CN1198285A - 具有增强特征的电视日程系统 - Google Patents

具有增强特征的电视日程系统 Download PDF

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CN1198285A
CN1198285A CN97190722A CN97190722A CN1198285A CN 1198285 A CN1198285 A CN 1198285A CN 97190722 A CN97190722 A CN 97190722A CN 97190722 A CN97190722 A CN 97190722A CN 1198285 A CN1198285 A CN 1198285A
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program
user
schedule
data
schedule system
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布赖恩L·克洛斯特曼
肖恩A·奥布赖恩
肯尼思A·迈尔斯
斯蒂文M·沙因
唐纳德梅茨格
托德布莱克
戈登钱基
戴维沃登
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Adeia Guides Inc
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Starsight Telecast Inc
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Abstract

提供一种显示电子节目日程指南的系统和方法。系统有显示节目日程信息的区域(205)。此外,系统还有可以被用于显示电影编排的区域(220、230)。系统具有增强记录的能力,包括延长记录时间、自动地重新安排记录等等。最后,系统具有简化设置和安装程序的特征。

Description

具有增强特征的电视日程系统
                 有关申请的交叉参考
本申请是发明人为布来恩L.克洛斯特曼等、申请日为1996年6月17日、申请号为60/020989、题目为“具有增强特征的电视系统”的美国临时专利申请的非临时申请，已转让给卫星电视广播股份有限公司。
                            发明背景
本发明涉及提供电视日程信息的系统，更具体地涉及具有增强特征的电视日程信息指南，因此给观众提供更多信息并控制何时编排收看电视节目。
已有能够给用户提供电视日程信息的系统。例如，美国第B1 4706121号(扬)专利提供一种电视日程系统和方法，在扬的专利的一个较佳实施例中，在用户电视屏幕上提供电视日程信息。用户可以提供被扬的系统用于作出节目选择等的选择判据。此外，扬所公开的系统可以控制电视接收机，对节目进行自动选择以及对电视日程信息指南中所列出的节目进行自动的无人监视的记录。自动的无人监视的记录是通过控制视频磁带录像机(VCR)或其它记录装置实现的。
然而，当出现更多的电视日程系统以及用户变得更加复杂时，便需要其它的增强特征。本发明提供了增强特征，如延长超时播放节目的记录时间的能力，因此，进一步提高电视日程系统的功能。
                      发明概要
本发明包括增强特征的交互电视日程系统。在一个较佳实施例中，例如，系统不是通知用户当前节目还有“2分钟”，而是显示，如“2分钟后，将开始10点钟新闻”。在另一个较佳实施例中，系统还允许用户触摸VCR上的播放(PLAY)键并把电视(TV)设定到VCR信号源。
在又一个较佳实施例中，系统具有人工智能的能力，允许其保持跟踪用户的观看习惯并对用户想看什么节目以及如何看这些节目作出人工智能决策。如上所讨论的，系统还具有延长超时播放节目的记录时间的能力。此外，系统能够与高清晰度TV兼容。
对本领域的专业人员而言，通过阅读本说明书的其余各部分，本发明的其它特征和优点将变得显而易见。
                          附图简述
图1A示出可以在其上显示本发明节目日程指南的系统的一个较佳实施例。
图1B示出TV系统的另一种表示。
图1C是被用于执行电子屏幕节目日程显示和其它功能的电子硬件单元的实施例的方框图。
图1D是表明数据库工程师建立的数据库实施例的分级结构图。
图1E示出一张示范的频道数据表。
