any request by a user to view a pay-per-view movie or order
a product is transmitted to the service provider 50 over at
least one back channel 102 through the Trr cable 52. It is
contemplated that as channel capacity increases, so will the
number of back channels, allowing for broader band twoway communications such as telephone conversations or
interaction with on-line networks.
Referring now to FIGS. 4a, 4b, and FIGS. Sa and 5b, two
alternative embodiments of the remote control device 60 are
shown in further detail. It is expected that the model shown
in FIGS. Sa and 5b would be more commonly used. As
illustrated in the figures, both embodiments of the remote
control device 60 are comprised of four control button
groups 115, 134, 160 and 176. These control button groups
115,134,160 and 176 will first be described briefly here, and
their usage will be described in further detail below.
The first control button group is the basic control button
group 115 which includes standard television control buttons such as power on/off button 120, volume control button
122 and a mute button 125. Moreover, channel up/down
buttons 130 are provided to the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 4a and 4b to increment or decrement the currently
viewed channel on television 58, as is well known. For the
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. Sa and 5b, the channel
control function is effectuated using the up and down arrow
buttons 145 and 146.
The second control button group is the interactive control
button group 134 which includes an info button 136, a list
button 138, a categories button 140, and a mark button 142.
The info button 136 permits the user to obtain multiple
levels of information on programs while the user is watching
one of the program offerings on the TV 58 (or other AlV
devices). The list button 138 permits the user to view listings
for programs/services. In the presently preferred embodi-

ment, when TV is selected, the list button 138 permits the
user to view current and future TV listings up to one week
in advance. The categories button 140 permits the viewer to
select programs/services by category. For example, and as
will be described below, the user may desire to watch only
sports programs, only news programs, or the like. As will be
disclosed, the categories button 140, and the list button 138
operate in concert to provide listings of selected categories,
such as sports or news programs, on the TV 58. The mark
button 142 permits the user to mark programs for reminders,
later recall, or switching between programs which have been
selected using the mark button 142. A jump button 132 lets
the user switch to the program that was last marked, then to
the program that was marked before that, and so on, until all
marked programs have been shown, looping back to the last
marked program again. As shown in FIGS. Sa and 5b, the
jump button 132 and the mark button 142 are placed side by
side together on the dividing line between the first and
second control button groups 115 and 134 to emphasize their
interrelation.
Also provided with the interactive control button group
134 is a pointing device consisting of an up arrow button
145, a down arrow button 146, a left arrow button 148, and
a right arrow button 150. For example, if the user is viewing
a program/service listing through the use of list button 138,
and desires to scroll up or down within the listing, the up
arrow button 145 and the down arrow button 146 are
utilized. In addition, a center select button 155 is provided
for permitting the user to select one of several choices,
represented by words or icons in graphic menus or lists
displayed on the TV 58, for example a "bull' s eye" as shown
in FIG. Sa. As will be described, the interactive control
button group 134 may be used in a variety of applications,
including selection of pay-per-view channels, home shopping services, and the like, as well as to display and control
programs from other A!V devices connected to the transceiver 54.
The third control button group is the auxiliary control
button group 160 comprising various A!V control buttons
for controlling the VCR 56 or the other A!V devices 57
connected to the transceiver 54. As illustrated in FIG. Sa, the
auxiliary control button group 160 includes a record button
162, a rewind button 164, a stop arrow button 166, a
play/pause button 168, a fast forward button 170, and a
menu button 172. In accordance with the teachings of the
present invention, the user depresses the record button 162
while watching a television program on TV 58, which brings
up a record panel confirming the current program's title and
length, along with a highlighted select icon and confirmation
of which AI V device and type to use for recording. Once the
center select button 155 is depressed, the VCR 56 or the
other selected A!V device 57 begins to record the program
currently being viewed by the user. Alternatively, if the user
has pressed list button 138, and a program listing is highlighted, pressing the record button 162, and then the center
select button 155 results in the VCR 56 being programmed
to record the particular show highlighted in the program
listing. Pressing the menu button 172 displays icons for all
the A!V devices 57 currently connected to the transceiver 54
and allows users to select another device with the arrow
buttons. Pressing the center select button 155 displays the
output of that device and lets the user control that device.
The fourth control button group is the numeric keypad
panel 176, which permits the user to directly enter channel
numbers to be viewed on the TV 58 by pressing a single,
double or triple digit number, followed by the ok button 178
(FIG. Sa). For the remote control device 60 shown in in FIG.

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4b, the user would depress the select button 155 after
entering values using the keypad 176. In addition, the
numeric keypad 176 may be used by the user to enter a
personal identification number ("PIN"), to be transmitted to
the service provider 50 through the AlV connect module 66
for payment of pay-per-view movies, products and the like.
In addition to the control button groups, both embodiments comprise a transmitter (not shown) for transmitting
signals to the audio-visual system. Additionally, the model
illustrated in FIGS. 5a-5b is further provided with a talk
button 181, a microphone 179, a speaker 182 and a receiver
(not shown). The talk button 181 when depressed allows the
user to speak into the microphone 179, thereby providing
input to the AlV system through voice, and receive voice
feedback from the A/V system through the speaker 182.

