公开(公告)号：US06357043B1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-12

申请号：US09604326

申请日：2000-06-26

申请人： Michael Dean Ellis ,  Bruce Davis ,  Edward Bruce Knudson ,  Larry Miller

发明人： Michael Dean Ellis ,  Bruce Davis ,  Edward Bruce Knudson ,  Larry Miller

IPC分类号： H04N550

CPC分类号： H04N5/44543 ,  A63F13/12 ,  A63F2300/409 ,  G06Q10/087 ,  H04N5/445 ,  H04N5/50 ,  H04N7/0884 ,  H04N7/0887 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N7/165 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N7/17354 ,  H04N21/4345 ,  H04N21/4524 ,  H04N21/47 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/47211 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N21/8586

摘要： An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette. The viewer utilizes the remote control apparatus to generate a first command for displaying information on the receiver describing the product or service, and a second command for placing an order for the product or service. The data processor receives the user control commands and in response to the first command causes the video display generator to display information describing the product or service and in response to the second command generates an order for the product or service.

摘要翻译： 一种具有产品订购能力的电子程序调度系统，包括用于接收多个程序的程序调度信息的数据处理器，以及用于产生用户控制命令的用户控制装置，以及向数据处理器发送信号 回应。 电视节目安排信息被显示在诸如电视接收机的显示装置上。 视频显示生成器从数据处理器接收视频控制命令和节目安排信息，并且在接收器上显示节目安排信息的一部分。 节目时间表信息指示包括在节目信息中的某些节目的产品或服务的可用性，其中产品或服务与节目相关联，诸如节目转录或录像带。 观众利用遥控装置产生用于在描述产品或服务的接收器上显示信息的第一命令和用于对产品或服务下订单的第二命令。 数据处理器接收用户控制命令，并且响应于第一命令使视频显示生成器显示描述产品或服务的信息，并且响应于第二命令产生产品或服务的订单。

公开(公告)号：US5652613A

公开(公告)日：1997-07-29

申请号：US476451

申请日：1995-06-07

申请人： David Beryl Lazarus ,  Michael Dean Ellis

发明人： David Beryl Lazarus ,  Michael Dean Ellis

IPC分类号： G06F12/00 ,  H04B1/16 ,  H04H20/00 ,  H04N1/00 ,  H04N7/025 ,  H04N7/03 ,  H04N7/035 ,  H04N7/088 ,  H04N7/16 ,  H04N21/2343 ,  H04N21/4335 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N5/50 ,  H04N7/10

CPC分类号： H04N21/4335 ,  H04N1/00098 ,  H04N21/23439 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N7/0884 ,  H04N7/165

摘要： A television electronic program guide intelligent memory management system and method automatically deletes the least valuable stored program information at that moment as free memory space is needed by the system. In advance of a program schedule update, the system executes a two-level memory "housekeeping" operation in which the system first scans the memory to identify obsolete schedule information. If, after this sweep, there is insufficient memory available for the next update, the system performs a second-level memory "triage" operation wherein schedule information is automatically prioritized in accordance with pre-defined rules for assessing the current value of the information to each viewer based on program air time, channel and other variables relating to program utility. The system then deletes schedule information in ascending order of value, starting with the least valuable information, and continues until enough space is available in memory to store the schedule update.

摘要翻译： 电视电子节目指南智能存储器管理系统和方法在该时刻自动删除最少有价值的存储节目信息，作为系统需要的空闲存储器空间。 在程序进度更新之前，系统执行两级存储器“内务处理”操作，其中系统首先扫描存储器以识别过时的调度信息。 如果在扫描之后，对于下一次更新没有足够的可用存储器，则系统执行二级存储器“分类”操作，其中调度信息根据用于评估信息的当前值的预定义规则被自动优先化 每个观众基于节目空中时间，频道和与节目效用有关的其他变量。 然后，该系统以最低有价值的信息开始以值升序排列调度信息，并持续到存储器中有足够的空间可用于存储日程表更新。

公开(公告)号：US20080184315A1

公开(公告)日：2008-07-31

申请号：US11894733

申请日：2007-08-20

申请人： Michael Dean Ellis ,  Bruce Davis ,  Edward Bruce Knudson ,  Larry Miller

发明人： Michael Dean Ellis ,  Bruce Davis ,  Edward Bruce Knudson ,  Larry Miller

IPC分类号： H04N5/445

CPC分类号： H04N7/173 ,  A63F13/12 ,  A63F13/338 ,  A63F2300/409 ,  G06Q10/087 ,  H04N5/445 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N7/0884 ,  H04N7/0887 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N7/165 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N7/17354 ,  H04N21/4345 ,  H04N21/4524 ,  H04N21/47 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/47211 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/47815 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/84

摘要： An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette. The viewer utilizes the remote control apparatus to generate a first command for displaying information on the receiver describing the product or service, and a second command for placing an order for the product or service. The data processor receives the user control commands and in response to the first command causes the video display generator to display information describing the product or service and in response to the second command generates an order for the product or service.