图1F示出一张示范的表演节目清单表。
图1G示出示范的表演节目标题条目。
图1H示出示范的表演节目介绍条目。
图1I示出示范的主题分类表。
图1J示出示范的主题子分类表。
图1K示出具有几个以不同频带同时发射的转发器的卫星的发射图。
图2A示出本发明电视日程指南屏幕的较佳实施例。
图2B示出本发明日程指南的另一较佳实施例。
                    发明详述
A.系统概述
本发明提供一种具有增强特征的电视(TV)日程系统。图1A示出本发明显示节目日程指南的电视/计算机系统100的一个较佳实施例。如图所示，系统100包括分布中心110和多个接收位置。分布中心110编辑数据流的数据。在一个较佳实施例中，向接收位置116、118、120和122播放这一数据流。从分布中心110到接收位置116-122播放数据流的方法有几种。例如，卫星115可以在电视频道(如PBS)和专用频道的垂直消隐间隙(VBI)内向接收位置116、118、120和122播放这一数据流。另一方面，在频带外也可以播放数据，即采用非频道专用机制。在另一个较佳实施例中，通过传输系统113向接收位置116、118、120和122播放数据流。传输系统可以是光纤、同轴电缆、电话线、通过空中电视广播、或类似线路。
在又一个较佳实施例中，位于接收位置内的外围装置从例如当地服务者140处接收数据流。服务者140通过线路117从分布中心110接收数据流，并通过卫星115(或另一颗卫星)，或通过线路119和113向接收外围装置播放数据流。接收外围装置可以是电视机130、电视机134、VCR132、VCR136和/或电缆、卫星IRD、网上浏览器或机顶转换盒138。
数据流中的信息可以包括电视日程信息。位于外围装置内的应用软件利用数据流中提供的日程信息产生日程指南。在一个较佳实施例中，在连接到个人计算机、PCTV、连接到机顶转换盒的电视机上或是在包含专用板的电视机上可实现本发明的电子节目指南。然而，本发明不限于任何特定硬件配置，将增加对已研制计算机与电视系统新组合的利用。在下文中，上述任何系统将被称作“TV系统”。图1B示出典型TV系统的方框图。由于本发明不限于任何的特定TV系统，因此，不给出其实施的详细描述。
正图人们所熟知的，在TV上显示的图象可以作为模拟信号，例如依照美国使用的NTSC标准，或是作为在模拟载波上调制的数字信号发射出去。通过电缆30，或是通过天线32或卫星接收盘34可以接收该信号。通常，电视装置设计成能够接收模拟信号，计算机显示装置设计成能够显示数字格式编码的图象。然而，解码器系统36A能够把数字数据转换成模拟信号，以供在电视装置上显示，TV调制解调器36B能够对模拟TV信号进行格式化，以供在PC监视器上显示。
在图1B中，把通过电缆、天线或卫星接收盘接收的模拟或数字TV信号提供给电视机38或是PC机(未示出)。如果信号来自数字广播服务机构，那么，解码器把信号转变成基带视频和声频信号或频道3/4射频(RF)信号。如果信号是模拟信号，那么，它作为实况视频输出而通过。根据电视机的配置，它接收输出中所选的输出并显示所接收的节目。
如果TV是一个PCTV40，它通常包括TV卡42，或是连接到实况视频、基带视频，或是连接到频道3/4输出。TV卡42对视频图象进行数字化，在计算机的监视器上以可变大小的窗口显示视频图象。PCTV40也可以通过调制解调器44与陆上电话线耦合。如果接收的信号是模拟TV信号，那么，PCTV的TV卡对于模拟信号进行数字化，从垂直消隐间隙提取所含的信息。另一方面，如果信号是数字信号，声频、视频、VBI(诸如闭路字幕、图文电视以及有关节目信息的信息)、节目指南、以及有条件接入等信息作为单独比特流而提供。
把节目的视频和声频比特流转换成显示格式，对节目指南信息进行处理，形成节目指南数据库。运行储存在存储器中软件的处理器产生交互的电子节目指南图象以及被接收节目的图象。指南可以被用于与窗口中显示的节目相互作用和控制所显示的节目。
显示电子节目指南，如卫星电视广播股份有限公司提供的指南，而配置的电视系统包括下述的屏幕上显示控制器和其它硬件。如果接收到标准模拟播放信号，通过VBI数据限幅器从VBI提取节目指南数据。如果或是从卫星或是从电缆接收到DBS数字信号，以单独比特流提供VBI和节目数据。由于系统具有以单独比特流接收节目数据的能力，因此，系统还与高分辨率图形的HDTV标准相兼容。
