Method and apparatus to search for program content via a remote control interface

Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for searching available programs in a broadcast system. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a transmitter, transmitting a plurality of video programs and a program guide, the program guide comprising information related to the plurality of video programs, a receiver for receiving the plurality of programs and the program guide from the transmitter, a monitor, coupled to the receiver, for displaying at least a selected one of the plurality of video programs and for selectively displaying the program guide, and a remote control, coupled to the receiver, wherein the receiver accepts at least one input from the remote control, compares the information in the program to the at least one input, and presents a search result of programs from the plurality of programs having a matching characteristic with the at least one input.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to satellite video systems, and in particular, to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for searching for program content via a remote control interface.

2. Description of the Related Art

Satellite broadcasting of communications signals has become commonplace. Satellite distribution of commercial signals for use in television programming currently utilizes multiple feedhorns on a single Outdoor Unit (ODU) which supply signals to up to eight IRDs on separate cables from a multiswitch.

FIG. 1illustrates a typical satellite television installation of the related art.

System100uses signals sent from Satellite A (SatA)102, Satellite B (SatB)104, and Satellite C (SatC)106that are directly broadcast to an Outdoor Unit (ODU)108that is typically attached to the outside of a house110. ODU108receives these signals and sends the received signals to IRD112, which decodes the signals and separates the signals into viewer channels, which are then passed to monitor114for viewing by a user. There can be more than one satellite transmitting from each orbital location and additional orbital locations without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Satellite uplink signals116are transmitted by one or more uplink facilities118to the satellites102-106that are typically in geosynchronous orbit. Satellites102-106amplify and rebroadcast the uplink signals116, through transponders located on the satellite, as downlink signals120. Depending on the satellite102-106antenna pattern, the downlink signals120are directed towards geographic areas for reception by the ODU108.

Alternatively, uplink facilities118can send signals via cable122either in conjunction with uplink signals116or instead of uplink signals116to IRD112, for display on monitor114.

Each satellite102-106broadcasts downlink signals120in typically thirty-two (32) different frequencies, which are licensed to various users for broadcasting of programming, which can be audio, video, or data signals, or any combination. These signals are typically located in the Ku-band of frequencies, i.e., 11-18 GHz, or in the Ka-band of frequencies, i.e., 18-40 GHz, but typically 20-30 GHz.

As satellites102-106broadcast additional services and additional channels to viewers, viewers will like and expect to see programming on monitor114that relate to their specific needs and desires, and to have a way to quickly find such programming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention comprises systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for searching available programs in a broadcast system. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a transmitter, transmitting a plurality of video programs and a program guide, the program guide comprising information related to the plurality of video programs, a receiver for receiving the plurality of programs and the program guide from the transmitter, a monitor, coupled to the receiver, for displaying at least a selected one of the plurality of video programs and for selectively displaying the program guide, and a remote control, coupled to the receiver, wherein the receiver accepts at least one input from the remote control, compares the information in the program to the at least one input, and presents a search result of programs from the plurality of programs having a matching characteristic with the at least one input.

Such a system further optionally comprises the at least one input being a numerical input that has a characteristic of at least one alphabetic symbol, the receiver narrowing the search result as additional input from the remote control is accepted, the search result being presented in viewer channel, user-defined, or alphabetical order, the search result comprising at least one sub-list of results, video programs being currently broadcast, and the information comprising at least one of a television show name, a movie name, a producer name, and a person's name.

A method for searching available programs in a broadcast system, the broadcast system comprising a plurality of programs and a program guide including information related to the plurality of video programs, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises accepting at least one input from a remote control, comparing the information in the program guide to the at least one input, and presenting, on a monitor, a search result of programs from the plurality of programs having a matching characteristic with the at least one input. Such a method further optionally comprises the at least one input being a numerical input that has a characteristic of at least one alphabetic symbol, narrowing the search result as additional input from the remote control is accepted, the search result being presented in viewer channel, user-defined, or alphabetical order, the search result comprising at least one sub-list of results, video programs being currently broadcast, and the information comprising at least one of a television show name, a movie name, a producer name, and a person's name.

