Search engine for a video recorder

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a search engine for a video recorder. One embodiment of the present invention operates in an environment that includes one or more set-top boxes connected to or integrated within one or more output devices. The set-top boxes are used to transfer shows from a broadcast input source to one or more types of storage devices and to play back the shows from the storage devices to the output devices, either in a delayed-live fashion or at a later time of the user's choosing. The set-top box displays a graphical user interface (GUI), which gives the user the ability to watch and/or record timeslot based programming, to order on-demand programming, and to playback previously recorded shows that reside on a local or remote storage device. A search engine is added to the GUI that lets the search for shows and receive results in an enhanced manner.

1 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A method comprising:
 receiving a search input from a user;   identifying a first database entry that at least partially matches the search input, wherein the first database entry is associated with a first content provider;   identifying a second database entry that at least partially matches the search input, wherein the second database entry is associated with a second content provider;   determining a category corresponding to both the first database entry and the second database entry; and   generating for display a selectable category corresponding to the first database entry and the second database entry.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising generating for display a first listing for the first database entry and a second listing for the second database entry in response to receiving a user selection of the selectable category. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising visually distinguishing the first listing from the second listing. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 receiving a user selection of the first listing; and   in response to receiving the user selection of the first listing, causing the output of a media asset corresponding to the first database entry.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 receiving a user selection of the first listing; and   in response to receiving the user selection of the first listing, causing the output of metadata associated with the first database listing.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 identifying a third database entry that at least partially matches the search input; and   generating for display a third listing for the third database entry, wherein the third listing is simultaneously displayed with the selectable category in a single search results area.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising:
 determining a number of database entries that at least partially match the search input; and   waiting until receiving an additional search input before generating for display the third listing when the number of database entries exceeds a predetermined value.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the single search results area is generated for display in response to receiving the search input from the user. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the search input is a first incremental search input, further comprising:
 receiving a second incremental search input from the user, wherein the second incremental search input is received subsequent to the first incremental search input; and   in response to determining that the first database entry at least partially matches the second incremental search input and that the second database entry does not at least partially match the second incremental search input, generating for display the first listing without generating for display the selectable category.   
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the first database entry corresponds to timeslot based media content, and wherein the second database entry corresponds to at least one of on-demand media content and saved media content. 
     
     
         49 . A system comprising control circuitry configured to:
 receive a search input from a user;   identify a first database entry that at least partially matches the search input, wherein the first database entry is associated with a first content provider;   identify a second database entry that at least partially matches the search input, wherein the second database entry is associated with a second content provider;   determine a category corresponding to both the first database entry and the second database entry; and   generate for display a selectable category corresponding to the first database entry and the second database entry.   
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , further comprising generating for display a first listing for the first database entry and a second listing for the second database entry in response to receiving a user selection of the selectable category. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to visually distinguish the first listing from the second listing. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 receive a user selection of the first listing; and   in response to receiving the user selection of the first listing, cause the output of a media asset corresponding to the first database entry.   
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 receive a user selection of the first listing; and   in response to receiving the user selection of the first listing, cause the output of metadata associated with the first database listing.   
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 identify a third database entry that at least partially matches the search input; and   generate for display a third listing for the third database entry, wherein the third listing is simultaneously displayed with the selectable category in a single search results area.   
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 determine a number of database entries that at least partially match the search input; and   wait until receiving an additional search input before generating for display the third listing when the number of database entries exceeds a predetermined value.   
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the single search results area is generated for display by the control circuitry in response to receiving the search input from the user. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the search input is a first incremental search input, and wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 receive a second incremental search input from the user, wherein the second incremental search input is received subsequent to the first incremental search input; and   in response to determining that the first database entry at least partially matches the second incremental search input and that the second database entry does not at least partially match the second incremental search input, generate for display the first listing without generating for display the selectable category.   
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the first database entry corresponds to timeslot based media content, and wherein the second database entry corresponds to at least one of on-demand media content and saved media content.