highlighted, to indicate that no additional information will
be displayed if the up arrow button 145 is depressed.
Referring now to FIG. 8, which illustrates a new graphic
overlay panel 190 displayed in response to the user having
depressed the right arrow button 150 on the remote control
device 60 while using the information function. The tranSceiver 54 provides additional information on the currently
viewed program. As illustrated, an additional page of information on the program currently viewed is displayed. For
example, additional guests on the show "Showbits This
Month" include "Madeline, Harold Black and Harmer".
Referring now to FIG. 9, which illustrates another new
graphic overlay panel 190 displayed in response to the user
having depressed the right arrow button 150 again. A third
page of information is displayed on the screen 180 relating
to the currently viewed program "Showbits This Month". It
will be noted that the currently viewed television program
("Showbits This Month" in this example) continues to be
viewed in the main portion of the screen 180, while different
graphic overlay panels 190 are superimposed over the lower
third portion of the screen 180.
In the currently preferred embodiment, a user may selectively move between pages of information relating to the
currently viewed program by pressing the right arrow button
150 or the left arrow button 148 on the remote control device
60, or alternatively, the main module 62 will automatically
scroll through the various pages of information with a
predetermined amount of display time for each page of
information.
Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown a currently
viewed baseball game entitled "Saint Louis at San Francisco" displayed on the screen 180. Assume now the user
also depresses the info button 136 on the remote control
device 60. As previously described, information relating to
the currently viewed program is displayed within the graphic
overlay panel 190. (n the present example, information
relating to the baseball player, "John Smith", is provided
within the overlay 190. In the event the down arrow 210 is
highlighted, an additional information track is available to
the user. This additional information track may be displayed
through the use of down arrow button 146 on the remote
control device 60, and is referred to here as ''Tid Bits". As
shown in FIG. 10, the ''Tid Bits" information track gives
additional information relating to the particular subject
currently being displayed on the screen 180. In the example
of FIG. 10, the first baseman John Smith is currently being
viewed on the screen 180, and information relating to John
Smith is provided in the graphic overlay panel 190. It will
also be noted that in FIG. 10, the down arrow 210 is
highlighted, indicating that yet another information track is
available.
Still referring to FIG. 10, it will be noted that a down
arrow 210 is shown. By depressing the down arrow button
146 on the remote control device 60 once again, an Info Mart
track information track as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed by
CPU 63 in the graphic overlay panel 190. As illustrated, the
Info Mart information track provides the viewer with the
opportunity to purchase products, services, programs and the
like related to the program which is currently being viewed
(in the present example, the baseball game "Saint Louis at
San Francisco"). The information track disappears when the
info button 136 is pressed again.
While the information has been described with the left
and arrow arrow buttons 148 and 150 causing different pages
of an information track to be displayed, and the up and down
arrow buttons 145 and 146 causing different information

5

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15

Full Screen Viewing Function
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a representative
full screen audio-visual program displayed on the screen 180
of the TV 58. By depressing the channel up/down buttons
130 on the remote in FIGS. 4a and 4b, (or by depressing the
up and down arrow buttons 145 and 146 on the remote
control device in FIGS. 5a-5b), users can switch channels as
is commonly done with regular TV remotes. As the user
selects a channel to view using the remote control device 60,
a graphic overlay panel 185 is displayed in the lower right
hand portion of screen 180. As illustrated, the graphic
overlay panel 185 includes the channel number currently
being viewed 186 along with the channel logo and identifier
188. Additionally, a marking identifier 189, such as a check
mark, is also displayed, as will be described, to indicate that
the program has been marked through the use of the mark
button 142 previously discussed with reference to the remote
control device of FIGS. 4a, 4b, and FIGS. 5a and 5b.

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Information Function
Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown the screen 180 in
which the information (info) function 136 has been
requested by the user. As the user is watching a particular
television program on the TV 58, he may depress the info
button 136 to obtain information in the form of a graphic
overlay panel 190 on the screen 180. In operation, the
transceiver 54 coupled with the main module 62 through the
A/V connect module 66 superimposes the graphic overlay
panel 190 against the currently displayed video image. This
process is also used in other functions, such as the full screen
viewing function, where the graphic overlay panel 185 is
superimposed on the screen 180. The overlay graphic panel
190 contains an "i" logo 192 indicating that the information
button 136 has been depressed, and also displays the title of
the currently viewed program 194 ("Showbits This Month"
in this example), a category name 196 ("News" in this
example), and the length of the overall program ("60 min"
in this example). In addition, the channel number and
network logo ("8" and "CMM" in this example) are also
provided to the user. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the overall
length of the currently viewed program is graphically illustrated, by a time bar 200 showing how much time remains
before the program ends. A left arrow 201, a right arrow 202,
and a down arrow 210 are displayed and highlighted to
indicate that the left arrow button 148, the right arrow button
150, and the down arrow button 146, of the remote control
device 60 can be depressed to cause additional information
to be depressed. An up arrow 205 is also displayed, but is not

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tracks to be displayed, it is contemplated that the information displayed may be related to each other in other application dependent manners. It is further contemplated that
this information function can also be used with audio-visual
programs or services other than TV shows, in particular 5
when the menu button 172 is used to display the output of
the VCR 56, the CD 70, a hard disk, a telephone or another
other A!V device 57 connected to the transceiver 54.
The data comprising the information of the various infor- 10
mation tracks shown in FIGS. 7-11 are downloaded using
the method illustrated in FIG. 3b, i.e. the interleaved data
stream transmitted from the service provider 50, to the
transceiver 54. The data are stored in the system memory 65
and updated as new data are received over the digital
program listing ehannell00. Alternatively, data displayed in 15
the information tracks such as the exemplary Tid Bits or
Info-Mart information tracks may be transmitted by the
serviee provider 50 to the transceiver 54 using the vertical
blanking intervals, which are inherently part of the analog
TV channel 103 used to display the currently viewed pro- 20
gram on the TV 58. In another embodiment, data comprising
the information tracks may be transmitted and downloaded
through the use of separate info-track channels comprising
additional channels in the electronic spectrum illustrated in
25
FIG.3a.

