JP2017120652A - Systems and methods for acquiring, categorizing and delivering media in interactive media guidance applications - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide systems and methods for acquiring, categorizing and delivering media in interactive media guidance applications.SOLUTION: Systems and methods are discussed for providing guidance for Internet-delivered media. In some embodiments, information on available media on the Internet is gathered. The information is associated with existing media guidance data. The associations enable a media guidance application to identify relevant online media and to display listings in a user-friendly, easy-to-use way. A user interface for an online media guidance application is also provided. The user interface allows a user to narrow down the large amount of Internet-delivered media in a systematic way according to criteria that interests the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 60 / 849,988, filed Oct. 6, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

  The present invention relates generally to media guidance applications, and more specifically to providing guidance for media obtained from the Internet.

  The Internet is an increasingly popular resource for obtaining entertainment media and information. There are numerous sources that provide various media such as TV dramas and movies that can be downloaded over the Internet, or streaming television previews and movie trailers. In addition, almost all of the media and related information on the Internet is available on demand. Thus, the user can be confident that the media of interest is always available.

  However, many online media and media providers also make it difficult to find the media of interest. In order to locate specific online media content without guidance, a user may need to know a large amount of information about the media. For example, if a user seeks to find media related to a particular episode of a television program, the user may need to go directly to a media provider, in this case a television network website. Thereafter, the user may need to know the first broadcast date of the episode or the title of the episode in order to effectively locate the media on the network website. This process is not only inconvenient for the user, but also not useful for users who are not searching for specific media. Thus, guidance for media content distributed over the Internet is necessary to allow or help users to find the media of interest easily and effectively.

  Several forms of guidance for media content provided on the Internet are already available. Many guidance applications for online media are limited to keyword searches and providing a list of key media. None of these procedures provide an effective or systematic means to narrow down the extremely large amount of media available on the Internet. Thus, users of existing guidance applications often receive an excessive list, many of which may be uninteresting or irrelevant. Therefore, a guidance application that provides keyword search and displays key online media, but also provides a systematic way to narrow the available online media to a reasonably small set of media that interests the user. Needed.

  Media listings generated by existing guidance applications often do not help browsing. Video search can result in cluttered, unorganized, difficult to navigate, or coherent. Different types of video may exist in similar formats and are virtually indistinguishable. For example, professionally generated media content may be displayed in a format similar to user generated media content, and high quality media content may be displayed in a format similar to low quality media content. Therefore, the user may need to spend considerable time browsing each media list. Therefore, there is a need for an online media guidance application that allows a user to quickly browse a set of online media lists.

  In addition, many existing guidance applications only provide guidance for a limited set of videos on the Internet. Thus, the limited set may not include available online media that the user is interested in. Some guidance applications are limited because they only provide guidance for the media content they host. Other applications that obtain media from third party sites rely on partnerships with media providers, again producing very limited media data sets. Therefore, a guidance application that provides guidance for a comprehensive set of online media content is needed.

  Accordingly, systems and methods are provided for identifying and obtaining information for a set of media provided on the Internet and displaying a subset of the identified media in a list. A system and method is also provided that systematically narrows the set of online media lists provided to the user based on criteria that attracts the user's interest.

  In accordance with one principle of the present invention, the online media guidance application provides selectable criteria elements (eg, action / adventure, comedy, ABC, Comedy Central, etc.) in the user interface. By receiving one or more selections of selectable criteria elements, the set of viewable online videos can be systematically narrowed down to a reasonably sized set of videos that are of interest to the user. Selectable criteria elements can be organized into categories (eg, genre, channel, show). The categories are also displayed on the user interface, and corresponding selectable criteria elements can be presented in a window near or below the corresponding category. One category of reference elements may be visible at a given time to avoid cluttering the user interface. If the user selects a different category, the currently presented reference element window is closed and a new window of selectable reference elements corresponding to the selected category is presented.

  When the media guidance application receives a user selection of criteria elements, a set of videos is identified based on the selected criteria elements and any previously selected criteria elements. In some embodiments, the identified set of media may include available media that meets all of the selected criteria elements. In other embodiments, the identified set of media may include available media that meet one or more of the selected criteria elements. The set of media may be displayed in a list such as a video mosaic or text list. In some embodiments, each list is displayed in a selectable frame, and upon receiving a user selection of the frame, the guidance application directs the user to the corresponding media provider's website.

  In some embodiments of the invention, after narrowing down the number of lists, the displayed criteria elements can also change to reflect the new set of videos identified. For example, when a new window of selectable reference elements is displayed, the reference elements can be displayed in the window only if selecting the reference element generates at least one video in the redefined set. In some cases, a reference element may be displayed in a window if the video is in a set of identified videos that meet the current reference element and all previously selected reference elements.

  In accordance with another principle of the present invention, the set of online media for which the guidance application provides guidance is determined by examining a plurality of websites and obtaining information about the media provided by each website. The acquired information may include metadata (eg, title, runtime, description, etc.) corresponding to each video.

For each video acquired from the Internet, the media guidance application associates video metadata with media guidance application data from, for example, a media guidance application database. The association can be determined by comparing the video metadata with guidance data in a guidance application database. A subset of viewable online videos may be selected based on the above-described narrowing process, keyword search, user personalization data, or editor preference specification. The selected online video may be displayed in a media list such as a video mosaic or text list. Each video listing includes relevant guidance application data from the guidance application database.
For example, the present invention provides the following items.
(Item 1)
A method for providing guidance for videos on the Internet,
Accessing a plurality of Internet sites to identify videos provided by the Internet sites;
Storing metadata from the Internet site for each of the identified videos;
Associating guidance application data from a guidance application database with the metadata for each of the identified videos;
Selecting a subset of the video;
Generating a display for displaying each video of the identified subset of videos to a user, the display including the guidance application data associated with each displayed video. .
(Item 2)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the Internet site includes a website.
(Item 3)
2. The method of item 1, wherein accessing the plurality of internet sites comprises examining the internet sites and collecting the metadata.
(Item 4)
The method of item 1, wherein storing the metadata comprises storing a URL for each of the videos.
(Item 5)
Method according to item 1, characterized in that the displayed video of the display is arranged in a video mosaic.
(Item 6)
The display displays each video using frames from each video,
The method of claim 1, wherein the user is redirected to the Internet site that provides the video of the selected frame in response to selecting the user's frame.
(Item 7)
The method of item 1, wherein the display includes stored metadata for the identified video.
(Item 8)
Method according to item 1, characterized in that the subset of videos is selected according to user personalization data.
(Item 9)
9. The method of item 8, wherein the user personalization data is obtained from an explicit user preference specification.
(Item 10)
9. The method of item 8, wherein the user personalization data is obtained from a monitored user operation.
(Item 11)
Method according to item 1, characterized in that the video subset is selected according to an editor preference specification.
(Item 12)
12. The method of item 11, further comprising receiving a preference designation of the editor.
(Item 13)
The guidance application data on the display includes program descriptions, editor comments, media content related to the video, or a link to an Internet site that provides media content related to the displayed video. The method according to Item 1.
(Item 14)
The method of item 1, further comprising storing the identified video.
(Item 15)
Item 2. The method of item 1, wherein the display is provided by an interactive program guide.
(Item 16)
A system for providing guidance for video on the Internet,
A communication circuit;
Storage,
A processing circuit, the processing circuit comprising:
Using the communication circuit to access a plurality of Internet sites to identify videos provided by the Internet sites;
Storing metadata for each of the identified videos from the Internet site in the storage;
Associating guidance application data from a guidance application database with the metadata for each of the identified videos;
Select a subset of the video,
A system configured to generate a display that displays each video of the identified subset of videos, the display including the guidance application data associated with each displayed video.
(Item 17)
Item 17. The system according to Item 16, wherein the Internet site includes a website.
(Item 18)
Item 17. The system of item 16, wherein the processing circuit is configured to examine the Internet site and collect the metadata.
(Item 19)
The system of claim 16, wherein the stored metadata includes the URL for each of the videos.
(Item 20)
Item 17. The system of item 16, wherein the displayed video of the display is arranged in a video mosaic.
(Item 21)
The display displays each video using frames from each video,
The system of claim 16, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to redirect a user to the Internet site that provides the video of a frame in response to the user's frame selection.
(Item 22)
The system of item 16, wherein the display includes stored metadata for the identified video.
(Item 23)
Item 17. The system of item 16, wherein the subset of videos is selected according to user personalization data.
(Item 24)
24. The system of item 23, wherein the user personalization data is obtained from explicit user preference designation.
(Item 25)
24. The system of item 23, wherein the user personalization data is obtained from monitored user operations.
(Item 26)
Item 17. The system of item 16, wherein the subset of videos is selected according to an editor preference specification.
(Item 27)
27. The system of item 26, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to receive an editor preference designation.
(Item 28)
The guidance application data on the display includes program descriptions, editor comments, media content related to the video, or a link to an Internet site that provides media content related to the displayed video. The system according to item 16.
(Item 29)
The system of item 16, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to store the identified video in the storage.
(Item 30)
Item 17. The system according to Item 16, wherein the processing circuit is configured by an instruction of an interactive program guide.
(Item 31)
A method for providing guidance for videos on the Internet,
Accessing a plurality of internet sites to identify videos provided by the internet sites;
Storing metadata from the Internet site for each of the identified videos;
Associating guidance application data from a guidance application database with the metadata for each of the identified videos;
Generating a display for displaying each video of the identified subset of videos to a user, the display including the guidance application data associated with each displayed video, the subset of videos comprising: Selected according to the reference element selected by the user in the range narrowing method,
Responsive to the user selecting a first category of a plurality of range narrowing criteria categories with the range narrowing method, a first window is presented in which selectable criteria elements of the first category are displayed. ,
In response to the user selecting a second category of a plurality of range narrowing reference categories with the range narrowing method, a second window is displayed in which selectable criteria elements of the second category are displayed. A method characterized in that.
(Item 32)
32. A method according to item 31, wherein the Internet site includes a website.
(Item 33)
The range narrowing method further comprises the step of closing the first window of selectable criteria elements in response to the user selecting the second category of a plurality of range narrowing criteria categories. The method according to item 31, wherein
(Item 34)
Receiving the user selection of one or more selectable criteria elements of the first criteria category;
Further comprising limiting the reference elements of the second window to reference elements that are satisfied by video that also satisfies the reference elements of the first category selected by the user. 32. A method according to item 31.
(Item 35)
32. A method according to item 31, wherein the displayed video is arranged in a video mosaic.
(Item 36)
36. The method of item 35, wherein the displayed video of the mosaic changes as the user selects a reference element.
(Item 37)
The display displays each video using frames from each video,
36. The method of item 35, further comprising redirecting the user to the Internet site providing the video of the selected frame in response to the user's frame selection.
(Item 38)
32. The method of item 31, wherein the range narrowing method displays the number of videos that satisfy a selected criterion.
(Item 39)
32. The method of item 31, wherein the reference category includes a genre, a channel, and a video title.
(Item 40)
The guidance application data on the display includes program descriptions, editor comments, media content related to the video, or a link to an Internet site that provides media content related to the displayed video. The method according to item 31.
(Item 41)
32. The method of item 31, wherein the display is provided by an interactive program guide.
(Item 42)
A system for providing guidance for videos on the Internet,
A communication circuit;
Storage,
A processing circuit, the processing circuit comprising:
Using the communication circuit to access a plurality of Internet sites to identify videos provided by the Internet sites;
Storing metadata for each of the identified videos from the Internet site in the storage;
Associating guidance application data from a guidance application database with the metadata for each of the identified videos;
The display is configured to generate a display that displays each video of the identified subset of videos, the display including the guidance application data associated with each displayed video, wherein the subset of videos is a range narrowing method Selected according to the criteria element selected by the user in
Responsive to the user selecting a first category of a plurality of range narrowing criteria categories with the range narrowing method, a first window is presented in which selectable criteria elements of the first category are displayed. ,
Corresponding to the user selecting a second category of a plurality of range narrowing reference categories by the range narrowing method, a second window in which selectable reference elements of the second category are displayed is presented. A system characterized by that.
(Item 43)
45. A system according to item 42, wherein the Internet site includes a website.
(Item 44)
The range narrowing method further comprises the step of closing the first window of selectable criteria elements in response to the user selecting the second category of a plurality of range narrowing criteria categories. 45. The system according to item 42.
(Item 45)
The processing circuit includes:
Receiving a user selection of one or more selectable criteria elements of the first criteria category;
Further configured to limit the reference elements of the second window to reference elements that are satisfied by a video that also satisfies the reference elements of the first category selected by the user. 45. A system according to item 42.
(Item 46)
45. A system according to item 42, wherein the displayed video is arranged in a video mosaic.
(Item 47)
47. The system of item 46, wherein the displayed video of the mosaic changes as the user selects a reference element.
(Item 48)
The display displays each video using frames from each video,
49. The system of item 46, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to redirect the user to the Internet site that provides the video of the frame in response to a frame selection to the user. .
(Item 49)
45. The system of item 42, wherein the range narrowing method displays a number of videos that meet a selected criteria element.
(Item 50)
43. The system of item 42, wherein the reference category includes a genre, a channel, and a video title.
(Item 51)
The guidance application data on the display includes program descriptions, editor comments, media content related to the video, or a link to an Internet site that provides media content related to the displayed video. 45. The system according to item 42.
(Item 52)
45. A system according to item 42, wherein the processing circuit is configured by an instruction of an interactive program guide.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example display screen using a grid format that may be used to provide guidance for online video and other types of media. FIG. 6 illustrates an example display screen using a mosaic that can be used to provide guidance for online video. It is a figure which shows the detailed view of the list in the mosaic of FIG. 3 is two exemplary embodiments of a portion of the display screen of FIG. 3 is two exemplary embodiments of a portion of the display screen of FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary display screen for viewing and updating user favorites and preferences. FIG. 9 shows a Venn diagram of viewable online video used by FIGS. 8A-AC, 9A, and 9B. 3 is an exemplary display phase of a portion of the display screen of FIG. 2 in a typical usage scenario. 3 is an exemplary display phase of a portion of the display screen of FIG. 2 in a typical usage scenario. 3 is an exemplary display phase of a portion of the display screen of FIG. 2 in a typical usage scenario. 3 is an exemplary display phase of a portion of the display screen of FIG. 2 in a typical usage scenario. 3 is an exemplary display phase of a portion of the display screen of FIG. 2 in a typical usage scenario. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary user equipment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary user equipment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of an exemplary media guidance source. FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of an exemplary media guidance source. FIG. 4 shows an exemplary flow chart for obtaining, selecting, and displaying a list. FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram for directing a user to an online media content provider. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary flow chart for obtaining, selecting, and displaying a list based on a user selected criteria element. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary flow chart for displaying criteria elements and identifying online media. It is a figure which shows the example process diagram for selecting a reference | standard element based on the search term which the user input.