节目指南图形或是在本地产生或是在远处产生，并提供给屏幕上显示控制器。通过遥控器提供交互能力。另一方面，节目指南能够显示在计算机监视器上，通过例如包含红外(IR)遥控器在内的IR接口产生控制电视和/或VCR的IR码，以交互方式控制电视机。
如果在本地产生电子指南数据库，那么，产生电子节目指南的系统必须接收电视日程信息并对所接收的信息进行处理，以产生一个数据库。因此，系统需要数据接收单元、处理器、储存节目码和数据库的存储器、屏幕显示发生器(OSD)、以及调谐到所需频道的控制接口。
在一个较佳实施例中，日程信息作为一组规定格式的短命令发射出去。不同的命令传送诸如给定频道节目日程、日程中每个节目的标题、说明以及关于频道中每个节目的信息属性等的信息。因此，用几条命令发射在特定时间播出的节目的信息。命令中的ID数便于利用储存在存储器中并由处理器运行的数据库机器(DBE)软件把信息编成关系性数据库。
在另一个较佳实施例中，观众的电视机上包括一个卡，数据库被局部存储，在指定频道，如PBS编排节目的VBI中发射命令。图1C示出了接收节目指南信息、产生节目指南数据库、显示节目指南以及以交互方式控制节目指南的卡的一个例子。在指定频道编排节目播放的垂直消隐间隙中把命令发射到该卡。另一方面，也可以在陆上电话线上把命令传送到局部单元。此外，如下所述，在一些系统中，以遥控方式建立数据库，节目指南本身被传送到局部单元。
DBE在RAM中建立一个分级数据库。图1D示出该数据库的分级结构。如图所示，该数据库的内部结构与用句柄和句柄表联系的日程数据结构和主题数据结构一样。每个句柄是句柄表的一个索引，句柄表包括至储存数据库项目的存储器块的指针。
在另一个实施例中，例如DSS系统，节目指南数据是作为由数据库机器处理的比特流发射出去的。此外，已经开发出N.E.W.S.(新闻、娱乐、气象和体育)数据库。包括故事内容和故事ID的命令被发射出去。能够建立节目指南与一个节目有关故事之间的联系，从节目指南能够存取有关故事。
从包括广告内容的命令和包括广告与EPG中显示表演节目相联系的标识的略语也可产生广告数据库，因此，用户可以从指南直接存取广告信息。
从包括URL的命令也可产生互连网络数据库，URL把EPG上显示节目有关的地址互连成网。如果观众在能够使用Web(例如WebTV、PC、或PCTV)的平台上正在观看EPG，那么，从EPG能够直接存取一个被联系地址。
此外，利用数据库的日程、演出标题、以及其它信息，图象节目模块可建立不同的显示。如果OSD控制器以字符模式工作，显示就是一组栅格字符码，它们被转移到OSD控制器，它产生屏幕上的显示。
响应输入的用户接口节目模块对于用户的输入作出响应，产生响应于特定输入的新的显示。在一个较佳实施例中，用户利用输入装置，如遥控器、鼠标器、或键盘，把指针置于一部分当前显示并敲击按钮。响应输入的模块对于指针的位置和特定显示作出响应，产生响应显示或采取特定行动。在另一个较佳实施例中，用户接口对遥控器上的功能按钮作出响应。以下将描述特定的例子。
B.板的描述
图1C是用于执行电子屏幕上日程显示和其它功能的电子硬件单元一个实施例的方块图。所公开的特定电路是针对那些拥有家庭卫星接收盘观看电视的TVRO(仅是TV接收)用户。这个单元与现行的用户TVRO设备串联耦合。
在图1C中，单元从用户TVRO系统接收基带视频输入123。单元任选地输出基带视频输出128或频道3/4RF输出130。单元包括8位微处理器100、64码字节ROM 101、节目数据存储用的512K RAM 102、用户门列阵103、快速处理存储数据的分段基本寄存器104、对于进入加密数据解码的安全逻辑106、显示控制器接口的串行总线108、内部处理器通信用的串行总线110、差错恢复用的监控设备计时器112、红外(IR)输入113、TV、VCR控制用的红外发射器电路116、红外输出117、CRC-32编码和解码逻辑118、板上电源120、视频输出123、屏幕上显示控制器和格式化器124、用户色彩转换器126、射频调制器127、基带视频或射频输出128或130的选择。
屏幕显示控制器和格式化器(OSDCF)124起I/O控制器的作用，屏幕显示控制器(OSD)也起闭合字幕数据(CCD)VBI数据限幅器的作用。VBI在TV信号中是一个无信号区，它使电视信号能够把扫描电子束从屏幕底部重新回扫到顶部。数字数据，例如闭路字幕数据在VBI期间被调制到载波信号上。
OSDCF 124包括一个模拟-数字转换器(ADC)，它对进入的基带视频进行数字化并提取在VBI期间发射的数字信息。正如下面更全面说明的，在VBI期间把消息发射到数据库。这些消息被转移到处理器100，由其执行建立或更新数据库的数据库机器过程。
