United Video Properties, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150350746 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ALERTING USERS REGARDING MEDIA AVAILABILITY - Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that alerts a user regarding the availability of media content. For example, the media guidance application may determine, based on the current progress of the user in media content, whether or not the user will complete the media content while the media content is available. If not, the media guidance application may alert the user. | 12-03-2015 |
20150350742 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRESENTING CUSTOMIZED OPTIONS ON A SECOND DEVICE - Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that generates for display icons on a second device, in which the icons represent options to perform one or more available media guidance application operations on a first device, and in which the options associated with the icons are selected based on the frequency of use with which the option is used on the first device. | 12-03-2015 |
20150350709 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING THE AMOUNT OF TIME REQUIRED TO CONSUME A MEDIA ASSET BASED ON A CURRENT TRIP OF A USER - Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that adjusts the amount of time required to consume a media asset based on a current trip of a user. For example, the media guidance application may determine, based on the current progress of the user in the media asset, whether or not the user with complete the media asset before the end of a current trip. | 12-03-2015 |
20150350707 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UPDATING MEDIA ASSET DATA BASED ON PAUSE POINT IN THE MEDIA ASSET - Systems and methods for associating data with a media asset are provided. A plurality of messages from a plurality of users is received at a remote server. Each message identifies a play position within the media asset at which the respective one of the users paused the media asset. A reference play position is selected based on the play position identified by one of the plurality of messages. A number representing how many of the messages identify a play position that corresponds to the reference play position is computed. In response to determining that the number exceeds a threshold, a frame of the media asset that corresponds to the reference play position is selected. Data associated with the media asset is updated based on the selected frame. | 12-03-2015 |
20150350201 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR BIOMETRIC-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for determining a biometric state of a user or an emotional state of a user. Based on the determined biometric state or emotional state, a determination is made whether information about a location is restricted. In response to determining that information about a location is restricted, a portion of the information about the location is identified, and access to the portion of the information is disabled. | 12-03-2015 |
20150348122 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING PURCHASING OPPORTUNITIES BASED ON LOCATION-SPECIFIC BIOMETRIC DATA - Methods and systems are disclosed for a media guidance application that performs one or more media guidance application operations based on the biometric state of a user. For example, the media guidance application can present customize media content and/or perform customize media guidance application operations that are targeted to a user based on both the current biometric state of the user and the current location of the user. | 12-03-2015 |
20150347764 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MODIFYING PARENTAL CONTROL PREFERENCES BASED ON BIOMETRIC STATES OF A PARENT - Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that modifies parental control preferences based on the biometric state of a first user (e.g., a parent) and whether or not a change of the biometric state of the first user is caused by a second user (e.g., a child) that is subject to the parental control preferences. | 12-03-2015 |
20150319470 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRESENTING ADVERTISEMENTS TO PARTICULAR USERS BASED ON PERCEIVED LULLS IN MEDIA ASSETS - Methods and systems are also provided herein for presenting an advertisement to a user who perceives a media asset to be in a lull, and refraining from presenting the advertisement to a different user who does not perceive the media asset to be in a lull. Control circuitry may determine that a first user perceives a segment of the media asset as a lull based on a first user profile. The control circuitry may determine whether or not the second user also perceives the segment of the media asset to be a lull based on a second user profile. In response to determining that the second user does not also perceive the segment of the media asset to be a lull, the control circuitry may cause the advertisement to be presented to the first user but not to the second user. | 11-05-2015 |
20150317686 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PLACING ADVERTISEMENTS BASED ON SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY - Systems and methods for placing advertisements based on social media activity are provided. Control circuitry may retrieve a user profile for the first user and determine whether the media asset matches characteristics of the user profile. The control circuitry may detect that the first user has transmitted a communication to a remote server, which in turn transmits the communication to a plurality of other users associated with the first user on the remote server. The control circuitry may then determine whether the content of the communication is related to the media asset. In response to determining that the content of the communication is not related to the media asset and that the media asset matches characteristics of the user profile, the control circuitry may cause an advertisement to be presented to the user. The control circuitry may responsively present an advertisement. | 11-05-2015 |
20150317465 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENABLING MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION OPERATIONS BASED ON BIOMETRIC DATA - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for encouraging particular behavior or performing particular actions based on biometric data of a user. Specifically, by granting and restricting access to media and other user devices based on whether or not a user is conforming to a biometric state, a media guidance application may encourage a user to maintain or achieve the desired biometric state. | 11-05-2015 |
20150314201 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION OPERATIONS DURING VIDEO GAMING APPLICATIONS - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that determines a control scheme for a video game and maps the performance of particular media guidance application operations, unrelated to the video game, to the particular user input type already mapped to a video game function such that when the user performs the video game function, the particular media guidance application operation is also performed. | 11-05-2015 |
20150281796 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING BINARY SEARCHES USING A MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION - Methods and systems are discussed herein for improving the efficiency and ease of navigating and selecting media content without the need for additional keys, buttons, or other inputs. For example, in response to the same user input, the media guidance application may determine different numbers of content sources to skip, in a binary fashion, based on the total number of content sources, the order of the content sources, the direction a user wishes to navigate, and/or prior user inputs related to navigating the content sources. | 10-01-2015 |
20150281793 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECEIVING PRODUCT DATA - Systems and methods for receiving product data for products featured in a media asset are described. In some embodiments, the system includes control circuitry that receives from a server data for products featured in a media asset and timestamps for the media asset associated with the products featured in the media asset. The control circuitry generates for display a list including one or more of the products. The control circuitry receives from user input circuitry a selection of a product in the list. The control circuitry transmits to the server a request for a portion of the media asset featuring the selected product based on a timestamp associated with the selected product. | 10-01-2015 |
20150281764 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A SEQUENCE OF VIDEO-CLIPS IN A PICTURE-IN-GUIDE - Systems and methods for providing a sequence of video clips are provided. A user input identifying a source of video is received. Responsive to the user input, a plurality of future videos provided by the source that is unavailable to the user at a time when the user input was received is identified. A sequence of video clips associated with the identified plurality of future videos is generated. | 10-01-2015 |
20150281762 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SELECTING CUSTOMIZED CONTROL SCHEMES BASED ON BRAIN ACTIVITY - Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that selects a control scheme based on a number of user input types that are distinguishable based on brain activity monitored by a user device. For example, if the media guidance application determines that only two different user input types may be based on brain activity, the media guidance application will select a control scheme that only requires two different functions to select any available media guidance application operations. | 10-01-2015 |
20150281635 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RE-RECORDING CONTENT ASSOCIATED WITH RE-EMERGED POPULARITY - Systems and methods for re-recording content associated with popularity that re-emerged are provided. A plurality of media assets is recorded. Responsive to determining that popularity of a given one of the plurality of media assets fell below a first threshold, the given media asset is selected for deletion and the given media asset is added to a list of a plurality of media assets that have been selected for deletion. Popularity for the given media asset in the list is retrieved after selecting the given media asset for deletion. The retrieved popularity of the given media asset, which previously fell below the first threshold, is compared to a second threshold. In response to determining that the retrieved popularity of the given media asset, which previously fell below the first threshold, is now above the second threshold, an action relating to re-recording the given media asset is performed. | 10-01-2015 |
20150281119 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TRANSFERRING AUTHORIZATION TO ACCESS MEDIA CONTENT BETWEEN MULTIPLE USER DEVICES - Methods and system are discussed herein for improvements for sharing authorizations to access media content between multiple user devices. Specifically, a media guidance application may facilitate automatic sharing of user authorizations between multiple user devices through the use of specially generated authorization data, which may be transferred between the multiple user devices using images. | 10-01-2015 |
20150278841 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECEIVING COUPON AND VENDOR DATA - Systems and methods for receiving product data for products featured in a media asset are described. In some embodiments, the system includes control circuitry that receives from a server data for a plurality of products featured in a media asset. The control circuitry generates for display a list including the plurality of products. The control circuitry determines whether a product in the list is associated with a coupon and/or a preferred vendor. The control circuitry visually distinguishes the product from other products in the list in response to determining that the product is associated with a coupon and/or a preferred vendor. | 10-01-2015 |
20150278205 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING DYNAMIC SEARCHES USING A MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION - Methods and systems are discussed herein for improving the efficiency and ease of navigating and selecting media content without the need for additional keys, buttons, or other inputs. For example, in response to the same user input, the media guidance application may determine different numbers of content sources to skip, in a dynamic fashion, based on the total number of content sources, the order of the content sources, the direction a user wishes to navigate, and/or prior user inputs related to navigating the content sources. | 10-01-2015 |
20150272496 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SELECTING MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATIONS BASED ON A POSITION OF A BRAIN MONITORING USER DEVICE - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a system configured to determine a position of a brain monitoring user device, and a brain state of a user. Based on the determined position and the determined brain state, the system provides access to a set of media guidance application operations corresponding to the determined brain state and to brain regions corresponding to the determined position of the brain monitoring user device. | 10-01-2015 |
20150245107 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING CUSTOMIZED COLLAGES OF MEDIA ASSETS BASED ON USER CRITERIA - Methods and systems are described herein for the generation of customized collages of media assets that allow a user to quickly and efficiently review numerous media assets related to user selected criteria. For example, in response to a user requesting a search of “Johnny Appleseed,” a media guidance application may retrieve a plurality of media assets from various sources (e.g., television shows, newspaper articles, radio broadcasts, Internet websites, etc.) related to Johnny Appleseed and display the plurality of media assets simultaneously. | 08-27-2015 |
20150245101 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLEMENTING MEDIA ASSETS DURING FAST-ACCESS PLAYBACK OPERATIONS - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that enhances the viewer experience by providing supplemental content related to a media asset during a fast-access playback operation. For example, in response to a user input during a fast-forward or rewind operation, the media guidance application may generate for display supplemental content related to the progression point of the media asset at which the user input was received while the fast-forward or rewind operation continues. | 08-27-2015 |
20150245095 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NOTIFYING A USER WHEN ACTIVITY EXCEEDS AN AUTHORIZATION LEVEL - Systems and methods for generating a notification when activity exceeds an authorization level are provided. A determination is made as to whether content currently being presented to a first user exceeds an authorization level associated with the first user. In response to determining that the content exceeds the authorization level, the content being presented is monitored to determine whether the content meets a criterion. An amount of time the content being presented meets the criterion is measured. In response to determining that the amount of time exceeds a threshold, a communication is transmitted to a second user indicating that the content currently being presented to the first user exceeds the authorization level. | 08-27-2015 |
20150245081 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRESENTING SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT IN RESPONSE TO DETECTING A SECOND DEVICE - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that alleviates the burden on a user of describing the events of a media asset to another user that begins watching the media asset after the media asset has begun. For example, a media guidance application may determine that a first device (e.g., a smartphone carried by a first user) has entered a location at which an already in progress media asset is being presented on a second device (e.g., a television viewed by a second user). In response, the media guidance application determines the events that have thus transpired in the media asset, and generates for display a summary of the events on the first device. | 08-27-2015 |
20150244972 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING LENGTHS OF TIME FOR RETAINING MEDIA ASSETS - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that automatically manages the storage and deletion of media assets received by a user. For example, based on the source, content, context, file type, size, current storage capabilities, or another characteristic of the media asset, the media guidance application may determine a length of time to retain the media asset. | 08-27-2015 |
20150244971 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING STORAGE SPACE - Systems and methods for managing storage space of media assets stored on a storage device are described. In some embodiments, control circuitry determines whether a selected media asset belongs to a series where an order is assigned to media assets in the series. In response to determining that the selected media asset belongs to the series, the control circuitry retrieves information regarding a last viewed media asset of the series. The control circuitry determines whether the last viewed media asset is subsequent to the selected media asset in the order assigned to media assets in the series. In response to determining that the last viewed media asset is subsequent to the selected media asset in the order assigned to the media assets in the series, the control circuitry transmits an instruction to remove the selected media asset from the storage device. | 08-27-2015 |
20150244747 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SHARING HOLOGRAPHIC CONTENT - Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that presents holographic media content using a holographic interface and monitors the user and/or area about the holographic interface for user interactions that may cause the media guidance application to execute a media guidance function such as instructing another holographic interface to generate for display a portion of the holographic media content. | 08-27-2015 |
20150242901 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING A DYNAMIC ADVERTISEMENT SCHEDULE FOR A PLAYLIST SESSION - Methods and systems are provided herein for determining a dynamic advertisement schedule. These methods and systems are provided by way of associating a first value with a selectable delay option on a playlist menu, and associating a second value with a selectable skip option on the playlist menu. Each time the selectable delay option is selected, the first value may be added to a composite value, and each time the selectable skip option is selected, the second value may be added to a composite value. The composite value may be compared to a threshold value, and when the composite value corresponds to the threshold value, an advertisement may be generated for display on a display screen and the composite value may be reset. | 08-27-2015 |
20150242068 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MODIFYING A PLAYLIST OF MEDIA ASSETS BASED ON USER INTERACTIONS WITH A PLAYLIST MENU - Methods and systems are provided herein for modifying playlists of media assets. In some aspects, these methods and systems are provided by way of receiving a user input that causes a media asset in a playlist to cease from being played back and to be removed from the playlist. User interactions associated with the playlist may subsequently be monitored, where, in response to detecting a user interaction while monitoring, a number of user interactions that have been received subsequent to the user input may be determined. The number of user interactions may be compared to a threshold number, and, when the number of user interactions corresponds to the threshold number, the media asset may be inserted into the playlist. | 08-27-2015 |
20150189387 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CORRECTING OVERRUNS DURING FAST-ACCESS PLAYBACK OPERATIONS BASED ON THE ATTENTIVENESS OF A USER - Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that automatically corrects overruns during fast-access playback operations. For example, the media guidance application may base overrun corrections on the attentiveness of the user. | 07-02-2015 |
20150189386 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CORRECTING OVERRUNS DURING FAST-ACCESS PLAYBACK OPERATIONS BASED ON CONTENT SUBJECT TO THE FAST-ACCESS PLAYBACK OPERATION - Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that automatically corrects overruns during fast-access playback operations. For example, the media guidance application may base overrun corrections on the content of the media asset subject to the fast-access playback operation. | 07-02-2015 |
20150189377 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING USER INPUT INTERACTION TYPES BASED ON THE LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT OF A USER - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that adjusts modes based on actively determining an engagement level of a user. In such modes both the content presented and the interactions of a user that are recognized may be based on the level of engagement of the user. | 07-02-2015 |
20150189375 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING INFORMATION TO GROUPS OF USERS USING USER OPTICAL DEVICES - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for presenting information to groups of users using user optical devices that enable each user to view and share media content in a collaborative manner. For example, users using linked user optical devices may perceive a media playlist on a particular wall. The media playlist may then be modified (e.g., media assets may be added and/or removed) based on any of the users contacting the particular wall. | 07-02-2015 |
20150189355 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRINTING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS AS A REWARD - Methods and systems are provided for providing as a reward an object for 3D printing. These methods and systems are provided by way of measuring an engagement level of a user with a user equipment device during a portion of a video presented to the user and identifying an object presented within the video being viewed by the user. The object associated with the media asset may be selected based on the user's viewing history. For example, in a scene where a coffee mug and a toy figurine are presented, and the user watching the video including the scene has previously viewed cartoons related to the toy figurine, the toy figurine may be selected based on the user's viewing history. A design file describing a three-dimensional representation of the object might be retrieved, and a request may be transmitted to a printer to print the three-dimensional representation of the object. | 07-02-2015 |
20150185993 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SELECTING MODES BASED ON THE LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT OF A USER - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that adjusts modes based on actively determining an engagement level of a user. In such modes both the content presented and the interactions of a user that are recognized may be based on the level of engagement of the user. | 07-02-2015 |
20150185840 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SELECTING MEDIA GUIDANCE FUNCTIONS BASED ON TACTILE ATTRIBUTES OF A USER INPUT - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that determines the tactile attributes (e.g., an amount of pressure applied by a user, a length of time pressure is applied by a user, a velocity of the user input, etc.) associated with a received user input and determines which media guidance function, of a plurality of media guidance functions, is associated with the tactile attributes. | 07-02-2015 |
20150181291 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING ANCILLARY CONTENT IN MEDIA ASSETS - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for providing ancillary content in media assets. Specifically, a media guidance application may alert a user to remove, or modify, portions of a media asset based on an emotional response profile associated with the media asset. The emotional response profile may indicate representative emotional responses of other users associated with one or more progression points of the media asset. Upon determining that a user currently consuming the media asset is approaching a portion of the media asset associated with undesirable emotional responses, the media guidance application may alert the user to remove, or modify, the undesirable portion. | 06-25-2015 |
20150181289 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PREDICTING USER VIEWING PREFERENCES BASED ON DETECTED EVENTS - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that predicts user preferences based on detected events. For example, in response to a trigger, the media guidance application may monitor data associated with a user. The media guidance application may then process the monitored data to determine if the monitored data indicates that a user profile of a user should be updated. | 06-25-2015 |
20150178511 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SHARING PSYCHOLOGICAL OR PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF A USER - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that responds to requests for biometric measurements of a user from various entities by referencing privacy settings associated with the various biometric measurements to determine whether or not to share a particular biometric measurement with each of the entities. | 06-25-2015 |
20150163558 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY TAGGING A MEDIA ASSET BASED ON VERBAL INPUT AND PLAYBACK ADJUSTMENTS - Systems and methods for automatically tagging a media asset are provided. Verbal input is received from a user while the user is accessing the media asset. A request to adjust playback of the media asset is received from the user. Responsive to receiving the verbal input and the request, a combination of the verbal input and the request is cross-referenced with an attribute database to identify an attribute associated with the combination. The identified attribute is associated with the media asset. | 06-11-2015 |
20150156529 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVELY TRANSMITTING USER INTERACTION INFORMATION BASED ON BIOMETRIC INFORMATION - Systems and methods for selectively transmitting user interaction information based on biometric information are discussed herein. In one embodiment, a first biometric state of a user may be associated with information on interactions the user performed while experiencing the first biometric state, and a second biometric state of the user may be associated with information on interactions the user performed while experiencing the second biometric state. A request for user interaction information associated with a particular biometric characteristic may be received from a server. A determination may then be made which of the first and the second biometric states corresponds to the particular characteristics, and, responsive to determining that the second biometric state corresponds to the particular biometric characteristic, information on the interactions the user performed while experiencing the second biometric state may be transmitted to the server. | 06-04-2015 |
20150149473 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ASSOCIATING TAGS WITH MEDIA ASSETS BASED ON VERBAL INPUT - Systems and methods for tagging a media asset are provided. A plurality of communications is received from a plurality of users. Each of the plurality of communications includes words spoken by a respective one of the users while accessing the media asset and is associated with a media asset play position during which the respective words were spoken. A subset of the plurality of communications is selected for which the associated media asset play position is within a range of play positions, the range of play positions being shorter than the duration of the media asset. A word that a threshold number of the selected communications have in common is identified. The word is cross-referenced with an attribute database to retrieve an attribute associated with the word. The retrieved attribute is assigned to the media asset within the range of play positions. | 05-28-2015 |
20150149179 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING SOCIAL NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS IN AUDIBLE FORM BASED ON USER ENGAGEMENT WITH A USER DEVICE - Methods and systems are described herein for generating an audible presentation of a communication received from a remote server. A presentation of a media asset on a user equipment device is generated for a first user. A textual-based communication is received, at the user equipment device from the remote server. The textual-based communication is transmitted to the remote server by a second user and the remote server transmits the textual-based communication to the user equipment device responsive to determining that the second user is on a list of users associated with the first user. An engagement level of the first user with the user equipment device is determined. Responsive to determining that the engagement level does not exceed a threshold value, a presentation of the textual-based communication is generated in audible form. | 05-28-2015 |
20150143409 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR RECOMMENDING MEDIA CONTENT RELATED TO A RECENTLY COMPLETED ACTIVITY - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that recommends media content based on activities recently performed by a user. For example, in response to determining that a user recently finished the laundry, the media guidance application may recommend a movie that other users accessed after finishing the laundry. | 05-21-2015 |
20150135238 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ACCESSING MEDIA ON MULTIPLE DEVICES - Methods and systems are described herein for automatically detecting and pushing content to a second user device in response to determining that a first user device is simultaneously presenting multiple media assets. For example, in response to determining that a first user device is presenting a mosaic display, a media guidance application may automatically search for a second user device in which to present the program. In response to detecting the second user device, the media guidance application may then automatically push, or present an option to push, the program to the second user device. | 05-14-2015 |
20150128164 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EASILY DISABLING INTERACTIVITY OF INTERACTIVE IDENTIFIERS BY USER INPUT OF A GEOMETRIC SHAPE - Methods and systems are provided herein for enabling users to seamlessly restrict access to media assets. These methods and systems are provided by way of generating for display a plurality of interactive identifiers on a scrollable page. A user input of a geometric shape is then received on the scrollable page, such that interactive identifiers are within the area of the geometric shape. It is then determined that a particular interactive identifier of the plurality of interactive identifiers is within the area of the geometric shape, and disabling the interactivity of the particular interactive identifier in response to this determination. Once the interactivity of the particular interactive identifier is disabled, the interactivity of the particular interactive identifier will remain disabled when its position on a display changes as the result of the scrollable page being scrolled. | 05-07-2015 |
20150128158 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECOMMENDING CONTENT - Systems and methods for recommending content to a user are described. A user equipment device may be equipped with a built-in or separately connected image capturing device which may be used to pinpoint the location of the remote control when it is activated, thereby defining the specific location of the remote and the user. The relative location of the user in the room where the television is located may be associated with that particular user and used to automatically log in and access their user profile. This information may be used to enhance the television experience for the user by, e.g., recommending content. | 05-07-2015 |
20150121306 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CUSTOMIZING FUNCTIONS OF MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATIONS - Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that customizes icons on an interface based on the frequency of use of the icon and provides the user with feedback related to the frequency of use for each icon. For example, the interface may include a plurality of icons, in which each of the plurality of icons is associated with individual visual properties. For each icon, feedback related to its frequency of use is provided by the media guidance application by modifying the individual visual properties associated with each icon. | 04-30-2015 |
20150082344 | INTERIOR PERMANENT MAGNET MOTOR - Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that provides content related to a media asset based on occurrences in the media asset. For example, a media guidance application may determine that for a particular media asset (e.g., a recording of a baseball game) that the favorite team of the user lost. In response, because the user's favorite team lost, the media guidance application may retrieve and/or generate a video clip of highlights of the game and delete the original recording of the game. | 03-19-2015 |
20150082187 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRESENTING DIRECTION-SPECIFIC MEDIA ASSETS - Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that coordinates the display of direction-specific media assets on a display device associated with a particular direction. For example, the media guidance application may receive data (e.g., stored when an image or video was created) that indicates a direction a content capture device was facing when the image or video was captured. Based on that data, the media guidance application may select a particular display device (e.g., a computer, tablet, television, etc.) that corresponds to the direction (e.g., from the point of view of a user) on which to present the media asset. | 03-19-2015 |
20150066970 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING CONCIERGE SERVICES RELATED TO MEDIA CONTENT - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that integrates available media content and user selections of that media content with social and/or physical activities. Specifically, a media guidance application is disclosed herein for recommending activities associated with a selected media asset. In addition, the media guidance application may schedule an itinerary that includes the recommended activities as well as present media assets for consumption during each activity in the itinerary. | 03-05-2015 |
20150058891 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A CUSTOMIZED PROGRAM LINEUP - Systems and methods for delivering content according to a customized program lineup are provided. A content source transmits a plurality of media assets in a first schedule according to scheduled transmission times. A processing device may receive a user input to receive the media assets in a second schedule different from the first schedule. When a request to access the content source is received, the processing device may automatically determine, based on the second schedule, whether the user has requested a different media asset than the originally-scheduled asset at the time of the request. If the user has requested a different media asset, the processing device may automatically receive and provide the different media asset instead of the originally-scheduled asset. | 02-26-2015 |
20150042771 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRESENTING SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT IN MEDIA ASSETS - Methods and systems are provided herein for presenting supplemental content in media assets, which may be presented only to particular users, irrespective of whether or not other users are viewing the same media asset on the same device. | 02-12-2015 |
20150042682 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRESENTING SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT IN MEDIA ASSETS - Methods and systems are provided herein for presenting supplemental content in media assets, which may be presented only to particular users, irrespective of whether or not other users are viewing the same media asset on the same device. | 02-12-2015 |
20150040159 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DISPLAYING SCHEDULED EVENTS IN A MEDIA GUIDANCE DISPLAY - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that provides media guidance data in which media providers are filtered according to whether or not a media listing associated with the media provider corresponds to a scheduled event. For example, in response to a user request to view scheduled recordings, the media guidance application generates a media guidance display featuring only media providers associated with scheduled recordings. For those media providers, the media guidance application provides both media listings scheduled to be recorded and media listings not currently scheduled to be recorded. | 02-05-2015 |
20150039421 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR RECOMMENDING MEDIA ASSETS BASED ON SCENT - Methods and systems are disclosed for selecting media assets based on a scent detected at a location of a user device. For example, a media guidance application implemented on a user device may incorporate or have access to a scent detection component, which may determine one or more scents at the location of the user device. The media guidance application may then select a media asset that corresponds to the determined one or more scents. | 02-05-2015 |
20150037013 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING AUTOMATIC REPLAYS IN A MEDIA ASSET - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that can automatically generate replays of particular segments of a media asset. For example, the media guidance application may determine that a segment viewed by a user is of particular interest to the user based on a comparison with a user criterion. Accordingly, upon detecting the end of the segment, the media guidance application may automatically return to the beginning of the segment, allowing the user to view the segment again. | 02-05-2015 |
20150037000 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING VARIABLE SPEED FAST-ACCESS PLAYBACK OPERATIONS - Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application featuring variable progression speeds for fast-access playback operations, in which the progression speeds are based, at least in part, on the point of progress of a user during a presentation of a media asset. | 02-05-2015 |
20150033266 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATIONS CONFIGURED TO MONITOR BRAIN ACTIVITY IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF A BRAIN - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application configured to monitor brain activity in various regions of a brain of a user in order to navigate, recommend, provide access to, and perform operations related to media content. For example, in response to detecting that particular brain activity in a region of the brain does not correspond to a threshold range of brain activity for that region of the brain, a media guidance application may perform a media guidance operation related to that region of the brain. | 01-29-2015 |
20150033262 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING ICONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING BRAIN STATE FEEDBACK - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application configured to generate for display an icon that provides feedback to a user related to the current brain activity of the user. For example, a media guidance application may monitor the brain activity of the user in order to determine whether or not to perform a particular operation. The media guidance application may further generate a display of icons that inform the user of the current brain activity of the user and/or the progress of the user towards achieving a particular operation. | 01-29-2015 |
20150033259 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING OPERATIONS IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN BRAIN ACTIVITY OF A USER - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for performing operations in response to changes in brain activity of a user. For example, a media guidance application implemented on a user device may monitor the brain activity of the user (e.g., in order to perform one of more operations based on the brain activity of the user). In response to detecting particular brain activity (e.g., indicating that a user has fallen asleep), the media guidance application may instruct the user device to cease monitoring the brain activity of the user. | 01-29-2015 |
20150033258 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATIONS CONFIGURED TO MONITOR BRAIN ACTIVITY - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that may monitor the brain activity of a user and determine a first brain state of the user based on the brain activity, in which the first brain state corresponds to a first mood. The media guidance application may also select a second brain state that corresponds to a second mood of the user. In response to determining the first brain state does not correspond to the second brain state, the media guidance application may generate a display of a media asset to the user that is associated with inducing the second brain state. | 01-29-2015 |
20150033245 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING ATTENTIVENESS OF A USER BASED ON BRAIN ACTIVITY - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application configured to monitor attentiveness of a user based on the brain activity of the user. For example, a media guidance application may monitor brain activity associated with an attentiveness level of the user and in response to determining the attentiveness level of the user does not correspond to the threshold attentiveness level, perform an operation associated with a low attentiveness level of the user (e.g., performing a scan operation through various content providers). | 01-29-2015 |
20150029087 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING POWER CONSUMPTION IN A USER DEVICE BASED ON BRAIN ACTIVITY - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for adjusting power consumption and/or sensitivity levels of a user device based on the current brain activity of a user. For example, a media guidance application implemented on a user device may monitor brain activity of a user. In response to determining particular brain activity (e.g., associated with the inactivity of the user), the media guidance application may initiate a stand-by mode in order to reduce power consumption. | 01-29-2015 |
20150026718 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLAYING A SELECTABLE ADVERTISEMENT WHEN VIDEO HAS A BACKGROUND ADVERTISEMENT - Systems and methods for displaying a selectable advertisement when a received video signal includes a background advertisement are discussed herein. In one embodiment, a video signal is received. This video signal may, for example, be a live broadcast of a sporting event such as baseball. The received video signal is then analyzed to determine whether it includes a background advertisement. A background advertisement might be an advertisement located at the baseball stadium that is visible in the live broadcast. If a background advertisement is detected, interactive features associated with the background advertisement may be identified and used to generate a selectable advertisement. In response to a user selection of the selectable advertisement, a function may be performed to trigger the interactive feature. For example, if the background advertisement is for media content available for purchase, the interactive feature may consist of purchasing and downloading the advertised content. | 01-22-2015 |
20150012946 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRESENTING TAG LINES ASSOCIATED WITH MEDIA ASSETS - Methods and systems are discussed herein for presenting tag lines associated with media assets in an interactive media guide. For example, a media guidance application may generate a media guide featuring a plurality of media listings. When a user navigates to a media listing, the media guidance application may determine a tag line (e.g., a memorable phrase or scene associated with the media asset that jogs a user's memory) associated with the media listing. The media guidance application may then present the tag line. | 01-08-2015 |
20140380364 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF GENERATING A DISPLAY OF MEDIA LISTINGS IN DYNAMIC CELLS - Methods and system are described for a media guidance application that generates a plurality of media cells, each corresponding to a particular media criterion, selects a plurality of media listings corresponding to the media criterion of each media cell, and automatically transitions between the media listings within the cell. For example, within each media cell, the media listings selected for that cell may crawl, one at a time, from one side of the media cell to the other. In another example, the media listings selected for each cell may automatically transition by displaying one media listing, removing the media listing, and displaying a different media listing in a continuous and/or repeating cycle. | 12-25-2014 |
20140379456 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING IMPACT OF AN ADVERTISEMENT - Methods and systems are provided for determining the impact of an advertisement based on the number of times keywords are used by a user before and after the user viewed the advertisement. In some embodiments, control circuitry receives first communication data before the media asset is viewed and determines a number of times keywords are included in the first communication data. The control circuitry further receives second communication data after the media asset is viewed and determines a number of times keywords are included in the second communication data. The control circuitry then determines the impact of the media asset on the user of a user device based on the difference in the number of times the keywords are included in the first and the second communication data. | 12-25-2014 |
20140356848 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ARRANGING MEDIA OBJECTS ON A DISPLAY SCREEN TO COMPENSATE FOR USER DISABILITIES - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for arranging media objects on a display screen to compensate for disabilities of a user. For example, if a media guidance application determines that, based on a particular disability, a user cannot see (or has limited vision with respect to) a portion of a screen displaying a media asset, the media guidance application alters the arrangement of media objects in the media asset to compensate for the disability. | 12-04-2014 |
20140344682 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CUSTOMIZING TACTILELY DISTINGUISHABLE INPUTS ON A USER INPUT INTERFACE BASED ON AVAILABLE FUNCTIONS - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a user input interface, which customizes tactilely distinguishable inputs on the user input interface based on available or currently in use functions on a target device. For example, a user input interface on a remote device (e.g., a tablet computer) may generate physical buttons associated with a function (e.g., adjusting volume) in response to determining that that function is available on a target device (e.g., a television, personal computer, or set-top box). | 11-20-2014 |
20140307070 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SOUNDING A MESSAGE IDENTIFYING A CONTENT SOURCE TO A USER DURING AN ADVERTISEMENT - Systems and methods for assisting a user in content selection are provided. A user request to access a content source may be received. Content from the content source may be received in response to the user request. A determination may be made as to whether the content received from the content source is an advertisement. An identifier of the content source may be retrieved from memory. The identifier of the content source may be cross-referenced with a database of audible messages to retrieve an audible message associated with the content source. The audible message may be played to identify the content source to the user in response to determining that the content received from the content source is an advertisement. | 10-16-2014 |
20140304741 | ENABLING A FRIEND TO REMOTELY MODIFY USER DATA - The present invention allows users to interact with people, who have interacted with other people, and obtain media files and recommendations from those having common interests, thereby creating interactive media communities and spawning electronic social networks based on media and other types of electronic entertainment. | 10-09-2014 |
20140282061 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CUSTOMIZING USER INPUT INTERFACES - Methods and systems are provided for determining a suitable user input interface type based on a particular user. Specifically, a media guidance application determines a demographic category of a user, and based on that demographic category of the user, automatically selects a user input interface for manipulating media objects that is suitable for the user. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281973 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR RECTIFYING THE LENGTHS OF MEDIA PLAYLISTS BASED ON TIME CRITERIA - Methods and systems are described for generating and updating media playlists in response to playback alteration operations performed by a user. For example, a media guidance application may generate a media playlist accessible during a set time period (e.g., from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM), which has a one hour play length. If a playback alteration operation (e.g., a pause or fast-forward operation) occurs during the playback of the media playlist, the media guidance application updates (e.g., by adding or removing content) the media playlist such that the media playlist has a play length that concludes by the end of the set time period (e.g., 8:00 PM). | 09-18-2014 |
20140281971 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING OBJECTIVE SPECIFIC PLAYLISTS - Methods and systems as described herein for a media guidance application capable of generating media playlists geared to particular purposes. Specifically, the media guidance application described herein can customize a media playlist based on a travel itinerary and a determined objective for a current trip as well as update the media playlist upon detecting a change in the travel itinerary or determined objective. | 09-18-2014 |
20140259073 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE WITH SELECTABLE LANGUAGES - 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. | 09-11-2014 |
