Multimedia systems, methods and applications

Abstract

Systems and methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a user interface including an electronic program guide and scrollable visual directories.

1 . An electronic program guide (EPG) responsive to pointing inputs and having an integrated digital video recorder (DVR) function comprising:
 a grid displayed on a display screen, said grid having a plurality of program selections displayed therein;   a cursor displayed as a moveable overlay on said grid, said cursor responsive to said pointing inputs to provide random access to said plurality of program selections; and   wherein when said cursor is positioned over one of said plurality of program selections, a visual indication of focus is provided to said one of said plurality of program selections; and   further wherein when a selection command is received by said electronic program guide, a DVR control overlay is displayed on said grid.   
     
     
         2 . The EPG of  claim 1 , wherein said DVR control overlay includes a record button. 
     
     
         3 . The EPG of  claim 1 , wherein said grid includes a first axis grid corresponding to a plurality of channels and a second axis of grid corresponding to time. 
     
     
         4 . The EPG of  claim 1 , wherein said DVR control overlay includes a button which, when actuated, causes said EPG to display a user interface screen which shows at least one of previously recorded programs and programs scheduled to be recorded. 
     
     
         5 . The EPG of  claim 4 , wherein said at least one of previously recorded programs and programs scheduled to be recorded are displayed as a visual directory of images. 
     
     
         6 . The EPG of  claim 5 , wherein said visual directory of images includes a plurality of images each associated with one of said at least one of previously recorded programs and programs scheduled to be recorded, said plurality of images arranged in a rectangular matrix with a first number of images in each row and a second number of images, different than said first number, in each column. 
     
     
         7 . The EPG of  claim 6 , wherein said visual directory includes a scroll bar for vertical scrolling of said visual directory. 
     
     
         8 . The EPG of  claim 7 , wherein said scroll bar is actuable via a scroll wheel of a remote control device. 
     
     
         9 . The EPG of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pair of arrow-shaped overlays superimposed on said grid which, when pointed to and actuated, scroll said EPG horizontally.   
     
     
         10 . The EPG of  claim 4 , wherein a user interface screen which shows at least one of previously recorded programs and programs scheduled to be recorded further comprises two tabs, one of which is associated with display of a visual directory of said previously recorded program images and one of which is associated with display of a visual directory of said programs scheduled to be recorded. 
     
     
         11 . A scrollable visual directory display comprising:
 a plurality of images each associated with a selectable media item, said plurality of images arranged in a rectangular matrix with a first number of images in each row and a second number of images in each column; and   a scroll bar on one side of said plurality of images for scrolling said rectangular matrix.   
     
     
         12 . The scrollable visual directory of  claim 11 , wherein said selectable media items are associated with at least one of previously recorded programs and programs scheduled to be recorded. 
     
     
         13 . The scrollable visual directory of  claim 11 , wherein said scroll bar is on the left or right side of said rectangular matrix and is usable to vertically scroll said plurality of images up and down. 
     
     
         14 . The scrollable visual directory of  claim 11 , wherein said scroll bar is above or below said rectangular matrix and is usable to horizontally scroll said plurality of images to the left and right. 
     
     
         15 . A method for providing information in an electronic program guide (EPG) having an integrated digital video recorder (DVR) function comprising:
 displaying a grid displayed on a display screen, said grid having a plurality of program selections displayed therein;   displaying a cursor as a moveable overlay on said grid, said cursor responsive to said pointing inputs to provide random access to said plurality of program selections;   providing, when said cursor is positioned over one of said plurality of program selections, a visual indication of focus to said one of said plurality of program selections; and   displaying, when a selection command is received by said electronic program guide, a DVR control overlay on said grid.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said DVR control overlay includes a record button. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said grid includes a first axis grid corresponding to a plurality of channels and a second axis of grid corresponding to time. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said DVR control overlay includes a button which, when actuated, causes said EPG to display a user interface screen which shows at least one of previously recorded programs and programs scheduled to be recorded. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said at least one of previously recorded programs and programs scheduled to be recorded are displayed as a visual directory of images. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said visual directory of images includes a plurality of images each associated with one of said at least one of previously recorded programs and programs scheduled to be recorded, said plurality of images arranged in a rectangular matrix with a first number of images in each row and a second number of images, different than said first number, in each column. 
     
     
         21 - 24 . (canceled)