Patents by Inventor Margret Schmidt
Margret Schmidt 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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Publication number: 20230300418Abstract: Techniques are described that allow DVR users to create program shortcuts to different types of media content from content providers. A program shortcut comprises a reference to another media content. A user may generate a shortcut so that the user may easily find and return to media content without performing a new search. In addition, techniques may be used to automatically generate program shortcuts for a user based at least in part to user-indicated preferences or actions. Shortcuts may be generated to media content that is related to a preferred genre or media type specified by a user. Shortcuts may also be generated to content that is determined to be similar to content that is often viewed or recorded by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Margret Schmidt, Alex Liston, Shelly Glennon
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Publication number: 20230291881Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying branded video tags. An advertiser provides additional content associated with broadcast advertising content to a service provider that downloads the additional content to a digital video recorder (DVR). The service provider inserts command tags into the content that are intercepted by the DVR and interpreted as commands that instruct the DVR to perform specific actions when the DVR receives the stream from a broadcaster. The DVR intercepts and translates any tags inserted into the content stream while the DVR is playing the content stream. Tags can cause the DVR to display a branded video tag to the user which is a displayed icon that requests an interaction by the user and has an advertiser’s logo(s) displayed in its vicinity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2022Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Richard Fulcher, David E. Pope, Margret Schmidt
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Publication number: 20230283857Abstract: A media content management system that enables users to manage media content collections is disclosed. A media device is configured to receive requests to create media content collections for particular media content and, in response, to retrieve information related to the media content, and to generate one or more interfaces displaying information about created media content collections. In an embodiment, retrieving information related to a media content may include determining, for one or more episodes of the media content, whether the episode is available from various content sources, including both broadcast and broadband content sources. By enabling a media device to automatically retrieve and present information related to the availability of media content episodes across any number of different broadcast and broadband sources, users can more easily interact with and view information about particular media content of interest to the users.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Margret Schmidt, Alex Liston, Nicholas Lovell, Richard Alcazar
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Patent number: 11695995Abstract: A media content management system that enables users to manage media content collections is disclosed. A media device is configured to receive requests to create media content collections for particular media content and, in response, to retrieve information related to the media content, and to generate one or more interfaces displaying information about created media content collections. In an embodiment, retrieving information related to a media content may include determining, for one or more episodes of the media content, whether the episode is available from various content sources, including both broadcast and broadband content sources. By enabling a media device to automatically retrieve and present information related to the availability of media content episodes across any number of different broadcast and broadband sources, users can more easily interact with and view information about particular media content of interest to the users.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: TIVO SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Margret Schmidt, Alex Liston, Nicholas Lovell, Richard Alcazar
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Patent number: 11533463Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying branded video tags. An advertiser provides additional content associated with broadcast advertising content to a service provider that downloads the additional content to a digital video recorder (DVR). The service provider inserts command tags into the content that are intercepted by the DVR and interpreted as commands that instruct the DVR to perform specific actions when the DVR receives the stream from a broadcaster. The DVR intercepts and translates any tags inserted into the content stream while the DVR is playing the content stream. Tags can cause the DVR to display a branded video tag to the user which is a displayed icon that requests an interaction by the user and has an advertiser's logo(s) displayed in its vicinity.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.Inventors: Richard Fulcher, David E. Pope, Margret Schmidt
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Publication number: 20220150593Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptive search user interface is provided. An interface is provided that returns search results upon receiving each alphanumeric character of a search query term. Correlations of prefixes of alphanumeric characters and search results selected from previous searches are stored in a correlation matrix. Based upon the correlations in the correlation matrix, relevance rankings for search results with respect to the prefixes of alphanumeric characters are updated. Search results may be grouped based upon one or more common traits. Relevance rankings are also updated based upon the rate of change of selections recorded for a search result.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Shelly Glennon, Brian Beach, James Cheng, Richard Lee, Kimberly Paluch, Robert Poniatowski, Margret Schmidt
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Patent number: 11265610Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptive search user interface is provided. An interface is provided that returns search results upon receiving each alphanumeric character of a search query term. Correlations of prefixes of alphanumeric characters and search results selected from previous searches are stored in a correlation matrix. Based upon the correlations in the correlation matrix, relevance rankings for search results with respect to the prefixes of alphanumeric characters are updated. Search results may be grouped based upon one or more common traits. Relevance rankings are also updated based upon the rate of change of selections recorded for a search result.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.Inventors: Shelly Glennon, Brian Beach, James Cheng, Richard Lee, Kimberly Paluch, Robert Poniatowski, Margret Schmidt
