GB2473606A

GB2473606A - User interface for selecting content from different domains

Info

Publication number: GB2473606A
Application number: GB0915885A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Sansom; Ian James Valentine
Original assignee: MINIWEB TECHNOLOGIES Ltd
Current assignee: MINIWEB TECHNOLOGIES Ltd
Priority date: 2009-09-10
Filing date: 2009-09-10
Publication date: 2011-03-23
Also published as: GB0915885D0

Abstract

A user interface that allows content to be selected from at least 2 different content domains is disclosed. Content identifiers 184 resulting from a search of all the domains are displayed together in one direction as a list which may be navigated 186 using up or down arrow keys on a remote control. Content related (193, fig. 6b) to the highlighted identifier 186 in the vertical list is displayed as a list in a transverse direction to the main listing; and this horizontal list may be navigated using left or right keys on the controller. Search results may also be filtered 190 using numeric keys on the remote control. The content domains may be broadband, broadcast or a local network.

Description

nicationsS sternA aratus and Method

Field

The present invention relates to a communications system, apparatus and method. In particular, but not exclusively, to a communications system comprising a plurality of communications networks, The distribution of media content such as music and video now takes place over various communications channels. For example, music and video may be broadcast over terrestrial VHF and UHF networks to be received by television sets, from satellite to ground stations or domestic satellite receivers and over cable networks. Such broadcast services generally comprise one or more communication channels, each channel comprising a particular carrier frequency onto which is modulated a signal representative of the content to be transmitted over the channel. Content, typically television programmes, films or music shows, are transmitted over a particular channel or channels at particular times in accordance with a programme schedule. In this regard, broadcast services comprise "appointments to vieW' whereby a viewer has to tune into a channel at the time content of interest to the viewer is transmitted on that channel.

More recently, interactive television has become available whereby a viewer, prompted by a message displayed on the television, may send control signals or messages to the broadcaster or third party associated with the broadcaster and displayed message to initiate certain activity. For example, to initiate selection of a programme to view or receive information about a programme.

Broadcast services are widely available using digital communications techniques. Digital broadcast service providers often provide data to popu!ate a menu or Eiectronic ProgrBmme Guide (EFG) of, for exampe, a settop box or television with suitable EPG software, on one of their channels. A typical EPG is based on a grid system and displays programmes and channels in transverse directions. For example, the programmes for a particular channel may be displayed in a horizontal direction with different channels set out in a vertical direction. A viewer may use a remote control having "UP/DOWN" and "LEFT/RIGHT" buttons and use these buttons to move a cursor about the display to highlight programmes. A viewer may select a highlighted programme by actuating a "SELECT" button which tunes the receiver to the particular cannel.

Optionally, a viewer may highlight a programme which is to be broadcast in the future and selection of that programme may invoke a "record" or "reminder" option.

Television viewers are generally familiar with EPGs set out in a grid system and navigable using remote control devices having relatively simple buttons such as "UP/DOWN" and "LEFT/RIGHT" buttons and "SELECT" buttons.

Content is also available over computer networks such as the Internet.

Content is usually accessed over the internet using a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer. The location of content on a network such as the Internet is defined by a network address known as a Uniform Resource Locator (url), A particular content item can be addressed and downloaded to the computer addressing the content for later presentation or may be "streamed" whereby the computer presents the content as it is provided over the network. The user interface for a computer is generally a pointing device such as a "mouse", and computer users are familiar with a user interface which allows for the pointing device to be moved on to an icon, text (such as an Internet "link") or other graphic displayed on a display and selecting that graphic to invoke a function associated with the graphic, for example addressing content over the Internet.

Many communications networks, including those making up at least a part of the Internet, are configured to transmit large amounts of data and these are sometime termed "broadband" networks. For the purpose of this description the term "broadband network' is used refer to a communications network or part thereof which is capable of transmitting content items such as video and music in an acceptable timeframe, Such networks may also support music or video streaming. The data bandwidth capability of a consumer connection to such a network is typically at least 2 MBit/s.

Many computer users have computers which are part of a local area network (LAN), for example in their workplace and increasingly at home in their domestic residence. Users often keep content items on memory storage coupled to their LAN and accessed through their computers.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention were devised with the foregoing in mind.

Summary

LU

Viewed from a first aspect there is provided a content navigation module operative to provide a user interface for selecting content from at least a first content domain and a second different content domain, configured to drive a display device to display one or more content item identifiers identifying content items of said first content domain and content item identifiers identifying one or more content items of said second content domain in a common display arrangement.

Typically, the first domain is a broadband content domain and the second domain is a broadcast content domain. For example, the broadband content domain may deliver content such as music and video over a communications network such as the Internet, whilst the broadcast domain may be a terrestrial, cable or satellite broadcast system.

The content navigation modue may be further configured to drive said disp'ay device to disp'ay content item identifiers identifying one or more +m' +kr, Tk -J.--_.--Thus, there may be displayed to a viewer an indication of what content items have been found.

In one embodiment the content navigation module may be further configured to be responsive to said cursor being at a display position of said one or adjacently displayed content item identifier in said first list to initiate generation of said second list. In this way, the second list is generated by a viewer indicating an interest in a content item on the first list and then related or associated content items being found and their identifiers being displayed in the second list.

Suitably, a viewer or user actuated control signal is generated to move said cursor to a display position of a content item identifier of said second list, said cursor movable in said second direction from a display position of said content item identifier of said second list to a display position of an adjacently displayed content item identifier of said second list responsive to user input. The cursor may be moved from adjacent identifier to adjacent identifier in a similar fashion to moving between display indicia on an EPG (\

LU

In an embodiment the content navigation module may be further configured to be responsive to a second user actuated control signal to move said cursor to a display position of a content item identifier of said first list, For example a special "fast" key may be assigned to move the cursor between lists. Optionally, the function of a key may be assigned depending on which list the cursor is on.

In a particular embodiment the content navigation module is further configured to display said cursor with a direction indicator for indicating a direction in which said cursor is movable, thereby providing an indication to a viewer of the direction in which a cursor may be moved.

n one embodiment the content navigation modu'e may be configured to be operative in a first and second mode where.in in said first mode oniy content item identifiers identifying content items of said first content domain are disp'ayed and in said second mode ony content item ir1cnfificrc ir r+if,rri r'rr+,-r+ f content item identifier and initiate in said receiver a receiver mode corresponding to the content domain of said selected content item identifier.

In one embodiment said content navigation module is responsive to said user actuation to initiate in said receiver access to a selected content item corresponding to said selected content item identifier and wherein said content receiver is configured to access said selected content item responsive to said initiation by said content navigation module.

Typically, an embodiment of the system further comprises a wide area broadband communications network providing said first content domain and a broadcast video network providing said second content domain. An embodiment may comprise a local area network providing said third content domain.

Viewed from a fourth aspect the present invention provides method of content navigation for selecting content from at least a first content domain and a second different content domain, comprising driving a display device to display one or more content item identifiers identifying content items of said first content domain and content item identifiers identifying one or more content items of said second content domain in a common display arrangement.

Viewed from a fifth aspect there is provided a computer program comprising computer program elements operative in a data processing apparatus to Implement the content navigation module and/or the method as set out above.

Typically, there is provided a carrier medium carrying a computer program as set out above. The carrier medium may be any suitable medium, for example an electronic signal, an optical or rf carrier signal, magnetic media and digital versatile disk.

Viewed from a sixth aspect, there is provided a content navigation module operative to provide a user interface for selecting content from at least a first content domain and a second different content domain, configured to drive a display device to display one or more content item identifiers identifying content items of said first content domain and content item identifiers identifying one or more content items of said second content domain in a common display arrangement, the content navigation module being further operative to reduce a number of displayed one or more content item identifiers identifying content items of at least one of said first and second content domains dependent upon selection of at least one displayed filtering function by a user.

