Dual Grid Program Guide with Dynamic Search Highlighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current web-based multimedia event scheduling systems lack efficient search functionality, requiring manual scrolling to find specific shows and often display search results as lists, making it difficult for users to navigate and find desired content.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize two grids for displaying program guide information, with a user-movable window in a secondary grid allowing users to select and view a portion of the data in a larger format, and concurrently update the primary grid with search results highlighted, enabling dynamic scrolling and resolution changes based on user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual scrolling is used to navigate the program grid, then no additional search functionality is needed, but the time and effort required to find specific shows increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating and displaying search results when a user enters a query, eliminating the need for manual scrolling. The search engine pre-processes the query and presents relevant shows in an organized format, allowing users to find content quickly without manually navigating through the entire program grid.
2Adaptability or versatility
If search results are displayed as a simple list, then the search function is provided, but it becomes difficult for users to navigate and view detailed information about multiple shows simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a one-dimensional list view to a two-dimensional grid view for displaying search results. The results are presented as selectable cells within the existing program grid structure, where each cell represents a show matching the search query. This dimensional change allows users to see multiple results simultaneously in context with the program schedule, improving navigation and information visibility.
3Loss of information
If a single grid displays all program guide information, then the display is simple, but it becomes difficult to view both search results and detailed event information concurrently
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple functional grids: the main program guide grid, a search results grid overlay, and detailed event information panels. Each grid serves a specific purpose - the main grid shows the full program schedule, the search results grid highlights matching shows, and detail panels provide comprehensive event information. This segmentation allows simultaneous visualization of search results and event details without overwhelming the user interface.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for displaying program guide information are disclosed. In some implementations, a method includes, at a computing device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, responsive to a user-supplied search query, formatting for display program guide data on a first grid. The first grid includes (i) a first axis representing units of time and (ii) a second axis. The program guide data comprises information representing a first set of time-bounded events. The method also includes formatting a second grid for concurrent display with the first grid. The second grid includes information identifying a second set of time-bounded events. The first set of time-bounded events is a subset of the second set of time-bounded events.