20140258863 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BROWSING STREAMING CONTENT FROM THE VIEWER'S VIDEO LIBRARY - Systems and methods are described for presenting on-demand media assets on user equipment. In some aspects, the systems and methods described determine whether an on-demand asset is accessible to a user and whether it matches a user profile associated with the user. Control circuitry receives, without displaying, the on-demand media asset starting from a first playback position at the user equipment without receiving user input to view the on-demand media asset upon determining that the on-demand media asset matches the user profile. The control circuitry receives a user input, at the user equipment, to view the on-demand media asset at the user equipment. When the user input is received, the control circuitry determines a second playback position, after the first playback position, of the on-demand media asset. Control circuitry causes the on-demand media asset to be presented on the user equipment starting from the determined second playback position. | 09-11-2014 |
20140258268 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BROWSING CONTENT STORED IN THE VIEWER'S VIDEO LIBRARY - Systems and methods are described for presenting recorded media assets on user equipment. In some aspects, the systems and methods described determine that a reference event has occurred. In response to the determination, the systems and methods search a plurality of media assets stored on a storage device for a media asset that matches a user profile. Control circuitry measures an amount of time that has elapsed from a time at which the reference event occurred until an input requesting display of the media asset is received. The control circuitry receives the input. In response to receiving the input, the control circuitry retrieves the media asset from the storage device and causes the media asset to be presented on the user equipment starting from a play position that is offset from a beginning of the media asset by the measured amount of time. | 09-11-2014 |
20140250458 | ELECTRONIC-MAIL REMINDER FOR AN INTERNET TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE - An Internet television program guide electronic-mail (e-mail) reminder system is provided. The system allows a user at a multimedia system to order and receive e-mail message reminders of scheduled television events over the Internet. The user can order e-mail reminders after selecting a program from the program listings or by supplying [a program title directly] specific user program preferences without having to consult the program listings. The user can specify when and how often the reminders will be generated and received. If desired, the user can view a list of all currently requested e-mail reminders. Entries can be added to the list or the user can cancel a previously ordered reminder. The user can order e-mail reminders for scheduled pay-per-view programs using the system. The user can also have reminder information periodically updated and available directly on the user's multimedia system. | 09-04-2014 |
20140250447 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A PRIVATE VIEWING EXPERIENCE - System and methods are presented for providing a user with a private viewing experience. In some embodiments, a private viewing system detects that the user is present at a media device that is displaying media content to the user, and then detects that a second user is outside of the viewing area of the media device. The private viewing system then determines a likelihood value related to the likelihood that the second user will enter the viewing area of the media device during a time period in the future. A first indication is then generated, based on the determined likelihood value, and presented to the user at the media device indicating that the second user is likely to enter the viewing area of the media device during the time period in the future. | 09-04-2014 |
20140245353 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DISPLAYING MEDIA LISTINGS - Methods and system are described herein for a media guidance application, which allows a user to more quickly and easily navigate available media listings. Specifically, the media guidance application generates a plurality of media cells each corresponding to a particular media listing. In addition, the media guidance application generates a plurality of presentation criterion cells. Upon selection of a particular presentation criterion cell, the media guidance application reveals media cells that are associated with the particular criterion and conceals media listings that are not associated with the particular criterion. | 08-28-2014 |
20140245343 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING SUBSCRIPTION DATA - A media guidance application is provided by which users can view program listings associated with programming that the user may access using other user equipment devices. The media guidance application, implemented on, for example, a remote system, may determine through communications with television equipment whether or not the television equipment is authorized to provide a particular package of television programming to be viewed by the user. For example, an online program guide application may determine whether or not television equipment allows a user to view particular channels and, based on that determination, proceed to determine what packages of programming the user subscribes to. A customized program guide may then be displayed based on what programming the user subscribes to on various systems. | 08-28-2014 |
20140245144 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING MEDIA ASSET INFORMATION FOR A GIVEN CELL USING ADJACENT CELLS - Systems and methods for presenting information for a given cell using adjacent cells are provided. A plurality of media asset cells arranged in a grid are generated for presentation according to a time dimension of first and second transmission times of corresponding media assets. A user selection of a first media asset cell is received. The first media asset cell corresponds to a first media asset scheduled for transmission during the first transmission time. A second media asset cell that corresponds to a second media asset scheduled for transmission during the first transmission time is identified. The second media asset cell includes information corresponding to the second media asset and is adjacent to the first media asset cell. A portion of the information in the second media asset cell is replaced with information corresponding to the first media asset without obstructing information corresponding to the second transmission time. | 08-28-2014 |
20140243091 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING A DEGREE OF SEPARATION GAME IN AN INTERACTIVE MEDIA APPLICATION - Methods and systems of providing a game in an interactive media application based on information stored in a database are provided. The game is provided in part by using a database to select a source individual and a destination individual. Based on the source individual and information stored in a database and associated therewith, a plurality of associated candidates are selected, each of which has a defined relationship with the source individual. Representations of the source individual, the destination individual, and the first plurality of candidates are provided on a display. Based on user input, one candidate of the first plurality of candidates is selected, and it is determined whether the database defines a relationship between the selected candidate and the destination individual. If such a relationship exists, a user is alerted. If no such relationship exists, then a new set of candidates is retrieved based on the selected candidate. | 08-28-2014 |
20140240595 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTING VOLUME BASED ON MEDIA CONTENT - Systems and methods for dynamically adjusting a volume are provided. A presentation of a media asset is generated with a user equipment device at a first volume level. A user request to adjust a volume level of the media asset is received. Subject matter of the media asset currently being presented is determined. A volume adjustment rate is automatically set based on the determined subject matter. The volume level of the media asset is gradually adjusted from the first volume level to a second volume level at a rate corresponding to the volume adjustment rate based on the user request. | 08-28-2014 |
20140223494 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH PAY PROGRAM PACKAGE PROMOTION - A system is provided that allows a user to select a pay program for purchase from a program guide. The program guide determines whether the selected program is part of a package of pay programs. If the selected program is part of a package, information regarding the package is provided to the user so that the user may decide whether to purchase the package. If the selected program is part of several packages, information for all packages is provided. The system automatically sets reminders for packages containing repetitive programming. The system monitors whether the user has watched any of the programs in such packages. When the user watches a program from the package, the remaining reminders are cancelled. If a user does not watch any programs in a package of any type, purchase of the package is cancelled and the user is provided with the opportunity to reschedule. | 08-07-2014 |
20140223481 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UPDATING A SEARCH REQUEST - Systems and methods for updating the search requests in interactive grid displays are presented. User equipment may receive a request to search a database of media asset information to find a media asset related to a received search string and the time window of the displayed interactive grid. After the search is complete, the search results may be presented to a user on the display. The user equipment may then receive a request to update the time window of the interactive grid display. In response to the update, the user equipment will search the database of media asset information for media assets related to the search string and the updated time window. The new search results may then be presented to the user. In some embodiments, the search results may be based on the search string and the displayed set of media asset sources on the interactive grid display. | 08-07-2014 |
20140212113 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDES WITH PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDING FEATURES - Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, schedule recordings to a PVR, configure recordings, view a list of scheduled recordings, configure recording settings, or 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 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 using the application. Multiple IPGs for different users of a PVR may be implemented. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210702 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING MESSAGES BASED ON USER ENGAGEMENT WITH A USER DEVICE - Methods and systems are described herein for presenting messages to a user based on user engagement with a user device. A message is received for presentation to a user on the user device. A value indicating an attentiveness level of the user is generated with the user device. The value indicating the attentiveness level of the user is compared with an attentiveness level threshold value. In response to determining the value indicating the attentiveness level of the user does not exceed the attentiveness level threshold value, presentation of the message is delayed until the value indicating the attentiveness level of the user exceeds the attentiveness level threshold value. | 07-31-2014 |
20140208367 | TELEVISION CHAT SYSTEM - A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other users who are currently watching the same television program or channel. | 07-24-2014 |
20140208365 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDES WITH PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDING FEATURES - Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, schedule recordings to a PVR, configure recordings, view a list of scheduled recordings, configure recording settings, or 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 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 using the application. Multiple IPGs for different users of a PVR may be implemented. | 07-24-2014 |
20140208358 | INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDE WITH MEDIA GUIDANCE INTERFACE - Systems and methods for providing guidance to users for finding media are described. Such systems and methods may be provided in interactive media guides such as program guides, web browsers, or other suitable interactive media guides. | 07-24-2014 |
20140208056 | INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE WITH DATABASE CONFIGURABILITY - 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. | 07-24-2014 |
20140207957 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONNECTING MEDIA DEVICES THROUGH WEB SOCKETS - Systems and methods are described herein for connecting client devices to applications on a server using web sockets. In one aspect, the systems and methods described provide for a routing table that may be used to direct communications between a client device and an application on a web server. The routing table may overcome challenges of implementing web sockets under current constraints of the web socket specification, the HTTP specification, and server implementations. | 07-24-2014 |
20140201793 | CUSTOMIZABLE FLIP AND BROWSE OVERLAYS IN AN INTERACTIVE TELEVISION SYSTEM - 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). | 07-17-2014 |
20140201780 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A USER PROFILE BASED CUSTOMIZED MEDIA GUIDE THAT INCLUDES AN INTERNET SOURCE - Systems and methods for presenting user-generated content in as easily accessible manner using an interactive media guide are provided. In particular, a user may be able to peruse user-generated content through an interactive media guide which is also used to access non-user-generated media content such as linear programming (e.g., over-the-air broadcast, cable, and satellite scheduled programming) and on-demand media. The interactive media guide may include a provider of user-generated content populated with user-generated content according to the user's interests or most recently added to the provider. | 07-17-2014 |
20140196081 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING AN INTERFACE FOR DATA DRIVEN MEDIA PLACEMENT - System and methods are presented for providing an interface to select advertising slots in an advertising campaign. In some embodiments, a user equipment device generates for display a plurality of cells in a grid arrangement. Each cell is associated with an advertising slot corresponding to a content source and a time period, and each cell includes a representation of an audience of the associated advertising slot. The user equipment device receives a user selection of a first cell of the plurality of cells, a function is executed with respect to a first advertising slot associated with the first cell. | 07-10-2014 |
20140196062 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SETTING PRICES IN DATA DRIVEN MEDIA PLACEMENT - System and methods are presented for setting pricing in an advertising campaign with an audience management module. In some embodiments, a plurality of data structures is stored in a memory, each data structure representing one of a plurality of advertising slots. The audience management module stores in each of the plurality of data structures a price value associated with a respective advertising slot. A user input of a fixed value is received and stored as the price value of a first data structure of the plurality of data structures. The audience management module automatically updates the price value of each of the plurality of data structures without changing the price value of the first data structure. | 07-10-2014 |
20140195334 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING DATA DRIVEN MEDIA PLACEMENT - System and methods are presented for selecting advertising slots in an advertising campaign with an audience management system. In some embodiments, a user selects a budget value, which is partitioned into a first and second partition value. The audience management module stores a plurality of data structures in a memory, and defines a plurality of groups such that each of the plurality of data structures is associated with one of the plurality of groups. A portion of the first partition value is allocated to each of the plurality of groups, and the audience management module flags, for each group, at least one data structure based on the portion of the first partition value allocated to the group. The audience management module identifies a subset of unflagged data structures, and flags at least one data structure based on the second partition value. | 07-10-2014 |
