Graphic user interface for a digital content delivery system using circular menus

[0002] The present invention relates to a graphic user interface (GUI) for a delivery system of multiple categories of digital information contents, and in particular to the menu structures of the GUI having balanced, circular features.

[0003] Broadband communication technologies have made it practical to deliver full motion video and other programming services to individual users on demand. The term “broadband” describes a service or system having a transmission speed of 1.5 Mbps (megabits per second) or greater. It also refers to the characteristics of any network technology that multiplexes multiple, independent network carriers onto a single cable, usually using frequency division multiplexing. The broadband platforms that are currently available, either on a commercial scale or on an experimental basis, include upgraded cable systems using cable modems, upgraded telephone delivery systems using the Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology, and satellite delivery systems that allow interactive communication.

[0004] A cable modem is a modem device that connects a personal computer (PC) to a coaxial or fiber optic cable that transmits television signals. Communication via a cable modem system is interactive. In an upgraded cable system, the bandwidth of the cable is typically divided into a relatively wide bandwidth for downstream data transmission (i.e. from the network to the PCs in the households) and a relatively narrow bandwidth for upstream signaling and telephony. A cable modem incorporates a tuner that separates data signals, broadcast streams and telephony signals. A cable modem may also include network management software by which the cable company can monitor the operation of the modem, as well as encryption devices.

[0005] Digital subscriber lines (DSL) technologies have been developed to provide broadband data communication over the existing copper wire twisted-pair telephone networks. Among the DSL technologies, Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines (ADSL) technology takes advantage of the asymmetrical nature of interactive multimedia communication. ADSL transmits downstream data through a high-speed channel to a subscriber's computer and upstream signals through a lower-speed channel to the network, while simultaneously providing “Plain Old Telephone Service” (POTS). This makes it possible to transmit full motion video over a standard telephone line.

[0006] Direct broadcast satellite (DBS) systems that are currently used for broadcast video transmission may also be used to provide broadband interactive data transmission. In a DBS system, data is typically transmitted from a geosynchronous communications satellite directly to a dish antenna attached to a personal computer. To return data, the subscriber may dial up a local service such as an Internet service provider (ISP) over a standard analog modem. A network of low orbit geosynchronous communications satellites has also been proposed to create a digital network around the globe.

[0007] The developments in broadband telecommunications technologies not only make it possible, but also create a demand for providing interactive access to a broad range of entertainment and informational programming, including full-motion videos delivered to individual users on demand (video-on-demand). As used in this specification, “on-demand” describes delivery of digital information in real time in response to individual users' requests. The technological developments also create a demand for integrated digital content delivery systems and services that integrate various categories of information and entertainment services in a single subscription service.

[0008] A digital content distribution system for providing an integrated information and entertainment content provider service is described in a copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/054,751 entitled “Dynamic Digital Asset Management,” serial number to be assigned. The system comprises a plurality of endpoint servers each connected to a plurality of end users via a communications network. Depending on the broadband distribution technologies employed, an endpoint information source may be a headend of a cable company, a central office of the telephone company (telco), an uplink facility of a satellite transmission company, or the like. The respective communication network may be a cable network, a telephone network, a satellite transmission network or the like. Each end user may be a personal computer (PC), a network computer, a set-top box for a television set or other types of computers or devices connected to a communications network.

[0009] The communication between each endpoint server and its end users is bi-directional and interactive. Each end-user computer executes a client software program, which generates and transmits user requests to the endpoint server for delivery of information contents. The end user may also transmit to the endpoint server other information, such as rating of the information and services received or other feedback information. In addition, the client software may automatically transmit information related to the user's on-line activities to the endpoint server. The client software communicates with the human user via a graphic user interface (GUI).

[0010] The categories of information contents that may be delivered through this distribution system may include movies, videos, television programs, music, music videos, concerts, books, style, software, games, travel and the like. Certain categories may provide a full pay-per-view entertainment experience on demand while other sections may allow the subscriber to obtain information on and sample potential purchases. Each category may be subcategorized according to their applicable genre. For example, music and music CDs may be sub-categorized into rock, jazz, etc., and videos and movies may be sub-categorized into comedy, drama, etc.

[0011] Such an integrated digital content delivery system requires a graphic user interface for presenting to the user multiple categories of entertainment and informational contents. It is desired that the categories of contents be presented in a balanced fashion, so that each category is presented with equal prominence. It is further desired that the user interface be easy to navigate as well as visually compelling.

[0012] The menu structure according to embodiments of the present invention may be used in the graphic user interface (GUI) for the multiple-category digital content delivery system described above.

