Abstract: A technique for automated analysis of multimedia, such as, for example, a news broadcast. A Broadcast News Editor and Broadcast News Navigator system analyze, select, condense, and then present news summaries. The system enables not only viewing a hierarchical table of contents of the news, but also summaries tailored to individual needs. This is accomplished through story segmentation and proper name extraction which enables the use of common information retrieval methodologies, such as Web browsers. Robust segmentation processing is provided using multistream analysis on imagery, audio, and closed captioned stream cue events.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting, receiving and displaying electronic program guide data having a number of segments, wherein each segment is associated with a program and wherein some of the segments have a keyword therein includes a receiver having a memory that stores a keyword list containing the keyword or keywords. The receiver receives the program guide data and compares the segments of the program guide data to the keyword list to determine if any keywords are contained in the segments. The receiver displays the keyword on a display screen so that the keyword may be selected by the user.

Abstract: Data destined for a client is compressed at a server in a manner that produces a compressed data string that can be searched in its compressed state. The server constructs a code table that assigns codes from a standard code set (e.g., ASCII code set) that are normally unused to selected character pairs in the data string (e.g., the most frequently occurring character pairs). During compression, the selected character pairs are replaced with the corresponding codes. Identifiers are inserted into the compressed data string to separate substrings. To search the compressed data string at the client, a search query is compressed and compared to the compressed substrings. The substring identifiers are used to quickly locate each successive compressed substring. When a match is found, the matching substring is decompressed by replacing the code in the compressed substring with the corresponding character pair in the code table.

Abstract: A system for searching for programs is provided. The system may provide the user with an opportunity to indicate an interest in a given program. The system may provide the user with an opportunity to request that the system locate programs that are related to the given program in which the user has indicated an interest. The system may locate program listings that are related to the given program. The located program listings may be related to the given program based on attributes of the given program. The system may display a list of located listings and allow the user to select listings from the list. The system may tune to a program selected from the list, may display an information display screen for a program selected from the list, etc. The system may provide the user with an opportunity to configure and save search parameters. The system may sort related program listings based on the attributes of the given program.

Abstract: Screen (10) for a user interface of a television schedule system and process consists of an array (24) of irregular cells (26), which vary in length, corresponding to different television program lengths of one half hour to one-and-one half hours or more. The array is arranged as three columns (28) of one-half hour in duration, and twelve rows (30) of program listings. Some of the program listings overlap two or more of the columns (28) because of their length. Because of the widely varying length of the cells (26), if a conventional cursor used to select a cell location were to simply step from one cell to another, the result would be abrupt changes in the screen (10) as the cursor moved from a cell (26) of several hours length to an adjacent cell in the same row. An effective way of taming the motion is to assume that behind every array (24) is an underlying array of regular cells. By restricting cursor movements to the regular cells, abrupt screen changes will be avoided.

Abstract: A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.

Abstract: Data and/or services associated with a given object are easily searched by using a search system having a global unique object identifier, a metadata store, an input for entering the global unique identifier, a metadata reader for reading a set of metadata including the input global unique identifier from the metadata store, and a metadata search engine for searching for specific metadata by searching for a specific description sentence included in each metadata of the read set of metadata.

Abstract: An entertainment head-end provides broadcast programming, video-on demand services, and HTML-based interactive programming through a distribution network to client terminals in subscribers' homes. A number of different features are provided, including novel user interfaces, enhanced video-on-demand controls, a variety of interactive services (personalized news, jukebox, games, celebrity chat), and techniques that combine to provide user experiences evocative of conventional television.

Abstract: A system, a methodology and a related, on-screen, interactive user interface which displays electronic programming guide (EPG) text, with highlighted and user-selectable keywords that enable focused, precision informational navigation through the available EPG database. The display also presents different categories of virtual tools that can be employed by a user for navigating purposes, accessible via a suitable remote, hand-held control device.

Abstract: An intelligent, interactively maneuverable interface display of current electronic programming guide (EPG) textual information presentable on a user's television screen. The display, which is organized as a context display, includes keyword-sensitized text, and a virtual, user-employable navigation tool, such as a scrollbar tool, which, via a hand-held remote control device, enables a user quickly, intuitively, and with appropriate user-specific focus to locate programming material of special interest. Display information which is thus accessed by user manipulation of this tool is arranged in a sensible hierarchical manner so as to define different levels of focus-resolution which relate to different “positions” of a handle in the scrollbar tool.

