Apparatus and method of searching for desired television content
First Claim
1. A method for searching for desired programming comprising:
- buffering a television signal;
specifying at least one search parameter;
searching said television signal for data that matches said search parameters;
evaluating said data; and
displaying said data for a user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus and method for allowing a user to search for specific content across many television channels in order to locate desirable television shows related to the searched content. Multiplexed cable signals flow thorough a logical unit which buffers text associated with the voice stream of each station via the pre-encoded closed-captioning signal or through the real-time voice translation within the logical unit. The user then enters search terms through one of a variety of different input devices. Upon entry of the search terms, the logical unit will compare the entered term with those available keywords stored in each buffer. Lexical parsing associates terms which may differ from plural to singular forms, or in tense. Additionally, synonym comparisons may be made. The logical unit will return a list of matches for the search criteria and allows the user the option of going directly to the television program. The logical unit also evaluates each returned item for its relevancy to the keywords. When not in use, the logical unit maintains a quiescent but monitoring state permitting continuous creation of lexical buffers. This permits the user who turns the television on to immediately have such search terms available. Alternatively, the logic is implemented at the cable provider and enabled through interactive links to the home. In that case, the home logical unit is unnecessary.
48 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method for searching for desired programming comprising:
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buffering a television signal;
specifying at least one search parameter;
searching said television signal for data that matches said search parameters;
evaluating said data; and
displaying said data for a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 24)
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12. A method for continuously buffering a cable television signal comprising:
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receiving a signal;
receiving a parameter;
limiting the television signal based on said parameter; and
recording in a memory the contents of said signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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25. An apparatus for searching for desired programming comprising:
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a logical unit with a memory;
a program stored in said memory;
said memory, so configured by said program, causes said logical unit perform operations comprising;
buffering a television signal;
receiving at least one search parameter;
searching said television signal for data that matches said search parameters;
evaluating said data; and
displaying said data for a user. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. An apparatus for continuously buffering a cable television signal comprising
programmable hardware; -
software; and
wherein said hardware is directed by said software to perform operations comprising;
receiving a signal;
receiving a parameter;
limiting the television signal based on said parameter; and
recording in a memory the contents of said signal. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification