Method and apparatus for browsing broadcast programs using dynamic user interface

摘要

A method and apparatus for browsing a plurality of broadcast programs are provided. The method includes classifying a plurality of broadcast programs into one or more broadcast program groups with reference to electronic program guide (EPG) information or viewing records of a user regarding the broadcast programs, one-dimensionally arranging the broadcast programs so that the broadcast program groups are one-dimensionally arranged, displaying the broadcast programs and the broadcast program groups on a screen as a graphic image, and allowing the user to change a rule used for forming the broadcast program groups. Accordingly, it is possible to enable a user to effectively browse broadcast programs and to provide the user with a user interface customized for the user by using a simple one-dimensional input method and intuitively utilizing EPG information.

主权项

1. A method for a user interface processing apparatus to provide a user interface for browsing a plurality of broadcast programs, the method comprising:
classifying a plurality of broadcast programs currently being aired or to be aired from a plurality of channels into a plurality of broadcast program groups according to a rule; one-dimensionally arranging the broadcast programs in a program order within a single program bar so that the broadcast program groups are one-dimensionally arranged in a group order within the single program bar; receiving a first input signal; selecting, in response to the first input signal, a next broadcast program in the program order that follows a current broadcast program; receiving a second input signal; selecting, in response to the second input signal, a first broadcast program of a next broadcast program group in the group order that follows a current broadcast program group including the current broadcast program; and displaying a graphic image representing the broadcast program groups in the form of the single program bar on a screen, wherein the displayed single program bar comprises a plurality of portions and a plurality of subportions, each broadcast program group of the plurality of broadcast program groups is mapped to a different portion of the plurality of portions and each broadcast program of the plurality of broadcast programs is mapped to a different subportion of the plurality of subportions such that the plurality of portions and the plurality of subportions are simultaneously displayed in the displayed single program bar, and a number of the plurality of subportions corresponds to a number of the plurality of broadcast programs from the plurality of channels.