Abstract: Subject matter includes a search engine for electronic program guide (EPG) data and related methods. In an exemplary method, a text search string can be normalized into searchable terms and the terms interpreted as either text search terms or attribute search terms. One or more queries having search conditions of varying degrees of complexity are created according to the interpretation of the terms of the search string. One or more searches in EPG databases and/or web-resources are performed based on interpretation of the text and attribute terms and results are given a relevancy ranking according to the interpretation. The combined search results may be grouped, ranked, and filtered for display to the user. Results may also be displayed progressively as each character of a search string is entered by the user.

Abstract: A method of displaying rating information comprises the step of tuning in to a designated channel when a program selecting operation is performed and acquiring rating information, and the step of displaying the acquired rating information, together with a program image obtained by the tuning, on a display device.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for browsing and viewing television programs while viewing a television program guide. In other words, a user is able to remain inside the program guide while viewing various television programs. In another aspect, a server system operator is provided an interface with flexible options for configuring user controls for viewing television programs while inside program guides in client devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of searching multimedia contents on a television is provided. The apparatus includes a content searching unit, which searches for multimedia content files from all media connected to the television; a classifying unit, which classifies the multimedia content files into types; a content database, which stores the multimedia content files by types.

Abstract: An electronic program guide system and a method for generating an electronic program guide are disclosed. A first information handling system obtains programming information from a program information source and generates a program guide based upon the obtained program information. A second information handling system receives the program from the first information handling system via downloading or transmission. The first information handling system searches a worldwide network for information regarding a transitory broadcast event and incorporates the transitory event information into the generated program guide prior to transmitting the program guide to the second information handling system. The transitory broadcast event information may be added to the program guide as additional, temporary channels that include links to the nodes from which the transitory broadcast event may be obtained. The program guide is thereby augmented with the additional, transitory broadcast event information.

Abstract: A system and method for updating at least one deployment descriptor, comprising creating a first representation of the at least one deployment descriptor; creating a second representation of a second at least one deployment descriptor based on one or more source files; comparing the first representation with the second representation; updating the first representation based on the second representation if the first representation is out-of-date; and wherein the method can be invoked from an integrated development environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a program-selecting apparatus well applied to a broadcast receiving set etc. It sets automatic picture-recording by setting program selection conditions comprising a genre, a keyword, and a time zone. A recording medium built in a recording medium unit (30) has a storage region for storing keywords used in this setting. This storage region is comprised of a fixed region in which plural fixed keywords are stored and an alteration region in which plural alterable keywords are stored. A keyword stored in the alteration region is downloaded through a MODEM (32) from a server (40) based on, for example, user's operations. It is possible to set a program selection condition by using a new keyword without providing input means such as a keyboard for inputting keywords to the apparatus, thus making the apparatus inexpensive.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively implementing a personal channel for interactive television comprises a personal channel manager that may include a configuration module, a search module, and a content packaging module. A system user may utilize the configuration module to perform a personal channel configuration procedure to specify personal channel configuration data for performing a content record search procedure. The search module may manage the content record search procedure according to one or more search parameters that may be defined during the personal channel configuration procedure. The search module may selectively locate and access one or more content records from one or more remote content databases during the foregoing content record search procedure. The content packaging module may then responsively coordinate a content record sorting procedure according to user-specified sorting criteria to thereby organize the located content records into a personal channel program.

Abstract: A method of automatic control of a digital television decoder operation uses an Electronic Program Guide system. When a program, from a control list created earlier by a user by selecting specific programs, starts, a decoder changes its operation mode from a sleep mode to an active mode. In the active mode the user can watch only the programs located on the list, and after the program from the list ends, and in case there are no other available programs on the list, the decoder changes its operation mode to the sleep mode. At each time when a new program from the list starts, the decoder generates an information signal. In the described solution there are available many lists controlling the operation of the decoder. The lists are created by the user or set by an operator, and the user chooses which of the lists should control the operation of the decoder.

Abstract: This invention provides a program information display control apparatus and method, a remote control device, a program, and a storage medium, which can simultaneously display the contents and detailed information of specific programs that follow predetermined rules such as a time band, genre, and the like. To this end, detailed program information associated with each of programs to be displayed on an EPG is acquired from an antenna (1101) and tuner (1102). The acquired program information is stored in a memory (1150) via a decoder (1103). A viewer designates programs, details of which are to be displayed, using a remote controller (12), and the memory (1150) is searched for detailed program information of a plurality of designated programs. An image controller (1121) simultaneously displays a plurality of pieces of program information associated with these designated programs at their display positions on the EPG displayed on a display unit (1122).