20140181855 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSLATING GENERIC REQUESTS INTO DEVICE SPECIFIC REQUESTS BASED ON LOCATION INFORMATION - Systems and methods for translating generic requests into requests specific to user media devices selected based on location are provided. In some embodiments, a first instruction data structure containing a request for an action to be performed on media content is received from a user equipment device. A location for the user equipment device is determined and a user media device is selected based on its proximity to the determined location. Device specific information for the selected user media device is then used to determine whether the selected user media device is authorized to perform the requested action. The device specific information is also used to translate the first instruction data structure into a second instruction data structure. The second instruction data structure is then transmitted to the selected user media device and causes the selected user media device to perform the requested action. | 06-26-2014 |
20140177905 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CUSTOMIZING A PLENOPTIC MEDIA ASSET - Methods and systems are described for providing customized user experiences with media assets created using plenoptic content capture technology. The ability to increase the focus on different objects while the media asset is progressing may allow a user to more easily track the object. Conversely, the ability to decrease the focus on different objects while the media asset is progressing may block, or cloud the display of, the object from being seen by a user. | 06-26-2014 |
20140176813 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING AUDIO BASED ON GAZE POINT - Embodiments provide methods and systems for adjusting audio output based on eye tracking input. In some embodiments, a memory stores data defining a boundary based on a coordinate system. The boundary corresponds to a display element of displayed content. An input receives data indicating coordinates of a gaze point location of a user viewing the displayed content. A processor compares the received coordinates of the gaze point location to the boundary corresponding to the display element to determine whether the gaze point location is inside the boundary corresponding to the display element. In response to determining that the gaze point location is inside the boundary corresponding to the display element, the processor adjusts an audio setting of the displayed content. | 06-26-2014 |
20140172891 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DISPLAYING LOCATION SPECIFIC CONTENT - Methods and systems are described herein for selecting a media asset for presentation on a user device based on the type of location in which the user device is located. For example, a media guidance application may receive data describing the location of a user device. Upon processing the data, the media guidance application may detect objects at the location. By cross-referencing the detected objects with a database indicating types of locations in which the detected objects are typically found, the media guidance application determines a location type for the location of the user device. The media guidance application then selects media assets appropriate for the location for presentation to the user. | 06-19-2014 |
20140172579 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING USERS VIEWING MEDIA ASSETS - Methods and systems are described herein for monitoring a user accessing a media asset, determining an attentiveness level of the user, and in response to determining that the attentiveness level is above a threshold level, transmitting an instruction to display an advertisement on a display device. By transmitting the advertisement only when a user meets a threshold level of attentiveness, a media application may guarantee to a content/advertisement provider that an advertisement was viewed by the user. | 06-19-2014 |
20140172499 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS PROVIDING CONTENT RATINGS BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS - Methods and systems for tracking user ratings based on release date and rerelease date of a media asset in an interactive media guidance application for display on a device. Methods and systems are provided to compute and store, in a first data structure, a plurality of initial ratings of a media asset made available to a plurality of users for a threshold period of time. After the media asset is rereleased, methods and systems are provided to independently compute and store, in another data structure, rereleased user ratings of the media asset made available to users after the threshold period of time has passed. Methods and systems are provided to generate a simultaneously independent display of the initial rating and retransmission rating of the media asset. | 06-19-2014 |
20140169770 | SERIES REMINDERS AND SERIES RECORDING FROM AN INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE - An interactive television program guide system with program series reminder and recording capabilities is provided. The system allows a user to set a reminder or schedule a recording for a single episode or for each episode of a program series. In addition, other options may be provided that allow the user to determine, for example, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all channels on which the program airs or only on a selected channels, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for all episodes including reruns or only new episodes, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for network or syndicated episodes, and whether to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all days or only on selected days of the week. Before the scheduled broadcast time of each episode of each selected program series, the system sends a reminder message to the user that reminds the user of the program episode or sends a record command to a videocassette recorder to initiate recording of the episode. The system allows a user to view a list of all currently requested program reminders and scheduled program recordings. The user may update, change, or cancel any entry in either list or the system may automatically update the lists to match new broadcast schedule information. If the user sets a reminder or schedules a recording that conflicts with an existing reminder or recording, the system may inform the user of the conflict and allow the user to resolve the conflict or the system may resolve the conflict. | 06-19-2014 |
20140169769 | SERIES REMINDERS AND SERIES RECORDING FROM AN INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE - An interactive television program guide system with program series reminder and recording capabilities is provided. The system allows a user to set a reminder or schedule a recording for a single episode or for each episode of a program series. In addition, other options may be provided that allow the user to determine, for example, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all channels on which the program airs or only on a selected channels, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for all episodes including reruns or only new episodes, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for network or syndicated episodes, and whether to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all days or only on selected days of the week. Before the scheduled broadcast time of each episode of each selected program series, the system sends a reminder message to the user that reminds the user of the program episode or sends a record command to a videocassette recorder to initiate recording of the episode. The system allows a user to view a list of all currently requested program reminders and scheduled program recordings. The user may update, change, or cancel any entry in either list or the system may automatically update the lists to match new broadcast schedule information. If the user sets a reminder or schedules a recording that conflicts with an existing reminder or recording, the system may inform the user of the conflict and allow the user to resolve the conflict or the system may resolve the conflict. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165107 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UPDATING THE DISPLAY OF PREFERRED MEDIA ASSET SOURCES - System and methods for improving interactive grid displays are presented. When the user equipment receives media asset information related to titles of media assets transmitted from media asset sources, an interactive grid is generated and displayed which contains the media asset information. When the user equipment detects a request from the user to update the time interval on the interactive grid display to a new time interval, only the display of media assets related to the preferred media asset sources may be updated to correspond to the new time interval. The display of media assets related to non-preferred media assets sources may not be updated. In some embodiments, the preferred media asset sources may be visually distinguished from non-preferred media asset sources. In some embodiments, the non-preferred media asset sources may be visually distinguished in response to the user input to update the displayed time interval. | 06-12-2014 |
20140157318 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION APPLICATION WITH NAVIGABLE CELLS AND REGIONS - 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. | 06-05-2014 |
20140157296 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DISPLAYING CONTEXTUALLY RELEVANT INFORMATION REGARDING A MEDIA ASSET - Methods and systems are described herein for quickly and easily displaying supplemental information about an event occurring in a media asset. In some embodiments, a media application may use a content-recognition module to determine the context of an event and distribute itemized tasks to multiple entities in order to generate the supplemental information about the event. | 06-05-2014 |
20140156746 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A SOCIAL FACILITATOR SERVICE - Systems and methods for providing social event recommendations to a user are provided. In particular, a user may be presented with recommendations for social events based on the user's interests, geographic location, or any other suitable constraints. A social event recommendation engine may additionally suggest friends, from the user's social network, that the user may wish to invite along to a recommended social event. The user may also be presented advertisements with the social event recommendations. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150009 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING CONTENT SIMULTANEOUSLY IN DIFFERENT FORMS BASED ON PARENTAL CONTROL SETTINGS - Systems and methods for identifying objects displayed in a media asset are provided. First and second parental control restrictions associated with first and second users within a perceivable range of a user equipment device are retrieved. The first parental control restriction enables access to content associated with a first authorization level and the second parental control restriction enables access to content associated with a second authorization level. A common authorization level that does not violate the first and second parental control restrictions is identified. A media asset that satisfies the common authorization level is presented to the first and second users in a first form. Supplemental content associated with the media asset that violates the second parental control restriction but does not violate the first parental control restriction is selected. The supplemental content is presented in a second form while the media asset is being presented in the first form. | 05-29-2014 |
20140141877 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VISUALLY DISTINGUISHING OBJECTS APPEARING IN A MEDIA ASSET - Methods and systems are described herein for a media application that indicates to a user when members of his or her fantasy sports team appear in sports programming displayed on a user device. In addition, the media application may display additional information (e.g., statistics, commentary, highlights, etc.) that is particular to members of the fantasy sports team of the user. | 05-22-2014 |
20140139742 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS - Methods and systems are described herein for continuing the display of an advertisement in a display window in response to a user accessing a different media asset while the advertisement is being displayed. In some embodiments, the different media asset is displayed simultaneously with the advertisement in the display window, until the advertisement is completed. | 05-22-2014 |
20140114919 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SYNCHRONIZED MEDIA CONTENT - Systems and methods for receiving and synchronizing a second version of a media asset with a first version of a media asset are provided. For example, a first version of a media asset may be a version from a content provider, such as a television network or other multimedia provider. A second version of a media asset may be a user-owned copy of the media asset. A processing device identifies the media asset, searches for a second version of the media asset, and identifies the content display point of the first version of the media asset. The processing device may present an option to access the second version of the media asset from the corresponding content display point. | 04-24-2014 |
20140108012 | USER SPEECH INTERFACES FOR INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATIONS - 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. | 04-17-2014 |
20140100040 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING VIDEO HINTS FOR SEGMENTS WITHIN AN INTERACTIVE VIDEO GAMING ENVIRONMENT - Systems and methods for generating hints for a player with an interactive video gaming environment are provided. A plurality of videos from users is received at a remote server. Each of the plurality of videos includes a hint that corresponds to a different one of a plurality of segments within the interactive video gaming environment. An action relating to game play in the interactive video gaming environment is received at the remote server from player equipment. A determination is made as to whether the action is associated with one of the plurality of segments. In response to determining the action is associated with one of the plurality of segments, one of the plurality of videos that includes the hint that corresponds to the one of the plurality of segments associated with the action is selected. The selected one of the plurality of videos is transmitted to the player equipment. | 04-10-2014 |
20140100034 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSMITTING MEDIA ASSOCIATED WITH A MEASURE OF QUALITY BASED ON LEVEL OF GAME PLAY IN AN INTERACTIVE VIDEO GAMING ENVIRONMENT - Systems and methods for incorporating online user generated media content (e.g., videos) into an interactive video gaming environment are provided. Media assets that are associated with different measures of quality generated by users are stored on a remote server. A player action is received by the remote server. A determination is made as to which one of the plurality of levels of the interactive video gaming environment corresponds to the action. One of the videos associated with one of the measures of quality is selected based on the determination of the level corresponding to the action. The selected video is transmitted to the player. | 04-10-2014 |
20140095504 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CATALOGING USER-GENERATED CONTENT - Systems and methods are described herein for cataloging user-generated content. In one embodiment, user-generated content is received, and metadata associated with the user-generated content may be captured. The metadata may be automatically analyzed to determine one or more common characteristics of the user generated content. For example, it may be determined that the user-generated content was recorded during a trip along a particular route, or during a period where the user was exhibiting stressful physiological signs. Groupings of user-generated content may be defined based on the common characteristics. Post-processing and file storage operations may be performed on the user-generated content associated with a grouping. Groupings may be selected for playback and the user-generated content may be streamed to a target device. | 04-03-2014 |
20140095358 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DISPLAYING TIME-SENSITIVE AVAILABILITY AND PROMOTIONS FOR PRODUCTS - Methods and systems are described herein for providing a storefront administration application which provides improved design and review capabilities for the makers of virtual storefronts. The storefront administration application receives, stores, and processes information associated with virtual storefronts and product listings to allow sellers the ability to inspect and modify the appearance of their virtual storefronts at a past, current, and/or future date based on the products that are, or will be, available. | 04-03-2014 |
20140095341 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A CUSTOM MEDIA BUNDLE - Systems and methods for generating a custom media bundle are provided. In some embodiments, a quantity of media to be included in a custom media bundle is determined based on a user profile. A media content collection is selected, and from the media content collection a set of media assets containing a number of media assets corresponding the determined quantity is selected. A custom media bundle is generated that includes the selected set of media assets. In response to a user selection, one or more financial transactions are performed to grant the user access to the set of media assets of the custom media bundle. | 04-03-2014 |