  In any media delivery system, the amount of media available to the user can be enormous. As a result, many users want a form of media guidance through an interface that allows users to efficiently navigate through media options and easily identify the desired media. An application that provides such guidance is referred to herein as an interactive media guidance application, but may also be referred to as a media guidance application or guidance application. Similarly, media guidance applications that provide guidance for Internet content and other possible types of content are referred to herein as online media guidance applications or online guidance applications.

  Various forms of interactive media guidance applications can provide guidance for media content on the Internet (eg, streaming media, downloadable media, webcasts, etc.). One typical type of media guidance application that provides guidance for online media is an interactive television program guide. Interactive television program guides (sometimes referred to as electronic program guides) are well-known guidance applications that allow users to navigate and locate a variety of media content, among others. In addition to online media, such content includes traditional television programs (provided via traditional broadcast, cable, satellite or other means) and paid programs (in video on demand (VOD) systems). It may include on-demand programs and other types of media or video content. The guidance application also allows the user to navigate and find content related to video content including, for example, video clips, articles, advertisements, chat sessions, games, and the like.

  With the advent of the Internet, mobile computing, and high-speed wireless networks, users will be able to use personal computers (PCs) and handheld computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones or other mobile devices that have not been used before. You are accessing the media on another device, such as a device. On these devices, the user can navigate and find the same media that is available through the television. As a result, media guidance is also required on these devices. Guidance may be available on media content available only via television, media content available via only one or more of these devices, or available on television and one or more of these devices It can be provided for media content. The media guidance application can be provided as an online application (ie, provided on a website) or as a stand-alone application or client on a handheld computer, PDA, mobile phone, or other mobile device. Details of various devices and platforms capable of implementing a media guidance application are described below.

  One of the functions of the media guidance application is to provide a user with a media list and media information. 1-2 illustrate exemplary display screens that can be used to provide media guidance, particularly with media listings. The display screens shown in FIGS. 1-2 can be implemented on any suitable device or platform. The display of FIGS. 1-2 is illustrated as a full screen display, but the displayed media content may be completely or partially overlaid. The user can select a selectable option provided on the display screen (eg, menu option, list option, icon, hyperlink, etc.), or a dedicated button on a remote control or other user input interface or device ( For example, pressing a “Guide” button) may indicate an intention to access media information. In response to user instructions, the media guidance application may be in time and by channel, by time, by channel, by media type, by category (eg, movies, sports, news, children's or other programs). Display screen with media information organized in one of several ways, such as category) or other defined, user defined, or other organized criteria.

  Although FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary frame program listing display 100 arranged by time and channel, it is also possible to access a variety of media content (eg, online video) on a single display. The display 100 includes (1) a column of channel / media type identifiers 104 (each channel / media type identifier (column cell) identifies a different channel or media type available), and (2) a time identifier 106 A frame 102 with rows (each time identifier (row cell) identifies a time zone of the program) may be included. The frame 102 includes a column of a program list such as a program list 108, and each list provides a channel related to the list and a title of a program provided on the time. The user input device allows the user to select a program list by moving the highlight area 110. Information related to the program list selected by the highlight area 110 is provided to the program information area 112. Region 112 may include, for example, program title, program content, time when the program is provided (if applicable), channel on which the program is broadcast (if applicable), program rating, and other desirable information.

  In addition to providing access to linear programs that are provided according to a schedule, the media guidance application also provides access to non-linear programs that are not provided according to a schedule. Non-linear programs can include Internet content (eg, streaming media, downloadable media, etc.) from various online sources, on-demand content (eg, VOD), locally stored media content (eg, digital video recorder (DVR), Including content from various media sources, including digital video discs (DVDs), video cassettes, video content stored on compact discs (CDs), or other media content not related to time. On-demand content can include both movies and original media content provided by specific media providers (eg, HBO On Demand offering “The Sopranos” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”). HBO ON DEMAND, THE SOPRANOS and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM are registered trademarks of Home Box Office, Inc. Internet content includes content available on demand as streaming media or downloadable media via web events such as chat sessions or webcasts, or internet websites or other internet access (eg FTP). be able to.

The pane 102 can provide a list for non-linear programs including an on-demand list 114, a recorded media list 116, and an Internet content list 118. A list of display combinations for content from different types of media sources may be referred to as a “mixed media” display. Different sequences of displayable list types, different from display 100, can be based on user selections or guidance application definitions (eg, recording and broadcast listing only display, on-demand and broadcast listing only display, etc). As illustrated, listings 114, 116 and 118 are within pane 102 to indicate that selection of these listings can provide access to a display dedicated to on-demand listings, recording listings or Internet listings, respectively. Shown throughout the displayed time zone. As shown in FIG. 1, information area 112 may display information regarding the type of display that may be provided when accessing such a list. In other embodiments, the list of media types can be included directly in the pane 102. The additional list can be displayed in response to a user selecting one of the navigation icons 120. (Pressing the arrow keys on the user input device can change the display in the same manner as selecting the navigation icon 120.)
Display 100 may also include a video area 122, an advertisement 124, and an options area 126. The video area 122 may allow the user to display and / or preview programs that the user is currently able to view, plan to view, or have been viewable. The content of the video area 122 can correspond to one of the lists displayed in the frame 102 or can be independent. A frame display that includes a video region may be referred to as a picture-in-guide (PIG) display. The PIG display and its functions are described in detail in Satterfield et al., US Pat. No. 6,564,378, filed May 13, 2003 and Yuen et al., US Pat. No. 6,239,794, filed May 29, 2001. Which are described and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The PIG display can be included in other media guidance application display screens of the present invention.

