Non-modal navigation of interactive multimedia content

摘要

Methods and devices for navigating locations containing multimedia content. A control device for multimedia access apparatus is equipped with user activatable controls. A dedicated navigation control button, when activated by an end user of the apparatus presents a navigation menu of possible locations which may be accessed by the end user. These locations are presented to the end user regardless of the mode (e.g. TV, Video on Demand, Pay Per View, or the Internet) in which the multimedia access apparatus operating. The end user can then choose a destination from the navigation menu and the apparatus accesses the location selected by the end user, again, regardless of the mode required for the selected location. A dedicated execution control button, when activated, presents an execution menu of possible actions or functions which may be activated by the end user for the particular location the end user is currently accessing. If the end user selects an action or function from the menu, the selection action/function is activated for the location currently being accessed by the end user. <IMAGE>