Patents by Inventor Douglas B. Macrae
Douglas B. Macrae has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8635649Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2002Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Gemstar Development CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Ward, III, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
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Patent number: 8448209Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Gemstar Development CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Ward, III, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
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Patent number: 8336071Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Gemstar Development CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Ward, III, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
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Patent number: 8321896Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a t-commerce platform, which is linked to the content from a video signal that the user is currently watching. At some point during the broadcast of the content, a close-up of the product is shown. Simultaneous with this, a VBI-based trigger is added to the video signal of the broadcast. This trigger causes the television, a set-top box, or a similar device to capture in a memory, a “freeze-frame” of the image being shown. This action is transparent to the user while the video being displayed on the television is continuing normally. If the user chooses to perform an interactive “buy” transaction the saved image data is used as part of the interactive screen display.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Index Systems, Inc.Inventors: Douglas B. Macrae, Thomas E. Westberg
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Publication number: 20120185901Abstract: A television system provides access to Internet data simultaneously with a displayed television program. Data units including data address sites available through a networked computer system such as the Internet are embedded in a television signal along with a television program. Information representing the data address site, such as an icon or descriptive text, is displayed simultaneously with the television program on the television. If the user selects the data address site, a data retrieval terminal in two-way communication with the network and associated with the television establishes a connection with the network and requests the data corresponding to the selected data address site. The retrieved information is then formatted for display.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: Gemstar Development Corp.Inventors: Douglas B. Macrae, Henry C. Yuen, Roy J. Mankovitz, Elsie Y. Leung, Daniel S. Kwoh, Thomas E. Westberg
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Publication number: 20110154397Abstract: The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2011Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: Gemstar Development CorporationInventors: Douglas B. Macrae, Thomas E. Ward, III, Kenneth S. Hancock, Jonathan B. Orlick
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Patent number: 7921441Abstract: The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2004Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Gemstar Development CorporationInventors: Douglas B Macrae, Thomas E Ward, III, Kenneth S Hancock, Jonathan B Orlick
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Publication number: 20110078745Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a t-commerce platform, which is linked to the content from a video signal that the user is currently watching. At some point during the broadcast of the content, a close-up of the product is shown. Simultaneous with this, a VBI-based trigger is added to the video signal of the broadcast. This trigger causes the television, a set-top box, or a similar device to capture in a memory, a “freeze-frame” of the image being shown. This action is transparent to the user while the video being displayed on the television is continuing normally. If the user chooses to perform an interactive “buy” transaction the saved image data is used as part of the interactive screen display.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: Douglas B. Macrae, Thomas E. Westberg
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Publication number: 20110035770Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, III, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
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Publication number: 20110035771Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, III, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
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Publication number: 20100319020Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a computer system for managing advertisements for use in an interactive electronic television program guide (EPG) comprising: a memory storing information regarding advertisements to be displayed on the EPG including one or more of the group of: times of day of ad display, duration of ad displays, location of ad displays, days of week of ad displays, television programs broadcast at or about the time of ad display; rotation rate for ads, number of ads being rotated with the ad, memory required for storage of ad at EPG location, payment rates for ads. The invention determines the distribution of advertisements based on the information stored in the memory and distributes advertisements to the EPG based on the determined distribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONInventors: Henry C. Yuen, Thomas E. Ward, III, Douglas B. Macrae
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Publication number: 20100310238Abstract: A television system provides access to Internet data simultaneously with a displayed television program. Data units including data address sites available through a networked computer system such as the Internet are embedded in a television signal along with a television program. Information representing the data address site, such as an icon or descriptive text, is displayed simultaneously with the television program on the television. If the user selects the data address site, a data retrieval terminal in two-way communication with the network and associated with the television establishes a connection with the network and requests the data corresponding to the selected data address site. The retrieved information is then formatted for display.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: Gemstar Development Corp.Inventors: Douglas B. Macrae, Henry C. Yuen, Roy J. Mankovitz, Elsie Y. Leung, Daniel S. Kwoh, Thomas E. Westberg
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Patent number: 7814511Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a t-commerce platform, which is linked to the content from a video signal that the user is currently watching. At some point during the broadcast of the content, a close-up of the product is shown. Simultaneous with this, a VBI-based trigger is added to the video signal of the broadcast. This trigger causes the television, a set-top box, or a similar device to capture in a memory, a “freeze-frame” of the image being shown. This action is transparent to the user while the video being displayed on the television is continuing normally. If the user chooses to perform an interactive “buy” transaction the saved image data is used as part of the interactive screen display.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2003Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Index Systems, Inc.Inventors: Douglas B. Macrae, Thomas E. Westberg
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Publication number: 20100257553Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a computer system for managing advertisements for use in an interactive electronic television program guide (EPG) comprising: a memory storing information regarding advertisements to be displayed on the EPG including one or more of the group of: times of day of ad display, duration of ad displays, location of ad displays, days of week of ad displays, television programs broadcast at or about the time of ad display; rotation rate for ads, number of ads being rotated with the ad, memory required for storage of ad at EPG location, payment rates for ads. The invention determines the distribution of advertisements based on the information stored in the memory and distributes advertisements to the EPG based on the determined distribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONInventors: Henry C. Yuen, Thomas E. Ward, III, Douglas B. Macrae
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Publication number: 20100186033Abstract: The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: Gemstar Development CorporationInventors: Douglas B. Macrae, Thomas Edward Ward, III, Kenneth S. Hancock, Jonathan B. Orlick
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Publication number: 20100154000Abstract: An interactive television program guide application is provided that displays real-time information to a user. The interactive television program guide application may display alerts for indicating to the user the availability of real-time information. The interactive television program guide application may also display program listings with real-time information. In response to the user selecting a program listing, the interactive television program guide application may provide the user with an indication that real-time content related to the selected listing is available. In some embodiments, the real-time content is not the program corresponding to the selected program listing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: United Video Properties Inc.Inventors: Douglas B. Macrae, Thomas E. Westberg, Thomas E. Ward
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Publication number: 20100118187Abstract: A television system provides access to Internet data simultaneously with a displayed television program. Data units including data address sites available through a networked computer system such as the Internet are embedded in a television signal along with a television program. Information representing the data address site, such as an icon or descriptive text, is displayed simultaneously with the television program on the television. If the user selects the data address site, a data retrieval terminal in two-way communication with the network and associated with the television establishes a connection with the network and requests the data corresponding to the selected data address site. The retrieved information is then formatted for display.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: Gemstar Development Corp.Inventors: Douglas B. Macrae, Henry C. Yuen, Roy J. Mankovitz, Elsie Y. Leung, Daniel S. Kwoh, Thomas E. Westberg
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Publication number: 20080184300Abstract: The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONInventors: Douglas B. Macrae, Thomas Edward Ward, Kenneth S. Hancock, Jonathan B. Orlick
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Publication number: 20080127265Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae
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Publication number: 20080127266Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Inventors: Thomas E. Ward, Kenneth Hancock, Douglas B. Macrae