  The advertisement 124 provides advertisements for media content that is currently viewable, can be viewed in the future, or will not be viewable, depending on the viewer's access rights (eg, subscription to a program service). And can correspond to or be independent of one or more media listings in the pane 102. Also, the advertisement 124 can be an advertisement for a product or service related to or unrelated to the media content displayed in the pane 102. The advertisement 124 can be selectable, provides detailed information about the media content, provides information about the product or service, enables media content, product or service purchase, media content related to the advertisement. Can be provided. The advertisement 124 may be targeted based on the user's profile / preference, monitored user activity, the type of display provided, or other suitable targeted advertising base.

  Although the advertisement 124 is shown as a square or banner shape, the advertisement can be provided in any suitable size, shape, and location within the guidance application display. For example, the advertisement 124 can be provided as a rectangle that is horizontally adjacent to the frame 102. This is sometimes called a panel advertisement. Further, the advertisement can be overlaid on the media content or guidance application display, or embedded within the display. Advertisements can also include text, images, replacement images, video clips, or other types of media content. Advertisements can be stored in user equipment with guidance applications, in databases connected to the user equipment, remote locations (including streaming media servers), or other storage means or combinations of these locations. Providing advertisements to the media guidance application is described in, for example, Knudson et al., US Patent Application No. 10 / 347,673, filed January 17, 2003, and Ward, III, et al., Filed June 29, 2004. Details are discussed in US Pat. No. 6,388,714 to Schein et al., 6,756,997, filed May 14, 2002, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. It will be appreciated that advertisements can be included on other media guidance application display screens of the present invention.

  Options area 126 may allow a user to access a variety of media content (eg, Internet content), media guidance application displays, and / or media guidance application functions. The options area 126 can be part of the display 100 (and other display screens of the present invention), or by selecting an option on the screen, or a dedicated or assignable button on the user input device. It can be activated by the user by pressing. The selectable options in the options area 126 can relate to functions related to the program listing in the pane 102 or can include options available from the main menu display. Functions related to the program list include searching for other broadcast times or reception methods of the program, recording a program, recording a series of programs, setting programs and / or channels as favorites, purchasing programs, or others Functions can be included. Options available from the main menu display include search options, VOD options, parental management options, access to various types of listings, subscription to premium services, user profile editing, browser overlay access, or other Options can be included.

  Another display arrangement for providing guidance is shown in FIG. Display 200 provides guidance for video delivered over the Internet and may be provided as a display in an online media guidance application or as a display in a client-server or stand-alone (eg, set-top box based) guidance application. . In some examples herein, television programs distributed over the Internet are provided, but the disclosed embodiments may be used for movies, user-generated content, or any other type of media content. Can provide guidance for In some embodiments, display 200 is displayed as a result of user selection of listing 118 on display 100 (FIG. 1). The display 200 may be divided into three columns for clarity and organization. Center column 204 includes a list of media arranged in mosaic 208. The left column 202 allows the user to define criteria (eg, specific genres, shows, etc.) for the videos provided in the mosaic 208. The right column 206 provides recommendations to the user. Each of these columns is detailed below with respect to FIGS. 2-7, 8A-8C, and 9A-9B.

  The left column 202 allows the user to select a video based on criteria of interest. The left column 202 provides a list of selectable categories 210. A category may include a genre, channel, show, hot list, type (eg, TV drama, movie, etc.), or any other such category. One of the categories can be selected. The category may be selected based on user instructions or defaulted to the selected state. In the selected state, there may be a window 214 of selectable criteria elements 212 corresponding to the selected category. A window can be located under the category name to indicate which category has been selected. Using the user input device, the user can select a reference element in window 214 (eg, by moving highlighted area 216 to the desired reference element and pressing a key or clicking directly on the desired reference element). 212 can be selected. Once selected, in addition to being displayed in window 214, the selected reference element may appear at 218. That is, it may appear under its corresponding category 210 and above the window 214. This indicates to the user that the reference element has been successfully selected. When multiple reference elements are selected within the same category, each reference element may be listed under the category in a predetermined order (eg, the order in which the reference elements are selected, alphabetical order, etc.). A selected reference element may be listed under its corresponding category, as indicated by the selected reference element 222, even if no category is selected. A selectable button 220 may be provided next to each of the selected reference elements 218 and 222. By selecting a button 220, the corresponding selected reference element can be deselected.

  An alternative way for the user to select the reference element is to manually enter a search term / keyword. A user can enter one or more keywords into the search bar 224 using a user input device. A selectable button 226 can be selected to initiate a search using the entered keyword. The search bar 224 may be used in conjunction with the left column 202 as needed (e.g., the user selects a reference element based on the selected reference element in the column 202 and the keyword entered in the search bar 224). Can be defined).

  The middle column 204 can display a series of videos in the mosaic 208, which is determined based on receiving user input in the search bar 224 and / or the left column 202. Unlike the list from FIG. 1, the list on display 200 is not limited to simple text (eg, program title) and icons to describe the media. Rather, on display 200, the listing may include cover art, still images from media content, video clip previews, live video from media content, or other types of media that indicate to the user the media content described by the listing. Images can be provided. Each of the graphic listings may be accompanied by text and provide additional information regarding the media content associated with the listing. A detailed view of the list 228 in the mosaic 208 is shown in FIG. 3 so that the figure is not unnecessarily complicated.

  FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the media list 228 in the mosaic 208 (FIG. 2). The video may be displayed by a graphic identifier 302 (eg, video thumbnail / screenshot, video preview, video itself, etc.). Video rating 304 may be overlaid on a portion of graphic identifier 302. The rating may reflect rating designations from all users who rated the video from the respective media guidance application or related / series program. The visual indicator can be accompanied by a text box / overlay 306 to provide further information about the media content. For example, the text description 308 may include the media title, the date that the video became available for viewing, and the length of the video. The text box may also include simple icons 310 and / or 312. The icon 310 is a simple dollar sign and may be displayed when the media costs some download or stream from the media provider. If there is no icon 310, the video is free. Similarly, if the video is recommended by an editor (eg, a television or movie critic), an icon such as a check mark 312 may be displayed. Otherwise, the check mark 310 is not displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the total number of videos identified after applying the selected or entered criteria is displayed in area 230. The area 230 is displayed in the left column 202 but can be displayed anywhere on the user interface 200. If more videos are identified than are currently viewable in mosaic 208, selectable arrows 234 and 236 can be used to view more viewable videos. Selectable arrow 234 allows the user to view a new subset of identified videos, and selectable arrow 236 returns the user to the previously viewed subset of identified videos. The user can change the order in which videos are presented by selecting one of the sort links 238. The identified videos are based on the date the video was made available (eg, from the most recent date or from the oldest date), the popularity of the video (eg, based on the total number of times the video was selected by other users) ), May be sorted according to a random order or using any other method for sorting a set of videos.

  The user interface 200 also uses sliders 240 and 242 to allow the user to indicate the desired maximum video length and desired newness. The slider 240 sets the maximum video length. When the slider 240 is at the right end, the video length is not limited. As the slider moves to the left, only gradually shorter videos can be included in the results. For example, if the slider 240 is at the midpoint of the scale, only video clips that are less than 30 minutes are included in the result. If the slider is at the left end, only video clips of less than 5 minutes are included in the result. Similarly, the slider 242 sets the maximum date range. When the slider 242 is at the right end, the age of the video is not limited. As the slider moves to the left, only the most recent videos can be included in the results display.

  The mosaic 208 is a list 228 of 2 × 2 grids. However, any other arrangement may be used, for example a 3x3 or 2x3 grid. Further, although each list 228 is displayed in the same size, it may be a different size. The list may be highlighted in different sizes or graphically to indicate the degree of interest in the user, the relevance of each identified video identified following the search, or as desired by the media provider or user preferences Based on the above, predetermined contents are emphasized. Various systems and methods for graphically enhancing media listings are discussed, for example, in US Patent Application No. 11 / 324,202, filed December 29, 2005, by Yates, see here. Is incorporated herein in its entirety.

  Each list 228 may be a selectable frame. In one embodiment of the present invention, when the user selects a selectable frame, the user is directed to a website where the corresponding video can be downloaded or streamed. The website may be displayed on an overlay or a new screen. In another embodiment of the present invention, when the user selects list 228, additional information about the video, such as a description of the program, may be displayed to the user in the overlay or right column 206. Based on the additional information, the user can choose to be directed to the website where the video is provided, add the video to the favorite video list, or add the video to the view queue 244.

  View queue 244 displays a list of videos that the user has selected for later viewing. Each video may be displayed by a graphic identifier such as a screenshot / thumbnail, a video preview, or the video itself. In one embodiment of the invention, each video identifier 246 is selectable, providing the user with easy access to the video that the user wants to watch. Once a video is selected from the view queue, the user can be directed to the website where the video is provided. When a video is selected, the video is automatically removed from the view queue or the user can manually remove the video from the view queue. In another embodiment of the invention, the view queue 244 operates as a “playlist”. When the user is ready to watch the video from the view queue, the user is directed to the first video website in the view queue.

  The right column 206 can display two types of information. (1) The recommended video can be presented to the user, or (2) additional information regarding the selected video can be displayed. 2 and 4 show a rightmost column 206 that performs the former function of displaying recommendations to the user. The latter function is described in detail below in connection with FIG. The heading 250 in column 206 is labeled “Today's handpicked” and indicates that the recommendation was selected based on the most popular video of the day. Other ways of providing recommendations to the user are described in detail below in connection with FIG. Recommended videos may be presented to the user by providing a format similar to the listing 228 associated with FIG. 3 above. Alternatively, the recommended video may be displayed by listing the video title 252, the video graphic identifier 254 with a rating overlay 256, and a short program description 258 for the video. Other information may be provided in column 202 for each video.

