Electronic Program Guide Projection for Non-Interfering Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic program guide (EPG) displays interfere with the viewing experience of others when a user commands the EPG to be shown, disrupting concurrent viewers of television programs.
Innovation Solution
The EPG is displayed on a separate display surface from the program service content, using altered 3D output signals or periodic insertion into video streams, allowing viewers to view the EPG without interfering with the main program content, and using headsets or projectors to ensure distinct viewing experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the EPG is displayed as an overlay on the display device, then the EPG information is easily accessible to users, but it interferes with the viewing experience of concurrent viewers
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into multiple display surfaces: the main display device for program content and a separate first display surface (headset or projector) for EPG information. This segmentation allows different viewers to access different information streams simultaneously without mutual interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The EPG display is moved from the two-dimensional overlay space to a separate spatial dimension via headsets or projection surfaces. This dimensional transition enables independent viewing experiences for different users without occupying the same visual space.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the EPG is displayed on a separate display surface, then the viewing experience of concurrent viewers is preserved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is designed with multi-functionality to support both traditional overlay EPG display and the new separate surface display modes. The system can adaptively switch between display methods and signal formats, making the additional complexity worthwhile by enabling selective EPG viewing.
Solution Approach 2:
Headsets or projectors serve as intermediary devices between the receiver and the viewer. These intermediaries handle the specialized signal processing and display functions, allowing the receiver to maintain relative simplicity while still achieving the goal of non-interfering EPG display.
3Loss of information
If altered 3D output signals are used to display EPG on a separate surface, then EPG visibility is restricted to intended users, but the signal processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes parameter changes in the 3D output signal (frequency separation, timing synchronization) to encode EPG information in a format visible only to headset users. By modifying signal parameters rather than creating entirely separate communication channels, the solution achieves information control with manageable complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of displaying an electronic programming guide, comprising: outputting a video signal from a receiver to a display device, the video signal including program service content for display on the display device; receiving a signal at the receiver, the signal including a command to display an electronic programming guide; in response to receiving the signal, determining if there is at least one viewer of the display device that does not want to view the electronic programming guide; and in response to determining that there is at least one viewer that does not want to view the electronic programming guide, projecting the electronic programming guide from the receiver to a projection surface.