Viewed from a seventh aspect, there is provided a method of content navigation for selecting content from at least a first content domain and a second different content domain, comprising driving a display device to display one or more content item identifiers identifying content items of said first content domain and content item identifiers identifying one or more content items of said second content domain in a common display arrangement, the method further comprising reducing a number of displayed one or more content item identifiers identifying content items of at least one of said first and second content domains dependent upon selection of at least one displayed filtering function by a user.

One or more embodiments of the present invention are described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates components and communication links of a system for providing access to content from a plurality of sources in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 schematicafly illustrates the.system of Fig. I in more detail; Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a media display management server and components thereof in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a content receiver and components thereof in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 shows a screenshot of a screen displayed by a content navigation module in accordance with an embodiment of the invention when invoked byauser; Figs. 6a and 6b show screenshots of a screen displayed by the content navigation module of Fig. 5, to show results of a search invoked by the user; Fig. 7 is a process flow diagram illustrating steps carried out in order to provide access to additional content by means of a content navigation module; Fig. 6 shows a screenshot of a screen displayed by a ptayUst module in accordance with an embodiment of the invention when invoked by a user; and Fig. 9 shows a screenshot of a screen displayed by a TV guide module in accordance with an embodiment of the invention when invoked by a user.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention follows with reference to the figures provided.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates components and communication links of a system 100 for providing access from one or more content receivers to content from a plurality of sources. The system 100 comprises a plurality of content sources 102 arranged to distribute content for reception by a puraUty of content receivers 1G8 (eg. settop boxes) and subsequent viewing of the content on a display associated with the respective receivers 108 over at least one of a communications network 104 (such as: a wide area network (WAN), eg. the Internet; local area networks (LAN); or a combination of two or more such networks) and a broadcast video distribution network 106 (eg. a terrestrial cable IPTV or satellite television broadcast system). The system 100 also comprises a media display management server (MDMS) 110 which controls content configuration and distribution of content to the content receivers 108 and provides a content search and/or discovery and/or navigation module and other services. The MDMS 110 provides a content management environment responsible for the presentation of the content accessed by content receivers 108 (or users thereof) registered with the MDMS 110, giving users a consistent, quality controlled, user interface experience across multiple content types such as broadcast TV, interactive content, and Internet video content, A media display management module (not shown) is provided in the content receivers 108 for managing the content search, discovery, navigation and presentation on the content receivers 108. The media dispay management module is configured to communicate with the MDMS over the communications network 104.

The MDMS 110 and the media display management module configure content for display based upon a set of parameters specified by one or more of: a content provider; a user of a content receiver 108; a content receiver 108 manufacturer; and a service provider. The parameters may be embedded as operating parameters of a content receiver 108.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the features of Fig. 1 in more detail and provides an overview of the functional elements and modules of the MDMS 110. The features illustrated in Fig. 2 which correspond to features already described in relation to Fig. 1 are denoted by like reference numerals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the MDMS 110 offers a client-server relationship with content receivers 108 comprising TV devices (such as

A

Using the MDMS 110, content owners and media aggregators (La parties who aggregate syndicated web content such as news headlines, weblogs (blogs), podcasts, vlogs (video blogs) in a single proposition) can register and manage their services and content for discovery and use by content receivers 108 configured to receive content made available through the MDMS 110. Content owners can also configure additional products and services via the MDMS 110 such as content subscriptions and promotions and their content owner branding and interactive options are preserved across all devices wherever their content is displayed.

A content receiver user having content stored on their own local content domain may also be able to register and manage content stored on that local content domain using the MDMS 110, and for discovery and use using their content receiver. In this case, the content receiver user is effectively another content owner.

The MDMS 110 implements a range of functions, namely: a. The registration of Internet video sources and libraries to enable the . ,_j c-#i- T\I d!UII, UIWVy, tJclvIydLiOH clilu FJkIYIIJY UI Uiiieiit UJI IItUJUJI i V device types; b. The registration of interactive destinations and TV applications to enable their search, discovery, navigation and access on multiple types of TV device; c. The management of content branding, media searches, recommendations, interactive links and promotions for content owners (including advertising and sponsorships) such that the correct branding and facilities are displayed to the viewer whenever their content is being accessed, across multiple types of TV device this capability is common to TV broadcasters, Internet video aggregators, and interactive application owners; *.i 2 d. The registration of "users' such as TV viewers, and the management of their personalisation information, such that a viewer's identity and personalisation information is available across multiple types of TV device; e. The provision of a range of content discovery services, such as: i) Centralised search across all content; ii) Content recommendations; iii) Content sharing between community members; iv) Content promotion for content owners; v) Resolution of TV KeysTM f. The implementation of distribution arrangements and rights restrictions for content owners, particularly the enforcement of territory rights restrictions.

g. Centralised subscription payments services and micro billing (billing for individual content items) for all content owners; ft Advertising services which may comprise a range of products, for

example:

i) "click through" advertising links to video or interactive destinations; ii) Insertion of video advertising in playlists and video content consumption; iii) Interfacing to standard 3 party Internet ad serving infrastructures and campaign management and sales facilities; and iv) The provision of viewer targeting data to 3 party ad serving engines.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates the MDMS 110 and components thereof according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

The MDMS 110 indudes a network interface 112 providing a route through which the MDMS 110 is couped to the communications network 104. The 1 l LL IL content items can be presented to a user in search resu'ts and recommendations when they are re'evant to the search or recommendation being perfomed by the MDMS 110.

configuration parameters data via the communications network 104 and network interface 112 to the content owner configuration modu'e 114.

I Irrr rirf i-f +h d+ fhc r'rrfcn+ rA,ncr i-rnflrii trfirr mrdi tI I 14.

search and retrieval module 120 which indexes and stores the content metadata data in its associated storage.

The received content metadata includes data (e.g. a URL) identifying a location at the content source of the actual content instances to which it relates (with each content instance being associated with a different protocol / codec I bandwidth combination) and thus the search and retrieval module 120 maintains a list of content references for each content item registered by content owners, A search and recommendations module 122 is arranged as an access layer to the search and retrieval module 120. This exposes a straightforward XML based services API to the content manager 116 for each of the service requests the content manager 116 requires and implements each of these requests utilising one or more of the proprietary APIs and services provided by the search and retrieval module 120.

The MDMS 110 further comprises an identity services module 124 comprising a processor and a user identity storage module. The user identity storage module of the identity services module 124 is configured to store data relating to identities corresponding to different users of a content receiver, e.g. an identity for each individual member of a household. This module provides a user profile data model to be associated with the identities which may comprise: nickname personal details including a unique mobile number and/or email

-

auu res * viewing and content preferences including PIN protection settings * content receivers that this profile is associated with * purchased subscriptions and content items * content item history * content item ratings * content item bookmarks and payIist tags Various user actions on the content receiver initiate communication with the identity service module 124 some of which result in the current users profile being updated by the identity services module 124. Examoles of additional requests from the content receiver to the content manager 116 to populate content items (such as the user content recommendations).

When a user of a content receiver wishes to search for specific content and initiates a search via their content receiver to search for such specific content (described later), a search request is received by the network interface 112 via the communications network 104 for the content receiver and delivered to the content manager 116. The content manager 116 then constructs the search query adding a number of additional constraints to the search that are derived from the capabilities and aifributes of the content receiver. In particular the content receiver may provide the content receiver identifier, type and operator as part of the search request and the source IP address can be determined from the TCP/IP networking protocols. These are passed to the content receiver profiler 136 which determines and returns: The protocols and codecs supported by this type of content receiver. This data is configured and stored for each type of content receiver in the content receiver profiler 136. The dataset for this type of content receiver is retrieved from this store.

The operator associated with this content receiver.

* The bandwidth capability of this content receiver's network. This bandwidth would have been submitted to the content receiver profiler 136 by the content receiver during an earlier bandwidth test, typically performed on booting the content receiver and stored by the content receiver profiler against the content receiver identifier.

