Multimedia content search system with source and field differentiation

摘要

A method and apparatus for performing an integrated search is provided. An interface is provided that allows users to search and select any data related to a searchable term. Searchable terms may comprise titles of content, actors, and tags. A client device formulates a search request from the user-selected search terms. A service receives the search request from the client device and formulates a query for at least one broadband database and at least one partner broadcast database. The service queries each broadband database with a compatible query that the service creates using information regarding the type of database queries each partner's database requires. The service formats the data received from the searches of the databases into a user interface screen that is presentable by the client device. The screen information instructs the client device on how it should respond to any key presses by the user.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
receiving a search request at a server from a client device for at least two search tags relating to a particular multimedia content; converting, by the server, the search query from the client device into one or more first compatible queries for one or more broadcast content information databases stored on one or more database servers; performing, by the server, one or more first searches on the one or more broadcast content information databases with the one or more first compatible queries, the broadcast content information databases containing availability information specifying a plurality of available multimedia content items and broadcast sources for recording the plurality of available multimedia content items; receiving, at the server, broadcast search information in response to the one or more first searches on broadcast content information databases, the broadcast search information being retrieved from the broadcast content information databases, the broadcast search information identifying one or more broadcast sources from which the particular multimedia content is available via broadcast signals for recording by the client device; converting, by the server, the search query from the client device into one or more second compatible queries for one or more broadband content information databases stored on one or more remote servers remote to both the server and the client device; performing, by the server, one or more second searches on the one or more broadband content information databases with the one or more second compatible queries, the broadband content information databases containing availability information specifying a plurality of available multimedia content items and broadband sources for downloading the plurality of available multimedia content items; receiving, at the server, broadband search information in response to the one or more second searches on broadband content information databases, the broadcast search information being retrieved from the broadband content information databases, the broadcast search information identifying one or more broadcast sources from which the particular multimedia content is available via broadcast signals for recording by the client device; combining, by the server, the broadcast search information and the broadband search information as search result information for the search request; and sending, by the server, the search result information in response to the search request to the client device.