公开(公告)号：US20100175078A1

公开(公告)日：2010-07-08

申请号：US12616335

申请日：2009-11-11

Applicant: Edward B. Knudson ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr.

Inventor： Edward B. Knudson ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr.

IPC: H04H60/32 ,  H04N5/445 ,  G06Q30/00

CPC classification number: H04N21/44222 ,  G06Q30/0241 ,  G06Q30/0251 ,  G06Q30/0255 ,  G06Q30/0257 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/782 ,  H04N7/16 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N7/173 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/25891 ,  H04N21/2668 ,  H04N21/42204 ,  H04N21/4316 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/454 ,  H04N21/47 ,  H04N21/47211 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/6582 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/84

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which targeted advertisements may be presented to a user and targeted actions taken in the program guide based on the user's interests. The program guide monitors the user's interactions with the program guide to determine the user's interests. Interactions that may be monitored include interactions that indicate the categories of programming that interest the user (e.g., movies, sports, children's programming, etc.), setting a reminder for a program, purchasing a program, requesting information on a program, browsing program listings for a particular time or channel, etc.

公开(公告)号：US20100146543A1

公开(公告)日：2010-06-10

申请号：US12579639

申请日：2009-10-15

Applicant: Robert A. Knee ,  Steven J. Reynolds ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Joel G. Hassell

Inventor： Robert A. Knee ,  Steven J. Reynolds ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Joel G. Hassell

IPC: H04N7/025 ,  H04N5/44

CPC classification number: H04N21/25883 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/235 ,  H04N21/44222 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/454 ,  H04N21/4662 ,  H04N21/8106 ,  H04N21/812

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system for determining user input values for demographic categories is provided. The system includes user television equipment having a receiver for receiving program guide information for the interactive television program guide, a user input receiver for receiving user input from user interface, such as a remote control, a microprocessor which utilizes the user input received to determine user values for demographic categories, and memory for storing the user values determined. In one illustrative use of the system for targeting advertisements to a user of the interactive television program guide, the receiver also receives advertisements, where the advertisements have preselected values for specified demographic categories. The user television equipment, preferably using microprocessor, compares the preselected values for the specified demographic categories associated with the advertisements with values of corresponding demographic categories stored in memory to determine which advertisements should be displayed. Those advertisements determined to be displayable based upon the comparison are then displayed.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种用于确定用于人口统计类别的用户输入值的交互式电视节目指南系统。 该系统包括具有用于接收用于交互式电视节目指南的节目指南信息的接收机的用户电视设备，用于从诸如遥控器的用户接口接收用户输入的用户输入接收机，利用接收到的用户输入来确定用户的微处理器 用于人口统计类别的值，以及用于存储确定的用户值的存储器。 在用于将广告定位到交互式电视节目指南的用户的系统的一个说明性用途中，接收机还接收广告，其中广告具有用于指定人口统计类别的预选值。 优选使用微处理器的用户电视设备将与广告相关联的指定人口统计类别的预选值与存储在存储器中的相应人口统计类别的值进行比较，以确定应显示哪些广告。 然后显示基于比较确定为可显示的那些广告。

公开(公告)号：US20100115559A1

公开(公告)日：2010-05-06

申请号：US12559955

申请日：2009-09-15

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis

IPC: H04N5/445 ,  G06F17/30

CPC classification number: H04N21/4828 ,  G06F17/30023 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/44591 ,  H04N7/165 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/222 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/4782 ,  H04N21/4786 ,  H04N21/4788 ,  H04N21/4882 ,  H04N21/6582 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/8126 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N21/8586

Abstract: An interactive television system is provided that supports newsgroup features. An interactive television application, such as an interactive television program guide, may be used to allow a user to view and post newsgroup messages to one or more newsgroup servers. The newsgroup servers may be located at a television distribution facility. The newsgroup servers may be Usenet servers accessed via the Internet. The user may use the newsgroup feature while watching television programming or while otherwise viewing other content provided by the interactive television application. Cross-referencing may be used to allow the user to access content related to a particular subject matter. Parental control features may be used to limit access to certain newsgroups. Newsgroup messages may contain links to other content made available through the interactive television application.

Abstract translation: 提供支持新闻组功能的交互式电视系统。 诸如交互式电视节目指南的交互式电视应用可以用于允许用户查看和发布新闻组消息到一个或多个新闻组服务器。 新闻组服务器可以位于电视分配设施处。 新闻组服务器可能是通过互联网访问的Usenet服务器。 用户可以在观看电视节目时使用新闻组特征，或者另外观看交互式电视应用提供的其他内容。 可以使用交叉引用来允许用户访问与特定主题相关的内容。 家长控制功能可用于限制对某些新闻组的访问。 新闻组消息可能包含通过交互式电视应用程序提供的其他内容的链接。

公开(公告)号：US20090320071A1

公开(公告)日：2009-12-24

申请号：US12551363

申请日：2009-08-31

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，儿童等多个简单的类别组成。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：US07624411B2

公开(公告)日：2009-11-24

申请号：US11894688

申请日：2007-08-20

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis ,  William L. Thomas ,  Thomas R. Lemmons

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis ,  William L. Thomas ,  Thomas R. Lemmons

IPC: H04N5/445 ,  H04N7/173 ,  G06F13/00 ,  G06F3/00

CPC classification number: H04N21/2353 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/91 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N7/17336 ,  H04N21/2143 ,  H04N21/2225 ,  H04N21/23113 ,  H04N21/2318 ,  H04N21/233 ,  H04N21/2335 ,  H04N21/23439 ,  H04N21/2387 ,  H04N21/2543 ,  H04N21/25435 ,  H04N21/262 ,  H04N21/26283 ,  H04N21/274 ,  H04N21/2747 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/4335 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/47208 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/47217 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/4828 ,  H04N21/6175 ,  H04N21/643 ,  H04N21/64322 ,  H04N21/6581 ,  H04N21/6587 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/8586

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.

Abstract translation: 提供交互式电视节目指南系统。 交互式电视节目指南为用户提供了选择在远程媒体服务器上进行录制的节目的机会。 程序也可以记录在本地媒体服务器上。 程序指南为用户提供了从媒体服务器播放的程序和程序的实时缓存副本的程序的类似VCR的控制。 节目指南还为用户提供了指定节目可能被录制的礼物收件人的机会。

公开(公告)号：US07570870B2

公开(公告)日：2009-08-04

申请号：US11237839

申请日：2005-09-27

Applicant: Michael D Ellis

Inventor： Michael D Ellis

IPC: H04N5/91

CPC classification number: H04N5/782 ,  G11B27/034 ,  H04N5/765 ,  H04N21/47214

Abstract: Systems and methods for recording a program are provided. Alternate transmissions of a program with a “when convenient” recording priority may be recorded in whole or in portions whenever recording does not interfere with other uses of the user's equipment. When the recording device is out of space to record programs, recorded programs having a “when convenient” deletion priority may be deleted and scheduled for re-recording at a later time.

Abstract translation: 提供了用于记录程序的系统和方法。 当记录不干扰用户设备的其他用途时，具有“方便”记录优先级的程序的备用传输可以全部或部分地记录。 当记录设备不在空间中以记录节目时，具有“方便”删除优先级的记录节目可以被删除并安排在稍后的时间重新记录。

公开(公告)号：US20090158347A1

公开(公告)日：2009-06-18

申请号：US12341823

申请日：2008-12-22

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis ,  W. Benjamin Herrington ,  Steven C. Williamson ,  Kevin B. Easterbrook ,  Joshua A. Rosenthol ,  David M. Rudnick

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis ,  W. Benjamin Herrington ,  Steven C. Williamson ,  Kevin B. Easterbrook ,  Joshua A. Rosenthol ,  David M. Rudnick

IPC: H04N5/445

CPC classification number: H04N21/4856 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N21/233 ,  H04N21/4312 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/439 ,  H04N21/47217 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/8106

Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided. The interactive television program guide provides a user with the opportunity to select a language for playing television programming and displaying program guide text. Television program audio in the desired language may be obtained from a SAP or digital audio track and played in the selected language. Television related information in the desired language may be obtained from a digital track. If television program audio or related information is not provided in the selected language, the program guide may use a default language. The program guide may coordinate program guide display screen text with languages available for television programs when the programs are broadcast to users.

Abstract translation: 提供交互式电视节目指南。 交互式电视节目指南为用户提供了选择用于播放电视节目和显示节目指南文本的语言的机会。 可以从SAP或数字音轨获得所需语言的电视节目音频，并以所选语言播放。 可以从数字轨道获得所需语言的电视相关信息。 如果没有以所选择的语言提供电视节目音频或相关信息，节目指南可以使用默认语言。 当节目广播给用户时，节目指南可以协调节目指南显示屏幕文本与可用于电视节目的语言。

公开(公告)号：US20090138922A1

公开(公告)日：2009-05-28

申请号：US12200593

申请日：2008-08-28

Applicant: William L. Thomas ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Kevin B. Easterbrook ,  M. Scott Reichardt ,  Robert A. Knee

Inventor： William L. Thomas ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Kevin B. Easterbrook ,  M. Scott Reichardt ,  Robert A. Knee

