公开(公告)号：US08281341B2

公开(公告)日：2012-10-02

申请号：US11888676

申请日：2007-07-31

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis ,  Michael L. Craner

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis ,  Michael L. Craner

IPC: H04N5/445 ,  G06F3/00

CPC classification number: H04N5/50 ,  G06F3/0481 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/254 ,  H04N21/25891 ,  H04N21/431 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/4383 ,  H04N21/44218 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/458 ,  H04N21/4583 ,  H04N21/4667 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/4823 ,  H04N21/485 ,  H04N21/488 ,  H04N21/6582 ,  H04N21/8126 ,  H04N21/8173 ,  H04N2005/44556

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing media planners for planning a user's media content viewing activities are provided. The media planner may include an interactive grid of content with scheduled viewing, recording, or reminders set within a user-selectable time window. The media planner may prioritize content within the planner grid and automatically resolve conflicts when the number of available tuners within the user equipment device has been exceeded. Programs matching a user's viewing interests may also be automatically recorded in the user's absence. Coming-soon announcements may be received for programming outside the current program schedule window. Conditional media guidance application functions may be scheduled based on preliminary availability and attribute data associated with a coming-soon asset.

Abstract translation: 提供了用于为媒体规划者提供用于规划用户的媒体内容观看活动的系统和方法。 媒体规划器可以包括在用户可选择的时间窗口内设置的具有预定观看，记录或提醒的内容的交互网格。 媒体策划者可以在规划师网格内对内容进行优先级排序，并且当超过用户设备设备内的可用调谐器的数量时自动解决冲突。 符合用户观看兴趣的节目也可以在用户不在情况下自动记录。 即将公布即将公布的程序在当前程序计划窗口之外。 可以根据与即将到来的资产相关联的初步可用性和属性数据来调度有条件的媒体指导应用功能。

公开(公告)号：US08281339B1

公开(公告)日：2012-10-02

申请号：US12551399

申请日：2009-08-31

Applicant: Todd Walker ,  Michael D Ellis

Inventor： Todd Walker ,  Michael D Ellis

IPC: G06F3/00 ,  G06F13/00 ,  H04N5/445 ,  H04N5/50 ,  G06Q30/00

CPC classification number: H04N21/4858 ,  G06Q10/00 ,  G06Q30/00 ,  G06Q30/0241 ,  H04N5/445 ,  H04N7/0884 ,  H04N21/4312 ,  H04N21/4316 ,  H04N21/43615 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/47205 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/488 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/8126 ,  H04N2005/4425 ,  H04N2005/443 ,  H04N2005/44569 ,  H04N2005/44595

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for customizing the display of interactive television overlays. A condition related to the display of an overlay on top of video for a television channel may be defined for each of a plurality of television channels. A default set of information types for an interactive television overlay (e.g., a FLIP overlay, a BROWSE overlay, etc.) may be defined for the plurality of television channels. When the overlay is displayed on top of video for a given television channel of the plurality of television channels, the overlay may include information of the default set of information types. One or more television channels of the plurality of television channels may be identified as channels for which the default set of information types does not apply (e.g., channels for which the overlay is not displayed or for which a custom set of information types is defined).

Abstract translation: 提供了系统和方法来定制交互式电视叠加层的显示。 可以为多个电视频道中的每一个定义与用于电视频道的视频顶部上的重叠显示相关的条件。 可以为多个电视频道定义用于交互式电视重叠的默认信息类型（例如，FLIP覆盖，BROWSE覆盖等）。 当对于多个电视频道的给定电视频道在视频的顶部显示覆盖图时，覆盖可以包括默认信息类型集合的信息。 多个电视频道中的一个或多个电视频道可以被识别为不适用默认信息类型集合的频道（例如，不显示重叠的频道或定义了一组自定义信息类型的频道） 。

公开(公告)号：US20120224831A1

公开(公告)日：2012-09-06

申请号：US13471769

申请日：2012-05-15

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: H04N5/775

CPC classification number: H04N21/454 ,  H04N5/781 ,  H04N5/782 ,  H04N5/913 ,  H04N21/25866 ,  H04N21/4312 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/45 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/4826 ,  H04N21/4882

Abstract: An interactive program guide system is provided. The system facilitates recording of programs selected from the program guide. The system handles the recording and viewing of pay programs, parentally-controlled programs, consecutive programs on different television channels, and programs with and without copy protection. Programs may be recorded using combination television videocassette recorder (TV/VCR) units.

