Patent Publication Number: US-2006010111-A1

Title: Methods to adapt search results provided by an integrated network-based media/search engine based on user lifestyle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE  
      This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/664,407, filed on Sep. 19, 2003, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/547,765, filed on Feb. 25, 2004, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/588,565, filed on Jul. 16, 2004, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/588,934, filed on Jul. 16, 2004, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/588,567, filed on Jul. 16, 2004 and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/588,568, filed on Jul. 16, 2004, which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
      Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to searching in association with media consumption. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems to create and adapt search results based on user media selections, web site selections, and possibly collected user demographic and psychographic information.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Traditional media sources, such as media broadcasting sources like radio or television, combine media content (such as entertainment content or news content) with commercial advertising content. Programming content is periodically interrupted by commercial advertising content in units of, typically, 30 seconds and 60 seconds to generate income. A user of the broadcast is forced to wait until the commercial advertising segment is finished before he is able to resume consumption of media programming content.  
      On the Internet, search engines are used to find sources of information, media content, and advertisers. Advertisers may pay the provider of the search engine to be found and are ranked according to bid, with the highest bid appearing first in a search list on the users PC (personal computer) screen. U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,361 describes such a bidding methodology.  
      Users enter key search words to perform a search and the search engine provides a list of search results in the form of links to web sites. One of the drawbacks of current search engines is that they typically do not take into consideration any information about the user to provide a better search result that is more pertinent to the user&#39;s interests. A search engine may simply “know” that users who have searched for “A” have also searched for “X”, “Y”, and “Z”. Searching today provides mostly sterile and often static listings of URL&#39;s that point to sites based on a Boolean search. Results often lack any real relevancy and often, users have to refine and refine to finally get what they are looking for.  
      Internet media comes in a variety of forms, from images, music, video, audio and other sources, and provides a challenge for combining effective advertising therewith. For example, internet radio stations provide programming content and may allow advertisers to provide “pop-up” icons that a user can click on to go to the web sites of the advertisers. Internet radio stations often require users to subscribe to the radio station in order to access programming content of the radio station. The subscription usually involves paying a fee.  
      Public broadcasting, such as public radio or TV, typically depends upon corporate or foundation sponsors to generate income. The name of the sponsor associated with a certain programming content is often mentioned at the end of the broadcast of the sponsored program. Also, pleas for donations, in the form of on-air pledge drives, are made to users of public broadcasting to offset the cost of providing programming content. These pledge drives often interrupt programming content for extended periods of time.  
      Uninterrupted sources of media content are desired by users, leading to the success of cable/satellite TV and radio, and the internet as examples. It would be desirable to allow a consumer of media to receive the benefits of uninterrupted access to media, while allowing search of relevant information via a system accessing the internet or other information system.  
      Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional, traditional, and proposed approaches to searching information systems and advertising will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention generally relates to the concept of providing search capabilities in connection with the consumption of media of any type, using a system for accessing the media content. A first embodiment of the present invention comprises a method to automatically search a global informational network, based on media content consumed by a user of the network. The method comprises allowing access to and consumption of at least one media content file accessible via the network, and conducting a search of the network based upon at least the media content being consumed by the user. The method provides for display of information relating to the search via a user interface.  
      A second embodiment of the present invention comprises a method to provide an integrated media/search system via a global informational network, which provides for processing of media content as well as providing search capabilities based on a user&#39;s consumption of media, psychographic and demographic information about the user and the users lifestyle. The method comprises providing the integrated system integrates at least one media content file with at least one global search engine via an graphics enabled interface. The search engine populates the user interface view with a first set of links to the global informational network, upon entering at least one first search key word into a key search word text entry box of the user interface view and initiating a first search of the global informational network based on the at least the one first search key word and demographic and psychographic associations made by the global search engine in response to the at least one first search key word and media content consumed by the user.  
      A system according to the present invention comprises a user interface, providing an integrated media/search engine application in communication with a global informational network. A user consumes media content via the interface, and may input queries to the search engine, wherein the search engine captures and considers demographic and psychographic information based on a user&#39;s use of the search engine and based upon the media consumed via the interface. The system may populate the user interface view with links to the global informational network, as well as the consumption of media content. In populating the interface view, the search engine makes utilizes demographic and psychographic associations made by the at least one global search engine in response to the selected links and/or in response to the media program content.  
