Method and system for performing searches for television content and channels using a non-intrusive television interface and with reduced text input

• US 20060101504A1
• Filed: 08/15/2005
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Veveo, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Veveo, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Aravamudan, Murali, Rajasekharan, Ajit, Barve, Rakesh D.
• Application Number:
  US11/204,546
• Publication Number:
  US 20060101504A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/136
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A method and system are provided for identifying a television content item or a television channel desired by a television viewer from a set of television content items and television channels. A non-intrusive interface is provided to the viewer on a television display. The television viewer using the non-intrusive interface inputs a reduced text search entry directed at identifying a desired television content item or a television channel. The reduced text search entry includes one or more characters of a descriptor relating to the desired television content item or the television channel. The system dynamically identifies a group of television content items or television channels from the set of television content items and television channels matching the search entry as the television viewer enters each character of the reduced text search entry. The television content items or television channels of the group are ordered in accordance with one or more given criteria. The system displays on the non-intrusive interface identification of one or more of the television content items or television channels of the identified group as ordered.

Claims

1. A method of identifying a television content item or a television channel desired by a television viewer from a set of television content items and television channels, said method comprising:

(a) providing a non-intrusive interface on a television display;

(b) receiving from the television viewer who is using the non-intrusive interface a reduced text search entry directed at identifying a desired television content item or a television channel, said reduced text search entry comprising one or more characters of a descriptor relating to said desired television content item or said television channel;

(c) dynamically identifying a group of content items or television channels from said set of television content items and television channels matching said search entry as said television viewer enters each character of said reduced text search entry;

(d) ordering the television content items or television channels of said group in accordance with one or more given criteria; and

(e) displaying on said non-intrusive interface identification of one or more of said television content items or television channels of said group identified in step (c) as ordered in step (d).

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving from the viewer a selection of one of said one or more television content items or television channels displayed in step (e), and a desired action with respect to said selection.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising performing said action, wherein said action comprises tuning to a television channel or retrieving the selected content item from a content source.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said content source comprises a video-on-demand system, an IPTV system, or a personal video recorder.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising performing said action, wherein said action comprises recording a selected content item, reminding the viewer when a selected content item is broadcasted, finding a related content item, or retrieving the selected content item from a content source.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving from the viewer a selection of one of said one or more television content items or television channels displayed in step (d), and automatically fetching and rendering the selected content item or tuning to the selected television channel.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying and offering to the viewer an alternative content item when the viewer is unable to find a desired content item.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying on said non-intrusive interface visual cues to inform the viewer of the availability of content for instant and deferred viewing.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said non-intrusive interface is overlaid on content currently playing on said television display.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said non-intrusive interface includes at least portions thereof that are translucent thereby allowing said content currently playing on said television display to be at least partially visible to the viewer through the non-intrusive interface.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said non-intrusive interface includes a field for entry of said reduced text search entry and a window for displaying a given number of said television content items or television channels of said group identified in step (c).

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising filtering said television content items identified in step (c) in accordance with the source or category of said television content items and displaying selected television content items in said non-intrusive interface.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing to the viewer through said non-intrusive interface information related to said selected television content item or television channel.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said television content items or television channels are ordered based on temporal relevance, popularity, or personal preferences of the viewer.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein said method is implemented in a device included in or proximate to a television set.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) is performed by a server system remote from said viewer in communication with a device included in or proximate to a television set.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising enabling the viewer to scroll through additional content items or television channels of said group identified in step (c) by displaying identification of said additional content items or television channels when directed by said viewer.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein said user enters said reduced text search entry on a remote control device having keys overloaded with two or more characters.

38. The method of claim 15 further comprising receiving search data at said device from a communications link.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein said communications link comprises a one-way link for downloading data to said device.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein said communications link comprises a one-way satellite link for downloading data to said device.

