Transmission of menus to a receiver

Abstract

Method and arrangements for transmitting an receiving menus, e.g. for accessing an electronic television programme guide. Each menu comprises a plurality of menu items which can be selected by a user. With each menu item, a subpicture can be associated. Said subpicture is displayed when the cursor touches said menu item on screen. Thus, by moving the cursor over the screen, the subpicture dynamically changes so as to display a brief explanation of the menu items.

1 . A method of transmitting a menu to a receiver for display on said receiver, comprising the step of transmitting menu structure data defining displayable menu items which are selectable by a cursor, characterized in that the method comprises the step of transmitting subpicture data defining displayable subpictures, and the step of associating with each menu item attribute data for linking a selected subpicture to said item so as to simultaneously display the menu and the subpicture which is associated with the menu item the display position of which corresponds with the display position of the cursor.  
     
     
         2 . A transmitter for transmitting a menu to a receiver for display on said receiver, comprising means for transmitting menu structure data defining displayable menu items which are selectable by a cursor, characterized in that the transmitter comprises means for transmitting subpicture data defining displayable subpictures, and means for associating with each menu item attribute data for linking a selected subpicture to said item so as to simultaneously display the menu and the subpicture which is associated with the menu item the display position of which corresponds with the display position of the cursor.  
     
     
         3 . A display signal generator, comprising first memory means for storing menu structure data defining a menu having user-selectable menu items, second memory means for storing subpicture data defining displayable subpictures, and cursor means for generating a cursor, characterized in that attribute data is associated with each menu item for linking a selected subpicture to said item, the generator further being adapted to simultaneously display the menu and the stored subpicture which is associated with the menu item the display position of which corresponds with the display position of the cursor.  
     
     
         4 . A television receiver, comprising a display signal generator according to  claim 3 , a display device, and further comprising means for receiving from a transmitter, and for storing in said memory means, said menu structure data and subpicture data.  
     
     
         5 . A video recorder, comprising a display signal generator according to  claim 3 , and further comprising means for receiving from a transmitter, and for storing in said memory means, said menu structure data and subpicture data.  
     
     
         6 . A data signal comprising menu structure data defining displayable menu items which are selectable by a cursor, subpicture data defining displayable subpictures, wherein attribute data is associated with each menu item for linking a selected subpicture to said item.  
     
     
         7 . A storage medium on which a data signal according to  claim 6  has been stored.