Other features and advantages are inherent in the system disclosed or will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

User Remote Control Interface

FIG. 2illustrates a remote control used in the present invention.

Typically, IRD112and monitor114are controlled by a remote control device224, which allows viewers a convenient way to control audio volume, channel selection, and other features and display characteristics from a distance away from the IRD112and/or monitor114.

Users can directly enter channel numbers via keypad220, and access the Electronic Program Guide via button222. The guide can then be navigated by cursor buttons226-232, or other buttons on remote control224if desired, and other guide and/or channel functions can be navigated or displayed by buttons234-240. To choose a specific channel from the guide or other feature selection, select button242is typically operated by the user of the remote control224.

Viewer Interaction

FIG. 3illustrates an on-monitor display of a viewer channel in accordance with the present invention.

Video program300is shown as being displayed on monitor114. Viewers use remote control224to change which video and/or audio information is being displayed on monitor300. Typically, viewers will use guide button222to access the electronic program guide to investigate which other programs300are being broadcast, either at the present time or at some time in the future, to view a desired program300, record program300, or set a flag such that IRD112will automatically tune to desired program300at the proper time. Cursor keys226-232are typically used to navigate the guide in a linear fashion, e.g., by channel number. Alternatively, users can enter a channel number directly on keypad220to directly tune to a channel with program300, if the user knows the channel number for the program300of interest.

Intelligent Guide Navigation

The present invention, also referred to herein as “Fast Find,” allows for alternative ways of searching for programs being broadcast and received on IRD112. Instead of putting in a mere channel number, which the IRD112interprets only as a channel number, when the user begins keying numbers on a TV remote control device as if to enter a direct channel number, IRD112searches the electronic program guide for programs300that match the input from keypad220in an alpha-numeric fashion, to reduce the amount of user interaction with the electronic program guide (EPG).

The EPG comprises hundreds of viewer channels and typically is loaded into the IRD112such that programs300that will be aired as far ahead as two weeks. Further, the present invention can search any database that is accessible via IRD112, e.g., internet databases, other databases resident on or accessible from IRD112, home networks that are coupled to IRD112, etc., such that the search results would indicate where the indicated program is located and when, if ever, the indicated program will be shown. However, in a typical cursor226-232search strategy, several minutes would be required to locate channels, programs300, etc. The present invention applies search techniques based on user input to reduce the EPG database to a more manageable size for user interaction, and removes several layers of user interface for a typical search query.

For example, the number 2 on the remote keypad220, which prior to the present invention, would only be interpreted by IRD112as a “2,” could be associated with the letters ABC, the number 3 with letters DEF, and so on, much like a telephone keypad. The matching data may come from the full set of data available for each program, and thus can include all current search types, including people associated with a program (actor, director, etc.), program titles, keywords, or channel names, bands, artists, albums, songs, pictures, or any other audio or video content displayed or accessible to IRD112. As the user continues to enter numbers, the IRD112matches letters to the numbers, based upon available content.

So, for example, as the user enters a 2, all programs, actors, directors, or other EPG search fields having a first letter A, B or C, as well as every channel starting with the number 2, are displayed in a list. If the user subsequently enters a 3, the list is narrowed to programs with a first letter A, B or C, and a second letter D, E or F. Since many letter combinations are unlikely (such as BD or CF), the list shortens appreciably with each entry. If the user enters a third number, the list is further shortened. The user may enter as many additional numbers as is desired; the list begins populating with the first entry and is filtered and sorted as additional characters are entered, until either a single exact match is found, or a number/letter is entered that returns a null result. At any time that the user enters a group of digits for which there is not a matching channel number, the channel number is removed from the display, and only the list of matching program data is shown.

For example: Entering 4-2-6 might show channel number 426, with an associated search results list containing the Channel HBO (since 426 corresponds to the letters GHI, ABC and MNO), the movie “Game Show” (based on the match of GAM), and the actor Mark Hamill (based on the match of HAM). (It should be noted that results with numbers are included, such that pressing 4 returns all matches with G, H, I or 4.). Entering 4-2-6 thus searches all search fields for the appearance of the selected items, where the search field does not have to start with 4-2-6 (or HBO, or Ham, so long as the search term appears somewhere in the search field). So, for example, 4-2-6 could return channel 426, whichever channel HBO is airing on, Mark Hamill, and the movie “Shane” (where the letters H-A-N in “Shane” correspond to 4-2-6).

