Electronic Program Guide Patents (Class 725/39)
  • Patent number: 9043459
    Abstract: Monitoring user activity on a mobile device is described. In one aspect, video content is received and played to a user of the mobile device. The monitoring activity detects an interruption of playback of the video content and determines an event associated with the interruption. The event is stored in the mobile device and communicated to a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: DISH NETWORK L.L.C.
    Inventors: Myles Parker, Caroline Dinan Horner, Benjamin Gerard Husser, John Yakemovic, Jeffrey Meyers
  • Publication number: 20150143422
    Abstract: A method of creating a multi participant session among a plurality of viewers of media content. The method comprises automatically identifying which media content is currently presented on a plurality of client terminals of a plurality of subscribers, receiving, from a first subscriber, a first selection indicative of a template of a multi participant session object and a second selection indicative of a group from the plurality of subscribers, creating a multi participant session object adapted for simultaneous presentation with the media content according to first and second selections and establishing a multi participant session among at least one member of the group and the first subscriber using the multi participant session object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Comigo Ltd.
    Inventors: Dov MORAN, Motty LENTZITZKY, Mordechai TEICHER
  • Patent number: 9037999
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptive search user interface is provided. The user interface allows for search results to be customized by the user. The user interface includes a discovery bar of multimedia content that includes additional media content, advertisements, and features that are recommended to users. The discovery bar of multimedia content is customizable based upon user command input. The user interface also includes methods and graphical interface in which to resolve recording conflicts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Poniatowski, Shelly Glennon, Glen Sanford, Kimberly Paluch, Margret Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9038109
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for generating an enhanced programming guide. Programming events are associated as packages of programming. The programming guide is generated as a programming grid of cells. The programming grid lists a wrapper associated with each package and each package's associated events. The wrapper surrounds all the cells in the programming grid that are associated with the events for each package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: David Steading, John Stefanik
  • Patent number: 9038106
    Abstract: A displayed matrix having a menu of presentation genres and an opposing menu of ranking systems prioritizing each genre according to the values of a set of parameters. A viewer is enabled to select at least one genre from the menu and the viewer is also enabled to select at least one ranking system. Selections are correlated to generate a set of proposed presentations prioritized in accordance with the parameter values of a selected ranking system and displayed as a tag cloud wherein each of the proposed presentations is visually distinguished according to the priority ranking of the proposed television program presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Barry A Kritt, Sarbajit K Rakshit
  • Patent number: 9038104
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system and method for providing a program guide for past programming comprising receiving a user command to retrieve program data, retrieving the program data from a data source, and outputting, to a display device, the program data in response to receiving the user command. The program data may comprise information relating to previously-aired programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Angiolillo, Angel Cordero, Xi Zhang
  • Patent number: 9038110
    Abstract: A system and methods for providing an interactive program guide (IPG) to a mobile device are disclosed. The system generally includes a network component which receives IPG data including program data, and a mobile device application component which receives program data from the network component and displays the program data on the mobile device. The methods may include providing a mobile IPG application to a mobile device, receiving IPG data including program data with a network component, transmitting the program data from the network component to the mobile device, and formatting the program data for the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Kvache
  • Publication number: 20150135217
    Abstract: A system and method in a television for providing user-selection of objects in a television program, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, Nambirajan Seshadri
  • Publication number: 20150135216
    Abstract: A control device that interacts with a television system. The control device may receive a user input identifying a video selection. At least one module of the control device may display video information corresponding to the video selection. The control device may cause display of the video information on a television system. The control device may respond to a second user input identifying a storage selection by triggering storage of the video information in a storage unit corresponding to the storage selection. The control device may also receive a third user input identifying a replay request for other video information that may be selected from a plurality of stored videos. The control device may direct display of the other video information on the television system and/or on a display of the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: James D. Bennett, Jeyhan Karaoguz
  • Patent number: 9032437
