Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080282311 | Subscribing to Programming Packages - Methods and systems for enabling users visiting a friend or family member to subscribe to a TV programming package that the friend or family member currently subscribes to. In one embodiment, the method includes generating a user-interface (UI) via the friend's set-top box to enable entry of visitor user identification information. This information, along with programming identification information is then sent to the service provider for the programming package. The service provider retrieves or generates information by which a UI may be generated to easily enable the visitor to setup and activate the programming package and sends it to the visitor's home set-top box. In another embodiment, programming package identification information is stored on a portable storage medium and carried to the visitor's home set-top box, where it is read to retrieve the identification information. The information is then sent to the service provider, which sends back appropriate data to generate the UI. | 11-13-2008 |
20080313170 | Method and apparatus for keyword mass generation - A method and apparatus in accordance with the invention which, for any given keyword, generates a numeric value that defines keyword relevance based on the number and importance of a keyword's forward link and back link keyword neighbors. | 12-18-2008 |
20080313202 | Method and apparatus for semantic keyword clusters generation - A method and apparatus in accordance with the invention which, for any given keyword, generate a semantic keyword cluster of meanings and associated proximity scores. | 12-18-2008 |
20090138902 | Method and Apparatus for Generation of a Preferred Broadcasted Programs List - A second set of broadcasted programs is added to a first set of broadcasted programs. The second set of broadcasted programs includes broadcasted programs viewed by a viewer for a period of time at least equal to a first threshold. A third set of broadcasted programs is removed from the first set of broadcasted programs. The third set of broadcasted programs includes broadcasted programs not viewed by a viewer for a period of time at least equal to a second threshold. In one embodiment, a fourth set of broadcasted programs selected by the viewer is added to the first set of broadcasted programs. In one embodiment, the first threshold and the second threshold are updated upon the viewer indicating dissatisfaction. In one embodiment, the first threshold and the second threshold are updated upon the viewer returning to a schedule list more than a predetermined number of times. In one embodiment, the first threshold is set to be a first percentage of a period of time that a channel was viewed, and the second threshold is set to be a second percentage of the period of time that the channel was viewed. | 05-28-2009 |
20090150934 | Electronic Programming Guide - An electronic programming guide (“EPG”) provides pictograms and/or logos, to indicate to a television viewer the programs being displayed on a television. The EPG information display format is thus easier to recognize than prior EPG formats. The EPG pictograms may have 3D characteristics. The EPG information can be displayed in a window within a television screen while a program is being shown on the remainder of the screen. The EPG comprises a set of geometric surfaces located in virtual 3D space. The pictograms and/or logos, along with alpha-numeric text data and video clips are applied to the geometric surfaces using a 3D graphics pipeline. The appearance of the pictograms, logos, alpha-numeric data and/or video clips can be modified in response to a user actuating a control element on a remote controller. In one embodiment, internet HTML pages are parsed and applied to geometric surfaces in | 06-11-2009 |
20100138792 | NAVIGATING CONTENT - One embodiment of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which information obtained from a uniform resource locator is converted into at least one texture. The texture is mapped onto a surface of a three-dimensional object located in the virtual three-dimensional space thereby forming a three-dimensional navigation mechanism. | 06-03-2010 |
20100162309 | NAVIGATING CONTENT - A method to separately assign and modify multiple attributes of information and structure to an individual block or to a larger unitary whole comprised of multiple blocks is disclosed. A number of block instances of a block is determined. Each block instance is associated with one or more structure attributes. A number of data elements is determined. Each data element is associated with one or more information attributes. The data elements are mapped to the block instances. The mapped block instances are displayed contiguously. | 06-24-2010 |
20100175087 | Notifying Users of Interactive Functions - A method and apparatus for notifying a user of an interactive event using a remote control device. In one embodiment, a remote control device contains either a display or a bright light, or both, which can create a visual alert to let a user know that an interactive function is available. The nature of the function may be displayed on a screen attached to the remote control device. | 07-08-2010 |
