公开(公告)号：US08806536B2

公开(公告)日：2014-08-12

申请号：US13604447

申请日：2012-09-05

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: H04N21/482 ,  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：US08595767B2

公开(公告)日：2013-11-26

申请号：US13209799

申请日：2011-08-15

Applicant: Edward B. Knudson ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  William L. Thomas ,  Bruce L. Davis

Inventor： Edward B. Knudson ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  William L. Thomas ,  Bruce L. Davis

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

CPC classification number: H04N21/4668 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/435 ,  H04N21/44218 ,  H04N21/44222 ,  H04N21/47211 ,  H04N21/4826 ,  H04N21/6547 ,  H04N21/8126 ,  H04N21/84

Abstract: A system is provided that allows a user to select a pay program for purchase from a program guide. The program guide determines whether the selected program is part of a package of pay programs. If the selected program is part of a package, information regarding the package is provided to the user so that the user may decide whether to purchase the package. If the selected program is part of several packages, information for all packages is provided. The system automatically sets reminders for packages containing repetitive programming. The system monitors whether the user has watched any of the programs in such packages. When the user watches a program from the package, the remaining reminders are cancelled. If a user does not watch any programs in a package of any type, purchase of the package is cancelled and the user is provided with the opportunity to reschedule.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种系统，其允许用户从节目指南中选择要购买的付费节目。 节目指南确定所选节目是否是一系列付费节目的一部分。 如果所选择的节目是包的一部分，则向用户提供关于包的信息，以便用户可以决定是否购买包。 如果所选程序是几个软件包的一部分，则提供所有软件包的信息。 系统自动设置包含重复编程的包的提醒。 系统监视用户是否已经看过这些包中的任何程序。 当用户从包中观看节目时，其余的提醒将被取消。 如果用户没有看到任何类型的软件包中的任何程序，则取消软件包的购买，并向用户提供重新安排的机会。

公开(公告)号：US08522287B2

公开(公告)日：2013-08-27

申请号：US12780697

申请日：2010-05-14

Applicant: Edward B. Knudson ,  Thomas R. Lemmons ,  Kevin D. Satterfield ,  Donald W. Allison ,  Michael D. Ellis

Inventor： Edward B. Knudson ,  Thomas R. Lemmons ,  Kevin D. Satterfield ,  Donald W. Allison ,  Michael D. Ellis

IPC: H04N5/445

CPC classification number: H04N21/47214 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/76 ,  H04N5/782 ,  H04N9/79 ,  H04N21/4147 ,  H04N21/4583 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4828 ,  H04N21/4882 ,  H04N21/6143 ,  H04N21/6543 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N2005/44547

Abstract: An interactive media guidance system with program series reminder and recording capabilities is provided. The system allows a user to set a reminder or schedule a recording for a single episode or for each episode of a program series. Options may be provided that allow the user to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all or selected channels for some or all episodes including reruns new episodes, network or syndicated episodes, on all days or only on selected days.

Abstract translation: 提供了具有程序串联提醒和记录功能的交互式媒体指导系统。 该系统允许用户设置提醒或安排单个剧集或节目系列的每一集的录音。 可以提供选项，其允许用户在所有日期或仅在选定的日期对所有或所选频道上的剧集调度提醒/录制，包括重播，新剧集，网络或联合剧集。

公开(公告)号：US08464296B2

公开(公告)日：2013-06-11

申请号：US12780693

申请日：2010-05-14

Applicant: Edward B. Knudson ,  Thomas R. Lemmons ,  Kevin D. Satterfield ,  Donald W. Allison ,  Michael D. Ellis

Inventor： Edward B. Knudson ,  Thomas R. Lemmons ,  Kevin D. Satterfield ,  Donald W. Allison ,  Michael D. Ellis

IPC: H04N5/445

CPC classification number: H04N21/47214 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/76 ,  H04N5/782 ,  H04N9/79 ,  H04N21/4147 ,  H04N21/4583 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4828 ,  H04N21/4882 ,  H04N21/6143 ,  H04N21/6543 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N2005/44547

Abstract: An interactive media guidance system with program series reminder and recording capabilities is provided. The system allows a user to set a reminder or schedule a recording for a single episode or for each episode of a program series. Options may be provided that allow the user to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all or selected channels for some or all episodes including reruns, new episodes, network or syndicated episodes, on all or only on selected days.

