Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying program guide information are disclosed. In some implementations, a method includes, at a computing device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, responsive to a user-supplied search query, formatting for display program guide data on a first grid. The first grid includes (i) a first axis representing units of time and (ii) a second axis. The program guide data comprises information representing a first set of time-bounded events. The method also includes formatting a second grid for concurrent display with the first grid. The second grid includes information identifying a second set of time-bounded events. The first set of time-bounded events is a subset of the second set of time-bounded events.

Abstract: Disclosed are computer implemented methods, systems, and non-transitory media for representing a plurality of time-bounded events in first and second grids. The first grid has a larger size than the second grid. The second grid represents a second set of time-bounded events in the plurality of time-bounded events. A user-movable window is presented at a first position within the second grid where it encompasses a first portion of the second grid. The time-bounded events in the first portion of the second grid are displayed as a first set of time-bounded events in the first grid. Responsive to user instructions to move a position of the window from the first position to a second position within the second grid, the window is moved to the second position where it encompasses a third set of time-bounded events. Further, the first grid is updated to display the third set of time-bounded events.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting search results, including receiving a set of search results corresponding to a search query. The search results include: first results and second results. The first result corresponds to one or more time-bounded events, scheduled for showing on one or more television channels, that match the search query, and include links to an online application for accessing additional information about the one or more time-bounded events. The second results correspond to Internet accessible documents that satisfy the search query, and include links to the Internet accessible documents that satisfy the search query. The method also includes presenting the first and second results in a single web browser window.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting search results, including receiving a set of search results corresponding to a search query. The search results include: first results and second results. The first result corresponds to one or more time-bounded events, scheduled for showing on one or more television channels, that match the search query, and include links to an online application for accessing additional information about the one or more time-bounded events. The second results correspond to Internet accessible documents that satisfy the search query, and include links to the Internet accessible documents that satisfy the search query. The method also includes presenting the first and second results in a single web browser window.

Abstract: Disclosed are computer implemented method, systems, and non-transitory media for presenting information representing a plurality of time-bounded events in (i) a first grid and (ii) a second grid. The first grid has a first size and represents a first set of time-bounded events in the plurality of time-bounded events. The second grid has a second size smaller than the first size. The second grid represents a second set of time-bounded events in the plurality of time-bounded events. This second set of time-bounded events includes a greater number of time-bounded events than the first set of time-bounded events.

Abstract: A client computer receives a set of search results ordered based on scheduled time of broadcast associated with respective listings of content. The listings of content include data representing time-bounded events. The client computer displays or otherwise presents a set of objects along an axis of a display bar, the objects corresponding to subsets of the search results. For example, the axis is associated with a unit of time or a unit of relevance.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving an identification of a media program from a broadcast channel on an electronic program guide for inclusion in a personalized channel, adding the identified program to a personalized channel at a first time, and adding one or more additional programs to the personalized channel at times other than the first time.

Abstract: System and methods for formatting a virtual channel are provides in which, responsive to a user selection of a plurality of time-bounded multimedia events, there is formatted for display the plurality of time-bounded multimedia events in a first virtual channel. The user is enabled to fill a first time slot in the first virtual channel with overlapping time-bounded multimedia events from the plurality of time-bounded multimedia events. A representation of a numeric count of the overlapping time-bounded multimedia events is formatted for display in the first time slot.

Abstract: A client computer receives a set of search results ordered based on scheduled time of broadcast associated with respective listings of content. The listings of content include data representing time-bounded events. The client computer displays or otherwise presents a set of objects along an axis of a display bar, the objects corresponding to subsets of the search results. For example, the axis is associated with a unit of time or a unit of relevance.

Abstract: In a method of generating a search boost vector, a first set of content location identifiers for first content are provided. A second set of content location identifiers for second content are identified. The second content is related to the first content in accordance with one or more predefined criteria. A search boost vector is generated by determining weights corresponding to content location identifiers in the second set of content location identifiers. The search boost vector may also be generated by determining weights corresponding to content location identifiers in the first set of content location identifiers. The predefined criteria may include one or more additional content location identifiers that are co-visited with one or more content location identifiers for the first set of content location identifiers. Co-visits are by a community of users during an interval of time.

