WO2014177929A2

WO2014177929A2 - Graphical user interface

Info

Publication number: WO2014177929A2
Application number: PCT/IB2014/001184
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tor SOEVIK; Kevin Carruthers; Justin WHITMAN; Nick AGNEW; Dave CANNON; Jay DANTINNE; Robert DELAMAR
Original assignee: Kuautli Media Investment Zrt
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2014-03-13
Publication date: 2014-11-06
Also published as: WO2014177929A3

Abstract

In a graphical user interface for display and management of digital video on user equipment with a wide range of screen sizes, media assets from multiple sources are coalesced into a watchlist array in the form of single scrolling carousel populated with information about titles available to the user. Each title is a collection of one or more related media assets available to the user equipment including title icons. When the watchlist array has more icons than can be displayed at one time, the array is scrollable left and right. When a media asset is available from more than one source, precedence rules rank sources according to preferences. A preview icon shows further information about the show represented by a selected title which could include an audio and video playback of a portion of the show in a miniplayer. The miniplayer may be placed above or in line with array.

Description

GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of graphical user interfaces for the display and management of digital video and in particular to an interface which can be used for a wide range of screen sizes.

[0002] The invention solves the problem of users browsing content which they would like to preview or find additional details on in order to make further decision on whether to consume or save the content for a later time. Typical solutions present summary content and require specific user action to preview. Examples include an electronic program guide or grid of art box that require subsequent user action to obtain additional information or preview content. Alternative approaches present the preview content simultaneously for multiple pieces of content. However, these approaches do not provide the user a quick, direct visual summary that is provided by, for example, box art or other static content.

[0003] Many prior video systems include separate lists of items to be watched (e.g., a "queue") and items that have already been watched (e.g., "history" or "recently watched").

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 8,250,604 to Unger et al., titled "Near Real-Time

Multiple Thumbnail Guide with Single Tuner" ("the Unger '604 patent") (assigned to Sony Corp.) is related to the display of program guide information in the form of box art or video previews in a sorted linear form. As shown in Figure 3 of the Unger '604 patent, an electronic program guide for a television is in the form of a scrollable vertical column of images as in Figure 3. The guide images are metadata or thumbnail video clips cached from the live video stream or downloaded from the Internet. Selecting a channel results in full display of the selected channel. The position of the images in the scrollable vertical column is based on a sorting algorithm with the highest priority content in the center. The sorting algorithm could be based on genre, title, station ID, Network, favorite list, auto favorite (list could keep track of the amount of time a given program/genre is viewed, and sort based on past use), etc. A horizontal menu may be used to represent sources of content or collections of television channels (e.g., sports, news, favorites, movies, etc.)

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/020421 5 to Hayashi et al., titled "Digital Video Recorder (DVR) Methods and Apparatus" (hereinafter "Hayashi '215"), is directed to an apparatus and method that combines DVR and on-demand functionality by creating a program recordings list that includes programs selected by a user that are to be recorded or made available through video on-demand. The list indicates whether the recording is available via an on-demand service or is locally recorded/stored content. When the user selects content for recording, a check is automatically made to determine if the content is available via an on-demand server. If the content is available via an on-demand server the user is provided the opportunity to choose between the content being recorded by the DVR or being added to the recordings list but supplied via the on-demand server. The user can select the DVR to default to on-demand content supply as opposed to local recording when the content is available for on-demand delivery. Figure 6A of Hayashi '215 is an exemplary list of user recordings in accordance with the invention. Figure 6A illustrates a user list of recordings 600 that are either recorded by the user or have been chosen by the user for "On-Demand recording" where the content is (i) to be supplied via on-demand delivery instead of having the items recorded and (ii) to be recorded in the event the VOD availability time is less than the desired recording retention time. The date and time shown on the top right hand corner in list 600 indicates the current date and time, e.g., date and time on which the user is recording list 600 is being displayed. Each row corresponds to a different content, e.g., a movie, program, event etc., identified by the program/movie title shown by a corresponding entry in column 602. The "OD" superscript appended to some of the program/move titles shown in column 602 indicate that those particular program/movies have been selected for on-demand delivery and are not recorded on the disk. Each entry in column 604 specifies the VOD availability time period, i.e., the time interval for which the corresponding content is available for on-demand delivery. For the items which are recorded on the DVR, e.g., Program A, the VOD availability time period entry is not relevant and is therefore not shown.

U.S. Patent No. 6,405,371 titled "Navigating Through Television

Programs" to Oosterhout et al. ("the Oosterhout '371 patent") discloses a method for displaying a mosaic program guide for programs being currently transmitted, as in Figure 5. The receiver receives an electronic program guide with program descriptions. Upon activating a "theme" button 42, the viewer can enter a desired program type, e.g. "movie". In response thereto, the brightness of the sub-images representing programs that are not desired is reduced. The user is thus assisted in navigating through programs she/he is interested in, while maintaining the mosaic structure she/he is familiar with, and without losing the association between channels and their positions on the mosaic screen. The program guide allows a user to select a row or a column from a mosaic screen for simultaneous display with a selected "full-screen" television program. An example is shown in Figure 9 below, where in this display mode, the user navigates from one television program to another.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. 8,316,394 titled "Interactive Media Guidance

Application with Intelligent Navigation and Display Features" ("the '394 patent") is directed to a system that allows a user to efficiently navigate media selections in an interactive media guidance application and easily identify media for viewing. Video assets are displayed according to a user preference on a mosaic page with multiple cells, as in Figure 8. A subset of the assets appropriate for display in a particular cell is determined based on the user preference. Relevance scores of the assets meeting the user preference are computed, and the asset having the greatest relevance for the user is selected and displayed in the corresponding cell. The relevance scores can be computed based on the user's historic viewing habits, user interaction with a media guidance application, or on specific user input.

[0008] Referring to Figure 8 of U.S. Patent No. 8,316,394, a family member "DOUG" optionally selects his name from the Family Members' page 704, and is directed to his personalized (default) mosaic home page 800, which displays DOUG'S favorite channels together with a greeting 804. The mosaic home page may include various selectable television channels, radio stations, web-sites, VOD or stored (DVR) programs. As shown in illustrative page 800, the display screen may be divided into any number of selectable partitions or a "mosaic" of cells 806, 808, 810, 812, 814, 816. The cells may be of any suitable size or shape, and need not necessarily have the same size or shape. The cells may be used to display any television asset that is currently being broadcast or is otherwise available, for example, on-demand, on a local hard drive, etc., as still images, text, logos, advertisements, or any other suitable video asset. The user can navigate between the cells by using a remote control. On mosaic page 800, cell 806 is shown as being highlighted, as indicated by the double-line frame around the cell 806. A symbol 852 may be displayed in or near the highlighted cell to indicate that a live audio channel is now being played for that cell. Also displayed in the cell 806 may be a button 854 which can be activated, for example, by using arrow keys on remote control to move a cursor (not shown) to the corresponding screen position of button 854 within cell 806 and pressing the OK button on remote control. Activation of the button 854 may prompt, for example, video recording device to record the video broadcast currently showing in cell 806. However, depending on available tuners and tuner settings, programs in other cells that are not highlighted may also be recorded concurrently with the highlighted program or instead of the highlighted program.