摘要翻译： 一种具有产品订购能力的电子程序调度系统，包括用于接收多个程序的程序调度信息的数据处理器，以及用于产生用户控制命令的用户控制装置，以及向数据处理器发送信号 回应。 电视节目安排信息被显示在诸如电视接收机的显示装置上。 视频显示生成器从数据处理器接收视频控制命令和节目安排信息，并且在接收器上显示节目安排信息的一部分。 节目时间表信息指示包括在节目信息中的某些节目的产品或服务的可用性，其中产品或服务与节目相关联，诸如节目转录或录像带。 观众利用遥控装置产生用于在描述产品或服务的接收器上显示信息的第一命令和用于对产品或服务下订单的第二命令。 数据处理器接收用户控制命令，并且响应于第一命令使视频显示生成器显示描述产品或服务的信息，并且响应于第二命令产生产品或服务的订单。

公开(公告)号：US06275268B1

公开(公告)日：2001-08-14

申请号：US09368198

申请日：1999-08-04

申请人： Michael Dean Ellis ,  Bruce Davis ,  Edward Bruce Knudson ,  Larry Miller

发明人： Michael Dean Ellis ,  Bruce Davis ,  Edward Bruce Knudson ,  Larry Miller

IPC分类号： H04N550

CPC分类号： H04N5/44543 ,  A63F13/12 ,  A63F2300/409 ,  G06Q10/087 ,  H04N5/445 ,  H04N5/50 ,  H04N7/0884 ,  H04N7/0887 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N7/165 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N7/17354 ,  H04N21/4345 ,  H04N21/4524 ,  H04N21/47 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/47211 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N21/8586

摘要： An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette. The viewer utilizes the remote control apparatus to generate a first command for displaying information on the receiver describing the product or service, and a second command for placing an order for the product or service. The data processor receives the user control commands and in response to the first command causes the video display generator to display information describing the product or service and in response to the second command generates an order for the product or service.

摘要翻译： 一种具有产品订购能力的电子程序调度系统，其包括用于接收多个程序的程序调度信息的数据处理器，以及用于生成用户控制命令的用户控制装置，以及向数据处理器发送信号 回应。 电视节目安排信息被显示在诸如电视接收机的显示装置上。 视频显示生成器从数据处理器接收视频控制命令和节目安排信息，并且在接收器上显示节目安排信息的一部分。 节目时间表信息指示包括在节目信息中的某些节目的产品或服务的可用性，其中产品或服务与节目相关联，诸如节目转录或录像带。 观众利用遥控装置产生用于在描述产品或服务的接收器上显示信息的第一命令和用于对产品或服务下订单的第二命令。 数据处理器接收用户控制命令，并且响应于第一命令使视频显示生成器显示描述产品或服务的信息，并且响应于第二命令产生产品或服务的订单。

公开(公告)号：US5760821A

公开(公告)日：1998-06-02

申请号：US479699

申请日：1995-06-07

申请人： Michael Dean Ellis ,  Barry L. Smith ,  Constance J. Borges ,  Rose A. Reynolds ,  Dennis Tenney

发明人： Michael Dean Ellis ,  Barry L. Smith ,  Constance J. Borges ,  Rose A. Reynolds ,  Dennis Tenney

IPC分类号： C30B29/04 ,  C01B31/06 ,  C30B30/00 ,  H04B1/16 ,  H04H20/00 ,  H04N1/00 ,  H04N5/445 ,  H04N7/025 ,  H04N7/03 ,  H04N7/035 ,  H04N7/088 ,  H04N7/16 ,  H04N7/173 ,  H04N21/433 ,  H04N21/435 ,  H04N21/45 ,  H04N21/454 ,  H04N21/462 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N7/10

CPC分类号： H04N21/4524 ,  H04N1/00098 ,  H04N21/4332 ,  H04N21/4351 ,  H04N21/4622 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N7/0884 ,  H04N7/165

摘要： A system and method for localizing an aggregated electronic program guide (EPG) schedule covering a plurality of service environments includes an information filter located at the subscriber's set-top box conditioned to recognize which schedule information is relevant to the viewer's service environment. Only schedule information corresponding to the viewer's own service environment is stored in the EPG's schedule database. The result is an electronic program schedule that is tailored to the viewer's specific service environment without the use of costly equipment on the transmission side of the program schedule feed.

