Electronic Programming Guide Cell Information Association
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic programming guides (EPGs) fail to effectively associate selected program cells with their corresponding information, as this information is often displayed remotely, creating a disconnect between the cell and its details.
Innovation Solution
An EPG design that includes a window positioned near the selected cell to display program information, with the cell title magnified for differentiation, and navigation buttons for seamless scrolling and additional functionality, such as recording and reminders, to facilitate easy association of the selected cell with its information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If program information is displayed remotely in another portion of the screen or separate screen, then the EPG can display program information, but the association between the selected cell and program information becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the program information display with the selected cell by positioning a window directly over the cell containing program information. This merging eliminates the separation between the cell and its information, allowing users to easily associate the two while still displaying comprehensive program details.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by magnifying the program title within the window to appear larger than program titles in non-selected cells. This visual differentiation locally enhances the selected cell's prominence, reinforcing the association between the cell and its program information while maintaining the overall EPG structure.
2Ease of operation
If a window is positioned over the selected cell to display program information, then the association between cell and information is improved, but the visual layout complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The window is merged with the cell structure by positioning it directly over the selected cell, creating an integrated display element. This approach improves association while maintaining layout simplicity, as the window naturally follows the cell's position and dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the cell information to a separate location, the patent inverts the approach by bringing the display window to the cell's location. This reversal simplifies the layout by eliminating the need for separate information display areas and their associated navigation complexity.
3Ease of operation
If program titles in selected cells are magnified for differentiation, then the selected cell becomes more distinguishable, but the visual homogeneity of the EPG array is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by magnifying the program title only within the selected cell's window, while leaving other cells unchanged. This localized modification enhances selected cell differentiation without requiring system-wide visual changes, maintaining overall design simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnification of the program title acts as a visual change that distinguishes the selected cell. This principle of visual modification (analogous to color changes) provides clear differentiation through a single, simple parameter change rather than complex multi-parameter modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for electronically providing a television listing guide. The listing guide includes a number of channels intersecting with a number of time-slots to display an array of cells which can be selected to view a program corresponding with the cell. The guide allows a viewer to easily associate a selected cell with its program information.