Tv search

Abstract

A device consistent with certain embodiments has a television receiver and an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) receiver. A decoder decodes television programming from either of the television receiver or the IPTV receiver. A programmed processor(s) retrieves metadata relating to television programming, IPTV content, any installed Widgets, and the television (TV) receiver device's function, all of which are considered search targets. The programmed processor stores tags from the metadata in a database and associates the tags with their targets. A search engine searches the database for tags in response to a search query and to retrieve the associated target on command. The control processor executes the target by either tuning to the target's program content or by launching or resuming a Widget or TV device function. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising:
 a receiver device configured to receive content;   a decoder configured to decode the content from the receiver device;   one or more programmed processors programmed to retrieve metadata relating to the content, metadata relating to any Widgets installed on the device, and metadata associated with the receiver device's function;   the content, the Widgets and the receiver device functions comprising search targets;   the programmed processor storing tags from said metadata in a database and associating the tags with their targets;   a search engine that runs as a functional module on the one or more programmed processors to search the database for tags in response to a search query and to retrieve the associated target on command; and   the control processor executing the target by either tuning to the target's content or by launching or resuming a Widget or device function.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , where the search engine presents potential targets for selection by a user prior to execution of the target. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , where the selection by the user comprises selecting one of a plurality of search results. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , where the tags are indexed in the database. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , where the tags are associated with Universal Resource Locator links in the database. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , where the Widget tags are associated with a command to launch the associated Widget. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , where the processor retrieves or updates all metadata on a periodic basis. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , where the processor retrieves or updates metadata on a periodic basis, with a different period for metadata associated with at least two of the types of targets. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , where at least a portion of the metadata are pushed to the receiver device by a source on the Internet. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , where the device function metadata are retrieved only when there is an update of the metadata. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , where the Widget metadata are retrieved only for Widgets loaded into the device. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , where the Widget metadata are retrieved for Widgets available for loading into the receiver device. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , where the database and program modules are stored on flash memory. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , where the receiver device comprises a television receiver device or an Internet Protocol television receiver device. 
     
     
         15 . A device, comprising:
 a receiver device configured to receive content;   a decoder configured to decode content from receiver device;   one or more programmed processors having one or more program modules stored on a flash memory that retrieves metadata relating to the content, metadata relating to any Widgets installed on the device, and metadata associated with the receiver device's function;   the content, the Widgets and the receiver device functions comprising search targets;   the programmed processor storing tags from said metadata in a database and associates the tags with their targets;   a search engine that runs as a functional module on the one or more programmed processors to search the database for tags in response to a search query and to retrieve associated targets as a result of the search command; and   the control processor executing a user selected target selected from among search results by either tuning to the target's content or by launching or resuming a Widget or receiver device function.   
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15 , where the tags are indexed in the database. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 15 , where the tags are associated with Universal Resource Locator links in the database, and where the Widget tags are associated with a command to launch the associated Widget. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 15 , where the processor retrieves or updates all metadata on a periodic basis. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 15 , where the processor retrieves or updates metadata on a periodic basis, with a different period for metadata associated with at least two of the types of targets. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 15 , where the receiver function metadata are retrieved only when there is an update of the metadata. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 15 , where the Widget metadata are retrieved only for Widgets loaded into the receiver device. 
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 15 , where the Widget metadata are retrieved for Widgets available for loading into the receiver device. 
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 15 , where the receiver device comprises a television receiver device or an Internet Protocol television receiver device. 
     
     
         24 . A device, comprising:
 a receiver device configured to receive content;   a decoder configured to decode the content;   one or more programmed processors having instructions stored on a flash memory that retrieves metadata relating to television programming, metadata relating to the content, metadata relating to any installed Widgets, and metadata associated with the receiver device's function;   the content, the Widgets and the receiver device functions comprising search targets;   the programmed processor indexing and storing tags from said metadata in a database and associates the tags with their targets, where certain of the tags are associated with Universal Resource Locator links in the database, and where the Widget tags are associated with a command to launch the associated Widget;   a search engine that runs on the one or more programmed processors to search the database for tags in response to a search query and to retrieve associated targets as a result of the search command;   the control processor executing a user selected target selected from among search results by either tuning to the target's content or by launching or resuming a Widget or device function; and   where the processor retrieves or updates all metadata on a periodic basis, and where the Widget metadata are retrieved only for Widgets loaded into the receiver device.   
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 24 , where the receiver device comprises a television receiver device or an Internet Protocol television receiver device.