      A fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises a method and system to provide an integrated media/search application wherein at least one streaming media source is in communication with the interface and a search engine is accessed via a global informational network through the interface, the search engine providing search results to the interface based on demographic and psychographic associations made by the at least one global search engine in response to the selected links and/or in response to the media program content. The method comprises populating the user interface view with a first set of links to the global informational network in response to the first streaming media content. The method may further comprise re-populating the user interface view with further links to the global informational network based on demographic and psychographic associations made by the global search engine in response to the different streaming media content.  
      These and other advantages and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a personal computer (PC) system displaying an integrated, Internet-based media/search (IIM/S) user interface view having an Internet radio station sub-view and a search tool sub-view displayed on a screen of the PC system, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a system providing integrated streaming digital media and Internet search capability to the system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method to adapt the user interface view of  FIG. 1  based on user actions using the system of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of a IIM/S user interface view provided by the system of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of a IIM/S user interface view provided by the system of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of a IIM/S user interface view provided by the system of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  illustrates a fourth exemplary embodiment of a IIM/S user interface view provided by the system of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  illustrates a further embodiment of the invention in association with a non-computer device having an interface for consuming media content and for communication with and display of search information from a global information system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a personal computer (PC) system  100  displaying an integrated, Internet-based media/search (IIM/S) user interface view  110  having an Internet radio station sub-view  115  and a search tool sub-view  120  displayed on a screen  130  of the system  100 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. It should be understood that although the embodiment shows the system and methods of the invention used with a PC, any other suitable device for integration of media consumption with communication to a global information system and search engine application is contemplated in the invention. For example, any existing or future device, application, executable file, computer of any form factor, cellular devices, PDA, digital audio player and/or receiver, television, wireless media receivers, digital media managers and the like are contemplated.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the system  100  may include a screen  130 , a mouse (or any other suitable device for controlling and selecting information within the system, such as remote control)  140 , a keyboard  150 , a processing unit  160 , and speakers  170 . The screen  130 , the mouse (remote control or the like)  140 , the keyboard  150 , and the speakers  170  each interface to the processing unit  160 . The processing unit  160  includes a media player module  180  capable of processing and playing media, such as digital streaming audio and/or streaming video, digital images or audio files, or any other media content. The PC processing unit  160  also includes a browser  190  capable of accessing information via a global information system, such as web addresses on the Internet. In this regard, it should also be understood that the invention contemplates access to media through any suitable system, such as an HTML enabled “browser” device, or any other suitable “browser” language or device, such as php, asp, java, or any system that enables the display of text or graphics via a user interface.  
      In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the media player module  180  comprises a software module residing within the processing unit  160 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the browser  190  comprises a software module residing within the processing unit  160 .  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a system  200  providing integrated streaming digital media and Internet search capability to the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The system  200  comprises the Internet  201  and a server  210 . The server  210  interfaces to the Internet  201 . The server  210  hosts an IIM/S website  220  which provides the IIM/S user interface view  110  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. This is only an example of the type of system  100  that may be usable to provide the IIM/S user interface view  110 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , a user of the system  100  may connect to the Internet  201  via traditional means such as a dial-up connection or a cable modem connection  230 , for example, and access the IIM/S website  220 . The connection to the Internet  201  may be wired or wireless. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the IIM/S website  220  is hosted on the server  210  on the Internet  201  and is configured as an Internet radio station that provides various streaming media program content  240  (such as, for example, music) and various display views (e.g.,  110 ) to the PC system  100  via the established Internet connection. The IIM/S website  220  also comprises an integrated search engine  250  corresponding to the search tool sub-view  120 . It should also be understood that the embodiment of an Internet radio station is merely an example of the type of interface with which the invention may be applicable, and the invention is not limited thereto in any manner.  
      In accordance with various alternative embodiments of the present invention, the Internet  201  may instead comprise some other global informational network. In general, media program content may be any media content, whether streaming or not, with this embodiment using is at least one of streaming digital audio or streaming digital video in the form of, for example, musical pieces (e.g. songs), human discourse (e.g., talk radio), television programs, music videos, news programs, etc.  
