DISTRIBUTED INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

In an interactive network-based personal video recording system, a user interface is provided that allows viewers to search a database of program guide information according to program title, indexed program attributes such as actor and director, and key word. Viewer interaction is by way of a remote control unit.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving, by a network-based video recording device, updates to electronic program guide data, the electronic program guide data describing, for each program of a plurality of programs viewable using the network-based video recording device, at least a title, a category, a description, and one or more actors for the program; receiving, by the video recording device, inputs requesting to create program search profiles, each of the program search profiles comprising a different one or more search constraints, the one or more search constraints including at least one of a key word, an actor name, or a category; saving, by the video recording device, the program search profiles, each of the program search profiles saved in association with a different program search profile name; based on the saved program search profiles, the video recording device searching for programs described in the electronic program guide data that match the corresponding one or more search constraints of the respective saved program search profiles; based on said searching, presenting lists of selectable programs that match the respective saved program search profiles.