may be selected by pressing the up arrow button 145 or the
down arrow button 146 on the remote control device 60 to
move the highlighting over to alternate program/service
offerings. For example, if the user presses the down arrow
button 146, as shown in FIG. 13, the NTV listing is then
highlighted. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 14, by continuing to
depress the down arrow button 146, the highlighting continues to move upward towards the lower channel numbers
and once the highlighting reaches Channel 9, the entire
program/service listing scrolls to display consecutively
lower channel numbers previously not displayed. At the
same time, the higher channel numbers previously displayed
at the bottom part of the screen 180 will consecutively
disappear. As illustrated in FIG. 14, Channels 7 and 8 are
now displayed, and Channels 19 and 20 are no longer
displayed to the user. If the up arrow button 145 is now
pressed instead, the highlighting will move down towards
the higher channel numbers as illustrated in FIG. 14. Notably, movement of the program/service listing and the highlighting in the present invention are specifically calculated to
conform with an average person's expectations in using a
television remote control. While the list function has been
described with the down arrow button 146 causing highlighting to move towards the lower channel numbers, and
the up arrow button 145 causing highlighting to move
towards the higher channel numbers, it will be appreciated
that the correspondence between the arrow buttons 145 and
146 and the highlighting movement may be implemented in
List Function
other ways as best suits the anticipated user of the interface
system.
Referring now to FIG. 12, the list function of the present
Skipping now to FIG. 16, a further feature of the list
invention will be described. While viewing a television 30
function of the present invention is illustrated. In the event
program displayed on the TV 58, the user may depress the
the user depresses the right arrow button 150, the CPU 63
list button 138 on the remote control device 60 to obtain a
displays the next hourly time slot listing on the screen 180.
program/service listing for the current date and time during
In the example of FIG. 16, the time slot for 9:00-10:00 p.m.
which the user is watching television. As shown in FIG. 12,
upon depressing the list button 138, a program/service 35 is illustrated. It will be appreciated that, had the user
depressed the left arrow button 148 three times, then the
listing 220 is displayed for the current date and time at which
program/service listing for 6:00-7:00 p.m. would have been
the viewer has depressed the list button 138. As illustrated,
displayed. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the conprograms/services currently available for viewing and intertinued depression of the right arrow button 150 for a
action are identified by their channel numbers, channel name
predetermined amount of time (in the present embodiment
identifiers (for example, Channel 10, NTV), and by titles of 40 for more than 2 seconds) results in the display of program/
the programs/services. In the event that the program/service
service listings for subsequent days. In this case, the conlisting includes two programs for a given time interval, then
tinued depression of the right arrow button 150 has resulted
the names of both programs are displayed. For example, in
in a scanning of the program/service listings through to
FIG. 12, Channel 10 is NTV which beginning at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 17. It will be noted that in the currently
is showing a program entitled "Rock Today", and beginning 45 preferred embodiment, a scanning of subsequent days
at 8:10 p.m. is showing a program called "Party Time". In
results in the display of the program/service listing from the
addition, as shown in FIG. 12, a picture-in-picture window
beginning of prime time, namely, 6:00 p.m. (or 7:00 p.m., at
the service provider's option). It will also be noted that the
250 continues to display the currently viewed program
info function can be used in conjunction with the list
which the user was last viewing. Accordingly, the user may
continue to view the currently selected program, and the 50 function to display program/service information about the
currently highlighted program/service. It will further be
current program/service listing simultaneously. By pressing
noted that the listing display will disappear if the user
the select button 155 in the current time slot, the user can
depresses the list button 138 once again. It is also contemview the currently highlighted program in full screen, as
plated that this list function can be used with audio-visual
long as that program is playing live at the current time. For
example, in the case of FIG. 13, the pressing of the select 55 programs or services other than TV programs, in particular
when the menu button 172 is used to display the output of
button 155 would display NTV's "Rock Today" program in
other A!V devices 57. For example, if the VCR 56 is
full screen. It will be noted that although the current impledisplayed on the TV 58, pressing the list button 138 on the
mentation of the list function displays a list of programs/
remote control device 60 would display a listing of all
services on single lines for one hour time slots, the invenprograms recorded by the user on the VCR 56, highlighting
tion's user interface also supports other styles of display, for 60 the program now displayed from the VCR 56. Similarly, the
example, a grid showing programs on two lines, each line
list function would display CD ROM or telephone listings
representing a two hour time slot.
when these A!V devices are selected through the menu
function.
It will also be noted that the currently selected program
being displayed in the picture-in-picture window 250 is
Record Function
initially highlighted in the program/service listing to assist 65
the user. In the example of FIG. 12, Channel 11 , PBS, a show
Referring now to FIG. 18, which illustrates a program/
service listing displayed in response to the user having
entitled "Say Nay Billy" is highlighted. Moreover, channels