* The determined territory of the content receiver. This is derived from the source fP of the content receiver using an IP to geographical ocation (in this instance, territory) mapping table, The content manager 116 then instructs the search and recommendations modu'e 122 to execute the constructed search query. The search and recommendations modu'e 122 extracts the search parameter data from I 9 the request in order to address the specific interface of the search and retrevaI modu'e 120. The search is then performed by the search and rptriv! rnndiilc 1211 s intriu-f1 hv thc nrl rnmmndtinns entitled to view the content as part of one of their active subscription packages etc. before transmitting the content metadata to the user's rn+nf rcr'i,cr Thi i rcI;d fr',rm rf 4--+ on the TV screen or via a browser apphcation on the content receiver or a third party interactive TV engine.

Communication between the content receiver 108 and MDMS 110 takes ii fh +r+ r--m,4. ,I, I)t,k.-.I- 4-enforcement module 128 requests the current users subscription entitlements from the subscription management module 134. The subscription management module 134 retrieves and returns the users active subscription entiliements to the content enforcement module 128 and the content enforcement module 128 checks these against the content item subscription packages to determine if the user is entitled to view the content item. If the content item is identified as being restricted by territory the content enforcement module 128 requests the content receiver's territory from the content receiver profiler 136 and checks if the content receiver is entitled to access the content item. Finally the content item is checked to see if it is marked as restricted.

If all conditions are met and the user is eligible to view the content the URL of the content item is transmitted by the content enforcement module 128, via the network interface 112, to the content receiver. Upon reception of the content URL the content receiver can then retrieve and play the requested content item from the content owner's content source.

Optionally the content enforcement module 128 may request a content access authorisation token from the content owner which is transmitted to the content receiver and used by the content reciever when retrieving the content item, This enables the content owner to restrict access to their content to trusted MDMS content receivers.

If, as a result of a determination by the content enforcement module 128 the content requested by a user cannot be viewed by that user then the content enforcement module 128 transmits, via the network interface 112, to the content receiver one of a number of response conditions: Subscription required with the subscription offers, The offers are presented and if one selected a payment process is initiated by the content receiver against the payment services module 130. On completion of this process the content URL is rerequested from the content enforcement module 128.

o PIN required. The PIN is then submitted with a rerequest for the content URL which is checked by the identity services module 124 before the content URL is returned.

II I I I A -I.. LI L_._L_.i__:__I source image URL over the network interface 112 and then transcodes the image nto one of the required formats bofore transmitting the transcoded image to the content receiver, Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a content receiver 108, components thereof and components related thereto, The content receiver 108 receives content via the communications network 104 and broadcast video distribution network 106 and can transmit data to the MDMS 110 via communications network 104. Whilst data paths are illustrated between some elements of the content receiver 108, not all data paths are illustrated for the purposes of clarity.

The content receiver 108 comprises a hardware components layer 138, a OS, drivers and middleware layer 139 and a software applications layer 140. Applications in the OS, drivers and middleware layer 139 and software applications layer 140 are arranged to run on a processor (CPU) 141 of the content receiver 108.

Along with CPU 141, the hardware layer 138 comprises a distribution receiver 142, a network interface 146, a video decoder 143, an audio processor 1430, a graphics processor 144, a content output module 145, a memory component (RAM) 147 and an input receiver 150.

The distribution receiver 142 (such as a tuner for receiving a terrestrial digital television broadcast) receives content at the content receiver 108 from the broadcast video distribution network 106. The data portion of such received content is communicated to the CPU 141 which, in conjunction with an electronic programme guide application (EPG) 148 running thereon, processes EPG data for use by the EPG application A video portion of the received content from the broadcast video distribution network 106 is decoded using the video decoder 143 which is instructed by the CPU 141 to retrieve video content from the distribution receiver 142 (typicafly using direct memory access to the P.AM 147), The video content is prepared for output on the content display 149 by the content output module 145. The content output module 145 overlays any graphic output required by any of the software applications identified in the software applications layer 140 as output by the graphics processor 144 under instruction from the CPU 141 over the video content and outputs the combined output to the content display.

An audio portion of the received content from the broadcast video distribution network 106 is processed by the audio processor 1430 and output to the content display 149.

Output protocols supported by the hardware of the content receiver 108 may comprise one or more of: High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI); Component Video; SCART; Composite Video and audio outputs such as Dolby Digital and stereo analogue, The OS, drivers and middleware layer 139 comprises a graphics layer module 151, a networking services module 152, an audio services module 153, a personal video recorder (PVR) sub-system module 154, a digital video broadcasting (DVB) stack module (156), a storage services module 156, a system services module 157, and an operating system application 161 and drivers 162. These modules are conventional features on many content receivers (such as set-top boxes). Further description of these modules will therefore only be provided where necessary in relation to the functioning of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Input receiver 150 is arranged to receive commands for controlling the content receiver 108, such commands being input by a user by way of an input device 158. The commands may be entered using, for example, a settop box remote control device through which commands are entered by the user by pressing specific keys of the remote control device, A control signal from the remote control is transmitted to the content receiver 108 by any suitable means, eg. infrared transmission.

The software applications layer 140 of the content receiver 108 comprises: an EPG module 148 (referred to above); a browser application 159; and a media display management module application (MDMM) 160.

Although a browser application is shown in the illustrated embodiment, other suitable interactive display engines may be used, eg. a flash engine or SVG engine.

The MDMM 160 runs on the CPU 141 and configures the CPU 141 for communication (via network interface 146) with the MDMS 110 in order to manage content received at the content receiver 108 over the communications network 104. Commands input by a user requesting delivery of a content item to the content receiver 108 are received at the input receiver 150 and communicated to CPU 141 which implements the MDMM 160 to request content data appropriate to the command from the MDMS 110.

Where the CPU 141 instructs the video decoder 143 and audio processor 1430 to process video received over the communications network 104 via the network interface 146 this will be marshalled by the CPU 141 in RAM 147 and then the video and audio portions will be retrieved by the video decoder 143 and audio processor 1430 using DMA in the same manner as when the video was received over the broadcast video distribution network 106 via the distribution receiver 142.

CPU 141 also implements MDMM 160 to manage and control content received at the content receiver 108 over the broadcast video distribution network 106.

Fig. 5 shows a screenshot 170 of a screen displayed by a content navigation module when invoked by a user, In a particular example, the user may enter commands to initiate navigation to such a module. For instance, a viewer menu module may be invoked, for example, by a user pressing a "Left" button on a remote con.trol when vewing broadcast TV content, and a viewer content navigation module is then reached by way of a further keypress (eg. seiecflng an item in the menu). A branded content t-wMr1r mnti mv h invnkr1 fnr imnI hv iir nrssinn "Rinht" A content navigation module initiation command input by a user is received by the CPU 141 which implements the MDMM 160 to request template data for the content navigation module screen from the MDMS 110. This template data is retrieved from the data storage module of content owner configuration module 114 of the MDMS 110 and sent to the communications network via the network interface 112. The content receiver 108 receives the template data via network interface 146. The CPU 141 instructs the graphics processor 144 to retrieve and render overlay graphics from the RAM 147 and these overlay graphics are combined with template data in the content output 145 for processing for display of the content navigation module on the content display 149.

The content navigation module may be embedded as sub-content (i.e. a sub-image) in content received at the content receiver and which content navigation module can be invoked whilst viewing the content by entering an appropriate command via a user input device 158. The content navigation module may also be treated as stand-alone content which need not be invoked whilst viewing content, but which can be invoked whilst performing any operation on the content receiver.

The screen of the content navigation module contains a search term entry field 1 72, a list of popular search terms 174, a virtual keyboard 176 and an

instructions field 177.

A user may populate the search term entry field 172 using commands input via a user input device (such as a TV or set-top box remote contro'), By performing presses or multiple presses of numeric keys on the remote control (in a manner similar to character entry when creating text of an SMS) a user can enter alphanumeric characters in the search term entry fie'd 172. A de'ete function may be assigned to a specific key (e.g. a left arrow key) to allow a user to delete characters if errors are made. 2.9

The virtua' keyboard 176 can a'so be used to seect a'phanumeric characters in order to popu'ate the search term entry field 172. A cursor mrrk.irri i rr r-rir1+r fc+i r i icr1 fr dnrfc Aside from aiphabetic and numeric characters and icons for switching between virtua' keyboards appropriate to each, there are a'so dispayed "Snace'. "Delete" and "Seamh" icons, with selection of the "Snace" The list of popular search terms 174 comprises a list of a plurality (e.g. twenty) of the most popular search terms, where the list is determined by characters entered in the search term entry field 172. As characters are populated in the search term entry field 172, the list of popular search terms 174 is updated. For example, if a user populates "A" in the search term entry field 172 then the list will contain a plurality of the most popular search terms beginning with the letter A. Such population proceeds via the same process as described above in relation to the display of search results.

The user can navigate the list using remote control keys having appropriate movement functions assigned thereto (e.g. Down and Up arrow keys) and can select a search term from the list to populate the search term entry field 172 by using, for example, a Select key of the remote control.

The list of popular search terms 174 may be arranged with most popular terms at the top thereof and with lower terms being of decreasing popularity.

Where no search term is populated in the search term entry field 1 72, then as a default, the list of popular search terms 174 may comprise, for example, the twenty "Most Popular' search terms. These may be relevant to the user's profile, for example, based on age, language, or location.

The instructions field 179 includes instructions to a user for implementing functions of the content navigation module. In the illustrated example screenshot 170 it is indicated 178, 179 that a particular key of the remote control having an appropriate function assigned thereto (eg. Red key) can initiate the search, and a different key of key of the remote control having an appropriate function assigned thereto (eg. Green key) should be pressed to allow the user to access their saved searches. 32.

Figs. 6a and 6b show screenshots 180 of an example search results screen displayed by the content navigation module to show results of a search invoked by the user. The exact layout, functionality and branding of this screen would be determined by the OEM, operator and content owner configurations as well as user preference configurations.

The search results screen of the content navigation module contains a search term field 182, a list of content identifier items 184, a cursor 186 (shown in Fig. 6a but not in Fig. 6b), categories under which the search results were found 188, filtering options 190, an associated content list 192, an associated content list cursor 193 (shown in Fig. 6b but not in Fig.

6a) and an options field 194.

The search terms entered by the user of the content receiver using the content navigation module described above in relation to Fig. 5 are displayed in the search term field 182. The user has the option of using search filters selected from the filtering options 190 to refine their search resu!ts and, in doing so, each selected search filter will be populated alongside the search terms entered by the user. Thus a search modified l3- +k f LU I I UI I I LI ie UJ II IiLl�II t;t ILl U Sccu i ii ii ic*y ppci ii ii isi "Search name + 1st filter applied + 2nd filter applied" and which modified search term is then used to obtain updated search results from a content feed.

The filtering options 190 are arranged as a list of category refinements, eg. Content Type (such as Music, Movies, User generated content, TV programmes), Qua!ity, Content Provider, Genre, Sort results, Language, User tagged content, and Reset all filters, A number may be displayed against each category refinement and to which a correspondingly numbered key on a remote control of the content receiver will, when pressed, invoke the display of a host of subcategories related to the selected category to allow the user to further refine the search results.

In the illustrated example of Figs, 6a and 6b, if the user presses the "6" key for the "Quality" category, the filter list changes to show sub categories stich s Hicih flfinitinn (kfl\ Sfndrd flfinifirr nd hr+h 1fl rd communication network 104 for transmission to the MDMS 110. Upon receipt of the request, the network interface 112 transfers the request to the content manager 116 which acquires location data (e.g. a URL) of the requested content from the content indexer 118 (via the content owner configuration module 114) and returns the location data of the content source via the communications network 104 to the content receiver 108.

The CPU 141 upon receipt of the location data then requests the content from a content source using the location data.

Cursor 186 (as illustrated in Fig, 6a, but not Fig. 6b) comprises a movable indication feature which highlights one content identifier item in the list of content identifier items 184. The cursor is movable vertically from a first position where a first content identifier item is highlighted to a second adjacent position where a second content identifier item is highlighted responsive to user input via the remote control (e.g. Up/Down keys of the remote control).

When the cursor 186 is located over a content identifier item, the highlighted item may be enlarged (compared with other content identifier items in the list of content identifier items 184) and/or gain a border.

Additionally, further information relating to the content may be displayed within the content identifier item (e.g. Quality (HD/SD), Premium Icon (to indicate that payment is required to view the content), age certificate icon, a content owner logo, content length, whether the content is broadcast video or Internet video content, and one line synopsis of content).

The content identifier items may comprise one or more of: image data; video data; and text data. The image data may comprise images and/or icons in a particular format e.g. JPEG.

The cursor 186 may also comprise a directional indicator to indicate to a user that the list can be navigated using Up/Down arrows of the remote control. If the cursor is positioned over the first item in the list only a down indicator should be visible and, likewise, if the cursor is positioned over the last item in the list, only an up indicator should be visible.

Th fcrirric ir,-hr uk,h +k-c'rr'h r'i il+ I QQ content identifier items 184, the associated content Ust 192 wiH fade and the screen wiU revert to the disp'ay ifiustrated in Fig, 6a.

Accrritpt1 rrnfcnf IiQf r'IIrcrr 1Q' uiI!iifr+d in iri k k+ rr4 t-,.\ particular key of the remote control having an appropriate function assigned thereto (eg. Red key) should be pressed to perform a new search, and a different key of the remote control hvinn n mnnrnnriiC display data from the data storage module of the content owner configuration module 1 14 which locates such content navigation module disnIv dth nd returns the same to the content manaer 116. The When character entry is complete and the search term has been compiled, the user indicates such and requests a search by entering a command through the input device 158. For example, inputting a control signal such as activating the "Run Search" user actuable icon. The MDMM 160 determines that the search has been requested and responds by forwarding the user search term data in a search request to the network interface 146 for onward transmission to the MDMS 110 via communication network 104 (S708). Network interface 112 of the MDMS 110 receives the request and forwards it to the content manager 116 which transfers the search term data to the search and recommendations module 122 to initiate a search (S710). The search and recommendations module runs the search query and retrieves the content item metadata for the search results and returns these to the content manager 116.

The content manager 116 then outputs the content item metadata to the network interface 112 for transmission via the communications network 104 to the content receiver 108 (S712). This data is received at the network interface 146 of the content receiver 108 and then passed to the j A F, i i 1'r\ I--s 4k-k ru I + I UI!! HI I LI It IVILIIVIIVI I VU ppI!L.c1LIUI I v'Ji IILl I I I IUI LI I QI i results in a search results page as previously described in relation to Fig. 6 using the graphics processor 144. The graphics output is then forwarded to the content output 145 and the content navigation module is displayed on the content display 149 (S714).

At this point, the user may wish to view an item of content returned in the search results or refine the search by indicating that search filters are to be applied (S716), if the user selects one or more search fiRers (S7160) to tailor the search as required (these are illustrated under reference numeral in Fig. 5), these filter terms are added to the existing search terms (S71 62) and the process returns to step S71 0 in order for the search to be conducted again.

f no fi'tering is required, the user can seect a content item to view (S718) by entering a command through the input device 158. When a view r,-'.i k-+,-4 +kr,i irh +h iriri if I R fhc PI I I dl i could be included for each item in the search results so that the MDMM does not have to query the MDMS 110 to determine the content URL.

Fig. 8 shows a screenshot 196 of a screen displayed by a playlist module when invoked by a user. A playlist comprises a list of content identifier items 200 comprising links to content. The playlist is created by a user and is stored in the data storage module of MDMS 110.

The playlists screen of the playlist module contains a module identifier field 198, a list of content identifier items 200, a cursor 202, an associated content list 204, an associated content list cursor 206 and an options field 208.

The type of module (in this case "playlist") is displayed in the module

identifier field 198.

The list of content identifier items 200 comprises a vertical list of identifier items relating to content in the playlist. The content identifier items provide at least a name of the content (e.g. Title) and serve as links to the content they identify. Thus, if a user selects a particular content identifier item, the content will then be displayed to the user using processes in a similar manner as described above.

Cursor 202 comprises a movable indication feature which highlights one content identifier item in the list of content identifier items 200. The cursor is movable vertically from a first position where a first content identifier item s highlighted to a second adjacent position where a second content identifier item is highlighted responsive to user input via the remote control (e.g. Up/Down keys of the remote control).

When the cursor 202 is located over a content identifier item, the highlighted item may be enlarged (compared with other content identifier items in the Ust of content identifier items 200) and/or gain a border.

Additionafly, further information reating to the content may be dispayed within the content identifier item (eg. Quality (HD/SD), Premium Icon (to indicate that payment is required to view the content), age certificate icon, I I f tflf\ content list 204 and the list of content identifier items 200 will fade, and pressing up/down arrow keys will shift focus back to the list of content identifier items 200 and the associated content list 204 will fade.

Associated content list cursor 206 comprises a movable indication feature which highlights one associated content identifier item in the associated content list 204. The cursor is movable horizontally from a first position where a first associated content identifier item is highlighted to a second adjacent position where a second associated content identifier item is highlighted responsive to user input via the remote control (eg Left/Right keys of the remote control).

When the associated content list cursor 206 is located over a content identifier item, the highlighted item may be enlarged (compared with other associated content identifier items in the associated content list 204) and/or gain a border. As a default option in a particular arrangement, the centre item of the associated content list 204 is the item highlighted by the associated content list cursor 206. Pressing the Left/Right keys rotates the carousel but the highlighted item remains in the centre, e. the cursor remains stationary at the centre of the associated content list 204 whilst the items move relative to it, Additionally, further information relating to the associated content item currently highlighted may be displayed within the associated content identifier item (eg. a content owner logo, one line synopsis of content).

The associated content list cursor 206 may also comprise a directional indicator to indicate to a user that the list can be navigated using Left/Right arrows of the remote control. In the illustrated example, the list is arranged in a carousel manner, and so both directions are indicated at all times.

Although Fig. 8 illustrates cursor 202 and associated content list cursor 206 present at the same time, this need not be the case. Indeed, in an opflona arrangement, whE...n focus s on fist of content den.tifier items 200, then only the cursor 202 is displayed. However, when focus changes to the associated content list 204, the cursor 202 disappears and the associated content list cursor 206 appears around an item in the associated content list 204. When focus changes back to the list of content identifier items 200, the cursor 202 reappears and the associated content list cursor 206 disappears. This arrangement is similar to that described in relation to Figs. 6a and 6b.

The additional options field 208 presents further functions that can be performed. In the illustrated example screenshot 180 it is indicated that a particular key of the remote control having an appropriate function assigned thereto (e.g. Red key) should be pressed to perform a search, and a different key of the remote control having an appropriate function assigned thereto (e.g. Green key) should be pressed to allow the user to bookmark the highlighted item in the list. Further options might include the illustrated functions of "Love this" and "Save". The "Love this" function allows a user to rate the highlighted item in the list by pressing a Yellow key of the remote control and the "Save" function allows the user to save the search results by pressing the Blue key of the remote control. Lu

Fig. 9 shows a screenshot 210 of a screen displayed by a TV guide module when invoked by a user.

The TV guide screen of the TV guide module contains an information field 212, a list of TV programme content identifier items 214, a cursor 216, an associated content list 218, an associated content list cursor 220 and an

options field 222.

The information field 212 displays, for example, the viewer logged in at the content receiver, a number of the viewer's friends currently online versus a total number of friends, a number of unread messages in the viewer's inbox, and a current date and time.

The Ust of TV programme content identifier items 214 comprises a vertical list of identifier items relating to content being broadcast in relation to the

-

controL If the cursor is positioned over the first item in the list only a down indicator should be visible and, likewise, if the cursor is positioned over the ast item in the list, only an up indicator should be visible.

Associated content list 218 comprises a horizontal list arranged below the list of TV programme content (or online media content (depending on the configuration)) identifier items 214, and which includes content items associated with the content identifier item currently highlighted in the list of TV programme content identifier items 214. The associated content list 218 is a dynamic list which changes as the content identifier item highlighted in the list of TV programme content identifier items 214 changes. Depending on the configuration (OEM, Operator or Content Owner (broadcaster), the content identifier items 214 could relate to "catch-up" TV items, online content items from one or more pre-defined sources, related broadcast shows or channels from the same broadcaster). The content identifier items of the associated content list 218 serve as links to the content they identify. Thus, if a user selects a particular content identifier item, the content will then be displayed to the user.

In the illustrated example, the content identifier items in the associated content list 218 are recommendations based upon the highlighted item in the list of TV programme content identifier items 214. Further, the associated content list is, in the illustrated example, in a carousel arrangement.

To access the associated content list 218 from a!ist of TV programme content identifier items 214 a user presses remote contro keys having appropriate movement functions assigned thereto (eg. Left/Right arrow keys) to move focus to the associated content list 218. In a particular arrangement, pressing a Left/Right arrow key once will shift focus to the associated content list 218 and the list of content identifier items 214 will fade, and pressing up/down arrow keys will shift focus back to the list of 4Y / TV programme content identifier items 214 and the associated content list 218 will fade.

Associated content list cursor 220 comprises a movable indication feature which highlights one associated content identifier item in the associated content list 218. The cursor 216 is movable horizontally from a first position where a first associated content identifier item is highlighted to a second adjacent position where a second associated content identifier item is highlighted responsive to user input via the remote control (e.g. Left/Right keys of the remote control).

When the associated content list cursor 220 is located over a content identifier item, the highlighted item may be enlarged, or display another pre-programmed visual effect (for example a video thumb-nail) depending on the device capabilities, and OEM, operator or content owner configuration (compared with other associated content identifier items in the associated content list 218) and/or gain a border. As a default option in a particular arrangement, the centre item of the associated content list 218 is the item highlighted by the associated content list cursor 220. Pressing the Left/Right keys rotates the carousei but tne highiighted item remains in the centre, Le. the cursor remains stationary at the centre of the associated content list 218 whilst the items move relative to it, Additionally, further meta-data information relating to the associated content item currently highlighted may be displayed within the associated content identifier item (e.g. a content owner logo, one line synopsis of content).

The associated content list cursor 220 may also comprise a directional indicator to indicate to a user that the list can be navigated using Left/Right arrows of the remote controL In the illustrated example, the list is arranged in a carousel manner, and so both directions are indicated at all times.

Although Fig. 9 illustrates cursor 216 and associated content list cursor 220 present at the same time, this need not be the case. Indeed, in an optional arrangement, when focus is on list of content identifier items 214, then only the cursor 216 is displayed. However, when focus changes to the associated content list 218, the cursor 214 disappears and the associated content list cursor 220 appears around an item in the associated content list 218. When focus changes back to the list of content identifier items 214, the cursor 216 reappears and the associated content list cursor 220 disappears. This arrangement is similar to that described in relation to Figs, 6a, 6b and 8.

The additional options field 222 presents further functions that can be performed. In the illustrated example screenshot 210 it is indicated that a particular key of the remote control having an appropriate function assigned thereto (e.g. Red key) should be pressed to perform a search.

The particular functions available (for example, "record", "bookmark", "share" or "download"), will depend on the device's capabilities and the OEM, operator or content owner preferences.

Although described in relation to a TV programme guide, the arrangement of Fig. 9 may also be applicable as a content guide for content received via the communications network rather than broadcast content.

The above one or more embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention. Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged as foUows.

In one or more embodiments of the invention content distribution is via transmission over both a communications network (as either streaming video or as a progressive download) and a video distribution network (as broadcast video). The communications network may be for example the Internet or a local private network, a wireless network, or a telecommunications network such as for example General Pack.et Ra dio Service (GPRS) or a telecommunications network based on a Third Generation (3G) telecommunications standard such as for example the Universal Mobile Telecommunicaflons System (UMTS) or Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000) and the distribution receiver receives the transmission via a communications network, for example a network card, or a broadband modem, or a wireless network card, or a telecommunications receiver such as a GPRS receiver or a receiver based on a Third Generation (3G) telecommunications standard such as for example the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UTMS) or Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000).

In one or more embodiments of the invention content distribution technique may be via a storage medium for example a hard disc, or an optical storage medium such as a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or a High Definition DVD (HD-DVD) such as a Blue Ray Disc, and the content receiver is a device for accessing the storage medium, such as a hard disc or a DVD player or an HD-DVD player.

In one or more embodiments of the invention content distribution may be via a user-recorded storage medium, such as a hard disc or a Video Home System (VHS) cassette or for example an optical storage medium such as a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or a High Definition DVD (HD-DVD) such as a Blue Ray Disc, and the content receiver is a device for accessing the user recorded storage medium, such as means for accessing a hard disc or a VHS cassette player or a DVD player or an HD-DVD player.

n one or more embodiments of the invention content distribution may be via a useNrecorded storage medium that is internal to the content receiver.

In one or more embodiments of the invention content distribution may be via a userrecorded storage medium that is external to and coupled with the content receiver.

In one or more embodiments of the invention content distribution may be via a userrecorded storage medium at a remote location and includes transmission to the content receiver via a communications network such as for example the Internet.

In one or more embodiments of the invention content distribution may be via an analogue broadcast.

In one or more embodiments of the invention content distribution may be via a digital broadcast.

In one or more embodiments of the invention content distribution may be via terrestrial television broadcast and the content receiver is a terrestrial television receiver.

In one or more embodiments of the invention content distribution may be via satellite television broadcast and the content receiver is a satellite television receiver.

in one or more ernuouuneriis u uivei,uui L,ulItIn. uIuiL'uLI'Jtt IJIQy via cable television broadcast and the content receiver is a cable television receiver.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the content receiver may be configured to specify its capabilities to the MDMS, for example, each time search request is invoked, and/or when a request for content is sent to the M DM3.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content receiver may be a computer, or content stored on a computer on a home network.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content receiver may be a mobile device such as for example a portable computer, a mobile phone or another receiver of Dgta 1deo Broadcast for Handhed devkes (DVB H).

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content display may be a visual display unit such as a computer monitor.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content display may be a screen embedded in a mobile device.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content navigation module may be invoked via the user selection of a menu item displayed by the video receiver.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content navigation module and the browser application may be components of a single computer program.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content navigation module may be implemented as dynamically generated content presented by the content receiver, for example where the dynamically generated content is a web page in a markup language such as for example Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content navigation module may be implemented as dynamically generated content presented by the browser application that is generated by a remote system and transmitted to the browser application via a communications network.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content receiver may be able to render items of content relating to TV applications described in a markup language or other Interactive engine such as for example Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), TV Markup Language (TVML, or wTVML), Extensib'e HTML (XHTML), XHTML Basic, CE-HTML or another Extensible Markup Language (XML) based content description.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the browser application may be able to render content in the form of a video sequence such as for example a video received via a communications network or a video distributed via a broadcast method received by the content receiver or a video stored on a storage medium accessed by the content receiver.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the search function comprises a sub-image embedded in content In one or more embodiments of the invention the input device may be a keypad on a mobile device, for example a keypad on a mobile phone.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the link to content may be a Universal Resource Identifier (URI).

In one or more embodiments of the invention the link to content may direct the content receiver to access content that is for example a video sequence that is for example received via a communications network or distributed via a broadcast method or stored on a storage medium, or a TV application capable of being accessed via an interactive content engine installed on the device.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the links to content may be paid-for interactive or video advertisements In one or more embodiments of the invention the content output component may be able to present a video sequence decoded by the video decoder in one portion of the video display and graphics produced by programs running on the graphics processor in another portion of the display.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content output component may be able to present graphics produced by programs running on the graphics processor that consume the entire display.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content output component produces an analogue computer display signal such as a Video Graphics Array (VGA) signal.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the video output component produces a digital display signal such as a Digital Visual Interlace (DVI) signal.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the video output component produces a high-definition digital display signal such as a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) signal.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, there is provided a communications system, comprising: one or more communications networks; a plurality of content items accessible over said one or more communications networks; and a data store of presentation configuration data for one or more of said plurality of content items for defining presentation of a content item corresponding to presentation configuration data.

n one or more embodiments of the invention, the communications system further comprises a content item representation configuration module operative to define representation of a content item in dependence on presentation configuration data corresponding to said content item.

n one or more embodiments of the invention, the communications system further comprises a content item receiver operative to access said plurality of content items over said one or more communications networks, wherein said content item representation configuration module is operative to define representation of a content item according to said presentation configuration data responsive to said content item receiver accessing said content item.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the communications system further comprises a display device and wherein said content item receiver is operative to drive said display device to display said content item in accordance with said presentation configuration data.

In one or more embodiments of the invention a one of said one or more communications networks is a broadcast communications network and said presentation configuration data comprises broadcast communications network display data for displaying indicia associated with said broadcast communications network.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content item representation configuration module is further operative to define representation of a content item in dependence on a state of the content item receiver and presentation configuration data stored in the data store corresponding to that state.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the state of said content item receiver is indicative of said content item receiver being tuned to receive a communication from said broadcast communications network.

in one or more embodiments of the invention the presentation configuration data comprises content item owner presentation configuration data usable by said content item receiver for displaying indicia associated with said content item owner.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the presentation configuration data comprises originai equipment manufacturer (OEM) configuration data usable by said content item receiver for displaying indicia associated with the manufacturer of the content item receiver.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content item representation configuration module is operative to transmit content item configuration data to said content item receiver.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the a further one of said one or more communications network is a broadband network.

In one or more embodiments of the invention a content item accessible over said broadband network comprises a broadband content item.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the presentation configuration data for said broadband content item comprises presentation configuration data usable by said content item receiver for displaying indicia associated with a source and/or originator of said broadband content item.

In one or more embodiments of the invention a yet further one of said one or more communications network is a local area network.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the data store is accessible by one or more of content owners, OEMs, broadband service providers and/or broadcast service providers for configuring said data store with presentation configuration data.

