公开(公告)号：US20120096493A1

公开(公告)日：2012-04-19

申请号：US13335649

申请日：2011-12-22

Applicant: Joel G. Hassell ,  Edward B. Knudson ,  L. Joe Hedges ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  David M. Berezowski

Inventor： Joel G. Hassell ,  Edward B. Knudson ,  L. Joe Hedges ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  David M. Berezowski

IPC: H04N21/482

CPC classification number: H04N21/47217 ,  G11B27/002 ,  G11B27/034 ,  G11B27/102 ,  G11B27/105 ,  G11B27/107 ,  G11B27/11 ,  G11B27/327 ,  G11B27/328 ,  G11B27/329 ,  G11B27/34 ,  G11B2220/2562 ,  G11B2220/41 ,  G11B2220/90 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/765 ,  H04N5/77 ,  H04N5/775 ,  H04N5/781 ,  H04N5/782 ,  H04N5/85 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N21/2387 ,  H04N21/4147 ,  H04N21/42204 ,  H04N21/42224 ,  H04N21/42661 ,  H04N21/4312 ,  H04N21/4325 ,  H04N21/4332 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/4335 ,  H04N21/4345 ,  H04N21/4358 ,  H04N21/43615 ,  H04N21/43622 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/458 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4722 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/4825 ,  H04N21/485 ,  H04N21/4856 ,  H04N21/6118 ,  H04N21/6143 ,  H04N21/6587 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N21/8455 ,  H04N21/8456 ,  H04N21/85406

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system with digital storage is provided. The program guide gives users the ability to store information associated with recorded programs in a directory in the digital storage device thereby providing easy access to program information. The program guide may also provide a global media library for indicating the programs stored on removable storage media used with the program guide. The guide may also allow the user to manage and maintain a user media library to do the same. Non-time-sensitive data associated with recorded programs may be stored in a way that allows the user to interact with the data on playback as if the program were being originally aired. The program guide also allows the user to define “super-programs” for playback of a sequence of stored programs or program segments.

Abstract translation: 提供了具有数字存储的交互式电视节目指南系统。 节目指南使用户能够将与记录节目相关联的信息存储在数字存储设备中的目录中，从而提供对节目信息的容易访问。 节目指南还可以提供用于指示存储在与节目指南一起使用的可移动存储媒体上的节目的全局媒体库。 该指南还可以允许用户管理和维护用户媒体库以进行相同操作。 与记录的节目相关联的非时间敏感数据可以以允许用户在播放时与数据进行交互的方式来存储，就好像该节目最初被播放一样。 节目指南还允许用户定义用于播放所存储的节目或节目片段序列的“超级节目”。

公开(公告)号：US08156528B2

公开(公告)日：2012-04-10

申请号：US10105082

申请日：2002-03-21

Applicant: Joseph P. Baumgartner ,  Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr. ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Danny R. Gaydou

Inventor： Joseph P. Baumgartner ,  Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr. ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Danny R. Gaydou

IPC: H04N5/445

CPC classification number: H04N21/4147 ,  H04N5/76 ,  H04N5/765 ,  H04N5/775 ,  H04N5/782 ,  H04N21/4135 ,  H04N21/431 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/43622 ,  H04N21/4424 ,  H04N21/443 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4821

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing an interactive television system for recording television programming. The interactive television system may include components for providing personal video recorder (PVR) functionality, such as an interactive television program guide (IPG), PVR extensions, PVR application programming interfaces (APIs), a PVR device, any suitable hardware or software, or a combination thereof. These components may be implemented in, for example, an arrangement having an integrated PVR-compliant device with a PVR device, or in an arrangement having a PVR-compliant device (e.g., a set-top box) coupled to PVR equipment (e.g., a remote PVR server or a PVR sidecar) with a PVR device. The PVR-compliant device may include software and hardware configured to implement the IPG. The PVR APIs may be a library of intelligent vendor-specific and vendor-independent APIs able to determine the type of PVR device being used. The PVR extensions and PVR APIs may be configured to provide a seamless integration of functionality associated with the PVR-compliant device and the PVR device. A full port of the IPG may be implemented in both the PVR-compliant device and the PVR device.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于提供用于记录电视节目的交互式电视系统的系统和方法。 交互式电视系统可以包括用于提供个人录像机（PVR）功能的组件，例如交互式电视节目指南（IPG），PVR扩展，PVR应用程序接口（API），PVR设备，任何合适的硬件或软件，或 其组合。 这些组件可以在例如具有与PVR设备的集成的PVR兼容设备的布置中实现，或者在具有耦合到PVR设备的PVR兼容设备（例如，机顶盒）的布置中实现（例如， 一个远程PVR服务器或一个PVR sidecar）与PVR设备。 符合PVR的设备可以包括被配置为实现IPG的软件和硬件。 PVR API可以是智能供应商特定的和供应商独立的API的库，可以确定正在使用的PVR设备的类型。 PVR扩展和PVR API可以被配置为提供与PVR兼容设备和PVR设备相关联的功能的无缝集成。 IPG的完整端口可以在PVR兼容设备和PVR设备中实现。

