Techniques for displaying data based on characteristics of a display device

Abstract

A method of selecting a portion of a block of data for display based on characteristics of a display device. The method comprises several steps. In the first step, a block of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) data is received at a communication device adapted to process this data. Next, an input is received at the communication device regarding an appearance of the display device. The communication device can be a set-top box. The appearance of the display includes, but is not limited to, the resolution, the aspect ratio (AR), and the physical size of the display. Based on these inputs, the communication device next selects a portion, more or fewer columns or rows, of the block of EPG data to be displayed on the display device. The portion of the EPG data selected is formatted and communicated to the display device, e.g. television, for viewing by the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 025,210 filed Feb. 4, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,493,642 issued Feb. 17, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,839,903 issued Jan. 4, 2005.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]As the number of broadcasters increase and the number of new and rerun television (TV) programs and movies increase, a need arises for a method to provide this increasing amount of information to a viewer electronically. Conventional televisions and broadcasters utilize a feature referred to as an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) to communicate a schedule of upcoming television or movie programs to a viewer via a television screen.[0003]Referring to prior art FIG. 1A, a table 120 of a conventional block of data for an EPG is shown. The table 120 has a top column of time 124 and a vertical column for channel 122. Program information, e.g. program A info. 128a, falls under a s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables the display of a wider range of EPG information on a variety of television sets, optimizing the amount of readable data by adapting to different display characteristics, ensuring compatibility and readability across different devices.

Problems solved by technology

This is a very limited span of time for a viewer to plan a viewing schedule.

Unfortunately, conventional methods and devices do not allow a single format of EPG data to be aesthetically displayed on a variety of television sets with different ARs, e.g. that are different than the AR of the EPG data.

For example, an EPG table formatted for one AR may not be readable on a device having a significantly different AR from the EPG table because the text will have an inappropriate height or width when displayed.

Broadcasting a standardized EPG display format will not, by itself, be compatible with a variety of television displays having different ARs.

The displayed EPG data will either be too wide or too tall for one display device or it will be too narrow or too short for another display device.

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