Media Program Guide Redundancy Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Electronic Programming Guides (EPGs) are cumbersome for users due to their flat graphical user interface, making it difficult to navigate through hundreds of media channels and programs.
Innovation Solution
A system that collects viewing history, scans for redundant media programs, groups them, and reorganizes the guide to present a Media Program Guide (MPG) that collapses redundant viewings and segregates previously watched programs, allowing for more efficient navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a flat graphical user interface with calendar matrix is used to present EPG, then all media channels and programs can be displayed, but navigation becomes daunting and complex for users
Solution Approach 1:
The EPG is segmented into multiple organizational dimensions including genre-based categories, time-based views, and user-defined groups. This allows the large quantity of media programs to be divided into manageable segments that users can navigate through different perspectives rather than overwhelming flat lists.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces multiple organizational dimensions beyond the traditional flat calendar matrix. Programs can be organized by genre, time, personal preferences, and other metadata dimensions, allowing users to navigate through content from multiple angles and reducing the perceived complexity of navigation.
2Loss of information
If redundant media programs are included in the EPG, then comprehensive program information is provided, but the guide becomes cluttered and harder to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
Redundant media programs are merged into consolidated program entries that display comprehensive information including all broadcast times, channels, and related content. This merging reduces visual clutter while preserving complete program information through expanded details and related program links.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of displaying duplicate program entries for each broadcast, the system creates a single master program entry with references or links to related broadcasts. This copying approach maintains information completeness while eliminating redundant visual elements that clutter the interface.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional calendar-based EPG layout is used, then all programs are visible, but user customization and personalization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The EPG system transitions from a static calendar layout to a dynamic interface that adapts to user preferences, viewing habits, and selected criteria. Users can dynamically reorganize programs by genre, time, personal favorites, or other dimensions, allowing the same program data to be presented in multiple customized configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to change organizational parameters such as sorting criteria, grouping methods, time ranges, and genre priorities. These parameter changes enable the same underlying program data to be displayed in various customized layouts that adapt to individual user needs and preferences.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media receiver having a controller element to generate a Media Program Guide (MPG) that groups media programs according to a redundancy of media programs and a viewing history of a subscriber of the media receiver. Other embodiments are disclosed.