20140089987 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CREATING AGGREGATIONS OF EPISODES OF SERIES PROGRAMMING IN ORDER - A viewer of an episode of a series such as a television series may wish to access episodes of the series that the viewer missed when they were originally broadcast. Interactive applications may receive the viewer's indication of interest to record missed episodes of the incomplete series, which may include instructions regarding recording options for including the missed episodes in a series aggregation. Interactive applications may identify the episodes to be included in the series aggregation, and record the missed episodes, which may then be stored and organized to create a series aggregation, in the order that they were first broadcast with episodes that the viewer may already have available. Interactive applications may present the episodes of the series aggregation in the order that they were originally broadcast, by providing the viewer with options on how to access the episodes. | 03-27-2014 |
20140089981 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING SHORTCUTS IN FREE SPACES OF A PROGRAM GUIDE - Systems and methods for presenting shortcuts in free spaces of a program guide are provided. Shortcut buttons may be placed in certain program information cells in the program guide. In some embodiments, these placements may be determined by making automatic determinations using characteristics or data associated with the program information cells. In one example, a subset of the program information cells that are bounded by an end time not displayed in the time bar of the first screen of the program guide are automatically determined. Shortcut button may be placed within these program information cells that, when selected, cause the media guidance application to automatically advance or translate the rendering of the program grid to a portion of the guide that contains listings for the channel associated with the program information cells after they end (e.g., finish broadcast or are available on demand). | 03-27-2014 |
20140089958 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECOMMENDING MEDIA ASSETS BASED ON VISUAL ATTRIBUTES - Methods and systems are described herein for providing improved recommendations of media content by comparing visual attributes of a media asset to visual preferences of a user. A media guidance application may determine the visual attributes, including, but not limited to, the chrominance and luma values of particular pixels in a particular frame or frames of a media asset. The media guidance application compares the determined visual attributes to the visual preferences of a user retrieved from a user profile. Based on the comparison, the media guidance application may recommend the media asset to the user. | 03-27-2014 |
20140089423 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING OBJECTS DISPLAYED IN A MEDIA ASSET - Systems and methods for identifying objects displayed in a media asset are provided. A plurality of messages is received at a remote server from a plurality of users. Each message identifies an object displayed in the media asset. The received messages are processed to extract media asset information and the identified object. The extracted media asset information of each message is cross-referenced with a media asset information database to identify the media asset that corresponds to each of the received messages. The identified objects extracted from each of the plurality of messages are processed to generate information describing the identified object. The generated information for the identified object is stored in the media asset information database for the media asset that corresponds to each of the received messages. | 03-27-2014 |
20140089094 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMERCE IN MEDIA PROGRAM RELATED MERCHANDISE - The disclosed technology provides systems and methods for delivering a media program and purchase opportunities related to the media program to user equipment. A media program and its related merchandise information can be located at a distribution facility. The distribution facility can tailor the purchase opportunities it provides to the user equipment based on the user equipment's equipment category. When user equipment receives purchase opportunities, the user equipment can select the opportunities based on which types of merchandise are supported by the user equipment. The user equipment and/or a distribution facility may be able to determine the location of the user equipment. When the distribution facility provides merchandise information for physical merchandise to the user equipment, the merchandise information can be selected to include physical merchandise that are available for purchase at stores that are, for example, near the location of the user equipment. | 03-27-2014 |
20140089017 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING AN ENTERTAINMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - Methods and systems are described herein for allocating and assigning seats within a venue, based on user profile information. A cluster of user profiles is selected based on a correlation of values of a common attribute of the user profiles. Seats within the venue are allocated to a first zone based on the correlation, and are assigned to users associated with the user profiles. | 03-27-2014 |
20140088952 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATIC PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON USER INTERACTIONS - Methods and systems are provided for generating automatic program recommendations based on user interactions. In some embodiments, control circuitry processes verbal data received during an interaction between a user of a user device and a person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry analyzes the verbal data to automatically identify a media asset referred to during the interaction by at least one of the user and the person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry adds the identified media asset to a list of media assets associated with the user of the user device. The list of media assets is transmitted to a second user device of the user. | 03-27-2014 |
20140082670 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SELECTING OPTIMIZED VIEWING PORTIONS - Methods and systems for a media guidance application that can identify and display a portion of a media asset that is of interest to a user. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may extract a portion of the media asset that encompasses a particular main action sequence. The extracted portion may also include an amount of additional content (e.g., content immediately before or after the main action sequence) that the media guidance application determines is necessary for the user to understand the main action sequence. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may extract several media assets, so that a user may graze through the extracted portions in series. | 03-20-2014 |
20140082668 | TELEVISION MESSAGE SYSTEM - A television message system is provided that allows users at user television equipment devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view programming. The television message system may be based on an interactive television program guide or a set-top box application implemented on a set-top box. | 03-20-2014 |
20140082659 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING PROGRESSIVE ADVERTISEMENT SCHEDULES IN MEDIA ASSETS - Methods and systems for generating progressive advertisement schedules in media assets. Advertisement schedules are generated for currently displayed media assets based at least in part on the advertisement schedules associated with media assets previously viewed by the user and the number of advertisements presented to a user while the user viewed the previous media asset. | 03-20-2014 |
20140081992 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CUSTOMIZED DESCRIPTIONS RELATED TO MEDIA ASSETS - Systems and methods are described herein for providing customized descriptive assets related to media assets. In one embodiment, processing circuitry may receive a plurality of descriptive data related to a media asset. Each descriptive data may be associated with one or more characteristics, such as a genre or parental rating. The processing circuitry may then access a user profile and compare the characteristics contained within the profile with the characteristics associated with the descriptive data. Based on this comparison, the processing circuitry may generate a customized descriptive asset using at least a subset of the descriptive data. | 03-20-2014 |
20140081988 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN USERS RECEIVING A COMMON MEDIA ASSET - Methods and systems are described herein for providing a media guidance application that identifies users accessing the same media asset, determines which users desire to communicate with each other, and provides an asset-integrated notification to each of the users desiring to communicate, facilitating communication between the users. For example, other users with a desire to communicate with an initial user that are accessing the same media asset as the initial user may be indicated by inserting a media element representative of the other users directly into the media asset watched by an initial user. | 03-20-2014 |
20140078039 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECAPTURING ATTENTION OF THE USER WHEN CONTENT MEETING A CRITERION IS BEING PRESENTED - Systems and methods for recapturing attention of the user when content meeting a criterion is being presented are provided. Content is caused to be presented on a display of a user equipment device. A first state of a setting of the user equipment device is stored. A determination is made as to whether the content being presented meets a criterion. A facial feature of the user is processed to determine whether the user is gazing towards the display when the content being presented meets the criterion. In response to determining the user is not gazing towards the display when the content being presented meets the criterion, the first state of the setting of the user equipment device is adjusted to a second state to alert the user about the content. | 03-20-2014 |
20140068671 | ON-LINE SCHEDULE SYSTEM WITH PERSONALIZATION FEATURES - An on-line scheduling application allows users to personalize how television-related, entertainment-related, and social event related information is provided. Users may select one or more sources from which the information is obtained. Users may set up a date book that is also uses as a source. Users may select one or more delivery schemes that the application used to provide the information. One or more of the personalization features of the scheduling application stay be incorporated into an on-line television programming guide. | 03-06-2014 |
20140068669 | PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH FLIP AND BROWSE ADVERTISEMENTS - An interactive television program guide is provided in which advertisements may be displayed in program listings display regions on program guide screens. The program listings display regions may be browse displays or flip displays. The program guide screens contain video for the current channel to which the user is tuned. The program listings display regions containing the advertisements may be overlaid on top of the current channel. Alternatively, the video for the current channel may be provided in a reduced-size video window. The advertisements may contain video. The advertisements may be used to promote television programs and conventional goods and services. Advertisements may be selectable. When a user selects an advertisement, the program guide provides the user with an opportunity to order products or services, request information, set reminders for upcoming programs, view program descriptions, record programs, or take other such actions. | 03-06-2014 |
20140068667 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLAYING MEDIA CONTENT AND MEDIA GUIDANCE INFORMATION - A system comprises television equipment and a number of portable electronic devices. The television equipment includes a large display and control circuitry. The control circuitry receives media content and media guidance data for display on the display. The control circuitry also includes communication components for communicating with the portable electronic devices. The portable electronic devices are operable for displaying video and communicating with the television equipment. A method comprises the steps of receiving media guidance information with a first portable electronic device; transmitting at least some of the media guidance information from the first portable electronic device to the control circuitry of the television equipment; and displaying the media guidance information from the first portable electronic device on the display of the television equipment while simultaneously displaying media content or media guidance information received from a source other than the first portable electronic device. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067208 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRODUCING THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF A MEDIA ASSET IN A VEHICLE - Methods and systems are disclosed for a guidance application capable of coordinating the interior features of a vehicle (e.g., the heating/cooling system, automatic windows, automatic seats, automatic sunroof, seat heaters, etc.) to produce the current environmental conditions (e.g., sunshine, heat, wind, etc.) displayed in a media asset being accessed in the vehicle. | 03-06-2014 |
20140059624 | CLIENT-SERVER BASED INTERACTIVE GUIDE WITH SERVER STORAGE - 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. | 02-27-2014 |
20140059617 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH PAY PROGRAM PACKAGE PROMOTION - A system is provided that allows a user to select a pay program for purchase from a program guide. The program guide determines whether the selected program is part of a package of pay programs. If the selected program is part of a package, information regarding the package is provided to the user so that the user may decide whether to purchase the package. If the selected program is part of several packages, information for all packages is provided. The system automatically sets reminders for packages containing repetitive programming. The system monitors whether the user has watched any of the programs in such packages. When the user watches a program from the package, the remaining reminders are cancelled. If a user does not watch any programs in a package of any type, purchase of the package is cancelled and the user is provided with the opportunity to reschedule. | 02-27-2014 |
20140059592 | CROSS-PLATFORM MESSAGING - Systems and methods are provided for displaying a short message service (SMS) message on user media equipment, in which the user media equipment includes a set-top box and a display. In some embodiments, the set-top box receives an SMS message, wherein the SMS message includes information identifying a triggering event for displaying the SMS message. The SMS message is stored until the occurrence and detection of the identified triggering event. In response to detecting the occurrence of the identified triggering event, the SMS message is displayed on at least a portion of the display of the user media equipment. | 02-27-2014 |
20140052696 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VISUAL CATEGORIZATION OF MULTIMEDIA DATA - Systems and methods for presenting a visual representation of the multimedia genres in multimedia content over time are provided. In particular, a user may be presented with a temporal genre chart that depicts the amount of each multimedia genre contained in a selected multimedia content. The temporal genre chart may also depict the variation in the amount of each multimedia genre over the duration of the multimedia content. Such temporal genre charts may provide a more accurate overview of multimedia content to the user than typical single genre tags or limited content previews. | 02-20-2014 |
20140049695 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRACKING CONTENT SOURCES FROM WHICH MEDIA ASSETS HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN VIEWED - Systems and methods for tracking content sources from which media assets have previously been viewed are provided. A user request to access a first content source is received. Content currently being presented to the user from the first content source is monitored to determine whether the content meets a criterion. An amount of time the content being presented meets the criterion is measured. In response to determining the amount of time exceeds a threshold, an identifier of the first content source is stored in a list of content sources from which content meeting the criterion was previously presented to the user. Content received from one of the content sources in the list is presented each time a user request to access a last content source is received. | 02-20-2014 |
