Patents by Inventor Michael Dean Ellis

Michael Dean Ellis 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).

  • Publication number: 20080184315
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Dean Ellis, Bruce Davis, Edward Bruce Knudson, Larry Miller
  • Patent number: 6771317
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dean Ellis, Bruce Davis, Edward Bruce Knudson, Larry Miller
  • Publication number: 20030204847
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Dean Ellis, Bruce Davis, Edward Bruce Knudson, Larry Miller
  • Publication number: 20030196203
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Dean Ellis, Bruce Davis, Edward Bruce Knudson, Larry Miller
  • Publication number: 20030188313
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: MICHAEL DEAN ELLIS, BRUCE DAVIS, EDWARD BRUCE KNUDSON, LARRY MILLER
  • Publication number: 20030188314
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dean Ellis, Bruce Davis, Edward Bruce Knudson, Larry Miller
  • Publication number: 20030182659
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dean Ellis, Bruce Davis, Edward Bruce Knudson, Larry Miller
  • Publication number: 20030182660
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dean Ellis, Bruce Davis, Edward Bruce Knudson, Larry Miller
  • Publication number: 20030177498
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: United Video Properties , Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dean Ellis, Bruce Davis, Edward Bruce Knudson, Larry Miller
  • Patent number: 6470497
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system which utilizes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dean Ellis, Bruce Davis, Edward Bruce Knudson
  • Patent number: 6357043
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dean Ellis, Bruce Davis, Edward Bruce Knudson, Larry Miller
  • Patent number: 6275268
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dean Ellis, Bruce Davis, Edward Bruce Knudson, Larry Miller
  • Patent number: 5986650
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system which utilizes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignees: News America Publications, Inc., Telecommunications of Colorado, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dean Ellis, Bruce Davis, Edward Bruce Knudson
  • Patent number: 5822123
    Abstract: An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventors: Bruce Davis, Michael Dean Ellis, Edward Bruce Knudson, William L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5760821
    Abstract: A system and method for localizing an aggregated electronic program guide (EPG) schedule covering a plurality of service environments includes an information filter located at the subscriber's set-top box conditioned to recognize which schedule information is relevant to the viewer's service environment. Only schedule information corresponding to the viewer's own service environment is stored in the EPG's schedule database. The result is an electronic program schedule that is tailored to the viewer's specific service environment without the use of costly equipment on the transmission side of the program schedule feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignees: News America Publications, Inc., Telecommunications of Colorado, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dean Ellis, Barry L. Smith, Constance J. Borges, Rose A. Reynolds, Dennis Tenney
  • Patent number: 5652613
    Abstract: A television electronic program guide intelligent memory management system and method automatically deletes the least valuable stored program information at that moment as free memory space is needed by the system. In advance of a program schedule update, the system executes a two-level memory "housekeeping" operation in which the system first scans the memory to identify obsolete schedule information. If, after this sweep, there is insufficient memory available for the next update, the system performs a second-level memory "triage" operation wherein schedule information is automatically prioritized in accordance with pre-defined rules for assessing the current value of the information to each viewer based on program air time, channel and other variables relating to program utility. The system then deletes schedule information in ascending order of value, starting with the least valuable information, and continues until enough space is available in memory to store the schedule update.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Inventors: David Beryl Lazarus, Michael Dean Ellis