This invention is directed to systems and methods for interactive media guidance application searches, and more particularly to interactive media guidance application channel searches for channels according to the types of content offered by the channels.
Currently, media systems typically allow users to search for programs based on attributes of programs, such as title, genre, etc. Sometimes, however, users simply desire knowing what channels provide what types of content. In this mode, users are more flexible in terms of the particular media they seek. For example, a user may want to know what channels offer programs of a particular director, with the idea that if a channel offers programs of that director, the channel may offer other programs that the user would find desirable.
The above and other needs are addressed by providing a channel search feature in which channels are identified based on the type of content offered by the channel. In this regard, users may search for channels based not necessarily on what is on a channel at the time of a search, but rather the general types of content provided by the channel across time. As used herein, a channel is any identifiable source of real time, or near real time multimedia, including video, audio, or games provided according to a schedule. A channel may be, for example, a television channel, or it may be an Internet-based, multicast stream, or other suitable multimedia feed.
Some users desire specific channels based on their personal interests. For instance, there are news hounds, science nuts, sports fans, sci-fi fans, tearjerker addicts, art connoisseurs, etc. Channel searching by content allows users to create a sort of “Dynamic Favorite Channel List” that caters to such preferences. Such a feature may be useful to all media consumers, but may be particularly useful to persons who are new to a local media distribution system, such as a traveler in a motel room, for example. Searching for channels by content eliminates the need for the user to locate and scan a local channel list for channels he/she guesses would offer the type of programming that the user wants to see at that time.
In various embodiments of the present invention, an interactive media guidance application obtains channel search criteria from the user. For example, in some embodiments, the interactive media guidance application receives user-selected categories chosen from a pre-defined list. In another approach, the interactive media guidance application receives a user-entered keyword into a search box. In yet another approach, the interactive media guidance application receives one or more criteria that were chosen by the user by checking a box or boxes (e.g., from an on-screen menu).
After receiving the channel search criteria from the user, the interactive media guidance application compares channel attribute data to the user-provided channel search criteria. There are several ways by which channel attribute data may be obtained. For example, a “Generate Channel Attributes over Time” function may be used to automatically generate representative channel attribute data based on programs that have aired on the channel during a certain preceding period of time. Another approach uses a “Receive Assigned Channel Attributes” function, which receives channel attribute data manually assigned to each channel by an operator and stored in the interactive media guidance application database. The interactive media guidance application may identify a match when the user-supplied channel search criteria and channel attribute data are exact matches or, in some embodiments, when the matches are similar (e.g., using fuzzy logic).
After identifying matches, the interactive media guidance application displays the channel results using any suitable approach. In one method, the results display may include a streaming video or snapshot depiction of each channel in cells that are graphically arranged as a mosaic. In another embodiment the results display may indicate the channels and provide listings for a given period of time. In yet another embodiment, the results display may be a selectable arrangement (e.g., list) of channels from which the user can link to the current programming for each channel.
The above and other features of the present invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
a and 5b show two illustrative category searching displays in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
a and 6b show two illustrative keyword searching displays in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
a and 10b show two illustrative displays in which search results are displayed for search criterion (
Media source 120 may be any suitable media source such as, for example, a cable system headend, satellite media distribution facility, media broadcast facility, on-demand server (e.g., VOD server), game service provider (e.g., for online gaming), Internet service provider (e.g., for providing Websites), an ordered list provider (e.g., for providing playlists), or any other suitable facility or system for originating or distributing content. Media source 120 may be configured to transmit signals over any suitable communications path 122 including, for example, a satellite path, a fiber-optic path, a cable path, an Internet path, or any other suitable wired or wireless path. The signals may carry any suitable media content such as, for example, television programs, games, music, news, and/or web services. In some embodiments, media source 120 may include control circuitry for executing the instructions of an interactive media guidance application such as, for example, a client/server or online interactive media guidance application.
Each media source 120 transmits media in real time or near real-time fashion as one or more channels. For example, a media source 120 may transmit one or more channels of television programming. As another example, a media source 120 may be a website that multicasts video content according to a schedule (e.g., as opposed to on-demand) over the Internet.
User equipment 110 may include any equipment suitable for providing an interactive media experience. User equipment 110 may include television equipment such as a television, set-top box, recording device (e.g., digital video recorder), video player, user input device (e.g., remote control, keyboard, mouse, touch pad, touch screen and/or voice recognition interface), or any other device suitable for providing an interactive media experience. For example, user equipment 110 may include a DCT 2000, 2500, 5100, 6208 or 6412 set-top box provided by Motorola, Inc. In some embodiments, user equipment 110 may include computer equipment, such as a personal computer with a television card (PCTV) or an Open Cable Unidirectional Receiver (OCUR) plug-in card and optionally a security access card suitable for secure delivery of content. In some embodiments, user equipment 110 may include a gaming system, a portable electronic device, such as a portable DVD player, a portable gaming device, a cellular telephone, a PDA, a music player (e.g., MP3 player), or any other suitable portable or fixed device.
