公开(公告)号：US20070071399A1

公开(公告)日：2007-03-29

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：US07185355B1

公开(公告)日：2007-02-27

申请号：US09034934

申请日：1998-03-04

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: G06F3/00 ,  G06F13/00 ,  H04N5/455

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：US06820278B1

公开(公告)日：2004-11-16

申请号：US09186598

申请日：1998-11-05

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis

IPC: H04N718

CPC classification number: H04N21/443 ,  H04N7/106 ,  H04N7/16 ,  H04N21/43615 ,  H04N21/4516 ,  H04N21/454 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/4782

Abstract: A cooperative interactive television application system is provided. User television equipment devices are programmed with the cooperative interactive television application. The application determines whether it is running in a system with another device also running the cooperative television application. If other devices are running the cooperative television application, system functionality is dynamically partitioned among the devices. System functions may be removed from or resources disabled on devices when the device is not responsible for performing the function.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种合作的交互式电视应用系统。 用户电视设备设备通过协同交互式电视应用程序进行编程。 应用程序确定它是否在具有运行合作电视应用的另一设备的系统中运行。 如果其他设备正在运行合作电视应用，则系统功能在设备之间动态分区。 当设备不负责执行功能时，系统功能可能会从设备上删除或资源禁用。

公开(公告)号：US06774926B1

公开(公告)日：2004-08-10

申请号：US09518844

申请日：2000-03-03

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis ,  G. Victor Treyz

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis ,  G. Victor Treyz

IPC: H04W714

CPC classification number: H04N21/44222 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N7/17345 ,  H04N21/25891 ,  H04N21/2747 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/4586 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/4722 ,  H04N21/4826 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/84

Abstract: A system is provided in which contributors such as individuals in the home may create personal television channel programming. Personal television programs may be distributed to multiple viewers over a communications network such as the Internet. Personal television program schedule information may be stored in a database that is also used to store program schedule information for traditional television channels. Viewers may use a program guide or other interactive television application to view program schedule information, to set reminders, to set favorites, to establish parental controls, and perform other such functions. Links may be provided from displayed personal television channels to web sites, chat rooms, e-mail applications, and other such features.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种系统，其中诸如家中的个人的贡献者可以创建个人电视频道节目。 个人电视节目可以通过诸如因特网的通信网络分发给多个观众。 个人电视节目安排信息可以存储在数据库中，数据库也用于存储用于传统电视频道的节目安排信息。 观众可以使用节目指南或其他交互式电视应用来查看节目安排信息，设置提醒，设置收藏，建立家长控制和执行其他此类功能。 链接可以从显示的个人电视频道提供给网站，聊天室，电子邮件应用和其他这样的特征。

公开(公告)号：US6137549A

公开(公告)日：2000-10-24

申请号：US948756

申请日：1997-10-10

Applicant: Donald Rasson, deceased ,  Rose A. Reynolds ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Robert R. Predolich ,  Jeffrey A. Ross ,  Joel G. Hassell

Inventor： Donald Rasson, deceased ,  Rose A. Reynolds ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Robert R. Predolich ,  Jeffrey A. Ross ,  Joel G. Hassell

IPC: H04N7/16 ,  H04N21/258 ,  H04N21/262 ,  H04N21/45 ,  H04N21/454 ,  H04N21/84 ,  G06F13/00

CPC classification number: H04N21/26266 ,  H04N21/25808 ,  H04N21/25833 ,  H04N21/26283 ,  H04N21/4516 ,  H04N21/454 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N7/165

Abstract: A system is provided for distributing television program guide data from a main facility to set-top boxes or similar receivers via local television systems. Program guide data is placed in a number of selectively configurable queues. The configuration of the queues is determined by queue configuration data that may be supplied by the operator of the main facility. The operator can readily reconfigure the queues by altering the queue configuration data. Program guide data from the queues may be distributed to the receivers using multiple feed generators, each of which distributes program guide data to receivers with different addresses. The feed generators determine which receivers are busy processing recently transmitted data, so that data may be directed toward receivers that are not currently busy.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种用于经由本地电视系统将电视节目指南数据从主要设备分发到机顶盒或类似接收机的系统。 节目指南数据被放置在多个可选择配置的队列中。 队列的配置由可能由主设备的操作者提供的队列配置数据确定。 操作员可以通过更改队列配置数据来轻松地重新配置队列。 来自队列的节目指南数据可以使用多个馈送发生器分发给接收机，每个馈送发生器将节目指南数据分配给具有不同地址的接收机。 馈送发生器确定哪些接收器正在忙于处理最近发送的数据，使得数据可以被引导到当前不忙的接收机。