Combination of VCR index and EPG

Abstract

A television system has a television viewing mode and a guide mode. The guide mode includes an electronic program guide (EPG), which provides the viewer program information for tuned programs, and a tape index guide (TIG), which provides information for programs recorded on a video cassette. In both guides, real time images of a program are displayed in a PIP window on the television screen and guide information is displayed in the background. In both guides, the viewer may switch between a currently telecast program or a recorded program. The viewer may access either guide from the television mode and vice versa. In the guide mode, the viewer may independently switch the guide information and the type of program, i.e., tuned or recorded, in the PIP window.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A television system comprising: 
 a tape index guide (TIG) generator;    an electronic program guide (EPG) generator;    a guide switch for switching between the TIG generator and the EPG generator;    a VCR including means for automatically locating a selected program on a tape;    a tuner;    a program source switch for switching between the VCR and the tuner;    a picture in picture (PIP) generator operatively connected to the guide switch and to the program source switch; the PIP generator having an active and an inactive mode, wherein in the active mode the PIP generator displays on a television screen a first area displaying a television program output from the program source switch and a second area displaying guide information output from the guide switch; and    a microprocessor for controlling the PIP generator between the inactive and active modes.    
     
     
         2 . The television system of  claim 1  wherein the microprocessor comprises: 
 means for controlling the operation of the VCR and the automatic tuning means;  
 means for controlling the output of the guide switch; and  
 means for controlling the output of the program source switch.  
 
     
     
         3 . The television system of  claim 2  wherein the guide switch is operatively connected to the tuner and to the VCR.  
     
     
         4 . In a television system comprising a tape index guide (TIG) and an electronic program guide (EPG), a method for navigating between a guide mode and a television viewing mode comprising the steps of: 
 in the television viewing mode displaying on a television screen a selected program;    selecting the guide mode;    switching from the television viewing mode to the guide mode;    displaying in a first area of the screen the selected program and displaying in a second area of the screen guide information.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the selected program is a recorded program and the guide information comprises the TIG.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the selected program is a currently telecast program and the guide information comprises the EPG.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the guide information comprises a plurality of program listings including a listing for the selected program.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of highlighting the selected program listing.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of: 
 moving the cursor to highlight a listing for a second selected program displayed in the second area;  
 displaying in the first area the second selected program;  
 selecting the television mode;  
 switching from the guide mode to the television mode; and  
 displaying on the television screen the second selected program.  
 
     
     
         10 . In a television system comprising a tape index guide (TIG) and an electronic program guide (EPG), a method for navigating between the guides comprising the steps of: 
 in a guide mode displaying in a first area of a television screen a first guide comprising either the EPG or the TIG and in a second area a program;    selecting the other guide;    displaying in the second area the other guide without changing the program displayed in the first area.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the program is a currently telecast program, wherein the other guide is the TIG, and wherein the TIG comprises a prompt.  
     
     
         12 . In a television system comprising a tape index guide (TIG) and an electronic program guide (EPG), a method for navigating between the guides comprising the steps of: 
 (a) selecting a program source from either a tuner or a video cassette recorder (VCR);    (b) displaying in a first area of a television screen a program output from the selected program source and in a second portion a guide;    (c) selecting the other program source; and    (d) displaying in the first area the program output from the other program source without changing the guide in the second area.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising a step between step (c) and step (d) of controlling the VCR to play a recorded program on the tape wherein in step (c) the selected program source is the tuner and wherein the VCR is not playing a loaded tape.