If there is no channel 426, then only the search results list is displayed. As each key is pressed, the letters corresponding to the match may be indicated in the search results. For example, in the above example, if the movie “Game Show” is displayed in the list, the letters “Gam” would be differentiated from the rest of the title. This might be done through color or font changes, such as displaying “Gam” in bold, or in a different color: “Gam”. Alternately, the matching letters could be surrounded by a rectangle, a shaded background, or could be made to blink or do another optical affect. The purpose of this is that since each number may be used to enter any of several letters, there may be a need for a way to inform users of which letters are being matched to create a given set of search results.

Once the list of titles and people are displayed, the user may access the list using cursor keys226-232, or other keys, on the remote control224, and by highlighting or selecting an item on the list, could access additional information about the item or simply tune to the related programs being broadcast. In addition to programs being broadcast, the list could include programs currently on the hard drive, that could be played directly by pressing the PLAY key on the remote. It may also include on-demand programs that would be downloaded to the set-top box via an Internet or satellite connection or combination thereof.

Additional functionality can involve the use of submenus, such that selecting an item (e.g., Mark Hamill) would display the list of matching program results adjacent to the selection (Star Wars 4, American Graffiti, Star Wars 5, etc.), such that the user could access-that data via the remote directly, and tune to the associated program.

Additional buttons might be used to access additional associated data. For example, programs in the future associated with the selected item could be shown by pressing a designated remote key, and then selected for recording. Or pressing another designated key might display other episodes of the same series.

The Fast Find search strategy of the present invention may be presented in different implementations, depending upon the IRD112product or software release. Different implementations may also offer configurable settings, such that the user can access control over the presented search results. For example, the configuration for a particular IRD may default to return search results with the channel name first, program titles second and people third. The user may access a configuration screen that permits them to choose to display program title first, or people first. Or, they may choose to exclude channel names from the search results entirely. There may also be additional categories of search that are turned off by default; for example, categories. The user may be able to turn categories on, and thus by entering 7-7-6-7-8-7 (or some portion thereof) quickly see what sports programming is on. (7-7-6-7-8-7 corresponding to S-P-O-R-T-S).

Other examples of advantages of the present invention include a user wanting to watch a particular show at 8 pm, but doesn't remember the name or channel number it is on. With the present invention, the user can simply enter the name of the show on keypad220and choose the program from the resulting search results.

When a user wants to watch a show on the “Comedy Central” network, but can't remember which channel number “Comedy Central” is, current user interfaces would require the user to either search by channel, or browse the Guide row by row until “Comedy Central” is found. With the present invention, the user would simply press 2-6-6 on the keypad220, and “Comedy Central” would be displayed as a choice along with any other channels that matched the numbers entered, below the current channel.

FIG. 4illustrates an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

Program400is shown, and a user has pressed the “2” button on keypad220, which brings up feature402on monitor114. To indicate that user has pressed button “2” the feature402illustrates a main area403showing the user selection404, along with any associated logo406and/or call letters408that may correspond to the user's selection404. Further, feature402provides all other matches410below the main area403such the user can see other possible matches for selection404. Text box412provides EPG data associated with the channel404displayed in main area403.

If the user does nothing else, or presses a key, such as “Enter,” on remote control224, the IRD112will tune to channel 2. However, the user can now use other keys on remote control224, such as cursor keys226-232, to navigate additional matches410.

For example, the feature402may also display all channels starting with the digit 2, such as all channels from 20-29, and from 200-299. The interface may also display program data that is selected based on an alphanumeric mapping to the digit 2, based on a familiar telephone keypad allocations; i.e., 2=ABC, 3=DEF, etc. Entering subsequent digits from remote control224beyond the first entry narrows the list of available matches410through application of a “sieve” algorithm, such that each additional entry reduces the number of matching results410that are found in the EPG, causing the list of matches410to become shorter. Alternately, the keypad220can respond in a “triple tap” mode, such that pressing the 2 key once displays “2,” pressing it again displays “A,” again, “B,” etc. This mode may require the use of a time delay or entry key to allow successive entry of the characters on the same key.

