Electronic Program Guide Layout to Reduce Paging and Scrolling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy electronic program guides (EPGs) are limited in the amount of information they can present due to display size constraints, requiring users to perform time-consuming paging and scrolling to access additional programming information.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced EPG system featuring a reduced size video, a mini guide with flexible channel and program information blocks, and an optional preview guide bar, allowing for increased information density and user-friendly navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If legacy EPG uses traditional table layout with text and symbols, then it provides basic program information, but it requires extensive paging and scrolling to access additional information
Solution Approach 1:
The EPG interface is segmented into multiple functional regions: a first region displaying reduced-size video content and a second region displaying mini-guide information simultaneously. This segmentation allows users to access program information without leaving the current screen, eliminating the need for extensive paging and scrolling while preserving all relevant information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional single-region table layout to a multi-region spatial arrangement where video content and guide information coexist in different spatial zones. The mini-guide region provides program information in a condensed format alongside the video display, adding a dimensional aspect to information presentation that reduces navigation time.
2Loss of information
If legacy EPG displays detailed program information in large blocks, then it provides comprehensive content, but it reduces the display area available for other content
Solution Approach 1:
The mini-guide region employs local quality by using condensed visual elements such as station logos, abbreviated program titles, and compact time indicators. This localized optimization of information density allows comprehensive program information to be displayed in a small area, preserving more display real estate for video content while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the traditional guide interface within the mini-guide region, replicating essential program information in a condensed format. This copying approach allows users to access program details without requiring the full-size table layout, thereby maintaining information completeness while reducing the space required for guide display.
3Loss of information
If legacy EPG uses conventional channel information blocks, then it identifies stations by call letters and channel numbers, but it requires significant screen real estate for each station
Solution Approach 1:
The mini-guide region applies local quality by displaying station identification information in a condensed format using small station logos, abbreviated call letters, and compact channel numbers. This localized optimization allows complete station identification to be presented in minimal space, enabling more stations to be displayed simultaneously without requiring extensive screen real estate per station.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are operable to present an enhanced electronic program guide (EPG). The enhanced EPG comprises a reduced size video, a mini guide, a single channel guide bar, and an optional preview guide bar.