公开(公告)号：US08151296B2

公开(公告)日：2012-04-03

申请号：US12705503

申请日：2010-02-12

Applicant: Joel G. Hassell ,  William L. Thomas ,  Michael D. Ellis

Inventor： Joel G. Hassell ,  William L. Thomas ,  Michael D. Ellis

IPC: H04N7/10 ,  H04N7/025

CPC classification number: H04N21/4622 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/235 ,  H04N21/237 ,  H04N21/26283 ,  H04N21/4331 ,  H04N21/4332 ,  H04N21/435 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/47211 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4882 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N2005/44556

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide implemented on user television equipment obtains program guide data from two data delivery mechanisms. Current program guide data is obtained from a continuous data stream. Other program guide data (which may include the current program guide data) is obtained by the program guide from a program guide server. The continuous data stream may also include program and program grouping identifiers. The program guide may perform real-time actions associated with programs identified in the continuous data stream.

Abstract translation: 提供交互式电视节目指南系统。 在用户电视设备上实现的交互式电视节目指南从两个数据传送机制获得节目指南数据。 当前节目指南数据是从连续的数据流中获得的。 其他节目指南数据（其可以包括当前节目指南数据）通过节目指南从节目指南服务器获得。 连续数据流还可以包括程序和程序分组标识符。 节目指南可以执行与在连续数据流中识别的节目相关联的实时动作。

公开(公告)号：US08127329B1

公开(公告)日：2012-02-28

申请号：US12189386

申请日：2008-08-11

Applicant: Gerard Kunkel ,  Jon P. Radloff ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Michael L. Craner ,  Rajeshwari B. Iyer ,  Andrzej Jakubowski

Inventor： Gerard Kunkel ,  Jon P. Radloff ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Michael L. Craner ,  Rajeshwari B. Iyer ,  Andrzej Jakubowski

IPC: G06F3/00 ,  G06F13/00 ,  H04N5/445

CPC classification number: H04N5/76 ,  H04N5/765 ,  H04N5/782 ,  H04N5/783 ,  H04N9/8205 ,  H04N21/4263 ,  H04N21/4316 ,  H04N21/432 ,  H04N21/4383 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/454 ,  H04N21/462 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/47208 ,  H04N21/47211 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/84

Abstract: Systems and methods for a video scan are provided. The scan may be dynamically interactive and a function of characteristics of the programs in the scan (e.g., commercial breaks or the end of a program approaching) The scan may simultaneously display multiple scan windows for a plurality of programs, for example in a scan wizard. The scan wizard allows the user to simultaneously view a scan window and an information panel, select criteria for the scan from a criteria panel, and control the scan using a scan control panel. The scan may allow the user to record a program displayed in the scan without interrupting the scan (e.g., by using an additional tuner). The scan may display, within the scan interface, trick-play functions for appropriate scanned programs (e.g., recorded, cached and on-demand programs). The user may select and perform trick-play functions for a scanned program without exiting the scan mode.

公开(公告)号：US20110191806A1

公开(公告)日：2011-08-04

申请号：US13083774

申请日：2011-04-11

Applicant: Edward B. Knudson ,  Joel G. Hassell ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  William L. Thomas

Inventor： Edward B. Knudson ,  Joel G. Hassell ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  William L. Thomas

IPC: H04N5/445

CPC classification number: H04N21/4828 ,  G06F3/0482 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/4667 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N2005/44556

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which the program guide may provide the user with a selectable list of combination categories. Combination categories are composed of multiple simple categories such as sports, news, comedy, movies, children, etc. Program listings are supplied to the program guide. At least some of the program listings are associated with combination categories. A combination category build process may be used to assign combination categories to program listings. The user is able to use the selectable categories list to quickly identify programming of interest.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种交互式电视节目指南系统，其中节目指南可以向用户提供组合类别的可选列表。 组合类别由运动，新闻，喜剧，电影，儿童等多个简单类别组成。节目列表提供给节目指南。 至少一些程序列表与组合类别相关联。 可以使用组合类别构建过程来将组合类别分配给节目列表。 用户能够使用可选择的类别列表来快速识别感兴趣的程序。