20100175092 | Customer Self Service In Interactive TV Environment for TV Programming Packages - Method and system for enabling users to perform self-service operations in interactive TV environments. In one embodiment, the method enables users to select and activate programming packages via a set-top box, thereby eliminating the need for the users to have to call a call center to activate the unit. Using a set of interactive screens, the user is enabled to view various programming package information, including comparative information. In one embodiment, the method assists users who are moving to activate/reactive broadcast services. For example, options are provided to enable the user to schedule service work, disconnect and activate services, and other activities connected with the move. In another embodiment, the method enables a user to select a programming package based on packages that are recommended by the system. Historic usage patterns, including viewing habits and attempts to access unavailable content are analyzed to determine which programming packages should be recommended for the user. | 07-08-2010 |
20100287581 | METHOD FOR USING BANNER ADVERTISEMENTS DURING COMMERCIAL BREAKS - Apparatus is provided by which a television viewer can view other images e.g. during commercials or main program. For example, during a commercial, a viewer may channel surf or surf the internet. A banner is provided on a viewing screen while the viewer watches these other images. In this way the advertiser providing those commercials can still reach those viewers who are channel or internet surfing. Also, the banner will indicate to the viewer when the commercial is over and the normal programming has resumed. In another embodiment, during the main program user can activate one or more small commercial windows and position them on the screen based on his preference, e.g. using a remote device. Information is communicated to a broadcaster by the viewer's video system indicating the above-mentioned commercial windows are open on the viewer's screen. When each commercial window is positioned on the screen the viewer receives compensation based on the amount of time the commercial windows are displaying commercials to the viewer. All or part of commercial windows automatically close when a main commercial block starts. The commercial windows automatically open when the main commercial block finishes. In one embodiment, the viewer can turn the commercial windows ON/OFF on his discretion | 11-11-2010 |
20110197217 | CONTROLLING ACCESS - Methods and system for controlling access to viewable content on an individual title basis. In one embodiment, the method enables a user, such as a parent, to assign passwords to individual titles, thereby preventing unauthorized users, such as children, from viewing content corresponding to a selected title while enabling authorized users to view the content via correct entry of the password. In another embodiment, the method enables an administrative user (e.g., parent) to define allowed access levels and assign the same to various users of the system. The administrative user is also enabled to assign access levels to individual titles. In response to a user selection to view a title, the system identifies the user and determines whether the user is authorized to view the content based on the access level assigned to the title and any allowed access levels assigned to the user. The system includes set-top boxes and the like that may be used to implement the methods. | 08-11-2011 |
20110199384 | MODIFYING SCREEN OBJECTS - A system for identifying prior selection of specific display information on an EPG. In one embodiment, a user selects an object on a screen, and upon selection of the object, an attribute of the object (e.g., color, transparency, etc.) is modified. The modified value is saved into memory so the user may later identify that the specific object was selected. Each subsequent selection will modify the attribute further, allowing the user to identity that the object was selected a number of times. In one embodiment, the attribute will continue to be modified until a specific expiration limit has been reached. | 08-18-2011 |
20110202959 | NAVIGATING PROGRAMMING CONTENT VIA MULTI-DIMENSIONAL SURFACES - A method to separately assign and modify multiple attributes of information and structure to an individual block or to a larger unitary whole comprised of multiple blocks is disclosed. A number of block instances of a block is determined. Each block instance is associated with one or more structure attributes. A number of data elements is determined. Each data element is associated with one or more information attributes. The data elements are mapped to the block instances. The mapped block instances are displayed contiguously. | 08-18-2011 |
