465241 A7 _B7__五、發明説明（1 ) 本申請案為美國暫時性專利申請案Tuide System and Method of Operation”，（案號：60/023,692，1996 年 8 月 14 日列檔，以 KennethA. Milnes 與 StevenSchein 為發明人，且授權給Star Sight Telecat公司）之非暫時 性申請案》 本發明係大致有關於節目指南，更明確地說係有關於 一種系統與處理，讓電視觀看者以容易且方便之方式接取 螢幕上之電疏節目清單。 在過去十年中，使用者所能觀看的電視寧道數目已戲 劇化地成長，主要是因為有線電視與衛星直播系統之可用 性。當觀賞者可能有興趣的節目數增加時，各式的電子節 目指南已被發展來幫助觀賞者選擇特別有興趣的節目。例 如，一般指定的美國專利第4,706, 121與5, 353, 121號均 描述節目資訊處理系統，其根據觀賞者所供應的選擇準則 為觀賞者提供選擇節目之方便方法。 雖然電子節目指南減輕有關由大量可看頻道中選擇 有興趣節目之許多問題，某些使用者會編好較低成本之系 統。 本發明之系統與方法提供顯示較少節目資訊之節目 指南因而降低程式成本。將被顯示之節目資訊係由週邊設 施接收|其可為獨立之設施（如機頂之控制盒），或為與使 用者之電視或VCR被整合成一體。 在本發明之一較佳實施例中，該節目指南顯示簡化的 節目時間表指南。在此實施例中，取代譲使用者就使用者 -4 - 本紙張尺度適用中國囷家標準（CNS ) A4規格（210X297公釐） (請先閱讀背面之注$項再填寫本頁) 465241 A7 _________B7_._五、發明説明（2) 電視系統上正被播映的每一節目接取時間表資訊的是，該 用者只須存取有限的時間表資訊。本發明可被設計成讓使 用者或操作員選擇該時間表資訊被呈現在簡化模式中。 在一實施例中，若該資訊係以簡化格式被呈現，使用 者可決定多付費而取得完整格式。 在本發明另一實施例中，節目指南僅呈現正被播映之 節目與（或）將在下一個三十分鐘時段內將被播映之節 巨。 在本發明另一實施例中，使用者能以二種模式之一觀 看時間表指南。在第一模式中•時間表指南被顯示於整個 電視螢幕上。在替選的模式中，時間表指南被顯示在TV 螢幕上播映節目部分覆蓋的重疊。因此在此替選模式中， 使用者能同時觀看時間表指南與所要看的節目· 在本發明另一實施例中·節目指南與資訊以顔色或字 體加以視覺上之區別，而使該指南更具使用者親和性。目 前正被播映之節目與將在下個時段被播映的節目可指定 不同的顏色或字體》節目可用型式加以顔色編碼而讓使用 者迅速地區分戲劇、喜劇、體育、新聞等。使用者正在觀 看的節目電視選台器所設定者亦可用顏色或不同字體加 以編碼。 此節目指南可容易地升級為提供更多使用者特點之 指南系統。此升級可經由播映操作者或經由當地店商購 買。在本發明之一實施例中，使兩者可安裝此升級而不需 系統操作者之技術協助。 (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS ) A4規格（210X297公釐） 46524 1 A7 ______B7_ 五、發明説明（3 ) 本發明之性質與益處的進一步瞭解可藉由參考本說 明書之其餘部分與圖說而被實現。 (諳先閲讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 第1圖顯示一 TV/電腦系統之一較佳實施例，依據本 發明之節目時間表指南可被顯示於其上； 第2圖為依據本發明之節目時間表指南螢幕之一圖 示； 第3圖為節目時間表指南萤幕之替選實施例的圖示， 其僅提供目前可用於觀賞之節目的時間表資訊； 第4圖為依照本發明之VCR程式螢幕的圖示；以及 第6圓為依照本發明之基本系統架構的圖示。 本發明提洪一種電視（TV)時間表系統，其顯示較少的 節目資訊而降低程式成本。第1圓顯示TV/電腦系統1之 —較佳實施例，其顯示依據本發明之一節目時間表指南。 如所示者，系統1包括一分配中心與數個接收位置•分配 中心10為資料流編輯資料》在一較隹實施例中，此資料 流被播映至接收位置16，18，20與22。由分配中心10 播映資料流至接收位置16-2 2有數種方法可用。例如，衛 星15可播映一電視頻道（如PBS)內之垂直空白間隔（VBI) 或一專用頻道至接收位置16，18，20與22。或者，資 料可被播映至波段外，即使用非頻道特定機構。在另一實 施例中，資料流係經由傳輸線13被提供至接收位置16， 18，20與22。此傳輸線13可以是例如：光纖、同軸電纜、 或電話線路之類。 在還有之另一實施例中，位於接收位置間之週邊設施 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS ) A4規格（21〇X：297公釐） 465241 A7 _______B7 五、發明説明（4 ) (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 由例如是地區服務提供者40接收資料流。服務提供者4〇 由分配中心L0經由線路17接收資料流，並經由衛星ι5(或 另一個衛星），或經由線路19與13將資料流播映至週邊設 施。此週邊接收設施可以是電視30、電視34、VCR32、 VCR36與（或）機頂控制盒38-在尚有之進一步實施例中， PCTV可被運用，或者資料流可被提供給—個人電腦以與此 電腦與（或）更多上述設施一起使用。 在該較佳實施例中’資料流內之資訊包括TV時間表 資訊。位於週邊設施內之軟體運用提供於資料流內之時間 表資訊以產生時間表指南。此軟體被儲存於如ROM、RAM、 磁碟或其他儲存設施之電腦可讀的儲存媒體上。若此時間 表指南例如為格子格式，可用的頻道可被列於Y軸且各時 間可被列於X軸"有關時間表系統如何顯示更多資料請參 考美國專利第B1 4,706, 121號與美國專利第5, 151，789 號。此二專利類似本專利申請案被指定給Star Sight Telecast公司，且其整體在此處就所有目的被採併以便參 考· 第2圖為依據本發明之節目時間表指南之圖示。就如 圖示者，節目指南1Q0實質地涵蓋使用者電視之顯示螢 幕。該系統可被設計成使得節目指南100涵蓋該螢幕之一 部分，而使用者可同時觀看節目指南100與特定的節目。 依據一實施珂，使用者可例如用游標控制經由在螢幕上選 單在全螢幕與目前節目之重疊螢幕間切換。此特點讓使用 者能看該指南之大尺寸版本，或能看此指南而亦經由該演 本紙張尺度逋用中國國家榇準（CNS ) A4規格（210X297公釐） 46524 1 A7 __B7_ 五、發明説明（5 ) 出之部分觀察取得對目前所選演出之「喜愛」。在此模式 中，演出的音頻亦較佳地持續播放。 指南10 0之一中央部分105為各頻道給予節目時間 表。格110指示在部分105中所顯示之節目指南資訊為可 應用的週日。部分105被分割為格115，每一格之長度代 表所論之節目的長度。接著格Π0後而於格115上方者為 標題部分120。部分120內之格125與130指示節目時間， 其對應於在各個格115內所顯示之節目。 在本發明之一實施例中，格125與13 0僅為時間格。 格125顯示目前1/2小時之增量，因此每一落在格125以 下之節目格Η 5將代表目前在播出之節目·此讓觀賞者立 刻瞭解那些節目為目前所有者以便觀賞。為了使目前可看 節目更為明瞭解，部分105之一部分135(此在時問格125 之直接下方）可用顏色加以編碼或具有某些視覺上區別的 特徵》例如在部分135中顯示之節目名稱可與背景有不同 的字體或尺寸。因此，當節目指南100出現在使用者之電 視螢幕上，此顏色編碼或其他視覺上區別讓使用者立刻知 道有那些演出可以觀看，即目前的節目與未來的節目可以 有視覺上之區別。節目亦可以依據主題丙容、語言、是否 重播、該等節目是否正被觀看、錄影或定時錄影而加視覺 地區別。 時間格130表示緊接在格125所顯示之時間的下一個 1/2小時增量。因此，若格125表示如第1圖所使用之下 午S : 27的時間，則格1 30表示下午8 : 30之時間。所有列 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS ) Α4規格（210Χ297公釐） --------K裝丨_ I - (請先閣讀背面之注項再填寫本頁) _ 465241 A7 ___B7_五、發明説明（6 ) 在格I3Q正下方之格115內的節目為將在下一個1/2小時 時段內出現的節目。因此|使用者能決定將被播映之節目。 需要時，落在格13(3下方之節目格〗丨5可用與目前正被播 映之節目編碼的不同顔色加以顔色編碼或加以視覺區 別。未來的節目亦可以依據主題內容、語言、是否重播、 該等節目是否正被觀看、錄影或定時錄影而加視覺地區 別。進而言之，藉由注意是否有格分區142位於格125與 130間的分割下方，使用者能決定所論及之演出是正要開 始或已在播映。 在本發明之一實施例中，使用者不可能操縱節目指南 以獲得在格130所表示之時間後開始的節目之時間表資 訊。 指南1Q0之部分14G含有格145 ·每一格145指示對 應於在節目指南緊鄰節目指南格U5的頻道號碼。取代之 者，或與該頻道號碼相組合的是，格145可含有節目服務 名稱》例如，格145可包含：頻道號碼8,服務名稱HBO， 或二者。 在本發明之另一實施例中，並非在使用者電視系統上 所有可觀看的頻道均被呈現在節目指南100內。將被呈現 在指南內之頻道可由使用者或系統操作者加以選擇，視該 系統如何構建而定。若使用者指定頻道將被呈現，很少被 觀賞之頻道被f棄置」，因而讓使用者可有效率地參閲節 目指南資訊。若是由系統操作者指定將被呈現之頻道，由 於此系統可提供較少資訊|時間與成本二者之節省可被實 —9 — 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS ) A4規格（210X297公釐） (請先聞讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 465241 A7 ____B7__五、發明説明（7 ) 現。 系統操作者可使用數種準則決定那些頻道將被呈 現。例如，僅有最流行的頻道可被呈現》系統操作者亦可 對每一播映者就將被列於此特殊指南收取額外費用。系統 操作者亦可就每一時段收取額外費用以使特定的節目成 為「特別」。有很多的做法可被用來吸引使用者之注意力 至特別節目》例如，此節目可被列於節目指南之第一排' 以不同的字樣、以不同顏色表現、或為節目描述留以額外 空間等· 在第3圖中所顯示之本發明較佳實施例中，節目指南 2 0 0就單一時期僅提供節目時間表資訊，此時期呈現目前 可以觀看的節目。格2 05表示節目時間表被提供之時期。 格205每半小時變換。在指定時期可以觀看之節目被列於 數個格210內。格215表示對應於格210之頻道號碼或服 務名稱。在此實施例中，節目時間表資訊較佳地在該半小 時前約3分鐘被更新。因此，當使用者要求節目時間表資 訊之時間為當天下午7: 55時，節目指南將提供在下午7:30 開始之時期的資訊。然而，若使用者等到下午7:58做出 相同要求時，該系統所提供之資訊將是在下午8:00開始 的節目。該系統可進一步被構建成來指示使用者是否一節 目為由先前時期被持續與（或）該節目將在目前半小時時 間增量後被持續·本發明之這些靥面可藉由將所論及之特 定格加以顔色編碼或透過使用某些其他註記或符號的形 成加以實施。 一 10 — 本紙張尺度逋用中國國家標準（CNS ) A4規格（210X297公嫠） ---------K裝-- J ! (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) _ 訂 465241 A7 ____B7_ 五、發明説明（8 ) (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 第4圚為一螢幕之圖示，其在本發明之替選實施例中 可在節目指南1Q0或20Q前出現。當使用者選擇節目指南 特點時，螢幕300在使用者之電視上出現。使用者被催促 由顯示於螢冪300之部分305中的非常廣泛之類別清單中 選出一主題。然後，後續的節目指南螢幕將所有適合在該 指南所提供時間的主題需求之節目供應給使用者》 第5圖為VCR程式螢幕40 0之圖示，其可被用於與任 何先前所描述之節目指南組合。螢幕40 0被區分成七天份 之格排。週曰被表示於格40 5。與每一週日栢鄰者為線形 格排41 0，其將一天24小時分割成48個半小時增量。由 於標準電視螢幕解析度之限制，格排可被分割為數個分段 (即6，8或12小時之分段），且使用省將該格排分頁以尋 找所要的時段。格排亦被限制為12小時，而以該螢幕亦 具有格415，使用者可使用此來表示上午或下午。 在此實施例中，使用者首先表示將VCR加以程式化之 欲求。典型上|起始的節目指南螢幕包含標有圖示之VCR。 當使用者選取此圖示時，螢幕40 0現出•然後該使用者例 如藉由將游標移動至所要的時段並按下“ENTER”來選擇欲 於錄製之時間。因此，若使用者要錄製星期四晚上9:00 開始9:30結束之節目，使用者只要很簡單地將游標移至 星期四晚上9:00並按下enter即可。在較佳實施例中，若 使用者希望錄長於30分鐘之節目，該使用者只要將游標 移至每一連續的時段並按下enter。在使用者經由使用游 標指出特定的日子與時期後，節目指南要求使用者輸入一 -π ~ 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS ) A4規格（210X297公釐） d6524 1 A7 _____B7 五、發明説明（9 ) 頻道號碼》較佳的是，螢幕400在與錄製被要求的週日相 鄰的格4 2 0內閃爍一個問號（即“？》)。螢幕4 〇 〇亦可使用於 發幕400之訊息部分425顯示的訊息要求使用者指示頻 道。 在使用者已指示錄製的時間與頻道後，該螢幕以在部 分425內之訊息通知使用者該程式已成功地完成。此外， 在部分425內之訊息亦可問使用者是否要設定VCR來錄製 其他事項。若使用者有程式錯誤，例如欲於相同的曰期時 間錄多個節目’在部分425之訊息將通知使用者程式未成 功地完成。 第6圖顯示本發明一較佳實施例之硬骽元件。如所顯 示者，此構造運用一節目指南控制器50 5(例如為資料處理 器）、一個或以上之電視源頭510與一 TV，PCTV或電腦監 視器510。此系統亦可包括一VCR52Q與遙控525。節目指 南系統505可為一獨立裝置或被併入其他系統，如電視、 有線解碼器、電腦、PCTV或VCR。 本發明之較佳實施例包括一插入式節目指南控制器 模組530。模組530決定節目指南505之能力程度。因此 £ 模組530可僅允許節目指南50 5呈現簡化的節目時間表給 f 使用者，此簡化的時間表顯示涵蓋有限時間範圍的有限度465241 A7 _B7__ V. Description of the Invention (1) This application is a US provisional patent application Tuide System and Method of Operation ", (Case No. 60 / 023,692, listed on August 14, 1996, with KennethA. Milnes And StevenSchein are the inventors and are licensed to Star Sight Telecat.) The present invention is generally about a program guide, and more specifically, a system and processing that makes it easy and convenient for TV viewers. Way to access the list of TV programs on the screen. In the past ten years, the number of TV channels that users can watch has grown dramatically, mainly because of the availability of cable TV and satellite live broadcast systems. When viewers may As the number of programs of interest increases, various electronic program guides have been developed to help viewers select programs of particular interest. For example, generally