n one or more embodiments of the invention the communication system further comprises an interface operative to provide a communications conduit to said data store for said one or more content owners, OEMs, broadband service providers and/or broadcast service providers for configuring said data store with presentation configuration data.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the interface comprises a network interface thereby to provide said content item owners.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, there is provided a content item display management module, comprising: a data store of presentation configuration data for one or more of a plurality of content items; and a content item representation configuration module operative to define representation of a content item in dependence on presentation configuration data corresponding to said content item.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the presentation configuration data comprises broadcast communications network display data for displaying indicia associated with said broadcast communications network.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the presentation configuration data comprises content item owner configuration data usable by said content item receiver for displaying indicia associated with said content item owner.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the presentation configuration data comprises original equipment manufacturer (OEM) configuration data usable by a content item receiver for displaying indicia associated with the manufacturer of the content item receiver.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content item representation configuration module s operative to transmit content item representation data to a content item receiver.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content item display management module further comprises an interface operative to provide a communications conduit to said data store for said one or more content owners, OEMs, broadband service providers and/or broadcast service providers for configuring said data store with presentation configuration data.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, there is provided a content item receiver, configured to receive content item representation data and drive a display device to display indicia corresponding to said content item representation data.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content item receiver is further configured to drive a display device to reserve one or more regions of said display for indicia corresponding to respective content item representation data.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content item representation data corresponds to one or more of: a content provider; a content owner; a service provider; a broadcast network owner; and an OEM.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method of content item display management, comprising: storing presentation configuration data for one or more of a plurality of content items; and defining representation of a content item in dependence on presentation configuration data corresponding to said content item.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the method further comprises defining representation of a content item in dependence on a state of the content item receiver and said presentation configuration data.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the method further comprises using said content item owner configuration data usable in a content item receiver for displaying indicia associated with said content item owner.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the method further comprises transmitting content item representation data to a content item receiver.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a content item receiver, comprising receiving content item representation data and driving a display device to display indicia corresponding to said content item representation data.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the method of operating a content item receiver further comprises driving a display device to reserve one or more regions of said display for indicia corresponding to respective content item representation data.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, there is provided a computer program comprising computer program element operative in a data processing apparatus to implement the content item display management module above and/or the content item receiver above and/or the method above.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, there is provided a carrier medium carrying the above computer program.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, there is provided a communications system, comprising: one or more communications networks; a plurality of content items accessible over said one or more communications networks; a plurality of content item receivers operative to access one or more of said plurality of content items over said one or more communications networks; a data store of configuration data for one or more of said puraUty of content item receivers; a searc.h modue operative to identify one or more of said pluraUty of content items and corresponding metadata responsive to a search request from a one content item receiver of said plurality of content item receivers; and a content filter module operative to filter content items identified by said search module in dependence on configuration data corresponding to said one of said plurality of content item receivers to generate a list of content items.

n one or more embodiments of the invention the data store further includes configuration data for one or more of said plurality of content item owners and/or for one or more users of content item receivers.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content filter module is further operative to filter content items identified by said search module in dependence on said configuration data for one or more of said plurality of content item owners and/or said configuration data for one or more users of content item receivers and/or said metadata..

In one or more embodiments of the invention the configuration data comprises information on one or more of: video decoders supported by said one content item receiver; bandwidth of communication channel with said one content item receiver; display format of a display device associated with said one content item receiver; display drivers supported by said one content item receiver; display limitations; policies; branding and rules determined by content item owners for the display of their content; personal preferences of users of the content item receivers; display limitations; and branding and functionality as determined by the responsible parties (manufacturers or operators) of the content item receivers, such that said list consists of identified content items usable by said one content item receiver.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the configuration data comprises information on a viewer profile corresponding to a user identity associated with said one content item receiver.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the configuration data comprises information enabUng an onscreen user interface of the content item receiver to be generated or updated based on two or more of the configuration data.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the communication system further comprises a data store including a content item index.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the content item index further includes metadata associated with one or more indexed content items.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the search module is operative to search said content item index.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the search module is operative to order said list according to relevance to said search request.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the search module is further configured to identify one or more further content items associated with a content item corresponding to a specific content item identifier in said tist to form a further list of content item identifiers.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the specific content item identifier is the first in said list.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the specific content item identifier is the first in said Ust, In one or more embodiments of the invention the specific content item identifier is identified by user input received from one content item receiver.

n one or more embodiments of the invention the search module is configu*red to asscdate one or more further conte.nt items with a content item corresponding to a specific content item identifier in said list based on one or more of the following non-limiting list of metadata: genre; lead actor/actress; producer; topic; subject; distributor; channel owner and content item owner.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the search module is configured to associate one or more further content items with a content item corresponding to a specific content item identifier in said list based on recommendation rules in a viewer profile.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the communications system further comprises a network interface for communicating said list and said further list to said one content item receiver over said one or more communications networks.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method for identifying content items accessible by a plurality of content item receivers over one or more communications networks, comprising: identifying a plurality of content items and corresponding metadata responsive to a search request from a one content item receiver of said plurality of content item receivers; and filtering content items identified by said search module in dependence on configuration data corresponding to said one of said plurality of content item receivers to generate a list of content items.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the method further comprises filtering content items identified by said search module in dependence on said corresponding metadata, In one or more embodiments of the invention the method further comprises searching a content item index, In one or more embodiments of the invention the method further comprises ordering said Ust according to reievance to s.aid se.arch request.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the method further comprises identifying one or more further content items associated with a content item corresponding to a specific content item identifier in said list to form a further list of content item identifiers.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the method further comprises associating said one or more further content items with a content item corresponding to a specific content item identifier in said list based on one or more of the following non-limiting list of metadata: genre; lead actor/actress; producer; topic; subject; distributor; channel owner and content item owner.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the method further comprises associating said one or more further content items with a content item corresponding to a specific content item identifier in said list based on recommendation rules in said viewer profile.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the configuration data is used to generate actionable items on a user interface of the content item receiver.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the configuration data is used to determine the branding of parts or all of a user interface visible to the viewer from time to time.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the configuration data is used to determine the appropriate user interface behaviours on the content item receiver, for example from the following non-limiting list: on-focus scaling, focus transition effects, other focus highlighting options, item navigation policy, transparency, and appearance and disappearance visual effects of an screen items.

In one or more embodiments of the invention the configuration data is used to determine appropriate user interface actionable items, for example from the following nonlimiting list: items on menus, items on sub menus, items as "colour button" accelerators, items as "numeric" accelerators In one or more embodiments of the invention there is provided a content item management module, comprising: a data store of configuration data for one or more of a plurality of content item receivers; a search module operative to identify one or more of a plurality of content items and io corresponding metadata responsive to a search request from a one content item receiver of said plurality of content item receivers; and a content filter module operative to filter content items identified by said search module in dependence on configuration data corresponding to said one of said plurality of content item receivers to generate a list of content items.

In one or more embodiments of the invention there is provided a computer program comprising program elements operative in a data processing apparatus to implement the above method and/or the above content item management module.

In one or more embodiments of the invention there is provided a carrier medium carrying the above computer program.

It will be appreciated that the term "playback" is intended to refer to the display of live video content such as a live sporting event as well as recorded video content.

it is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments.

Insofar as embodiments of the invention described above are implementable at least in part, using a software-controlled programmable h niirnnP nrnsnr nr snecial-As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

In addition, use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components of the invention. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed therein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof irrespective of whether or not it relates to the claimed invention or mitigate against any or all of the problems addressed by the present invention. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features during prosecution of this application or of any such further application derived therefrom. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in specific combinations enumerated in the claims.

