Distributed , interactive television program guide; system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for searching a distributed, interactive television program guide database, wherein a viewer searches said database to identify programs of interest, said system comprising:
- a server;
a client, wherein said client is in periodic communication with said server, and wherein said client downloads current program information from said server;
a program guide database resident on said client, wherein said program information is imported into said database;
an interactive viewer interface displayed on a display means in communication with said client;
means for interacting with said viewer interface by said viewer;
means for searching said database according to program title;
means for searching said database according to indexed program attributes; and
means for searching said database according to key words.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In an interactive network-based personal video recording system, a user interface is provided that allows viewers to search a database of program guide information according to program title, indexed program attributes such as actor and director, and key workd. Viewer interaction is by way of a remote control unit.
313 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A system for searching a distributed, interactive television program guide database, wherein a viewer searches said database to identify programs of interest, said system comprising:
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a server;
a client, wherein said client is in periodic communication with said server, and wherein said client downloads current program information from said server;
a program guide database resident on said client, wherein said program information is imported into said database;
an interactive viewer interface displayed on a display means in communication with said client;
means for interacting with said viewer interface by said viewer;
means for searching said database according to program title;
means for searching said database according to indexed program attributes; and
means for searching said database according to key words. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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29. A method of searching a distributed, interactive television program guide database, wherein a viewer searches said program guide database to identify programs of interest, comprising the steps of:
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providing a server;
providing a client, wherein said client is in periodic communication with said server, and wherein said client downloads current program information from said server;
providing a program guide database resident on said client, wherein said program information is imported into said database;
providing an interactive viewer interface displayed on a display means in communication with said client;
providing means for interacting with said viewer interface by said viewer; and
searching said database by said viewer according to at least one of;
program title;
indexed program attributes; and
key words.
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Specification