  When the user first enters the guidance application, the selection may be based on the most popular of all videos available in any category. If the user defines the type of video of interest by searching for keywords in the left column 202 or selecting criteria, the recommended video in the right column 206 is changed to reflect the user's behavior. obtain. For example, if the user selects the “Action / Adventure” criteria element in window 214, the video under “Carefully Selected Today” may be modified to include one or more of the most popular action / adventure videos of the day. it can.

  The recommendations provided in the right column 206 may be based on criteria other than popularity. For example, the recommendations may be based on editor recommendations, as shown in column 400 of FIG. Heading 402 is labeled “Editor Selection” and reflects how the recommended video is selected. The editor can be a famous movie or television critic, or any other person the user can know. Consistent with one embodiment of the present invention, column 400 may provide more information about each recommended video than the list in mosaic 208 (FIG. 2). For example, for each recommended video, a title 404, a graphic identifier (eg, thumbnail / screenshot, etc.) 406 with a rating 408 overlay, and a brief description 410 are displayed. The rating 406 for each video may be based on the rating entered by the user. Other information about the video can be a network symbol 412 (eg, FOX), genre (eg, action / adventure, drama, etc.), or type 414 (eg, TV drama, movie, etc.) from the network where the video was originally broadcast, It may include a video length 416 and a cost 418 to download or stream the video. FOX is a registered trademark of FOX Broadcast Company. Since column 400 is merely exemplary, more or less video information may be displayed than described above.

  Techniques other than based on popularity or editor selection may be used to select recommendations for the user. The recommendation may be based on the user's interest. User interest may be obtained from explicit user designations or user profiles that monitor user operations on the media guidance application. For example, if the user does not like action / adventure videos, the recommended videos may be the two or three most popular videos other than action / adventure videos. If a user typically watches a video spotted by Roger Evert, the recommended video can be two or three videos recently featured by Roger Evert.

  When the user selects a video from either the mosaic 208 or the recommended video, the right column 206 (FIG. 2) can display options for the selected video to the user, as shown in FIG. In addition, further information about the video may be displayed. FIG. 5 shows the result of selecting one of the first video or video of mosaic 208 in FIG. In addition to information content regarding the selected video, selectable options 504, 506, 508, 510, 516, and 518 are presented to the user. A selectable button 504 opens a new display or overlay and directs the user to the website where the video is provided. Selectable button 506 adds the current video to view queue 244 (FIG. 2) and selectable button 508 adds the video to the user's favorites list.

  Option 510 provides a link related to the currently displayed video. Thus, if the user enjoys the video, the user can be directed to the associated video. Related videos are presented to the user as keywords 512. Keyword 512 may be an actor or other celebrity associated with the video, the network on which the program is broadcast, the associated network, or any other keyword associated with the video. Next to each keyword in the list, a number 514 corresponding to the number of viewable videos associated with the keyword is displayed. For example, in FIG. 5, Kiefa Sutherland is an actor appearing in a selected show and 392 videos are viewable for the actor. When the user selects the selectable link 520, the mosaic 208 (FIG. 2) is reflected to include 392 videos. The rightmost column 206 then returns to provide recommendations to the user based on the selected keyword (FIG. 4).

  Column 500 may present other options related to the selected video, including “Send to Friend” 516 and “Blog about this video” 518 functions. Function 516 allows the user to notify friends about the current video. In one embodiment of the present invention, the URL of the website providing the video may be sent to the friend's email address or sent to the friend using any suitable means. In another embodiment of the present invention, the video is added to a recommended list in the friend's user profile, and the friend can access the list by accessing his account on the media guidance application. You can also send your email or any other method for delivering information to your friends to notify them that new recommendations have been added.

  Function 518 may direct the user to a new display screen (not shown). The display screen allows the user to enter their views or comments about the video after watching the video. These views can be stored in a blog associated with the user. A blog can include various entries, each entry corresponding to a particular video or related media information about the video (eg, a particular genre, show, channel, actor, etc.). In some embodiments, by selecting option 518, an entry for the video may be automatically started. The blog can be stored in a user profile. The blog may be stored on the user equipment and accessible only to the user. Alternatively, the blog can be stored remotely and made accessible to users designated as friends or published for people to read.

  Other features that may be provided to the user by column 500, but are not shown to avoid cluttering the diagram, go to an option to rate the video, an option to visit a forum about video, or a wikiable page about video Is optional. If desired, the user may be directed to a forum that discusses the video or topics related to the video (eg, a television show, a network providing the video, actors appearing in the video, etc.). Users can also go to wikiable pages about videos or topics related to videos and share information with users of other guidance applications.

  A media guidance application, such as an application that provides the display screen 200 of FIG. 2, may be personalized based on user preferences. A personalized media guidance application allows a user to customize the display and functionality to create a personalized “experience” for the media guidance application. This personalized experience may be formed by allowing a user to enter these customizations and / or by a media guidance application that monitors user activity to determine various user preferences. The user can access the personalized guidance application by logging in or by identifying himself to the guidance application by other means. Customization of the media guidance application may be performed according to a user profile. Customization includes various display schemes (eg, display color scheme, text font size, etc.), the nature of the displayed media content list (eg, recommended media content), and the nature of the displayed reference elements (eg, , Category or reference element order, etc.), parental management settings, and other desirable customizations.

The media guidance application allows a user to provide user profile information or to automatically organize user profile information. The media guidance application may, for example, monitor media accessed by the user and / or other interactions between the user and the guidance application. In addition, the media guidance application allows a user to access all or part of other user profiles associated with a particular user (eg, from other websites on the Internet that the user accesses, such as www.tvguide.com). Can be obtained from other media guidance applications, from other interactive applications that the user accesses, such as from the user's mobile device, and / or information about the user from other sources that the media guidance application can access . As a result, the user can be provided with a unified guidance application experience across the user's different devices. This type of user experience is described in detail below in connection with FIG. Additional personalized media guidance application functions are described in US patent application Ser. No. 11 / 179,410 filed Jul. 11, 2005, Ellis et al., US patent application Ser. No. 09/09, filed Nov. 9, 1999. 437,304, and US patent application Ser. No. 10 / 105,128 filed Feb. 21, 2002 by Ellis et al., Which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

  The user can enter preferences and customize the display provided by the guidance application, for example through the display 600 in FIG. User preferences may be stored in a user profile associated with the user. The user interface 600 may display the user's favorite videos, the user's display preferences, and allow the user to add or delete preferences. The favorite video list 602 is a list of videos, and each video is marked as a favorite by the user selecting, for example, a selectable “Add to Favorites” button 508 (FIG. 5). Each entry in the list may be identified by a graphic identifier 604 (eg, screenshot / thumbnail) and text information 606. Text information 606 may include the title of the video, the length of the video, the date when the video became available, and any other relevant information. A “close” identifier 608 next to each video in the list 602 allows the user to delete any individual video from the list. The “favorite video” list 602 may differ from the view queue 246 at least because the favorite list is permanently stored (eg, in a user profile). Thus, the user can exit the guidance application and return to the application later without losing the information stored on the display 600. Below the favorites list 602 is a “send to friend” link 610. Link 610 allows the user to send a video in the user's favorites list to a friend. Favorites list 602 may be sent to a friend using any of the procedures described in connection with link 516 of FIG.

  The user can enter a preference view in preference list 612. The preference list 612 may include one or more user favorite editors 614. The preference list 612 may include one or more favorite types of videos 616. Any of the selectable criteria elements available in the left column 202 of the user interface 200 (FIG. 2) (eg, criteria elements in genre, channel, show, hot list, video type, etc.) may be included in the preference list. . Any of the preferences entered by the user are removed by selecting the button 618 corresponding to the preference, and the preferences can be added by selecting the link 620. Link 620 directs the user to a new screen (not shown) or overlay, where the user can select additional options to include in the preference list.

  A link 622 can be used to set an alert when a new video that is of interest to the user becomes available. The user may be notified when a new video is available that meets one or more criteria elements in the preferences list 612. The user sets a warning and issues a warning using any or all of the criteria elements. An alert may be an email, text message, or other suitable form for delivering news that a new video of user interest is available.

  User interface 200 (FIG. 2) may be customized based on preferences entered into lists 624 and 626. List 624 does not display any video that does not have the characteristics of at least one of the reference elements in the list. For example, in the exemplary user interface 600, the user has specified to see only the results for the action / adventure genre. The filtering effect of list 624 can only occur if at least one criterion element is selected.

  The list 626 can exclude videos that meet any of the criteria elements in the list presented to the user. Therefore, if the list 620 is empty, the list 620 does not affect the video presented to the user. Using either the list 624 or the list 626, the user can greatly manage whether the video type is returned to any search. Display 600 may also include other options for customizing user interface 200. In some embodiments, the user can change the format or options in the left column 202. The user can display or hide the category. The user can select the order in which the categories or reference elements are displayed.

  FIG. 7 shows an exemplary Venn diagram 700 of videos that are viewable in the news category. As shown in the Venn diagram 700, in the news genre 702, 2000 videos can be displayed to the user. Of the 2000 news videos, 139 videos are associated with the Comedy Central channel 704. Also, 518 of the 2000 news videos are associated with the C-SPAN channel 706. Although more videos are associated with two channels than shown in the Venn diagram, these are not news genres. This is indicated by a dotted line 710 extending outside the news box 702. Finally, as indicated by box 708, 30 videos in the news genre are associated with both Comedy Central and C-SPAN.

  The example display screens shown in FIGS. 8A-8C and 9A-9B illustrate a typical usage scenario of the user interface 200, particularly the left column 202 (FIG. 2). The scenario is described with reference to the Venn diagram 700 of FIG. At various stages, column 202 (FIG. 2) may take the form of columns 800A-800C in FIGS. In this scenario, column 202 (FIG. 2) is used as a means of range narrowing, whereby the number of videos identified is reduced for each selected reference element. Initially, column 202 may include genre, channel, show, and hot list categories. The genre category may be selected by default, and the genre category reference element is displayed (see FIG. 2). When the user selects the reference element “News” 802 in the genre category, the reference elements are listed under the genre category heading and above the window of selectable elements. Next to the selected reference element 804 is a “Close” button 806 that can be used to deselect the reference element and remove the reference element from its position on the window 812. Following the user selection of the news genre, online videos viewable in the news genre are identified. The number of videos identified, or 2000, is displayed at 708, which matches the number of news videos available in Venn diagram 700.

When a category user selection, channel 810 is received, the window of selectable elements 812 corresponding to the genre category closes. A window 814 corresponding to the channel category is presented under the channel category heading. The reference elements in window 814 each have a video in the news genre. Channels that do not have video in the news genre are not included in the window 814. When a user selection of reference element 816 (Comedy Central) is received, reference element 818 moves under the category heading and a “Close” button 820 is provided next to the reference element, as described above. Following user selection of the Comedy Central channel criteria element, a viewable online video that is a news genre and associated with the Comedy Central is identified. The number of videos identified, or 139, is displayed at 822. Therefore, only 139 out of 2000 videos in the news genre are Comedy.
In relation to Central, the scope of the video set is narrowed accordingly. This is consistent with 704 in Venn diagram 700.

  Following the selection of C-SPAN in the channel category, the number of remaining videos, or 30, is displayed at 824 in FIG. 8C. Thus, of the 139 videos that meet both news and Comedy Central criteria, only 30 videos are also associated with C-SPAN. This number is consistent with 708 in Venn diagram 700. When a show category is selected, window 814 is closed and a new window corresponding to the television show, window 826, is presented under the show category heading. Note that only one show, The Daily Show, is listed in the window. This indicates that all 30 videos based on news, related to Comedy Central, and related to C-SPAN are at least related to, or at least related to, The Daily Show.

  When a user instruction to delete the Comedy Central criteria element is received (eg, when a user selection of button 820 is received), the identified video need only meet the news and C-SPAN criteria, and according to Venn diagram 700, 818 videos are produced. This can later be reflected in a user interface (not shown). The criteria elements change accordingly, including shows with viewable videos that meet both news and C-SPAN criteria.

  Column 202 (FIG. 2) may take the form of 900A and 900B in FIGS. 9A and 9B. In this usage scenario, the method of narrowing the scope may increase the set of videos identified by later selection of the reference element. The steps involved in reaching the configuration shown in FIG. 9A can be accomplished by the steps described above in connection with FIGS. 8A and 8B. Therefore, for convenience, FIG. 8B is duplicated as FIG. 9A. In FIG. 9A, the news category element of the genre category and the Comedy Central criterion element of the channel category are selected, and the channel category reference element is displayed. As a result, there are 139 videos, which is consistent with the Venn diagram 700.

  Following the selection of C-SPAN in the channel category, the identified videos are expanded to include news-related videos in either Comedy Central or C-SPAN. Thus, the number of identified videos shown at 904 increases from 139 to 627 videos. As can be seen from looking at the window 906 of selectable criteria elements in the show category (eg, by selecting a show category), news related shows provided by both Comedy Central and C-SPAN are listed. Note that in window 906, the video from each channel is separated (show 908 provided by Comedy Central, show 910 provided by C-SPAN), indicating that they meet different criteria elements in different categories. I want. In some embodiments, the reference elements are displayed together (eg, in alphabetical order) regardless of the reference elements selected in other categories.

  When a user instruction to delete the Comedy Central reference element is received (eg, when a user selection of button 914 is received), the set of videos may be narrowed. In this case, the identified video needs to meet news and C-SPAN criteria, and according to Venn diagram 700, the set of videos is reduced from 627 to 518. This can later be reflected in a user interface (not shown). The criteria elements change accordingly, including shows with viewable videos that meet both news and C-SPAN criteria.

  A user can access media content and media guidance applications (and the display screen described above) from one or more user equipment devices. FIG. 10 shows a generalized embodiment of an exemplary user equipment device 1000. A more specific implementation of the user equipment device is described below with reference to FIG. The user equipment device 1000 can receive media content and data via an input / output (hereinafter “I / O”) path 1002. The I / O path 1002 can provide media content (eg, broadcast programs, on-demand programs, Internet content, and other video or audio) and data to the control circuit 1004. The control circuit 1004 includes a processing circuit 1006 and a storage 1008. The control circuit 1004 can be used to send and receive commands, requests, and other suitable data using the I / O path 1002. The I / O path 1002 can connect the control circuit 1004 (and particularly the processing circuit 1006) to one or more communication paths (described below). I / O functions can be provided by one or more of these communication paths, but are shown as a single path in FIG. 10 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing.

  The control circuit 1004 can be based on any suitable processing circuit 1006, such as a control circuit based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, etc. In some embodiments, the control circuit 1004 executes instructions for a media guidance application stored in memory (ie, storage 1008). In a client server based embodiment, the control circuit 1004 may include a communication circuit suitable for communication with a guidance application server or other network or server. The communication circuit may include a cable modem, an integrated digital network (ISDN) modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a telephone modem, or a wireless modem for communication with other equipment. Such communication involves at least the Internet for obtaining online media content, and may further involve any other suitable communication network or path (detailed with reference to FIG. 11). In addition, the communication circuitry may include circuitry that enables peer-to-peer communication of user equipment devices or communication of user equipment devices that are remote from each other (detailed below).

  Memory (eg, random access memory, read-only memory, or any other suitable memory), hard drive, optical drive, or any other suitable fixed or removable storage device (eg, DVD recorder, CD recorder) A video cassette recorder, or other suitable recording device) can be provided as storage 1008 that is part of the control circuit 1004. The storage 1008 can include one or more storage devices of the type described above. For example, the user equipment device 1000 can include a hard disk drive for DVR (sometimes called a personal video recorder or PVR) and a DVD recorder as a secondary storage device. Storage 1008 stores the various types of media and guidance application data described herein, including program information, guidance application settings, user preferences or profile information, or other data used when operating the guidance application. Can be used to memorize. Non-volatile memory can also be used (eg, to invoke bootup routines and other instructions).

  The control circuit 1004 is a video generation circuit and tuning, such as one or more analog tuners, one or more MPEG-2 decoders or other digital decoding circuits, a high resolution tuner, or any other suitable adjustment or video circuit. A circuit can be included, or a combination of such circuits can also be included. Encoding circuitry (eg, converting broadcast, analog or digital signals to MPEG signals for storage) can also be provided. The control circuit 1004 can also include a scaler circuit for up-converting or down-converting media to the preferred output format of the user equipment 1000. The circuit 1004 can also include a digital to analog conversion circuit and an analog to digital conversion circuit for converting between digital and analog signals. Tuning and encoding circuitry may be used by user equipment to receive and display, play, or record media content. A tuning and encoding circuit can be used to receive the guidance data. The circuits described herein are implemented using software running on one or more general purpose or specialized processors, including, for example, tuning, video generation, encoding, decoding, scalers, and analog / digital circuits. can do. Multiple tuners can be provided to handle simultaneous tuning functions (eg, monitoring and recording functions, picture-in-picture (PIP) functions, multiple tuner recording functions, etc.). If the storage 1008 is provided as a separate device from the user equipment 1000, tuning and encoding circuitry (including multiple tuners) can be associated with the storage 1008.

  A user can control the control circuit 1004 using the user input interface 1010. The user input interface 1010 can be any suitable user interface, such as a remote control device, mouse, trackball, keypad, keyboard, touch screen, touchpad, stylus input, joystick, voice recognition interface or other user input interface. can do. Display 1012 may be provided as a stand-alone device or as an integrated with other elements of user equipment device 1000. Display 1012 can be one or more monitors, televisions, liquid crystal screens (LCDs) for mobile devices, or any other suitable device for displaying visual images. In some embodiments, the display 1012 can be HDTV-compatible. The speaker 1014 can be provided integrated with other elements of the user equipment device 1000 or can be a stand-alone unit. Audio components of video and other media content displayed on the display 1012 can be played through the speaker 1014. In some embodiments, the audio can be delivered to a receiver (not shown), which processes and outputs the audio via a speaker 1014.

  The user equipment device 1000 of FIG. 10 may be any other type suitable for accessing media, such as a user's television equipment 1102, a user's computer equipment 1104, a wireless user communication device 1106, or a non-portable game console. The user equipment can be realized in the system 1100 of FIG. For simplicity, these devices may be collectively referred to herein as user equipment or user equipment devices. The user equipment device on which the media guidance application is implemented can function as a stand-alone device or can be part of a network of devices. Various network configurations of the device can be implemented and are described in detail below.

  User television equipment 1102 includes set-top boxes, satellite receivers (IRDs), television sets, digital storage devices, DVD recorders, video cassette recorders (VCRs), local media servers, or other user television equipment. Can do. These one or more devices can be integrated into a single device if desired. User computer equipment 1104 may include a PC, notebook computer, tablet, WebTV box, personal computer television (PC / TV), PC media server, PC media center, or other user computer equipment. WEBTV is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. The wireless user communication device 1106 can include a PDA, mobile phone, portable video player, portable music player, portable game console, or other wireless device.

  Note that with the advent of video integration into PC TV tuner cards, WebTV, and other user equipment devices, it is not possible to clearly distinguish devices when trying to classify them as one of the above devices. In fact, each of the user television equipment 1102, user computer equipment 1104, and wireless user communication device 1106 can utilize at least some of the system functions described above with reference to FIG. The type of media content available on the device can be flexibly considered. For example, user television equipment 1102 can be Internet-enabled to allow access to Internet content, while user computer equipment 1104 can include a tuner that allows access to television programs. The media guidance application can also have the same layout on various types of user equipment or can be tailored to the display capabilities of the user equipment. For example, on the user's computer device, the guidance application can be provided as a website accessed by a web browser. In another example, the guidance application can be reduced for wireless user communication devices.

  In system 1100, there are typically more than one of each type of user equipment device, but only one of each is shown in FIG. 11 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. In addition, each user has more than one type of user equipment device (eg, a user can have a television set and a computer), and more than one type of user equipment device (eg, a user has a PDA Mobile phones and / or multiple TV sets).

