High Densitiy Interactive Media Guide

Abstract

A high density interactive media guide interface provides for the selection of a source from a dense array of available sources by displaying an array of available sources in a dense format that illustrates the availability of a high number of sources and expanding the display of selected sources to provide additional information regarding that source. “Clickless selection” is provided by either positioning the cursor over the desired selection or positioning the desired selection under a pre-designated position.

1 . A method for displaying a number of sources and associated content on an interactive graphic display in response to an input device, the method comprising the steps of:
 displaying a number of first visual elements in a vertical array on the display, each first visual element corresponding to a selectable source;   displaying a number of second visual elements on the display, a number of the second visual elements being associated with and horizontally disposed from each of the first visual elements, each second visual element corresponding to a specific content;   sequentially selecting adjacent first visual elements in response to input from the input device, the selections occurring sequentially along the y axis; and   displaying a first state change associated with the selected first visual element and with the associated second visual elements such that additional information is provided on the display regarding the source associated with the selected first visual element and regarding the content associated with the second visual elements.   
   
   
       2 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein the selected elements are displayed proximate to their location such that the display appears to expand a horizontal segment that is scrolled vertically over the display, the horizontal segment consisting of the selected first visual element and the associated second visual elements. 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . A method as in  claim 3  where the second visual elements are arranged in vertical columns which correspond to different time periods. 
   
   
       5 . A method as in  claim 4  wherein a second state change occurs with regard to visual elements adjacent to the selected first visual elements and the associated second elements, the second state change showing additional information in a smaller format than the first state change. 
   
   
       6 . A method as in  claim 5  wherein the columns of second visual elements scroll horizontally in response to a third input from the input device. 
   
   
       7 . A method as in  claim 6  wherein the display is constrained to be responsive to only the sequentially selecting step or to the horizontal scrolling step at any one time. 
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 7  wherein either the step of sequential selecting or the step of horizontal scrolling is selected in response to the first significant motion of the input device. 
   
   
       9 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein selected first visual elements and the associated second visual elements are displayed in a fixed position and the display appears to scroll vertically behind the fixed position. 
   
   
       10 . A method as in  claim 9  wherein the sources correspond to video channels. 
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 10  where the second visual elements are arranged in vertical columns which correspond to different time periods. 
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 11  wherein a second state change occurs with regard to visual elements adjacent to the selected first visual elements and the associated second elements, the second state change showing additional information in a smaller format than the first state change. 
   
   
       13 . A method as in  claim 12  wherein the columns of second visual elements scroll horizontally in response to a third input from the input device. 
   
   
       14 . A method as in  claim 13  wherein the scrolling is constrained to either a vertical or a horizontal direction at any one time. 
   
   
       15 . A method as in  claim 14  wherein the scrolling is selected in response to the first significant motion of the input device. 
   
   
       16 . A method for displaying a number of sources and associated content on an interactive graphic display in response to an input device, the method comprising the steps of:
 displaying a number of visual elements in a two dimensional array on the display;   sequentially selecting adjacent visual elements in response to input from the input device;   displaying a first state change associated with the selected visual elements such that additional information is provided on the display regarding the source associated with the selected first visual element and regarding the content associated with the second visual elements; and   displaying a second state change with regard to visual elements adjacent to the selected visual elements, the second state change showing additional information in a smaller format than the first state change.   
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 16  wherein the selected elements are displayed proximate to their location such that the display appears to expand a viewing area that is scrolled over the display. 
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 17  wherein the sources correspond to video channels. 
   
   
       19 . A method as in  claim 18  where the visual elements are arranged in vertical columns which correspond to different time periods. 
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 19  wherein the columns of visual elements scroll horizontally in response to a second input from the input device. 
   
   
       21 . A method as in  claim 20  wherein the display is constrained to be responsive to only the sequentially selecting step or to the horizontal scrolling step at any one time. 
   
   
       22 . A method as in  claim 21  wherein either the step of sequential selecting or the step of horizontal scrolling is selected in response to the first significant motion of the input device. 
   
   
       23 . A method as in  claim 16  wherein selected elements are displayed in a fixed position and the display appears to scroll vertically behind the fixed position. 
   
   
       24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . (canceled) 
   
   
       26 . A method as in  claim 25  wherein the columns of visual elements scroll horizontally in response to a second input from the input device. 
   
   
       27 . A method as in  claim 26  wherein the scrolling is constrained to either a vertical or a horizontal direction at any one time. 
   
   
       28 . A method as in  claim 27  wherein the scrolling is selected in response to the first significant motion of the input device.