User equipment 110 may include a network (not shown) that interconnects various elements of user equipment 110 within, for example, a household.
In the example of
The media that may be played by user equipment 110 may vary widely. In fact, many different types of media may be played by user equipment 110. Many different types of media may be available because each media type may be unique in a technical sense (e.g., a particular technical implementation is required to play a particular type of media, for example, MPEG4 or MPEG2 video) or is considered unique in a definitional sense (e.g., a video-on-demand program may be considered a different type of media than a broadcast program). The different types of media may be classified generally or to a desired degree of specificity. For example, general classifications of media types may include television media, music media, and audio and/or video media. Within each general media type, more specific and different media types are available. Television media may include, for example, broadcast television programming, switched broadcast/groupcast/unicast programming, recorded television programming, video-on-demand (VOD) programming, near video-on-demand (NVOD) programming, pay-per-view programming, satellite television programming, and streaming video programming. Recorded television programming may be a recording of another type of television programming. Recorded television programs may be stored locally on user equipment 110 or remotely on networked user equipment (not shown). Recorded television programming may also be stored on a remote network video recorder server (such as media source 120 or similar remote server). Music media may include, for example, MP3 files, WAV files, MIDI files, AAC, real media, Dolby digital, or other suitable format with which music can be compressed, distributed and stored on user device 110.
Display device 112 may be any suitable display device such as, for example, a television monitor, a computer monitor, or a display incorporated in user equipment 110 (e.g., a cellular telephone or music player display). Display device 112 may also be configured to provide for the output of audio.
Control circuitry 118 is adapted to receive user inputs from input device 114 and execute the instructions of the interactive media guidance application. Control circuitry 118 may include one or more tuners (e.g., analog or digital tuners), encoders and decoders, processors (e.g., Motorola 68000 or MIPS family processors), memory (e.g., RAM and hard disks), communications circuitry (e.g., cable modem circuitry), input/output circuitry (e.g., graphics circuitry), connections to the various devices of user equipment 110, and any other suitable component for providing analog or digital media programming, program recording and playback, and interactive media guidance features. In some embodiments, control circuitry 118 may be included as part of one of the devices of user equipment 110 such as, for example, part of display 112 or any other device (e.g., a set-top box, television and video player).
User equipment 110 may include a storage device 116 such as, for example, memory or hard-drive (e.g., digital video recorder). Only one such storage device is shown to avoid overcrowding the figure, though it is understood that additional storage devices may be used as desired. Storage device 116 may store data (e.g., channel content) and media (e.g., recorded assets). In another embodiment (not shown) user equipment 110 may be able to access a storage device located at a remote site and store data and/or media at that remote storage device. Such a remote storage device may be referred to herein as a networked storage device, a remote storage device, or a networked digital video recorder.
In some embodiments, the interactive media guidance application may provide features to the user with a client/server approach. For example, data pertaining to channel content may be provided to the server, which may store the data from the client. When the client performs a channels-by-content search, it may retrieve the channel content data from the server, or alternatively, the client may request the final list of channels from the server. There may be one server for each instance of user equipment 110, one for multiple instances of user equipment 110, or a single server may serve as a proxy for each instance of user equipment 110.
Any suitable number of users may have equipment, such as user equipment 110, connected to media source 120 and data source 124. But for clarity of illustration, the equipment of only a single user is shown. The equipment of the plurality of users may be connected to media source 120 and data source 124 using a cable television network, a local area network (LAN), a satellite network, a fiber optic network, a wireless network, or any other suitable means. In some embodiments, the equipment of the plurality of users may be connected to each other using any suitable means.
User equipment 110 may receive interactive media guidance application data from one or more data sources 124. Data sources 124 may provide data for a particular type of content or for a particular application. For example, one data source 124 may provide data for non-on-demand assets (e.g., non-pay and pay-per-view programs), and another may provide data for on-demand assets (e.g., VOD programs). Or, for example, a single data source may provide both of these types of data. For example, one data source 124 may provide data for an interactive television program guide. Another data source 124 may provide data for series playlists. Another data source 124 may, for example, provide data for another interactive application (e.g., a home shopping application). In some embodiments, data sources 124 may provide data to the interactive media guidance application using a client/server approach. There may be one server per data source, one for all sources or, in some embodiments, a single server may communicate as a proxy between user equipment 110 and various data sources 124. In some embodiments, data sources 124 may provide data as an online interactive media guidance application. In such embodiments, data source 124 may include control circuitry for executing the instructions of the online media guidance application.