  The user can also set a variety of settings to keep the media guidance application settings constant at home and remote devices. Settings include the settings described herein, as well as favorite channels and programs, program preferences used by the guidance application to recommend programs, display preferences, and other desirable guidance settings. For example, if the user is on a personal computer at work, www. Setting a channel on the tvguide website as a favorite allows the same channel to be favorite on the user's home device (eg, the user's television equipment and the user's computer equipment) and, if necessary, on the user's mobile Is displayed. Thus, changes made on one user equipment device can change the guidance experience on another user equipment device, whether they are the same type or different types of user equipment devices. Further, the changes made may be based on user configuration inputs and user activity monitored by the guidance application.

  User equipment devices may be coupled to the communication network 1114. That is, user television equipment 1102, user computer equipment 1104, and wireless user communication device 1106 are coupled to communication network 1114 via communication paths 1108, 1110, and 1112, respectively. Communication network 1114 includes the Internet, and further includes one or more other including a mobile phone network, a mobile device (eg, Blackberry) network, a cable network, a public switched network, or other types of communication networks or combinations of communication networks Network. BLACKBERRY is a registered trademark of Research In Motion Limited Corp. Paths 1108, 1110 and 1112 can be separate or together, satellite broadcast paths, fiber optic paths, cable paths, paths that support Internet communications (eg, IPTV), free space connections (eg, for broadcast or other wireless signals), Or it may include one or more communication paths, such as any other suitable wired or wireless communication path or a combination of these paths. Path 1112 is drawn with a dashed line to indicate that it is a wireless path in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11, and paths 1108 and 1110 are indicated with a solid line to indicate that they are wired paths. (However, these routes can be wireless routes if desired). Communication with the user equipment device can be provided by one or more of these communication paths, but is shown as a single path in FIG. 11 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing.

  Although communication paths are not drawn between the user equipment devices, these devices are those described above with respect to paths 1108, 1110 and 1112, and USB cables, IEEE 1394 cables, wireless paths (eg, Bluetooth, infrared, Can communicate directly with each other via a short-range point-to-point communication path such as IEEE802-11x) or other short-range communication via a wired or wireless path. BLUETOOTH is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, INC. User equipment devices can also communicate directly with each other via an indirect path through communication network 1114.

  System 1100 includes a web server 1116 and a media guidance data source 1118 coupled to a communication network 1114 via communication paths 1120 and 1122, respectively. Paths 1120 and 1122 can include any of the communication paths described above with respect to paths 1108, 1110 and 1112. Communication with web server 1116 and media guidance data source 1118 can be exchanged over one or more communication paths, but is shown as a single path in FIG. 11 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. . In addition, there may be more than one of each of the web server 1116 and media guidance data source 1118, but only one of each is shown in FIG. 11 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. (The different types of each of these sources are discussed below.) If necessary, the web server 1116 and media guidance data source 1118 can be integrated as one source device. Although communication between sources 1116 and 1118 and user equipment devices 1102, 1104, and 1106 is shown as over communication network 1114, in some embodiments, sources 1116 and 1118 are routed 1108. Direct communication with user equipment devices 1102, 1104, and 1106 may occur via communication paths (not shown) such as those described above with respect to 1110 and 1112.

  Online media may be provided by web server 1116. Web server 1116 may provide an online media provider's website (eg, a television network website, entertainment website, movie website, or a website that aggregates content from multiple sources). Online media providers offer a variety of content (eg full-length movies / TV dramas, movie / episode fragments, trailers / previews, actor / director / producer interviews, music videos, original online-only content, network or program promotions, etc. ) Can be hosted. Online media providers can host a variety of media (eg, streaming, downloadable, user generated, expert generated). The provided online media may be stored locally at the web server 1116 or at a remote media server. In addition to media content, the web server 1116 can store metadata (eg, title, description, URL, etc.) for each media provided.

  One or more other media sources (not shown) may also provide media content to the user equipment and may include any of the communication paths described above in connection with paths 1108, 1110, and 1112. It can be connected to the communication network by more than one path. Other media sources include television distribution facilities, cable system headends, satellite distribution facilities, program sources (eg, television broadcast stations such as NBC, ABC, HBO, etc.), intermediate distribution facilities and / or servers, on-demand media servers, and One or more types of media distribution devices may be included, including other media content providers. NBC is available from National Broadcasting Company, Inc. ABC is a registered trademark of ABC, INC. HBO is a registered trademark of Home Box Office. Other media sources may be media content originators (eg, television broadcasters, webcast providers, etc.) or may not be media content originators (eg, on-demand media content providers, etc.). Other media sources may include cable sources, satellite providers, on-demand providers, or other providers of media content. Other media sources may also include remote media servers used to store different types of media content (including video content selected by the user) at a location remote from any of the user equipment devices. A system and method for remote storage of media content and for providing remotely stored media content to user equipment is described in US patent application Ser. No. 09 / 332,244, filed Jun. 11, 1999 by Ellis et al. It is described in detail in connection with it, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

  Media guidance data source 1118 may provide media guidance data for a media guidance application. Media guidance data source 1118 includes data stores 1124 and 1126, and can provide guidance data from either data store. The guidance data includes program information such as a program title, an episode title, an episode summary, an editor comment, etc., and is usually, for example, TV Guide Magazine or www. tvguide. com. Data stores 1124 and 1126 may be one or more relational databases or other suitable storage mechanisms. Data stores 1124 and 1126 may be local (as shown in system 1100) or at a remote location.

  Data store 1126 stores media guidance data that is available or not available online. The stored media guidance data includes media list, media related information (eg, broadcast time, broadcast channel, media title, media description, evaluation information (eg, parental control evaluation, critic's evaluation, etc.), genre or category information. , Actor information, logo data for broadcaster or provider logos, etc.), media format (eg MPEG), advertising information (eg text, images, media clips, etc.), and any other type of guidance data useful to the user Can navigate and detect the desired media selection. Data store 1126 may also store identifiers in data store 1124 that references related media.

  Media guidance data source 1118 may also include a data store 1124. Data store 1124 stores information related to videos viewable on web server 1116. Data store 1124 may store metadata (eg, title, description, URL, etc.) associated with each video from web server 1116 or information obtained from the metadata. The data store 1124 can also store metadata not provided by the web server 1116 (eg, date entered in the data store 1124, popularity, user generated tags / keywords, etc.). Data store 1124 may store the identifier in data store 1126 to indicate additional media guidance data associated with the video found on web server 1116. In some embodiments, the data store 1124 stores online media provided by the web server 1116 along with information about the media.

The media guidance application data may be provided to the user equipment device using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, the guidance application receives a stand-alone interactive television program that receives program guide data via a data feed (eg, data in a continuous feed, trickle feed, or channel vertical blanking interval). Can be a guide.
Program schedule data and other guidance data can be sent to user equipment on the TV channel sideband, using an in-region digital signal, an out-of-region digital signal, in the vertical blanking interval of the TV channel, or any other Can be provided by any suitable data transfer technique. Program schedule data and other guidance data may be provided to user equipment on multiple analog or digital television channels. Program schedule data and other guidance data may be sent to the user equipment at any suitable frequency (eg, continuously, daily, user specified period, system specified period, in response to requests from user equipment). Can be provided. In some approaches, guidance data from media guidance data source 1118 and / or other media sources may be provided to the user's equipment using a client-server approach. For example, a guidance application client on the user's device can initiate a session with the source 1118 and obtain guidance data as needed. Media guidance data source 1118 may provide software updates for user equipment devices 1102, 1104, and 1106, the media guidance application itself, or the media guidance application.

  The media guidance application can be, for example, a stand-alone application implemented on the user equipment device. In other embodiments, the media guidance application may be a client server application where only the client resides on the user equipment device. For example, the media guidance application can be implemented partially as a client application on the control circuit 1011 of the user equipment device 1000 and partially as a server application (eg, media guidance data source 1118) on a remote server. . The guidance application display can be generated by the media guidance data source 1118 and transmitted to the user equipment device. The media guidance data source 1118 can also send data for storage on the user equipment, which then generates a guidance application display based on the instructions processed by the control circuitry.

  The media guidance system 1100 is intended to illustrate many approaches or network configurations, whereby user equipment devices and media content and sources of guidance data access media including content distributed over the Internet. And can communicate with each other for the purpose of providing media guidance. The present invention can be applied in one or a subset of these approaches, or in systems that employ other approaches for delivering media and providing media guidance. The following three approaches provide specific illustrations of the generalized example of FIG.

  In one approach, user equipment devices can communicate with each other within a home network. User equipment devices can be routed via indirect paths via hubs or other similar devices provided on the home network, via the short-range point-to-point communication techniques described above, or They can communicate directly with each other via communication network 1114. Each of a plurality of individuals in a single home can operate a different user equipment device on the home network. As a result, it may be desirable for various media guidance information or settings, including media guidance information for content distributed over the Internet, to be communicated between different user equipment devices. For example, for users, certain media guidance applications on different user equipment in a home network, as described in detail in US patent application Ser. No. 11 / 179,410, issued July 11, 2005, to Ellis et al. It may be desirable to maintain the setting. Also, different types of user equipment devices in the home network can communicate with each other to transmit media content. For example, a user can transmit online media content from user computer equipment to a portable video player or portable music player.

  In the second approach, a user can have multiple types of user equipment, thereby accessing media content including media content distributed over the Internet and obtaining media guidance. For example, some users may have a home network that is accessed at home and by mobile devices. The user can control the home device via a media guidance application implemented on the remote device. For example, a user can access an online media guidance application on a website via a personal computer at work or a mobile device such as a PDA or web-enabled mobile phone. The user can set various settings on the online guidance application (eg, recording, reminder, other settings) to control the user's home device. The online guide can be controlled by communicating the user's device directly or by a media guidance application on the user's home device. Various systems and methods for communication of user equipment devices where the user equipment devices are remote from each other are described, for example, in US Patent Application No. 10 / 927,814 of Ellis et al. And are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

  In the third approach, users of user equipment devices inside and outside the home use media guidance applications to communicate directly with web server 1116 or other media content sources to deliver content and other media delivered over the Internet. It is possible to access the content. Specifically, at home, the user's television equipment 1104 and the user's computer equipment 1106 can access the media guidance application to navigate and find between desired media content. The user can also use the wireless user communication device 1106 to access a media guidance application outside the home to navigate and find desired media content.