      The IIM/S user interface view  110  provided by the IIM/S website  220  is displayed on the screen  130  of the system  100  to the user. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the IIM/S user interface view  110  includes an Internet radio station sub-view  115  with various link choices (e.g., “media program content” links, “previously played” links, “learn more” links, other links, etc.) and a search tool sub-view  120 . The various link choices are provided by the IIM/S website  220  to the system  100 . For example, when a user clicks on a “media program content” link, streaming digital media content  240  is routed from the server  210  to the PC  100  via the Internet  201 . The media player  180  receives and plays the streaming digital media content  240  (e.g., a musical piece) through the speakers  170 .  
      The “media program content” link choices displayed in the sub-view  115  may include links to individual musical pieces or songs, an album of musical pieces or songs, songs of a particular artist, a category or genre of musical pieces or songs, talk radio shows, news, etc. For example, a first media program content link may be the category of music called “Classic Rock”. When a user clicks on the “Classic Rock” category, streaming digital audio of classic rock music is transmitted from the server  210  to the system  100 . Alternatively, when a user clicks on the “Classic Rock” category, another set of links is displayed to the user which provides choices of songs of individual musical artists that the user may select. Other arrangements are possible as well, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.  
      The search tool sub-view  120  includes a text entry area  121  to enter key search words, and a “search” or “go” icon  122  to initiate a search. A user may use the mouse (remote control or the like)  140  or the keyboard  150  of the system  100  to select any of the link choices and to enter key search words in the text entry area  121  to perform a search on the Internet  201 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, at least the entire World Wide Web (WWW) is available for searching via the search tool sub-view  120  using the search engine  250 .  
      In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the user may use the search engine  250  while listening to the streaming digital media program content without interrupting the streaming digital media program content. The user may proceed to input key search words into the search tool sub-view  120  using, for example, the keyboard  150  in order to look for other web sites on the Internet  201 . The web sites that a user may search for may include many different types of web sites that are hosted on the Internet  201 , including web sites of advertisers who are sponsors of the Internet radio station.  
      As an example, referring to  FIG. 2 , a user of the PC system  100  accesses the IIM/S website  220  (e.g., an Internet radio station) and views the IIM/S user interface view  110 . The user then clicks on a “media program content” link, for example, to initiate the reception of streaming digital audio, via the Internet  201 , from the server  210  which is hosting the IIM/S website (i.e., the Internet radio station). Once the user is comfortably listening to the selected media program content (which may be, for example, classical music), the user may then begin entering key search words into the search tool sub-view  120  to leisurely search the Internet  201  while listening to the streaming audio.  
      Also, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the user may click on various link choices in the sub-view  115  while listening to the streaming digital media program content without interrupting the streaming digital media program content. The user may proceed to click on links using, for example, the mouse (remote control or the like)  140  in order to access other web pages of the IIM/S web site  220  or to access other web sites on the Internet  201 . The various link choices may include links to streaming media program content, links to other web pages of the IIM/S web site  220 , links to other web sites on the global informational network (e.g., the Internet  201 ), and links to other links.  
      As an example, referring to  FIG. 2 , a user of the system  100  accesses the IIM/S website  220  (e.g., an Internet radio station) and views the IIM/S user interface view  110 . The user then clicks on a “media program content” link, for example, to initiate the reception of streaming digital audio, via the Internet  201 , from the server  210  which is hosting the IIM/S website (i.e., the Internet radio station). Once the user is comfortably listening to the selected media program content (which may be, for example, a song of a rock-n-roll artist), the user may then begin to click on other links related to the artist (e.g., tickets to concerts, biography of the artist, new album of the artist, etc.) while listening to the streaming audio.  
      In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the IIM/S website  220  may also provide a directory of commercial advertisements that a user of the PC system  100  may access and view. The commercial advertisements may take many forms including streaming digital audio, streaming digital video, an HTML web page, etc.  
      In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a radio announcer for the Internet radio station may periodically encourage the user to perform searches using the search tool sub-view  120  and the associated search engine  250  provided by the IIM/S website  220 , or to click on other link choices provided by the current sub-view  115 .  
      In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the IIM/S website  220  provides an Internet television station, broadcasting streaming video and audio over parts of the Internet  201  that provide enough bandwidth to accommodate the video and audio programming. The Internet television station operates in a similar manner to an Internet radio station (i.e., providing an integrated search engine and/or a directory of commercial advertisements).  
