CLIAMS:We claim:

1. A processor-implemented broadcast program recommendation method, comprising:
storing a user profile including a user interest pattern;
tuning to a program channel not currently provided for display, using a tuner;
extracting a snippet from the program channel;
comparing, using a processor, the snippet with the user interest pattern, to identify a match;
determining that the match is valid; and
providing by the processor a notification of the match;

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interest pattern comprises at least one of: a still image, a video clip, an audio clip, and a text pattern.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profile is created via selecting at least the user interest pattern from one of: a network source; and a user device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: modifying the user profile using a user interest pattern variation.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a priority value for the user interest pattern.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein tuning to the program channel comprises tuning to the program channel for a predefined period of time.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the program channel is selected based on user input.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the snippet comprises at least one of: a still image, a video clip, an audio clip, and a text pattern.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: filtering matches based on a user input.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein validity of the match is determined based on whether the match is associated with an advertisement or a broadcast program.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein validity of the match is determined based on a user criterion.

12. A broadcast program recommendation apparatus, comprising:
at least one processor;
at least one tuner; and
a memory storing instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions comprising instructions to:
store a user profile including a user interest pattern;
tune to a program channel not currently provided for display, using the at least one tuner;
extract a snippet from the program channel;
compare the snippet with the user interest pattern, to identify a match;
determine that the match is valid; and
provide a notification of the match.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the user interest pattern comprises at least one of: a still image, a video clip, an audio clip, and a text pattern.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein creating the user profile comprises selecting at least the user interest pattern from one of: a network source; and a user device.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, the instructions further comprising instructions to: modify the user profile using a user interest pattern variation.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein tuning to the program channel comprises tuning to the program channel for a predefined period of time.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, the instructions further comprising instructions to: automatically select the program channel based on a user preference.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, the instructions further comprising instructions to: receive a user selection of the program channel.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the snippet comprises at least one of: a still image, a video clip, an audio clip, and a text pattern.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, the instructions further comprising instructions to: filter matches based on a user input.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein validity of the match is determined based on whether the match is associated with an advertisement or a broadcast program.

22. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein validity of the match is determined based on a user criterion.

Dated this 06th day of June, 2013
MADHUSUDAN S.T
K&S PARTNERS
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT
,TagSPECI:The disclosure generally relates to media broadcast technologies, and more specifically relates to a method and system for providing broadcast program recommendations in a digital television system.