摘要翻译： 用于本地化覆盖多个服务环境的聚合电子节目指南（EPG）节目的系统和方法包括位于订户的机顶盒处的信息过滤器，该信息过滤器被调节为识别哪些日程信息与观众的服务环境相关。 只有与观众自己的服务环境相对应的时间表信息被存储在EPG的时间表数据库中。 结果是一种电子节目安排，它是针对观众的特定服务环境而定制的，而不需要在节目安排馈送的传输端使用昂贵的设备。

公开(公告)号：US06771317B2

公开(公告)日：2004-08-03

申请号：US09428588

申请日：1999-10-27

申请人： Michael Dean Ellis ,  Bruce Davis ,  Edward Bruce Knudson ,  Larry Miller

发明人： Michael Dean Ellis ,  Bruce Davis ,  Edward Bruce Knudson ,  Larry Miller

IPC分类号： H04N550

CPC分类号： H04N5/44543 ,  A63F13/12 ,  A63F2300/409 ,  G06Q10/087 ,  H04N5/445 ,  H04N5/50 ,  H04N7/0884 ,  H04N7/0887 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N7/165 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N7/17354 ,  H04N21/4345 ,  H04N21/4524 ,  H04N21/47 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/47211 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4753 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N21/8586

摘要： An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette. The viewer utilizes the remote control apparatus to generate a first command for displaying information on the receiver describing the product or service, and a second command for placing an order for the product or service. The data processor receives the user control commands and in response to the first command causes the video display generator to display information describing the product or service and in response to the second command generates an order for the product or service.

摘要翻译： 一种具有产品订购能力的电子程序调度系统，包括用于接收多个程序的程序调度信息的数据处理器，以及用于产生用户控制命令的用户控制装置，以及向数据处理器发送信号 回应。 电视节目安排信息被显示在诸如电视接收机的显示装置上。 视频显示生成器从数据处理器接收视频控制命令和节目安排信息，并且在接收器上显示节目安排信息的一部分。 节目时间表信息指示包括在节目信息中的某些节目的产品或服务的可用性，其中产品或服务与节目相关联，诸如节目转录或录像带。 观众利用遥控装置产生用于在描述产品或服务的接收器上显示信息的第一命令和用于对产品或服务下订单的第二命令。 数据处理器接收用户控制命令，并且响应于第一命令使视频显示生成器显示描述产品或服务的信息，并且响应于第二命令产生产品或服务的订单。

公开(公告)号：US5986650A

公开(公告)日：1999-11-16

申请号：US675082

申请日：1996-07-03

申请人： Michael Dean Ellis ,  Bruce Davis ,  Edward Bruce Knudson

发明人： Michael Dean Ellis ,  Bruce Davis ,  Edward Bruce Knudson

IPC分类号： H04N5/445 ,  H04N21/422 ,  H04N21/431 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N5/44 ,  H04N5/50

CPC分类号： H04N21/4312 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/4823 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N2005/44556 ,  H04N21/4221

摘要： An electronic program schedule system which utilizes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information from the memory and displays a portion of the program schedule information in overlaying relationship with a television program appearing on a television channel in at least one mode of operation of the television programming guide. The data processor controls the video display generator with video control commands, issued in response to the user control commands, to display program schedule information for any chosen one of the plurality of television programs in overlaying relationship with at least one television program then appearing on any chosen one of the plurality of channels on the television receiver. The system includes a scan feature to permit the user to scan program schedule listings for multiple programs in any of the operational modes of the system with the issuance of a single user control command.