[0009] U.S. Patent No. 5,523,796 titled "Video Clip Program Guide" to

Marshall et al. ("Marshall 796 patent") discloses a video clip electronic program guide controlled by a TV viewer remote control transmitter. The program guide displays, on demand by the viewer on the viewer's display screen, descriptive data and a video clip related to a program identified on the program guide. A tuner receives TV radio frequency or optical transmission signals in a plurality of cable channels and passes a viewer usable signal of any selected one of the channels to a signal combiner. The viewer, by use of the remote, controls a computer to select the content of the output picture image signal to include the descriptive data and video clip of a selected program. A signal combiner combines the viewer usable signal of any selected channel from the tuner with the output picture image signal from the computer to provide a display signal with the selected descriptive data and video clip superimposed over the channel programming display for input to the viewer's display screen.

[0010] The "Program Guide" program, as is illustrated in Figures 4 and

5, uses up or down arrows, to allow the viewer to select the date and time for which programming is desired. By use of predetermined keys on the remote control, the viewer can move a highlight cursor to select a program containing an icon which indicates that a video clip is available with respect to that particular program. The viewer then presses a predetermined key on the remote, such as the highlight button, to cause the written description and video clip related to the selected program to be displayed on the video screen 33, as illustrated in Figure 8 below.

U.S. Patent No. 6,268,849 entitled "Internet television program guide system with embedded real-time data" to Boyer et al. ("the Boyer '849 patent") is for an Internet television program guide system, i.e., Prevue Online, in Figure 9, that allows a user at a multimedia system to access television program listings containing embedded real-time data over an Internet communications link. The real-time data may be presented in the form of video stills, video clips, textual information, audio clips, or suitable combinations of such media. The user can perform database searches on the program guide listings to search for a desired program. If desired, the user can obtain additional information on a selected program by accessing an associated web page. If the program title selected by the user corresponds to an event in progress which is being televised (e.g., a basketball game), then program guide may reflect static as well as dynamic information about the event. In the above example, program guide might contain static information such as the program title or the running time of the program. Program guide will also contain real-time data such as the current score of a game, highlights of the game. If the user selects a program that is not a televised event in progress, the program guide provides solely static information pertaining to the selection made by the user. For example, if the user selects a movie, then the program guide displays the program title, the running time of the program, a brief description of the program, and a description of the program type or genre (e.g., drama movie).

[0012] U.S. Patent No. 7,451 ,469 titled "Electronic Program Guide

Displayed Simultaneously with Television Programming" to Barret ("the Barret '469 patent") discloses a system for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer. The system includes displaying one or more data slices representative of broadcast programming to a viewer. In response to input from the viewer, the displayed number of data slices is increased, for example, from one slice to two slices. In browser mode the viewer can scroll through multiple EPG data slices without selecting to view full mode EPG, while in full mode the EPG can expand from a single column of data slices to multiple columns of data slices based upon viewer selections.

[0013] Referring to Figure 2 of the '469 patent, the electronic program guide 200 is depicted in browser mode, which allows a viewer to inspect programming information contained in electronic program guide 200 while watching programming upon or using services accessible through display device 14. The electronic program guide 200 illustratively includes a single data slice of programming information displayed to the viewer via a display screen that partially blocks the programming viewable upon display device 14 in a translucent or opaque manner. Slice 202 includes a time element 204 that designates a particular time period for the programming named in a programming element 206 for the channel referenced by a channel element 208. As illustrated, time element 204 may indicate the start time for the programming or services identified in programming element 206. Electronic program guide 200, as shown in Figure 3, displays multiple slices 200a-200d of programming to a viewer. In this manner, the viewer may identify the availability of programming without changing to a full mode type configuration. For example, a viewer through a remote may define the number of slices to be displayed on display device 14. Each slice 200a-200d of electronic program guide 200 includes a programming element 206a-206d, a channel element 208a-208d, and optionally a time element 204a-204c. Each programming element 206a-206d of the electronic program guide 200 is configured to contain information regarding the programming available on the channel defined in channel elements 208a-208d for the given time periods defined within time elements 204a-204c. Such information may include the title of the available programming, a brief summary of the programming, length of programming and/or services, costs associated with the available programming and/or services, combinations thereof and the like.

[0014] U.S. Patent No. 6,412,1 10 entitled "Electronic program guide with interactive areas" to Schein et al is for a television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen which includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. An input device, i.e., remote control, allows the viewer to move a pointer over different interactive areas of the guide and the function performed when the area is activated is displayed in a contextual help window. Various control glyphs provide for recursive interaction with the guide. Additionally, a video window is interactive and provides tuning functions.

[0015] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0284736 to

Friedman, titled "System and Method of Selecting a Multimedia Stream," is related to a program guide selecting from a variety of sources for a given programming element. The application discloses a multimedia system in which in response to a channel change request, if the channel is associated with multiple multimedia streams, the system selects a stream based on quality criteria and the capabilities of the display device (e.g. selecting between SDTV, HDTV, and 3D streams). [0016] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0230655 to Potrebic et al, titled "Content Access" (assigned to Microsoft) discloses an electronic program guide that includes a single representation of content from a plurality of different sources (e.g. a high-definition source, standard-definition source, OTA, cable, satellite, VOD), and the system dynamically determines which source to use.

[0017] U.S. Patent No. 7,373,652 to Bayrakeri et al. titled "Server-centric

Search Function in an Interactive Program Guide" ("the Bayrakeri '652 patent") is directed to a method for searching a program guide database. In accordance with the method, one or more search criteria (e.g., keywords) are initially received and a request for a search is then sent, along with the search criteria, to a head end of an information distribution system. In response, one or more search results are received from the head end. The search results are displayed on one search result IPG page (or more, if necessary) or displayed one at a time on the respective interactive program guide (I PG) page that includes the search result. The search results can be provided in a particular order, e.g., based on their scheduled show times. Upon receiving an indication that a particular search result has been selected, one or more streams associated with the selected search result can be retrieved and decoded to recover the selected program, which can then be displayed. The search results can be provided from the head end as video slices generated via slice-based encoding or as data that is sent via an in-band channel or an out-of-band channel.

