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：US08973056B2

公开(公告)日：2015-03-03

申请号：US10925892

申请日：2004-08-23

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

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

IPC: H04N5/445 ,  H04N21/443 ,  H04N21/462 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/4725 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/4782 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/81 ,  H04N5/60

CPC classification number: H04N21/4431 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/60 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/4725 ,  H04N21/47815 ,  H04N21/4782 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/8173

Abstract: A system is provided in which an interactive television program guide application and non-program-guide applications are at least partially implemented on user television equipment. A program guide program application interface is provided that is used to maintain a consistent user interface between the program guide application and the non-program-guide applications. The user may select certain non-program-guide applications as favorites and may set parental controls for certain non-program-guide applications. While the non-program-guide application operates, the program guide may check for events that require immediate attention. When such an event is detected, operation of the non-program-guide application may be suspended and the user may be asked whether the detected event should take place or whether operation of the non-program-guide application should be resumed. The program application interface may perform authentication and access rights determination functions. Reminders may be set for the content of non-program-guide applications.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种系统，其中交互式电视节目指南应用和非节目指南应用至少部分地在用户电视设备上实现。 提供了一种程序指南程序应用程序接口，用于在程序指南应用程序和非程序指导应用程序之间维护一致的用户界面。 用户可以选择某些非节目指南应用程序作为收藏夹，并且可以为某些非节目指南应用设置家长控制。 非程序指南应用程序运行时，程序指南可以检查需要立即注意的事件。 当检测到这样的事件时，可以暂停非节目指南应用的操作，并且可以询问用户是否应该发生检测到的事件，或者是否应该恢复非节目指南应用的操作。 程序应用程序接口可以执行认证和访问权限确定功能。 可以为非程序指南应用程序的内容设置提醒。

公开(公告)号：US08584184B2

公开(公告)日：2013-11-12

申请号：US13023842

申请日：2011-02-09

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: H04N7/173

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.