Channel info source 126 shows one particular example of a data source for various embodiments of the present invention, which aids in searching channels by content. Data source 126 includes a channel attribute database 128 and control circuitry 130 (which may include any suitable processor, memory, I/O circuitry, and communications circuitry). Control circuitry 130 directs the storage and transfer of channel attribute data. The channel attribute data defines the content of a channel. The interactive media guidance application implemented on user equipment 110, whose instructions are processed by control circuitry 118, compares this information during the channels-by-content search against user-entered channel search criteria.
Channel attribute data may be generated in a number of ways. In some approaches, an operator of data source 126 manually assigns channel attribute data to each channel. Such an assignment may be based on the editorial judgment of the operator. In other embodiments, control circuitry 130 runs a process which examines program identifiers of media for a channel (e.g., titles, and genre information) over time, and based on suitable criteria (e.g., frequency) generates channel attribute data for the channel. For example, assume that the program identifiers for media on a television demonstrates 75% of the programs on that channel are sports programs. Control circuitry 130 may assign a category of “sports” to the channel. In some embodiments a combination of these approaches are used. It should also be noted that in some embodiments the interactive media guidance application automatically generates channel attribute data.
For the purposes of clarity, the following discussion may sometimes describe an embodiment in which the interactive media guidance application is an interactive program guide. It will be understood, however, that the following discussion and the features discussed may be applied to any interactive media guidance application.
The next table 250 illustrates a partial list of channel attribute data that was generated from a “Generated Channel Attributes over Time” process run by channel information source 126 or an interactive media guidance application implemented on user equipment 110. Here, the first three attributes associated with CBS are shown: sports, football, and action.
Table 260 illustrates a partial list of channel attribute data manually assigned to CBS. Three illustrative “Assigned Channel Attributes” are shown: sports, drama, and comedy. Note that this list partially overlaps with the “Generated Channel Attributes over Time” list. Though overlap is likely, it would not necessarily always be the case.
In response to the user invoking the channels-by-content search function, such as by selecting button 310 of
a and 5b are two illustrative category searching displays 500a and 500b. In this search criteria entry mode, the user selects categories and sub-categories from lists. Help area 510a explains how the user should interact with a search screen of this type. A user uses the up and down arrows on the user's remote to scroll up and down the list. The right arrow makes the user's selection and presents the user with either results or a sub-list. The left arrow cancels the user's most recent selection.
“Category” column 520a shows an illustrative list of possible broad categories the interactive media guidance application may present to the user. This illustrative list includes four possible categories. In this display, the user has selected sports by scrolling to highlight sports and selecting the right arrow. This has brought up “Sub-Category” list 530a. This list presents the user with a more specific list of options, in this illustrative case the list of options concerns different types of sports because the user selected “sports” from the “Category” column 520a. The user has highlighted the sub-category “Football,” but has not selected it. The “Results” column 540a contains instructions for the user to enter a further selection. The user has not entered enough information to be presented with a final channels-by-content result list.
b represents how display 500a would look after the user made the user's next selection if that user's selection were football. In response, the interactive media guidance application searches channel attribute database 128 (
a and 6b are two illustrative keyword entry displays. In this search criteria entry mode, the user enters keywords letter by letter. The user navigates through the keypad 620a to select a letter and presses enter to add the letter to the keyword. The use of an on-screen keyboard is only illustrative, as it is suitable for limited user input devices, such as remote controls. In other embodiments, other interface elements may be used. One example would be a simple text entry field when the user input device is a keyboard. Any suitable text entry interface may be used.
In this illustrative display, the user has entered five letters, FOOTB (partially entering “FOOTBALL”). In some embodiments the interactive media guidance application may provide a list of potential keywords matching the entered letters as part of an autocomplete function (not shown). In response to the user entering a partial or complete keyword, the interactive media guidance application searches the channel attribute database 128 (
The user may select one or more channel search criteria. Multiple channel search criteria may be processed using different operators, including AND and OR. The interactive media guidance application may have the operator pre-determined or the user may be presented with an option of using AND or OR (not shown). To illustrate, assume the user selects “action” and “sports” and presses ENTER. If the interactive media guidance application is set to use the AND operator, or if the user selects to use the AND operator, the user would only be presented with those channels whose channel attribute data matches both “action” and “sports.” This is the more restrictive form of searching. If, instead, the interactive media guidance application is set to use the OR operator, or if the user selects to use the OR operator, the user would be presented with all channels whose channel attribute data matches “action” and all channels whose channel attribute data matches “sports.” The user would, in most instances, be presented with a larger, but less tailored, set of results if the OR operator were used.