The returned search results410(also referred to as “program data” or “search data” can include channel names, program titles, actors, directors and other people associated with the program title, program description keywords, and categories. Additional result types and subtypes may be defined by the service provider as desired.

The user may then use keys on the remote control224, e.g., cursor keys226-232, to scroll through the matches410and select a program to view or record, e.g., by tuning to the channel on which the selected program is broadcast.

This feature402may be additionally configured by the service provider (i.e., DIRECTV) or the user, to sort or filter the search data matches410that are returned. For example, the interface402may present only numeric matches410that exactly match the entered digits (so entering a “2” only returns channel 2, and not the other channels described above). The interface402may return all program titles that match at the top of the results, but only return people that match below those items, and keywords below those, or, alternatively, until the number of results has dropped below a predetermined threshold. Additionally some search data410may not be displayed until a certain number of characters have been entered. For example, keyword matches410may not be displayed until a certain number of characters have been entered. This last example may be chosen to reduce the number of search results that must be fetched from the program data and/or displayed for any given entry. The initial returned results410could be affected by time criteria, such that, for example, all results returned are associated with programs that are currently airing. Alternatively, all results410returned could be associated with programs that are “coming up” or about to air within a predetermined time slot (such as the next even half-hour or hour interval). Additionally, additional remote buttons may be used to change (“scroll forward”) the viewable time slot, such that, for example, if the initial search results410are associated with programs that are currently airing (at, for example, 7:09 pm), pressing a remote key (such as the RIGHT arrow228, for example) would permit the user to view the matching programs410in the next time slot.

Additional functionality may be assigned to other remote buttons when the Fast Search results are displayed. This functionality may or may not be displayed (“hinted”) at onscreen. For example, when a program title is highlighted, pressing a remote key (for example, the “GREEN” key238) could display upcoming re-broadcasts of the same show, including those on channels other than the currently airing version.

When the user enters numbers, if at any point the numeric entry would exclude all available associated channel numbers from matches410, then the channel numbers are removed from the search display410. For example, if the system supports channels 2 through 1005, and the user enters 3482, then no channel number is displayed as a search result410and the user interface displays only text-based search results410.

The “1” and “0” keys on keypad220, which are normally not associated with letters in telephone-keypad-type text entry, may substitute for other characters (such as common punctuation) during the search entry mode. At any time, if the user enters characters that result in a null search result set, the associated display area410stops updating or filtering. The service provider may configure whether the search results410become empty (a null set) at that point, or whether they continue to display the last valid results in area410, with or without an indicator that new results are not available.

Search results410may include programs from different sources, including programs currently broadcasting via satellite, programs recorded to the receiver's hard drive, and “on-demand” programs available for download via the set-top box. Additionally, for IRDs112with antennas for receiving off-air broadcasts, the search results410may include programs available via terrestrial broadcast antenna, when data is available.

The search results410included by default may be fixed by the service provider, or they may be configurable, either by the service provider or end-user. In the latter case, a system setup screen can be used to select the type and order of search results that would be displayed. For example, some users may want to see channel names at the top of the list410while others would want to see program titles first. Some users may want to exclude keywords from results displayed in area410, and some may want to exclude people. Alternately, the service provider may fix some aspect of the search results410, but allow end-users to configure other aspects. For example, the display of channel names may be fixed at the top of the list410, but the system may allow users to choose what items are displayed next in area410and in which order.

InFIG. 5, the user has entered a “3” via keypad220, which results in updating main area403with the new user selection404, guide data412, call letters408, and, search results410. Thus, main area now displays channel23, and a list410that has been narrowed down to matches for “ABC” with the next character “DEF.”

