Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Lemmons
Thomas R. Lemmons 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: 10298973Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, William L. Thomas, Thomas R. Lemmons
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Patent number: 10271088Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, William L. Thomas, Joel G. Hassell, Thomas R. Lemmons, David M. Berezowski, Robert A. Knee, Robert H. McCoy
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Patent number: 10123089Abstract: A client-server interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide client is implemented on user television equipment. The interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to define expressions that are processed by the program guide server. The program guide server may provide program guide data, schedules reminders, schedules program recordings, and parentally locks programs based on the expressions. Users' viewing histories may be tracked. The program guide server may analyze the viewing histories and generates viewing recommendations, targets advertising, and collects program ratings information based on the viewing histories.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: ROVI GUIDES, INC.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Thomas R. Lemmons, William L. Thomas
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Patent number: 10116993Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Edward B. Knudson, Thomas R. Lemmons, Kevin D. Satterfield, Donald W. Allison, Michael D. Ellis
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Patent number: 10075746Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, William L. Thomas, Thomas R. Lemmons
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Patent number: 10063909Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Edward B. Knudson, Joel G. Hassell, Connie T. Marshall, Thomas R. Lemmons, Steven J. Reynolds, Robert A. Knee, Kenneth F. Carpenter, Jr., William L. Thomas, W. Benjamin Herrington, Steven C. Williamson, Michael D. Ellis, Donald W. Allison
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Patent number: 10027998Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, William L. Thomas, Thomas R. Lemmons
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Publication number: 20180192151Abstract: A client-server interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide client is implemented on user television equipment. The interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to define expressions that are processed by the program guide server. The program guide server may provide program guide data, schedules reminders, schedules program recordings, and parentally locks programs based on the expressions. Users' viewing histories may be tracked. The program guide server may analyze the viewing histories and generates viewing recommendations, targets advertising, and collects program ratings information based on the viewing histories.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2017Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Thomas R. Lemmons, William L. Thomas
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Publication number: 20180103288Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may use the program guide to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program without interrupting the recording or viewing process. This interactive television program guide system also allows a user the to utilize all or some of the program guide features while in the watch and record mode depending on the embodiment that is being implemented. Further, this watch and record system may be implemented using a multiple tuner set-top box or a single tuner set-top box with a RF bypass or digital switch. In addition to a set-top box, the system may be implemented using a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory, or a computer. The various implementations provide a very versatile watch and record environment for the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Thomas R. Lemmons, Connie T. Marshall, Donald W. Allison
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Patent number: 9860584Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may use the program guide to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program without interrupting the recording or viewing process. This interactive television program guide system also allows a user the to utilize all or some of the program guide features while in the watch and record mode depending on the embodiment that is being implemented. Further, this watch and record system may be implemented using a multiple tuner set-top box or a single tuner set-top box with a RF bypass or digital switch. In addition to a set-top box, the system may be implemented using a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory, or a computer. The various implementations provide a very versatile watch and record environment for the user.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2011Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Thomas R. Lemmons, Connie T. Marshall, Donald W. Allison
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Patent number: 9854321Abstract: A client-server interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide client is implemented on user television equipment. The interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to define expressions that are processed by the program guide server. The program guide server may provide program guide data, schedules reminders, schedules program recordings, and parentally locks programs based on the expressions. Users' viewing histories may be tracked. The program guide server may analyze the viewing histories and generates viewing recommendations, targets advertising, and collects program ratings information based on the viewing histories.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Thomas R. Lemmons, William L. Thomas
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Publication number: 20170366837Abstract: 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. The system coordinates the operation of the interactive television program guides so that the program guide settings that were adjusted with the given interactive television program guide are used by the other 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. The operation of applications such as web browser applications, home shopping applications, home banking applications, game applications, etc. may also be coordinated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, William L. Thomas, Thomas R. Lemmons
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Patent number: 9706245Abstract: 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. The system coordinates the operation of the interactive television program guides so that the program guide settings that were adjusted with the given interactive television program guide are used by the other 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. The operation of applications such as web browser applications, home shopping applications, home banking applications, game applications, etc. may also be coordinated.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, William L. Thomas, Thomas R. Lemmons
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Publication number: 20170142490Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2016Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Edward B. Knudson, Thomas R. Lemmons, Kevin D. Satterfield, Donald W. Allison, Michael D. Ellis
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Publication number: 20170111683Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, William L. Thomas, Thomas R. Lemmons
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Publication number: 20170078757Abstract: A client-server interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide client is implemented on user television equipment. The interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to define expressions that are processed by the program guide server. The program guide server may provide program guide data, schedules reminders, schedules program recordings, and parentally locks programs based on the expressions. Users' viewing histories may be tracked. The program guide server may analyze the viewing histories and generates viewing recommendations, targets advertising, and collects program ratings information based on the viewing histories.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Thomas R. Lemmons, William L. Thomas
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Patent number: 9554163Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, William L. Thomas, Thomas R. Lemmons
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Patent number: 9521461Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Edward B. Knudson, Thomas R. Lemmons, Kevin D. Satterfield, Donald W. Allison, Michael D. Ellis
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Publication number: 20160353158Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, William L. Thomas, Thomas R. Lemmons
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Patent number: 9479840Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.Inventors: Edward B. Knudson, Thomas R. Lemmons, Kevin D. Satterfield, Donald W. Allison, Michael D. Ellis