Method and system for displaying an animated focus item

A computer system operative for communicating to a user that a control item is in a state responsive to user commands, comprising:

• a user input device for providing said user commands;
• a memory;
• a display screen for displaying said control item;
• and
• a processing unit operative for:
• determining that the first control item is to have the focus;
• displaying a first focus item on the display screen in association with the first control item;
• displaying a second control item on the display screen;
• receiving a command to change the focus to the second control item;
• determining a path on the display screen from the first control item to the second control item;
• discontinuing the display of the first focus item in association with the first control item;
• generating a transitory focus item for display along the path;
• displaying the transitory focus item on the display screen moving along the path from the first control item to the second control item;
• discontinuing the display of the transitory focus item;
• and
• displaying a second focus item on the display screen in association with the second control item.

In an interactive television system for bi-directional communication including a headend system, a memory, a display screen, and a user input device, a method for communicating to a user that a control item is in a state responsive to signals from the user input device for causing a communication to be transmitted from a user to the headend system and for manipulating the state of the control item, comprising the steps of:

• displaying on the display screen a television program transmitted by the headend system;
• displaying on the display screen a control item having a configuration;
• receiving from the headend system configuration defining information relating to the television program;
• generating a focus item that has a configuration based on the configuration of the control item and on the configuration defining information relating to the television program;
• and
• displaying the focus item on the display screen simultaneously and in association with the control item.

The method of 44, further comprising the steps of:

• determining a path on the display screen from the first control item to the second control item;
• generating a transitory focus item for display along the path;
• and
• displaying the transitory focus item on the display screen.

The method of 64, further comprising the steps of:

• determining a path on the display screen from the first control item to the second control item;
• generating a transitory focus item for display along the path;
• and
• displaying the transitory focus item on the display screen.

In an interactive television system for bi-directional communication including a headend system, a memory, a display screen, and a user input device, a method for communicating to a user that a control item is in a state responsive to signals from the user input device for causing a communication to be transmitted from a user to the headend system and for manipulating the state of the control item, comprising the steps of:

• displaying on the display screen a television program transmitted by the headend system;
• displaying on the display screen first and second control items, each having a configuration;
• receiving from the headend system configuration defining information relating to the television program;
• generating a first focus item with a configuration based on the configuration of the first control item and on the configuration defining information relating to the television program;
• displaying on the display screen the first focus item simultaneously and in association with the first control item;
• displaying on the display screen at least one cursor under the control of the user via the user input device;
• manipulating the position of the cursor on the display screen in response a signal from the user input device caused by the action of the user;
• in response to a predetermined relation between the position of the second control item on the display screen and the position of the cursor on the display screen:
• discontinuing the display of the first focus item;
• generating a second focus item with a configuration based on the configuration of the second control item and on the configuration defining information relating to the television program;
• and
• displaying on the display screen the second focus item simultaneously and in association with the second control item.