Channel searching by content type
First Claim
1. A method for searching for channels of programming based on the type of programming provided by the channels over time, comprising:
- receiving, at a user equipment device, channel search criteria entered by a user;
in response to receiving the channel search criteria, initiating a search for channels, wherein the search comprises comparing the channel search criteria to channel attribute data of a plurality of channels to determine whether the channel attribute data matches the search criteria, and wherein the channel attribute data for a particular channel is generated at the user equipment device in response to determining characteristics of a plurality of programs that have been transmitted over the particular channel over a time period that precedes a time when a user request to access the particular channel is received, and wherein the generated channel attribute data is different from the characteristics of the plurality of programs; and
generating a results display indicating the channels having channel attribute data matching the channel search criteria.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and method for receiving user channel search criteria, searching for channels based on representative content information, and presenting the channel results to the user. The interactive media guidance application prompts the user to enter channel search criteria by selecting categories or inputting keywords. The interactive media guidance application gathers information about channels in the form of channel attribute data. The channel attributed data identifies attributes of the typical programs provided by the channel over time. The application compares the channel attribute data for each channel with the user-entered channel search criteria. Matches or lack thereof are then displayed to the user by the interactive media guidance application.
132 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for searching for channels of programming based on the type of programming provided by the channels over time, comprising:
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receiving, at a user equipment device, channel search criteria entered by a user; in response to receiving the channel search criteria, initiating a search for channels, wherein the search comprises comparing the channel search criteria to channel attribute data of a plurality of channels to determine whether the channel attribute data matches the search criteria, and wherein the channel attribute data for a particular channel is generated at the user equipment device in response to determining characteristics of a plurality of programs that have been transmitted over the particular channel over a time period that precedes a time when a user request to access the particular channel is received, and wherein the generated channel attribute data is different from the characteristics of the plurality of programs; and generating a results display indicating the channels having channel attribute data matching the channel search criteria. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for searching for channels of programming based on the type of programming provided by the channels over time, comprising:
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a user input device; and control circuitry configured to; receive, at a user equipment device, channel search criteria entered by a user using the user input device; initiate a search for channels in response to receiving the channel search criteria, wherein the search comprises comparing the channel search criteria to channel attribute data of a plurality of channels to determine whether the channel attribute data matches the search criteria, and wherein the channel attribute data for a particular channel is generated at the user equipment device in response to determining characteristics of a plurality of programs that have been transmitted over the particular channel over a time period that precedes a time when a user request to access the particular channel is received, and wherein the generated channel attribute data is different from the characteristics of the plurality of programs; and generate a results display indicating the channels having channel attribute data matching the channel search criteria. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification