System and method for searching and providing contents, and software storage media

Abstract

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

1 - 42 . (Canceled)  
   
   
       43 . A program schedule displaying apparatus for displaying a record content, comprising: 
 storing means for storing a plurality of contents into a memory apparatus;    content classifying means for classifying said stored contents;    virtual channel assigning means for assigning said classified contents to a virtual channel;    arranging means for arranging classified contents into said virtual channel;    user operation receiving means for receiving a user operation for said stored contents;    rescheduling means for rescheduling said virtual channel in accordance with said user operation; and    displaying means for displaying dynamically said virtual channel on display.    
   
   
       44 . The program schedule displaying apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein: 
 said displaying means displays an indicator of current replaying position.    
   
   
       45 . The program schedule displaying apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein: 
 said content classifying means classifies in accordance with a broadcasting time sequence, and order of recommendation rating for the user preference, or past viewing history of the user.    
   
   
       46 . The program schedule displaying apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein: 
 said user operation is fast forward, rewind, slow, replay or scene jump.    
   
   
       47 . The program schedule displaying apparatus according to  claim 43 , further comprising: 
 current time acquiring means for acquiring current time; and    calculating means for calculating change value comparing said current time when receiving said user operation.    
   
   
       48 . The program schedule displaying apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein: 
 said contents are programs provided via ground stations, satellite stations, wireless network or wired network.    
   
   
       49 . The program schedule displaying apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein: 
 said contents are comprised of visual and sound data.    
   
   
       50 . The program schedule displaying apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein: 
 said contents are multimedia data or replay application programs.    
   
   
       51 . A program schedule displaying method for displaying a record content, comprising the steps of: 
 storing a plurality of contents into a memory apparatus;    classifying said stored contents;    assigning said classified contents to a virtual channel;    arranging classified contents into said virtual channel;    receiving a user operation for said stored contents;    rescheduling said virtual channel in accordance with said user operation; and    displaying dynamically said virtual channel on display.    
   
   
       52 . The program schedule displaying method according to  claim 51 , further comprising the step of: 
 displaying an indicator of current replaying position.    
   
   
       53 . The program schedule displaying method according to  claim 51 , further comprising the step of: 
 classifying in accordance with a broadcasting time sequence, and order of recommendation rating for the user preference, or past viewing history of the user.    
   
   
       54 . The program schedule displaying method according to  claim 51 , wherein: 
 said user operation is fast forward, rewind, slow, replay or scene jump.    
   
   
       55 . The program schedule displaying method according to  claim 51 , further comprising the steps of: 
 acquiring current time; and    calculating change value comparing said current time when receiving said user operation.    
   
   
       56 . The program schedule displaying method according to  claim 51 , wherein: 
 said contents are programs provided via ground stations, satellite stations, wireless network or wired network.    
   
   
       57 . The program schedule displaying method according to  claim 51 , wherein: 
 said contents are comprised of visual and sound data.    
   
   
       58 . The program schedule displaying method according to  claim 51 , wherein: 
 said contents are multimedia data or replay application programs.