MODULE AND METHOD
The present invention relates to a module and method. A content item options module operative for a content item delivery system, is configured to: determine a change in content type of a content item being delivered to a content item receiver apparatus for display on a display apparatus; initiate display of one or more content item identifiers on said display apparatus corresponding to one or more other content items; and respond to selection of a one of said one or more content item identifiers to initiate display of a corresponding other content item on said display apparatus.
1 - 17 . (canceled)
18 . A method of operating data processing apparatus for a content item delivery system that has a CPU and a software program, the method comprising:
determining a change in content type of a content item being delivered to a content item receiver apparatus for display on a display apparatus;
initiating display of one or more content item identifiers on said display apparatus corresponding to one or more other content items; and responding to selection of a one of said one or more content item identifiers to initiate display of a corresponding other content item on said display apparatus.
19 . A method according to claim 18 , further comprising determining a content type of said content item.
20 . A method according to claim 19 , further comprising identifying said one or more other content items having content of a similar type to a content type of said content item.
21 . A method according to claim 20 , further comprising searching a content item cache disposed in said content item delivery system for said one or more other content items.
22 . A method according to claim 21 , further comprising searching over a broadband communications network for said one or more content items.
23 . A method according to claim 22 , further comprising searching for said one or more other content items amongst data identifying content items and content type currently broadcast on channels of a broadcast communications network.
24 . A method according to claim 23 , further comprising searching for said one or more other content items from amongst data identifying content items and content type controlled by a same entity controlling said content item.
25 . A method according to claim 24 , further comprising determining a return to said content type of said content item.
26 . A method according to claim 25 , further comprising determining said return based on information concerning a duration for said change of content type.
27 . A method according to claim 26 , further comprising initiating automatic return to delivery and display of said content item responsive to determining said return to said content type.
28 . A method according to claim 26 , further comprising initiating display of a viewer message on said display apparatus providing an user actuable option to return to said content item or continue with their display of said corresponding other content item.
29 . A method according to claim 28 , further comprising identifying said further content items having a duration commensurate with the duration between said change in content type and return to said content type.
30 . A method according to claim 29 , further comprising truncating said further content items to have a duration commensurate with the duration between said changing content type and return to said content type.
31 - 42 . (canceled)