Program Guide Navigation via Time-Synchronized Pointer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing program guides in graphical interfaces face challenges in providing good browsing ergonomics and relevance when switching between broadcast channels, particularly due to disparate program durations, which require users to perform multiple navigations along the time axis.
Innovation Solution
A navigation method in a graphical interface that positions program cards proportionally to their duration, with an active pointer moving by jumps between cards, allowing users to select relevant program maps based on broadcast status and start time, independently of program duration, thereby reducing the need for extensive navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If program cards are displayed with dimensions proportional to program duration, then visual representation of program length is improved, but navigation complexity increases when switching between channels with disparate program durations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a time alignment mechanism that operates in the temporal dimension, synchronizing program selection across different channels based on broadcast time rather than visual position. When a user navigates to a new channel, the system automatically aligns the program pointer to correspond to the same broadcast time slot, effectively adding a temporal dimension to the navigation process that transcends the visual layout differences caused by varying program durations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical navigation (repeatedly clicking or scrolling through programs on each channel) with an automated time-synchronization system. The electronic system automatically calculates and positions the program pointer based on broadcast time metadata, substituting the mechanical interaction of manually traversing through programs with an intelligent, time-based positioning mechanism that instantly aligns programs across channels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users manually navigate through programs on each channel to find relevant content, then channel switching capability is maintained, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-aligning program pointers across multiple channels based on broadcast time schedules before the user needs to navigate. When a user switches channels, the time alignment mechanism has already prepared the corresponding program positions, so the transition is instantaneous rather than requiring real-time manual traversal. This preliminary time-based positioning eliminates the need for users to spend time scrolling or clicking through programs on each channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time alignment mechanism as an intermediary layer between the user and the program content. This intermediary automatically translates channel switching actions into time-synchronized program selections, mediating the interaction between the user's navigation intent and the actual program display. The time alignment mechanism acts as a smart intermediary that understands broadcast schedules and automatically positions programs accordingly, saving users significant navigation time.
3Device complexity
If program guides display all programs with equal visual weight, then interface simplicity is maintained, but program duration information becomes less meaningful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making program card dimensions variable rather than uniform. Each program card's visual representation (particularly its width or length along the time axis) is locally adjusted to reflect its actual duration. This means that longer programs occupy more visual space while shorter programs occupy less, creating a visually differentiated interface that conveys duration information intuitively. The local quality principle allows the interface to adapt its visual properties to the specific characteristics of each program while maintaining overall structural consistency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method of navigation in a graphical interface (6) comprising: - Along a second axis (14) a plurality of series of program cards positioned in chronological order along a first axis (13), - a movable active card pointer (24), in which the method comprises: - selecting (20) and displaying a displayable portion of the graphical interface between a display start time (17) and a display end time (18), - setting a target broadcast time parameter - receiving (35) a navigation command along the second axis, - moving (36) the pointer to select as the active card a program card from the series corresponding to the navigation command and intended to be broadcast at the target broadcast time.