Voice-Controlled Electronic Program Guide Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic program guides (EPGs) for selecting scheduled programming content are cumbersome due to their grid-like display format, requiring users to navigate using a five-way navigation command system, which is not efficient or intuitive.
Innovation Solution
A voice-controllable visual search interface that encourages natural-language input, allowing users to search for content using voice commands and presenting search results on a user interface with both time-based and time-independent axes, combining scheduled programming content with bundled service content in a single search.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a grid-like display format is used for EPG, then scheduled programming content can be displayed systematically, but user navigation becomes cumbersome and non-intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional two-dimensional grid display into a three-dimensional hierarchical structure with channels, programs, and time slots organized in nested layers. This dimensional expansion allows users to navigate through content categories rather than manually scrolling through entire grids, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining systematic organization of programming data.
Solution Approach 2:
The EPG system is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels including channel groups, individual channels, program categories, and time slots. This segmentation breaks down the overwhelming grid into manageable sections that users can navigate sequentially, reducing cognitive load and improving navigation efficiency while preserving the comprehensive display of scheduled content.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a five-way navigation command system is used, then basic navigation is possible, but content selection becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical five-way navigation system with a hybrid approach combining voice recognition, natural language processing, and intelligent recommendation algorithms. Users can speak their content preferences directly, and the system automatically interprets and executes search queries, eliminating the need for repetitive directional button presses and dramatically reducing content selection time while maintaining versatile navigation options.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates intelligent agents that automatically analyze user preferences, browsing patterns, and current context to proactively suggest relevant content and perform searches without explicit user commands. This self-service capability reduces the time users spend navigating by having the system work autonomously to surface relevant programming options.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate searches are conducted for scheduled programming and bundled services, then content sources can be searched individually, but the search process becomes complex and multi-step
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal search interface that simultaneously queries multiple content sources including scheduled programming, bundled services, on-demand content, and external streaming services through a single unified command. The underlying system architecture integrates diverse data sources and search algorithms into one cohesive platform, allowing users to search all content types without understanding the complexity of individual source structures or requiring separate search procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for searching for content to display on a digitally-tunable electronic device configured to display scheduled programming content. The method comprises receiving a search query from a user, and determining, based on the search query, an action the user wants to perform. The method further comprises determining one or more data sources to search based, at least in part, on the action the user wants to perform, and searching based, at least in part, on the search query, the one or more data sources for the content to display on the electronic device.