Abstract: A method and system for providing listings of multimedia events and for allowing a user to create virtual channels from the listings is described. The user can specify a headend or zip code and enter a search query to find multimedia events that are of interest to the user. In response, the system provides a list of multimedia events as the results of the user's search query. If the user so desires, the user can create a virtual channel based on the search results, according to certain embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving an identification of a media program from a broadcast channel on an electronic program guide for inclusion in a personalized channel, adding the identified program to a personalized channel at a first time, and adding one or more additional programs to the personalized channel at times other than the first time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus consistent with the invention allow a user to submit an ambiguous search query and to receive relevant search results. Queries can be expressed using character sets and/or languages that are different from the character set and/or language of at least some of the data that is to be searched. A translation between these character sets and/or languages can be performed by examining the use of terms in aligned text. Probabilities can be associated with each possible translation. Refinements can be made to these probabilities by examining user interactions with the search results.

Abstract: Ad rendering parameters for a set of two or more ads may be determined by (a) accepting, for a set of two or more ads, ad information including at least one ad feature having a value that depends on ad rendering parameters, and (b) determining ad rendering parameters for at least one ad from the set of two or more ads using the accepted ad information. Ad rendering parameters may be determined using accepted ad rendering constraints. The ad rendering constraints may include space available and/or a maximum number of ads permitted to be rendered. The act of determining ad rendering parameters may include maximizing a value associated with serving at least one ad from the set of two or more ads with ad rendering parameters subject to the ad rendering constraints. The ad rendering parameters may include sizes of the served ads, and/or a layout of the served ads.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a query at a central information provider, identifying media-related terms in the query that indicate the query relates to one or more media-related objects, and providing media-specific results in response to the query associated with one or more programs or program staff.

Abstract: Disclosed are computer implemented method, systems, and non-transitory media for presenting information representing a plurality of time-bounded events in (i) a first grid and (ii) a second grid. The first grid has a first size and represents a first set of time-bounded events in the plurality of time-bounded events. The second grid has a second size smaller than the first size. The second grid represents a second set of time-bounded events in the plurality of time-bounded events. This second set of time-bounded events includes a greater number of time-bounded events than the first set of time-bounded events.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus consistent with the invention allow a user to submit an ambiguous search query and to receive relevant search results. Queries can be expressed using character sets and/or languages that are different from the character set and/or language of at least some of the data that is to be searched. A translation between these character sets and/or languages can be performed by examining the use of terms in aligned text. Probabilities can be associated with each possible translation. Refinements can be made to these probabilities by examining user interactions with the search results.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a search request related to media programming and generating a search. The result has a list of one or more collections of episodes responsive to the search request, and a schedule grid displaying a plurality of episodes on a plurality of different channels for a time period, including at least one program responsive to the search request.

Abstract: Ad rendering parameters for a set of two or more ads may be determined by (a) accepting, for a set of two or more ads, ad information which includes at least one ad feature having a value that depends on ad rendering parameters, and (b) determining ad rendering parameters for at least one ad from the set of two or more ads using the accepted ad information. The act of determining ad rendering parameters may use accepted ad rendering constraints. The ad rendering constraints may include space available for rendering the ads, a footprint available for rendering the ads, and/or a maximum number of ads permitted to be rendered. The act of determining ad rendering parameters may include maximizing a value associated with serving at least one ad from the set of two or more ads with ad rendering parameters subject to the ad rendering constraints. The ad rendering parameters may include sizes of the served ads, and/or a layout of the served ads.

Abstract: A system for displaying information may include memory, one or more processors, and one or more modules stored in memory. The one or more modules are configured for execution by the one or more processors and may include instructions for: presenting a subset of a collection of data on a first grid having a first axis corresponding to units of time and a second axis, the collection of data comprising data representing time-bounded events; presenting a second grid having, first and second axes corresponding to the first and second axes of the first grid, the second grid corresponding to a larger portion of the collection of data than the subset presented on the first grid; and presenting a user moveable window for selecting a portion of the second grid, and selecting the subset presented on the first grid in accordance with a current position of the window.