[0018] Figure 22 of the '652 patent, depicts a design of an interactive program guide page 2200 that supports a search of a program guide database. IPG page 2200 is used to implement a user interface for an interactive search. IPG page 2200 includes a time slot region 2205, a guide region 2202, an icon region 2240, a video region 2220, a logo region 2215, and a program description region 2250. The guide region 2202 includes a number of channel objects 2210a through 221 Oh used to display channel information for a guide listing of channels. A search window object 2212 is provided to facilitate the searching of programming. The viewer moves through the IPG page 2200 and highlights the search window object 2212 (e.g., by moving the cursor over the search window object). Once highlighted or selected, the viewer can enter one or more criteria (e.g., keywords) to be searched. Various techniques can be used to enter keywords. In order to enter characters, suitable means, such as a remote control unit with a character set or an alpha-numerical keypad similar to the one on telephones, are provided to the viewer to enter text in the search box. In response, the program guide database is searched (e.g., at the head end, as described below) and one or more search results are provided.

[0019] The subject technology relates to an interactive media guidance application that displays a mosaic page with selectable windows and/or cells personalized for a user, and more particular to an interactive media guidance application that displays video assets based on an expressed or historic interest of the user.

[0020] One exemplary interactive media guidance application is an interactive program guide (IPG) that allows television program information to be displayed on a user's television. Interactive program guides allow the user to navigate through television program information in the form of television program listings using a remote control.

[0021 ] Existing interactive program guides generally offer program guide data in a form of a menu with a program mix that is predetermined by the network operator. Program listings often show information regarding television programming in a neutral manner, such as textural information, that contain little, if any visual information, about the broadcaster and the contents of a program. Since the mix of programming options is fixed, it can in many cases not accommodate and/or remember customized settings for groups of users or individual users. A user typically is presented with a main menu and has to click through several options before arriving at a program habitually watched by the user.

[0022] Due to the ever increasing number of channels and services, such as Video-On-Demand (VOD), High-Definition Television (HDTV), Pay-per-View (PPV), Digital Video Recorder (DVR), music channels, etc., digital cable and digital satellite broadcast (DSB), subscribers are faced with an on-going challenge of simplifying and enhancing their TV viewing experience. In other forms of entertainment, for example, video and audio streamed over the Internet, TV users also lack the opportunity to personalize the vast array of television offerings and to present these offering in an informative and manageable form.

[0023] In many cases, a user tends to watch a limited number of favorite channels or is interested in certain genres or topics. Although detailed information about video assets available on other channels or from other sources is generally available, for example, supplied by the service provider with the interactive media guidance application, the user may be unaware of the information and may never access the asset.

[0024] It would therefore be desirable to provide systems and methods to present video assets to a user in a more user-friendly and interactive manner. It would also be desirable to provide systems and methods that can present a user with a personalized mosaic page based on the user's historic or expressed preferences, such as topics, names of shows, actors, sports teams, etc. It would furthermore be desirable to make the personalized mosaic page available to the user in a different format, from a different source and/or independent of the user equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0025] It is an object of the subject technology to present a graphical interactive program guide that combines a list of media items to be watched with a list of items that have been watched to be viewed in a single carousel.

[0026] Accordingly, the subject technology is a graphical user interface

(GUI) for presentation, navigation, and organization of video and other content.

[0027] The GUI is designed to have a high degree of commonality on a wide range of screen sizes while maintaining a simple and intuitive structure that is easy to navigate and remains familiar across various devices. The main area of the interface is a content navigation carousel, i.e. a navigable array, of images signifying media content titles. The images can include a DVD box art, program titles, a title detail box, snap shot video clips or other indicia. The title detail box may include a mini-player which previews the content within the browsing experience by playing a portion of the content. Alternatively, the title detail box may be displayed above the content navigation carousel. The mini-player may preview the content of a title that has been highlighted, selected, or moused-over in the navigation carousel. The preview may begin after a time delay after highlighting, selection, or mouse-over. The content preview may be of live television or a recorded preview of the highlighted title. The title detail may also include a summary of information or further actions related to the highlighted title, which may be displayed after a time delay.

[0028] The content navigation carousel may be formed of a concatenation of two arrays of media items: an array of items that have been viewed (i.e. a history or "recently watched" list) and a list of items the user intends to watch in the future (i.e. a "queue"). As depicted onscreen in the navigation carousel, the history list could extend from a center line of the carousel off to the left, while the queue list extends from the center line off to the right. A top or first item of each list could each be on either side of, and immediately adjacent, the center line. When an item is selected for watching by the user, whether from the queue or by manual selection, it could be added to the top of the history portion of the carousel, i.e., at the rightmost end of the list when viewed, at the center line, where the carousel transitions from the "queue" portion of the list. Items in the history portion will eventually scroll off to the left as new items are added. If a media item is re-viewed, this will move the item back to the top of the history list, i.e. the center of the carousel. Alternatively, the content navigation carousel may be formed of an array of items that have been viewed (i.e. a history or "recently watched" list). Alternatively, the content navigation carousel may be formed of an array of items the user intends to watch in the future (i.e. a "queue")

[0029] The navigation carousel interleaves browsing and detailed previews without requiring user action by including a mini player (content previewer) within the browsing experience. The mini player may begin previewing content after some time period or delay after the item is selected, highlighted, or moused-over by use of a controller.

[0030] The carousel may include one or more dividers to demark a wrapping point or different sections of content.

[0031 ] The carousel is linear-focused if it includes sufficiently few media items such that the carousel can entirely fit on the screen. In some screens, for example, the carousel may entirely fit on the screen if it includes eight or less media items.

[0032] The carousel is center-focused when the number of items exceeds the width of the screen. On some screen such as large television screen this the number of items exceeding the width of the screen may be eight media items or more. A center-focused carousel re-centers the carousel, with the selected item in the center, as the user navigates items in the carousel. The center-focused carousel wraps with a divider demarking the wrapping point. [0033] The content navigation carousel allows the user to browse, select and manipulate content. The media items may be represented in the content navigation carousel in a multitude of ways, including, but not limited to, box art and titles.

[0034] Thus, in some instances the carousel is used for viewing live television. Activating a live television item in the carousel, such as by using a remote control to select and click on the item, will open the media item to allow the user to view the live program. A viewing window is generated as part of the carousel and displays the live program. The viewing window can be expanded to the full screen of the display so that the carousel is no longer shown.

[0035] Further, the carousel can be used for watching a preview of a highlighted program. The user does not have to exit the main browsing experience and can take further action or directly navigate away from the content to continue exploring.

[0036] The user selects the media item in the navigation carousel. The media item is represented by box art or some other symbol in the navigation counsel. The selected media item is replaced by an alternative view, such as a video, providing additional detail and/or content to the user. The alternative views can also consist of or contain reviews or metadata.