41. The method of claim 38 wherein said search data is received at said device periodically.

42. The method of claim 38 wherein said search data includes data on television content items and television channels.

43. The method of claim 38 wherein said search data includes relevance updates.

19. A system for identifying a television content item or a television channel desired by a television viewer from a set of television content items and television channels, said system comprising:

a device for providing a non-intrusive interface on a television display, and for receiving from the television viewer who is using the non-intrusive interface a reduced text search entry directed at identifying a desired television content item or a television channel, said reduced text search entry comprising one or more characters of a descriptor relating to said desired television content item or said television channel; and

an apparatus in communication with said device for dynamically identifying a group of content items or television channels from said set of television content items and television channels matching said search entry as said television viewer enters each character of said reduced text search entry;

wherein said device or said apparatus orders the television content items or television channels of said group in accordance with one or more given criteria; and

wherein said device displays on said non-intrusive interface identification of one or more of said television content items or television channels of said group as ordered.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the device receives from the viewer a selection of one of said one or more television content items or television channels displayed in the interface, and a desired action with respect to said selection.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said device performs said action, wherein said action comprises tuning to a television channel or retrieving the selected content item from a content source.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said content source comprises a video-on-demand system, an IPTV system, or a personal video recorder.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein said device performs said action, wherein said action comprises recording a selected content item, reminding the viewer when a selected content item is broadcasted, finding a related content item, or retrieving the selected content item from a content source.

24. The system of claim 19 wherein the device receives from the viewer a selection of one of said one or more television content items or television channels displayed in step (d), and automatically fetching and rendering the selected content item or tuning to the selected television channel.

25. The system of claim 19 wherein the apparatus or the device identifies and offers to the viewer an alternative content item when the viewer is unable to find a desired content item.

26. The system of claim 19 wherein the device displays on said non-intrusive interface visual cues to inform the viewer of the availability of content for instant and deferred viewing.

27. The system of claim 19 wherein said non-intrusive interface is overlaid on content currently playing on said television display.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein said non-intrusive interface includes at least portions thereof that are translucent thereby allowing said content currently playing on said television display to be at least partially visible to the viewer through the non-intrusive interface.

29. The system of claim 19 wherein said non-intrusive interface includes a field for entry of said reduced text search entry and a window for displaying a given number of said television content items or television channels of the identified group.

30. The system of claim 19 wherein the device or apparatus filters said television content items of said group in accordance with the source or category of said television content items and displays selected television content items in said non-intrusive interface.

31. The system of claim 19 wherein the device further provides to the viewer through said non-intrusive interface information related to said selected television content item or television channel.

32. The system of claim 19 wherein said television content items or television channels are ordered based on temporal relevance, popularity, or personal preferences of the viewer.

33. The system of claim 19 wherein said device is included in or proximate to a television set.

34. The system of claim 19 wherein said apparatus is a server system remote from said viewer in communication with said device over a network.

35. The system of claim 19 wherein the device enables the viewer to scroll through additional content items or television channels of said group by displaying identification of said additional content items or television channels when directed by said viewer.

36. The system of claim 19 wherein said user enters said reduced text search entry on a remote control device having keys overloaded with two or more characters.

44. The system of claim 19 wherein said system is included in or proximate to television set operated by the user.

45. The system of claim 44 wherein said system receives search data from a communications link.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein said communications link comprises a one-way link for downloading data to said system.

47. The system of claim 45 wherein said communications link comprises a one-way satellite link for downloading data to said system.

48. The system of claim 45 wherein said system receives said search data periodically.

49. The system of claim 45 wherein said search data includes data on television content items and television channels.

50. The system of claim 45 wherein said search data includes relevance updates.

37. A television content and channel search system, comprising:

a server system;

a network; and

a plurality of television systems in communication with said server system through said network, each television system operable by a television viewer for selecting and viewing a desired television channel or a content item from a set of television channels and content items, each television system including a non-intrusive interface on a television display, and a text input device for receiving from the television viewer who is using the non-intrusive interface a reduced text search entry directed at identifying a desired television content item or a television channel, said reduced text search entry comprising one or more characters of a descriptor relating to said desired television content item or said television channel, said television system transmitting said reduced text search entry to said server as said television viewer enters each character of said reduced text search entry; and

wherein for each reduced text search entry received by said server from a television system, said server dynamically identifies a group of content items or television channels from said set of television content items and television channels matching said search entry, and transmits identification of said group of content items or channels to said television system; and

wherein said television system displays on said non-intrusive interface identification of one or more of said television content items or television channels of said group in an order determined by one or more given criteria.