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continuously depressed the right arrow button 150 on the
remote control device 60. The exemplary program/service
listing displayed is for Saturday, October 17 beginning at
prime time (6:00 p.m.). The up and down arrow buttons 145
and 146 on the remote control 60 are then used to highlight
the program "Specials Tonight". Assume now the user
desires to record the exemplary program "Specials Tonight".
By pressing the record button 162 on the remote control
device 60, a record panel 259 is displayed by the CPU 63 on
the screen 180, confirming the title and length of the
program to be recorded, along with a highlighted select
("bull's eye") icon as shown in FIG. 18. It is contemplated
that other functions can be included in the record panel 259,
such as a function for selecting different VCRs or other AIV
recording devices, a function for selecting different tapes or
reading media, and/or a function for selecting how often the
recording is to take place (once, weekly, daily). Once the
select button 155 is pressed, the program listing is redisplayed without the record panel 259. A record icon 260 is
displayed on the screen 180, as shown in FIG. 19. The
"Specials Tonight" program which will begin on Saturday,
October 17, will then be recorded automatically. In the event
the viewer changes his mind and does not desire to record
the program "Specials Tonight", by pressing the record
button 162 again and then pressing the select button 155
once more, the program listing will be redisplayed without
the record icon 260 and no recording will take place.

audio-visual programs other than TV shows, allowing a user
to mark and subsequently jump between, for example, a
VCR program, a CD ROM program, an on-line service or an
answering machine message, in addition to the TV programs
5 previously marked while viewing television channels.
Categories Function
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25

Mark and Jump Functions
Skipping now to FIG. 15, the mark function of the present
invention and its operation will be described. Shown in FIG.
15 is a program listing reflecting Channel 10 (NTV) having
been selected using the up and down arrow buttons 145 and
146 on the remote control device 60. Assume now the
current time is 8:08:30 p.m. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention as described earlier, the program "Rock Today" would be highlighted on the screen 180.
The program "Party Time" may be highlighted by the viewer
by pressing the right arrow button 150. The mark function
may then be initiated by pressing the mark button 142 on the
remote control device 160. As illustrated in FIG. 15, a mark
identifier 252 is displayed adjacent to the selected program
(in the present example, "Party Time"). Skipping again to
FIG. 20, a reminder box 254 is displayed on the screen 180
at the time the program "Party Time" begins (in the present
example, 8:10 p.m.), regardless of what channel is currently
being viewed then by the user on TV 58. It should also be
noted that programs playing live in a current time slot can be
marked while displayed in full screen by depressing the
mark button 142. This causes a mark identifier 189 to be
displayed in the graphic overlay panel 185, as shown in
FIGS. 6 and 21.
Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, depressing the jump
button 132 while the reminder PIP window 254 is displayed
switches the program displayed in the main viewing area of
the screen 180 to the program which the user has previously
marked (see FIG. 21). If more than one program has been
marked, by repetitively depressing the jump button 132,
users can jump to the other previously marked programs
displaying them in full screen in the main display area of the
screen 180 one at a time. It will be appreciated that in an
alternate embodiment, the picture-in-picture window 254
illustrated in FIG. 20 may be preceded by a reminder icon
displayed automatically in the PIP window 254 a few
minutes prior to the aetual start of the program. It will also
be noted that the mark and jump funetions may be used with

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Referring now to FIGS. 22-32, the categories function of
the present invention will be described. To initiate the
categories function of the present invention, the categories
button 140 is depressed on the remote control device 60. As
illustrated in FIG. 22, the CPU 63 displays a categories
graphic overlay panel 300 which is superimposed over the
currently viewed program on screen 180. A plurality of
categories are identified by representative icons. The first
category which is selected by default is the "all" category
302, and is highlighted around the border. The "all" category
302 refers to all currently available programs/services being
transmitted by the service provider 50. By depressing the
right arrow button 150 or left arrow button 148 on the
remote control device 60, other categories may be highlighted. For example, by depressing the right arrow button
150, the next category "favorites", as indicated by a star icon
305, is highlighted (See FIG. 23). Similarly, by depressing
the right arrow button 150 again, a movies icon 310 is
highlighted. By depressing the right arrow button 150
another time, a sports icon 315 is highlighted (see FIG. 24),
and so on. Additional categories may include a news icon
312 and a music video icon 313. However, it will be
appreciated that many other categories can be displayed. By
repeatedly pressing the right arrow button 150, the user can
make category icons appear, scrolling from right to left
against the category overlay panel 300.
In FIG. 24, the sports category has been highlighted by the
user as indicated by the highlighted sports icon 315. To
select a category that is currently highlighted, the user can
press the select button 155 and the category overlay panel
300 disappears while the currently viewed program displayed on the screen 180 is replaced by the nearest available
program in the category just selected. The selection of the
sports category results in the display of only sports related
programs on the TV 58. FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary
baseball game which is displayed after the user presses the
select button 155. As illustrated, the sports icon 330 is also
displayed in the graphic overlay panel 185 along with the
channel identifier 188.
Assume now after the nearest sports program has been
displayed on the screen 180, the user desires to view
additional sports category programs on the TV 58. By
depressing the up channel button 130 or the up arrow button
145 on the remote control device 60, the transceiver 54
displays the next higher number channel which is currently
showing a sports program. In the example of FIG. 26, the
sports program relates to a windsurfing event. As shown, the
sports icon 330 continues to be displayed along with the
numerical channel indicator and the channel identifier 188
(in the example of FIG. 26 "Sportstime") in the graphic
overlay panel 185.
Referring now to FIG. 27, if the user has selected the
category of sports (icon 315), and depresses the list button
138, a program/service listing 360 of currently available
sports programs is displayed on screen 180. It will also be
noted that the currently viewed sports program will continue
to be displayed in a picture-in-picture window 365. As
previously discussed, with respect to the list function, pro-

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grams which are shown during half hour intervals (See FIG.
27 "Windsurfing" and "Basketball") arc identified and may
be individually selected using the remote control device 60.
Referring now to FIG. 28, which illustrates a program
listing with the sports icon 330 in the category overlay panel
highlighted, displayed in response to the user having pressed
the list button 138, and then presses the categories button
140. Assume now the user desires to break down the main
sports category into finer sub-categories such as baseball,
football, basketball, hockey, etc. By depressing the down
arrow button 146 on the remote control device 60, the user
causcs the CPU 63 to select a default sport sub-category
(baseball in this example) and display a plurality of sports
sub-category icons against the categories overlay panel 300
as illustrated in FIG. 29. The default sports sub-category
icon 315 is also highlighted, and the program listing 361
comprises only programs of that sports sub-category, i.e.
baseball in this example. By pressing the right arrow button
150 on the remote control device 60, the user can highlight
the football sub-category icon 317, then press the select
button 155 to cause only football programs to bc listed.
Alternatively, the user can press the up arrow button 145 to
display the main categories again, with the sports icon 315
highlighted as illustrated in FIG. 28. The user can also press
the categories button 140 once more to make the categories
overlay panel 300 disappear.
Referring now to FIG. 30, which illustrates a program
listing 320 with the favorite icon 305 in the category overlay
panel highlighted, displayed in response to the use having
selected the "favorites" category using thc left arrow button
148 on the remote control device 60. The program listing
320 comprises favorite programs for the current time slot
including frequently viewed programs, marked programs,
and programs to be recorded, as well as programs that match
specified user preferences. Assume now that the user desires
to resolve the "favorites" category into finer sub-categories.
By pressing the down arrow button 146 on the remote
control device 60, the user causes the CPU 63 to display a
plurality of favorites sub-category icons against the categories overlay panel 300, as illustrated in FIG. 31. The CPU 63
highlights the "frequent" programs sub-category icon 318
and displays a program listing 362 of programs most frequently watched by the user as determined by the CPU 63
from previous monitoring of the user's viewing habits. In the
normal course of operation, the CPU 63 monitors programs
which are most frequently viewed and compiles a prioritized
list of those frequent programs for each time slot, which list
is stored in the rewritable non-volatile part of the system
random access memory (such as SRAM) 65.
In the prcsently preferred embodiment, if a viewer views
a television program for more than 10 minutes, the current
program and channel identifiers are compared to frequent
programs already stored in system memory 65 for that
particular time slot, and an updated list offrequent programs
is created by CPU 63 and stored in the system memory 65.
In the event there are no frequent programs stored in the
system memory 65 for any particular time slot, then a
general list of most frequently watched programs is retrieved
from the system memory 65. It is anticipated that the
majority of frequent programs will be stored in time slots
corresponding to prime time, or during daytime television
hours.
By pressing the right arrow button 150, the user can move
the highlighting from the "frequent" programs sub-category
icon 318 to the "marked programs" sub-category icon 319,
as shown on FIG. 32. Accordingly, the CPU 63 highlights
the "marked programs" icon 319 and displays a program

listing 363 of only programs that have been previously
marked. Other favorite sub-categories include a record subcategory of all programs selected for recording, and personalized favorites sub-categories such as "Mom" 321 and
5 "Joe" 322. It is contemplated that new preferences can be
defined by individual users by selecting a special favorites
sub-category, represented by a "set-up" icon 323, then
marking preferred items from a list of programs and/or
categories, as well as specifying an icon and/or a name for
10 this new preference set. By first defining and subsequently
selecting, for example, the "Mom" sub-category icon 321, a
user can view only programs that match the interests defined
earlier by the mother of the household.
It is also contemplated that this category function can be
15 used in combination with AIV programs or services other
than TV programs, in particular when the menu button 172
is used to select the VCR 56, or one of the other AIV devices
57. For example, pressing the categories button 140 while
viewing a VCR listing (FIG. 36, below) would enable users
20 to find all previously recorded comedy programs. Similarly,
the categories function could enable users to find phone
listings in the "gardening" category, according to telephone
directory information accessed from the provider 50 via the
TIT cable 52.
While the present invention has been described with the
25
categories function having different effects on the displayed
image when used during full screen display and when used
in conjunction with list function, it will be appreciated that
the present invention also may be practiced with the cat30 egories function having consistent effect on the displayed
image in either situation, as desired.
Pix Function
35

Referring now to FIGS. 33 and 34, the present invention's
picture-in-picture (or pix function) will now be described.
The depression of the pix button 144 on the remote control
device 60 results in the display of a pix display 381 as
illustrated in FIG. 33. As shown in the present embodiment,
40 12 picture-in-picture video windows are arranged within the
screen 180, along the perimeter of the pix display 381, with
a central picture-in-picture window 375 also displayed.
Depressing the pix button 144 on the remote control device
60 results in the simultaneous display of multiple programs
45 currently transmitted over the TIT cable 52, the VCR 56, the
CD ROM 70 and/or the other AIV devices 57. Moreover, one
of the picture-in-picture windows displaying the last program viewed in full screen, such as, for example, picturein-picture window 380, is highlighted. As shown in FIG. 33,
50 the highlighted smaller screen is also displayed in larger size
in the central picture-in-picture window 375, with the audio
track of the program also audible to the user. Accordingly, a
user may watch a motion picture or television program,
including the audio track, in window 375, while viewing
55 multiple other programs simultaneously. In the presently
preferred embodiment, the AIV connect module 66 samples
(or "grabs") a video frame from each of the 12 programs
every pre-determined (N) number of frames. Accordingly, a
user viewing the pix display 381 perceives each of the 12
60 small picture-in-picture windows as sequential representative images of every N frames per window. However, the
picture-in-picture window 375 represents a full motion
display of the currently selected program, provided that a
second TV tuner 67 is included within the AIV connect
65 module 66.
Additionally, in the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it is contemplated that the user is able to view the

