Channel Change Insert
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to displaying supplemental content during a time period that occurs when a receiver switches from a first broadcast channel to a second broadcast channel. The supplemental content may include still or motion graphics, logos, animation, advertisements and/or modified frames of one or more of the first and second display channels. In connection with displaying supplemental content during a channel change, a receiver may use electronic program guide information to obtain graphics or scheduling information.
1 . A method of displaying supplemental content, comprising:
receiving a command to change a display from a first channel to a second channel;
initiating a channel change from the first channel to the second channel;
displaying supplemental content during a setup period for the second channel; and
displaying the second channel after the setup period.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the supplemental content includes a graphical logo associated with a service provider.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the supplemental content includes a graphical logo associated with at least one of the first channel and the second channel.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further compromising:
searching an electronic program guide to determine a content of at least one of the first and second channels; and
selecting the supplemental content based on the content of at least one of the first and second channels.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the supplemental content includes graphical image taken from an electronic program guide.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the supplemental content includes an animation.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the supplemental content includes:
a rendering of a frame of the first channel as a first planar object that is folded into a point on the display; and
a rendering of a frame of the second channel as a second planar object that is unfolded from the point on the display.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the supplemental content includes a fading out of the first channel and a fading in of the second channel.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the supplemental content includes an advertisement.
10 . A system for displaying content, comprising:
a receiver having a processor, the receiver operable to receive content on a plurality of channels;
a storage device connected to the processor, the storage device including one or more display inserts; and
a display mechanism connected to the receiver, the display mechanism operable to display content received by the receiver on the plurality of channels;
wherein during a channel change from a first channel to a second channel, the processor displays supplemental content on the display mechanism, the supplemental content being specified by the display insert.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the display insert includes code executable by the processor.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the display insert includes a digital image.
13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the display insert includes an expiration date past which the display insert is no longer valid.
14 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the display insert is stored permanently in the storage device.
15 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the display insert is received over a communication link that is connected to the receiver.
16 . A method of providing supplemental content, comprising:
receiving supplemental content;
attaching use-specifier information to the supplemental content; and
transmitting the supplemental content to a receiver;
wherein the use-specifier information indicates that the supplemental content is to be displayed during a channel change from a first channel to a second channel.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the supplemental content is received from an advertising provider.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the supplemental content includes a digital image.