公开(公告)号：US20080184327A1

公开(公告)日：2008-07-31

申请号：US11894564

申请日：2007-08-20

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: H04N7/173

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.

公开(公告)号：US07370343B1

公开(公告)日：2008-05-06

申请号：US09996346

申请日：2001-11-28

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis

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

CPC classification number: H04N21/482 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/4583 ,  H04N21/47202 ,  H04N21/47211 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/47815 ,  H04N21/4826 ,  H04N21/488

Abstract: An interactive television program guide for supporting programming blackouts is provided. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may unschedule the reminding and recording of blacked-out programs that have been scheduled by a user for reminding or recording. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may prevent a user from scheduling blacked-out programs for reminding and recording. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may prevent a user from ordering blacked-out pay-per-view programs. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may provide blackout information in information displays. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may provide replacement media for blacked-out programs.

Abstract translation: 提供了一个用于支持编程停电的交互式电视节目指南。 在一些实施例中，交互式电视节目指南可以取消对由用户进行提醒或记录而调度的中断节目的提醒和记录。 在一些实施例中，交互式电视节目指南可以防止用户调度用于提醒和记录的中断程序。 在一些实施例中，交互式电视节目指南可以阻止用户订购被禁止的按次付费节目。 在一些实施例中，交互式电视节目指南可以在信息显示中提供中断信息。 在一些实施例中，交互式电视节目指南可以提供用于中断节目的替换媒体。

公开(公告)号：US07051360B1

公开(公告)日：2006-05-23

申请号：US09354602

申请日：1999-07-16

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: H04N7/16

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：US06922843B1

公开(公告)日：2005-07-26

申请号：US09635596

申请日：2000-08-09

Applicant: W. Benjamin Herrington ,  Edward B. Knudson ,  Michael D. Ellis

Inventor： W. Benjamin Herrington ,  Edward B. Knudson ,  Michael D. Ellis

IPC: H04N7/16

CPC classification number: H04N21/488 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N21/44222 ,  H04N21/4532 ,  H04N21/4542 ,  H04N21/4667 ,  H04N21/47211 ,  H04N21/4751 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/812

Abstract: A system with parental control features is provided. The system may be switched between single account control and multiple account control. Each account may have a program control code and a purchase control code. A user may set parental control criteria for controlling access to programming for each account. A user may set purchase control criteria for controlling purchasing for each account. The system may remove a block on parentally-controlled activity when an authorized user enters an appropriate purchase or program control code. Every activity that matches any of the parental control criteria may be blocked and authorized user login may be required. The system may provide a selectable bypass locks feature. The system may present targeted advertising based on which code was entered last. The system may track account usage and provide information related to usage.

Abstract translation: 提供了具有家长控制功能的系统。 系统可以在单个帐户控制和多个帐户控制之间切换。 每个帐户可以具有程序控制代码和购买控制代码。 用户可以设置用于控制对每个帐户的编程访问的家长控制标准。 用户可以设置用于控制每个帐户的购买的购买控制标准。 当授权用户输入适当的购买或程序控制代码时，系统可以删除父母控制活动的块。 与任何家长控制标准匹配的每项活动可能会被阻止，并且可能需要授权用户登录。 该系统可以提供可选择的旁路锁定功能。 系统可以基于最后输入的代码来呈现目标广告。 系统可以跟踪账户使用情况并提供与使用有关的信息。

公开(公告)号：US06526577B1

公开(公告)日：2003-02-25

申请号：US09444882

申请日：1999-11-22

Applicant: Edward B. Knudson ,  Joel G. Hassell ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Pamela L. McKissick

Inventor： Edward B. Knudson ,  Joel G. Hassell ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Pamela L. McKissick

IPC: H04N5445

CPC classification number: H04N21/4147 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/44591 ,  H04N5/45 ,  H04N21/4316 ,  H04N21/47211 ,  H04N21/4786 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/8549

