User interface presenting enhanced video content information associated with video programs

Abstract

Providing interactive access to video programming and video content information in a multimedia system. A processing device of the multimedia system receives video content information associated with video programming that is to be broadcast. The video content information includes at least video identification information and video content information. The display device of the multimedia system presents a first interface image that presents the video content information for one of the video programs of the video programming. In response to viewer input, a second interface image is displayed on the display device presenting video content information for another one of the video programs of the video programming or for more detailed information associated with the video program. In this manner, the viewer can conveniently navigate through the video content information and identify information that is useful in selecting a program to watch.

1 . In a multimedia system that includes a processing device for receiving and processing video programming and associated video content information and a display device for displaying the video programming and associated video content information, a method of searching the video programming using the video content information, the method comprising:
 receiving primary search criteria from a viewer;   searching video programming for video programs corresponding to the primary search criteria;   displaying a search results interface, the search results interface including:
 a video program listing, the video program listing identifying a plurality of video programs satisfying the primary search criteria, wherein each of the identified plurality of video programs includes a link to a supplemental content page containing video content information about the respective video program; and 
 a filter menu, the filter menu including a plurality of filters for refining the search results according to one or more secondary search criteria. 
   
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, at the filter menu, viewer input identifying secondary search criteria;   searching only the video programming in the search results of the video program listing for video programs corresponding to the secondary search criteria; and   in the video program listing, replacing the search results corresponding to the primary search criteria with updated search results identifying one or more video programs corresponding to the secondary search criteria.   
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the video program listing arranges the plurality of video programs satisfying the primary search criteria in an ordered listing, the ordered listing being ordered according to the primary search criteria. 
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the primary search criteria includes a time element, and wherein the ordered listing is ordered according to start times of the plurality of video programs satisfying the primary search criteria. 
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the identified plurality of video programs is identified in the video program listing by program title and one or more other categories of video content information. 
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the identified plurality of video programs is identified in the program listing by program title and by critical rating. 
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filters in the filter menu includes a genre filter. 
     
     
         8 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filters in the filter menu includes a critics rating filter. 
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filters in the filter menu includes a year produced filter. 
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filters in the filter menu includes a MPAA rating. 
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of filters in the filter menu includes at least one of a group consisting of: a program type filter, a time slot filter, a keyword filter, and an actor/actress filter. 
     
     
         12 . A computer-readable storage medium for use in a multimedia system that includes a processing device for receiving and processing video programming and associated video content information and a display device for displaying the video programming and associated video content information, the computer-readable storage medium having stored instructions which, when executed at the multimedia system, implement a method of searching the video programming using the video content information, the method comprising:
 receiving primary search criteria from a viewer;   searching video programming for video programs corresponding to the primary search criteria;   displaying a search results interface that includes a video program listing, the video program listing identifying a plurality of video programs satisfying the primary search criteria, wherein each of the identified plurality of video programs includes a link to an interface image containing video content information about the respective video program;   receiving viewer input selecting the link for one of the plurality of video programs in the video program listing; and   accessing the interface image for the corresponding video program, the interface image for the corresponding video program including:
 a video display displaying visual content corresponding to the video program; and 
 a supplemental content information menu that includes one or more categories of supplemental content information, each of the one or more categories being selectable to retrieve corresponding content. 
   
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 12 , wherein the search results interface further includes a filter menu having a plurality of filters for refining the search results according to one or more secondary search criteria; 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 13 , wherein searching the video programming includes filtering out all video programs that do not contain video content information containing the primary search criteria. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein searching the video programming includes filtering out all video programs that do not contain video content information containing the secondary search criteria. 
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , the method further comprising:
 receiving user input specifying video programs previously viewed;   storing data representing the video programs previously viewed; and   using the data representing the video programs previously viewed to specify parameters for filtering, such that the individual video programs displayed after filtering do not contain the video programs previously viewed.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable storage medium as recited in  claim 12 , wherein:
 the method further comprises, in response to viewer input entered at the supplemental content information menu, an act of displaying the corresponding content which comprises video content.   
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable storage medium as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the corresponding content includes one or more web pages. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable storage medium as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the corresponding content includes at least one of actor information, synopsis information or rating information. 
     
     
         20 . A multimedia system comprising:
 a processing device for receiving and processing video programming and associated video content information;   a display device for displaying the video programming and associated video content information; and   a computer-readable storage medium having stored instructions which, when executed at the multimedia system, implement a method of searching the video programming using the video content information, the method comprising:
 receiving primary search criteria from a viewer; 
 searching video programming for video programs corresponding to the primary search criteria; 
 displaying a search results interface that includes a video program listing, the video program listing identifying a plurality of video programs satisfying the primary search criteria, wherein each of the identified plurality of video programs includes a link to an interface image containing video content information about the respective video program; 
 receiving viewer input selecting the link for one of the plurality of video programs in the video program listing; and 
 accessing the interface image for the corresponding video program, the interface image for the corresponding video program including:
 a video display displaying visual content corresponding to the video program; and 
 a supplemental content information menu that includes one or more categories of supplemental content information, each of the one or more categories being selectable to retrieve corresponding content.