[0037] A multimedia item, or title, in the carousel may represent a single piece of content, such as a movie, or a collection of related elements, such as episodes of a TV series, or a genre of media such as "80s Action Comedies." The elements of a single title could come from a variety of sources such as live TV, catchup recordings, or streaming video-on-demand. Precedence rules may give certain sources priority over others, for example, video-on-demand having no commercial interruptions may take precedence over live TV for a given title element. [0038] The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

[0039] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 is a depiction of the arrangement of graphical elements on a television browsing screen of the subject technology.

[0041] FIG. 2 is another depiction of the arrangement of graphical elements on a television browsing screen of the subject technology when a television show is being previewed.

[0042] FIG. 2A is another depiction of the arrangement of graphical elements on a television browsing screen of the subject technology when a television show is being previewed.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a depiction of the arrangement of graphical elements on a watchlist browsing screen of the subject technology.

[0044] FIG. 3A is another depiction of the arrangement of graphical elements on a watchlist browsing screen of the subject technology.

[0045] FIG. 4 is another depiction of the arrangement of graphical elements on a television browsing screen of the subject technology.

[0046] FIG. 5 is another depiction of the arrangement of graphical elements on a watchlist browsing screen of the subject technology.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a depiction of the arrangement of graphical elements on a title detail screen of the subject technology.

[0048] FIG. 6A is depiction of a title detail action bar superimposed on a title detail screen of the subject technology.

[0049] FIG. 7 is depiction of the arrangement of graphical elements on an episode detail screen of the subject technology. [0050] FIG. 8 is depiction of the arrangement of graphical elements on a catalog view screen of the subject technology.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] The subject technology is directed to a method of displaying and managing media assets on user equipment for displaying audiovisual media. The user equipment may be a set-top box or personal computer connected to a television monitor, a smart TV, or a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. Preferably the user equipment has local storage for storing media assets, schedules, and other media-associated metadata. The user equipment may be enabled to receive, display, and preferably store, media content from cable, broadcast, satellite, and the Internet. The user equipment may be network-connected to receive, display, and preferably store, on- demand streaming media, schedules, and other media-associated metadata such as reviews, box art, posters, episode lists, plot synopses, cast information, and other metadata.

[0052] Preferably the user equipment is provided with a pointing

device, meaning a conventional user input device capable of highlighting and selecting GUI elements, such as a keyboard, remote control unit, trackball, touchscreen, or mouse, as the user equipment may provide. Highlighting a GUI element may involve navigating a cursor to the GUI element as by moving a cursor with a remote control, keypad, or keyboard, or mousing over with a mouse.

Selecting a GUI element may involve an action indicating the user has selected the highlighted element, such as pressing "ENTER" or similar key on a keyboard, keypad, or remote control, or clicking with a mouse. Highlighting and selection may occur simultaneously as the result of a single action, such as a user touching a GUI element displayed on a touchscreen. [0053] According to the subject technology, media assets from multiple sources are coalesced into a single integrated view, preferably in the form of a scrolling carousel, that is presented to the user. The multiple sources include live cable or broadcast television, catchup assets (i.e., content recorded on the user equipment or otherwise from cable or broadcast television for later viewing), on- demand content streamable from an Internet source, and locally stored content. The carousel presents, for example, images of media assets for a live program, i.e., news program, a recorded program selected for storage by the user on the user equipment and a program available for on demand viewing, all in a single carousel. Thus, a user does not have to navigate through multiple menus, such as a menu allocated specifically for recorded programs, or a menu allocated specifically for on demand programs, to view content supplied or transmitted through different sources and/or through different methods. The media assets in the carousel are preferably based on the user's viewing history and/or user selections made through the controller or other known methods. The subject technology achieves this integrated view through the concept of a title. A title encapsulates related content that is coalesced from multiple sources into a single item for users to interact with. A title may contain a single piece of content such as a movie or may contain several related items such as a TV series with multiple episodes and/or seasons. Individual assets, episodes or seasons can be combined from multiple sources to be presented to the user as part of a single title.

[0054] According to the subject technology, there are multiple

approaches to packaging similar or related content into titles. For example a football game could be represented as a single game per title. Alternatively games related by their air time might be packaged together as in "Monday Night Football" or an entire season or multiple seasons might be packaged together as in "NFL." All of the games for a given team could be packages in a title such as "New York Giants 2012 Season." A genre of entertainment media could be defined as a title, such as "Best of 80s Action Comedy", which might include "Beverly Hills Cop" which could be a separate, additional, title by itself. The media assets that comprise these titles may come from multiple sources. For example 5 games may come from on-demand content, 2 games may be coming from the catchup assets and one game that is currently airing may come from the live television. The user is not necessarily aware there are different content sources, but preferably sees all of the content presented together as part of the single title.

[0055] According to the subject technology, a situation may arise

when a media asset is available from more than one source, for example, if a given episode of a television show is stored in the user equipment as catchup content, and is also available for on-demand streaming. In such a situation, precedence rules may be defined to rank sources according to preference. For example, a source that is commercial-free, higher-definition, higher-bitrate, or less expensive may have a higher rank. The highest-ranking source is used.

[0056] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary depiction of the arrangement of graphical elements on a screen 1 of the subject GUI when live television is being navigated for viewing. The graphical elements include a menu bar 2 for the high-level functional navigation of the subject GUI. The menu bar 2 contains function icons 3, 4, 5 which represent functions and screens of the GUI. The matter in broken lines in the figures is for purposes of providing an example of text or graphical information that might be displayed on screen 1 as needed. Three function icons are depicted in FIG. 1 , but there could be more or fewer function icons corresponding to the functions and screens of the GUI. In the example of FIG. 1 , function icon 3 represents a television browsing function and screen, function icon 4 represents a watchlist function and screen, and function icon 5 represents a media catalog function and screen. The user can highlight and select functions and screens from menu bar 2 by navigating a cursor to the menu bar 2 and to one of the icons 3, 4, or 5 thereon, using a pointing device.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary depiction of the arrangement of graphical elements upon choosing and selecting a television browsing function. The graphical elements include a time selection bar 6, containing time icons 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 , which represent time positions in a television schedule. Five time icons are depicted in FIG. 1 , but there could be more or fewer icons. As originally depicted upon selection of the television browsing function, the centralized time icon, in this example time icon 9, could represent the current time, while time icons 7 and 8 to the left of center represent times in the past, and time icons 10 and 11 to the right of center represent times in the future. The time selection bar 6 also may contain scrolling icons 12 and 13. The user can choose and select icons on time selection bar 6 by navigating a cursor to time selection bar 6 and to one of the time icons 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 or scrolling icons 12 or 13 thereon, using a pointing device. Upon selection of a scrolling icon 12 or 13, the time icons scroll left or right respectively and a new time icon is displayed at the opposite end of time selection bar 6. Upon selection of a time icon that is not centered on the screen, in this example one of time icons 7, 8, 10, or 11 , the time selection bar 6 is scrolled in the appropriate direction to place the selected time icon in the center of time selection bar 6, and a new time icon or icons is or are displayed at the opposite end of time selection bar 6. Alternatively, time selection bar 6 can be scrolled with gestures such as clicking and dragging with a mouse, or swiping on a touchscreen. In this way the user can browse and select from different television schedule times.