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system and method in which functions that have not been provided before by other interactive television program guide systems is provided. The interactive guide may, for example, provide users with an opportunity to preview pay-per-view programs before ordering. The guide may, for example, display a pay-per-view program preview in a video window. The video window may occupy a portion of the screen. If desired, a video window of the video from the currently tuned to channel may be displayed simultaneously in a second video window. In response to the user ordering a previewed pay-per-view program, the interactive guide may explode the pay-per-view program preview window into a full-screen video.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种交互式电视节目指南系统和方法，其中还提供了其他交互式电视节目指南系统之前未提供的功能。 例如，互动指南可以为用户提供在订购之前预览按次付费节目的机会。 例如，该指南可以在视频窗口中显示按次付费节目预览。 视频窗口可能占据屏幕的一部分。 如果需要，可以在第二视频窗口中同时显示从当前调谐到频道的视频的视频窗口。 响应于用户订购预览的按次付费计划，交互式指南可能将按次付费节目预览窗口分解为全屏视频。

公开(公告)号：US5548338A

公开(公告)日：1996-08-20

申请号：US476208

申请日：1995-06-07

Applicant: Michael D. Ellis ,  David B. Lazarus

Inventor： Michael D. Ellis ,  David B. Lazarus

IPC: H03M7/42 ,  H04N5/445 ,  H04N7/025 ,  H04N7/08 ,  H04N7/081 ,  H04N21/235 ,  H04N21/262 ,  H04N21/84

CPC classification number: H04N21/2353 ,  H03M7/42 ,  H04N21/26283 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N7/025 ,  H04N7/08 ,  H04N5/445

Abstract: Television programming information comprising an electronic programming guide is compressed by more than fifty percent, and decompressed in environments with only moderate processing power and storage space. The coding scheme of the present invention is based on Huffman coding of characters comprising the electronic programming guide and replacement character strings occurring in the data that have high savings values. A look-up table and binary tree are constructed from the Huffman codes for use in compressing and decompressing the electronic programming guide, and a set-top box for use in the decompression operation is provided.

Abstract translation: 包括电子节目指南的电视节目编排信息被压缩了百分之五十以上，并在仅具有中等处理能力和存储空间的环境中进行解压缩。 本发明的编码方案是基于包含电子节目指南的字符的霍夫曼编码和在具有高储蓄值的数据中出现的替换字符串。 提供了用于压缩和解压缩电子节目指南的霍夫曼码的查找表和二进制树，并且提供了用于解压缩操作的机顶盒。

公开(公告)号：US09204184B2

公开(公告)日：2015-12-01

申请号：US13195678

申请日：2011-08-01

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: H04N5/445 ,  H04N21/4227 ,  H04N5/44 ,  H04N7/10 ,  H04N7/16 ,  H04N7/173 ,  H04N21/262 ,  H04N21/422 ,  H04N21/436 ,  H04N21/442 ,  H04N21/45 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/475 ,  H04N21/478 ,  H04N21/4782 ,  H04N21/4786 ,  H04N21/4788 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/488 ,  H04N21/81 ,  H04N21/643 ,  H04N21/485

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.

Abstract translation: 提供了具有远程访问功能的交互式电视节目指南。 互动电视节目指南在互动电视节目指南设备上实现。 远程节目指南访问设备通过远程访问链接连接到交互式电视节目指南设备，以向用户提供对节目指南功能的远程访问。 提供了一种基于单户家庭中多用户电视设备的交互式电视节目指南系统。 该系统为用户提供了利用给定的交互式电视节目指南来调整节目指南设置的机会。 节目指南设置包括与设置节目提醒，个人资料，节目录制功能，消息功能，收藏功能，家长控制功能，节目指南设置功能（例如音频和视频和语言设置）等有关的功能。

公开(公告)号：US09197916B2

公开(公告)日：2015-11-24

申请号：US12880741

申请日：2010-09-13

Applicant: William L. Thomas ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Joseph P. Baumgartner

Inventor： William L. Thomas ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Joseph P. Baumgartner

IPC: H04N7/173 ,  H04N21/2743 ,  G06F3/0481 ,  H04N5/445 ,  H04N5/76 ,  H04N21/2187 ,  H04N21/258 ,  H04N21/262 ,  H04N21/2747 ,  H04N21/278 ,  H04N21/422 ,  H04N21/431 ,  H04N21/441 ,  H04N21/47 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/475 ,  H04N21/6587 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N5/44 ,  H04N5/775 ,  H04N5/781 ,  H04N5/85 ,  H04N9/804

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: Systems and methods for communicating and enforcing viewing and recording limits for media-on-demand are provided. The system may provide a guidance application that allows users to select on-demand media offerings. The delivery of the on-demand media offerings may be managed based on the length of program, the bandwidth required, the available bandwidth, the time of delivery, pricing and other factors. The system may manage the delivery of on-demand offerings by assigning a number of different types of viewing rights to a user when an on-demand offering is selected. The system may warn a user of insufficient rights and enforce selected viewing rights.

