Date-Based Electronic Program Guide Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic program guides (EPGs) do not allow users to access program information based on dates, requiring sequential navigation through timeslots, which is inconvenient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The enhancement of EPGs to provide date-based control, allowing non-sequential access to program information through user-selectable dates, with a header indicating a plurality of dates that can be selected to display corresponding program information, and optionally switching to a header indicating timeslots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sequential navigation through timeslots is used to access program information, then the EPG can display program information in chronological order, but the user requires extended time and multiple inputs to reach the day of interest
Solution Approach 1:
The EPG interface is segmented into distinct navigational modes: sequential timeslot navigation and date-based direct access. The header is divided to show both timeslot information and a selectable date indicator, allowing users to choose their preferred navigation method based on their needs.
Solution Approach 2:
A new dimension of date-based navigation is added to the traditional sequential timeslot navigation. By introducing a date indicator in the header that responds to remote control inputs (such as right arrow key presses), the system enables direct temporal jumping to different dates without traversing intermediate timeslots.
2Loss of information
If the EPG displays detailed timeslot information, then program scheduling details are visible, but the interface becomes complex and date-based access is not intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The header serves multiple functions: it displays the current timeslot information, shows the current date, and provides a mechanism for date-based navigation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate controls and interfaces for different navigation modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically updates the displayed date in the header based on user navigation inputs. When users press the right arrow key, the system self-updates the date indicator and相应 program information without requiring manual date selection or complex menu navigation.
Data Source
AI summary
An enhanced electronic program guide (EPG) for television programming may allow access to program information based on a specified date. In embodiments, the EPG may be output for display with timeslots containing program information corresponding to television programs being broadcast currently and to television programs scheduled for future broadcast, and a header indicating a plurality of dates for accessing corresponding program information. User input received while the EPG is being output for display with the header indicating a plurality of dates that identifies one of the plurality of dates may cause program information in the EPG corresponding to the identified date to be accessed and the EPG to be output for display with the program information corresponding to the identified date and with a header indicating times of the timeslots. In embodiments, the header indicating times of the timeslots may replace the header indicating a plurality of dates.