20110209174 | Programming and Content Recommendations - Method and system for enabling users to perform self-service operations in interactive TV environments. In one embodiment, the method enables users to select and activate programming channels via a content receiving device, thereby eliminating the need for the users to have to call a call center or content provider to activate previously unavailable or inaccessible content. Using a set of interactive screens, the user is enabled to view programming channel information, including comparative information. In one embodiment, the method assists users who are moving to activate/reactive programming and content services. For example, options are provided to enable the user to schedule service work, disconnect and activate services, and other activities connected with the move. In another embodiment, the method enables a user to select a programming channel based on channels that are recommended by the system. Historic usage patterns, including viewing habits and attempts to access unavailable content are analyzed to determine which programming channels should be recommended for the user. | 08-25-2011 |
20120102525 | Universal Programming System and Method for Electronic Programming Guide - A content listing may provide a listing of content items a variety of ways including using 3-D images, alphanumeric text, and video data. Viewers and/or programmers may be allowed to select between varying display environment. In addition, non-content listing objects, such as interaction objects, may be conflated with the presentation of the display environment and with the content listing information. | 04-26-2012 |
20120117602 | Universal Programming System and Method for EPG with Localized Interactive Content - An EPG to display programming information in a variety of ways including using 3-D images, alphanumeric text, and video data. In addition, non-EPG objects, such as interaction objects, may be conflated with the presentation of the world and with the program schedule information. A communication module in the EPG receives localized content containing multiple objects from one or more servers coupled to a network. Users may interact with the content (e.g., buy and sell goods and services from local franchises) through a user-interface coupled to the EPG. | 05-10-2012 |
20120127190 | Modifying Screen Objects - A system for identifying prior selection of specific display information on an EPG. In one embodiment, a user selects an object on a screen, and upon selection of the object, an attribute of the object (e.g., color, transparency, etc.) is modified. The modified value is saved into memory so the user may later identify that the specific object was selected. Each subsequent selection will modify the attribute further, allowing the user to identity that the object was selected a number of times. In one embodiment, the attribute will continue to be modified until a specific expiration limit has been reached. | 05-24-2012 |
20120185898 | METHOD FOR USING BANNER ADVERTISEMENTS DURING COMMERCIAL BREAKS - A method, non-transitory computer readable media, and Apparatus is provided for viewing a second content item while a first content item plays an advertisement. When the first content item is changed to a second content item on a display, a window region displays an advertising item related to the advertisement. The advertising item in the window region is modified when the advertisement has ended, alerting the user the advertisement is over. In another embodiment, the advertisement comprises a first and second commercial played in succession, and the advertising item in the window region comprises a first and second product item. In this embodiment, the window region displays the first product item when the first commercial is played in the advertisement, and the second product item when the second commercial plays in the advertisement. | 07-19-2012 |
20120216223 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REPLACING/OBSCURING TITLES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF RECORDED CONTENT - A method and system for displaying titles of recorded content based on a user's access level. In one embodiment, a plurality of user identifications is received. Each of the user identifications may be associated with one of a plurality of access levels. Login information corresponding to a user may be received and a user interface may be generated. The user interface may display one or more titles corresponding to recorded content. The one or more titles displayed on the user interface may be based on an access level associated with the user. | 08-23-2012 |
20130305271 | Method And Apparatus For Generation Of A Preferred Broadcasted Programs List - A second set of broadcasted programs is added to a first set of broadcasted programs. The second set of broadcasted programs includes broadcasted programs viewed by a viewer for a period of time at least equal to a first threshold. A third set of broadcasted programs is removed from the first set of broadcasted programs. The third set of broadcasted programs includes broadcasted programs not viewed by a viewer for a period of time at least equal to a second threshold. In one embodiment, a fourth set of broadcasted programs selected by the viewer is added to the first set of broadcasted programs. In one embodiment, the first threshold and the second threshold are updated upon the viewer indicating dissatisfaction. In one embodiment, the first threshold and the second threshold are updated upon the viewer returning to a schedule list more than a predetermined number of times. In one embodiment, the first threshold is set to be a first percentage of a period of time that a channel was viewed, and the second threshold is set to be a second percentage of the period of time that the channel was viewed. | 11-14-2013 |