In the example of display 700, the user has selected “sports” in the checkbox field 730. In response to the user pressing ENTER, the interactive media guidance application will search the channel attribute database 128 (
There are multiple suitable methods to indicate results. In some embodiments, the cells include currently-streamed or broadcast video for each channel. But this method would require a tuner (or other circuitry) for each channel in the result. To solve this issue, the user may be able to see streaming video for the particular channel that the user has currently highlighted. For example, in display 800 if the user had highlighted CBS with the user's remote control (not shown) the user would see a streaming video of the current program Everybody Loves Raymond.
In other embodiments, the interactive media guidance application uses a snapshot of the current programming that is showing on each channel (such as by tuning to each of the results sequentially and storing a frame of video from each). In the example of
CBS shows NFL and college football games on a regular basis. But note that the current programming on a channel in the search results list does not necessarily match the search criteria. For example, while Everybody Loves Raymond does not satisfy a search for “Football” in and of itself, CBS still satisfies the search criteria if there had been, within a certain preceding time frame, programming on CBS including content associated with football.
a and 10b are two displays 1000a and 1000b illustrating additional approaches the interactive media guidance application may use to display search results to the user. In display 1000a the interactive media guidance application presents the user with a list of channels 1010a that match the user-supplied channel search criteria. Here there are twelve total channels in the results list. Five channels are shown. The user may scroll down to view the remaining seven channels. The user currently has CBS highlighted, so the interactive media guidance application displays a short description of CBS's general programming in the instruction window 1020a. Having highlighted CBS, the user simply presses ENTER to view the channel's current schedule.
Display 1000b represents the current CBS schedule 1010b that the interactive media guidance application would present to the user if the user were to select CBS in display 1000a (
In step 1120, the interactive media guidance application then determines whether the user has entered the final criteria. This determination can be made in a multitude of ways. For example, the interactive media guidance application may determine that there are too many hits based on some predetermined threshold, or, the guide may use a multi-step process for receiving search criteria. In response to determining it has not received the final user criteria, the interactive media guidance application may, for example, in step 1130 present the user with a sub-display of selectable genres, or it may simply prompt the user for additional channel search criteria. Presenting the user with a sub-display is illustrated in the sub-category column 530a (
Once the interactive media guidance application determines it has received the final user criteria, it continues to step 1140 and accesses the channel attribute database 128 (
At step 1150, the interactive media guidance application compares the channel attribute data for each channel against the user-supplied channel search criteria received in step 1110. The interactive media guidance application determines at step 1160 whether there has been one or more channel matches. A channel match is made if the interactive media guidance application finds the user-supplied channel search criteria in the channel attribute data for that particular channel. In one approach, a match is also made when user-supplied channel search criteria is similar to one or more channel attributes, referred to herein as “fuzzy matching.” If the user-supplied channel search criteria is not present or similar to that channel's associated attribute data, no match is made.
If no matches are made, the interactive media guidance application displays this result to the user and prompts the user to enter new channel search criteria in step 1170. The interactive media guidance application may also present the user with the option to exit without entering new channel search criteria (not shown). The interactive media guidance application then returns to the first step of the process and repeats steps 1110 through 1160.
If a match is made in step 1160, the results are displayed to the user in step 1180. There are multiple methods that the interactive media guidance, application may use to display search results to the user. A few illustrative examples include those shown in
Once the system has generated or received the channel attribute data, at step 1230 the interactive media guidance application stores the result in the channel attribute database 128 (
The stored list of channel attribute data may be a complete list of all the channel attribute data gathered, or it may be a partial list. The interactive media guidance application may rank the list according to certain criteria, such as frequency. If it is a partial list, channel attribute data that do not reach a specified level on the criteria would have been eliminated by the interactive media guidance application.
Once the interactive media guidance application has retrieved all the programs' identifiers for the two week interval and stored them in temporary memory (not shown), the interactive media guidance application may rank the program identifiers according to a predefined ranking criteria, such as frequency, at step 1320. The interactive media guidance application orders the program identifiers accordingly. Rankings may be made based on, for example, frequency, level of importance, or level of specificity.
In the next step 1330, the interactive media guidance application may eliminate certain program identifiers that fall below some minimum threshold, e.g., less than 10% of the most frequent program identifier. To illustrate, if the most frequent program identifier occurred 100 times, at this step the interactive media guidance application would eliminate those program identifiers that occur less than 10 times (100*10%=10).
In the last step 1340, the interactive media guidance application generates a list of channel attribute data for each channel from the final list of program identifiers created in step 1330 and stores this list of channel attribute data in the channel attribute database 128 (
The above described embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims which follow.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/710,458 filed on Feb. 23, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20100154005 A1 | Jun 2010 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11710458 | Feb 2007 | US |
Child | 12616926 | US |