OSDCF 124的OSD部分包括超高速缓冲存储器、字符存储器、计时功能以及外部RAM。OSD读出从处理器100发出的高级图象命令并把图象信息存储在RAM中。OSD输出红(R)、绿(G)、蓝(B)图象数据，它被用于产生本地视频信号。根据用户输入接口的状态，如下所述，将显示OSD本地视频输出或进入的实况视频。
于是，数据库机器产生的屏幕显示图象数据被转移到OSD的RAM，它产生在电视屏幕上显示的本地视频。
C.日程数据的结构
正如所述的，DBE在RAM中建立一个分级数据库。在一个实施例中，图1D示出数据库的分级结构。如图所示，该数据库的内部结构与用句柄(handle)和句柄表(handle table)联系的日程数据结构和主题数据结构一样。每个句柄是句柄表的一个索引，句柄表包括至储存数据库结构的存储器块的指针。
日程数据结构的等级按降序为：
频道数据表：包括用户单元的频道清单；
节目清单：包括安排在一个频道中播放的每个节目的时段；
节目标题：包括标题内容和节目标题属性；
节目介绍：包括节目的等级评定、属性、以及介绍内容。
如图1E所示，频道数据表在分级中是最高数据结构。频道数据表包括用户单元接收的每个频道的条目。频道数据表中的条目不会被频繁地改变，是由用户单元的位置和被接收服务的类型所确定的。每个频道数据表条目包括该频道以及至该频道节目清单句柄表的句柄的有关信息。
分级中的下一个数据结构是图1F所示的节目清单。节目清单包括通常在半夜GMT的起始时间和24小时的节目表。由节目位置的排序给出频道的日程，对于某天由某一特定频道播放的每个节目，有一个节目位置。每个节目位置包括所用时间、节目标题句柄、以及节目介绍句柄。寻找对应于给定起始时间的条目需要从节目清单开始和增加周期值按序地对条目进行扫描。
数据库在全部构建时，持有每个频道节目清单的一周价值。通过两个字节增加节目清单句柄，可对一周中的七天进行存取。在每天半夜GMT，用恰好完成将被删除的这一天的节目清单和下一周同一天被增加到数据库的节目清单，对节目清单进行更新。
日程分级中下一个数据结构是图1G所示的节目标题条目和图1H所示的节目介绍条目。对于给定节目位置，利用给节目位置中所包含的句柄，对节目标题条目和节目介绍条目进行存取。节目标题和节目介绍条目被存储在划分成块的一组存储器中。用一个独特的20位节目识别数(SID)识别每个节目标题，用在头端指定的一个独特20位的数识别每个节目介绍。节目标题句柄是基于SID，节目标题句柄被偏置到节目标题句柄表中。用特定节目标题句柄存取的节目标题表中的条目包括存储节目标题条目的一组存储器中的第一个块的地址。同样，用节目介绍句柄存取的节目介绍句柄表条目储存存储节目介绍条目的一组存储器中的第一个块的地址。
每个节目标题条目包括节目标题的主题索引ID和内容。通常，一个节目标题条目将被不同频道、日期和时间的许多节目清单所参考。因此，通过利用节目清单中的句柄，所有的节目清单可以参考存储器中一个节目标题条目，从而能够有效地利用存储器。许多节目标题条目具有长的寿命，因为，这些节目可以在相当长的时期多次地播放，由于许多节目是在多个频道中播放的，许多节目清单可以参考这些节目标题条目。
每个节目介绍条目包括主题索引ID、评论排行榜、节目的MPAA排行榜、特色掩码位、制片年份以及节目介绍内容。节目介绍条目比节目标题条目的寿命更短，因为，介绍仅仅对连续剧的特定片断有效。
D.日程搜索
为了获得特定时间的日程信息并显示，在编排的节目栅格中，日程信息需要下列步骤。对于频道表中的每个频道，对一天的节目清单进行存取和扫描。根据包含所选时间以及接在所选时间后的节目时间段的持续时间，测定该频道水平块的大小。对每个节目时间段参考的节目标题条目进行存取，节目标题被显示在与节目时间段相对应的水平块中。
E.喜爱的频道清单
回过来参考图1E，频道数据表中每个条目包括一个喜爱链路(FAVORITELINK)字段。该字段包括至下一个喜爱频道的链路，被用于按照用户确定的次序形成频道的有序联系表。用户接口和数据库机器提供屏幕，便于按指南显示的频道的排序和选择。与排序频道表中第一频道的链路被储存在存储器中。利用这个链路对最喜爱的频道的频道表条目进行存取。
对该频道中的喜爱链路进行存取，利用该链路对下一个喜爱频道的频道表条目进行存取，如此下去，直至一个指定分界值为止，例如，0x00表示喜爱频道清单的结束。每个频道表条目中所储存的多个喜爱链路字段，能够支持一个以上喜爱清单的能力。
F.主题数据结构
