TV content search system and method with multi-field search and display

• US 20080282291A1
• Filed: 05/02/2008
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: I-Interactive LLC
• Original Assignee: I-Interactive LLC
• Inventors: Henty, David L.
• Application Number:
  US12/151,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20080282291A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/44
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/338 Presentation of query results
• 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 21/42214 using alphanumerical characters
• 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 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739

Abstract

A search based TV interface system and method is disclosed. Search results are dynamically displayed based on search parameters and/or time. A dynamically adjusted grid may be provided which collapses to a list if a minimum grid size is not met. Search results may also be dynamically displayed organized by category.

Claims

1. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment, comprising:

entering text into a search menu in response to text entry from a remote control or keyboard;

searching TV content including programs having varying start times based on the entered text;

displaying the search results on a menu on the TV screen in a list format if the number of search results is less than a predetermined number; and

displaying the search results on menu on the TV screen in a time based grid format if the number of search results is greater than said predetermined number.

2. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 1, wherein the predetermined number is user settable.

3. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 1, wherein if N=total search results, W=number of time slots, and H=number of separate channels, then the a grid display determination is made if the number of search results satisfies N>

X, W>

Y and/or H>

Z.

4. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 1, wherein the list is prioritized based on a user defined criteria.

5. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 1, wherein the grid is prioritized based on a user defined criteria.

6. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 1, wherein the list or grid is prioritized dynamically based on the search parameters.

7. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment, comprising:

entering text into a search menu in response to text entry from a remote control or keyboard;

searching video content including plural categories of content based on the categories selected by the entered text; and

displaying the search results on a menu on the TV screen in a format with one or more separate lists or grids for each category.

8. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 7, wherein the list is prioritized based on a user defined criteria.

9. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 7, wherein the grid is prioritized based on a user defined criteria.

10. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 7, wherein the list or grid is prioritized dynamically based on the search parameters.

11. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 7, wherein the plural categories comprise categories such as action, comedy, and drama.

12. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 7, wherein the plural categories comprise categories such as pay per view movies and free movies.

13. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment, comprising:

entering text into a search menu in response to text entry from a remote control or keyboard;

searching video content including video content having varying start times and video content having no fixed start time based on the entered text; and

displaying the search results on a menu on the TV screen in a list format for the search results having no fixed start time and in a time based grid format for the search results having varying start times.

14. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 13, wherein said content having no fixed start time comprises internet accessed video content.

15. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 13, wherein said content having no fixed start time comprises video on demand content.

16. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment, comprising:

entering text into a search menu in response to text entry from a remote control or keyboard, the search parameters covering plural separate search fields based on search codes and keyword searches; and

displaying the search results on a menu on the TV screen in dynamically adjusted grid format having varying start times with channels and time slots removed for grid results without matching content and satisfying a grid display criteria.

17. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 16, wherein the search fields are based on capitalized text and keywords on uncapitalized text.

18. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 16, wherein the grid display criteria comprise a number of blank grid positions exceeding a predetermined number.

19. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 16, wherein the search parameters are stored on a user by user basis.

20. A method for searching and displaying content in a TV environment as set out in claim 16, wherein the search fields are based on symbols in addition to text.