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pix display 381 by category by pressing the categories
viewed AIV source icon is automatically highlighted, typibutton 140 and selecting a particular category, such as
cally the TV icon 421. By depressing the right arrow button
favorites or movies. For example, the pix display 381
150, or left arrow button 148 on tbe remote control 60, other
illustrated in FIG. 33 is comprised of only favorite proAIV source icons may be highlighted and previewed. For
grams, as the user had previously selected the favorites 5 example, by depressing the right arrow button 150, the next
AIV source icon, VCR 422, is highlighted, as shown in FIG.
category. Had the user selected the "marked" sub-category,
only marked programs would be displayed on the pix
36. Simultaneously, CPU 63 displays an audio-visual prodisplay 381, allowing users to easily add or delete programs
gram derived from the highlighted source icon, in this case
in the pix display 381 by using the mark button 142. If no
a videotape playing in the VCR 56 onto the screen 180, as
categories have been selected (which is equivalent to select- 10 illustrated in FIG. 36. To select and control any AJV source
whose icon is currently highlighted, in this case the VCR 56,
ing the "all programs" category), then the pix display 381
displays the 12 programs nearest to the last selected prothe user can press tbe select button 155, whereafter the
gram. Similarly, pressing the info button 136 would display
graphic overlay panel 420 disappears while the currently
the graphic overlay panel 190 shown in FIG. 7 for program
viewed program sourced from the VCR 56 is displayed in
information.
15 full screen. Thereafter, the user can press the play button 168
on tbe remote control device 60 to cause the CPU 63 to
Referring now to FIG. 34, which illustrates the selection
instruct the VCR 56 through the AJV connect module 66 or
of a different pix program to be viewed in the central
the IR control 82 to playback a previously recorded program
picture-in-picture window 375. By depressing tbe left arrow
on the VCR 56. Similarly, the user can press the stop arrow
button 148 on the remote control device 60, the highlighting
380 is moved one window to the left. In the example of FIG. 20 button 166, the rewind button 164, and/or the fast-forward
button 170 on the remote control device 60 to further control
34, a "Discover It" program is now highlighted and shown
the program sourced from VCR 56. It is contemplated that
simultaneously in the central picture-in-picture window 375.
the CD ROM module 70 and some of the other AJV devices
Similarly, tbrough the use of the left arrow button 148 and
57 including other CDs, VCRs, laser disc players, hard
the right arrow button 150 along with the up arrow button
145 and the down arrow button 146 on the remote control 25 disks, telephones, answering machines, as well as transmitting devices connected to voice mail, electronic mail and
device 60, each of the pix programs in tbe pix display 381
various on-line services can be similarly selected and conmay be viewed within the central picture-in-picture window
trolled through the use of tbe menu function, as illustrated in
375, as desired. As in the list function, pressing the select
FIG. 36.
button 155 displays the currently highlighted program in full
screen. Alternatively, pressing the pix button 144 a second 30
Other Functions
time causes the pix display 381 to disappear and tbe last
highlighted program appears in full screen.
Other functions may be realized with the present invenReferring to FIG. 35, selection of pay-per-view movie
tion, including numeric data entry. As shown in FIGS. 41
currently shown in one ofthe picture-in-picture window 380
and 49, by pressing one or more buttons on tbe numeric
of the pix display 381 for viewing is illustrated. As described 35 keypad 176 of the remote control device 60, a user can
earlier, by depressing the left arrow button 148 on the remote
confirm a financial transaction by entering his or her percontrol device 60, the PIP window 380 becomes highlighted.
sonal identification number (PIN) in a confirmation display
In the example of FIG. 32, the pay-per-view channel shows
field 425. The numeric keypad 176 may also be used for
a preview trailer for tbe motion picture "Jeff's World",
dialing TV channel numbers, telephone numbers and other
which is now displayed in the center PIP window 375 and 40 program source identifiers, as desired.
the perimeter PIP window 380 simultaneously. To select the
Yet anotber function which may be optionally realized by
pay-per-view movie, the select button 155 is depressed on
the present invention is a talk function, whereby a user can
the remote control device 60. It is contemplated that pressing
depress the talk button 181 on the remote control device 60,
a single, double or triple digit number on the numeric 45 and thereafter issue spoken commands into the microphone
keypad 176, followed by the ok button 178 of tbe remote
179 located on the remote control device 60 in lieu of or in
control 60, will display tbe corresponding pay-per-view
addition to pressing buttons on the remote control device 60.
channel, along with the 12 nearest channels. It is also
Through tbe use of voice recognition hardware and software
contemplated that this pix function can be used witb audiooperating in conjunction with tbe CPU 63, the present
visual programs and services other than TV shows, in 50 invention can be made to interpret tbe spoken commands
particular when the menu button 172 is used to display the
requested by the user, and invoke the corresponding funcoutput of the VCR 56, tbe CD 70, a hard disk or one of tbe
tions. For example, a user may speak the word "sports"
otber NV devices 57 connected to the AIV transceiver 54.
while pressing talk button 181, which is equivalent to
invoking the category function and highlighting tbe sports
Menu Function
55 category, as if the user had pressed tbe corresponding
sequence of buttons, as described earlier. It is further conReferring now to FIG. 36, the menu function will now be
templated that tbe remote control device 60 in conjunction
described. The menu function permits users to switch the
with tbe TV 58 and a camera can be used as a video .
television display to any NV source connected to the
telephone for video conferencing and the like, wherein
transceiver 54, such as the VCR 56, the CD ROM module
70, or one of the other AIV devices 57, and lets users control 60 having engaged a telephone line (via tbe menu function) the
user speaks directly into tbe remote control device 60 as if
those AIV sources directly. As shown in FIG. 36, upon
it were a standard telephone.
pressing the menu button 172 on the remote control device
60, the CPU 63 displays on the screen 180 a graphic overlay
Pay-Per-View Interface
panel 420 which is superimposed over the currently viewed
audio-visual program. As further shown in FIG. 36, a 65
The present invention includes one possible pay-per-view
plurality of audio-visual sources connected to the transceiver
(PPV) interface which will now be described. Assume tbat
54 arc identified by representative icons. The currently
the user has selected the TV source icon 421 using the menu

