Systems and methods for providing advanced information searching in an interactive media guidance application

Abstract

The present invention relates to an interactive media guidance application that provides improved searching functionality for media information, such as media program listings, media programming information, celebrity information, and other related media information. Search objects may be defined in the entertainment context and applied to media information to enable efficient searching. Different types of media information may be categorized to enable proper organization of search results. A search object query may be performed based on a user entered search expression and the results may be a vertical slice through the organized categories of media information. User submitted tags may also be applied to the media information and used to search the media information. Atomic searching may be enabled for more generic search expressions, whereby an atomic search object is associated with a personalized atomic search algorithm comprised of individual searches. The search algorithm is determined by receiving both user metrics and editorial input. Context sensitive searching may also be provided by defining search objects with different context settings and determining a context setting of the user initiated search.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for organizing media information search results in an interactive media guidance application, the method comprising:
 receiving a search expression from a user input interface;   generating a search term based on the search expression, wherein the search term is different than the search expression;   identifying media information based on the search term, wherein the media information is organized in a plurality of categories;   generating for display the identified media information as a first plurality of media information search results;   receiving a selection of one or more of the plurality of categories from the user input interface; and   generating for display the identified media information as a second plurality of media information search results based on the selection.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of categories are based on one or more media program listings, media programming information, media personality information, and related media information. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the identifying comprises identifying media information that includes the text of the search expression. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the media information is associated with at least one search object stored in a database of search objects, wherein the at least one search object is relevant to the media information, wherein the search objects differ from the plurality of categories, and wherein the generating the search term comprises:
 determining whether a portion of the search expression matches one of the search objects stored in the database; and   when the search expression matches one of the search objects stored in the database, generating the search term based on the matching search object.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the search objects are based on one or more titles of media programs and names of celebrities. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising associating the media information with the at least one search object stored in the database of search objects based on at least one of automatically associating the media information with the at least one search object and editorially associating the media information with the at least one search object. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 querying the user whether to perform a search object-based search or a text-based search using the search expression;   receiving a user indication to perform one of the search object-based search or the text-based search using the search expression; and   generating the search term according to the user indication.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the generating the search term comprises generating the search term based on an atomic search process. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the receiving the search expression comprises receiving the search expression over an Internet communications link. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 displaying the first plurality of media information search results on a user equipment device; and   displaying the second plurality of media information search results on the user equipment device.   
     
     
         27 . A system for organizing media information search results in an interactive media guidance application, the system comprising:
 a database of media information, wherein the media information is organized in a plurality of categories; and   electronic processing equipment coupled to the database of media information, the electronic processing equipment configured to:
 receive a search expression from a user input interface; 
 generate a search term based on the search expression, wherein the search term is different than the search expression; 
 identify media information based on the search term; 
 generate for display the identified media information as a first plurality of media information search results; 
 receive a selection of one or more of the plurality of categories from the user input interface; and 
 generate for display the identified media information as a second plurality of media information search results based on the selection. 
   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the plurality of categories are based on one or more media program listings, media programming information, media personality information, and related media information. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the electronic processing equipment is further configured to identify media information that includes the text of the search expression. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 27 , further comprising a database of search objects coupled to the electronic processing equipment, wherein the media information is associated with at least one search object stored in the database of search objects, wherein the at least one search object is relevant to the media information, wherein the search objects differ from the plurality of categories, and wherein the electronic processing equipment is further configured to:
 determine whether a portion of the search expression matches one of the search objects stored in the database; and   when the search expression matches one of the search objects stored in the database, generate the search term based on the matching search object.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the search objects are based on one or more titles of media programs and names of celebrities. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the electronic processing equipment is further configured to associate the media information with the at least one search object stored in the database of search objects based on at least one of automatically associating the media information with the at least one search object and editorially associating the media information with the at least one search object. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the electronic processing equipment is further configured to:
 query the user whether to perform a search object-based search or a text-based search using the search expression;   receive a user indication to perform one of the search object-based search or the text-based search using the search expression; and   generate the search term according to the user indication.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the electronic processing equipment is further configured to generate the search term based on an atomic search process. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the electronic processing equipment is further configured to receive the search expression over an Internet communications link. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the electronic processing equipment is further configured to:
 display the first plurality of media information search results on a user equipment device; and   display the second plurality of media information search results on the user equipment device.