20140047480 | PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH REAL-TIME DATA SOURCES - A program guide system 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, etc. The real-time data may be stored in a database maintained by the program guide. 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. | 02-13-2014 |
20140047478 | PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH COMBINATION CATEGORY SEARCH - An interactive television program guide system is provided in which the program -guide may provide the user with a selectable list of combination categories. Combination categories are composed of multiple simple categories such as sports, news, comedy, movies, children, etc. Program listings are supplied to the program guide. At least some of the program listings are associated with combination categories. A combination category build process may be used to assign combination categories to program listings. The user is able to use the selectable categories list to quickly identify programming of interest. | 02-13-2014 |
20140047476 | MEDIA SYSTEM WITH INTERNET CONTENT - An interactive television system is provided that supports newsgroup features. An interactive television application, such as an interactive television program guide, may be used to allow a user to view and post newsgroup messages to one or more newsgroup servers. The newsgroup servers may be located at a television distribution facility. The newsgroup servers may be Usenet servers accessed via the Internet. The user may use the newsgroup feature while watching television programming or while otherwise viewing other content provided by the interactive television application. Cross-referencing may be used to allow the user to access content related to a particular subject matter. Parental control features may be used to limit access to certain newsgroups. Newsgroup messages may contain links to other content made available through the interactive television application. | 02-13-2014 |
20140040955 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE WITH ADVANCE NOTIFICATION - A non-frame television program guide notification system is provided. The system allows a user at a system to order and receive notifications of non-frame television programs. The user can order notifications by selecting a program or supplying a program title directly. The user can specify when and how often the notifications will be generated and received. If desired, the user can view a list of all currently requested notifications. Entries can be added to the list or the user can cancel a previously ordered notification. | 02-06-2014 |
20140040942 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH NICHE HUBS - 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. 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. | 02-06-2014 |
20140040938 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RELOCATING MEDIA - A system and method may be provided that allows users to store, retrieve, and manipulate on-demand media content and data stored on a remote server network in an on-demand media delivery system. More particularly, the system may allow a user to access his or her on-demand media account from user equipment in different locations as long as the current user equipment can communicate with a remote server that stores user-specific information. The system upon user selection may freeze the delivery of on-demand media at a particular point and allow the user to resume the media at a later time from some other network location in system. Users may upload personal images or files to an on-demand delivery server for later retrieval and display. Users may be permitted to assign access rights to the uploaded files. | 02-06-2014 |
20140020022 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE WITH DIGITAL STORAGE - 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. | 01-16-2014 |
20140013355 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PRESENTING GUIDE LISTINGS AND GUIDANCE DATA IN THREE DIMENSIONS IN AN INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION - Methods and devices for presenting guide listings and guidance data in three dimensions in an interactive media guidance application are provided, in some embodiments, methods for presenting guide listings and guidance data in three dimensions in an interactive media guidance application are provided, the methods comprising; presenting guide listings in a two-dimensional configuration; receiving a user selection of at least one of the guide listings in the two-dimensional configuration; identifying guidance data related to the selection; and presenting the guidance data so that the guidance data appears to he in a third dimension, relative to the two-dimensional configuration. | 01-09-2014 |
20140013343 | CROSS-PLATFORM PREDICTIVE POPULARITY RATINGS FOR USE IN INTERACTIVE TELEVISION APPLICATIONS - Systems and methods for determining cross-platform predictive popularity ratings information are provided. An interactive television application operating on at least one predetermined platform, such as an online interactive application platform, may monitor user interactions with the interactive television application to obtain cross-platform data, which may be used to determine predictive popularity ratings information. The predictive popularity ratings information may then be distributed for use in at least one platform of a type different than the type of the predetermined platform, such as a user television | 01-09-2014 |
20140007170 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING PLAYBACK AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS | 01-02-2014 |
20140007154 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING INDIVIDUALIZED CONTROL OF MEDIA ASSETS | 01-02-2014 |
20140007146 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY OBTAINING COST-EFFICIENT ACCESS TO A MEDIA CONTENT COLLECTION | 01-02-2014 |
20140006423 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MATCHING MEDIA CONTENT DATA | 01-02-2014 |
20140006150 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TARGETING ADVERTISEMENTS BASED ON PRODUCT LIFETIMES | 01-02-2014 |
20130347039 | GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR MEDIA CONTENT SELECTION - Methods and systems are described herein for providing improved selection of media content through the use of a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface may allow a user to quickly and easily balance multiple interests and make an appropriate selection from available content through the use of movable objects within a polygonal perimeter. | 12-26-2013 |
20130347038 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEARCHING FOR MEDIA BASED ON DERIVED ATTRIBUTES - Systems and methods described herein provide for generating disruptive recommendations based on a seed input. The viewer may receive recommendations having varying affinity between a media asset being currently viewed and the seed input. In some embodiments, the viewer interacts with a slider interface having the currently viewed media asset at one end and the seed input at the other, and an affinity indicator proximate to either end. The viewer may select a location of the affinity indicator on the slider for determining recommendations. The viewer may receive recommendations based on the currently viewed media asset and the seed input as the affinity indicator slides from one end of the slider interface to the other. | 12-26-2013 |
20130347037 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A CUSTOMIZED PROGRAM LINEUP - Systems and methods for delivering content according to a customized program lineup are provided. A content source transmits a plurality of media assets in a first schedule according to scheduled transmission times. A processing device may receive a user input to receive the media assets in a second schedule different from the first schedule. When a request to access the content source is received, the processing device may automatically determine, based on the second schedule, whether the user has requested a different media asset than the originally-scheduled asset at the time of the request. If the user has requested a different media asset, the processing device may automatically receive and provide the different media asset instead of the originally-scheduled asset. | 12-26-2013 |
20130347035 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NAVIGATING TO A FAVORITE CONTENT SOURCE WITHOUT AN ADVERTISEMENT - Systems and methods are provided for displaying media assets on user equipment. One of several content sources is designated as a first favorite content source. A first media asset that the user desires to view is displayed on a display screen of the user equipment. It is determined whether the first content source includes an advertisement. Upon determining that a first content source that provides the first media asset includes an advertisement, the first favorite content source is automatically accessed. | 12-26-2013 |
20130347033 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR USER-INDUCED CONTENT INSERTION - Methods and systems for presenting an advertisement are provided. A first user input selecting a past media event is received. An advertisement transmitted during the selected past media event is identified. A second user input specifying a circumstance under which the identified advertisement should be presented is received. When the circumstance specified by the second user input is met, a display of the identified advertisement is generated. Using the provided methods and systems, a user can select commercials that interest the user to replace default commercials transmitted during a program. A user can also replace default commercials with a display of the user's personal calendar, task list, or list of reminders. | 12-26-2013 |
20130347029 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NAVIGATING TO CONTENT WITHOUT AN ADVERTISEMENT - Systems and methods are provided for displaying media assets on user equipment. The first media asset that the user desires to view is displayed on a display screen of the user equipment and its associated content characteristic is identified. Upon receiving a request to access a different media asset, a search is initiated to identify a second media asset that matches the identified content characteristic of the displayed media asset. After such a media asset has been identified, it is determined whether the content source that provides such an identified media asset includes an advertisement at the time the user request is received. If the content source of the identified media asset does not include an advertisement at the time of the user request, then the identified media asset is displayed on the display screen of the user equipment. | 12-26-2013 |
20130346867 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING A MEDIA ASSET SEGMENT BASED ON VERBAL INPUT - Systems and methods for automatically generating a media asset segment based on verbal input are provided. Verbal input is received from a user while a media asset is being presented to the user. The verbal input is processed to extract an instruction and comment information included in the verbal input. The instruction is cross-referenced with a command database to determine whether the instruction corresponds to a segment generation command. In response to determining the instruction corresponds to the segment generation command, a segment that includes a portion of the media asset that was presented to the user when the verbal input was received is generated. The comment information is associated with the generated segment. A message that includes the generated segment and the associated comment information is transmitted to a remote server. | 12-26-2013 |
20130346430 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NAVIGATING TO CONTENT WITHOUT AN ADVERTISEMENT - Systems and methods are provided for displaying media assets on user equipment. The first media asset that the user desires to view is displayed on a display screen of the user equipment and its associated content characteristic is identified. Upon receiving a request to access a different media asset, a search is initiated to identify a second media asset that matches the identified content characteristic of the displayed media asset. After such a media asset has been identified, it is determined whether the content source that provides such an identified media asset includes an advertisement at the time the user request is received. If the content source of the identified media asset does not include an advertisement at the time of the user request, then the identified media asset is displayed on the display screen of the user equipment. | 12-26-2013 |
20130343730 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION SYSTEMS WITH CONFLICT MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES - An interactive television system is provided in which a user can use an interactive television application to establish time-based settings. The user may set television program reminders, advance-order pay-per-view programs, schedule programs for recording and establish parental controls to prevent television viewing during certain times on certain channels. The interactive television application may be used to support video recorder functions such as personal video recorder functions implemented locally on the user's set-top box or other equipment and network-based video recorder functions implemented using servers at cable television headends and other network locations. The interactive television application may also be used to deliver video-on-demand content. When the user requests that video be delivered, conflicts may arise between the requested video delivery and the previously-established time-based settings. The interactive television application may provide the user with on-screen options that allow the user to select how to resolve these conflicts. | 12-26-2013 |
20130339998 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING RELATED MEDIA CONTENT LISTINGS DURING MEDIA CONTENT CREDITS - Methods and systems for providing a media guidance application, which provides media listings during the credits accompanying a work. The media guidance application may automatically retrieve listings of related works (e.g., movies, television shows, webcasts, etc.) featuring the individual member of the cast or crew of the work and supplement or replace each cast or crew member's name with listings for the related works. | 12-19-2013 |
20130332965 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRIORITIZING LISTINGS BASED ON REAL-TIME DATA - Methods and systems for a media guidance application that can prioritize media content listings based on the real-time progression of the content associated with the listing. The media guidance application may interpret metadata concerning the progress of the content associated with the listing to determine whether or not a particular user will have, or continue to have, interest in the listing based on real-time statistical analysis. | 12-12-2013 |
20130332957 | TELEVISION CHAT SYSTEM - A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other users who are currently watching the same television program or channel. | 12-12-2013 |
20130332521 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPILING MEDIA INFORMATION BASED ON PRIVACY AND RELIABILITY METRICS - Methods and systems for creating a user profile clearinghouse server, which combines information available from multiple sources and filters the information based on both privacy settings and reliability to create a profile of a user's media content interests. | 12-12-2013 |
20130332250 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CONDITIONAL GROUP PURCHASE OFFERS FOR MEDIA CONTENT - Systems and methods for providing conditional group purchase offers are provided. A conditional offer for an on-demand media asset, such as a movie, television episode, or streaming video is transmitted to a plurality of users. The conditional offer is conditioned on a minimum quantity of purchases being performed within a specified time period. The purchase requests are received at a processing device, which determines whether the amount of purchase requests exceeds the minimum quantity of purchases within the specified time period, and performs a corresponding action based on the amount of purchase requests. | 12-12-2013 |
20130326559 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE FOR INDICATING AVAILABILITY OF PAST PROGRAMS - A system and method for providing an electronic program guide for television or radio programs includes presenting listing of present or future programs on-screen, presenting listings of past programs on-screen and indicating whether the past program is available again at a future time. Also, a system and method for handling information controllable from an electronic program guide for television or radio programs comprises receiving information in a user's system, storing the received information in the user's system, displaying access to the stored information by means of a user interface and enabling the user to select one of a plurality of management options for controlling the operation of the stored information through the user interface. | 12-05-2013 |
