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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multimedia system comprising:
 a television;   a user interface displayed on said television; and   a three-dimensional (3D) pointing device, wherein movement of the 3D pointing device corresponds to movement of a cursor, wherein the cursor is a moveable overlay over said user interface and provides random access to said user interface,   wherein said user interface is displaying a live television application,   wherein said user interface receives selection inputs from said 3D pointing device,   wherein when said 3D pointing device moves the cursor to an edge of said user interface, a channel control overlay is displayed over said live television application.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said channel control overlay displays a movable selector and channels represented by icons. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said movable selector is controlled by rotating a scroll wheel up or down on said 3D pointing device to indicate a focus of one of said icons. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said focus of one of said icons causes a supplemental information overlay to be displayed over said live TV application. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said supplemental information overlay displays information regarding a current program related to said icon and a record button. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein when said 3D pointing device moves the cursor to another edge of said user interface, a DVR control overlay is displayed over said live television application. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said DVR control overlay includes at least pause/play, fast-forward, and rewind controls for said live television application. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein when a scroll wheel on said 3D pointing device is depressed, a volume control overlay is displayed over said live television application. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein by rotating said scroll wheel up causes said volume to increase and rotating said scroll wheel down causes said volume to decrease. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said live television application includes a text-based search feature, wherein said 3D pointing device moves said cursor over a desired alphabet letter and clicks a button on said 3D pointing device to select said desired alphabet letter, said selected alphabet letter is then placed into a search box and a visual list of titles or people matching said selection is displayed. 
     
     
         11 . A method for interacting with a user interface comprising:
 displaying said user interface on a television; and   providing input to said user interface with a three-dimensional (3D) pointing device, wherein movement of the 3D pointing device corresponds to movement of a cursor, wherein the cursor is a moveable overlay over said user interface and provides random access to said user interface,   wherein said user interface is displaying a live television application,   wherein said user interface receives selection inputs from said 3D pointing device,   wherein when said 3D pointing device moves the cursor to an edge of said user interface, a channel control overlay is displayed over said live television application.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said channel control overlay displays a movable selector and channels represented by icons. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said movable selector is controlled by moving a scroll wheel up or down on said 3D pointing device to indicate a focus of one of said icons. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said focus of one of said icons causes a supplemental information overlay to be displayed over said live TV application. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said supplemental information overlay displays information regarding a current program on said highlighted channel and a record button. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein when said 3D pointing device moves the cursor to another edge of said user interface, a DVR control overlay is displayed over said live television application. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said DVR control overlay includes at least pause/play, fast-forward, and rewind controls for said live television application. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein when a scroll wheel on said 3D pointing device is depressed, a volume control overlay is displayed over said live television application. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein by rotating said scroll wheel up causes said volume to increase and rotating said scroll wheel down causes said volume to decrease. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said live television application includes a text-based search feature, wherein said 3D pointing device moves said cursor over a desired alphabet letter and clicks a button on said 3D pointing device to select said desired alphabet letter, said selected alphabet letter is then placed into a search box and a visual list of titles or people matching said selection is displayed.