Abstract translation: 提供交互式节目指南系统。 该系统便于记录从节目指南中选择的节目。 该系统处理录音和查看付费节目，家长控制的节目，不同电视频道上的连续节目以及带有和不具有复制保护的节目。 可以使用组合电视录像机（TV / VCR）单元记录节目。

公开(公告)号：US20120224830A1

公开(公告)日：2012-09-06

申请号：US13471723

申请日：2012-05-15

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: H04N5/775 ,  H04N9/80

CPC classification number: H04N21/454 ,  H04N5/781 ,  H04N5/782 ,  H04N5/913 ,  H04N21/25866 ,  H04N21/4312 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/45 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/4826 ,  H04N21/4882

Abstract: An interactive program guide system is provided. The system facilitates recording of programs selected from the program guide. The system handles the recording and viewing of pay programs, parentally-controlled programs, consecutive programs on different television channels, and programs with and without copy protection. Programs may be recorded using combination television videocassette recorder (TV/VCR) units.

公开(公告)号：US08250614B1

公开(公告)日：2012-08-21

申请号：US11394634

申请日：2006-03-31

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis ,  William L. Thomas ,  Matthew Scott Reichardt ,  Simo Elkhadiri ,  Kevin Kershaw

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis ,  William L. Thomas ,  Matthew Scott Reichardt ,  Simo Elkhadiri ,  Kevin Kershaw

IPC: H04N7/173

CPC classification number: H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/44218 ,  H04N21/47202

Abstract: A media-on-demand (MOD) portal application allows users to view and access from a single display interface MOD content provided by multiple media providers, such as vendors and service providers. The MOD portal application may provide grid display screens showing program listings of available media content. The grids may include rows and columns, where each row and each column includes program listings associated with a particular category. In one illustrative grid, each row includes programming from a single media vendor and each column includes programming of a particular genre. A media guidance application is also provided which automatically determines if a user does not watch an MOD program the user has ordered. The media guidance application may automatically make the unwatched program available to the user at a later time, for example by automatically recording the program or by allowing the user to access the program at the later time.

Abstract translation: 媒体点播（MOD）门户应用程序允许用户从单个显示界面查看和访问由多个媒体提供商（如供应商和服务提供商）提供的MOD内容。 MOD门户应用程序可以提供显示可用媒体内容的节目列表的网格显示屏幕。 网格可以包括行和列，其中每行和每列包括与特定类别相关联的节目列表。 在一个说明性网格中，每行包括来自单个媒体供应商的编程，并且每列包括特定类型的编程。 还提供了一种媒体引导应用程序，用于自动确定用户是否不观看用户已订购的MOD程序。 媒体引导应用程序可以在稍后的时间自动地使未被修剪的程序可用于用户，例如通过自动记录程序或者允许用户在稍后的时间访问该程序。

公开(公告)号：US08176521B2

公开(公告)日：2012-05-08

申请号：US12797918

申请日：2010-06-10

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.

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：US20120066719A1

公开(公告)日：2012-03-15

申请号：US13233655

申请日：2011-09-15

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis ,  William L. Thomas ,  Joel G. Hassell ,  Thomas R. Lemmons ,  David M. Berezowski ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Robert H. McCoy

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis ,  William L. Thomas ,  Joel G. Hassell ,  Thomas R. Lemmons ,  David M. Berezowski ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Robert H. McCoy

IPC: H04N21/482

CPC classification number: H04N21/4227 ,  H04N5/4403 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/44582 ,  H04N7/106 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N7/173 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/26283 ,  H04N21/42204 ,  H04N21/43615 ,  H04N21/44222 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4751 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/47815 ,  H04N21/4782 ,  H04N21/4786 ,  H04N21/4788 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/4826 ,  H04N21/485 ,  H04N21/4882 ,  H04N21/64322 ,  H04N21/8126

Abstract: An interactive television program guide with remote access is provided. The interactive television program guide is implemented on interactive television program guide equipment. A remote program guide access device is connected to the interactive television program guide equipment by a remote access link to provide a user with remote access to program guide functions. An interactive television program guide system based on multiple user television equipment devices in a single household is provided. The system provides a user with an opportunity to adjust program guide settings with a given one of the interactive television program guides. Program guide setting include features related to setting program reminders, profiles, program recording features, messaging features, favorites features, parental control features, program guide set up features (e.g., audio and video and language settings), etc.