[0013] The main feature of menu structure for the GUI comprises two or more concentric rings each representing a level of the menu system. Each menu ring comprises a plurality of icons identifying the menu items. The icons on an outer menu ring represent the categories of digital contents offered through the digital content delivery system, such as television, movies, music or the like, while the icons on an inner ring represent the sub-categories of digital contents associated with a category represented by an icon on the outer menu ring, such as jazz, rock or the like associated with the music category. The categories displayed on the inner and outer rings may be dynamically determined at the time of the display based on the content available to a given user. The icons on each menu ring may be individually selected and/or highlighted.

[0014] When the menu page is displayed, the outer menu ring is at an initial setting (i.e. an angular position) and the icon located at the top of the ring may be highlighted. A user may then select a category of digital contents from among the icons on the outer menu ring. In response to such a selection, the GUI renders an animated appearance of the outer menu ring being rotated about its center from the initial setting to a new setting in which the selected icon is located at the top of the ring and is highlighted with a highlighting icon. In addition, the inner menu ring is displayed, or re-displayed if previously displayed, with appropriate icons identifying the sub-categories of contents associated with the selected category. One of the icons, such as the one located at the top of the inner ring, is highlighted with a highlighting icon. The user may now select a sub-category of contents from among the icons on the inner menu ring. In response to the selection of a sub-category, the GUI renders an animated appearance of the highlighting icon being moved from the previously highlighted icon to the selected icon, thereby highlighting the selected icon.

[0015] In response to the user's selection of a category and a sub-category of digital contents, the computer either displays further information regarding the selected category and sub-category, or transmits a signal to the endpoint server requesting delivery of digital contents according to the selected category and sub-category.

[0016] FIGS. 1a-1cillustrate the main menu system of a graphic user interface according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a user interface device.

[0018] FIG. 2 schematically shows a user interface device 20 in which the graphic user interface system of the present invention may be employed. The interface device 20 may be a programmed computer such as a personal computer (PC), a network computer, a television set with a set-top type of device that provides access to the network though the television set, or the like. The device 20 includes a control device 21, a display device 22 and an input device 23. The control device 21 may include a programmed processor; a memory; storage devices such as magnetic storage devices, re-writeable CDs or the like. The display device 22 may be a video display, an audio display or the like. The input device 23 may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen or the like. The control device 21 may be connected to a network via a cable modem, a telephone modem, a satellite dish or the like.

[0019] FIGS. 1a-1cillustrate the menu structure of the graphic user interface (GUI) for the multiple-category digital content delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The menu, displayed on a computer screen or other display devices, comprises two concentric rings: a first, outer menu ring 11 and a second, inner menu ring 12. The outer menu ring 11 comprises a plurality of first icons 11aarranged along a first circle, each first icon being a graphic representation indicating a category of digital contents. The categories represented by the icons 11aon the outer menu ring may include music, videos, software, movies, theater, travel, concerts, games, style, television, books or the like. The inner menu ring 12 comprises a plurality of second icons 12aarranged along a second circle, each second icon being a graphic representation indicating a subcategory or genre of digital contents associated with a category represented by an icon 11aon the outer menu ring 11. Each category represented on the outer menu ring may be subcategorized by genre or other characteristics, and the subcategories may be displayed on the inner menu ring. For example, the genres associated with the music category may include rock, classical, jazz, urban, dance, country, alternative, top 40, etc.

[0020] The categories displayed on the inner and outer rings may be dynamically determined at the time of the display based on the content available to a given user. This feature may be desirable when certain restrictions are placed on a particular user in terms of what contents the user is allowed to access. For example, a child user may not be allowed to access certain contents. By dynamically determining the categories and subcategories displayed on the inner and outer menu ring, the particular user not only is not allowed to select certain categories or subcategories, he or she will not even be presented with these categories or subcategories.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the icons 11aand 12aon each menu ring 11 and 12 have arcuate shapes of substantially equal lengths and are substantially equally spaced along the respective circles. Each icon identifies the category or subcategory it represents by a graphic representation of a set of characters. The characters are arranged along the peripheral direction of the circles, with the radial direction being the “up” or “down” directions of the characters. Depending on the position of an icon along the circle, the “up” direction of the characters for that icon may either be pointing away from or towards the center of the circle. For example, the icons located in the upper half-circle may have the “up” direction pointing away from the center, and the icons located in the lower half-circle may have the “up” direction pointing to the center. The icon located exactly on the equator of the ring may be oriented either way. As a result, the characters in the icons have a predominantly upward orientation, i.e. within 90 degrees on either side of the vertical “up” direction defined by the display screen. This makes it easy for a user to identify the categories of subcategories represented by the icons. The orientation of the characters in each icon is automatically determined by the GUI.

[0022] The icons 11aand 12aon the menu rings 11and 12 may be selectively highlighted. Highlighting may be accomplished in a variety of ways to distinguish the highlighted icon from non-highlighted icons, such as by changing the coloring scheme of the icon, placing a border around the icon, or otherwise changing the appearance of the icon. The icons 11aand 12aon the outer and the inner menu ring 11 and 12 may be highlighted using the same or different methods. In the preferred embodiment (e.g. FIG. 1a), highlighting is achieved by surrounding the highlighted icon with a highlighting icon 13, which is a border having a distinctive shape.

[0023] On the outer menu ring 11, the plurality of first icons 11arepresenting the content categories are arranged along the first circle in a predetermined sequence, but the absolute positions of the icons along the first circle may vary depending on the angular “setting” of the outer ring. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1a,the outer ring 11 is at a setting in which the “style” icon is located at or near the top of the ring, while in FIG. 1b,the outer ring 11 is at a setting in which the “music” icon is located at or near the top. At both settings, the relative positions of the icons with respect to each other do not change. Thus, by displaying the outer menu ring 11 at different settings, a visual impression may be created that the outer ring is rotated from one setting to another.

[0024] Each icon 11aand 12aon the menu rings 11 and 12 may be individually selected, for example, by moving a cursor on the display screen over the intended icon and generating an event such as a mouse click with the cursor positioned within the icon. The selection of an icon generates an input signal for the computer.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the icon 11alocated at a predetermined location on the outer menu ring 11, such as at or near the top of the ring, is always highlighted. Thus, depending on the setting of the outer ring, different icons will be highlighted. For example, at the setting shown in FIG. 1a,“style” is highlighted while at the setting shown in FIG. 1b,“music” is highlighted. When no icon 11aon the outer menu ring 11 is selected, such as when the menu page is initially entered into, the outer ring 11 is displayed at an arbitrary setting, which may be a predetermined setting or a random setting. Subsequently, when the user selects an icon 11afrom the outer menu ring 11 representing a category of digital content, the outer ring is re-displayed at a new setting in which the selected icon is located at or near the top of the ring and is highlighted. In addition, a series of intermediate displays is generated to render an animated appearance of the outer ring 11 being rotated from the previous setting to the new setting. As used here, rotating the ring “from” one setting “to” another includes rotating it more than one turn before stopping at the intended setting. The rotation effect may be rendered by standard techniques of video transformation from one state or scene to another, including dissolve, wipe, or other generally known methods of rendering digital visual effects. More preferably, the rotation effect may be rendered by blurring individual graphic details of the rings to give the visual effects of motion. The latter method typically requires less computation than required for rendering digital visual effects.

[0026] When an icon 11ais selected from the outer menu ring 11, in addition to rotating the outer ring to the new setting, the inner ring 12 is re-displayed with appropriate icons identifying the available subcategories associated with the selected category. For example, if the “music” category is selected from the outer menu ring 11, the icons displayed on the inner menu ring 12 will include rock, classical, etc. (FIG. 1b). When the inner menu ring 12 is initially displayed in response to a selection of a content category, an arbitrary one among the icons 12ais highlighted, such as the one located at the top of the inner ring, or a randomly selected one. Highlighting is done by means of a highlighting icon 14, which is a border having a distinctive shape surrounding the highlighted icon (FIG. 1b). The user may then select an icon 12afrom the second menu ring 12 representing a subcategory of digital contents. When a second icon 12ais selected, the inner menu ring 12 is re-displayed with the selected second icon highlighted, while the positions of the second icons along the second circle remain unchanged (FIG. 1c). In addition, a series of intermediate displays is generated to render an animated appearance of the highlighting icon (i.e. the border having the distinctive shape) being moved from the previous location to the location of the selected second icon, sequentially highlighting the second icons located along the second circle between the previously highlighted and the selected second icon.

[0027] In response to the user's selection of a first icon 11arepresenting a category and a second icon 12arepresenting a sub-category of digital contents, the user's computer may display further information regarding the selected category and sub-category (not shown), or transmit a signal based on the selected category and sub-category requesting delivery of digital information from the endpoint server. The endpoint server may then process the received signal and deliver the requested information to the user over the communications network.

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention are described herein. It should be recognized that various hardware components and hardware and software techniques well known in the art may be utilized to implement various aspects of the embodiments. For example, input from the user such as selecting an icon may be accomplished using keyboard, mouse, joystick, track ball, touch screen or the like. The display devices may be a computer screen, a television set or the like. The techniques for rendering various screen displays, such as cursor, cursor movements, or generating input signals from user actions are well known in the art.

[0029] Specific menu ring designs are illustrated in the specification and the drawings, but the invention is not limited to the specific examples given. For instance, the various categories and sub-categories included in the menus are subject to design choices. In addition, the menus may present choices other than categories and sub-categories of digital contents. Icons using characters are used in the illustrated embodiment, but pictures may also be used to identify the menu choices.

[0030] The means used in the described embodiments to perform the various display functions is preferably computer software cooperating with the appropriate hardware components of a computer. Other structures may also be used to perform the desired functions, such as logical circuits or the like.

[0031] Therefore, while embodiments and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such and other modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.