Apparatus and method for navigating through media content

1. A method comprising:

receiving a media content stream;

storing media content associated with the media content stream;

generating a plurality of images associated with the media content stream after it is received, by extracting still video frames from the stored media content, the plurality of images arranged in a visual timeline in order to navigate in the media content stream;

retrieving information for a future media content stream that is available after the media content stream is received; and

providing, on a same display screen window, the information for the future media content stream along with the plurality of images for display along with the media content stream, the future media content positioned at the end of the visual timeline, wherein the plurality of images associated with the stored media content is selectable on the same display screen window for navigating to a time in the visual timeline in the stored media content and the information for the future media content stream is also selectable on the same display screen window for providing additional information for the future media content stream.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least of one of the plurality of images represents a point in time in the received media content stream.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information for the future media content stream is text information from a program guide.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information for the future media content stream is an image.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the media content stream is received from at least one of a broadcast content service provider or an internet content service provider.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of images are at least one of a thumbnail, a poster, and a still video image from a portion of the media content stream.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of images are arranged in a visual timeline in order to navigate in the media content stream.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the information for the future media content stream includes a visual element for the future media content and is positioned at the end of the visual timeline.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of images includes an indication of a time associated with at least one of the media content program and actual time.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising navigating in the media content stream in response to a user input using the plurality of images.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein navigating in the media content stream includes providing the media content stream for display from a point in the media content stream that was previously received in response to selecting a thumbnail from the plurality of thumbnails.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein navigating in the media content stream includes providing the media content stream from a point in the media content stream that is ahead of the point in time for the media content stream currently being provided in response to selecting a thumbnail from the plurality of thumbnails.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein navigating in the media content stream includes providing a video clip for the media content stream starting from a point in time associated with a thumbnail in place of the thumbnail in response to hovering over the thumbnail.

14. An apparatus comprising:

an input signal receiver that receives a media content stream;

a storage device configured to store media content associated with the received media content stream;

a video processor coupled to the input signal receiver, the video processor generating a plurality of images associated with the media content stream after it is received, by extracting still video frames from the stored media content, the plurality of images arranged in a visual timeline in order to navigate in the media content stream;

a controller coupled to the video processor, the controller retrieving information for a future media content stream that is available after the media content stream is received; and

a display interface coupled to the video processor, the display interface providing, on a same display screen window, the information for the future media content stream along with the plurality of images associated with the media content stream for display along with the media content stream, the future media content positioned at the end of the visual timeline, wherein the plurality of images associated with the stored media content is selectable on the same display screen window for navigating to a time in the visual timeline in the stored media content and the information for the future media content stream is also selectable on the same display screen window for providing additional information for the future media content stream.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein at least of one of the plurality of images represents a point in time in the received media content stream.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the video processor further extracts a visual element from the media content stream.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of images are arranged in a visual timeline in order to navigate in the media content stream.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of images includes an indication of a time associated with at least one of the media content program and actual time.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising a user interface coupled to controller, the user interface receiving a user input representing navigating in the media content stream using the plurality of images.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a means for receiving a media content stream;

a means for storing media content associated with the received media content stream;

a means for generating a plurality of images associated with the media content stream after it is received, by extracting still video frames from the stored media content;

a means for retrieving information for a future media content stream that is available after the media content stream is received; and

a means for providing the information, on a same display screen window, for the future media content stream along with the plurality of images for display along with the media content stream, wherein the plurality of images associated with the stored media content is selectable on the same display screen window for navigating to a time in the visual timeline in the stored media content and the information for the future media content stream is also selectable on the same display screen window for providing additional information for the future media content stream.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein at least of one of the plurality of images represents a point in time in the received media content stream.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the information for the future media content stream is text information from a program guide.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the information for the future media content stream is an image.

24. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the media content stream is received from at least one of a broadcast content service provider or an internet content service provider.

25. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the plurality of images are at least one of a thumbnail, a poster, and a still video image from a portion of the media content stream.

26. The apparatus claim 20 , wherein the information for the future media content stream includes a visual element for the future media content.

27. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein each of the plurality of images includes an indication of a time associated with at least one of the media content program and actual time.

28. The apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising means for navigating in the media content stream in response to a user input using the plurality of images.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the means for navigating in the media content stream includes providing the media content stream for display from a point in the media content stream that was previously received in response to selecting a thumbnail from the plurality of thumbnails.

30. The method of claim 28 , wherein the means for navigating in the media content stream includes providing the media content stream from a point in the media content stream that is ahead of the point in time for the media content stream currently being provided in response to selecting a thumbnail from the plurality of thumbnails.

31. The method of claim 28 , wherein the means for navigating in the media content stream includes providing a video clip for the media content stream starting from a point in time associated with a thumbnail in place of the thumbnail in response to hovering over the thumbnail.

32. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the information for the future media content stream is text information from a program guide.

33. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the information for the future media content stream is an image.

34. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the media content stream is received from at least one of a broadcast content service provider or an internet content service provider.

35. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of images are at least one of a thumbnail, a poster, and a still video image from a portion of the media content stream.

36. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the information for the future media content stream includes a visual element for the future media content.

37. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the user interface further provides the media content stream for display from a point in the media content stream that was previously received in response to selecting a thumbnail from the plurality of thumbnails.

38. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the user interface further provides the media content stream from a point in the media content stream that is ahead of the point in time for the media content stream currently being provided in response to selecting a thumbnail from the plurality of thumbnails.

39. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the user interface further provides a video clip for the media content stream starting from a point in time associated with a thumbnail in place of the thumbnail in response to hovering over the thumbnail.