      The main television programming content picture may be reduced in size and displayed on the screen  130  to a user in a picture-in-picture (PIP)-type window when the user uses the search engine  250  or chooses to view a commercial advertisement. The main display area of the screen  130  is then used to display the resultant search view or the selected commercial advertisement. Alternatively, the search view or commercial advertisement may be displayed in a PIP-type window while the main television programming content picture remains in the main display area of the screen  130 . Other user display options are possible as well. The television programming content may include, for example, news video clips or television shows.  
      As an alternative embodiment, the IIM/S web site  220  may provide an integrated web browser and media player (IWBMP) that can be downloaded to the user&#39;s system  100  via the Internet  201 . The IWPMP may be customized to have a unique “look and feel”. The IWPMP, once downloaded, is then used to access the streaming digital media program content  240  and the search engine  250  on the IIM/S website  220 . The various components of the IIM/S web site (e.g., the streaming media program content  240 , the search engine  250 , the user interface view  110 , and other associated web pages) may be hosted on one or more than one server.  
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method  300  to provide automatic search capabilities and/or more relevant search results via the search engine  250 , based on demographic and/or psychographic associations made by the at least one global search engine in response to the selected links and/or in response to the media program content. As an example, the search engine  250  of system  100  may be configured such that the media content itself is used to populate the interface with search results, which may be for example a first set of links to a global informational network as in step  310 . In this embodiment, the digital media provider station is the source of content, but other sources are contemplated, or the system  100  could be integrated into products of various kinds that are in communication with a global information system. In step  320 , a link is selected from the first set of links or a key word search is performed using the global search engine. In step  330 , the user interface view is re-populated with an updated set of links to the global informational network based on demographic and psychographic associations made by the global search engine in response to at least the most recently selected link, the most recent key word search performed, or the most recent streaming media content. In step  340 , a decision is made as to whether or not to select a new link from the updated set of links or to perform a new key word search. If a new link is selected or a new key word search is performed, then the method reverts back to step  330  and re-populates the user interface view with an updated set of links. Otherwise, in step  350 , the method checks if a streaming media program content (e.g., a song) from the provider station has changed. If so, then the method reverts back to step  330  and re-populates the user interface view with an updated set of links.  
       FIG. 4  illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of a IIM/S user interface view  400  provided by the system  200  of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 4  to illustrate an example of the method  300  of  FIG. 3  using the system  200  of  FIG. 2 , a user of the system  200  has accessed the IIM/S web site  220  and is listening to streaming digital audio content comprising the Peter Gabriel song “I Grieve” provided by the IIM/S web site  220 . The user then enters the search key words “Peter Gabriel” in the text entry window  121  and clicks on the “go” icon  122  to initiate a search. The user interface view  400  is populated with a new set of links including a subset of “learn more” links  430 , a subset of “previously played” links  440 , a “Peter Gabriel” link  450 , a subset of “picks” links  460 , and a subset of other links  470  which includes links to “on-line shopping”  471 , “music downloads”  472  for purchase, “pets”  473 , and “home mortgages”  474 . The links are presented in an informative, user-friendly format.  
      The new set of links populated in the user interface view  400  are generated in response to the search on the key words “Peter Gabriel” by the search engine  250  and sent by the IIM/S web site  220  to the PC  100  to be displayed in the current user interface view  400 . The search engine  250  comprises an adaptive global search engine that performs a search of a global informational network (e.g., the Internet  201 ) in response to the key words “Peter Gabriel” by making predictive demographic and psychographic associations to the lifestyle of the user based on the key words “Peter Gabriel”. The associations are based on trying to predict a specific mood, situation, demographic or other characteristics associated with the type and character of the media content consumed by the user, the searches performed by the user, the sites or other information accessed by the user via the global information system or other characteristics of use of the system  100 . As an example, such characteristics may then be used to select a set of products that the current streaming media program content (e.g., current song or artist) invokes to the user, and populates the view  400  accordingly. As the characteristics or types of media content consumed by the user changes, the search engine is adaptive to enhance search results that are more relevant to the user.  
