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Methods and systems for personalizing a user interfaceRelated Patent Categories: Data Processing: Presentation Processing Of Document, Operator Interface Processing, And Screen Saver Display Processing, Operator Interface (e.g., Graphical User Interface), User Interface Development (e.g., Gui Builder)Methods and systems for personalizing a user interface description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080082927, Methods and systems for personalizing a user interface. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/195,955, titled "Method and Apparatus for Providing Streaming Media in a Communication Network," filed Apr. 10, 2000. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/746,149, titled "Interactive Display Interface for Information Objects," filed Dec. 22, 2000. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to interactive menu interfaces for identifying content provided via a communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for retrieving television programming information and for generating an interactive navigation interface for displaying such television programming information. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The prior art is replete with communication and entertainment systems that provide information in different formats to many users. For example, digital cable and satellite television systems, which are now commonplace, can transmit audio and video content to a single home using hundreds of different channels; the large number of video and music channels can be overwhelming to many users. Instead of a relatively small number of traditional radio and television stations available in major metropolitan markets or via standard cable or satellite systems, users are presented with thousands of possibilities. Never before has there been such a vast selection of alternatives, with broadcasters providing every imaginable permutation for every conceivable area of interest, from mainstream popular music to the most obscure and unlikely niches. [0004] Television viewers often have difficulty searching, locating, viewing, and recording suitable content due to the vast number of available channels and/or content sources. For example, the large quantity of available broadcast stations presents a paradox: while users undoubtedly benefit from the unprecedented number of choices in genre and content which broadcasters provide, they cannot easily and efficiently select from among the hundreds of stations, channels, and/or entities broadcasting a given type of music, video, or program. In addition, viewers cannot identify what is interesting, relevant, or available, or determine other characteristics of the available broadcasts. [0005] Current solutions employed in conjunction with cable television set-top boxes and satellite television decoders typically operate in a primitive manner. These devices usually display information in a text format or by showing every available station or channel in a long list. Due to the limited size and resolution of a television screen display, paging through long lists of channels can be a tedious and frustrating process. While this type of interface may arguably be considered adequate in many current environments, it is unsuitable for systems having a very large number of content providers, stations, and/or channels to choose from. [0006] Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for an effective and intuitive system for locating, identifying, and displaying television programming, which may be provided by multiple information sources and service providers, via a communication network. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention provides a system for generating an interactive navigation interface for display at an end user device such as a television monitor. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the end user device merely functions as a display element; the navigation interface itself is generated, maintained, and processed by one or more remote components, such as a server or a separate processing apparatus coupled to the display element. The navigation interface is configured to allow a user to intuitively, effectively, and easily determine the broadcast status associated with a large number of content providers, channels, stations, or the like. The navigation interface utilizes a magnification (zoom) feature along with a hierarchical protocol for the display of active selection items representing different information sources or programs. In this respect, the navigation interface displays only a limited number of active selection items at an initial magnification level and introduces additional active selection items as the magnification changes. The interactive navigation interface may include a number of additional features designed to enhance the display of useful information to the user and to make it easier for the user to view and locate appropriate content. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in conjunction with the following Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the Figures. [0009] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary navigation interface display screen at a relatively low magnification level; [0010] FIG. 2 depicts a portion of the navigation interface display screen of FIG. 1 at a relatively high magnification level; [0011] FIG. 3 is a portion of the navigation interface display screen of FIG. 1, representing a different display state; [0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an example selection item; [0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an example selection item; [0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a navigation interface display system in which the techniques of the present invention may be implemented; [0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an exemplary interface server architecture that may be utilized in the system shown in FIG. 6; [0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a set-top presentation layer; [0017] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a time-shifting element in a first state; [0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a time-shifting element in a second state; [0019] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a navigation element operation process according to one practical embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading about Methods and systems for personalizing a user interface... Full patent description for Methods and systems for personalizing a user interface Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Methods and systems for personalizing a user interface patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Methods and systems for personalizing a user interface or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Visual fragrance for ui Next Patent Application: Method for viewing information in a communication device Industry Class: Data processing: presentation processing of document ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Methods and systems for personalizing a user interface patent info. 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