Abstract translation: 提供了具有程序串联提醒和记录功能的交互式媒体指导系统。 该系统允许用户设置提醒或安排单个剧集或节目系列的每一集的录音。 可以提供允许用户在所有或所选频道上针对某些或所有情节（包括重新运行，新剧集，网络或联合剧集）的所有或仅在选定的日期安排提醒/录制的选项。

公开(公告)号：US08448215B2

公开(公告)日：2013-05-21

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: H04N7/173

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：US08429686B2

公开(公告)日：2013-04-23

申请号：US13310622

申请日：2011-12-02

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: H04N5/445 ,  G06F3/00 ,  G06F13/00

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：US08424038B2

公开(公告)日：2013-04-16

申请号：US13005975

申请日：2011-01-13

Applicant: William L. Thomas ,  W. Benjamin Herrington ,  David M. Berezowski ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Todd A. Walker ,  M. Scott Reichardt ,  L. Joe Hedges, Esq.

Inventor： William L. Thomas ,  W. Benjamin Herrington ,  David M. Berezowski ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Todd A. Walker ,  M. Scott Reichardt ,  L. Joe Hedges, Esq.

IPC: H04N7/10

CPC classification number: H04N21/4755 ,  H04N5/4401 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/76 ,  H04N5/782 ,  H04N7/17336 ,  H04N21/2393 ,  H04N21/26283 ,  H04N21/4316 ,  H04N21/4333 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/47 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/4722 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4828

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing guidance to users for finding media are described. Such systems and methods may be provided in interactive media guides such as program guides, web browsers, or other suitable interactive media guides.

公开(公告)号：US08413185B2

公开(公告)日：2013-04-02

申请号：US12080595

申请日：2008-04-03

Applicant: Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr. ,  Johnny B. Corvin ,  Bryan M. Drummond ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Edward B. Knudson ,  Jeffrey B. Rush ,  Toby DeWeese

Inventor： Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr. ,  Johnny B. Corvin ,  Bryan M. Drummond ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Edward B. Knudson ,  Jeffrey B. Rush ,  Toby DeWeese

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

CPC classification number: H04N21/4821 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/45 ,  H04N5/50 ,  H04N21/4312 ,  H04N21/4316 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/482

Abstract: An interactive television application with mosaic browsing is provided. Selectable cells that may be associated with entities are used to display information corresponding to the entities. Information may include brand marks such as logos or any other suitable entity identifier. A cell may be in focus or it may not be in focus. When a cell is in focus the information displayed in the cell may be different than the information displayed when the cell is not in focus. Users may navigate among cells. The cells may be grouped into regions based on, for example, their association with similar entities.

公开(公告)号：US08407737B1

公开(公告)日：2013-03-26

申请号：US11827246

申请日：2007-07-11

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis

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

CPC classification number: H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4886

Abstract: A scan transport bar is disclosed. The scan transport bar includes a number of cells indicating programs within the scan. The scan transport bar is displayed with the currently-tuned program. The scan transport bar includes tuning sequence numbers for allowing users to easily tune to programs within the scan. A countdown timer is also provided that indicates the amount of time until the next tune in the scan.

Abstract translation: 公开了扫描传送条。 扫描传送条包括指示扫描内的程序的多个单元。 扫描传输栏随当前调整的程序一起显示。 扫描传输栏包括用于允许用户轻松调谐到扫描内的程序的调谐序列号。 还提供了一个倒数计时器，指示扫描中下一次调谐之前的时间。

公开(公告)号：US08370884B2

公开(公告)日：2013-02-05

申请号：US12827049

申请日：2010-06-30

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis

IPC: H04N7/173

CPC classification number: H04N21/4882 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N21/23113 ,  H04N21/242 ,  H04N21/262 ,  H04N21/2747 ,  H04N21/4147 ,  H04N21/4312 ,  H04N21/4335 ,  H04N21/4343 ,  H04N21/4383 ,  H04N21/4438 ,  H04N21/4583 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/47217 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/6587 ,  H04N21/84

Abstract: An interactive television system is provided in which an interactive television application is used to support network-based or local personal video recorder capabilities. A user may use this application to view lists of program listings. The user may select a program listing of interest. The interactive television application may allow the user to set a reminder for the selected program at the scheduled broadcast time. This application may also allow the user to set a reminder for the selected program at a later time at which the program is not scheduled to be broadcast. The user may be provided with a reminder at this later time. In response, the user may direct the network-based or local personal video recorder to play back the program or may defer the reminder again. The interactive television application may collect information on program usage and popularity to determine how long to retain certain programming.