公开(公告)号：US08621512B2

公开(公告)日：2013-12-31

申请号：US13280215

申请日：2011-10-24

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis ,  Thomas R. Lemmons ,  Connie T. Marshall ,  Donald W. Allison

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis ,  Thomas R. Lemmons ,  Connie T. Marshall ,  Donald W. Allison

IPC: G06F3/00

CPC classification number: H04N21/4334 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/76 ,  H04N5/775 ,  H04N5/7755 ,  H04N5/782 ,  H04N5/85 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N21/4135 ,  H04N21/4263 ,  H04N21/4383 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4821

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may use the program guide to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program without interrupting the recording or viewing process. This interactive television program guide system also allows a user the to utilize all or some of the program guide features while in the watch and record mode depending on the embodiment that is being implemented. Further, this watch and record system may be implemented using a multiple tuner set-top box or a single tuner set-top box with a RF bypass or digital switch. In addition to a set-top box, the system may be implemented using a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory, or a computer. The various implementations provide a very versatile watch and record environment for the user.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种交互式电视节目指南系统，其中用户可以使用节目指南观看一个节目，同时记录另一节目而不中断录制或观看过程。 该交互式电视节目指南系统还允许用户在观看和记录模式下利用所有或某些节目指南特征，这取决于正在实现的实施例。 此外，这种手表和记录系统可以使用具有RF旁路或数字开关的多调谐器机顶盒或单个调谐器机顶盒来实现。 除了机顶盒之外，系统可以使用卫星接收机，具有处理器和存储器的高级电视机或计算机来实现。 各种实现为用户提供了非常通用的手表和记录环境。

公开(公告)号：US08589976B2

公开(公告)日：2013-11-19

申请号：US12115091

申请日：2008-05-05

Applicant: Edward B. Knudson ,  David M. Rudnick ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Daniel C. Hagenbuch ,  Joel G. Hassell ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Steven J. Reynolds

Inventor： Edward B. Knudson ,  David M. Rudnick ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Daniel C. Hagenbuch ,  Joel G. Hassell ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Steven J. Reynolds

IPC: H04N5/445 ,  H04N7/173

CPC classification number: H04N21/4886 ,  H04N21/23113 ,  H04N21/235 ,  H04N21/26613 ,  H04N21/435 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/47211 ,  H04N21/4725 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/8126 ,  H04N21/8133

Abstract: A program guide system is provided in which an interactive television program guide that is implemented at least partially on user television equipment receives program listings data and real-time data such as sports scores, news data, and the like. The real-time data may be stored in a database maintained by the program guide, so that the program guide may access the stored real-time data at a later time. Updated program listings information may be provided to the program guide as part of the data stream in which the real-time data is provided. Unique keys may be generated for the program listings data and real-time data associated with each live event. The keys may be compared at the program guide to determine which program listings correspond to which items of real-time data. A controllable ticker may be displayed on top of a television program on the user television equipment. The controllable ticker may be sponsored. Different types of real-time data may be assigned different expiration times. When data has expired it may be removed from the database.

公开(公告)号：US08505049B2

公开(公告)日：2013-08-06

申请号：US12212873

申请日：2008-09-18

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis ,  Edward B. Knudson

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis ,  Edward B. Knudson

IPC: H04N7/10 ,  H04N5/445

CPC classification number: H04N21/485 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/44591 ,  H04N7/165 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/25891 ,  H04N21/2668 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/466 ,  H04N21/4667 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/4782 ,  H04N21/4786 ,  H04N21/4788 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4826 ,  H04N21/6582 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N21/8586

Abstract: A system for providing interactive television program guide features and other features and information related to a specific user interest or programming category in niche hubs is provided. All of the television programming features provided by user television equipment that relate to a specific user interest or programming category may be accessed from the niche hub. For example, a movie lovers niche hub may provide programming features such as television program listings for movies, video-on-demand listings for movies, pay-per-view listings for movies, web site links related to movies, movie-related merchandise, movie news groups, movie chat groups, movie e-mail clubs, movie contests, movie trivia questions, movie actor interviews, movie reviews, movie channel package ordering, etc. The programming features of the niche hubs may be transmitted from a server, database, or other storage facility via a television distribution facility. User television equipment may be connected via two-way communications paths to transmit messages to each other.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种用于提供交互式电视节目指南特征和与特定用户兴趣或编程类别相关的其他特征和信息的系统，其在利基集线器中。 用户电视设备提供的与特定用户兴趣或节目类别相关的所有电视节目特征可以从利基集线器访问。 例如，电影爱好者利基中心可以提供编程功能，例如电影的电视节目列表，电影的点播电影列表，电影的按次付费列表，与电影有关的网站链接，与电影相关的商品， 电影新闻组，电影聊天组，电影电子邮件俱乐部，电影比赛，电影琐事，电影演员采访，电影评论，电影频道套餐订购等。利基中心的编程功能可以从服务器，数据库 ，或其他存储设施。 用户电视设备可以经由双向通信路径连接以彼此发送消息。