IPC: H04N7/18

CPC classification number: H04N21/2743 ,  G06F3/0481 ,  H04L67/06 ,  H04L67/306 ,  H04N5/4401 ,  H04N5/445 ,  H04N5/44582 ,  H04N5/76 ,  H04N5/775 ,  H04N5/781 ,  H04N5/85 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N7/17336 ,  H04N9/8042 ,  H04N21/2187 ,  H04N21/2541 ,  H04N21/25825 ,  H04N21/25875 ,  H04N21/25891 ,  H04N21/26283 ,  H04N21/2747 ,  H04N21/278 ,  H04N21/4122 ,  H04N21/42204 ,  H04N21/4316 ,  H04N21/441 ,  H04N21/4627 ,  H04N21/47 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/47217 ,  H04N21/4751 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/4828 ,  H04N21/6587

Abstract: A system and method may be provided that allows users to store, retrieve, and manipulate on-demand media content and data stored on a remote server network in an on-demand media delivery system. More particularly, the system may allow a user to access his or her on-demand media account from user equipment in different locations as long as the current user equipment can communicate with a remote server that stores user-specific information. The system upon user selection may freeze the delivery of on-demand media at a particular point and allow the user to resume the media at a later time from some other network location in system. Users may upload personal images or files to an on-demand delivery server for later retrieval and display. Users may be permitted to assign access rights to the uploaded files.

Abstract translation: 可以提供允许用户存储，取回和操纵按需媒体传送系统中存储在远程服务器网络上的按需媒体内容和数据的系统和方法。 更具体地说，只要当前用户设备可以与存储用户特定信息的远程服务器通信，系统可以允许用户从不同位置的用户设备访问他或她的按需媒体帐户。 用户选择后的系统可以冻结特定点上的按需媒体的传递，并允许用户在稍后的时间从系统中的某个其他网络位置恢复媒体。 用户可以将个人图像或文件上传到按需传送服务器上，以供以后检索和显示。 允许用户为上传的文件分配访问权限。

公开(公告)号：US20090070817A1

公开(公告)日：2009-03-12

申请号：US11894609

申请日：2007-08-20

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis ,  Edward B. Knudson ,  Thomas R. Lemmons ,  Joel G. Hassell ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Kevin B. Easterbrook

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis ,  Edward B. Knudson ,  Thomas R. Lemmons ,  Joel G. Hassell ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Kevin B. Easterbrook

IPC: H04N5/445

CPC classification number: H04N21/25891 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N21/4312 ,  H04N21/44222 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/4668 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4751 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  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. Information on the user's interests may be stored in a preference profile. There may be more than one preference profile, each for a different user. Each preference profile contains a number of preference attributes (program titles, genres, viewing times, channels, broadcast characteristics, etc.). A preference level (e.g., strong or weak like, strong or weak dislike, illegal, mandatory, don't care, etc.) that is indicative of the user's level of interest is associated with each preference attribute. Preference profiles may be used to restrict the programs that are listed in various program listings display screens and may be used to limit the channels to which the program guide allows the user to tune.

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。 关于用户兴趣的信息可以存储在偏好配置文件中。 可能有多个偏好配置文件，每个配置文件用于不同的用户。 每个偏好配置文件包含多个偏好属性（节目标题，流派，观看时间，频道，广播特征等）。 与每个偏好属性相关联的表示用户感兴趣程度的偏好级别（例如，强或弱，如强或弱不喜欢，非法，强制性，不关心等）。 优先级配置文件可以用于限制在各种节目列表显示屏幕中列出的节目，并且可以用于限制节目指南允许用户调谐到的频道。

公开(公告)号：US20080282294A1

公开(公告)日：2008-11-13

申请号：US12179205

申请日：2008-07-24

Applicant: Kenneth F. Carpenter ,  Robert A. Knee ,  W. Benjamin Herrington ,  Michael D. Ellis

Inventor： Kenneth F. Carpenter ,  Robert A. Knee ,  W. Benjamin Herrington ,  Michael D. Ellis

IPC: G06F13/00

CPC classification number: H04N21/4117 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/44582 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/42204 ,  H04N21/4312 ,  H04N21/4314 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/44222 ,  H04N21/4438 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/454 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/4667 ,  H04N21/47 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4751 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/47805 ,  H04N21/47815 ,  H04N21/4782 ,  H04N21/4786 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4823 ,  H04N21/4828 ,  H04N21/485

Abstract: Advanced features for interactive television applications are described, including a back feature, a forward feature, a history feature, a go to feature, an extras feature, a reminder feature, a favorites feature, a parental control feature, and a search feature. Features may be inter-resource. Support for multiple data paths, Internet access, interactive services, and user profiles are also described.

Abstract translation: 描述了用于交互式电视应用的高级功能，包括后退功能，前向功能，历史功能，转到功能，附加功能，提醒功能，收藏功能，家长控制功能和搜索功能。 功能可能是资源间的。 还描述了对多个数据路径，因特网访问，交互式服务和用户简档的支持。