公开(公告)号：US07985134B2

公开(公告)日：2011-07-26

申请号：US11888679

申请日：2007-07-31

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis

IPC: A63F13/12

CPC classification number: H04N5/50 ,  G06F3/0481 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/254 ,  H04N21/25891 ,  H04N21/431 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/4383 ,  H04N21/44218 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/458 ,  H04N21/4583 ,  H04N21/4667 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/4823 ,  H04N21/485 ,  H04N21/488 ,  H04N21/6582 ,  H04N21/8126 ,  H04N21/8173 ,  H04N2005/44556

Abstract: An integrated environment for sports watching, sports wagering, and fantasy league play is provided. Odds, spread, or money line information may be displayed for any available sporting contest. Wagers may be accepted and payout information may be automatically calculated. The desired wager amount may be deducted from a wagering account bank balance associated with the user. Data relating to the sporting contest may be received from a supplemental data feed or data source in real-time, and the user's wagering account bank balance may be automatically updated based on the received data and the placed wager. The integrated fantasy league feature allows a user to create or join a public or private fantasy league, create new teams, view player or team statistics, and send messages between other users. Fantasy league point totals may be automatically computed and displayed to the user.

Abstract translation: 提供体育观看，体育投注和幻想联赛的综合环境。 任何可用的体育比赛可能会显示赔率，差价或金钱信息。 可以接受赌注，也可以自动计算支付信息。 可以从与用户相关联的投注账户银行余额中扣除所需的赌注金额。 与运动比赛相关的数据可以从补充数据馈送或数据源实时接收，并且用户的投注账户银行余额可以根据接收到的数据和所投注的赌注自动更新。 集成的幻想联盟功能允许用户创建或加入公共或私人幻想联盟，创建新团队，查看球员或团队统计数据，以及在其他用户之间发送消息。 幻想联盟点总数可以自动计算并显示给用户。

公开(公告)号：US20110167446A1

公开(公告)日：2011-07-07

申请号：US12891385

申请日：2010-09-27

Applicant: Edward B. Knudson ,  Joel G. Hassell ,  Connie T. Marshall ,  Thomas R. Lemmons ,  Steven J. Reynolds ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Kenneth F. Carpenter, JR. ,  William L. Thomas ,  W. Benjamin Herrington ,  Steven C. Williamson ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Donald W. Allison

Inventor： Edward B. Knudson ,  Joel G. Hassell ,  Connie T. Marshall ,  Thomas R. Lemmons ,  Steven J. Reynolds ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Kenneth F. Carpenter, JR. ,  William L. Thomas ,  W. Benjamin Herrington ,  Steven C. Williamson ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Donald W. Allison

IPC: H04N5/445 ,  G06F13/00 ,  G06F3/00

CPC classification number: H04N21/4316 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/44591 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/4221 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/4722 ,  H04N21/4725 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/47815 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N2005/44556

Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided in which advertisements may be displayed on program guide screens. Banner advertisements may be displayed above and below program listings. Panel advertisements may be provided adjacent to program listings. The advertisements may contain video. The advertisements may be used to promote television programs and conventional goods and services. When a user selects an advertisement, the program guide provides the user with an opportunity to order products or services, request information, set reminders for upcoming programs, view program descriptions, record programs, or take other such actions. Embedded advertisements may be provided within the program listings region and may be automatically displayed immediately adjacent to related program listings.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种交互式电视节目指南，其中可以在节目指南屏幕上显示广告。 横幅广告可能显示在节目列表的上方和下方。 可以在程序列表附近提供面板广告。 广告可能包含视频。 广告可用于宣传电视节目和传统商品和服务。 当用户选择广告时，节目指南向用户提供订购产品或服务的机会，请求信息，设置即将到来的节目的提醒，查看节目描述，记录节目或采取其他这样的动作。 可以在程序列表区域内提供嵌入式广告，并且可以自动地显示在相关程序列表的附近。

公开(公告)号：US20110162010A1

公开(公告)日：2011-06-30

申请号：US12955424

申请日：2010-11-29

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis ,  Franklin E. Boyer ,  Thomas R. Lemmons

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis ,  Franklin E. Boyer ,  Thomas R. Lemmons