20130324228 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING FANTASY SPORTS CONTESTS WITH WAGERING OPPORTUNITIES - Systems and methods for providing to a user the ability to use a fantasy sports contest application to access fantasy sports contests and wagering opportunities are presented. In some embodiments of the present invention, the fantasy sports contest application may provide to the user the ability to place a wager based on the user's performance in a fantasy sports contest. In some embodiments of the present invention, the fantasy sports contest may provide to the user the ability to place a wager based on a real-life sporting event that is related to a fantasy sports contest in which the user participates. The fantasy sports contest application may provide to the user the ability to place a wager for money, fantasy sports contest points, non-cash prizes and points redeemable for prices. | 12-05-2013 |
20130315569 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE WITH REMOTE ACCESS - 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. | 11-28-2013 |
20130311575 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECEIVING MULTIPLE USER MESSAGES THAT IDENTIFY A MEDIA ASSET SEGMENT POSITION - Systems and methods for receiving multiple user messages that identify a media asset segment position are provided. A plurality of messages from a plurality of users is received with a remote server. Each message identifies a segment within the media asset through which a fast-access playback operation was performed. The received messages are processed to extract media asset information and the identified segment. The extracted media asset information of each message is cross-referenced with a media asset information database to identify the media asset that corresponds to each of the received messages. The identified segments extracted from each of the plurality of messages are processed to determine a position of the segment within the identified media asset. The position of the segment within the media asset is stored in the media asset information database for the media asset that corresponds to each of the received messages. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308925 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE WITH REMOTE ACCESS - 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. | 11-21-2013 |
20130305287 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A USER PROFILE BASED CUSTOMIZED MEDIA GUIDE THAT INCLUDES AN INTERNET SOURCE - Systems and methods for presenting user-generated content in an easily accessible manner using an interactive media guide are provided. In particular, a user may be able to peruse user-generated content through an interactive media guide which is also used to access non-user-generated media content such as linear programming (e.g., over-the-air broadcast, cable, and satellite scheduled programming) and on-demand media. The interactive media guide may include a provider of user-generated content populated with user-generated content according to the user's interests or most recently added to the provider. | 11-14-2013 |
20130297706 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING INPUT FROM A PLURALITY OF USERS TO IDENTIFY A TYPE OF MEDIA ASSET SEGMENT - Systems and methods for processing input from a plurality of users to identify a type of media asset segment are provided. A plurality of messages is received from a plurality of users at a remote server. The received messages are processed to extract a plurality of words from each message. Each of a first plurality of the words is cross-referenced with a first database of media asset information to identify a media asset that corresponds to a portion of the received messages. A segment within the media asset is identified based on the portion of the received messages. Each of a second plurality of the words of the portion of the received messages is cross-referenced with a second database of segment types to assign a type to the identified segment. Information is stored for the media asset identifying a position and type of the segment within the media asset. | 11-07-2013 |
20130294755 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREVENTING ACCESS TO A MEDIA ASSET SEGMENT DURING A FAST-ACCESS PLAYBACK OPERATION - Systems and methods for preventing access to a segment of a media asset during a fast-access playback operation are provided. A media asset is retrieved from storage. A user request to perform a fast-access playback operation on the media asset is received. Information that identifies the segment of the media asset is retrieved. The information is generated based on input received from a crowd that includes a plurality of users that have previously consumed the media asset. The fast-access playback operation is automatically terminated before the segment is reached based on the retrieved information. | 11-07-2013 |
20130291007 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INDICATING MEDIA ASSET ACCESS CONFLICTS USING A TIME BAR - Systems and methods for indicating media asset access conflicts using a time bar in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention are provided. A media guide display that includes at least some media asset listings and a time bar is generated. A first portion of the time bar representing a first time interval during which media assets, for which a respective media guidance function has been assigned, are scheduled for transmission is identified. A second portion, within the first portion of the time bar, which represents a second time interval during which the scheduled transmission times of the media assets overlap is identified. A first indicator is generated, for display in the first portion, to represent the first time interval. A second indicator is generated, for display in the second portion, to represent the second time interval during which the scheduled transmission times of the media assets overlap. | 10-31-2013 |
20130282839 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY MESSAGING A CONTACT IN A SOCIAL NETWORK - Embodiments provide methods and systems for automatically sending a communication to a contact in a social network. In some embodiments, a social network server receives a user selection of a competitor involved in a competition about which the user would like to send messages. The social network server identifies a media asset that is associated with the competitor, such as a video clip of the competition. The social network server then identifies one of the user's contacts who is also interested in the competition. The social network server automatically transmits the media asset to the identified contact. | 10-24-2013 |
20130279887 | CLIENT-SERVER BASED INTERACTIVE GUIDE WITH SERVER RECORDING - 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. | 10-24-2013 |
20130275519 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY RESPONDING TO A MESSAGE ABOUT UNVIEWED CONTENT - Embodiments provide methods and systems for automatically generating a response to a message related to unviewed content. In some embodiments, a user sends a message that relates to a particular media asset to another user. A server that receives the message from the sender identifies the media asset to which the message relates. The server also maintains or accesses a viewing history that identifies media assets that the recipient has viewed. The server cross-references the identity of the media asset with the viewing history to determine whether the recipient has viewed the media asset. If the recipient has not viewed the media asset, the server refrains from transmitting the message to the recipient, and the server automatically generates a response to the sender of the message indicating that the recipient has not seen the media asset. | 10-17-2013 |
20130263184 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR MODIFYING IMPROPERLY FORMATTED METADATA - Systems and methods are provided for modifying metadata associated with content that is improperly formatted. In one configuration a metadata pre-processor receives metadata from a remote source, determines whether the received metadata is properly formatted, and, if it is not, modifies the metadata based on information received from a second remote source. In one configuration the modified metadata is then used to identify information associated with the content. | 10-03-2013 |
20130263179 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVELY TRANSMITTING MEDIA AND ADVERTISING CONTENT - Embodiments provide methods and systems for presenting advertisements associated with a particular media. The advertisement may have several versions, any one of which may be presented, based on several factors, including the length of time between transmission and receipt of any particular version. The transmission of the advertisements and related media content is optimize in order seamlessly transition between advertisements and media content. | 10-03-2013 |
20130263178 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVELY TRANSMITTING MEDIA AND ADVERTISING CONTENT - Embodiments provide methods and systems for presenting advertisements associated with a particular media. The advertisement may have several versions, any one of which may be presented, based on several factors, including the length of time between transmission and receipt of any particular version. The transmission of the advertisements and related media content is optimize in order seamlessly transition between advertisements and media content. | 10-03-2013 |
20130257749 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NAVIGATING CONTENT ON A USER EQUIPMENT HAVING A MULTI-REGION TOUCH SENSITIVE DISPLAY - Systems and methods are provided for navigating media content information using a media guidance application implemented on a portable device with a touch-sensitive display. A touch-sensitive display screen with at least two portions is displayed. The first portion is dedicated to receive handwritten input. The second portion is dedicated to display an interactive media guide and receive navigation direction input or selection input. Upon receiving handwritten input on the first portion of the touch-sensitive display, the device displays a media content corresponding to the received handwritten input in the media guide of the second portion of the touch-sensitive device. | 10-03-2013 |
20130247112 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE WITH DIGITAL STORAGE - An interactve 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 ad 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. | 09-19-2013 |
20130247099 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION SYSTEMS WITH DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDING AND ADJUSTABLE REMINDERS - An interactive television system is provided in which an interactive television application is used to support network-based or local personal video recorder capabilities. A user may use this application to view lists of program listings. The user may select a program listing of interest. The interactive television application may allow the user to set a reminder for the selected program at the scheduled broadcast time. This application may also allow the user to set a reminder for the selected program at a later time at which the program is not scheduled to be broadcast. The user may be provided with a reminder at this later time. In response, the user may direct the network-based or local personal video recorder to play back the program or may defer the reminder again. The interactive television application may collect information on program usage and popularity to determine how long to retain certain programming. | 09-19-2013 |
20130247087 | PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM FOR RECORDING TELEVISION PROGRAMS - 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. | 09-19-2013 |
20130247077 | PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM FOR RECORDING TELEVISION PROGRAMS - 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. | 09-19-2013 |
20130239143 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE WITH DIGITAL STORAGE - 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. | 09-12-2013 |
20130227615 | USER DEFINED RULES FOR ASSIGNING DESTINATIONS OF CONTENT - A media guidance application is provided by which users can define rules for assigning user equipment devices as destinations for media content. For example, a user may define a rule by which selected media content having attributes that satisfy a user-defined condition are downloaded, recorded, or streamed to a particular, user-specified user equipment device. The user may define and manage rules using media guidance menus, and may restrict other users from accessing the rules (e.g., parents restricting children). | 08-29-2013 |
20130219430 | INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDE WITH MEDIA GUIDANCE INTERFACE - Systems and methods for providing guidance to users for finding media are described. Such systems and methods may be provided in interactive media guides such as program guides, web browsers, or other suitable interactive media guides. | 08-22-2013 |
20130205342 | PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH ADVERTISEMENTS - An interactive television program guide is provided in which advertisements may be displayed on program guide screens. Banner advertisements may be displayed above and below program listings. Panel advertisements may be provided adjacent to program listings. The advertisements may contain video. The advertisements may be used to promote television programs and conventional goods and services. When a user selects an advertisement, the program guide provides the user with an opportunity to order products or services, request information, set reminders for upcoming programs, view program descriptions, record programs, or take other such actions. Embedded advertisements may be provided within the program listings region and may be automatically displayed immediately adjacent to related program listings. | 08-08-2013 |
20130185754 | PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH COMBINATION CATEGORY SEARCH - An interactive television program guide system is provided in which the program guide may provide the user with a selectable list of combination categories. Combination categories are composed of multiple simple Categories such as sports, news, comedy, movies, children, etc. Program listings are supplied to the program guide. At least some of the program listings are associated with combination categories. A combination category build process may be used to assign combination categories to program listings. The user is able to use the selectable categories list to quickly identify programming of interest. | 07-18-2013 |
20130185080 | USER SPEECH INTERFACES FOR INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATIONS - 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. | 07-18-2013 |
20130179995 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTHENTICATION OF DIGITAL CONTENT - Systems and methods for authenticating a digital file are provided. The systems and methods may operate independently or supplement existing copy protection systems, such as CSS, and help make them more robust. The digital file may be stored on a computer readable medium such as a physical disc, digital content downloaded from the Internet, or any other suitable digital content. In some aspects, the systems and methods described herein include identifying media content stored in a digital file that needs to be authenticated, and subsequently reading suitably chosen media blocks in encrypted (and unencrypted) form from the digital file for comparison with corresponding blocks (e.g., stored in a database) obtained from a genuine copy. The digital file will be authenticated only in the case of a successful match. | 07-11-2013 |
20130179925 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NAVIGATING THROUGH RELATED CONTENT BASED ON A PROFILE ASSOCIATED WITH A USER - Systems and methods for efficiently navigating through related content based on a profile associated with a user are provided. Content being displayed on the user equipment device from a first media asset received from a first content source of the plurality of content sources to a second media asset received from a second content source of the plurality of content sources is changed based on a first user selection of a first set of navigation keys. A second user selection of the second set of navigation keys is received. The second user selection is received while the second media asset is being displayed. A search for a plurality of content related to the second media asset is performed. A set of the plurality of content corresponding to a profile associated with the user is identified. The identified set is navigated based on the second user selection. | 07-11-2013 |
20130179924 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION APPLICATION WITH NAVIGABLE CELLS AND REGIONS - 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. | 07-11-2013 |