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function displayed in the graphic overlay panel 420, and
service results in a continuous full-motion video display of
further selects a pay-per-view program using either the list
various paid-for commercials or advertising messages. As
shown in the representative screen of FIG. 44, a TV Shop
or the pix function. This selection results in an initial title
icon is displayed along with a blinking select icon (or right
screen to be displayed, as illustrated in FIG. 37, which may
be static or animated. As shown in FIG. 38, upon the 5 arrow icon) in a graphic overlay panel 400, at the start and
end of each advertisement, prompting users to press the
selection of the PPV program and subsequent to the display
select button 155 (or right arrow 150).
of the title screen of FIG. 37, a preview icon 382, a credit
icon 384, an info icon 386, and a ticket icon 388 are
Referring now to FIG. 45, by pressing the select button
displayed, along with a preview trailer which is continu155 (or the right arrow button 150), the user can view
ously looping and is displayed in a half-screen picture-in- 10 additional information relating to the advertisements shown
picture window 390. It will be noted that in FIG. 38, the
in the full motion video section of the TV Shop. In the
preview icon 382 has been highlighted by default, thereby
example of FIG. 45, it will be noted that a listing of the
corresponding to the trailer being shown in the window 390.
advertisers is provided, in which the advertisers whose
commercial was playing last is highlighted. Through the use
Referring now to FIG. 39, by depressing the right arrow
button 150 of the remote control device 60, the credit icon 15 of the up arrow button 145 or the down arrow button 146,
the user may scroll through the advertisers, sequentially
384 may be highlighted. The credits for the pay-per-view
movie are displayed on the screen 180 within the window
highlighting each of their advertising identifiers, along with
a select icon 403 prompting a user to select that advertiser.
390. By depressing the right arrow button 150 once again,
the info icon 386 is highlighted. As shown in FIG. 40,
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 45, an "exit" icon 402, a
information related to the pay-per-view movie is then pro- 20 "stores" icon 404, a "specials" icon 406, an info icon (or
vided to the user, such as the title, the production company,
"compare" icon) 408, an "order" icon 409 and other icons
a brief description of the movie, the rating and the total
may be presented to the viewer. As illustrated in FIG. 46 the
length. If the user desires to watch the pay-per-view movie,
selection of the "Attic at Casey's" advertiser with the select
he/she depresses the right arrow button 150 once again to
button 155 (or the right arrow button 150) results in a display
highlight the ticket icon 388, as illustrated in FIG. 41.
25 of the various specials available from that advertiser. In FIG.
46, there is shown cookware highlighted in conjunction with
As shown in FIG. 41, upon the selection of the highlighted
a still image of the cookware for sale. By depressing the
"ticket" icon 388, the CPU 63 generates and displays on the
down arrow button 146 on remote control device 60, the
screen 180 a request for the user to input a "movie pass"
highlighted section on the display can be moved down such
password using the numeric keypad 176 of the remote
control device 60. After entering the personal identification 30 that the mini-espresso (see FIG. 47) is selected. Simultaneously with the highlighting of the mini-espresso selection,
number (PIN) using the numeric keypad 176, causing a
a still image of the mini-espresso machine for sale is shown.
confirmation sound to be played and confirmation symbols
such as asterisks to fill in a blank confirmation display 425,
Referring to FIG. 48, to obtain further information regardthe user depresses the ok button 178 or the select button 155
ing the mini-espresso machine illustrated in FIG. 47, the
on the remote control device 60 to order and view the 35 user depresses the select button 155 (or the right arrow
pay-per-view movie. As shown in FIG. 42, transceiver 54
button 150) on the remote control device 60 to highlight the
then displays the ordered program if it is available, or
info icon 408. As illustrated in FIG. 48, information relating
displays a message informing the viewer that the pay-perto the particular product (Le. espresso machine) is shown on
the screen 180. To order the mini-espresso machine illusview movie will begin screening within X number of
minutes. In operation, depressing the ok button 178 or the 40 trated in FIGS. 47 and 48, the user depresses the select
select button 155 subsequent to the entering of the movie
button 155 (or the right arrow button 150) to highlight the
pass personal identification number (PIN) results in the CPU
order icon 409. As illustrated in FIG. 49, a personal identification order number window 420 is displayed in which
63 providing a signal to the cable service provider 50, over
the T!T cable 52 using one of the back channels 102 (See
the user (using the numeric keypad 176) inputs a personal
FIG. 3a). It will further be appreciated that during the 45 identification number (PIN). After entering the personal
waiting period prior to the transmission of the pay-per-view
identification number (PIN), the ok button 178 or select
movie, additional trailers and other previews may be disbutton 155 is depressed to order the product. In the presently
preferred embodiment, once the personal identification numplayed to the user on the screen 180. It will also be noted that
ber (PIN) of the user is entered into the system of the present
if the user incorrectl y enters his/her movie pass PIN number,
pressing the clear button 177 on the numeric keypad 176 50 invention and the ok button 178 or the select button 155 is
allows them to dear the confirmation display 425 and start
depressed, a signal is provided by the CPU 63 to the service
over again. It will also be appreciated that other pay-perprovider 50, using one of the back channels 102 (See FIG.
view interfaces may be designed and implemented using the
3)a. As illustrated in FIG. 50, a confirmation of the order,
teachings of the present invention on general purpose audioalong with a delivery time is displayed to the user. It will
55 also be appreciated that other home shopping interface
visual user interface.
variants may be designed and implemented using the teachHome Shopping Interface
ings of the present invention.
The present invention includes one possible home shopSummary
ping interface, which will now be described. In FIG. 43, a 60
channel identified as "SHP" or "TV Shop" represents a
The present invention as described provides methods and
dedicated home shopping service within the electronic specapparatus for a unique audio-visual interface for television
trum illustrated in FIG. 3a. It will be noted that although in
and other A/V programs and services. The present invenits present embodiment, TV Shop is presented as a television
tion's functions and features provide a user interface which
channel, it could also be presented as an on-line service 65 helps users find and view programs of interest, access related
information, control various audio-visual devices and order
through a transmitting device connected to the T!T cable 52.
products or services from their own homes. While the
In the current embodiment, the selection of the TV Shop