公开(公告)号：US06470497B1

公开(公告)日：2002-10-22

申请号：US09317687

申请日：1999-05-24

申请人： Michael Dean Ellis ,  Bruce Davis ,  Edward Bruce Knudson

发明人： Michael Dean Ellis ,  Bruce Davis ,  Edward Bruce Knudson

IPC分类号： G06F1300

CPC分类号： H04N21/4312 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N21/4221 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/4823 ,  H04N2005/44556

摘要： An electronic program schedule system which utilizes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information from the memory and displays a portion of the program schedule information in overlaying relationship with a television program appearing on a television channel in at least one mode of operation of the television programming guide. The data processor controls the video display generator with video control commands, issued in response to the user control commands, to display program schedule information for any chosen one of the plurality of television programs in overlaying relationship with at least one television program then appearing on any chosen one of the plurality of channels on the television receiver. The system includes a scan feature to permit the user to scan program schedule listings for multiple programs in any of the operational modes of the system with the issuance of a single user control command.

摘要翻译： 一种电子节目安排系统，其利用接收机来接收用于多个电视频道的广播，卫星或有线电视节目，以及调谐器，用于将电视接收机调谐到所述多个频道中的所选频道。 数据处理器接收并存储用于多个电视节目的存储器电视节目安排信息以出现在多个电视频道上。 观众使用诸如遥控器的用户控制装置，以响应于接收到响应于用户控制命令的信号的数据处理器选择用户控制命令和发送信号。 电视接收机用于显示电视节目和电视节目安排信息。 视频显示生成器从数据处理器接收视频控制命令和来自存储器的节目安排信息，并以电视频道的至少一种操作模式，以与电视频道上出现的电视节目重叠的关系显示节目安排信息的一部分 编程指南。 数据处理器控制视频显示生成器，其具有响应于用户控制命令发布的视频控制命令，以与至少一个电视节目重叠关系显示多个电视节目中的任何一个电视节目的节目安排信息，然后出现在任何 在电视接收机上选择多个频道之一。 该系统包括扫描功能，以允许用户在发出单个用户控制命令的情况下扫描系统的任何操作模式中的多个程序的程序调度表。

公开(公告)号：US5822123A

公开(公告)日：1998-10-13

申请号：US668930

申请日：1996-06-24

申请人： Bruce Davis ,  Michael Dean Ellis ,  Edward Bruce Knudson ,  William L. Thomas

发明人： Bruce Davis ,  Michael Dean Ellis ,  Edward Bruce Knudson ,  William L. Thomas

IPC分类号： A63F13/12 ,  H04N5/445 ,  H04N5/50 ,  H04N7/088 ,  H04N7/173 ,  H04N7/24

CPC分类号： H04N21/40 ,  A63F13/12 ,  A63F13/338 ,  H04N21/235 ,  H04N21/2543 ,  H04N21/4314 ,  H04N21/4345 ,  H04N21/4348 ,  H04N21/435 ,  H04N21/4438 ,  H04N21/4524 ,  H04N21/472 ,  H04N21/47214 ,  H04N21/4722 ,  H04N21/4755 ,  H04N21/482 ,  H04N21/4821 ,  H04N21/4826 ,  H04N21/84 ,  H04N5/44 ,  H04N5/44543 ,  H04N7/0884 ,  H04N7/0887 ,  H04N7/163 ,  H04N7/165 ,  H04N7/17318 ,  H04N7/17354 ,  A63F2300/409 ,  H04N21/4316 ,  H04N21/47 ,  H04N5/445 ,  H04N5/50

摘要： An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information from the memory and displays a pop-up hint in overlaying relationship with the program schedule information in at least one mode of operation of the television programming guide. The data processor controls the video display generator with video control commands, issued in response to the user control commands, or in response to a predetermined period of user inactivity to display pop-up hints for the user's current position in the guide in overlaying relationship with the program schedule information.

摘要翻译： 一种电子节目安排系统，其包括用于接收用于多个电视频道的广播，卫星或有线电视节目的接收机和用于将电视接收机调谐到所述多个频道中的所选择的一个频道的调谐器。 数据处理器接收并存储用于多个电视节目的存储器电视节目安排信息以出现在多个电视频道上。 观众使用诸如遥控器的用户控制装置，以响应于接收到响应于用户控制命令的信号的数据处理器选择用户控制命令和发送信号。 电视接收机用于显示电视节目和电视节目安排信息。 视频显示生成器从数据处理器接收视频控制命令和来自存储器的节目安排信息，并以电视节目指南的至少一种操作模式，以与节目安排信息重叠的关系显示弹出提示。 数据处理器控制视频显示生成器，该视频控制命令响应于用户控制命令而发出，或者响应于用户不活动的预定时间段，以显示用户当前位置在引导中的叠加关系的弹出提示 程序进度信息。