EPG Content Tree Segmentation for Selection Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electronic programming guides (EPGs) overwhelm users with excessive information, making it difficult for them to quickly and efficiently select programming options, as they often present channel information in a way that distracts and prevents quick decision-making.
Innovation Solution
An EPG content tree is displayed on a television receiver, featuring interconnected nodes including a time node and program nodes, where the size of program nodes is proportional to the number of available programs, allowing users to navigate through a focused and visually organized interface, shifting focus with user input to display a list of programs or record selected content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional EPG presents comprehensive programming information, then information completeness is improved, but user selection efficiency deteriorates due to information overload
Solution Approach 1:
The EPG interface is segmented into hierarchical levels: first level shows program categories (movies, news, sports, etc.), second level shows specific programs within selected categories. This segmentation allows users to access comprehensive information systematically without being overwhelmed by all information at once, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and selection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the traditional flat EPG interface. Instead of presenting all programs in a single overwhelming list, the interface adds category classification as an additional dimension, organizing programs into logical groups. This dimensional reorganization maintains information completeness while improving navigability and selection efficiency.
2Loss of information
If EPG displays detailed channel information, then information completeness is improved, but user attention is distracted and decision-making is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
Channel information is segmented by program category rather than being displayed as a continuous detailed list. Users first select a category of interest, then view detailed channel information specific to that category. This segmentation reduces cognitive load and distraction while maintaining access to complete channel information when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The EPG interface applies local quality by providing different levels of information detail in different interface areas. The main view shows category-level summaries with key information, while detailed channel information is available on-demand when users select specific categories. This ensures users see only relevant information at each interface level, improving decision-making ease without losing information completeness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If EPG presents volume of programming information, then programming option variety is improved, but user comprehension is overwhelmed
Solution Approach 1:
The diverse programming options are segmented into distinct categories (movies, news, sports, children's programming, etc.). This segmentation transforms the overwhelming variety into organized, comprehensible groups, allowing users to understand available options without being overwhelmed by the total volume of programming information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a category classification dimension to the programming information display. Instead of presenting programming variety as a flat overwhelming list, the interface organizes programs into hierarchical categories, creating a structured view that enhances user comprehension while preserving the full variety of programming options available.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosure is generally directed to outputting an electronic programming guide (EPG) content tree from a television receiver for display on an output device. A content tree consistent with this disclosure may include a number of interconnected nodes that present programming content that is available for viewing or recording through the operation of the television receiver.