公开(公告)号：US08121846B2

公开(公告)日：2012-02-21

申请号：US11482114

申请日：2006-07-05

Applicant: M. Scott Reichardt ,  David M. Berezowski ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Toby DeWeese

Inventor： M. Scott Reichardt ,  David M. Berezowski ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Toby DeWeese

IPC: G10L15/00

CPC classification number: G06F3/167 ,  G10L15/22 ,  G10L15/30 ,  G10L17/02 ,  G10L2015/223 ,  G10L2015/227 ,  G11B27/105 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/765 ,  H04N5/775 ,  H04N5/781 ,  H04N5/85 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N9/8042 ,  H04N9/8047 ,  H04N21/42203 ,  H04N21/4394 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/482

Abstract: A user speech interface for interactive media guidance applications, such as television program guides, guides for audio services, guides for video-on-demand (VOD) services, guides for personal video recorders (PVRs), or other suitable guidance applications is provided. Voice commands may be received from a user and guidance activities may be performed in response to the voice commands.

Abstract translation: 提供用于交互式媒体指导应用的用户语音界面，诸如电视节目指南，音频服务指南，视频点播（VOD）服务指南，个人视频录像机（PVR）指南或其他合适的指导应用。 可以从用户接收语音命令，并且可以响应于语音命令执行指导活动。

公开(公告)号：US20120036533A1

公开(公告)日：2012-02-09

申请号：US13275049

申请日：2011-10-17

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis ,  William L. Thomas ,  Joel G. Hassell ,  Thomas R. Lemmons ,  David M. Berezowski ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Robert H. McCoy

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis ,  William L. Thomas ,  Joel G. Hassell ,  Thomas R. Lemmons ,  David M. Berezowski ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Robert H. McCoy

IPC: H04N21/431

CPC classification number: H04N21/4227 ,  H04N5/4403 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/44582 ,  H04N7/106 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N7/173 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/26283 ,  H04N21/42204 ,  H04N21/43615 ,  H04N21/44222 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4751 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/47815 ,  H04N21/4782 ,  H04N21/4786 ,  H04N21/4788 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/4826 ,  H04N21/485 ,  H04N21/4882 ,  H04N21/64322 ,  H04N21/8126

Abstract: An interactive television program guide with remote access is provided. The interactive television program guide is implemented on interactive television program guide equipment. A remote program guide access device is connected to the interactive television program guide equipment by a remote access link to provide a user with remote access to program guide functions. An interactive television program guide system based on multiple user television equipment devices in a single household is provided. The system provides a user with an opportunity to adjust program guide settings with a given one of the interactive television program guides. Program guide setting include features related to setting program reminders, profiles, program recording features, messaging features, favorites features, parental control features, program guide set up features (e.g., audio and video and language settings), etc.

公开(公告)号：US20120017244A1

公开(公告)日：2012-01-19

申请号：US13154069

申请日：2011-06-06

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis ,  Daniel C. Hagenbuch

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis ,  Daniel C. Hagenbuch

IPC: H04N21/485

CPC classification number: G06F12/0223 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N21/26283 ,  H04N21/4335 ,  H04N21/443 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N21/845

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment containing a memory. The system allocates the memory among different categories of program guide data used by the program guide. When new channels are added to the channel line-up, the program guide adjusts its memory allocation accordingly. When it is desired to install a new non-program-guide application on the user television equipment in addition to the program guide, memory can be reallocated to accommodate the new application.

Abstract translation: 提供一种交互式电视节目指南系统，其中在包含存储器的用户电视设备上实现交互式电视节目指南。 该系统在程序指南使用的不同类别的节目指南数据之间分配内存。 当新频道添加到频道阵容时，节目指南会相应地调整其内存分配。 当除了节目指南之外希望在用户电视设备上安装新的非节目指南应用时，可以重新分配存储器以适应新的应用。