IMPROVED ELECTRONIC TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SCHEDULE SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH POP-UP HINTS

摘要

An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receivin g broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a select ed one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose us er control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor whic h receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information from the memory and displays a pop-up hint in overlaying relationship with the progra m schedule information in at least one mode of operation of the television programming guide. The data processor controls the video display generator with video control commands, issued in response to the user control commands , or in response to a predetermined period of user inactivity to display pop-u p hints for the user'scurrent position in the guide in overlaying relationship with the program schedule information.