Method and system for performing an alphabetic search using a single application of keys
First Claim
1. A method for selecting a program title, comprising:
- generating a dynamic directory of one or more searchable items, wherein the items correspond to a list of currently available programs from a broadcast source;
receiving a narrowing command from an alpha-numeric keypad comprising a plurality of number buttons, the narrowing command corresponding to one or more of a program genre, text description, abstract, and time range;
narrowing the scope of the dynamic directory based on the narrowing command;
receiving numeric input from the keypad corresponding to a user selection of one or more of the plurality of number buttons, wherein each of the plurality of number buttons is permanently associated with a distinct set of letters of an alphabet;
determining based on the numeric input a string comprising one or more letters corresponding to a partial program title;
identifying a subset of the programs in the narrowed dynamic directory matching the partial program title;
displaying the matching subset of programs, wherein each program in the subset is visually associated with a numerical value in the display; and
receiving a numerical value selection from the keypad and selecting the program from the subset of programs associated with selected numerical value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for performing an alphabetic search using a single application of keys is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for selecting a program title using an alpha-numeric keypad, comprises gathering one or more searchable items from a broadcast source; generating a dynamic directory of the one or more searchable items by a set-top box; narrowing the scope of the dynamic directory upon receiving a narrowing command from the keypad; receiving a partial program title from the keypad at the set-top box; returning a list of possible selections by the set-top box, wherein the list includes the program title; and receiving a subselector key selector signal from the keypad at the set-top box, wherein the subselector key selector signal selects the program title.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for selecting a program title, comprising:
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generating a dynamic directory of one or more searchable items, wherein the items correspond to a list of currently available programs from a broadcast source; receiving a narrowing command from an alpha-numeric keypad comprising a plurality of number buttons, the narrowing command corresponding to one or more of a program genre, text description, abstract, and time range; narrowing the scope of the dynamic directory based on the narrowing command; receiving numeric input from the keypad corresponding to a user selection of one or more of the plurality of number buttons, wherein each of the plurality of number buttons is permanently associated with a distinct set of letters of an alphabet; determining based on the numeric input a string comprising one or more letters corresponding to a partial program title; identifying a subset of the programs in the narrowed dynamic directory matching the partial program title; displaying the matching subset of programs, wherein each program in the subset is visually associated with a numerical value in the display; and receiving a numerical value selection from the keypad and selecting the program from the subset of programs associated with selected numerical value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for selecting a program title, comprising:
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means for generating a dynamic directory of one or more searchable items, wherein the items correspond to a list of currently available programs from a broadcast source; means for receiving a narrowing command from an alpha-numeric keypad comprising a plurality of number buttons, the narrowing command corresponding to one or more of a program genre, text description, abstract, and time range; means for narrowing the scope of the dynamic directory based on the narrowing command; means for receiving numeric input from the keypad corresponding to a user selection of one or more of the plurality of number buttons, wherein each of the plurality of number buttons is permanently associated with a distinct set of letters of an alphabet; means for determining based on the numeric input a string comprising one or more letters corresponding to a partial program title; means for identifying a subset of the programs in the narrowed dynamic directory matching the partial program title; means for displaying the matching subset of programs, wherein each program in the subset is visually associated with a numerical value in the display; and means for receiving a numerical value selection from the keypad and selecting the program from the subset of programs associated with selected numerical value. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions for selecting a program title, said plurality of instructions when executed by a computer, cause said computer to perform:
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generating a dynamic directory of one or more searchable items, wherein the items correspond to a list of currently available programs from a broadcast source; receiving a narrowing command from an alpha-numeric keypad comprising a plurality of number buttons, the narrowing command corresponding to one or more of a program genre, text description, abstract, and time range; narrowing the scope of the dynamic directory based on the narrowing command; receiving numeric input from the keypad corresponding to a user selection of one or more of the plurality of number buttons, wherein each of the plurality of number buttons is permanently associated with a distinct set of letters of an alphabet; determining based on the numeric input a string comprising one or more letters corresponding to a partial program title; identifying a subset of the programs in the narrowed dynamic directory matching the partial program title; displaying the matching subset of programs, wherein each program in the subset is visually associated with a numerical value in the display; and receiving a numerical value selection from the keypad and selecting the program from the subset of programs associated with selected numerical value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. An electronic device, comprising:
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a processor controlling operations of the electronic device; and a storage device configured to store computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to perform a method comprising; generating a dynamic directory of one or more searchable items, wherein the items correspond to a list of currently available programs from a broadcast source; receiving a narrowing command from an alpha-numeric keypad comprising a plurality of number buttons, the narrowing command corresponding to one or more of a program genre, text description, abstract, and time range; narrowing the scope of the dynamic directory based on the narrowing command; receiving numeric input from the keypad corresponding to a user selection of one or more of the plurality of number buttons, wherein each of the plurality of number buttons is permanently associated with a distinct set of letters of an alphabet; determining based on the numeric input a string comprising one or more letters corresponding to a partial program title; identifying a subset of the programs in the narrowed dynamic directory matching the partial program title; displaying the matching subset of programs, wherein each program in the subset is visually associated with a numerical value in the display; and receiving a numerical value selection from the keypad and selecting the program from the subset of programs associated with selected numerical value. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification