Method and system for performing searches for television content using reduced text input

• US 9,135,337 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2011
• Issued: 09/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Veveo, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Veveo, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Venkataraman, Sashikumar, Barve, Rakesh, Rajanala, Pranav, Agrawal, Rahul, Aravamudan, Murali, Rajasekharan, Ajit
• Primary Examiner(s): KUDDUS, DANIEL A
• Application Number:
  US13/006,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20110113039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,705 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/322 Trees
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/78 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• 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 21/47 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 desired by a television viewer from a set of television content items. Each of the television content items has one or more associated descriptors. The system receives from the television viewer a reduced text search entry directed at identifying the desired television content item. The search entry is a prefix substring of one or more words relating to the desired television content item. The system dynamically identifies a group of one or more television content items from the set of television content items having one or more descriptors matching the search entry as the television viewer enters each character of the search entry. The system then transmits the names of the one or more television content items of the identified group to be displayed on a device operated by the television viewer.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a search string provided by a user, the search string comprising a first input component consisting of one or more first characters and a second input component consisting of one or more second characters, the first input component and the second input component being separated by at least one separator; and

in response to receiving the search string, searching for and identifying with a processor a plurality of results comprising at least one result, the at least one result comprising a first result component and a second result component, the first result component and the second result component being separated at least by a separator,

wherein the first result component comprises the one or more first characters of the first input component plus at least one first additional character in addition to the one or more first characters,

wherein the second result component comprises the one or more second characters of the second input component plus at least one second additional character in addition to the one or more second characters,

wherein searching for and identifying the plurality of results comprises comparing the search string to an index of content items, the index including prefix substrings of the content items, determining whether the search string matches any of the prefix substrings in the index, and identifying the content items that correspond to prefix substrings matching the search string, and

wherein searching for and identifying the plurality of results further comprises dynamically comparing the search string to descriptors of at least one of the content items to determine whether the search string implicates the at least one of the content items; and

causing to be presented on a display device the plurality of results.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first result component and the second result component form at least part of a title of the at least one result.

3. A method, comprising:

receiving a search string provided by a user, the search string comprising a first input component consisting of one or more first characters and a second input component consisting of one or more second characters, the first input component and the second input component being separated by at least one separator, wherein the search string is the initial user input;

in response to receiving the search string, searching for and identifying with a processor at least one result, the at least one result comprising a first result component and a second result component, the first result component and the second result component being separated at least by a separator, wherein the at least one result forms at least part of a first results set;

after the searching for and identifying the at least one result comprising a first result component and a second result component, receiving incremental user input expanding upon the initial user input, wherein receiving the incremental user input comprises receiving a first incremental character;

in response to receiving the first incremental character, searching for and identifying a first modified results set differing from the first results set,

wherein the first result component comprises the one or more first characters of the first input component plus at least one first additional character in addition to the one or more first characters,

wherein the second result component comprises the one or more second characters of the second input component plus at least one second additional character in addition to the one or more second characters;

after receiving incremental user input comprising the first incremental character, receiving a second incremental character; and

in response to receiving the second incremental character, searching for and identifying a second modified results set differing from the first modified results set.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving the search string comprises receiving the search string from a device comprising a QWERTY keypad.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving the incremental user input comprises sequentially receiving a plurality of incremental characters including the first incremental character, the method further comprising:

in response to receiving each incremental character of the plurality of incremental characters, searching for and identifying a corresponding modified results set.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one result represents television (TV) content.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one result represents phone book content.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one result relates to a restaurant listing.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein the method comprises using a handheld device to perform the receiving of the search string and the using the processor to perform the searching for and identifying the at least one result comprising the first result component and the second result component.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the hand-held device is a phone.

11. The method of claim 3, wherein searching for and identifying the at least one result is based on inclusion of the one or more first characters in the first result component and further based on inclusion of the one or more second characters in the second result component.

12. The method of claim 3, wherein searching for and identifying the at least one result comprises comparing the search string to an index of content items, the at least one result representing one of the content items, and the index including prefix substrings of the content items.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein searching for and identifying the at least one result further comprises dynamically comparing the search string to descriptors of at least one of the content items.

14. The method of claim 3, wherein searching for and identifying the at least one result comprises comparing the search string to an index of content items, the at least one result representing one of the content items, and the index including, for at least the at least one result, multiple substrings of the first result component and the second result component.

15. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one result is part of a set of content items forming an ordered namespace.

16. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one result is part of a set of content items forming an unordered namespace.

17. The method of claim 3, wherein the first result component and the second result component form at least part of a title of the at least one result.

18. The method of claim 3, further comprising causing to be presented on a display device the at least one result.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the causing to be presented the at least one result comprises transmitting the at least one result to an end user device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the end user device comprises a television.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the end user device is a phone.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the causing to be presented the at least one result comprises causing to be presented a plurality of results including the at least one result, wherein the plurality of results are ordered.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the plurality of results are ordered by popularity.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the plurality of results are ordered based on a temporal criterion.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the plurality of results are ordered based on relevance to a location of a user.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the plurality of results are ordered based on a number of components of the search string.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the plurality of results are ordered based on personal preferences of a user.