数据库的一个功能强大的特征是能够用主题对节目分组。利用节目标题中所储存的主题ID和节目介绍条目，使特定的节目与特定的主题相匹配。例如，观众也许想看到一张所有喜剧电影的清单。
每个主类别，如上述例子中的电影，有一个包含在主题类别表中的主题类别条目，如图1I所示。主题类别条目包括主题类别ID、子类别句柄表的句柄、以及主题类别名。利用主题类别ID可识别这个主类别的主题子类别，如上述例子中的喜剧。
对于每个主类别，有一个主题子类别表，如图1J所示。该表包括主要主题类别中所包含的每个主题子类别的条目。每个表条目包括与子类别条目相对应的主题ID和子类别名。
G.主题搜索
当观众开始搜索特定类型的节目时，如喜剧电影，检查每个频道，使所列每个节目的主题ID与主题子类别表中对应于电影主类别条目的喜剧条目所存储的主题ID进行比较。把主题ID相匹配的节目的信息以主题搜索数据结构存储到用户接口局部缓冲器中。
主题搜索功能需要两次调用数据库。第一次调用把主题搜索数据结构初始化到与特定频道条目主题类别匹配的第一个节目，包括根据搜索时间的节目时间偏移。然后，第二次调用将寻找经过特定偏移时间后的下一个匹配节目，更新主题搜索数据结构并使该偏移返回到下一个节目。第二次调用将寻找经过特定偏移时间后的下一个匹配节目，更新主题搜索数据结构并返回到下一个匹配节目的起始偏移。
主题用户接口存取的基本算法是：
1.对于给定的起始时间，对于每个频道条目，寻找按这个时间中或期间与主题判据匹配的第一个节目，产生一张清单。保持对已经匹配频道的跟踪。
2.按时序对节目的清单分类。
3.找出分类清单中最早节目的频道。
4.把这个最早节目放入到用户接口搜索清单中。
5.对于最早节目的频道，请求与主题判据和已更新偏移时间匹配的下一个节目。
6.重复步骤2-4直至已经对所有节目定位或达到其它规定极限为止(即搜索可以针对有限次数的匹配)。然后，按时序显示所选类别的节目。
H.广告数据结构
广告清单数据结构与节目清单相类似。它包括起始时间和24小时广告编排日程。对广告清单进行地区分划，广告清单包括某天播放的每个广告的一个广告节目时间段。广告节目时间段包括周期和被用于存取广告条目的广告ID。
每个广告条目包括一个广告旗帜内容字段、一个广告内容字段以及合适的至广告标识的指针。广告标识包括与广告一起显示的图象文件。广告条目包括广告旗帜内容和广告内容。
I.建立数据库
数据库是由处理器上工作数据库机器软件模块建立的。由数据库机器接收包含分立命令的消息。命令的例子有：区域命令，它规定特定用户单元所提供使用的频道被包含在频道数据表中；频道数据命令，它包括被用于形成频道数据表中条目的信息；节目清单、节目标题和节目介绍命令，包括存储器中的SID和DID参考区。数据库机器仅选择与频道表中所包含频道有关的节目清单命令作进一步处理。
数据库机器为任何节目清单中所包含的所有SID和DID在存储器中产生储存位置。包含在与SID和DID匹配的命令中的信息被写到参考存储器区中。实际上，为了更有效地搜索，由散列系统对SID和DID进行处理。
消息可以用不同的方法发射到用户单元。上面已经介绍了一个在广播节目的VBI中接收消息的系统。在DBS系统中，消息可以用专门的比特流发射。另一方面，数据库本身可以用数字数据流发射。例如，在DSS中，用36个频道3小时编排节目的块发射节目指南信息。以数字方式把编排节目调制到不同频带上。如图1K所示，卫星具有几个在不同频带上同时发射的转发器500。利用数字压缩技术，在一个频带上能够对几个频道进行调制。用所有频道装载包含当前编排节目的比特流。然而，在不同的频带上发射不同频道块的未来编排节目。按照转盘或环形回路发射编排节目块，在接收特定时间的频带前可以使它们延迟。
当观众存取指南时，把该时间周期的节目块装载到存储器中，使用户能够与指南发生交互作用。对未来的时间和不同的频道，可以存在时间延迟。例如，如果当前编排节目块是B1，当前接收的块是B4，用户在能够接收并显示当前编排节目前必须等待发射节目块B5、B6和B7。观众等待的延迟时间等于发射每个节目块时间周期之和，即d5+d6+d7。如果在不同的频带上调制节目指南块，电缆盒必须调谐到该频带并等待到在转盘上发射所需的块。因此，如果对于未来编排节目访问指南，需要等待。
对于电缆，数据库是建立在SST头端的并在陆上线路上发送到电缆头端。电缆公司通过VBI、卫星、数字数据比特流等任何想要用的方式把数据发送出去。
J.用户接口
