Smart interactive media content guide

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses and media for providing content upon request are provided. A search request for content is received from a user. A first filter is applied to the search request to modify the search request before a search algorithm searches for the content to return in response to the search request. Items of content are determined based on the search request to which the first filter is applied. A second filter is applied to the items of content to determine search results. The search results are provided to the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing content upon request, the method comprising:
 applying, by a processing system including a processor, a first filter to a search request submitted via a media content guide application, wherein the first filter is based on a configuration of the media content guide application, wherein application of the first filter returns selectable search results of the media content guide application including permissible summary descriptions of items of media content responsive to the search request, while preventing selectable search results of the media content guide application from including impermissible summary descriptions of the items of media content responsive to the search request;   receiving, by the processing system and from equipment of a user, a selection of a selected media content item from among the selectable search results of the media content guide application;   recognizing, by the processing system, an identity of the user to ensure a second filter is applied to the selected media content item based on the configuration of the media content guide application, wherein the recognizing is based on one or more of a voice recognition of the user as recognized by an automatic voice recognition system, a voice characterization of the user, search terms used by the user, content accessed by the user, or search activity of the user; and   applying, by the processing system, the second filter to the selected media content item responsive to the selection, wherein presentation of the selected media content item to the user is permissible according to the second filter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the configuration of the media content guide application is determined according to an account associated with the user. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 associating, by the processing system, the search request with previous search requests for the account.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the user is recognized as a child. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the search request is received via the media content guide application executing on a user device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the search request is received via the media content guide application executing on a user device, and the media content guide application includes graphics of symbols and terms that are on remote controls provided by a service provider. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the impermissible summary descriptions of items of media content to not be provided includes summary descriptions of shows, channels, and genres that another user does not want returned as the selectable search results and the permissible summary descriptions of items of media content to be provided includes summary descriptions of shows, channels, and genres that the another user does want returned as the selectable search results. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the media content guide application works separately from the second filter. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprises:
 applying, by the processing system, artificial intelligence to the search request, wherein the recognizing the identity of the user is according to the artificial intelligence.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the search request is received via the media content guide application executing on a user device, the selectable search results are provided visually on a screen of the user device, and the method further comprises:
 highlighting, by the processing system, a particular item of the selectable search results on the screen of the user device while audibly describing the particular item by the user device.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the search request is received via the media content guide application executing on a user device, the selectable search results are provided visually on a screen of the user device, and the method further comprises:
 detecting, by the processing system, movement in proximity to the user device;   determining, by the processing system and based on the movement, a rearrangement of the selectable search results; and   rearranging, by the processing system, the selectable search results on the screen of the user device in accordance with the determining.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the applying of the first filter to the search request filters summary descriptions of items of media content separately from the items of media content, wherein the search request is received via the media content guide application executing on a user device, the search request includes a spoken query, and the selectable search results are audibly provided via the user device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the search request is received via the media content guide application executing on a user device, the media content guide application includes pre-set search parameters authorized by another user, and the search request is received in accordance with the pre-set search parameters. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing, as part of a profile of the user, the search request and content selections by the user over time;   recognizing patterns of both the search request and content selections by the user; and   using the patterns to tailor the selectable search results provided to the media content guide application.   
     
     
         15 . A system, comprising:
 a processing system including a processor; and   a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:
 applying a first filter to a search request submitted via a content guide application, wherein the first filter is based on a configuration of the content guide application, wherein application of the first filter returns selectable search results of the content guide application including permissible summary descriptions of items of media content responsive to the search request, while preventing selectable search results of the content guide application from including impermissible summary descriptions of the items of content responsive to the search request; 
 receiving from equipment of a user a selection of a selected item of content from among the selectable search results of the content guide application; 
 recognizing, from the search request, an identity of the user to ensure a second filter is applied to the selected item of content based on the configuration of the content guide application, wherein the recognizing is based on one or more of a voice recognition of the user as recognized by an automatic voice recognition system, a voice characterization of the user, terms used by the user, content accessed by the user, or search activity of the user; and 
 applying, responsive to the selection, the second filter, wherein presentation of the selected item of content to the user may be allowed or banned according to the second filter. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the items of content comprise advertisements. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the content guide application works separately from the second filter. 
     
     
         18 . A non-transitory, machine-readable medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:
 applying a first filter to a search request submitted via a content guide application, wherein the first filter is based on a configuration of the content guide application, wherein application of the first filter returns selectable search results of the content guide application including permissible summary descriptions of items of media content responsive to the search request, while preventing selectable search results of the content guide application from including impermissible summary descriptions of the items of content responsive to the search request;   identifying a selection by a user of a selected content item from among the selectable search results of the content guide application;   recognizing, from the search request, the user to ensure a second filter is applied to the selected content item based on the configuration of the content guide application, wherein the recognizing is based on one or more of a voice recognition of the user as recognized by an automatic voice recognition system, a voice characterization of the user, terms used by the user, content accessed by the user, or search activity of the user; and   applying, responsive to the selection, the second filter, wherein presentation of the selected content item to the user may be allowed or banned according to the second filter.   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein the content guide application works separately from the second filter. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein the items of content comprise advertisements.