Apparatus and method for channel scanning by theme

A method for selecting channels on a television system by theme, the method comprising the steps of:

• entering into a remote controller channel indicators for at least one of a plurality of themes;
• storing in the remote controller the entered channel indicators corresponding to each theme;
• accessing and transmitting to the television system each channel indicator corresponding to a first theme of the plurality of themes in sequence to control channel selection for the television system, if selected keys identifying the first theme are actuated, wherein each theme is identified by selected keys on the remote controller;
• pausing a set period of time after accessing and transmitting a channel indicator before continuing to access and transmit channel indicators corresponding to the first theme in sequence;
• and
• stopping the means for accessing and transmitting from accessing and transmitting each channel indicator corresponding to the first theme of the plurality of themes, if the selected keys identifying the first theme are actuated again.

A remote controller for selecting channels on a television system by theme, the remote controller comprising:

• means responsive to actuation of selected keys on the remote controller for identifying each of a plurality of themes;
• means for accessing and transmitting to the television system channel indicators corresponding to a first theme of the plurality of themes in sequence to control channel selection for display of programs by the television system, if the selected keys on the remote controller for identifying the first theme are actuated;
• means for pausing a set period of time after accessing and transmitting a channel indicator of the first theme before continuing to access and transmit channel indicators corresponding to the first theme in sequence;
• and
• means for continuing to display beyond the set period of time the program corresponding to the transmitted channel indicator, if the selected keys on the remote controller for identifying the first theme are actuated again within the set period of time.

A method for selecting channels on a television system by theme with a remote controller, the method comprising the steps of:

• accessing and transmitting to the television system channel indicators corresponding to a first theme of the plurality of themes in sequence to control channel selection for the television system, if selected keys identifying the first theme are actuated, wherein each theme is identified by selected keys on the remote controller;
• pausing a set period of time after accessing and transmitting a channel indicator before continuing to access and transmit channel indicators corresponding to the first theme in sequence;
• and
• stopping accessing and transmitting each channel indicator in sequence corresponding to the first theme of the plurality of themes, if the selected keys identifying the first theme are selected again.

A method for surfing a spectrum of television channels comprising the steps of:

• storing in a memory a first group of channels and time periods of the day when individual channels of the first group are enabled for viewing;
• tuning a television receiver to a given channel;
• displaying in the background on a television screen the program being telecast on the given channel;
• retrieving from memory channels in the first group of channels which are currently enabled based on a current time period of the day;
• and
• sequentially displaying in a picture-in-picture window of the screen the programs being telecast on the retrieved channels.

A method for surfing a spectrum of television channels comprising the steps of:

• storing in a memory a group of channels and time periods of the day when individual channels of the stored group are enabled for viewing;
• tuning a television receiver to a given channel;
• displaying a background field and a foreground field on a television screen;
• inserting in one of the fields the program being telecast on the given channel;
• sequentially retrieving from the memory the channels from the group which are currently enabled based on a current time period of the day;
• and
• sequentially inserting in the other field the programs being telecast on the retrieved channels.

A method for surfing a spectrum of television channels comprising the steps of:

• storing a group of channels in a memory;
• tuning a television receiver to a given channel;
• displaying on a television screen a foreground field and a background field;
• inserting the program being telecast on the given channel in one of the fields;
• sequentially retrieving from the memory the stored channels of the group;
• sequentially inserting the programs being telecast on the retrieved channels in the other field;
• generating a command signal;
• and
• displaying on the screen full frame the program being telecast on the retrieved channel when the command signal is generated.