Method and apparatus for generating a programme

Abstract

A method and apparatus for generating a programme for presentation as a sequence of programme elements from a set of pre-recorded programme elements which may be transmitted to a receiver. Programme elements each representing for example an event are classified on the basis of programme element content, that is the nature of the event to which the programme element relates. Each programme element is allocated to at least one of the predetermined set of classes and each programme element is stored with at least one associated programme classification code. The classification codes identify the class to which the associated programme element has been allocated. A programme element is generated by selecting at least one programme classification code and presenting programme elements associated with that selected at least one programme classification code. Users are able to generate programmes based on for example the perceived value of individual programme elements.

1 . A method of presenting programme elements to a user, the method comprising: 
 receiving a plurality of programme elements from a transmitter;    receiving a plurality of classification codes from the transmitter, at least one classification code being received for each of said plurality of programme elements, and each classification code representing a class of a predetermined set of classes to which one of said programme elements has been allocated;    displaying at least one of said plurality of programme elements to a user on a display device;    displaying a plurality of user selectable icons on said display device simultaneously with the said at least one programme element, each of said user selectable icons representing one of said plurality of programme elements, and being a visual representation of the class to which that programme element has been allocated,    receiving user input representing selection of one of said user selectable icons; and    displaying the program element associated with the icon represented by said user input on the display device.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein each class represents a type of event to which programme elements allocated to that class relate.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein each class represents a subjective assessment of the value of programme elements allocated to that class.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said icons are displayed in an order corresponding to the temporal order of events represented by the associated programme elements.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein an operator selects a sub-set of the classes, and symbols corresponding only to programme elements of the sub-set of classes are displayed.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of programme elements are displayed simultaneously.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein still image and video programme elements are displayed simultaneously.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein only programme elements associated with a predetermined sub-set of the classes are transmitted to the receiver, the sub-set being selected by a user of the receiver.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein only received programme elements corresponding to a sub-set of the classes are stored at the receiver, the sub-set being selected by a user of the receiver.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein received programme elements and pre-recorded programme elements stored on a data carrier in a memory device of the receiver are combined to generate a programme.  
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising; 
 storing, received programme elements together with respective classification codes; and    reading a programme element from storage for display on said display device.    
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein receiving said plurality of programme elements comprises receiving said plurality of programme elements from a broadcast transmission of such programme elements.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein receiving said plurality of classification codes comprises receiving said plurality of classification codes from a broadcast transmission of such programme elements.  
   
   
       14 . A method of presenting programme elements to a user, the method comprising: 
 receiving a plurality of programme elements from a remotely located transmitter;    receiving a plurality of classification codes from the remotely located transmitter, at least one classification code being received for each of said plurality of programme elements, and each classification code representing a class of a predetermined set of classes to which one of said programme elements has been allocated;    displaying at least one of said plurality of programme elements to a user on a display device;    displaying a plurality of user selectable icons on said display device simultaneously with the said at least one programme element, each of said user selectable icons representing one of said plurality of programme elements, and being a visual representation of the class to which that programme element has been allocated,    receiving user input representing selection of one of said user selectable icons; and    displaying the program element associated with the icon represented by said user input on the display device.    
   
   
       15 . Apparatus for presenting programme elements to a user, the method comprising: 
 a receiver adapted to receive a plurality of programme elements from a transmitter;    a receiver adapted to receive a plurality of classification codes from the transmitter, at least one classification code being received for each of said plurality of programme elements, and each classification code representing a class of a predetermined set of classes to which one of said programme elements has been allocated;    a display device adapted to display at least one of said plurality of programme elements to a user, the display device being further adapted to display a plurality of user selectable icons simultaneously with the said at least one programme element, each of said user selectable icons representing one of said plurality of programme elements, and being a visual representation of the class to which that programme element has been allocated; and    user input means configured to receive selection of one of said user selectable icons;    wherein said display device is configured to display the program element associated with the icon represented by said user input.