EPG Popup Windows for Simultaneous Program Details
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic program guides (EPGs) limit the number of channels and time bands that can be displayed simultaneously, making it cumbersome for viewers to confirm detailed information about multiple programs, as they require focus operations using cursor keys to access detailed contents.
Innovation Solution
A program information display control apparatus and method that acquires and displays program information, allowing for simultaneous display of detailed information based on rules like time band and genre, using a remote control device with specific modes for increased information volume, enabling the viewer to designate and display multiple program details simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional EPG displays only color bars for brief programs to save space, then the number of channels and time bands that can be displayed simultaneously is increased, but the viewer cannot easily confirm the contents of programs without using cursor keys to focus on each program
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional display (color bars only) to a three-dimensional display by projecting popup windows that extend outward from the EPG grid. This allows program content to be displayed in a new spatial dimension without occupying additional horizontal or vertical space in the original EPG layout, enabling viewers to see program details while maintaining the overall channel and time band overview.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces popup windows as an intermediary element between the color bar indicators and the detailed program information. These popup windows serve as a mediator that presents program contents (titles, comments, casts) in a condensed format near the original EPG position, allowing viewers to confirm program details without navigating to separate screens or using cursor keys extensively.
2Loss of information
If space is allocated to display detailed contents of each program, then program information visibility is improved, but the display space for other programs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses popup windows that extend in the z-dimension (depth) from the EPG grid, allowing detailed program information to be displayed without reducing the horizontal and vertical space available for showing multiple channels and time bands. This multi-dimensional approach enables simultaneous display of both overview and detailed information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments program information into two parts: the compact color bar indicator that remains in the EPG grid for overview purposes, and the expanded popup window that contains detailed program contents. This segmentation allows the main EPG area to maintain its capacity for displaying multiple programs while individual program details can be expanded on demand in separate popup structures.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional EPG uses cursor key navigation to confirm program details, then display space is maintained, but the time required to confirm multiple program contents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent displays program information in popup windows in advance of when the viewer would need to navigate to separate screens or use cursor keys extensively. By presenting titles, comments, and cast information immediately in popups near the EPG position, the system performs the information retrieval action preliminarily, saving the viewer time when they want to confirm program details.
Solution Approach 2:
The popup windows serve as an intermediary that provides program details without requiring the viewer to complete the full navigation sequence through cursor keys. The popups intercept the information need at an intermediate stage, presenting sufficient program content (titles, comments, casts) directly at the EPG location rather than requiring navigation to separate detailed view screens.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a program information display control apparatus and method, a remote control device, a program, and a storage medium, which can simultaneously display the contents and detailed information of specific programs that follow predetermined rules such as a time band, genre, and the like. To this end, detailed program information associated with each of programs to be displayed on an EPG is acquired from an antenna (1101) and tuner (1102). The acquired program information is stored in a memory (1150) via a decoder (1103). A viewer designates programs, details of which are to be displayed, using a remote controller (12), and the memory (1150) is searched for detailed program information of a plurality of designated programs. An image controller (1121) simultaneously displays a plurality of pieces of program information associated with these designated programs at their display positions on the EPG displayed on a display unit (1122).