Graphical user interface for interactive television with an animated agent

In a display system for display of audiovisual programming, a method for the display and selection of said programming comprising the steps of:

• providing an element including a circuit for receiving said audiovisual programming from an audiovisual program source;
• providing a user interface for the display of said audiovisual programming on a display, said user interface incorporating a metaphor having a plurality of Spaces, wherein at least one of said Spaces presents said user with a plurality of representations of available audiovisual programming for display on said display, and further wherein said Spaces are arranged such that each of said Spaces is disposed relative to one another within said metaphor;
• providing an element for interacting with said Spaces using a user input device, said interaction permitting a user to select a desired audiovisual program, such that said selection results in said selected audiovisual program being displayed on said display;
• enabling said user to navigate between said Spaces in said metaphor;
• wherein said user interface further includes an Agent which moves within said metaphor in an animated fashion between said Spaces.

A video display system for display of video programming comprising:

• a settop box including a circuit for receiving said video programming from a video server;
• a user interface for the display of said video programming on a display, said user interface incorporating a metaphor having a plurality of Spaces, wherein at least one of said Spaces presents said user with a plurality of representations of available audiovisual programming for display on said display, and further wherein said Spaces are arranged such that each of said Spaces is disposed relative to one another within said metaphor;
• a user interacting with said Spaces using a user input device, said interaction permitting said user to select a desired video program, such that said selection results in said selected video program being displayed on said display;
• an element enabling said user to navigate between said Spaces in said metaphor;
• said user interface further includes an Extra which moves within said metaphor in an animated fashion between said Spaces.

In an interactive video display system for display of video programming, a method for the display and selection of said video programming comprising the steps of:

• providing a settop box, including a circuit, for receiving said video programming from a video server;
• providing a user interface for the display of said audiovisual programming on a display, said user interface incorporating a metaphor having a plurality of Spaces, wherein at least one of said Spaces presents said user with a plurality of representations of available video programming for display on said display, and further wherein said Spaces are arranged such that each of said Spaces is disposed relative to one another within said metaphor;
• interacting with said Spaces using a user input device, said interaction permitting a user to select a desired video program, such that said selection results in said selected video program being displayed on said display;
• enabling said user to navigate between said Spaces in said metaphor;
• wherein said at least one of said Spaces is in a form of a wall and presents said user with said plurality of said representations of available video programming, said representations in a form of video Posters disposed on said wall;
• said user interface further includes an Extra which moves within said metaphor in an animated fashion between said Spaces.