Program guide system with video window browsing

Abstract

An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a viewer may direct a television to simultaneously display a selected television program, a program guide display, and a program guide video window. A viewer may use the program guide video window to browse video of programs shown on the program guide display while continuing to view a previously selected program in the background. The program guide display may display video on demand (VOD) programs, programs to be broadcast in the future, and programs currently being broadcast on other channels. The viewer may browse through programs on the program guide display using a variety of keys on a remote control unit. The viewer may direct the program guide to swap audio and video signals back and forth between programs shown in the video window and programs shown on the background screen.

1 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A method for displaying a preview video on a display, the method comprising:
 simultaneously displaying:   a first video corresponding to a first media content selection in a first reduced size video window defined by a reduced perimeter;   a selectable item that identifies content available for display;   a video clip of the content identified by the selectable item in a second reduced size video window defined by a reduced perimeter, wherein the video clip is available for viewing at any time, and wherein the video clip is selected responsive to user input selecting the selectable item; and   receiving indication from the user to interchange the first video and the video clip such that the video clip is displayed in the first reduced size video window and the current video is displayed in the second reduced size video window.   
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the selectable item comprises a program listing. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the selectable item identifies a video clip not corresponding to the first video. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the selectable item identifies video-on-demand content. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 57  further comprising:
 simultaneously displaying:
 title information or description information of the content available for display. 
 
 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the selectable item is part of a displayed media guide. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the first reduced size video window and second reduced size video window have reduced perimeters of different sizes. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 57  further comprising:
 receiving a user indication to select one of the first video and the video clip as a source of an audio signal of user equipment; and 
 selecting the one of the first video and the video clip as the source of the audio signal of the user equipment in response to receiving the user indication. 
 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 57  further comprising:
 deactivating the second reduced size video window automatically after showing the video clip once in its entirety. 
 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the video clip comprises a single frame of video. 
     
     
         67 . A system for displaying a preview video on a display, the system comprising:
 control circuitry configured to:
 simultaneously display on a display screen: 
 a first video corresponding to a first media content selection in a first reduced size video window defined by a reduced perimeter; 
 a selectable item that identifies content available for display; 
 a video clip of the content identified by the selectable item in a second reduced size video window defined by a reduced perimeter, wherein the video clip is available for viewing at any time, and wherein the video clip is selected responsive to user input selecting the selectable item; and 
 receive an indication from the user to interchange the first video and the video clip such that the video clip is displayed in the first reduced size video window and the current video is displayed in the second reduced size video window. 
   
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the selectable item comprises a program listing. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 67  wherein the selectable item identifies a video clip not corresponding to the first video. 
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 67  wherein the selectable item identifies video-on-demand content. 
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 67  where the control circuitry is further configured to display title information or description information of the content available for display. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 67  wherein the selectable item is part of a displayed media guide. 
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 67  wherein the first reduced size video window and second reduced size video window have reduced perimeters of different sizes. 
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to:
 receive a user indication to select one of the first video and the video clip as a source of an audio signal of user equipment; and
 select the one of the first video and the video clip as the source of the audio signal of the user equipment in response to receiving the user indication. 
   
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to deactivate the second reduced size video window automatically after showing the video clip once in its entirety. 
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 67  wherein the video clip comprises a single frame of video.