公开(公告)号：US20130179924A1

公开(公告)日：2013-07-11

申请号：US13784129

申请日：2013-03-04

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: H04N21/482

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：US08479233B2

公开(公告)日：2013-07-02

申请号：US13043950

申请日：2011-03-09

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.

公开(公告)号：US08457475B2

公开(公告)日：2013-06-04

申请号：US11356928

申请日：2006-02-16

Applicant: Michael D Ellis ,  Danny R Gaydou ,  M. Scott Reichardt ,  Joseph P Baumgartner ,  William L Thomas

Inventor： Michael D Ellis ,  Danny R Gaydou ,  M. Scott Reichardt ,  Joseph P Baumgartner ,  William L Thomas

IPC: H04N5/76

CPC classification number: H04N21/23406 ,  G11B27/005 ,  G11B27/034 ,  G11B27/329 ,  G11B27/34 ,  G11B2020/10962 ,  G11B2220/41 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/76 ,  H04N5/782 ,  H04N5/783 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N7/165 ,  H04N9/7921 ,  H04N21/2387 ,  H04N21/2747 ,  H04N21/4147 ,  H04N21/4263 ,  H04N21/4312 ,  H04N21/4314 ,  H04N21/4331 ,  H04N21/4333 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/4335 ,  H04N21/44004 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/454 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/47217 ,  H04N21/4751 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/4782 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4828 ,  H04N21/485 ,  H04N21/4882 ,  H04N21/632 ,  H04N21/6587 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N21/8456 ,  H04N2005/4419

Abstract: Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application (“application”) may be implemented to provide such functionality. The application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, to schedule recordings to a PVR, to configure recordings, to view a list of scheduled recordings, to configure recording settings, or to select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using a straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming. Television content may be automatically paused when a user is engaged in using the application. Multiple IPGs for different users of a PVR may be implemented. Other PVR related features are also provided.

公开(公告)号：US08413193B2

公开(公告)日：2013-04-02

申请号：US13041707

申请日：2011-03-07

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: G06F3/00 ,  G06F13/00

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一系列存储的节目或节目片段的超级节目。

公开(公告)号：US20130007808A1

公开(公告)日：2013-01-03

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: H04N21/462

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：US20120324518A1

公开(公告)日：2012-12-20

申请号：US13597206

申请日：2012-08-28

Applicant: William L. Thomas ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  David M. Berezowski ,  Kevin B. Easterbrook ,  Joseph P. Baumgartner

Inventor： William L. Thomas ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  David M. Berezowski ,  Kevin B. Easterbrook ,  Joseph P. Baumgartner

IPC: H04N21/472

CPC classification number: H04N21/4755 ,  G06F3/0481 ,  H04N5/4401 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/44582 ,  H04N5/76 ,  H04N5/775 ,  H04N5/781 ,  H04N5/85 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N7/17336 ,  H04N9/8042 ,  H04N21/2187 ,  H04N21/235 ,  H04N21/25825 ,  H04N21/25891 ,  H04N21/262 ,  H04N21/26283 ,  H04N21/2743 ,  H04N21/2747 ,  H04N21/278 ,  H04N21/42204 ,  H04N21/4331 ,  H04N21/435 ,  H04N21/441 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/454 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/47 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/4751 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/6587 ,  H04N21/8166 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N21/858

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing supplemental content with on-demand media in an interactive television application are described.

Abstract translation: 描述了用于在交互式电视应用中提供按需媒体的补充内容的系统和方法。

公开(公告)号：US08272019B2

公开(公告)日：2012-09-18

申请号：US12818657

申请日：2010-06-18

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

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

IPC: H04N7/173

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.