      As an example, the search engine  250  may be configured to determine that the user is likely interested in “on-line shopping”  471 , “music downloads”  472 , “pets”  473 , and “home mortgages”  474  and populates the view  400  with that subset of links  470  as well as a link  450  to “Peter Gabriel”-specific topics. Also, the search engine  250  determines that the user may want to learn more about other certain “Peter Gabriel”-related topics and populates the view  400  with the subset of links  430 . Furthermore, the search engine  250  determines that a user may be interested in other musical picks provided by the integrated web site  220  and populates the view  400  with the subset of links  460 . The subset of links  440  is also provided by the integrated web site  220  such that the user can select links associated with the artists and songs (i.e., streaming media program content) most recently streamed by the IIM/S web site  220  onto the Internet  201 . The user is provided with many link choices to click on without having to enter key search words at all, or not all the time.  
      In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the demographic and psychographic associations performed by the adaptive search engine  250  are accomplished in real time using adaptive inference techniques. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the demographic and psychographic associations performed by the adaptive search engine  250  are accomplished in real time using a set of predetermined association rules.  
      Other association techniques are possible as well, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. For example, resultant associations are predetermined based on potential user actions with the user interface view  400  and the adaptive search engine  250  is programmed accordingly. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the resultant links that get re-populated in a user interface view are links to web sites of paying sponsors of the IIM/S web site  220 .  
      In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, identification data known as ID3 and/or ID4 tag data are read and used as inputs to the search engine  250  to make the associations. ID3 and/or ID4 tag data comprise information such as song title, artist, album, year, genre, and comments. ID3 and/or ID4 data are attached to files of media content.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of a IIM/S user interface view  500  provided by the system  200  of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Continuing with the example, the user clicks on the “albums” link  480  in the “learn more” subset of links  430 . As a result, referring to  FIG. 5 , the view  400  is re-populated with a new set of links shown in the updated user interface view  500 . As a result, the search engine  250  determines that the user is likely interested in “auctions”  511 , “autos”  512 , “hot jobs”  513 , and “real estate”  514  and populates the view  500  with that subset of links  510 . Also, the search engine  250  determines that the user may want to refine his search about album-related topics and populates the view  500  with the subset of links  520 . Furthermore, the search engine  250  determines that a user may be interested in buying certain Peter Gabriel albums (e.g., CD&#39;s) and populates the view  500  with the subset of links  530  which provides links to a selection of Peter Gabriel albums for purchase. The view  500  is also populated with a link  540  to “Peter Gabriel concert tickets”, a link  550  to “album reviews”, and a link  560  to “Peter Gabriel&#39;s new album”. Other links may be provided as well, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.  
      The links populated in the view  500  are a result of the adaptive search engine  250  making predictive demographic and psychographic associations to the lifestyle of the user in response to having clicked on the “album” link  480  and/or having searched on the key words “Peter Gabriel”. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when a user clicks on the “albums” link  480 , the text in the text entry window  121  is updated just as if a paid search were performed (i.e., in effect, a paid search has been performed by clicking on the link  480 ).  
       FIG. 6  illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of a IIM/S user interface view  600  provided by the system  200  of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Continuing with the example, referring to  FIG. 6 , the user enters the key words “the shins” in the text entry window  121  and clicks on the “go” icon  122  to initiate a new search. As a result, the view  500  is re-populated with a new set of links shown in the updated user interface view  600 . As a result, the search engine  250  determines that the user is likely interested in “airline tickets”  611 , “car insurance”  612 , “Disney vacations”  613 , and “casinos”  614  and populates the view  600  with that subset of links  610 . Also, the search engine  250  determines that the user may want to refine his search about “the shins”-related topics and populates the view  600  with the subset of links  620 . Furthermore, the search engine  250  determines that a user may be interested in buying certain albums of “the shins” and populates the view  600  with the subset of links  630  which provides links to a selection of albums of “the shins”. The view  600  is also populated with a link  640  to “FREE Shins CD Offer”, a link  650  to “The Shins&#39; Official Website”, and a link  660  to “City Beat: The Pop Bone&#39;s Connected to The Shins (2001-08-23)”. Other links may be provided as well, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.  
      The links populated in the view  600  may be the result of the adaptive search engine  250  making predictive demographic and psychographic associations to the lifestyle of the user in response to having searched on the key words “the shins” and/or having clicked on the “album” link  480  and/or having searched on the key words “Peter Gabriel”, and/or using information related to the types or characteristics of the media content consumed by the user.  