指南的用户接口(GUI)采用遥控命令作为其主要输入。在一个实施例中，用户通过按遥控器上的功能揿纽请求不同的功能。在另一实施例中，GUI要与被显示屏幕上对应于不同功能的不同交互区一起使用。用户使指针在与所需功能相对应的交互区上移动，选择一个功能，产生一条命令。进入命令的特定格式是不重要的，采用声音命令的技术不久可以提供使用。
用户接口接收命令，通过执行命令所请求的功能在被请求显示屏幕上作出响应。所执行的功能可以是记录一个节目、调谐到一个频道上、接入一个有关互连网位置、购买一个收费收看节目、或者购买商品等行为。每一次屏幕的数据和格式依赖与前一次屏幕、一天中的时间、数据库的内容、接收的命令、以及其它参数。利用一张状态表来限定屏幕流程。
对于每个限定屏幕，有一个进入功能、退出功能、更新功能、以及一组请求处理功能。当首先进入收集所有必要数据并对屏幕格式化的状态时调用进入功能。调用退出功能释放存储器和屏幕数据。如果需要对屏幕上显示的任何信息进行更新，可调用更新功能，每分钟对屏幕时间更新一次并重新显示屏幕。
一旦在特定状态中，表包括与遥控器上每个键或屏幕上每个交互区对应的另一种软件功能的参考。当按遥控器的一个相关按钮或选择一个交互区时，将运行这些参考功能。
例如，如果用户希望记录一个节目，在GUI实施例中，观众可以把光标移动到记录交互区，然后，作出选择，请求执行记录功能。然后，产生一幅确认屏幕。当用户确认记录请求时，用记录队列作一个条目。从检查队列和管理记录功能的实时执行，调用记录处理功能(daemon)。
根据数据库机器发布的图象显示命令，用屏幕上显示(OSD)控制器使屏幕显示。在描绘系统显示屏幕所需的命令中，有删除屏幕命令、画矩形命令、保存矩形命令、恢复矩形命令、移动矩形命令、写SACII串命令和画频道图标命令。
每个屏幕包括不变的区域(这是基于非易失性存储器中所储存的码和数据)、和可变的区域，如利用数据库中储存数据的节目标题和介绍。如数据库机器介绍中所述，数据库的结构便于有效地搜索存储在数据库中通常为ASCII文本字符串形成的信息。此外，图象文件也可以存储在数据库中，在显示屏的窗口中显示。
K.增强特征的描述
图2A示出一幅节目日程指南屏幕200。如图所示，用户可以在区域210上移动光标，在一周中的不同日期之间移动。在图2A中，用户已经选择星期三。因此，显示的日程信号是针对星期三的，所显示的时间为当前时间。系统知道用户什么时间观看电视，并自动地把光标调节到对应于当前时间的单元上的缺省位置。用户可以在区域215上移动光标，在一天中的不同时间之间移动。另一方面，系统可以包括允许用户直接访问电视日程指南中特定时间节目位置的软件。在这样一个实施例中，例如，用户可以进入一个数字(代表时间)，接着用一个右箭头键(未来)或左箭头键(过去)，系统将使用户位于所选的时间节目位置上。以这种方式，用户还可以指定重新记录的起始时间。在到达所需时间节目时间段后，用户可以简单地选择编排记录节目的记录按钮。
如图所示，指南屏幕200还有一个信息区220，它正在提示一个不久播放或当前正在播放的节目。在另一个实施例中，信息区220可以包括电影标题以及当地电影院的介绍。参考图2B，可以看到另一个节目指南屏幕的实施例250，它具有一个以上的信息区。如图2B所示，信息区230包括产品广告，然而，信息区230可以代之以包含电影标题以及当地电影院的介绍。在又一个实施例中，系统可以提供一个单独屏幕，显示该地区的当地电影清单以及相应的电影院。
参考图2A或图2B，用户可以在单元220的一处单击一下，获得所选单元中所包含节目的介绍。如果所选单元中的节目将要结束，发出信息显示当前节目还剩几分钟。根据本发明，系统除了通知用户当前节目还剩多少分钟以外，还可以通知用户同一频道中下一个节目什么时间开始，例如，“2分钟后，节目是Seinfeld”。
由于有关节目的信息已经被储存在数据库中，用户可以按字母顺序对节目标题排序。由于这个过程可能较长，用户可以规定它在背景中进行排序。此外，用户可以观看节目指南屏幕上的节目标题，例如“埃伦(Ellen)”，并寻找该节目“埃伦”将开始播放的所有其它时间。正如所讨论的，通过接下来被编排到数据库中的命令可以传送诸如节目标题、节目介绍、节目日程等信息。因此，系统将收到用户对节目标题“埃伦”的请求并在数据库中寻找与之匹配。当系统显示已发现的匹配时，它还显示该节目将播放的时间。