[0058] Still referring to FIG. 1 , upon selection of a time icon 7, 8, 9, 10,

or 11 , a television show array 14 is populated with television show schedule information for the televisions shows schedule for the time represented by the selected time icon. The television show schedule information could reside in storage in the user equipment after having been downloaded, or could be downloaded as needed from a network-based source or cable television provider. A television show array 14 has elements including television show icons 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 , which represent television show titles in the schedule at the time represented by the centered time icon, in this example time icon 9. The television show icons are depicted in FIG. 1 as rectangles but could have other shapes. The television show icons include graphical or textual elements, here indicted by text in broken lines, signifying information such as box art, cover art, or a name relating to the television show represented by the icon. The television show icons 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 are each associated with a channel designator 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28, respectively. Each channel designator is a textural or graphical element indicating the television channel of its associated television show icon. The television show title represented by a given television show icon is the television show in the schedule for the channel of the channel designator at the time selected on the time selection bar 6.

[0059] Still referring to FIG. 1 , television show array 14 can be sorted according to a prioritization algorithm to place television show icons from higher priority channels in the center of the array while icons from lower priority channels are located further from the center. As an example of a prioritization algorithm, channels viewed by the user most frequently could be higher priority channels while channels viewed infrequently could be lower priority channels. As another an example of a prioritization algorithm, channels viewed by the user most recently could be higher priority channels while channels viewed less recently could be lower priority channels. As another an example of a prioritization algorithm, channels designated by the user to be favorite channels through known means could be higher priority channels.

[0060] Still referring to FIG. 1 , television show array 14 can be

navigated with a pointing device to cause the array to scroll left or right. Alternatively, the television show array 14 can be scrolled with gestures such as clicking and dragging with a mouse, or swiping on a touchscreen. The television show array 14 has elements corresponding to the shows in the television schedule, which usually will be more elements than can be displayed all at one time on screen 1. Accordingly television show array 14 is scrollable left and right to display all of the elements as the user may desire. Television show icons are highlighted by scrolling the icon to the center of the screen, for example, as icon 18 is positioned in the example of FIG. 1. When centered and highlighted, the icon may be displayed in a larger form and an additional element 29 may be displayed providing further information about the highlighted show, such as the name, episode information, ratings, reviews, or running time.

[0061] Still referring to FIG. 1 , once a television show icon is centered and highlighted, after a pre-set dwell time or delay time, the icon may change to show further information about the highlighted title. FIG. 2 shows an exemplary depiction of another arrangement of graphical elements on a screen 1 of the subject GUI when live television is being navigated for viewing and a show has been centered and highlighted for at least as long as the dwell time or delay time. The dwell time or delay time may also allow for the loading or downloading of content. In this example, television show icon 17 from FIG. 1 was highlighted and has now changed into television show preview icon 19. Television show preview icon 19 shows further information about the show represented by television show icon 17. The further information could include a audio and video playback of a portion of the show in a miniplayer as shown in this example. The further information could also include a larger-format still picture from the show, textural information about the show such as ratings or reviews, or other further information about the show. FIG. 2 shows a time selection bar 6 with time icons 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 30, and 31 , but this is not to indicate that the number of time icons changes, increases or decreases, after the pre-set dwell time or delay time; rather this is to show an alternative arrangement of time selection bar 6.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 1 and 2, once a television show icon is

highlighted and selected by use of the pointing device, the subject technology commences playing the show represented by the television show icon in a player, which may be a full-screen player with playback controls as is known in the art. If the show is available from more than one source, for example, if it is available as a live broadcast but also as a streaming Internet video, the subject technology may select the source of the show for display by

predefined precedence rules as previously described.

[0063] FIG. 2A shows an exemplary depiction of an alternative to FIG.

2. In FIG. 2A, television show preview icon 19 is displayed above the television show array 14 rather than in-line with the array as in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2A, the television show icons 201 , 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211 , 212, 213 are each associated with a channel designator 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221 , 222, 223, 224, 225, and 226, respectively.. [0064] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary depiction of another arrangement of graphical elements on a screen 1 of the subject GUI upon choosing and selecting a watchlist function of the subject technology using menu bar 2. In this example, menu bar 2 with its function icons 3, 4, 5 is still visible and active for selection of other functions of the GUI by the user. A watchlist array 32, or carousel, is populated with information about titles available to the user. As previously described, a title is a collection of one or more related media assets available to the user equipment. The watchlist array 32 has elements including title icons 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39, which represent titles available for viewing or listening by the user. There could be more or fewer title icons. The title icons are depicted in FIG. 3 as rectangles but could have other shapes. The title icons include graphical or textual elements, here indicted by text in broken lines, signifying information such as box art, cover art, or a name relating to the title represented by the icon.

[0065] Still referring to FIG. 3, watchlist array 32 is divided into two segments, a recently watched segment 46 and a recently added segment 47. The recently watched segment 46 and a recently added segment 47 meet at a dividing line 40. In the example of FIG. 3 the dividing line 40 is depicted as a vertical line, but other graphical elements could be used to indicate the division of watchlist array 32 into two segments. The recently watched segment 46 is populated with titles that have already been viewed by the user. When a title is viewed or re-viewed, it is added to the recently watched segment 46 at the right end of the segment 46, nearest dividing line 40, and all other elements of the segment 46 are shifted to the left. The recently added segment 47 is populated with titles that the user has designated as titles to be watched in the future, as hereinafter described. When a title so designated, it is added to the recently added segment 47 at the left end of the segment 47, nearest dividing line 40 and all other elements of the segment 47 are shifted to the right. Graphical labels 41 and 42 are displayed above recently watched segment 46 and a recently added segment 47, respectively, to inform the user of the content of the respective segments.