28. A non-transitory computer readable storage device comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed, cause performance of a method comprising:

receiving a search string provided by a user, the search string comprising a first input component consisting of one or more first characters and a second input component consisting of one or more second characters, the first input component and the second input component being separated by at least one separator; and

in response to receiving the search string, searching for and identifying a plurality of results comprising at least one result, the at least one result comprising a first result component and a second result component, the first result component and the second result component being separated at least by a separator,

wherein the first result component comprises the one or more first characters of the first input component plus at least one first additional character in addition to the one or more first characters,

wherein the second result component comprises the one or more second characters of the second input component plus at least one second additional character in addition to the one or more second characters,

wherein searching for and identifying the plurality of results comprises comparing the search string to an index of content items, the index including prefix substrings of the

content items, determining whether the search string matches any of the prefix substrings in the index, and identifying the content items that correspond to prefix substrings matching the search string, and

wherein searching for and identifying the plurality of results further comprises dynamically comparing the search string to descriptors of at least one of the content items to determine whether the search string implicates the at least one of the content items; and

causing to be presented on a display device the plurality of results.

29. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 28, wherein the first result component and the second result component form at least part of a title of the at least one result.

30. A non-transitory computer readable storage device comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed, cause performance of a method comprising:

receiving a search string provided by a user, the search string comprising a first input component consisting of one or more first characters and a second input component consisting of one or more second characters, the first input component and the second input component being separated by at least one separator, wherein the search string is the initial user input;

in response to receiving the search string, searching for and identifying at least one result, the at least one result comprising a first result component and a second result component, the first result component and the second result component being separated at least by a separator, wherein the at least one result forms at least part of a first results set;

after the searching for and identifying the at least one result comprising a first result component and a second result component, receiving incremental user input expanding upon the initial user input, wherein receiving the incremental user input comprises receiving a first incremental character;

in response to receiving the first incremental character, searching for and identifying a first modified results set differing from the first results set,

wherein the first result component comprises the one or more first characters of the first input component plus at least one first additional character in addition to the one or more first characters,

wherein the second result component comprises the one or more second characters of the second input component plus at least one second additional character in addition to the one or more second characters.;

after receiving incremental user input comprising the first incremental character, receiving a second incremental character; and

in response to receiving the second incremental character, searching for and identifying a second modified results set differing from the first modified results set.

31. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 30, wherein receiving the search string comprises receiving the search string from a device comprising a QWERTY keypad.

32. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 30, wherein receiving the incremental user input comprises sequentially receiving a plurality of incremental characters including the first incremental character, the method further comprising:

in response to receiving each incremental character of the plurality of incremental characters, searching for and identifying a corresponding modified results set.

33. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 30, wherein the at least one result represents television (TV) content.

34. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 30, wherein the at least one result represents phone book content.

35. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 30, wherein the at least one result relates to a restaurant listing.

36. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 30, wherein the method comprises using a hand-held device to perform the receiving of the search string and the searching for and identifying the at least one result comprising the first result component and the second result component.

37. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 36, wherein the hand-held device is a phone.

38. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 30, wherein searching for and identifying the at least one result is based on inclusion of the one or more first characters in the first result component and further based on inclusion of the one or more second characters in the second result component.

39. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 30, wherein searching for and identifying the at least one result comprises comparing the search string to an index of content items, the at least one result representing one of the content items, and the index including prefix substrings of the content items.

40. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 39, wherein searching for and identifying the at least one result further comprises dynamically comparing the search string to descriptors of at least one of the content items.

41. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 30, wherein searching for and identifying the at least one result comprises comparing the search string to an index of content items, the at least one result representing one of the content items, and the index including, for at least the at least one result, multiple substrings of the first result component and the second result component.

42. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 30, wherein the at least one result is part of a set of content items forming an ordered namespace.

43. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 30, wherein the at least one result is part of a set of content items forming an unordered namespace.

44. The at least one computer readable storage device of claim 30, wherein the method further comprises causing to be presented on a display device the at least one result.

45. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 44, wherein causing to be presented the at least one result comprises transmitting the at least one result to an end user device.

46. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 45, wherein the end user device comprises a television.

47. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 45, wherein the end user device is a phone.

48. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 44, wherein causing to be presented the at least one result comprises causing to be presented a plurality of results including the at least one result, wherein the plurality of results are ordered.

49. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 48, wherein the plurality of results are ordered by popularity.

50. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 48, wherein the plurality of results are ordered based on a temporal criterion.

51. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 48, wherein the plurality of results are ordered based on relevance to a location of a user.

52. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 48, wherein the plurality of results are ordered based on a number of components of the search string.

53. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 48, wherein the plurality of results are ordered based on personal preferences of a user.

54. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 48, wherein the first result component and the second result component form at least part of a title of the at least one result.

