User-interactive displays including theme-based dynamic video mosaic elements

Abstract

The present invention teaches a method of creating and presenting a user interface comprising a Dynamic Mosaic Extended Electronic Programming Guide (DMXEPG) using video, audio, special applications, and service dynamic metadata. The system enables television or digital radio service subscribers to select and display of various programs including video, interactive TV applications, or any combination of audio or visual components grouped and presented in accordance with the dynamic program/show metadata, business rules and objectives of service providers, broadcasters, and/or personal subscriber choices, collectively referred to as mosaic element presentation criteria.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of controlling video display of a user interface (UI) comprising a plurality of displayed non-overlapping mosaic elements (MEs), each of the plurality of non-overlapping MEs having an ME area defined by a length and a width and each having a different corresponding location on the UI, the method comprising:
 providing, for display in one of the plurality of non-overlapping MEs comprising a first aspect ratio, video from an original video source comprising a second aspect ratio;   generating a clipped video source portion comprising the first aspect ratio by removing a region of the original video source adjacent to the clipped video source portion;   scaling the clipped video source portion by expanding the clipped video source portion to have an area that is the same as the ME area while maintaining the first aspect ratio; and   inserting the scaled clipped video source portion into the one ME for display,   wherein the scaled clipped video source portion is displayed in the one ME on the UI.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first aspect ratio is different than the second aspect ratio. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio are the same. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the clipped video source portion is a central portion of the original video source. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the region of the original video source adjacent to the clipped video source portion is less critical than the clipped video source portion. 
     
     
         6 . A video processing device for controlling video display of a user interface (UI) comprising a plurality of non-overlapping mosaic elements (MEs), each of the plurality of non-overlapping MEs having an ME area defined by a length and a width and each having a different corresponding location on the UI, the processing device comprising a video processor configured to:
 provide, for display in one of the plurality of non-overlapping MEs comprising a first aspect ratio, video from an original video source comprising a second aspect ratio;   generate a clipped video source portion comprising the first aspect ratio by removing a region of the original video source adjacent to the clipped video source portion;   scale the clipped video source portion by expanding the clipped video source portion to have an area that is the same as the ME area while maintaining the first aspect ratio; and   insert the scaled clipped video source portion into the one ME for display,   wherein the scaled clipped video source portion is displayed in the one ME on the UI.   
     
     
         7 . The video processing device of  claim 6 , wherein the first aspect ratio is different than the second aspect ratio. 
     
     
         8 . The video processing device of  claim 6 , wherein the first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio are the same. 
     
     
         9 . The video processing device of  claim 6 , wherein the clipped video source portion is a central portion of the original video source. 
     
     
         10 . The video processing device of  claim 6 , wherein the region of the original video source adjacent to the clipped video source portion is less critical than the clipped video source portion.