[0066] Still referring to FIG. 3, titles may be removed or aged-off from the watchlist array 32 once they have been in the array for a preset period of time. Titles may also be removed or aged-out from the watchlist array 32 if the number of items in the segment in the segment 46, 47 in which it resides exceeds a pre-determined limit. Titles may be "pinned" to the recently watchlist array 32 by being designated as a favorite or recommended title by the user as hereinafter described. In the case of a "pinned" title, the title will be preserved from removal. Titles that are eligible to be removed or aged-out from the watchlist array 32 may be moved to the top of the recently added segment 47, nearest dividing line 40, shifting all other elements of the segment 47 to the right, for a pre-determined period of time, after which they are removed or aged-off. In such a case the title icon representing the title may itself be updated or changed to indicate the imminent removal from watchlist array 32, for example, displaying a "Going Soon" flag or similar graphical element in conjunction with the title icon.

[0067] Still referring to FIG. 3, when a title is changed or updated, for example, when new a episode or series of an title that is a television series becomes available, the user may be notified by moving the title to the top of the recently added segment 47, nearest dividing line 40 and all other elements of the segment 47 are shifted to the right. Changed or updated titles may be moved in this way from either the recently watched segment 46 or the recently added segment 47. In the case of a title that is moved to the recently added segment 47 in this way, the title icon representing the title may itself be updated or changed to indicate the changed or updated content by, for example, displaying a "New For You" flag or similar graphical element in conjunction with the media icon. A changed or updated title that is not selected for viewing by the user within a pre-determined time period may, after that time period has elapsed, be returned to its previous place and form in the watchlist array 32. In such a case the title icon representing the item may lose or keep its indication of changed or updated content.

[0068] Still referring to FIG. 3, titles that are recommended by a

recommendation engine or algorithm may be added to the top of the recently added segment 47, nearest dividing line 40 and all other elements of the segment 47 are shifted to the right. The title icon representing the title may indicate the status of the content by, for example, displaying a "Recommended" flag, or similar graphical element in conjunction with the title icon. Such a title that is not selected for viewing by the user within a pre-determined time period may, after that time period has elapsed, be deleted from watchlist array 32.

[0069] Still referring to FIG. 3, titles that are anticipated to be released, changed, or updated in the future, may be added to the top of the recently added segment 47, nearest dividing line 40 and all other elements of the segment 47 are shifted to the right. The media icon representing the title may indicate the status of the content by, for example, displaying a "Coming Soon" flag, or similar graphical element in conjunction with the title icon. Such a title that is not selected for viewing by the user within a pre-determined time period may, after that time period has elapsed, be deleted from watchlist array 32.

[0070] Still referring to FIG. 3, watchlist array 32 can be navigated with a pointing device to cause the array to scroll left or right. Alternatively, the watchlist array 32 can be scrolled with gestures such as clicking and dragging with a mouse, or swiping on a touchscreen. The watchlist array 32 may have more title icons than can be displayed all at one time on screen 1. Accordingly watchlist array 32 is scrollable left and right to display all of the elements as the user may desire. Title icons are highlighted by scrolling the icon to the center of the screen, for example, as icon 36 is positioned in the example of FIG. 3. When centered and highlighted, the icon may be displayed in a larger form and an additional title element 43 may be displayed providing further information about the highlighted title, such as the name of the title, episode information, ratings, reviews, or running time.

[0071] Still referring to FIG. 3, selection bar 44 contains queue

selection icons 45, 46 which represent alternative ways to populate the recently added segment 47. The user can highlight and select different populations of the recently added segment 47 by navigating a cursor to the queue selection bar 44 and to one of the icons 45, 46 thereon, using a pointing device. In the example of FIG. 3, the user may use the queue selection bar 44 to select from a watchlist queue, comprised of elements added by the user, and a recommended queue, comprised of elements added by a recommendation source.

[0072] Still referring to FIG. 3, once a title icon is centered and

highlighted, after a pre-set dwell time or delay time, the icon may change to show further information about the highlighted media. The dwell time or delay time may also allow for the loading or downloading of content. The further information could include a audio and/or video playback of the title or a portion of the title in a miniplayer as shown in FIG. 2. The further information could also include a larger- format still picture from the title, textual information about the title such as ratings or reviews, or other information about the title.

[0073] FIG. 3A shows an exemplary depiction of another

arrangement, alternative to FIG. 3, of graphical elements on a screen 1 of the subject GUI upon choosing and selecting a watchlist function of the subject technology using menu bar 2. In FIG. 3A, watchlist array 32 is not divided into two segments as in FIG. 3, but is a single segment comprising recently added segment 47 consisting of title icons 230, 231 , 232, 233, 234, 235, and 236. In FIG. 3A, queue selection bar 44 contains an additional graphical element 237 for selection of a "recently watched" watchlist. Upon selection of additional graphical element 237 watchlist array 32 will display a single segment comprising recently watched segment 46 in place of recently added segment 47.

[0074] FIG. 4 shows an alternative presentation of the television

browsing function screen of FIG. 1 with the addition of a genre selection bar 77 populated with genre selection icons 78, 79, 80, 81 , 82, 83, and 84. When a genre selection icon is highlighted and selected by the user using the pointing device, the catalog array 88 is repopulated with titles within the selected genre. The genre selection bar 77 can be scrolled with gestures such as clicking and dragging with a mouse, or swiping on a touchscreen, to enable display of all of the elements.

[0075] FIG. 5 shows an alternative presentation of the watchlist

function screen of FIG. 3 with the addition of a genre selection bar 77 populated with genre selection icons 78, 79, 80, 81 , 82, 83, and 84. When a genre selection icon is highlighted and selected by the user using the pointing device, the catalog array 88 is repopulated with titles within the selected genre. The genre selection bar 77 can be scrolled with gestures such as clicking and dragging with a mouse, or swiping on a touchscreen, to enable display of all of the elements.

[0076] Once a title icon is selected for viewing from the watchlist

screen or catalog screen (hereinafter described) by use of the pointing device, the subject technology shows further information about the highlighted title in a title detail screen. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary depiction of another arrangement of graphical elements on a screen 1 of the subject GUI when a title icon is selected for viewing in a title detail screen. In this example, menu bar 2 with its function icons 3, 4, 5 is still visible and active for selection of other functions of the GUI by the user. In the example of FIG. 6, the selected title is a television series with multiple episodes and seasons. It will be understood that different kinds of titles, such as individual motion picture that does not have seasons or episodes, would require a similar screen but with inapplicable elements omitted.

[0077] Still referring to FIG. 6, title detail selection bar 54 contains title detail selection icons 55, 56, 57, 58, which can be highlighted and selected by the user using the pointing device to activate different functions of the title detail screen. Four title detail selection icons are shown but it will be understood that there could be more or fewer title detail selection icons. Selection of title detail selection icon 55

navigates the GUI back to the watchlist screen of FIG. 3. Selection of title detail selection icon 56 navigates the GUI to the title detail screen of FIG. 6. Selection of episode selection icon 57 navigates the GUI to the episode detail screen of FIG. 7 hereinafter described, and is displayed when the title contains episodic content such as a television series. Selection of related title selection icon 58 navigates the GUI to a related detail screen. [0078] Still referring to FIG. 6, screen 1 includes graphical and textural elements displaying details of the selected title to the user. The elements may include box art or poster art 59 associated with the title. The elements may include a detail text box 60 containing metadata information associated with the title such as the name of the title, cast members, airing dates, release date, a plot synopsis, and reviews. If the title is one having multiple seasons or episodes, such as a television series, the elements may include a season detail box 61. The elements may include social media box 64, which displays which of the user's social media friends have viewed the title on their own equipment. The elements may also include watch button 62 and title detail action button 63, which are hereinafter described.

[0079] Still referring to FIG. 6, buttons 62 and 63 can be highlighted and selected by the user, using the pointing device, to activate various functions of this screen as hereinafter described. Watch button 62 provides a function to allow users to quickly begin viewing episodic content such an episode of a television series without need of having to navigate the content structure to find the desired episode. This is in contrast to other systems which require users to browse through a hierarchy of season and series data to a specific episode to resume their viewing. When the watch button 62 is highlighted and selected, and the title contains episodic content, the subject technology behaves as follows. If the user has already watched an episode completely, watch button 62 will display the next episode in sequence based on the original airdate of the episode. For example, if when viewing the title previously, the user watched season 2 episode 2 to completion, then selecting watch button 62 will play season 2 episode 3. If the user has already watched an episode partially, then selecting watch button 62 will present menu options selectable with the pointing device to resume playback of the partially viewed episode from the point previously watched, to playback the content from the beginning, or to play the next episode in the title. If the content is available from more than one source, for example, if it is available as a live

broadcast but also as a streaming Internet video, the subject technology may select the source of the content for display by predefined precedence rules as previously described.

Still referring to FIG. 6, when title detail action button 63 is highlighted and selected, the subject technology displays a title detail action bar, which may be in the graphical form of a popup window or an overlaid bar superimposed on the screen of FIG. 6, as shown for example in FIG. 6A. Referring now to FIG. 6A, the subject

technology may include title detail action bar 65 superimposed over a title detail screen. Title detail action bar 65 contains title detail selection icons which can be highlighted and selected by the user using the pointing device to perform actions relating to the displayed title. Six title detail action icons are shown in FIG. 6A, but the number and selection of icons may vary according to the actions that can be performed on the title. As shown in the example of FIG. 6A, title detail action bar 65 has title detail selection icons 66 (the equivalent of watch button 62), 67 (displayed when an asset has been partially viewed, selection causes playback to resume from the beginning of the asset), 68 (displayed when a title is in the recently added segment 47, selection causes the title to be removed from the segment), recommendation buttons 69 and 70 (selection causes the title to be flagged as liked or disliked by the user), and share button 71

(selection causes information about the title to be shared on the user's social media). If the title is not in the recently added segment 47, title detail action button 68 may be replaced by a title detail action button for adding the title to the segment. [0081] Still referring to FIG. 6, if the user has not previously watched the title, selecting watch button 62 will present menu options selectable with the pointing device to watch the earliest available or the latest available episode. Using the above logic, users can avoid having to navigate the content hierarchy for the most common consumption behaviors of an episodic title. In the case of a non- episodic title such as a movie, selection of watch button 62 results in different behavior as follows. If the non-episodic title has been previously watched by the user, then selecting watch button 62 will present menu options selectable with the pointing device to resume playback of the partially viewed episode from the point previously watched, or to playback the title from the beginning. If the non- episodic title has not been previously watched by the user, then the subject technology commences playback of the title. Whether the title is episodic or non-episodic, content is played back using a full-screen audio-visual content player with playback controls as is known in the art. If the content is available from more than one source, for example, if it is available as a live broadcast but also as a streaming Internet video, the subject technology may select the source of the content for display by predefined precedence rules as previously described.

[0082] Selection of episode detail selection icon 57 or selection of an episode in season detail box 61 navigates the subject technology to an episode detail screen, for example FIG. 7. In the example of FIG 7, screen 1 includes graphical and textural elements displaying details of the selected title to the user. In this example, menu bar 2 with its function icons 3, 4, 5 is still visible and active for selection of other functions of the GUI by the user. Season detail box 72 displays the seasons of episodic content available for the selected title. Individual seasons in season detail box 72 can be highlighted and selected to cause the subject technology to populate episode detail box 73, which shows the available episodes for the selected season. The first or only season of the title may be used to populate episode detail box 73 if no season is selected by the user in season detail box 72.

Graphical elements can be used in season detail box 72 and episode detail box 73 to show further information about the season or episode. In the example of FIG. 7, new episode flag 74 may be used to indicate that an episode is newly released or newly available; in-progress flag 75 may indicate that an episode has been partially watched by the user; completed flag 76 may indicate that an episode has been completely watched by the user. Episodes listed in the episode detail box 73 may be highlighted and selected by the user using the pointing device to cause playback of the episode.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary depiction of another arrangement of graphical elements on a screen 1 of the subject GUI upon choosing and selecting a catalog function of the subject technology using menu bar 2. In this example, menu bar 2 with its function icons 3, 4, 5 is still visible and active for selection of other functions of the GUI by the user. A catalog array 88 is populated with information about titles available to the user. As previously described, a title is a collection of one or more related media assets available to the user equipment. The catalog array 88 has elements including title icons 89, 90, 91 , 92, and 93, which represent titles available for viewing or listening by the user. The title icons are depicted in FIG. 8 as rectangles but could have other shapes. The title icons include graphical or textual elements, signifying information such as box art, cover art, snap video clips or a name relating to the title represented by the icon. The catalog screen contains additional selectable graphical elements to enable the user to filter the titles displayed in catalog array 88. [0084] In the example of FIG. 8, there is provided a genre selection bar 77 populated with genre selection icons 78, 79, 80, 81 , 82, 83, and 84. When a genre selection icon is highlighted and selected by the user using the pointing device, the catalog array 88 is repopulated with titles within the selected genre. The example of FIG. 8 also includes title type selection icons 85, 86, and 87. When a title type selection icon is highlighted and selected by the user using the pointing device, the catalog array 88 is repopulated with titles within the selected type. The catalog array 88 and genre selection bar 77 may contain more elements than can be displayed on screen 1 at one time. The catalog array 88 and genre selection bar 77 can be scrolled with gestures such as clicking and dragging with a mouse, or swiping on a touchscreen, to enable display of all of the elements.