55. A system, comprising:

at least one hardware processor and a memory; and

the memory coupled to the at least one hardware processor and comprising hardware processor executable instructions, wherein the hardware processor executable instructions are configured to, when executed by the at least one hardware processor, cause performance of a method comprising;

receiving a search string provided by a user, the search string comprising a first input component consisting of one or more first characters and a second input component consisting of one or more second characters, the first input component and the second input component being separated by at least one separator; and

in response to receiving the search string, searching for and identifying a plurality of results comprising at least one result, the at least one result comprising a first result component and a second result component, the first result component and the second result component being separated at least by a separator,

wherein the first result component comprises the one or more first characters of the first input component plus at least one first additional character in addition to the one or more first characters,

wherein the second result component comprises the one or more second characters of the second input component plus at least one second additional character in addition to the one or more second characters,

wherein searching for and identifying the plurality of results comprises comparing

the search string to an index of content items, the index including prefix substrings of the content items, determining whether the search string matches any of the prefix substrings in the index, and identifying the content items that correspond to prefix substrings matching the search string, and

wherein searching for and identifying the plurality of results further comprises dynamically comparing the search string to descriptors of at least one of the content items to determine whether the search string implicates the at least one of the content items; and

causing to be presented on a display device the plurality of results.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the first result component and the second result component form at least part of a title of the at least one result.

57. A system, comprising:

at least one hardware processor and a memory; and

the memory coupled to the at least one hardware processor and comprising hardware processor executable instructions, wherein the hardware processor executable instructions are configured to, when executed by the at least one hardware processor, cause performance of a method comprising;

receiving a search string provided by a user, the search string comprising a first input component consisting of one or more first characters and a second input component being separated by at least one separator, wherein the search string is the initial user input;

in response to receiving the search string, searching for and identifying at least one result, the at least one result comprising a first result component and a second result component, the first result component and the second result component being separated at least by a separator, wherein the at least one result forms at least part of a first results set;

after the searching for and identifying the at least one result comprising a first result component and a second result component, receiving incremental user input expanding upon the initial user input, wherein receiving the incremental user input comprises receiving a first incremental character;

in response to receiving the first incremental character, searching for and identifying a first modified results set differing from the first results set,

wherein the first result component comprises the one or more first characters of the first input component plus at least one first additional character in addition to the one or more first characters,

wherein the second result component comprises the one or more second characters of the second input component plus at least one second additional character in addition to the one or more second characters;

after receiving incremental user input comprising the first incremental character, receiving a second incremental character; and

in response to receiving the second incremental character, searching for and identifying a second modified results set differing from the first modified results set.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein receiving the search string comprises receiving the search string from a device comprising a QWERTY keypad.

59. The system of claim 57, wherein receiving the incremental user input comprises sequentially receiving a plurality of incremental characters including the first incremental character, the method further comprising:

in response to receiving each incremental character of the plurality of incremental characters, searching for and identifying a corresponding modified results set.

60. The system of claim 57, wherein the at least one result represents television (TV) content.

61. The system of claim 57, wherein the at least one result represents phone book content.

62. The system of claim 57, wherein the at least one result relates to a restaurant listing.

63. The system of claim 57, wherein the method comprises using a handheld device to perform the receiving of the search string and the searching for and identifying the at least one result comprising the first result component and the second result component.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein the hand-held device is a phone.

65. The system of claim 57, wherein searching for and identifying the at least one result is based on inclusion of the one or more first characters in the first result component and further based on inclusion of the one or more second characters in the second result component.

66. The system of claim 57, wherein searching for and identifying the at least one result comprises comparing the search string to an index of content items, the at least one result representing one of the content items, and the index including prefix substrings of the content items.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein searching for and identifying the at least one result further comprises dynamically comparing the search string to descriptors of at least one of the content items.

68. The system of claim 57, wherein searching for and identifying the at least one result comprises comparing the search string to an index of content items, the at least one result representing one of the content items, and the index including, for at least the at least one result, multiple substrings of the first result component and the second result component.

69. The system of claim 57, wherein the at least one result is part of a set of content items forming an ordered namespace.

70. The system of claim 57, wherein the at least one result is part of a set of content items forming an unordered namespace.

71. The system of claim 57, wherein the first result component and the second result component form at least part of a title of the at least one result.

72. The system of claim 57, wherein the system is a television system.

73. The system of claim 57, wherein the system is a computer system.

74. The system of claim 57, wherein the method further comprises causing to be presented on a display device the at least one result.

75. The system of claim 74, wherein causing to be presented the at least one result comprises transmitting the at least one result to an end user device.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein the end user device comprises a television.

77. The system of claim 75, wherein the end user device is a phone.

78. The system of claim 74, wherein causing to be presented the at least one result comprises causing to be presented a plurality of results including the at least one result, wherein the plurality of results are ordered.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein the plurality of results are ordered by popularity.

80. The system of claim 78, wherein the plurality of results are ordered based on a temporal criterion.

81. The system of claim 78, wherein the plurality of results are ordered based on relevance to a location of a user.

82. The system of claim 78, wherein the plurality of results are ordered based on a number of components of the search string.

83. The system of claim 78, wherein the plurality of results are ordered based on personal preferences of a user.