  Although the description of media content is centered on video content, it will be appreciated that the principles of media guidance can be applied to other types of media content such as music and images.

  A more detailed view of an embodiment of the media guidance data source 1118 is shown in FIG. In addition to data stores 1124 and 1126, media guidance data source 1118 may include web crawler device 1202 and web server 1204. Web crawler device 1202 and web server 1204 may each include one or more processing circuits 1214 and 1208, and storage 1216 and 1210, respectively. They may include any of the functions and components of the user equipment device described above in connection with FIG. They may additionally include any circuitry or stored software (eg, database driver, web crawler device application, web server application, etc.). Web crawler device 1202 and web server 1204 interact with data stores 1124 and 1126 through I / O paths 1210, 1218, 1220 and 1222. Web crawler device 1202 and web server 1204 communicate with communication network 1114 through I / O paths 1206 and 1212, which are collectively referred to as link 1122 in FIG. I / O paths 1206, 1210, 1212, 1218, 1220, and 1222 may be any suitable communication path described above with respect to 1108, 1116, and 1112. Although web crawler device 1202 and web server 1204 are shown as separate entities, their functions may be performed by a single device.

  In a typical scenario, web crawler device 1202 obtains online media information (eg, metadata) and, in some embodiments, online media content originally provided from web server 1116. That is, the web crawler device 1202 acquires information about online media that can be used on the Internet. In FIG. 12, a dotted line indicates a link between the link 1206 and the web server 1116, indicating that the web crawler device 1202 directly requests media and media information from the web server 1116. Web crawler device 1202 can then store information about available online media in data store 1124. To do this, the web crawler device 1202 can access, read, add, update, or delete data from the data store 1124. The web crawler device 1202 can store information related to the web server 1116 in the storage 1210. Accordingly, the web crawler device 1202 may store the acquired information directly in the data store 1124 or use the associated data in the data store 1126 and / or storage 1210 to initially process the acquired information. it can.

  In a typical scenario, web server 1204 can access or read data from data stores 1124 and 1126. Web server 1204 provides media guidance application data for the media guidance application using data read from either or both data stores. Web server 1204 may store user personalization data (eg, user profiles) in storage 1216 as well as any other suitable information for creating a display and / or data. Web server 1204 may provide data through input / output link 1212 using any of the approaches described above in connection with FIG. For example, the web server 1204 can transmit raw data, processed data, or create a display, depending on the type of user equipment and / or guidance application.

  The system 1300 of FIG. 13 is another exemplary embodiment of the media guidance data source 1118. FIG. 13 includes the components of FIG. 12 but also includes a data administrator user equipment 1302, an editor user equipment 1310, and an editor selection data store 1308.

  Data administrator user equipment 1302 may include processing circuitry 1304 and storage 1306. The data administrator's user equipment may be one of the user equipment devices 1102, 1104, or 1106. Data administrator user equipment 302 may include any or all of the components of the user equipment device. In FIG. 13, the data administrator user equipment 1302 is local to the data store 1124 and communicates with the data store 1124 through any of the paths described in connection with the I / O paths 1108, 1116, and 1112. can do. In some embodiments, the data administrator's user equipment is a standard user equipment (eg, laptop, mobile device, etc.) remote from the system 1300, and the data administrator signs in to the web crawler device 1202. Alternatively, access through the web server 1204 can be obtained. Typically, one or more data administrator user devices are present in the system 1300, but only one is displayed so as not to complicate the drawing more than necessary.

  In a typical usage scenario, the data administrator can access, read, add, delete, or update entries in the data store 1124 using the data administrator's user equipment. The data manager corrects incorrect information about online video, deletes videos that are no longer viewable, adds online media information and / or online media content, adds tags related to entries in data store 1126 Or any information that can be used by the web crawler device 1202 and the web server 1204 can be added. For example, the data manager tags a given web server 1116 so that any list from these tagged web servers is highlighted in the list.

  The editor's curated data store 1308 may be one or more relational databases or other suitable storage methods. The editor curation database 1308 may include separate storage space for each editor. Editor preferences database 1308 may include editor preference specifications for individual online media. In addition, editor selection database 1304 may include a hot list for each editor, which is a list of editor favorites or preferred media. For each editor preference designation in editor selection database 1308, editor selection database 1308 can store links to data stores 1124 and 1126. The link may be used by the web server 1204 in generating a display or collecting data for a media guidance application. In some embodiments, the editor's curated data store 1308 is part of the storage 1216 in the web server 1204.

  Editor user equipment 1310 may include processing circuitry 1312 and storage 1314. Editor user equipment 1310 may include functions and / or components described in connection with data administrator user equipment 1302. The editor user equipment may communicate remotely or locally with the editor's curated data store 1308 through any of the paths described in connection with I / O paths 1108, 1116, and 1112. In some embodiments, the editor's user equipment has access to a portion of the storage 1216 at the web server 1214, and the editor preference designation may be stored in the storage 1216. In a typical usage scenario, the editor can enter preference designations in a manner similar to how a user enters media into a favorites list (see FIG. 5). Typically, there is more than one editor user equipment in the system 1300, but only one is displayed so as not to complicate the drawing more than necessary.

  In the present invention, the online media guidance application may select a set of videos and display information about the selected videos to the user. A process diagram 1400 of exemplary steps involved in obtaining and providing media guidance data is shown in FIG. Online videos from one or more online media providers (eg, web server 1116) are identified and accessed in step 1402. Information for each identified video can be obtained from an online media provider. In some embodiments, multiple Internet sites are examined and metadata corresponding to viewable videos is collected from the Internet sites. Internet sites may include online media provider websites. Video metadata appears in video title, description, video URL, source name, source URL, genre, program type (eg, clip, full length episode, online only, movie trailer), screenshot / thumbnail, video Can include actor, runtime, role name, video format (eg, REAL, WMV, Flash, Quicktime, etc.), active / expiry, stream / download, DRM, price, and resolution (eg, full screen, 320 × 240, etc.) .

  The metadata collected for each identified video may be stored at step 1404 (eg, in data store 1124). In addition, other metadata that is not obtained from the media provider (eg, keywords or tags added by the data manager (eg, from the data manager's user equipment 1310), user ratings, popularity, and videos can be found on the Internet. Date, editor preferences, wikiable content data, etc.) can be stored in addition to the collected metadata. Stored metadata may be continuously updated at certain or various time intervals, or not at all. In some embodiments, the identified online video itself (eg, actual video file / clip / asset) is stored as well.

  In step 1406, metadata for each of the videos can be associated with the media guidance data, where the media guidance data can be stored in a media guidance database. The association can be determined based on a comparison of the video metadata and metadata in a media guidance database (eg, data store 1126) or can be added by a data administrator. In some embodiments, some of the collected metadata is used to form an association with the media guidance data and is not actually stored in step 1404. In still other embodiments, the degree of relevance may be stored, not just association. For example, comparing metadata can give a high degree of relevance to online videos that match the metadata at a high rate.

  In step 1406, each video can be associated with one or more entries in the media guidance database. For example, metadata for a television drama video may be associated with guidance data for a television show, a television drama, an actor in the show, a television network, or any editor commented on an episode or show. Associations can be formed by storing video metadata with tags from the media guidance database. Alternatively, the association or link between the stored metadata and the media guidance data can be stored remotely.

  A subset of videos may be selected at step 1408. The subset may be automatically selected based on editor preference specifications (eg, from editor selection database 1308) or user personalization data. User personalization data may be obtained from user operation monitoring, user profiles, or explicit specifications made by the user (see FIG. 6). The set of videos can also be automatically selected based on criteria such as video popularity or freshness (see column 206 in FIG. 2).

  A subset of videos may be selected at step 1408 in response to receiving a user command. The user may enter one or more search terms or keywords (eg, in search bar 224) and the subset of videos may be determined based on a comparison of the keywords and stored metadata associated with each video. The user can select a particular reference element of interest (eg, genre, show, channel, clip length, etc.) (eg, using column 202 of FIG. 2). The subset of videos meets the criteria and is determined based on an evaluation of the stored metadata.

  There is metadata associated with both media guidance data and online video. Thus, a subset of videos can be determined by comparing search terms or other criteria with any source of metadata. In one embodiment, search terms and / or other criteria elements are compared to the media guidance application metadata. The comparison returns the associated media guidance data. Because there is an association that links the media guidance data to the associated online video, a subset of the videos can be determined. In another embodiment of the present invention, the subset of videos is determined based on a comparison of search keywords and / or other criteria with video metadata. Two procedures may or may not return the same set of videos, depending on how the collected metadata is stored, the amount of metadata for each collected video, and how the association is formed. .

  In some embodiments, the media guidance database does not just contain media guidance data. The media guidance database also includes media such as video media. In this case, the subset of videos identified in step 1408 may include videos identified from videos stored in the Internet and / or media guidance database.

  A display showing each video in the subset of videos is generated at step 1410. Each video display in the subset includes guidance application data from a guidance application database. Guidance application data is determined based on the association formed in step 1406. The display may also include some or all of the collected and / or generated video metadata (eg, in text box 308 of FIG. 3, in column 400 of FIG. 4, as keyword 512 of FIG. 5, etc.). In some embodiments, the display is a mosaic and each video in the subset is represented by at least a graphic identifier (eg, a still image from the video). In other embodiments, the display may be text only. In addition, the displayed media list may indicate the relevance of each list, and the relevance is determined when the list is associated with the media guidance data in the direction of the data manager (see FIG. 13) or in step 1406. Can be determined based on the degree of relevance evaluated.

