System and method for filtering a television channel list based on channel characteristics

Abstract

A system and method for automatically managing television channel lists is disclosed. Pixel resolutions characteristics of a plurality of televisions channels are analyzed. One or more high definition television (HDTV) channels having HD pixel resolutions from the plurality of available television channels are selected. The one or more selected HDTV channels are stored in a HD channel list.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for managing a list of content channels, the method comprising:
 receiving one or more preferred channel characteristics;   selecting one or more content channels from a plurality of content channels available from one or more content sources, wherein each selected content channel satisfies at least one of the preferred channel characteristics;   generating a content channel list, wherein the content channel list includes the selected content channels; and   displaying the content channel list for user selection.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 for each content channel of the plurality of content channels, analyzing the content channel to determine whether the content channel has channel characteristics meeting at least one of the preferred channel characteristics.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of content channels include at least one television channel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying the content channel list for user selection comprises displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) including multiple rows for the selected content channels, a channel column displaying channel numbers of the selected content channels, and a name column displaying names of the selected content channels. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  1 , wherein the preferred channel characteristics include content channels having high-definition (HD) pixel resolutions. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  1 , wherein the preferred channel characteristics include content channels having closed captioning. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  1 , wherein the preferred channel characteristics include content channels having a second audio program (SAP). 
     
     
         8 . The method of  1 , wherein the preferred channel characteristics include content channels in a foreign language with English subtitles. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  1 , wherein the preferred channel characteristics are user-selected. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 updating the content channel list based on one or more of the following changes: a change to a selected content channel, a change to the preferred channel characteristics, and a change to the plurality of content channels available from the content sources.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the content channel list is automatically generated when an auto program function is executed. 
     
     
         12 . A system for managing a list of content channels, the system comprising:
 a processor for:
 receiving one or more preferred channel characteristics; 
 selecting one or more content channels from a plurality of content channels available from one or more content sources, wherein each selected content channel satisfies at least one of the preferred channel characteristics; and 
 generating a content channel list, wherein the content channel list includes the selected content channels; 
 a memory for maintaining the content channel list; and 
 a screen for displaying the content channel list for user selection. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is further configured for:
 for each content channel of the plurality of content channels, analyzing the content channel to determine whether the content channel has channel characteristics meeting at least one of the preferred channel characteristics.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the screen is further configured for:
 displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) including multiple rows for the selected content channels, a channel column displaying channel numbers of the selected content channels, and a name column displaying names of the selected content channels.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the preferred channel characteristics include one or more of the following: content channels having high-definition (HD) pixel resolutions, content channels having closed captioning, content channels having a second audio program (SAP), and content channels in a foreign language with English subtitles. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the preferred channel characteristics are user-selected. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is further configured for:
 updating the content channel list based on one or more of the following changes: a change to a selected content channel, a change to the preferred channel characteristics, and a change to the plurality of content channels available from the content sources.   
     
     
         18 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions which when executed on a computer perform a method comprising:
 receiving one or more preferred channel characteristics;   selecting one or more content channels from a plurality of content channels available from one or more content sources, wherein each selected content channel satisfies at least one of the preferred channel characteristics;   generating a content channel list, wherein the content channel list includes the selected content channels; and   displaying the content channel list for user selection.   
     
     
         19 . The medium of  claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises:
 for each content channel of the plurality of content channels, analyzing the content channel to determine whether the content channel has channel characteristics meeting at least one of the preferred channel characteristics.   
     
     
         20 . The medium of  claim 18 , wherein the preferred channel characteristics include one or more of the following: content channels having high-definition (HD) pixel resolutions, content channels having closed captioning, content channels having a second audio program (SAP), and content channels in a foreign language with English subtitles.