Systems and methods for graphical control of symbol-based features in a television receiver

Abstract

Systems and methods provide for graphically controlling numeric, alphanumeric or other symbol-based features on a set top box (STB) or other television receiver. A keypad image is presented on the display that includes key images corresponding to the symbol-based features. A two-dimensional input is received from the remote control that indicates one of the key images, and imagery on the display is updated in response to the received two-dimensional input.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for graphically controlling symbol-based features in a television receiver configured to present imagery on a display in response to viewer instructions transmitted from a remote control, the method comprising:
 presenting a keypad image on the display, wherein the keypad image comprises a plurality of key images each corresponding to one of the symbol-based features;   receiving a two-dimensional input from the remote control that indicates one of the key images; and   updating the imagery on the display in response to the received two-dimensional input.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of key images corresponding to numeric values. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of key images correspond to alphanumeric values. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the updating comprises presenting an indicator of a television channel having a channel number that at least partially corresponds to the indicated key image. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising receiving a second two-dimensional input corresponding to the indicator. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising tuning the television channel indicated by the indicator in response to the second two-dimensional input. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising associating the television channel indicated by the indicator with a quick reference feature visible on the imagery presented on the display. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising receiving a third two-dimensional input corresponding to the quick reference feature, and tuning the television channel indicated by the quick reference feature in response to the third two-dimensional input. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising providing a list of channels for subsequent reference based upon the television channels associated with the quick reference feature. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the list of channels is accessible from an electronic program guide feature provided by the receiver. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the two-dimensional input corresponds to a position of a cursor image presented on the display. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the two-dimensional input corresponds to a report from a two-dimensional input device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the two-dimensional input device is one of the group consisting of: a touchpad, a trackball, a joystick, a directional pad and a motion sensor. 
     
     
         14 . A method for selecting a channel in a television receiver configured to present imagery on a display in response to viewer instructions transmitted from a remote control, the method comprising:
 presenting a keypad image on the display, wherein the keypad image comprises a plurality of key images each corresponding to a numeral;   receiving a first two-dimensional input from the remote control that indicates at least one of the key images;   presenting an indicator of a television channel having a channel number that at least partially corresponds to the indicated key images in response to the first two-dimensional input, wherein the indicator comprises a remember feature;   in response to a second two-dimensional input corresponding to the indicator, tuning the receiver to the indicated television channel; and   in response to the second two-dimensional input corresponding to the remember feature, associating the television channel indicated by the indicator with a quick reference feature visible on the imagery presented on the display.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising receiving a third two-dimensional input corresponding to the quick reference feature, and tuning the television channel indicated by the quick reference feature in response to the third two-dimensional input. 
     
     
         16 . A video receiver for presenting imagery on a display in response to viewer input signals provided from a remote control, the receiver comprising:
 a receiver interface configured to receive an incoming modulated signal;   a decoder configured to decode the incoming modulated signal to extract a video signal;   a wireless receiver configured to receive the viewer input signals from the remote control, wherein the viewer input is a two-dimensional input; and   a processor configured to receive the viewer input signals from the wireless receiver and to generate the imagery presented on the display, wherein the imagery comprises a keypad image comprising a plurality of key images each corresponding to a symbol, and wherein the processor is further configured to present an indicator of a television channel having a channel number that at least partially corresponds to the indicated key images in response to the viewer input signals, and, in response to further two-dimensional input corresponding to the indicator, to direct the decoder to decode at least a portion of the incoming modulated signal corresponding to the indicated television channel for presentation on the display.   
     
     
         17 . The video receiver of  claim 16  wherein the receiver interface comprises a satellite interface. 
     
     
         18 . The video receiver of  claim 16  wherein the receiver interface comprises a cable interface. 
     
     
         19 . The video receiver of  claim 16  wherein the wireless receiver is configured to receive the two-dimensional input signals from a wireless remote control comprising a two-dimensional input device. 
     
     
         20 . The video receiver of  claim 16  wherein the two-dimensional input device is one of the group consisting of: a touchpad, a trackball, a joystick, a directional pad, and a motion sensor.