ENHANCED NETWORK SEARCH

• US 20110010742A1
• Filed: 07/10/2009
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: White, Scott Anthony
• Application Number:
  US12/501,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20110010742A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/53
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4332 by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository interfaces, Database management systems or updating for information retrieval G06F16/23; details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video database G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup

Abstract

A set-top box (STB) suitable for use with a multimedia distribution network is also provided with a broadband network connection to a server operated by the multimedia provider. The server contains electronic programming guide (EPG) information, and provides a highly-functional search interface accessible by the STB. Under normal conditions, when a user attempts to search EPG data, the STB will access the search interface and provide results to the user. The STB also has the ability to detect the status of the broadband network connection. If the broadband network connection is in a disconnected state, the STB will provide a reduced-functionality localized EPG search.

Claims

1. A method of providing search services on a customer premises equipment, the method comprising:

receiving a search request;

detecting the status of a broadband connection to the customer premises equipment;

responsive to a first detected status of the broadband connection;

sending the search request to a master node;

receiving search results from the master node; and

displaying the search results on a display; and

responsive to a second detected status of the broadband connection;

providing a warning that a reduced-functionality search will be performed;

performing a local search of electronic programming guide information stored on the customer premises equipment; and

displaying the search results on a display.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

responsive to the second detected status of the broadband connection, providing human-readable instructions for enabling the broadband connection.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

responsive to the second detected status of the broadband connection, providing human-readable instructions for troubleshooting the broadband connection.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the search request includes search terms, and the method further comprises:

responsive to the second detected status of the broadband connection, determining that the search terms are suitable for a reduced-functionality search.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the search request includes search terms, and the method further comprises:

reformatting the search terms to be suitable for a reduced-functionality search.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the search request includes search terms, and the method further comprises:

displaying human-readable instructions for creating search terms suitable for a reduced-functionality search; and

before performing the reduced functionality search, receiving revised search terms suitable for a reduced functionality search.

7. A subordinate node for use with a multimedia distribution network, the subordinate node comprising:

a processor configured to execute software instructions;

a broadband network interface communicatively coupled to the processor;

an output driver communicatively coupled to the processor; and

a storage medium containing electronic programming guide (EPG) data and further containing stored software instructions suitable for execution by the processor, the software instructions configured to instruct the processor to;

receive a search request;

detect a status of connection of the broadband network interface to a broadband network;

responsive to a first detected status;

send the search request to the broadband network over the broadband network interface;

receive search results from the broadband network over the broadband network interface; and

send the search results to the output driver;

responsive to a second detected status;

deliver a message to the output driver, the message indicating that the broadband network is not available and that a reduced-functionality search will be performed;

search the EPG data according to the search request; and

send results of the search to the output driver.

8. The subordinate node of claim 7 wherein the search request includes search terms and wherein the software instructions are further adapted to instruct the processor to:

classify the search terms; and

further responsive to the second detected status;

responsive to a first classification of the search terms, apply the search terms as received;

responsive to a second classification of the search terms, determine that the search terms are inappropriate for a reduced-functionality search;

9. The subordinate node of claim 8 wherein the search terms comprise key words and an operator, and wherein the instructions instruct the processor to classify the search terms according to the operator.

10. The subordinate node of claim 9 wherein the first classification of search terms is matched by the operator being one of AND and OR.

11. The subordinate node of claim 8 wherein the software instructions are further adapted to instruct the processor to, responsive to the determination that the search terms are inappropriate for a reduced-functionality search, recommend similar search terms that are appropriate for a reduced-functionality search.

12. The subordinate node of claim 8 wherein the software instructions are further adapted to instruct the processor to, responsive to the determination that the search terms are inappropriate for a reduced-functionality search, provide human-readable directions for forming search terms appropriate for a reduced-functionality search.

13. The subordinate node of claim 8 wherein the broadband connection is a digital subscriber line connection.

14. The subordinate node of claim 8 wherein the broadband connection is a cable connection.

15. A computer-readable medium containing software instructions, the software instructions configured to instruct a processor to:

receive a search request, the search request comprising keywords and at least one operator;

receive a signal representing a status of a broadband network connection;

responsive to a first status of the broadband network connection;

forward the search request to the broadband network connection; and

receive data representing a response to the search request;

responsive to a second status of the broadband network connection;

prepare a message indicating that the broadband network connection is not available; and

prepare human-readable instructions for making the broadband network connection available.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 further comprising instructions to:

responsive to the second status of the broadband network connection perform a reduced-functionality search.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 15 further comprising instructions to:

responsive to the second status of the broadband network connection;

classify the search request;

responsive to a first classification, perform a reduced-functionality search;

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17 further comprising instructions to:

responsive to a second classification;

format a message indicating that a reduced-functionality search cannot be performed on the search request as received.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18 further comprising instructions to format a message, the message including human-readable instructions for forming a search request suitable for a reduced-functionality search.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 18 further comprising instructions to:

receive a signal indicating that the search request may be modified; and

responsive to the signal, modify the search request by formatting a new search request suitable for a reduced-functionality search and containing terms substantially similar to the original search request.