Alphanumeric Remote Control Interface for Program Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite television systems require users to manually search through numerous channels and programs using cursor navigation, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when trying to find specific content by channel number or title.
Innovation Solution
A remote control interface that allows users to enter numerical inputs which are mapped to alphabetic characters, enabling the system to search the electronic program guide in an alphanumeric fashion, narrowing down search results with each input, and presenting them in a user-defined order, including channel names, program titles, and associated data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users manually search through channels using cursor navigation, then they can find program content, but the search process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cursor navigation system with an electronic search system that processes alphanumeric inputs. Instead of manually moving cursors through channels, users enter search terms that are automatically processed by the receiver to find matching programs, dramatically reducing search time and improving efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides comprehensive program information in the electronic program guide, then users can find desired content, but the amount of information makes manual navigation complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an alphanumeric search interface as an intermediary between the user and the comprehensive program database. This intermediary layer allows users to input search terms and receive filtered results, simplifying the interaction while maintaining access to the full program information without requiring manual navigation through complex guides.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for searching available programs in a broadcast system. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a transmitter, transmitting a plurality of video programs and a program guide, the program guide comprising information related to the plurality of video programs, a receiver for receiving the plurality of programs and the program guide from the transmitter, a monitor, coupled to the receiver, for displaying at least a selected one of the plurality of video programs and for selectively displaying the program guide, and a remote control, coupled to the receiver, wherein the receiver accepts at least one input from the remote control, compares the information in the program to the at least one input, and presents a search result of programs from the plurality of programs having a matching characteristic with the at least one input.