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Publication number: 20210337279Abstract: A media content management system that enables users to manage media content collections is disclosed. A media device is configured to receive requests to create media content collections for particular media content and, in response, to retrieve information related to the media content, and to generate one or more interfaces displaying information about created media content collections. In an embodiment, retrieving information related to a media content may include determining, for one or more episodes of the media content, whether the episode is available from various content sources, including both broadcast and broadband content sources. By enabling a media device to automatically retrieve and present information related to the availability of media content episodes across any number of different broadcast and broadband sources, users can more easily interact with and view information about particular media content of interest to the users.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Margret Schmidt, Alex Liston, Nicholas Lovell, Richard Alcazar
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Publication number: 20210297747Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for presenting menus to DVR users and users of other media playback devices are described. After a DVR (or other media device) has finished playing a recorded television program (or other content), or in response to other specified events, the DVR presents a screen which comprises a menu. In addition to or in alternative to “save” and “delete” options, the menu comprises one or more options. Each of these other options may correspond to a separate item. For example, a user's selection of such an option may cause the DVR to display or play certain content on the user's television set. Additionally, or alternatively, these other options, when selected by a user, may cause the DVR to display a user interface through which the user can actually interact with content, such as an item that was featured or referenced in the television program that the user was just watching.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: James Barton, Paul Stevens, David Sandford, Robin Hayes, Margret Schmidt, Bruce Klein
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Patent number: 10992990Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for presenting menus to DVR users and users of other media playback devices are described. After a DVR (or other media device) has finished playing a recorded television program (or other content), or in response to other specified events, the DVR presents a screen which comprises a menu. In addition to or in alternative to “save” and “delete” options, the menu comprises one or more options. Each of these other options may correspond to a separate item. For example, a user's selection of such an option may cause the DVR to display or play certain content on the user's television set. Additionally, or alternatively, these other options, when selected by a user, may cause the DVR to display a user interface through which the user can actually interact with content, such as an item that was featured or referenced in the television program that the user was just watching.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2016Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: TIVO SOLUTIONS INC.Inventors: James Barton, Paul Stevens, David Sandford, Robin Hayes, Margret Schmidt, Bruce Klein
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Publication number: 20200314403Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying branded video tags. An advertiser provides additional content associated with broadcast advertising content to a service provider that downloads the additional content to a digital video recorder (DVR). The service provider inserts command tags into the content that are intercepted by the DVR and interpreted as commands that instruct the DVR to perform specific actions when the DVR receives the stream from a broadcaster. The DVR intercepts and translates any tags inserted into the content stream while the DVR is playing the content stream. Tags can cause the DVR to display a branded video tag to the user which is a displayed icon that requests an interaction by the user and has an advertiser's logo(s) displayed in its vicinity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Richard Fulcher, David E. Pope, Margret Schmidt
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Publication number: 20200275162Abstract: Techniques are described that allow DVR users to create program shortcuts to different types of media content from content providers. A program shortcut comprises a reference to another media content. A user may generate a shortcut so that the user may easily find and return to media content without performing a new search. In addition, techniques may be used to automatically generate program shortcuts for a user based at least in part to user-indicated preferences or actions. Shortcuts may be generated to media content that is related to a preferred genre or media type specified by a user. Shortcuts may also be generated to content that is determined to be similar to content that is often viewed or recorded by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Margret Schmidt, Alex Liston, Shelly Glennon
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Patent number: 10735705Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying branded video tags. An advertiser provides additional content associated with broadcast advertising content to a service provider that downloads the additional content to a digital video recorder (DVR). The service provider inserts command tags into the content that are intercepted by the DVR and interpreted as commands that instruct the DVR to perform specific actions when the DVR receives the stream from a broadcaster. The DVR intercepts and translates any tags inserted into the content stream while the DVR is playing the content stream. Tags can cause the DVR to display a branded video tag to the user which is a displayed icon that requests an interaction by the user and has an advertiser's logo(s) displayed in its vicinity.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.Inventors: Richard Fulcher, David E. Pope, Margret Schmidt