[0085] Still referring to FIG. 8, when a title icon 89, 90, 91 , 92, or 93 is highlighted and selected from the catalog array 88 by the user, the GUI navigates to a title detail screen as shown for example in FIG 6.

[0086] The title type selection icons 85, 86, and 87 could also be

displayed and used in other screens of the subject technology including television selection screens as shown in FIG. 1 , 2 and 4, and watchlist screens as shown in FIG. 3 and 5. When present in a television selection screen, when a title type selection icon is highlighted and selected by the user using the pointing device, television show array 14 is repopulated with titles within the selected type. When present in a watchlist screen, when a title type selection icon is highlighted and selected by the user using the pointing device, watchlist array 32 is repopulated with titles within the selected type. Alternatively, titles that are not of the selected type are suppressed and are not displayed on screen 1. [0087] Selection of related title selection icon 58 on the title detail screen navigates the subject technology to a related detail screen, not pictured. The related detail screen could have the same graphical elements and functionality as the catalog display screen of FIG. 8, except that the titles displayed in the catalog array would be titles selected by a recommendation engine.

[0088] According to an embodiment of the subject technology, what is disclosed is a method for displaying video assets at a user audiovisual equipment comprising the step of displaying a content navigation carousel on the user equipment, the content navigation carousel having a center and formed of a concatenation of a first list of media items and a second list of media items; wherein the first list extends from the center of the content navigation carousel to the left; wherein the second list of media items extends from the center of the content navigation carousel to the right; wherein a top media item of the first list and a top media item of the second list are located side-by-side at the center of the content navigation carousel; wherein after a media item is viewed, the item takes the location of the top media item of the second list, the top media item moves left on the content navigation carousel; wherein items in the second list eventually scroll off to the left of the content navigation carousel as new items are added unless they are re-viewed, which will move the item back to the top of the first list; wherein the first list of media items comprises a list of items that have been viewed and the second list of media items comprises a list of items that have been designated for later viewing.

[0089] The subject technology is well-adapted to display on a variety of screen sizes by appropriate selection of the number of titles in a displayed content navigation carousel. In the case in which the subject technology is displayed on a large screen such as a television screen or desktop computer screen, the navigation carousel can contain approximately 12 elements. On a tablet mobile device screen, the navigation carousel can contain approximately 8 elements. On a smartphone mobile device screen, carousel can contain approximately 3 or 4 elements. One of skill in the art will appreciate that when displayed on smaller screens, graphical elements that are merely descriptive labels such as channel designators may be omitted from the subject technology to conserve screen space.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for displaying media titles at a user audiovisual equipment comprising the steps of: displaying a content navigation carousel on the user equipment, the content navigation carousel having a center and comprising a concatenation of a first list of media titles and a second list of media titles; wherein the first list extends from the center to the left; wherein the second list of extends from the center to the right; wherein a top media title of the first list and a top media title of the second list are located side-by-side at the center; enabling selection of a selected media title; enabling viewing of the selected media title; moving the media titles in the first list to the left and inserting the selected media title into the first list in place of the top media title of the first list; and redisplaying the content navigation carousel on the user equipment.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first list of media titles comprises a list of items that have been viewed on the user audiovisual equipment and the second list of media titles comprises a list of titles that have been designated for later viewing.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of removing an title from the second list if the number of titles in the second list exceed a predetermined amount.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: enabling selection of a second selected media title; moving the media titles in the second list to the left and inserting the selected media title into the first list in place of the top media title of the second list; and redisplaying the content navigation carousel on the user equipment.

5. The method of claim 1 further wherein the step of enabling viewing of the selected media title comprises the step of selecting a source for the selected media title from a multiplicity of sources based on a predetermined ranking algorithm.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the predetermined ranking algorithm ranks a commercial-free source above a source with commercials.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the predetermined ranking algorithm ranks a high-definition source above a low-definition source.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the predetermined ranking algorithm ranks a free-of-charge source above a pay-to-view source.

9. A system for displaying video assets at a user equipment comprising:

(a) a content navigation carousel displayed on the user equipment, the content navigation carousel having a center and formed of a concatenation of a first list of media items and a second list of media items;

(b) wherein the first list extends from the center of the content navigation carousel to the left; (c) wherein the second list of media items extends from the center of the content navigation carousel to the right;

(d) a top media item of the first list and a top media item of the second list are located side-by-side at the center of the content navigation carousel;

(e) wherein a media item which is viewed takes the location of the top media item of the second list, the top media item moves left on the content navigation carousel;

(f) wherein items in the second list eventually scroll off to the left of the content navigation carousel as new items are added unless they are re-viewed, which will move the item back to the top of the second list.

10. A system for displaying video assets at a user equipment according to claim

9 wherein the media items are provided through different sources.

1 1 . A system for displaying video assets at a user equipment according to claim

10 wherein the different sources include live television, recorded programs stored on the user equipment, and on-demand content.

12. A method for displaying media titles at a user audiovisual equipment comprising the steps of: displaying a content navigation carousel on the user equipment, the content navigation carousel selected from a first list of media titles and a second list of media titles wherein a top media title of the selected list is located at the center; enabling selection of a selected media title; enabling viewing of the selected media title; moving the media titles in the first list to the left and inserting the selected media title into the first list in place of the top media title of the first list; and redisplaying the content navigation carousel on the user equipment.

13 The method of claim 12 wherein the first list of media titles comprises a list of items that have been viewed on the user audiovisual equipment and the second list of media titles comprises a list of titles that have been designated for later viewing.

14. The method of claim 12 comprising the further step of removing an title from the second list if the number of titles in the second list exceed a predetermined amount.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of: enabling selection of a second selected media title; inserting the selected media title into the first list in place of the top media title of the second list; and redisplaying the content navigation carousel on the user equipment.

16. The method of claim 12 further wherein the step of enabling viewing of the selected media title comprises the step of selecting a source for the selected media title from a multiplicity of sources based on a predetermined ranking algorithm.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the predetermined ranking algorithm ranks a commercial-free source above a source with commercials.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the predetermined ranking algorithm ranks a high-definition source above a low-definition source.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the predetermined ranking algorithm ranks a free-of-charge source above a pay-to-view source.

20. A system for displaying video assets at a user equipment comprising:

(a) a content navigation carousel displayed on the user equipment, the content navigation carousel having a center and formed of a selection of one of a first list of media items and a second list of media items;

(b) a top media item of the selected list is at the center of the content navigation carousel;

(e) wherein a media item which is viewed takes the location of the top media item of the second list;

21 . A system for displaying video assets at a user equipment according to claim

20 wherein the media items are provided through different sources.

22. A system for displaying video assets at a user equipment according to claim

21 wherein the different sources include live television, recorded programs stored on the user equipment, and on-demand content.