User selection interface for interactive digital television

Abstract

A method of selecting content for display on an interactive television may involve a multilevel selection process that includes selectable hot zones, for example in corners of a graphical user interface, and a central menu area. Selection of a hot zone may cause an increase in size or extension of the zone, prompting a further selection. This may lead to a display of content items in a central menu, with the user selecting content for display from the central menu.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 253,601, filed Oct. 21, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present inventions relate to interactive television, and to the display on a television screen of video and other content communicated over the Internet.[0003]Interactive television (iTV) is television or video programming that incorporates interactivity. Interactive television is used as an umbrella term for the convergence of television with digital media technologies including Internet communications. Television and Internet content are viewed over similar display devices, but have profound differences. The Internet represents a two-way medium that carries largely static content based upon point-to-point distribution. Television remains primarily a one-way medium with dynamic content distributed in point-to-multipoint methods. Interactive television can be considered a combi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a user interface for an interactive television that aims to be simple and consistent in its design. It employs a handheld user input device and a screen layout with hot zones and a central menu screen. The interface is designed to be easily navigated at a distance viewing angle and provides a \"ten foot experience\". It uses a primary screen layout with a simple and consistent arrangement of active pixel areas for interaction with the pointing device. The interface also includes a motion-sensitive device for interaction with the pointing device. The invention simplifies the process of viewing and interacting with the interactive television, making it more user-friendly and efficient."

Problems solved by technology

On the other hand, putting Web page from a computer browser directly on a television screen is generally not satisfactory to the user.

Adapting the personal computer user interface to the ten foot experience poses serious challenges in the visual interface design, and in the use of input devices for user interaction with the iTV.

In the ten foot experience, normal Web fonts and graphics are typically too small to be comfortably viewed.

In addition, whereas computer screens usually have a cursor to visually indicate the user's location on the screen, on TVs other than HDTVs cursors were difficult to locate.

However, most companies are not prepared to spend the time or money to go through this effort.

One of the challenges in designing interactive television for the ten foot experience has been planning user input to the iTV.

It is difficult to interact with traditional web pages using input devices typically associated with television.

Navigation and typing are particularly difficult with infrared remote controls or a virtual keyboard rather than a mouse and real keyboard.

In addition, it is difficult for a user to select hyperlinks using infrared remotes.

Alphanumeric input has also been cumbersome using TV remotes, typically requiring entry of characters one-by-one using an alphanumeric menu.

In summary, the use of a handheld TV remote for iTV navigation is awkward in comparison to a computer mouse and real keyboard located in fixed positions on a desk or table, which provide fast homing times and efficient alphanumeric input.

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