Abstract translation: 提供了用于传达和执行对按需媒体进行查看和记录限制的系统和方法。 该系统可以提供允许用户选择按需媒体产品的指导应用。 可以根据节目长度，所需带宽，可用带宽，发送时间，定价等因素来管理按需媒体产品的传送。 当选择按需提供时，系统可以通过向用户分配多种不同类型的观看权限来管理按需产品的交付。 系统可能会警告用户权利不足，并强制执行选定的查看权限。

公开(公告)号：US09055325B2

公开(公告)日：2015-06-09

申请号：US12616309

申请日：2009-11-11

Applicant: Danny R. Gaydou ,  M. Scott Reichardt ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Thomas Day

Inventor： Danny R. Gaydou ,  M. Scott Reichardt ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Thomas Day

IPC: H04N5/445 ,  G06F3/00 ,  G06F13/00 ,  H04N21/431 ,  G11B27/034 ,  G11B27/10 ,  G11B27/34 ,  H04N5/76 ,  H04N7/173 ,  H04N21/433 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/84

CPC classification number: H04N21/47214 ,  G11B27/034 ,  G11B27/105 ,  G11B27/34 ,  G11B2220/20 ,  H04N5/44513 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/76 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N21/4312 ,  H04N21/4314 ,  H04N21/4333 ,  H04N21/4334 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/84

Abstract: A transport control interface may be provided by an interactive television program guide application to provide information, control or both for live and recorded video programming. The transport control interface may indicate to the user the time duration of a live or recorded program and any time segments of the program that have been recorded. The transport control interface may automatically adjust the start and end time shown to accommodate various factors such as continuous viewing on a particular channel, multiple recorded segments, buffer size, etc. Various information associated with the live or recorded video programming may be displayed in the transport control interface.

Abstract translation: 传输控制接口可以由交互式电视节目指南应用提供，以提供用于实况和录制的视频节目的信息，控制或两者。 运输控制界面可以向用户指示实况或记录的节目的持续时间以及已被记录的节目的任何时间段。 传输控制界面可以自动调整显示的开始和结束时间以适应各种因素，例如在特定频道上的连续观看，多个记录的段，缓冲区大小等。与实况或录制的视频节目相关联的各种信息可以显示在 运输控制界面。

公开(公告)号：US08978064B2

公开(公告)日：2015-03-10

申请号：US13185242

申请日：2011-07-18

Applicant: Steven J. Reynolds ,  David M. Berezowski ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Joshua A. Rosenthol ,  William Hein

Inventor： Steven J. Reynolds ,  David M. Berezowski ,  Robert A. Knee ,  Michael D. Ellis ,  Joshua A. Rosenthol ,  William Hein

IPC: H04N5/445 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N7/16 ,  H04N21/81 ,  H04N21/8549 ,  H04N5/45

CPC classification number: H04N21/4821 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N5/45 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/812 ,  H04N21/8549

Abstract: A hybrid passive-interactive program guide is generated by combining the features of an interactive program guide with the passive video portion of a passive program guide. The interactive guide may replace passive listings with interactive listings, replace passive features with interactive features, provide supplemental advertisements, or replace passive tagging information with interactive tagging information. Users may be provided with an opportunity to purchase a program or product being advertised, to view listings for segments aired in the video portion of the passive guide, to schedule reminders for listings or video segments that are displayed by the passive guide, or to schedule video segments and related information for recording.

Abstract translation: 通过将交互式节目指南的特征与被动节目指南的被动视频部分相结合，生成混合无源交互节目指南。 交互式指南可以用交互式列表取代被动列表，用被动特征替换交互功能，提供补充广告，或者用被动标签信息替代交互式标签信息。 可以向用户提供购买正在被广告的节目或产品的机会，以查看被动向导的视频部分中播出的片段的列表，以调度由被动向导显示的列表或视频片段的提醒，或者调度 视频片段和相关信息进行录制。