  In some embodiments, the online media guidance application can direct the user to media content that is of interest to the user. The flowchart 1500 of FIG. 15 illustrates exemplary steps for providing such functionality. Online media information may be obtained and processed based on the strategy discussed in steps 1404 to 1406 of FIG. The subset of videos can be obtained in step 1502 from the user's personalization data, editor preferences, search terms entered by the user (eg, in the search bar 224 of FIG. 2), or the user (eg, left column 202 of FIG. 2). B) may be identified using any of the techniques discussed in step 1408, including selecting a video based on the selected criteria element. In step 1504, a display is generated using a frame from each of the identified videos. The display may be similar to the display screen 200 shown in FIG. The user selection of the frame is received at step 1506 by the online media guidance application. Based on the selection, at step 1508, the guidance application directs the user to a website that provides the selected media content. The website can be provided in an overlay, in a frame within the guidance application, or displayed full screen.

  In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a set of videos is identified and further refined based on user selection of selectable criteria elements. The flowchart 1600 of FIG. 16 illustrates such a process. Online media information may be obtained and processed based on the strategy discussed in steps 1404 through 1406. Criteria elements (eg, action / adventure, news, ABC, Comedy Central, etc.) may be displayed to the user at step 1602, such as in window 214 of FIG. In some embodiments, the selectable reference elements may be a predefined set of reference elements that are always displayed. In other embodiments, selectable elements may include only reference elements that are suitable for media identified from the Internet in step 1402.

  In step 1604, the media guidance application receives one user indication of selectable criteria elements. Based on the selected criteria element, the identified subset of media is selected in step 1606. Since the selected reference element is the first criterion selected by the user, the subset is selected based only on this selected reference element. However, if other selected reference elements have already been received, the video subset may be selected based on one or more of all selected reference elements. The identified video subset may be selected based on any of the strategies described above in connection with step 1408 of FIG.

  After the subset of videos is selected, at step 1410, a display can be generated that shows each video in the subset as seen in mosaic 208 of FIG. This step can be performed by using any of the procedures discussed in connection with FIG. The media guidance application may then receive a user selection of another selectable criteria element at 1604. This narrows the selected subset of videos in step 1606 and the modified subset is reflected in the display generated in step 1410.

  In some embodiments, the guidance application can display selectable criteria elements categorized into categories. Based on the user selection, videos of interest to the user can be identified and the displayed reference elements can be updated accordingly. Thus, the identified video can depend not only on which reference element is selected, but also on which category has selected the reference element. The flowchart 1700 of FIG. 17 is an exemplary flowchart according to the principles of the present invention. As detailed below, the flowchart 1700 may take a number of embodiments.

  In one embodiment of flowchart 1700, the identified set of videos depends only on the recently selected criteria elements. When the user first enters the guidance application, a plurality of categories are displayed to the user at step 1702. For example, the categories can be genres, channels, shows, and hot lists (see column 202 in FIG. 2). In addition, one of the categories is defaulted to the selected stage and a window of reference elements within the category is displayed. In some embodiments, the selected category criteria element is displayed only if at least one video in the database satisfies the criteria element.

  Upon receiving a user selection at step 1704, if a reference element within the selected category (eg, reference element 212 of FIG. 2) is selected, at step 1706, videos that meet the selected criteria are identified. The video may be identified based on any of the strategies discussed in connection with FIG. The identified video may be displayed on a mosaic, such as the display screen 200 of FIG. The media guidance application may then receive another criteria user selection in the current category, or a different category selection (step 1704).

  When a user selection is received at step 1704 and a category other than the currently selected category is selected, the selectable criteria element window corresponding to the currently selected category is closed at step 1708. In step 1710, a new window is presented and selectable criteria elements corresponding to the newly selected category are displayed in the new window. A window may be located directly under a category to indicate that the window corresponds to that category. The user interface may then receive a user selection of criteria elements in the newly selected category or a selection of a different category (step 1704).

  In another embodiment of flowchart 1700, the media guidance application may track selected criteria elements and use each selected criteria element to narrow the range of identified videos. When the user first enters the guidance application, a plurality of categories are displayed to the user at step 1702. For example, categories can be genres, channels, shows, and hot lists (see column 202 in FIG. 2). In addition, one of the categories can be defaulted at the selected stage, where a window of reference elements within the category is displayed.

Upon receiving a user selection at step 1704, if criteria elements within the selected category are selected, videos that meet all of the selected criteria and the previously selected criteria are identified (step 1706). Selecting the reference element adds the criteria that all identified videos should meet, so the selection of the reference element narrows down the video set and reduces the number of identified videos. See the discussion regarding columns 800B and 800C of FIGS. 8B and 8C for examples. There, the set of identified videos has been reduced from 139 (822 in FIG. 8B) to 30 (824 in FIG. 8C). When multiple criteria elements are selected from one or more categories, the identified video is a Boolean expression:
(SC1 AND SC2 AND... AND newly selected criterion), where “SCX” represents “selected criterion X”. Alternatively, other suitable multiple selection criteria schemes, such as a comprehensive selection of all identified videos belonging to any one of the multiple selection criteria, may be utilized, The Boolean expression: (SC1 OR SC2 OR... OR newly selected criterion) is satisfied, where “SCX” represents “selected criterion X”.

  Upon receiving a user selection in step 1704, if a “close” instruction is selected for a previously selected reference element (eg, by selecting button 220 on display screen 200), the criterion corresponding to the close instruction is A non-selected state is entered (step 1712). Thus, the identified set of videos is expanded to include all videos that meet the remaining selected criteria elements but not the unselected criteria elements at step 1714.

  When a user selection is received at step 1704 and a category other than the currently selected category is selected, the window corresponding to the currently selected category can be closed at step 1708 (eg, FIG. 8B). Window 814). A new window is presented (eg, window 826 in FIG. 8C) and selectable criteria elements corresponding to the newly selected category are displayed in the new window (step 1710). Selectable reference elements may include reference elements that, when selected, result in at least one identified video. That is, selectable criteria elements in the newly selected category may be displayed when there is a viewable video that satisfies all of the criteria elements and the previously selected criteria elements.

  Similarly, if the user selects a reference element at 1704, the remaining selectable reference elements in the category may be reduced at step 1706 along with the identified video refinement. That is, after narrowing down the specified set of videos, selectable criteria elements may be removed from the list if there are no videos in the filtered set that also meet the selectable criteria elements.

  In another embodiment of the flowchart 1700, the set of identified videos can be expanded by selecting multiple criteria elements. When the user first enters the guidance application, the media guidance application may display multiple categories at step 1702. For example, categories can be genres, channels, shows, and hot lists. In addition, one of the categories can be defaulted to the selected stage, and a window of reference elements within the category is displayed.

Upon receiving a user selection in step 1704, if a reference element within the selected category is selected, a set of videos is identified, and each video is (1) selected before the selected reference element or the same category. (2) satisfy at least one selected reference element in each of the other categories having at least one selected reference element (step 1706). The set of videos may be expanded to include videos that only satisfy the newly selected reference element and do not satisfy any of the previously selected reference elements in the category. See the discussion regarding columns 900A and 900B of FIGS. 9A and 9C for an example. There, the set of identified videos is expanded from 139 (902 in FIG. 9A) to 627 (904 in FIG. 9B). Thus, when multiple criteria elements are selected from one or more categories, the identified video is a Boolean expression:
(SC1 _cat1 OR ... OR SCN _cat1 ) AND (SC1 _cat2 OR ... OR
SCN _cat2 )... _Where “SCX _catY ” represents “reference X selected in category Y”.

  When receiving a user selection in step 1704, if an instruction to “close” a previously selected reference element (eg, by selecting button 220 on display screen 200) is selected, the criterion corresponding to the instruction to close is A non-selected state is entered (step 1712). Since the identified subset of videos only meets the non-selection criteria in the category and may not meet any of the remaining selected criteria elements, the videos in that subset are no longer identified and presented to the user (Step 1714). Therefore, by deselecting the reference element, the set of videos can be narrowed down and the number of videos specified can be reduced.

  If a category other than the currently selected category is selected upon receiving a user selection at step 1704, the window corresponding to the currently selected category is closed at 1708. A new window is presented under the newly selected category, such as window 906 in FIG. 9B, and selectable criteria elements corresponding to the newly selected category (eg, 908 or 910 in FIG. 9B) are displayed in the new window. (Step 1710). The list of selectable criteria elements may include criteria elements that, when selected, return at least one video. That is, selectable reference elements in the newly selected category are: (1) selectable reference element or any other previously selected reference element in the same category, and (2) at least one selected element May be displayed if the video is in a database that meets at least one selected criteria element in each of the remaining categories having.

In another embodiment of flowchart 1700, the effect of selecting a reference element may depend on which category the reference element belongs. For example, by selecting a plurality of criteria elements in some categories (eg, genres), at step 1706, the guidance application may identify videos that meet all of the selected criteria elements. Selecting a plurality of reference elements in another category (eg, channel and show) may cause the guidance application to identify videos that meet any of the selected reference elements. In essence, this embodiment is a combination of the two previous embodiments. Thus, if multiple criteria elements are selected from one or more categories, the identified video _{satisfies the} Boolean expression: (SC1 _cat1 OR ... OR SCN _cat1 ) AND (SC1 _cat2 AND ... AND SCN _cat2 ) ... In the formula, “SCX _catY ” represents “reference X selected in category Y”.

  The media guidance application can also define a set of videos using keywords entered by the user. FIG. 18 shows an exemplary flowchart 1800 for providing video and reference elements following receipt of one or more keywords. In step 1802, one or more keywords are received by the media guidance application. A set of videos is identified in step 1804 based on one or more keywords. The set may be selected based on any of the strategies described above in connection with FIG. A set of criteria elements for a category (eg, the category selected from step 1710 of FIG. 17) may be displayed at step 1806. The displayed reference elements may include only those that match the set of videos identified in step 1804. The user can then continue to change the set of videos based on the strategy described in connection with flowchart 1700.

  The above describes systems and methods for obtaining, classifying, and delivering online media content using an interactive media guidance application. The above-described embodiments of the present invention are presented for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting.

Claims (1)

Device or system or method.

Images