Simplified searching for media services using a control device

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for searching for a media content related to a selected media service. A selected media service, as selected by a user operable indicator, has related metadata that is used as the basis of a search query. Once the search query is formulated, the query is submitted to a search engine that returns search results of media content related to the selected media service. Media content then may be selected from the returned search results for rendering in a rendering environment.

1 . A method for conducting a search using a computer comprising the steps of:
 using at least one keyword to search a first and second metadata field in a database; and   a search result returned from searching said first metadata field is assigned a higher ranking than a search result returned from searching said second metadata field when searching for a media service.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  where said ranking is determined in response to input from a user. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  where a first set of metadata fields used as the first and second metadata fields are selected when searching for a type of media service. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  where a different set of metadata fields are used as the first and second metadata fields when searching for a different type of media service. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said first set of metadata fields used are selected in response to input from said user.