designated US patents 4,706, 121 and 5, 353, 121 describe program information Processing system that provides viewers with a convenient way to select programs based on selection criteria provided by viewers. Although electronic program guides reduce Relevant to the many problems of selecting interesting programs from a large number of watchable channels, some users will compile a lower cost system. The system and method of the present invention provide a program guide that displays less program information and thus reduces program costs. The displayed program information is received by the surrounding facilities | It may be an independent facility (such as a control box on the set top), or it may be integrated with the user's TV or VCR. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention The program guide shows a simplified program schedule guide. In this embodiment, instead of the user, the user -4-This paper size applies the Chinese Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) (Please read first Note on the back of the page, please fill in this page) 465241 A7 _________ B7 _._ V. Description of the invention (2) The schedule information of each program being broadcast on the TV system is that the user only needs to access for a limited time Table information. The present invention may be designed to allow a user or operator to select that the schedule information is presented in a simplified mode. In one embodiment, if the information is presented in a simplified format, In another embodiment of the present invention, the program guide only presents the programs being broadcast and / or the festivals that will be broadcast in the next thirty minute period. In the present invention In another embodiment, the user can view the schedule guide in one of two modes. In the first mode, the schedule guide is displayed on the entire TV screen. In the alternative mode, the schedule guide is displayed in Overlay of the partial coverage of the program shown on the TV screen. Therefore, in this alternative mode, the user can watch the schedule guide and the desired program at the same time. In another embodiment of the present invention, the program guide and information are added in color or font. The visual difference makes this guide more user-friendly. The program currently being broadcast and the program to be broadcast in the next period can be assigned different colors or fonts. "Programs can be color-coded to allow users to quickly distinguish between drama, comedy, sports, and news. Users who are watching the TV tuner settings can also use colors or different fonts to encode them. This program guide can be easily upgraded to a guide system providing more user features. This upgrade can be purchased by the broadcast operator or by a local store. In one embodiment of the invention, both can install this upgrade without the technical assistance of a system operator. (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) This paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) 46524 1 A7 ______B7_ V. Description of the invention (3) Further understanding of the nature and benefits of the invention This can be achieved by referring to the rest of the description and illustrations. (谙 Please read the notes on the back before filling this page) Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a TV / computer system, and the program schedule guide according to the present invention can be displayed on it; Figure 2 is based on this An illustration of one of the inventive program schedule guide screens; FIG. 3 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the program schedule guide screens, which only provides schedule information of programs currently available for viewing; and FIG. 4 is based on this An illustration of the invented VCR program screen; and the sixth circle is an illustration of the basic system architecture according to the present invention. The present invention provides a television schedule system, which displays less program information and reduces programming costs. The first circle shows a preferred embodiment of the TV / computer system 1 which displays a program schedule guide according to one of the present invention. As shown, the system 1 includes a distribution center and several receiving locations. The distribution center 10 edits the data for the data stream. In a comparative embodiment, this data stream is broadcast to receiving positions 16, 18, 20, and 22. There are several methods available from the distribution center 10 to broadcast the data stream to the receiving location 16-2. For example, satellite 15 can broadcast a vertical blank space (VBI) in a television channel (such as PBS) or a dedicated channel to the receiving locations 16, 18, 20, and 22. Alternatively, the material can be shown off-band, using non-channel-specific institutions. In another embodiment, the data stream is provided to the receiving locations 16, 18, 20 and 22 via the transmission line 13. The transmission line 13 may be, for example, an optical fiber, a coaxial cable, or a telephone line. In yet another embodiment, the paper size of the surrounding facilities located between the receiving locations is in accordance with the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (21 ×: 297 mm) 465241 A7 _______B7 V. Description of the invention (4) (Please (Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) The data stream is received by, for example, the regional service provider 40. The service provider 40 receives the data stream from distribution center L0 via line 17, and broadcasts the data stream to surrounding facilities via satellite ι5 (or another satellite), or via lines 19 and 13. This peripheral receiving facility may be a television 30, a television 34, a VCR32, a VCR36, and / or a set-top control box 38-in further embodiments, a PCTV may be used, or a data stream may be provided to a personal computer to Use this computer with (or) more of the above facilities. In the preferred embodiment, the information in the 'data stream includes TV schedule information. The software located in the surrounding facility uses the timetable information provided in the data stream to generate a timetable guide. This software is stored on computer-readable storage media such as ROM, RAM, diskettes, or other storage facilities. If this timetable guide is, for example, a grid format, the available channels can be listed on the Y axis and each time can be listed on the X axis. "For more information on how the timetable system displays, please refer to US Patent No. 4,706,121 and U.S. Patent No. 5,151,789. These two patents are similar to this patent application assigned to Star Sight Telecast, and their entirety is taken here for all purposes and referenced. Figure 2 is an illustration of a program schedule guide according to the present invention. Like the icon, the program guide 1Q0 essentially covers the display screen of the user's TV. The system can be designed so that the program guide 100 covers a part of the screen, and the user can watch the program guide 100 and a specific program at the same time. According to an implementation, the user can switch between the full screen and the overlapping screen of the current program via a on-screen menu, for example, using cursor control. This feature allows users to see the large-sized version of the guide, or to read the guide and use the Chinese paper standard (CNS) A4 size (210X297 mm) 46524 1 A7 __B7_. Explanation (5) Observation to obtain "favorite" for the currently selected performance. In this mode, the audio of the performance is also better played continuously. One central part 105 of the guide 100 gives a program schedule for each channel. Box 110 indicates that the program guide information displayed in section 105 is applicable Sunday. The section 105 is divided into cells 115, and the length of each cell represents the length of the program in question. Header section 120 follows box II0 and above box 115. The cells 125 and 130 in the section 120 indicate the program time, which corresponds to the programs displayed in the cells 115. In one embodiment of the present invention, the grids 125 and 130 are only time grids. Grid 125 shows the current 1/2 hour increments, so every program that falls below grid 125 Η 5 will represent the program currently being broadcast. This will let the viewer know immediately which programs are the current owner for viewing. In order to make the current programs more understandable, part 135 of part 105 (directly below time grid 125) can be coded with color or have some visually distinctive characteristics. For example, the program name shown in part 135 Can have a different font or size from the background. Therefore, when the program guide 100 appears on the user's television screen, this color coding or other visual difference allows the user to immediately know which performances can be viewed, that is, the current program can be visually different from future programs. Programs can also be visually differentiated based on theme content, language, whether they are being replayed, whether the programs are being viewed, recorded, or timed. Time grid 130 represents the next 1/2 hour increment immediately following the time shown in grid 125. Therefore, if grid 125 represents the time at S: 27 in the afternoon as used in Figure 1, grid 1 30 represents the time at 8:30 in the afternoon. All listed paper sizes are in accordance with Chinese National Standard (CNS) Α4 specification (210 × 297 mm) -------- K Pack 丨 _ I-(Please read the note on the back before filling this page) _ 465241 A7 ___B7_V. Description of the Invention (6) The program in box 115 directly below the box I3Q is the program that will appear in the next 1/2 hour period. So | users can decide what shows will be shown. When needed, the box that falls in box 13 (the box below 3) 5 can be color-coded or visually distinguished from the code of the program currently being broadcast. Future programs can also be based on the theme content, language, whether to replay, Whether the programs are being watched, recorded, or timed to make a visual distinction. Furthermore, by paying attention to whether there is a grid partition 142 below the division between grids 125 and 130, users can decide whether the performance in question is right Beginning or already broadcasting. In one embodiment of the present invention, it is impossible for a user to manipulate the program guide to obtain schedule information for programs that start after the time indicated by cell 130. Part 14G of Guide 1Q0 contains cell 145. Each A box 145 indicates the channel number corresponding to the program guide box U5 next to the program guide. Instead, or in combination with the channel number, box 145 may contain the program service name. For example, box 145 may include: channel number 8 , Service name HBO, or both. In another embodiment of the present invention, not all viewable channels on the user's television system are presented in In the program guide 100. The channels to be presented in the guide can be selected by the user or the system operator, depending on how the system is structured. If the user specifies that the channel will be presented, the channel that is rarely viewed is discarded by f " Therefore, the user can refer to the program guide information efficiently. If the channel to be presented is specified by the system operator, since this system can provide less information, the time and cost savings can be realized — 9 — this The paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) (please read the precautions on the back before filling out this page) 465241 A7 ____B7__V. Description of the invention (7) Now, there are several types of system operators can use The guidelines determine which channels will be presented. For example, only the most popular channels can be presented. System operators can also charge an additional fee for each broadcaster listed in this special guide. System operators can also Extra fees are charged for certain times to make a particular show "special." There are many ways that can be used to draw the user's attention to a special show. For example, this show can Listed in the first row of the program guide 'with different words, different colors, or extra space for the program description, etc. · In the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 3, the program guide 2 0 0 only provides program schedule information for a single period. This period presents the currently available programs. Box 2 05 indicates the period when the program schedule is provided. Box 205 changes every half an hour. Programs that can be watched during a specified period are listed in the number Within cell 210. Cell 215 indicates the channel number or service name corresponding to cell 210. In this embodiment, the program schedule information is preferably updated about 3 minutes before the half hour. Therefore, when a user requests a program The schedule information is at 7:55 pm on the day, and the program guide will provide information for the period starting at 7:30 pm. However, if the user waits until 7:58 pm to make the same request, the information provided by the system will be a program starting at 8:00 pm. The system can be further structured to indicate to the user whether a program was continued from a previous period and / or the program will be continued after the current half-hour time increment. These aspects of the invention can be addressed by Specific cells are color-coded or implemented through the use of some other annotation or symbol formation. 10 — This paper size uses Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 male) --------- K Pack-J! (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) _ Order 465241 A7 ____B7_ V. Description of the invention (8) (Please read the precautions on the back before filling out this page) Chapter 4 is an illustration of a screen, which can be used in the program guide 1Q0 or Appears before 20Q. When the user selects a program guide feature, the screen 300 appears on the user's television. The user is urged to select a topic from a very extensive list of categories displayed in section 305 of the Firefly 300. Then, the subsequent program guide screen will supply to the user all the programs that are suitable for the thematic requirements at the time provided by the guide. Figure 5 is an illustration of the VCR program screen 400, which can be used in conjunction with any previously described Program guide combination. The screen 40 is divided into seven-day rows. Zhou Yue was expressed in Yu Ge 40 5. Every Sunday, Bo's neighbors are in a linear grid of 41 0, which divides 24 hours a day into 48 half-hour increments. Due to the limitation of the standard TV screen resolution, the grid can be divided into several segments (ie, 6, 8 or 12 hours), and the province can be used to page the grid to find the desired time period. The grid is also limited to 12 hours, and with this screen also having grid 415, users can use this to indicate morning or afternoon. In this embodiment, the user first expresses the desire to program the VCR. Typically | the starting program guide screen contains a VCR with an icon. When the user selects this icon, the screen 40 0 appears. Then the user, for example, selects the time to record by moving the cursor to the desired period and pressing "ENTER". Therefore, if the user wants to record a program that starts at 9:00 PM on Thursday and ends at 9:30 PM, the user can simply move the cursor to 9:00 PM on Thursday and press enter. In the preferred embodiment, if the user wishes to record a program longer than 30 minutes, the user only needs to move the cursor to each successive period and press enter. After the user indicates a specific day and time through the use of the cursor, the program guide requires the user to input-π ~ This paper size applies Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) d6524 1 A7 _____B7 V. Description of the invention ( 9) Channel number "It is better that the screen 400 flashes a question mark (ie"? ") In the cell 4 2 0 adjacent to the Sunday on which the recording is required. The screen 400 can also be used for the message of the opening 400 The message displayed in section 425 requires the user to indicate the channel. After the user has instructed the recording time and channel, the screen informs the user that the program has been successfully completed with a message in section 425. In addition, the message in section 425 You can also ask the user if you want to set the VCR to record other things. If the user has a program error, such as wanting to record multiple programs at the same date, the message in section 425 will inform the user that the program has not completed successfully. Fig. 6 shows the hardware components of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, this configuration uses a program guide controller 505 (for example, a data processor), a The above TV source 510 and a TV, PCTV or computer monitor 510. This system can also include a VCR52Q and a remote control 525. The program guide system 505 can be a stand-alone device or incorporated into other systems, such as a TV, cable decoder, Computer, PCTV or VCR. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a plug-in program guide controller module 530. The module 530 determines the level of capability of the program guide 505. Therefore, the module 530 may only allow the presentation of the program guide 50 5 to be simplified For users of f, this simplified schedule shows the limits covering a limited time frame