       FIG. 7  illustrates a fourth exemplary embodiment of a IIM/S user interface view  700  provided by the system  200  of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Continuing with the example, the user clicks on the “Disney vacations” link  613 . As a result, referring to  FIG. 7 , the view  600  is re-populated with a new set of links shown in the updated user interface view  700 . As a result, the search engine  250  determines that the user is likely interested in “Orlando hotels”  711 , “cheap airfare”  712 , “paramount studios”  713 , and “sea world”  714  and populates the view  700  with that subset of links  710 . Also, the search engine  250  determines that the user may want to refine his search about “Disney vacations”-related topics and populates the view  700  with the subset of links  720 . Furthermore, the search engine  250  determines that a user may be interested in subscribing to a magazine and populates the view  700  with a link  730  to a magazine which sponsors the IIM/S web site  220 . The view  700  is also populated with a link  740  to “Disney Vacations—Compare Prices &amp; Ratings”, a link  750  to “Walt Disney World Resort official site”, and a link  760  to “Rental homes near Disney World”. Other links may be provided as well, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.  
      The links populated in the view  700  are a result of the adaptive search engine  250  making predictive demographic and psychographic associations to the lifestyle of the user in response to having clicked on the “Disney vacations” link  613  and/or having searched on the key words “the shins” and/or having clicked on the “album” link  480  and/or having searched on the key words “Peter Gabriel”, and/or using information related to the types or characteristics of the media content consumed by the user.  
      Continuing with the example, the Peter Gabriel song “I Grieve”, being streamed from the IIM/S web site  220  to the PC  100  via the Internet  201 , finishes playing on the system  100  and a “new song” by a new artist begins streaming to the system  100  from the IIM/S website  220 . As a result, the view  700  is re-populated with a new set of links (not shown) by the adaptive search engine  250  based on making predictive demographic and psychographic associations to the lifestyle of the user in response to the “new song” being streamed to the user and/or having clicked on the “Disney vacations” link  613  and/or having searched on the key words “the shins” and/or having clicked on the “album” link  480  and/or having searched on the key words “Peter Gabriel”.  
      In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a user identifies themself to the IIM/S website  220  by logging in to the website  220 . As a result, the website  220  can keep track of the user&#39;s listening habits and search habits over a long period of time. The search engine  250  can make associations based on such a user history.  
      In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the user of the system  200  may provide certain demographic information to the IIM/S web site  220  such as the user&#39;s age, the user&#39;s gender, and the user&#39;s zip code, for example. Other demographic information may be provided as well. The adaptive search engine  250  can use the user-provided demographic information as part of making predictive demographic and psychographic associations to determine which links to re-populate into the user interface view  110 .  
      In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the IIM/S web site  220  may employ more than one search engine  250  to perform the predictive demographic and psychographic associations and searches.  
      An alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 8 , wherein an integrated media/search capability is provided in association with other devices, such as “non-computer” types of devices such as a digital media receiver/player  800 . The digital media receiver/player  800  may simply be connected to a TV or monitor  810 , to allow access to menus or other graphic/text information, or may include its own display. The interface with digital media receiver  800  and search capabilities may be faciliated by a remote control device, keyboard, or any suitable control device. The digital media receiver/player  800 , may therefore receive digital media, and the systems and methods of the invention provided to allow search capabilities as described with reference to previous embodiments. Alternatively, digital media receiver/player  800  may be integrated directly into the TV  810  if desired. Similarly, it should be clear that the invention is also capable of being implemented on a wide variety of devices which would allow both media content and access to search capabilities via a global information system. Thus, any other suitable device for integration of media consumption with communication to a global information system and search engine application is contemplated in the invention. For example, any existing or future device, application, executable file, computer of any form factor, cellular devices, PDA, digital audio player and/or receiver, television, wireless media receivers, digital media managers and the like are contemplated.  
      In summary, methods and systems to integrate media consumption/search capabilities are provided. The methods rely on an adaptive search engine which uses demographic and psychographic associations to the user in order to determine more relevant search resyults to the user based on the types or characteristics of the media consumed by the user, or based on other demographic and psychographic associations to the user based on the user actions and use of the system.  
      While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.