此外，根据用户输入，系统可以从数据库中搜索所选节目主题(例如对足球比赛进行搜索)。系统或是在单独屏幕上显示搜索结果，或是也可以把搜索变成一个继续搜索过程的扫描特征，即系统可以调谐到含有所寻找比赛中一个比赛的频道，因此，允许用户转到足球比赛。在另一个实施例中，现行的网络和用户单元软件可以动态地把“主题”增加到网络中。例如，在出现偶然情况时，软件可以增加主题，如特别的节日、竞选报道、奥林匹克比赛等等。
在另一个较佳实施例中，如果用户已经安排记录一个节目，当该节目被移动到一个新的时间段时，系统具有自动重新安排记录该节目的能力。在已经安排记录的时刻，系统在激活VCR前将会检查播放的节目实际是用户希望记录的节目。如果播放的节目的标题或节目介绍/ID与要被记录的节目的标题或节目介绍/ID不匹配，系统将搜索数据库寻找匹配，当找到要被记录的节目后，系统将确定该节目的新时段，并重新安排在新的时间记录。
另外，在被安排节目结束时，系统可以检查该节目是否仍然播放。如果该节目仍然播放，系统将询问用户是否希望延长记录时间，或是系统自动地延长记录时间。此外，系统可以把有关被安排记录的信息储存到数据库中。每24小时，系统可以对有关被安排记录的信息作一次检查，给用户提供一个形成的信息，需要多少盒视频磁带来容纳被安排的记录。在开始记录前(在记录前可能有几分钟)，系统可以进一步增加一个告警取盒。这种通知用户的方法可以证实调谐器调到与被记录节目相对应的频道。
在另一个较佳实施例中，通过利用功能类似于秒表的捕获装置确定观看时间，把信息储存在数据库中，系统可以保持对用户观看习惯的跟踪。这又使系统能够保持对用户看得最多的频道的跟踪，每一周系统可以在用户指南屏幕上自动地对频道排序，通常，把用户看得最多的频道列在首位。在另一个实施例中，系统还可以存取这样的信息，把观众数目的数据与特定频道或者节目的收看时间量收集在一起，以供市场研究之用。
此外，根据用户的收看习惯，采用一个启发性模式的请求书，系统能够就用户想看什么节目、什么时间收看节目等情况作出人工智能决策。另一方面，为了使RAM的利用达到最佳化以及降低硬件成本，系统可以利用一种智能软件保持对正在被收看频道的跟踪，其结果是根据频道、日期等因数的优先性收集数据的方案。
目前，通过从安装手册中选择的3位数字码的用户输入，已经给系统设置了红外器件。本发明的增强功能在屏幕上显示商标名称的滚动清单，允许用户通过从商标名称的滚动清单中选择一个商标设置红外器件。在另一个实施例中，由于系统有一个红外感应器，它通过对接收的红外信号进行处理能够识别用户有什么器件，因此，系统还能够通过用户在系统上发射红外直接学到红外。
系统进一步有一个遥控器，当用户按遥控器上的播放按钮，播放视频磁带时，它把TV切换到VCR输出的输入。例如，在CESA的情况下，也必须把CESA调谐器调到频道3/4。有时，VCR可以被连接到不同的TV输入端，而不是电缆、电缆箱、或天线。这意味着用户不得不用一种不同的遥控器切换输入。同样，如果节目正在VCR记录，而用户希望收看另一个节目，那么，用户不得不通过把VCR遥控器上TV/VCR开关设定到TV，把VCR输出设定到TV。因此，通过把开关器件组装到一个遥控器中，系统允许用户利用一个遥控器把TV设置到VCR源，或者把VCR设置到TV源。最后，系统的独立的盒可以起闭合字幕解码器的作用，因此，取消增加一块硬件的需要。
正当一颗新的卫星在天空中走过或者现有的卫星移动时，在IRD中对卫星定位信息进行更新。这种更新通常是通过改变IRD中的EPROM进行的。本发明的系统允许系统保持对这一信息的跟踪并通过VBI向下发送这一信息。由于IRD中的EPROM并未被改变，系统具有更高的成本效益。此外，降低了由系统供给者提供技术帮助或服务的需要。
通过运用图示方式显示如何连接系统的设置屏幕，可以进一步简化系统的设置。用户可以运用目视协助的信息来调节系统配置的设置。此外，对于拥有一个以上电视调谐器的系统设置，可以包含多个频道图。用户能够在两个源之间切换，有适当定义每个源的图。一个例子是电缆解码器的输出和来自墙壁的直接输入端。
在另一个实施例中，通过在VBI上发送包括分步设定IR码在内的设置数据，系统能够在用户处自动进行系统安装，因而，进一步简化设置过程。另一方面，可以通过电话或网络数据流发送设置信息。同样，系统也能够通过电话机调制解调器、频道外数字、FM副载波、或寻呼发射日程数据，而不是在VBI上发射数据。
以上说明是示例性的，不是限制性的。对于本领域专业人员而言，根据本公开的概述，对本发明的不同改变是显然的。因此，本发明的范围不是参考以上说明来确定的，而是参考权利要求书中权利要求及其全部等效范围来确定的。

Claims (20)

1.一种电视日程系统，其特征在于所述系统包括：