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Patent number: 10645456Abstract: Techniques are described that allow DVR users to create program shortcuts to different types of media content from content providers. A program shortcut comprises a reference to another media content. A user may generate a shortcut so that the user may easily find and return to media content without performing a new search. In addition, techniques may be used to automatically generate program shortcuts for a user based at least in part to user-indicated preferences or actions. Shortcuts may be generated to media content that is related to a preferred genre or media type specified by a user. Shortcuts may also be generated to content that is determined to be similar to content that is often viewed or recorded by the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2016Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.Inventors: Margret Schmidt, Alex Liston, Shelly Glennon
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Publication number: 20200059697Abstract: A media content management system that enables users to manage media content collections is disclosed. A media device is configured to receive requests to create media content collections for particular media content and, in response, to retrieve information related to the media content, and to generate one or more interfaces displaying information about created media content collections. In an embodiment, retrieving information related to a media content may include determining, for one or more episodes of the media content, whether the episode is available from various content sources, including both broadcast and broadband content sources. By enabling a media device to automatically retrieve and present information related to the availability of media content episodes across any number of different broadcast and broadband sources, users can more easily interact with and view information about particular media content of interest to the users.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Margret Schmidt, Alex Liston, Nicholas Lovell, Richard Alcazar
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Patent number: 10448112Abstract: A media content management system that enables users to manage media content collections is disclosed. A media device is configured to receive requests to create media content collections for particular media content and, in response, to retrieve information related to the media content, and to generate one or more interfaces displaying information about created media content collections. In an embodiment, retrieving information related to a media content may include determining, for one or more episodes of the media content, whether the episode is available from various content sources, including both broadcast and broadband content sources. By enabling a media device to automatically retrieve and present information related to the availability of media content episodes across any number of different broadcast and broadband sources, users can more easily interact with and view information about particular media content of interest to the users.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.Inventors: Margret Schmidt, Alex Liston, Nicholas Lovell, Richard Alcazar
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Patent number: 10362361Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for dynamically including or excluding a video from a media guidance interface based on indications of user interest. To this end, the systems and methods generate a video for display using user equipment and receive a command from a user to display a media guidance interface while the video is being generated for display, the media guidance interface including a plurality of video identifiers. In response to receiving the command, the systems and methods determine whether the user has interest in the video. In response to determining that the user has interest in the video, the systems and methods generate the media guidance interface for display along with the video. In response to determining that the user has no interest in the video, the systems and methods generate the media guidance interface for display without the video.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: ROVI GUIDES, INC.Inventors: Margret Schmidt, Alexander William Liston
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Publication number: 20190124288Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptive search user interface is provided. An interface is provided that returns search results upon receiving each alphanumeric character of a search query term. Correlations of prefixes of alphanumeric characters and search results selected from previous searches are stored in a correlation matrix. Based upon the correlations in the correlation matrix, relevance rankings for search results with respect to the prefixes of alphanumeric characters are updated. Search results may be grouped based upon one or more common traits. Relevance rankings are also updated based upon the rate of change of selections recorded for a search result.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Shelly Glennon, Brian Beach, James Cheng, Richard Lee, Kimberly Paluch, Robert Poniatowski, Margret Schmidt
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Publication number: 20180367860Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for dynamically including or excluding a video from a media guidance interface based on indications of user interest. To this end, the systems and methods generate a video for display using user equipment and receive a command from a user to display a media guidance interface while the video is being generated for display, the media guidance interface including a plurality of video identifiers. In response to receiving the command, the systems and methods determine whether the user has interest in the video. In response to determining that the user has interest in the video, the systems and methods generate the media guidance interface for display along with the video. In response to determining that the user has no interest in the video, the systems and methods generate the media guidance interface for display without the video.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2017Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Margret Schmidt, Alexander William Liston
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Patent number: 10158823Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptive search user interface is provided. An interface is provided that returns search results upon receiving each alphanumeric character of a search query term. Correlations of prefixes of alphanumeric characters and search results selected from previous searches are stored in a correlation matrix. Based upon the correlations in the correlation matrix, relevance rankings for search results with respect to the prefixes of alphanumeric characters are updated. Search results may be grouped based upon one or more common traits. Relevance rankings are also updated based upon the rate of change of selections recorded for a search result.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.Inventors: Shelly Glennon, Brian Beach, James Cheng, Richard Lee, Kimberly Paluch, Robert Poniatowski, Margret Schmidt