Electronic Program Guide Popularity Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic program guides only provide summary information and lack features to present viewers with useful information beyond mere program summaries, failing to enhance user convenience and engagement.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that displays an electronic program guide with a popularity indicator, acquired through viewer data, to rank programs based on viewer numbers, allowing for enhanced user interaction and convenience by highlighting popular programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional electronic program guides only display summary information from broadcasting stations, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the information usefulness and viewer engagement are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple information sources (broadcasting station summaries, viewer registration data, real-time viewing status) into a single integrated program guide display. This merging of data sources enriches the information content without requiring separate systems, as the viewer data is integrated into the existing EPG framework through data linkage techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces viewer registration information as an intermediary element that bridges between the basic program summary and the viewer's actual viewing behavior. This intermediary data layer (viewer names, viewing status) mediates between the simple broadcast data and the complex viewer engagement metrics, enabling enhanced information display without direct access to complex viewing data.
2Ease of operation
If the program guide displays only basic program summaries, then the ease of operation is high and interface simplicity is maintained, but the viewer convenience and ability to find popular programs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively displaying different types of information for different programs based on viewer registration data. Programs with registered viewers display additional information (viewer names, viewing status) while programs without viewers display only basic summaries. This localized enhancement of information quality improves viewer convenience for popular programs without complicating the overall interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-registering viewer information and viewing preferences before the actual viewing occurs. Viewer names, favorite programs, and viewing habits are collected in advance and stored in a database, enabling the program guide to proactively display relevant popularity information and recommendations without requiring real-time data processing during viewer interaction.
3Measurement precision
If viewer registration and data collection features are added to track program popularity, then the measurement precision of viewer numbers is improved, but the device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by allowing viewers to automatically register their own viewing preferences and program selections through simple input interfaces. The system automatically collects viewing status data and updates the program guide without requiring manual data entry or complex processing. Viewers essentially service their own data registration, reducing the burden on the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by storing and replicating viewer registration data across multiple access points and devices. Once viewer preferences and viewing status are registered, this data is copied and made available to all users viewing the program guide, enabling accurate popularity measurement without requiring complex real-time synchronization or centralized processing for each display.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus provide for: displaying a program guide on a display device, the program guide being such that respective program frames for a plurality of programs are arranged in a display area having a time axis of one or more time slots and a channel axis; displaying a cursor on the display device and allowing a user to move the cursor, highlight desired ones of the program frames, and select from among the plurality of programs in the program guide; and displaying detailed program information regarding content of one of the programs of one of the program frames that is highlighted and/or selected by the user via the cursor, where the detailed information is displayed by enlarging the one of the program frames as compared with others of the program frames.