接收数据的数据输入装置；
存储计算机程序和所述的接收数据的存储器，所述的接收数据包括电视日程信息；
与所述存储器耦合的处理器，所述的处理器能够利用所述的计算机程序把所述的电视日程信息编制成用户规定的格式；
接收用户选择的用户输入装置；以及
显示所述电视日程信息的显示器；
2.如权利要求1所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：所述的处理器具有自动重新编排已经被移动到新时段播放节目的记录的能力。
3.如权利要求1所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：所述的处理器具有确定需要用多少视频磁带容纳现行安排记录的能力，并通知用户所需的磁带用量。
4.如权利要求1所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：如果节目播放的时间比安排的时间长，所述的处理器具有自动延长安排记录的记录时间的能力。
5.如权利要求1所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：所述的处理器具有根据用户请求延长安排记录的记录时间的能力。
6.如权利要求1所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：根据用户对特定节目的选择，所述的处理器具有搜寻将会播放所述节目的所有其它时间段的能力。
7.如权利要求1所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：当用户选择一个将要结束的节目时，所述的处理器具有通知用户下一个将要播放什么节目以及该节目还有多少分钟的能力。
8.如权利要求1所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：所述的处理器具有根据用户请求对电视节目标题进行字母顺序排序的能力。
9.如权利要求8所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：所述的字母顺序排序可以在背景中进行，与此同时用户能够继续观看电视。
10.如权利要求1所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：所述的处理器具有根据用户所选的特定主题进行节目扫描的能力。
11.如权利要求1所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：所述的处理器具有根据当前事件增加动态主题的能力。
12.如权利要求11所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：所述的动态主题包括有关奥林匹克、竞选报道或诸如感恩节或圣诞节等有关节日的主题。
13.如权利要求1所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：所述的处理器具有保持跟踪正在观看频道和依次仅收集频繁观看频道日程数据的能力。
14.如权利要求1所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：进一步包括显示当地电影列表以及电视日程信息的装置。
15.如权利要求1所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：进一步包括允许用户直接接入特定节目时段的装置。
16.一种电视日程系统，其特征在于：所述系统包括远程装入VBI卫星定位信息的装置。
17.一种电视日程系统，其特征在于：所述的系统包括通过VBI把设置数据发送到用户地址，在用户地址自动配置系统设置的装置。
18.如权利要求17所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：进一步包括利用电话调制解调器、寻呼装置或频带外数字数据发射方案发射数据的装置。
19.一种电视日程系统，其特征在于：所述的系统包括确定用户观看习惯并根据这个习惯作出用户想看什么节目和用户何时想看这个节目的人工智能决策的装置。
20.如权利要求19所述的电视日程系统，其特征在于：所述的用户观看习惯可以进一步被用于市场研究的目的。
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