OO

Claims

Claims: 1. A content navigation module operative to provide a user interface for selecting content from at least a first content domain and a second different content domain, configured to drive a display device to display one or more content item identifiers identifying content items of said first content domain and content item identifiers identifying one or more content items of said second content domain in a common display arrangement.
2. A content navigation module according to claim 1, wherein said first domain is a broadband content domain and said second domain is a broadcast content domain.
3. A content navigation module according to claim 1 or claim 2, further configured to drive said display device to display content item identifiers identifying one or more items of a third content domain.
4. A content navigation module according to claim 3, wherein said third content domain is a local content domain.
5. A content navigation module according to claim 4, wherein said ocal content domain comprises a network local to said display device.
6. A content navigation module according to any preceding claim further configured to drive said disp!ay device to: dispay in a first region of said display device a first list of said one or more content item identifiers arranged in a first direction; display a cursor movable in said first direction from a display position of one content item identifier of said first list to a display position of an adjacently displayed content item identifier of said first list responsive to user input; and display in a second region of said display device a second list of one or more content item identifiers associated with a content item identIfier of said first list on which said cursor is positioned, wherein said second list is arranged in a second direction transverse to said first direction.
7. A navigation module configured to drive a display device to: display in a first region of said display device a first list of one or more content Identifier items identifying respective content items, said first list arranged In a first direction; display a cursor movable in said first direction from a display position of one content identifier Item of said first list to a display posItion of an adjacently displayed content identifier item of said first iist responsive to user Input; and display in a second region of said display device a second list of one or more content identifier items associated with a content identifier item of said first list on which said cursor is positioned, wherein said second list is arranged in a second direction transverse to said first direction.
8. A content navigation module according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said first iist may comprise one or more content item identifiers and said second list may comprise one or more content item identifiers.
9. A content navigation module according to any of claims 6 to 8, further configured to be responsive to said cursor being at a display position of said one or adjacently displayed content item identifier in said first list to initiate generation of said second list 10A content navigation module according to any of claims 6 to 9, further configured to be responsive to a user actuated control signal to move said cursor to a display position of a content item identifier of said second list, said cursor movable in said second direction from a display position of said content item identifier of said second list to a display position of an adjacently displayed content item identifier of said second list responsive to user input.11.A content navigation module according to claim 10, further configured to be responsive to a second user actuated control signal to move said cursor to a display position of a content item identifier of said first list.12.A content navigation module according to any of claims 6 to 11, further configured to display said cursor with a direction indicator for indicating a direction in which said cursor is movable.i3A content navigation module according to any preceding claim dependent on claim 1, configured to be operative in a first and second mode wherein in said first mode only content item identifiers identifying content items of said first content domain are displayed and in said second mode only content item identifiers identifying content items of said second content domain are displayed.14A content navigation module according to claim 12 dependent on claim 3, further configured to be operative in a third mode wherein said third mode only content item identifiers identifying content items of said third content domain are displayed.15A content navigation module according to any preceding claim, invokable responsive to a signal indicative of actuation of a one of an "UP" or "Down" key of a remote control device.16A content navigation module according to any preceding claim dependent on claim 6 or claim 7, further configured to be responsive to a signal indicative of actuation of a one of an "UP" or "DOWN" key of a remote control device to move said cursor in said first direction when said cursor is at a display position of a content identifier item of said first list.17A content navigation module according to any preceding claim dependent on claim 6 or claim 7, further configured to be responsive to a signal indicative of actuation of a one of an "LEFT" or "RIGHT" key of a remote control device to move said cursor in said second direction when said cursor is at a display position of a content identifier item of said second list.18A content navigation module according to any preceding claim dependent on claim 6 or claim 7, further configured to be responsive to a signal indicative of actuation of a one of an "UP" or "DOWN" key of a remote control device to move said cursor to a display position of a content identifier item of said first list when said cursor is at a display position of a content identifier item of said second list.19A system, comprising: a content receiver switchable between at least a first receiver mode operative to receive a content item of said first content domain and a second receiver mode operative to receive a content item of said second content domain; and a content navigation module according to any preceding claim dependent on claim I responsive to user actuation of a content item identifier dispayed on said disp'ay device to seiect a content item 7r / U identifier and initiate in said receiver a receiver mode corresponding to the content domain of said selected content item identifier.2ftA system according to claim 19 wherein said content navigation module is responsive to said user actuation to initiate in said receiver access to a selected content item corresponding to said selected content item identifier and wherein said content receiver is configured to access said selected content item responsive to said initiation by said content navigation module.2tA system according to claim 19 or 20, further comprising a wide area broadband communications network providing said first content domain and a broadcast video network providing said second content domain.22A system according to claim 19 dependent on claim 3, further comprising a local area network providing said third content domain.23.A method of content navigation for selecting content from at least a first content domain and a second different content domain, comprising driving a display device to display one or more content item identifiers identifying content items of said first content domain and content item identifiers identifying one or more content items of said second content domain in a common display arrangement.24A method according to claim 23, wherein said first domain is a broadband content domain and said second domain is a broadcast content domain.25A method according to claim 23 or claim 24, further comprising driving said dispk y device to display content item identifiers identifying one or more items of a third content domain.26A method according to claim 25, wherein said third content domain is a local content domain, 27A method according to claim 26, wherein said local content domain comprises a network local to said display device.28.A method according to any of claims 23 to 27 further comprising driving said display device to: display in a first region of said display device a first list of said one or more content item identifiers arranged in a first direction; display a cursor movable In said first direction from a display position of one content item identifier of said first list to a display position of an adjacently displayed content item identifier of said first list responsive to user input; and display in a second region of said display device a second list of one or more content item identifiers associated with a content item identifier of said first list on which said cursor is positioned, wherein said second list is arranged in a second direction transverse to said first direction, 29A method of content navigation, comprising driving a display device to: display in a first region of said display device a first list of one or more content identifier items identifying respective content items, said first list arranged in a first direction; display a cursor movable in said first direction from a display position of one content identifier item of said first list to a display position of an adjacently displayed content identifier item of said first list responsive to user input; and disp'ay in a second region of said display device a second list of one or more content identifier items associated with a content identifier 72.item of said first list on which said cursor is positioned, wherein said second list is arranged in a second direction transverse to said first direcflon, 30A method according to claim 28 or 29, wherein said first list may comprise one or more content item identifiers and said second list may comprise one or more content item identifiers.3tA method according to any of claims 28 to 30, further comprising initiating generation of said second list responsive to said cursor being at a display position of said one or adjacently displayed content item identifier in said first list.32A method according to any of claims 28 to 31, further comprising moving said cursor to a display position of a content item identifier of said second list responsive to a user actuated control signal, said cursor movable in said second direction from a display position of said content item identifier of said second list to a display position of an adjacently displayed content item identifier of said second list responsive to user input.33A method according to claim 32, further comprising moving said cursor to a display position of a content item identifier of said first list responsive to a second user actuated control signal.34A method according to any of claims 28 to 33, further comprising dispJaying said cursor with a direction indicator for indicating a direction in which said cursor is movable.35A method according to any of claims 23 to 34 dependent on daim 23, further comprising displaying only content item identifiers identifying content items of said first content domain in a first mode and displaying only content item identifiers identifying content items of said second content domain in said second mode.36.A method according to claim 35 dependent on claim 25, further configured to be operative in a third mode wherein said third mode only content item identifiers identifying content items of said third content domain are displayed.37A method of operating a content receiver, comprising: switching between at least a first receiver mode operative to receive a content item of a first content domain and a second receiver mode operative to receive a content item of a second content domain; displaying a content item identifier on a display device of said content receiver; selecting a content item identifier displayed on said display device responsive to user actuation of said displayed content item identifier; and initiating in said receiver a receiver mode corresponding to the content domain of said selected content item identifier.38A method according to claim 37, further comprising initiating in said receiver access to a selected content item corresponding to said selected content item identifier responsive to said user actuation and accessing said selected content item responsive to said initiating.39. A method according to claim 37 or 38, for which a wide area broadband communications network provides said first content domain and a broadcast video network provides said second content domain.4cLA method according to claim 39, for which a local area network provides a third content domain.41A computer program comprising computer program elements operative in a data processing apparatus to implement the content navigation module of any of claims 1 to 18 and/or the method of any of claims 23 to 40.42A carrier medium carrying a computer program according to claim 41.43A content navigation module operative to provide a user interface for selecting content from at least a first content domain and a second different content domain, configured to drive a display device to display one or more content item identifiers identifying content items of said I I St UUFUeIII UUIfIII I dl 1U UUIIteI II nern IUCI IUIICI S lUfl ILl I yII 19 UI IC UI I I IUI C content items of said second content domain in a common display arrangement, the content navigation module being further operative to reduce a number of displayed one or more content item identifiers identifying content items of at least one of said first and second content domains dependent upon selection of at least one displayed filtering function by a user, 44. A method of content navigation for selecting content from at least a first content domain and a second different content domain, comprising driving a display device to display one or more content item identifiers identifying content items of said first content domain and content item identifiers identifying one or more content items of said second content domain in a common disp'ay arrangement, the method further comprising reducing a number of displayed one or more content item identifiers identifying content items of at least one of said first and second content domains dependent upon selection of at feast one displayed filtering function by a user.45A content navigation module substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the drawings.46A method substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the drawings.