Abstract: A method for accessing at least one literal data item in a hierarchical structure, the method including receiving a request to access at least one literal data item, and accessing the at least one literal data item, at least in part, by choosing and using an access method chosen from the following group: local storage access, back channel access, and data carousel access. Related methods and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a file searching method of a data broadcasting system, the method including the steps of: confirming whether or not a control message of Download Server Initiate is updated, in response to a search request for a file object; and searching the search-requested file object from at a new root directory object, in case that the control message of Download Server Initiate is updated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus with improved operatability. With the information processing apparatus in which the user is capable of watching a television program and connecting to the Internet, the index panel 1 shows channel buttons 2 to be operated to select a desired program, a site button 71 to be operated to make an access to site A available on the Internet and a site button 72 to be operated to make an access to site B on the Internet. The present invention allows the user to watch a television program and can be applied to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, which can be connected to the Internet.

Abstract: A browse client uses a viewing percentage counter to count the extent to which the user has played back and displayed content video data distributed from a distribution server on a screen, and transmits the extent information to the distribution server. The distribution server keeps track of the received browse extent information in a database in association with the content and the user and also sends the browse extent information to a management client having a setting unit for user registration and a mail unit of preparing electronic mail and transmitting electronic mail to each user for providing management information. The browse client provides the user with a playback button for making it possible to play back the video data starting at the previous stop point using the counted extent information.

Abstract: In a search information managing apparatus (1) managing search information (15) having a tree structure for searching for moving image contents, a search information analyzing unit (101) separates the search information into one or more structural search information elements (152) representing a structure of the moving image contents, one or more semantic search information elements (153) representing characteristics in semantic context of the moving image contents, and one or more signal search information elements (154) representing physical characteristics of signals of the moving image contents, and outputs the resulting elements. A unit search information forming unit (102-104) forms a small unit of search information (152A, 153A, 154A) by collecting at least one of the structural search information elements, semantic search information elements and signal search information elements output from the search information analyzing unit (101).

Abstract: A content program information search system and method is described. The system comprises a digital signal receiver for detecting and displaying a content signal and/or detailed content information for one or more search terms from a digital signal transmitted from a transmitter; and a server having a database for storing search terms inputted from external devices, the inputted search terms being stored by order of priority based for example on search frequency, such that the server extracts and transmits to the transmitter search terms from the first database, and the digital signal receiver displays according to the order of priority at least one search term transmitted from the transmitter. The viewer thus has search terms of high search frequency to enable the viewer to rapidly and easily search for information on a desired content program.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling media for consumption via a demand broadcast channel based upon notifications received during user consumption of media. An embodiment of the present invention may employ notifications generated when users select media for consumption, to calculate one or more statistics. The statistics may be calculated and used by a media provider to schedule media into a demand broadcast channel in which the frequency of repetition or time of availability of the media is set according to a ranking of the relative frequency of requests for the media. The statistics may also be shared with a third party, to enable a third party media provider to arrange the scheduling of media availability according to the relative frequency of requests for the media.

Abstract: A system for providing interactive television program guide features and other features and information related to a specific user interest or programming category in niche hubs is provided. All of the television programming features provided by user television equipment that relate to a specific user interest or programming category may be accessed from the niche hub. For example, a movie lovers niche hub may provide programming features such as television program listings for movies, video-on-demand listings for movies, pay-per-view listings for movies, web site links related to movies, movie-related merchandise, movie news groups, movie chat groups, movie e-mail clubs, movie contests, movie trivia questions, movie actor interviews, movie reviews, movie channel package ordering, etc. The programming features of the niche hubs may be transmitted from a server, database, or other storage facility via a television distribution facility.

Abstract: An internet on-demand system for television presents internet content and traditional television programming as part of a single coherent interface. The system includes a server and a client capable of providing a dynamic graphical user interface. The system can display an internet gateway interface which actively scrolls through and highlights links to selectd web pages which are organized according to templates corresponding to their content. the web pages are presented on the graphical user interface as channel as part of the same milieu as channels of traditional television programming. the user can select a channel from a rotary menu wheel or via channel-up, channel-down buttons on the remote control device. An intelligent agent passively filters selected web pages for a user to explore based on the user's past pattern of usage of the client.