InFIG. 6, the user has entered another “3” via keypad220, which results in a further update of main area403with the new user selection404, guide data412, call letters408, and, search results410. Thus, main area now displays channel23, and a list410that has been narrowed down to matches for “ABC” with the next two characters matching “DEF.” The matching results410are atypical in this case, in that the displayed matches410have not changed based on additional keypad220entries; however, the present invention encompasses changes in the matches410based on each entry of data from remote control224.

InFIG. 7, the user has entered a fourth digit, the number “5,” from keypad220. Since system100does not contain a channel2335, the first matching text entry, “Afflicted,” has scrolled into the channel user selection404(because Afflicted is being shown on channel501), and the matching call letters, guide data, and other information for “Afflicted” has also been displayed in call letters408, guide data412, and main area403respectively. The highlighted letters “Affl” shown in guide data412and in list410indicate the match for what the user has keyed in via remote control224.

InFIG. 8, the user has used cursor keys226-232to scroll down into matches410, and the location of the cursor is indicated by changing the size of the selected match. The first match, to “Afflicted,” is shown as reduced in size as match800, and the user has scrolled down to match802, “Affleck, Ben.” The channel banner412shows information on Ben Affleck in this example.

Another implementation of the present invention can be to show a sub-list of titles in which Ben Affleck is currently appearing when the user scrolls to entry802. The sub-list could display current programs, then upcoming programs, or, if desired, the sub-list can show only current programs, but pressing a key (for example, the RIGHT cursor key228) or selecting an onscreen button could allow the user to browse for upcoming programs.

Further, highlighting a list410item800,802, etc., can show information as is shown in area412, but pressing the select button242on that list410item802can cause the list below the selected item to swap out for a list that displays all associated programs, sorted by air time/date.

FIG. 9illustrates an alternative or cooperative display in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

In feature900, the user has entered an “O” (alphabetic) in the search area902, and a result number904indicates how many programs match the current search term in search area902. Entry area906allows the user to cursor through search terms, rather than enter the numbers from keypad220, and select a desired search term via the select key242or other remote control224keys. Matches908are shown, and, if desired, an indication of current or future airing time of the matches908can be provided as indicator910. Other implementations and indications, as well as other search strategies, are possible within the scope of the present invention.

Process Chart

FIG. 10illustrates process steps used in one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Box1000illustrates accepting at least one input from a remote control.

Box1002illustrates comparing the information in the program guide to the at least one input.

Box1004illustrates presenting, on a monitor, a search result of programs from the plurality of programs having a matching characteristic with the at least one input.

CONCLUSION

The present invention comprises systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for searching available programs in a broadcast system. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a transmitter, transmitting a plurality of video programs and a program guide, the program guide comprising information related to the plurality of video programs, a receiver for receiving the plurality of programs and the program guide from the transmitter, a monitor, coupled to the receiver, for displaying at least a selected one of the plurality of video programs and for selectively displaying the program guide, and a remote control, coupled to the receiver, wherein the receiver accepts at least one input from the remote control, compares the information in the program to the at least one input, and presents a search result of programs from the plurality of programs having a matching characteristic with the at least one input.

Such a system further optionally comprises the at least one input being a numerical input that has a characteristic of at least one alphabetic symbol, the receiver narrowing the search result as additional input from the remote control is accepted, the search result being presented in viewer channel, user-defined, or alphabetical order, the search result comprising at least one sub-list of results, video programs being currently broadcast, and the information comprising at least one of a television show name, a movie name, a producer name, and a person's name.

A method for searching available programs in a broadcast system, the broadcast system comprising a plurality of programs and a program guide including information related to the plurality of video programs, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises accepting at least one input from a remote control, comparing the information in the program guide to the at least one input, and presenting, on a monitor, a search result of programs from the plurality of programs having a matching characteristic with the at least one input. Such a method further optionally comprises the at least one input being a numerical input that has a characteristic of at least one alphabetic symbol, narrowing the search result as additional input from the remote control is accepted, the search result being presented in viewer channel, user-defined, or alphabetical order, the search result comprising at least one sub-list of results, video programs being currently broadcast, and the information comprising at least one of a television show name, a movie name, a producer name, and a person's name.