System and method for using television information codes

Abstract

A system and method for using information codes for recording television programs. Information codes may be published in magazines, newspapers, and the like, much like VCR Plus+™ codes. When a user desires to record one or more television programs based on information codes, the user selects an appropriate command button on his or her input device, and enters the information code that identifies a desired filter category (e.g. an actor filter represented as “01”) followed by a desired filter identifier (e.g. Richard Gere represented as “1234”). A processor receiving the user input searches an electronic program guide database for programs matching the filter information. The identified programs are then stored in a record memory for recording at an appropriate time. The identified programs may be further displayed for verification prior to storage in the record memory. Programs recommended to the viewers may also be identified via information codes.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method for storing media assets, the method comprising:
 storing media guidance data for a first plurality of media assets;   receiving input from a user that selects a symbol that is presented to the user in a form that prevents the user from identifying which of the first plurality of media assets is associated with the symbol without referencing a look-up table;   selecting, using control circuitry, a second plurality of media assets from the first plurality of media assets based on the symbol selected by the user; and   automatically storing the second plurality of media assets selected based on the symbol selected by the user.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the media guidance data includes a filter criteria associated with the first plurality of media assets. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein receiving the input from the user that selects a symbol comprises capturing the symbol on user input circuitry. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein selecting the second plurality of media assets comprises:
 decoding the symbol to identify a user filter criteria;   comparing the user filter criteria to a filter criteria associated with the second plurality of media assets; and   determining that the user filter criteria matches the filter criteria associated with the second plurality of media assets.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the symbol encodes a filter category and an identifier associated with the filter category, and wherein the filter category and the identifier associated with the filter category represent the user filter criteria. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the filter category represents an actor or actress filter, and the identifier identifies a particular actor or actress. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein automatically storing the second plurality of media assets comprises storing instructions to record the second plurality of media assets. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 generating for display information on one or more media assets of the second plurality of media assets.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 deleting a media asset from the second plurality of media assets such that the deleted media asset will not be automatically stored.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each media asset in the first plurality of media assets is associated with a unique symbol. 
     
     
         29 . A system for storing media assets, the system comprising:
 control circuitry configured to:
 store media guidance data for a first plurality of media assets; 
 receive input from a user that selects a symbol that is presented to the user in a form that prevents the user from identifying which of the first plurality of media assets is associated with the symbol without referencing a look-up table; 
 select a second plurality of media assets from the first plurality of media assets based on the symbol selected by the user; and 
 automatically store the second plurality of media assets selected based on the symbol selected by the user. 
   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the media guidance data includes a filter criteria associated with the first plurality of media assets. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein further comprising user input circuitry, the user input circuitry configured to capture the selected symbol. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 decode the symbol to identify a user filter criteria;   compare the user filter criteria to a filter criteria associated with the second plurality of media assets; and   determine that the user filter criteria matches the filter criteria associated with the second plurality of media assets.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the symbol encodes a filter category and an identifier associated with the filter category, and wherein the filter category and the identifier associated with the filter category represent the user filter criteria. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the filter category represents an actor or actress filter, and the identifier identifies a particular actor or actress. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 29 , further comprising a data store, the data store configured to store instructions to record the second plurality of media assets. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to generate for display information on one or more media assets of the second plurality of media assets. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to delete a media asset from the second plurality of media assets such that the deleted media asset will not be automatically stored. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein each media asset in the first plurality of media assets is associated with a unique symbol.