IPC: H04N5/445

CPC classification number: H04N21/8586 ,  G06F16/435 ,  G06F16/437 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N21/26283 ,  H04N21/4331 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/4782 ,  H04N21/8453

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which data that must be available quickly to the user is stored locally in a receiver whereas data that is not readily needed but available on-demand is stored remotely where mass storage is available. Locally-stored data may include frequently-requested information that the user needs quick access to. Supplemental information stored remotely may include information for which a slight delay following a request for a particular item of information by the user is acceptable. The program guide may display locally-stored information either continuously as the user is browsing the guide or as soon as the user requests it. The program guide may request supplemental information that is stored remotely when the user requests it or as soon as it is clear the user may want to view it. Accordingly, the program guide may anticipate which information the user will need and may store it locally in advance of the user actually requesting it, thereby reducing any delays in viewing the information.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种交互式电视节目指南系统，其中必须能够快速向用户提供的数据被本地存储在接收机中，而不容易需要但可按需提供的数据被存储在大容量存储可用的远程存储器中。 本地存储的数据可以包括用户需要快速访问的频繁请求的信息。 远程存储的补充信息可以包括在用户对特定信息项的请求之后稍微延迟的信息是可接受的。 节目指南可以在用户正在浏览指南时或者一旦用户请求，就可以连续地显示本地存储的信息。 程序指南可以请求在用户请求时远程存储的补充信息，或者一旦清楚用户可能想要查看它的补充信息。 因此，节目指南可以预期用户将需要哪些信息并且可以在实际请求用户之前在本地存储它，从而减少查看信息的任何延迟。

公开(公告)号：US20110099573A1

公开(公告)日：2011-04-28

申请号：US12982382

申请日：2010-12-30

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis ,  Robert A. Knee

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis ,  Robert A. Knee

IPC: H04N7/16

CPC classification number: H04N21/4508 ,  H04N5/4401 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/44582 ,  H04N5/772 ,  H04N5/775 ,  H04N5/7755 ,  H04N5/782 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/26216 ,  H04N21/4438 ,  H04N21/4542 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4828

Abstract: A program guide system is provided that supports a program guide application and multiple non-guide applications. The program guide system has a program guide application interface that allows the non-guide applications to use both device resources and program guide resources. The application interface maintains a list of registered applications and directs control requests from various applications to the current primary application. The application interface also has a user interface input director that directs keystrokes and other user input commands to the appropriate application. If a keystroke for the program guide application is detected while a non-guide application is running, the program guide application is invoked.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种支持程序指南应用程序和多个非引导应用程序的程序指南系统。 程序指南系统具有程序指南应用程序界面，允许非引导应用程序同时使用设备资源和程序指南资源。 应用程序接口维护已注册应用程序的列表，并将来自各种应用程序的控制请求指导到当前主要应用程序。 应用程序界面还具有一个用户界面输入指导器，用于将按键和其他用户输入命令指向适当的应用程序。 如果在非引导应用程序运行时检测到程序指南应用程序的按键，则调用程序指南应用程序。

公开(公告)号：US20110093898A1

公开(公告)日：2011-04-21

申请号：US12884703

申请日：2010-09-17

Applicant: Joshua A. Rosenthol ,  W. Benjamin Herrington ,  Michael D. Ellis

Inventor： Joshua A. Rosenthol ,  W. Benjamin Herrington ,  Michael D. Ellis

IPC: H04N5/445

CPC classification number: H04N21/485 ,  H04N21/4314 ,  H04N21/482

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may inform a program guide of the user's interests. The interactive program guide system displays a list of available programming themes. The user may select a programming theme from the available programming themes and designate a level of interest in that theme. The user may designate, e.g., a high level of interest, i.e., a “favorite,” or a low level of interest in the theme. The programming guide will modify a list of themes according to the selected theme and level of user interest. The user is thus able to view the themes list and quickly identify programs of interest by the location of the selected theme in the themes list, or by a distinctive display of the selected theme.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种交互式电视节目指南系统，其中用户可以向节目指南通知用户的兴趣。 交互式节目指南系统显示可用节目主题列表。 用户可以从可用的节目主题中选择节目主题，并指定该主题的兴趣水平。 用户可以指定例如在主题中的高级别的兴趣，即“喜爱”或低级别的兴趣。 编程指南将根据所选择的主题和用户兴趣的级别修改主题列表。 因此，用户能够查看主题列表，并通过主题列表中所选择的主题的位置或通过所选主题的独特显示来快速识别感兴趣的节目。