L t 之頻道選擇例如在此模式中該節目指南包含的頻道不超 過20個，只顯示目前正播出者以及就所選之頻道在下一 ' 個半小時增量將被播映者》當使用希望將節目指南升級 時，例如為所有頻道添加七夭的節目指南以及詳細的分類 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS ) A4規格（210 X 297公釐） (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再填窝本頁) t裝- -訂 465241 A7 _ B7 五、發明説明（1〇) - r (請先鬩讀背面之注$項再填寫本頁) 搜尋，模組530僅須以授權有強化指南能力之不同模組加 以替換。此實施例具有之優異益處在於能讓該系統顯著地 改變而不須重大的硬體變化•例如，模組530可由使用者 加以升級，因而不須系統操作者之技術支援》在此情境中， 使用者僅須得到不同的模組530，將此新模組安裝於節目 指南系統505內，及為新的好處支付系統操作者設定的新 費用。 較佳的是，該系統在可拆卸式電腦記憶體上之軟體 5 3 1控制下操作。軟體5 3 1用之記憶體例如可被置於一個 或以上的1C、該資料處理器之插入式模組、或ROM、RAM 或二者之組合內。.因之，此處之揭示與描述被欲於是為說 明性的，而非對本發明在下列申請專利範圍所設定的領域 之限制。 元件標號對照表 元件編號 譯 名 元件編號 譯 、 1 TV/電腦系統 22 接收位置 10 分配中心 30 電視 .13 傳輸線 32 VCE 15 衛星 34 電視 16 接收位置 36 VCR 17 線路 38 機頂控制盒 18 接收位置 40 地區服務提供者 19 線路 100 節目指南 20 接收位置 105 中央部分 —13 — 本紙張尺度適用令國國家榇準（CNS ) A4規格（210X297公釐） 465241 A7 B7 五、發明説明（11) 元件編號 譯 名 元件編號 譯 名 110 格 510 電視源頭 115 格 515 電腦監視器 120 標題部分 520 VCR 125 格 525 遙控 130 格 530 節目指南控制器模組 I 35 部分 53 1 軟體 140 部分 142 格分區 145 格 200 節目指南 205 格 210 格 215 格 300 營幕 305 部分 400 VCR程式螢幕 405 格 410 格排 415 格 420 格 425 訊息部分 505 節目指南控制器 (請先聞讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS ) A4規格（210X297公釐）L t channel selection. For example, in this mode, the program guide contains no more than 20 channels, only shows the currently broadcaster and the selected channel will be broadcasted in the next 'half-hour increment'. When upgrading the program guide, for example, adding a seven-point program guide and detailed classification for all channels. The paper size is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm) (Please read the precautions on the back before filling in the nest. This page) t-installation--order 465241 A7 _ B7 V. Description of the invention (1〇)-r (Please read the note on the back before filling in this page) Search, module 530 only needs to be authorized to strengthen the ability to guide Different modules. The excellent benefit of this embodiment is that the system can be changed significantly without major hardware changes. For example, the module 530 can be upgraded by the user, and therefore does not require the technical support of the system operator. In this scenario, The user only needs to obtain a different module 530, install this new module in the program guide system 505, and pay the new fee set by the system operator for the new benefits. Preferably, the system operates under the control of software 5 31 on the removable computer memory. The memory used by the software 5 31 can be placed in one or more 1C, a plug-in module of the data processor, or ROM, RAM, or a combination of the two. Therefore, the disclosures and descriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the present invention within the scope set by the following patent applications. Component number comparison table Component number translation Component number translation, 1 TV / computer system 22 Receiving location 10 Distribution center 30 Television. 13 Transmission line 32 VCE 15 Satellite 34 Television 16 Receiving location 36 VCR 17 Line 38 Set-top control box 18 Receiving location 40 area Service Provider 19 Line 100 Program Guide 20 Receiving Location 105 Central Section — 13 — This paper size is applicable to national standards (CNS) A4 specifications (210X297 mm) 465241 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (11) Component number translation name component Number translation 110 division 510 TV source 115 division 515 computer monitor 120 title section 520 VCR 125 division 525 remote control 130 division 530 program guide controller module I 35 part 53 1 software 140 part 142 division 145 division 200 program guide 205 division 210 Box 215 Box 300 Camping screen 305 Part 400 VCR program screen 405 Box 410 Box 415 Box 420 Box 425 Message section 505 Program guide controller (please read the notes on the back first and then fill out this page) This paper standard applies Chinese national standard (CNS) A 4 specifications (210X297 mm)