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present invention has been described with references to the
the audio-visual program displayed in said PIP window is
various figures, it will be appreciated that the figures are for
highlighted.
illustration only, and do not limit the spirit and scope of the
5. The audio-visual system as defined by claim 1 wherein
invention. For example, although the figures have, by necessaid AIV listings may be scrolled by said user to view
sity, used example screens having certain attributes, icons, 5 additional listings for said current date and time by continucriteria or functions, it will be appreciated that the invention
ing to depress up or down buttons on said control means.
is not limited by the specific examples provided. Rather, the
6. The audio-visual system as defined by claim 5 wherein
present invention has application in any television and/or
an AIV listing may be selected by using said up or down
audio-visual display system. In addition, it will be noted that
buttons on said control means, said currently selected listing
the present invention may be realized using a variety of 10 being highlighted.
computer hardware and computer software, and is not lim7. The audio-visual system as defined by claim 1 wherein
ited to any particular hardware or software systems.
said AIV listings are displayed in hourly time slots, audioMoreover, it will be appreciated that many of the funcvisual programs of less than one hour in duration being
tions and features of the present invention, such as graphic
15 displayed adjacent to one another separated by a half hour
overlay panels, icons, and selection methods, are not static
delineation mark.
events and are perceived by the user as having motion, color,
8. An interactive user interface and audio-visual (NY)
sound and/or animation. Specifically, it will be appreciated
system, comprising:
that the present audio-visual user interface also includes an
a transceiver coupled to an AIV display for receiving AIV
audio intcrface using a plurality of sound icons and backsignals, said transceiver including interface generation
grounds, which compliment the visual interface and are 20
means for displaying an interface on said NY display;
played almost every time a function of the present invention
is used, and which cannot be illustrated graphically here, but
control means in communication with said transceiver for
are part of the present invention. Due to the limitations of a
permitting a user viewing said AIV display to display
written specification, the reader is referred to a videotape
AIV programs on said AIV display;
entitlcd "EZTY" submitted by the applicants concurrent 25
wherein said interface generation means further includes
with the filing of the application on which this patent is
an AIV listing interface for causing said AIV display to
based.
selectively display a program listing, said program
We claim:
listing including information related to AIV programs
1. An interactive user interface and audio-visual (AIV)
viewable on said AIV display;
30
system, comprising:
wherein said interface generation means includes
a transceiver coupled to an AIV display for receiving AIV
reminder means for identifying television programs on
signals, said transceiver including interface generation
said AIV listing which said user desires to be reminded
means for displaying an interface on said AIV display:
of;
control means in communication with said transceiver for 35
wherein said reminder means is activated by said user
permitting a user viewing said AIV display to display
selecting an audio-visual program on said AIV listing
NY programs on said AIV display;
using said control means, and then activating a mark
wherein said interface generation means further includes
button on said control means.
an NY listing interface for causing said AIV display to
9. The audio-visual system as defined by claim 8 wherein
selectively display a program listing, said program 40 upon said user activating said mark button, said AIV listing
listing including information related to AIV programs
interface means displays a reminder mark adjacent to said
viewable on said AIV display;
selected audio-visual program.
wherein said AIV listing interface displays a picture in a
10. The audio-visual system as defined by claim 8
picture (PIP) window in which the audio-visual prowherein said interface means displays a reminder at a
gram viewed by said user prior to said activation of said 45 predefined location on said AIV display, on the date and at
AIV listing means is displayed.
the time said selected audio-visual program is received by
2. The audio-visual system as defined by claim 1 wherein
said transceiver.
said NY listing interface displays an AIV listing icon to
11. The audio-visual system as defined by claim 10
identify to said user that said listing means has been actiwherein said reminder comprises a picture-in-a-picture winvated.
50 dow in which said selected audio-visual program said
3. The audio-visual system as defined by claim 1 wherein
viewer desires to be reminded of is displayed on said AIV
said AN listing interface displays the current date and time.
display.
4. The audio-visual system as defined by claim 1 wherein
upon said activation of said AIV listing means the listing for
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