Abstract: The present invention is described by an electronic program guide with a calendar tool, and a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving the electronic program guide. The apparatus includes a transmission station and a plurality of receiver stations. The transmission station creates program guide data that is in an “object” format. The transmission station combines the program guide objects with digital audio and video television signals, and transmits an output stream to the plurality of receiver stations. Each of the plurality of receiver stations stores electronic program guide objects. Using data from the electronic program guide objects, the plurality of receiver stations generate a listing of television program representations, and a calendar image separate from and adjacent to the plurality of television program representations.

Abstract: A method for assisting a user in selecting a program for viewing or listening comprising periodically receiving and storing electronic program guide information comprising records for forthcoming programs, the records having a plurality of fields; receiving a user selected text string and one more user selected fields; searching the program guide information for records having the user selected text string in one or more of the user selected fields; and displaying a list of the forth-coming programs corresponding to the matching records. This invention allows for more efficient and reliable searches of an electronic program guide for user desired programming.

Abstract: Electronic television program guide information is downloaded, stored and searched by a local device. A plurality of linked lists are used to remove redundancy, increase search speed, and allow dynamic categories. When a new category is encountered a new head node for a link list data structure is created. When a first program guide object containing information related to that category is downloaded, a link is made (i.e., a pointer is stored) from the head node to the guide object. When subsequent program guide objects containing information related to that category are downloaded, links are added to the end of the list or inserted in alphabetical order. As guide objects expire the links are removed. When no links remain in a particular category the head node for that category is deleted.

Abstract: A system and a method for processing program guide information are presented. Electronic program guide information is received and stored. A first search criterion from a user for a first type of search is received. The program guide information is searched to find one or more records matching the first type of search. A user instruction is received to convert the first search criterion to a second search criterion for use with a second type of search. The first search criterion is converted for use with the second type of search.

Abstract: A content searching/providing system searching a record content from a randomly accessible memory storing contents and providing the record content to a user is provided. The system comprises: a content classification unit classifying the record contents of the memory in accordance with a predetermined rule; a channel assignment unit assigning a virtual channel to each classification; a content arrangement unit arranging the record contents classified into the same classification on the corresponding virtual channels; a user operation receiving unit receiving a user operation for commanding channel selection and content search on a channel; and a content providing unit acquiring a record content from a selected virtual channel in response to the user operation received via the user operation receiving unit and providing the record content.

Abstract: A digital broadcast reception apparatus has a program search function of receiving a digital broadcast containing program guide information while changing the frequency received in a tuner. The program guide information is selected using a condition input through a remote control as a search condition, and the genre or service type is narrowed down for temporary presentation of a program from a loudspeaker or on a display. If the audience selects the program, reception of the program is continued. As a result of trial reception, the program search can also be further continued.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing a preferred viewing library of programs are disclosed. Electronic program guide data is searched for a program satisfying a criterion, and a determination is made whether the program satisfies the criterion. The criterion may be based upon the viewing activity profile of the user or may be based upon a criterion entered into the program guide by the user. In the event a program satisfies the criterion, the recording of the program is scheduled to occur at a predetermined time. The time is monitored, and a determination whether the present time is the predetermined time. At the predetermined time, the program is recorded and organized in a program library such that a user may select the program from the program library and view the recorded program at an appropriate time.

Abstract: A news search resultant database containing a plurality of decoded closed captioned common news story texts from geographically diverse television stations, which texts have format consistency regardless of the origin of the respective texts. The database is readily readable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a database in a memory. Program identifying information is received from a service provider, the program identifying information comprising at least one service provider search criteria and information describing a channel on which a program is transmitted. A database is generated in a memory as a function of the channel identifying information and at least one of the service provider search criteria. Preferably, user-input search criteria is also received and it is determined whether the user-input search criteria corresponds to the service provider search criteria. A channel identified by the channel identifying information is selected if the user-input search criteria corresponds to the service provider search criteria.

Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an electronic program guide wherein a first information handling system obtains program information from a program information source and generates a program guide based upon the obtained program information. The first information handling system searches a worldwide network for information regarding a transitory broadcast event and incorporates the transitory event information into the generated program guide prior to transmitting the program guide to the second information handling system. The transitory broadcast event information may be added to the program guide as additional, temporary channels that include links to the nodes from which the transitory broadcast event may be obtained. The program guide is thereby augmented with the additional, transitory broadcast event information. A second information handling system receives the program guide from the first information handling system.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method access electronic program information in response to a determination that a showing of a television program has been interrupted to locate one or more repeat showings of the interrupted television program. Then, if a repeat showing is located for an interrupted television program, a number of different activities are performed, including but not limited to notifying the user of the repeat showing (either immediately or at a later time), setting a timer to remind the user of the repeat showing, automatically displaying the repeat showing, or automatically recording the repeat showing, among others. The determination that a showing of a television program has been interrupted may be responsive to manual input by a user (e.g., depression of a button on a remote control), or may be automated to be responsive to tracking what programs are being viewed in a television system (e.g., by tracking viewing times for one or more television programs).

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, filter tokens are provided for use in connection with an electronic program guide (EPG) system. Filter tokens can be used to reduce the amount information that is presented to the user in an electronic program guide display. This can help to reduce information overload and can facilitate presenting indicia of programs in which one or more of the users are likely to be interested. Filter tokens can also be used to provide users with a very robust tool to define user preferences of attributes associated with programs that are of interest to the user.

Abstract: A method of recording a broadcast signal includes accessing a host server by an intermediary communication unit. The host server includes a database of broadcast program information. The method includes selecting one or more program(s) from the database, using said intermediary communication unit transmitting information relating to a selected program from the host server to the intermediary communication unit, where the programming information is extracted. At least one control signal is generated and transmitted from the intermediary communication unit to a broadcast signal recorder to set the recorder to record the selected broadcast program. As all the user is required to do is to select a required broadcast program, for example a broadcast television program, from a list, the likelihood of the user entering information or commands incorrectly is greatly reduced. Furthermore, the user does not necessarily need to obtain and enter any codes relating to such information.

Abstract: A program guide data text search system generates a directed acyclic word graph that includes words from program guide data. When receiving a request to search for and display programming information, the directed acyclic word graph is searched to determine whether the requested information is included in the program guide data. An indication is provided to notify a viewer whether or not the requested information is available in the program guide data.

Abstract: An interactive entertainment network system has a video-on-demand (VOD) application which enables viewers to select criteria for grouping various video content programs (e.g., movies, games, TV shows, etc.) into manageable sets for convenient review. Once grouped, the previews or “trailers” for the set of programs are displayed. The VOD application permits the viewer to browse the trailers at their own rate, skipping forward to the next trailer or backward to the previous trailer. If the viewer settles on a particular program, the VOD application also allows the user to rent the program immediately from the trailer being displayed on their television set, without returning to a menu or other order screen.

Abstract: A method includes performing an Internet search for an Internet address based on a keyword, wherein the keyword is obtained from an electronic program guide item of an electronic program guide. The Internet address is received and the keyword and the Internet address are associated together. An information display includes a first area containing an electronic program guide item and a second area containing an indicia of a related Internet address.

Abstract: Client-based searching of carousel data that is broadcast from a carousel file system is described. The broadcast carousel data is segmented and individual segments are hashed according to a hashing function to produce hash index values that are representative of associated data segments. The hash index values are broadcast by the carousel file system to the client. When a viewer specifies a search, the client computes a hashed search query and compares it to the hash index values. When a match occurs, there is a possibility that the data segment associated with the matching hash index value might satisfy the query. Such data segments are identified and the client retrieves those data segments as they are broadcast from the carousel file system. The client is then able to perform searching on the data segments according to the viewer-specified search and present the results to the viewer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for managing and prioritizing record events. A priority manager includes an event list that lists scheduled record events. Each event in the event list has a priority that is different from the other events in the event list. If some of the events conflict, then those events with the highest priority in the event list are recorded. A user can assign priority to events when they are scheduled or at a later time. This enables event conflicts to be resolved by the user when the events are initially scheduled. When an event conflict arises later, the conflict is resolved by the priority manager according to the relative priority of the events in the event list.

Abstract: A digital television (DTV) system includes a remote controller which generates X- and Y-axis position data; and an electronic pro gram guide (EPG) controller which receives position data responsive to the X- and Y-axis position data, which generates character data responsive to the position data, which searches EPG data for character strings approximating the character data to thereby generate search results, and which outputs the search results to the screen of the DTV. According to one aspect of the DTV system, the remote controller generates the X- and Y-axis position data responsive to movement of the remote controller. This movement can be determined by either accelerometers or a gyroscope included in the remote controller. According to another aspect of the invention, the X- and Y-axis position data can be generated by a pointing device, which can be either a touch panel or a trackball.