Interactive Media Guidance Channel Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media guidance systems lack an effective way to organize and present a large number of media channels and listings in a user-friendly manner, making it difficult for users to easily find media programming of interest.
Innovation Solution
An interactive media guidance application that groups media channels and listings based on common characteristics, allowing users to create and edit channel groups, providing focused information, and enabling functions like setting favorites, locking, and purchasing across grouped channels and listings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If media channels and listings are presented in a traditional guide format, then comprehensive information is provided, but user navigation becomes difficult and cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments media channels into channel groups based on common characteristics (e.g., programming content, media type, tier of service). This segmentation organizes the large quantity of channels into manageable categories, making navigation easier while preserving comprehensive coverage of all channels through the grouped structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If channel groups are created and edited by users, then personalization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to create and edit their own channel groups without requiring complex programming knowledge. Users can select channels and assign them to groups based on their preferences, and the system automatically handles the organization and display, providing personalization with simplified user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel group structure is dynamic and can be modified by users according to changing preferences. The system allows real-time creation, editing, and reorganization of channel groups, adapting the guidance application to individual user needs while maintaining manageable complexity through automated group management.
3Illumination intensity
If focused information is provided on channel groups, then user attention is improved, but overall media coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting channels into focused groups, the system provides concentrated information and attention on relevant content while maintaining the ability to access all channels. The grouped structure allows users to focus on specific categories without losing access to the complete media landscape through the organized group hierarchy.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates an interactive media guidance application that provides channel groups. Channel groups may include media channels, such as television channels, radio stations, Internet web sites, etc. Channel groups may be organized around a common characteristic, by utilizing user profile information, and by human editorial selection (e.g., by a service provider or by a user). The guidance application provides information on the channel groups, including media listings, reminders, pending and completed recordings, purchased programs, and previously accessed programs for the channel group. The guidance application enables the user to focus a guidance application function on the channel group. In response to a user initiation to execute the function on the channel group, the function may be executed on all the media channels belonging to the channel group. Information on the channel group and access to functions that are executable on the channel group may be concentrated in a channel group portal screen of the guidance application.