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing enhanced entertainment data. For instance, in one embodiment, a computer implemented method for providing enhanced entertainment data includes receiving a request for additional information related to a selected show and displaying the additional information, which includes a list of selectable merchandise associated with the selected show, in response to the request. In one embodiment, the method presents information related to a selected merchandise and an option for a user to purchase the selected merchandise. The method may further include retrieving a billing address associated with a subscriber account associated with the user in response to receiving a purchase request for the selected merchandise and placing an order for the selected merchandise using the billing address. The method may also include billing the order as part of a monthly service charge to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. LaFreniere, David Emerson, Kelsyn Rooks
  • Patent number: 9032444
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes detecting, on a media content recording device, a media content recording conflict between a plurality of scheduled recordings of media content instances, and outputting, for display on a display device, data representative of a graphical user interface including a plurality of graphical objects representative of the plurality of scheduled recordings of the media content instances and at least one option configured to facilitate resolution of the media content recording conflict. Corresponding methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Heath Stallings, Venkata S. Adimatyam, Brian F. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9031962
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for processing a search request received from a user operating a text input device. The search request is directed at identifying a desired item from a set of items, each of which has one or more associated terms. The method includes receiving a query input from a user that comprises one or more characters input by the user on the text input device. As each character of the query input is received from the user, a group of items having one or more terms matching the received characters is dynamically identified. The items in the group are ordered based on relevance values of the terms matching the characters and on the number of characters of the query input used in identifying the group of items. Identification of the group of items as ordered is transmitted to the user to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Veveo, Inc.
    Inventors: Murali Aravamudan, Rakesh Barve, Sashikumar Venkataraman, Ajit Rajasekharan
  • Patent number: 9032439
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Corl
  • Publication number: 20150128181
    Abstract: A digital television (DTV) and a method of providing a GUI using the DTV are disclosed. The method of providing a GUI in a DTV comprises: first displaying an image on a display unit provided on the DTV; receiving a display command of a first GUI; and second displaying the image and the first GUI such that a different spatial depth is formed between the image and the first GUI according to the received display command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: EUN SEON AHN, JUNG HOON SON, BYUNG HUN LEE, SU RE BAK, KUN SIK LEE
  • Publication number: 20150128180
    Abstract: Media device systems and methods are operable to automatically present a program at its beginning while a remaining portion of the program is being received at the media device. An exemplary embodiment receives a program in a media content stream; receives a presentation request to present the program, wherein the presentation request is received after an initial portion of the program has been received and wherein the presentation request is received before a conclusion of the program; accesses a stored initial portion of the program from a memory medium; and initiates presentation at a beginning of the program residing in the accessed initial portion of the program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: ELDON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Dale Mountain, Jonathan Capless
  • Publication number: 20150128183
    Abstract: A broadcast receiving apparatus and a method for tuning a channel of a broadcast receiving apparatus is provided. The method includes displaying contents received through a broadcast channel, changing, if a channel zapping command is received, the broadcast channel, displaying, if the channel zapping command is consecutively received a plurality of times within a predetermined amount of time, a user interface (UI) using which a user can select a broadcast channel, and tuning, if a broadcast channel is selected from the UI, the selected broadcast channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byeong-cheol HYEON, Woo-suk CHOI
  • Patent number: 9027055
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Corl
  • Patent number: 9024734
    Abstract: The present invention provides a remote control device, a far-end device, a multimedia system and a control method thereof. Said remote control device comprising: a communication unit for establishing a connection with a far-end device and performing communication; an operating unit for operating a specific program in said far-end device by the operation of the user; and a mode change unit for switching a operating mode in said remote control device according to feedback information associated with the specific program which is fed back by said far-end device in response to the operation in said operating unit. Through the remote control device, the far-end device, the multimedia system and the control method thereof, it may be operated in any device possessing communication function in despite of the hardware and system configuration of said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Chun Xu
  • Patent number: 9024864
    Abstract: A user interface with software tensing may be described. An apparatus may include a user interface module to display an index list, a software lens list, and an aperture box. The index list may represent a list of available options. The software lens list may display a sub-set of the list of available options that coincides with a position of the aperture box on the index list. The apparatus may also include a media lensing module to increase a size of an option in the software lens list when a pointer approaches or coincides with the option. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Randy R Dunton, Mariano J Phielipp
  • Patent number: 9027054
    Abstract: Provided is a method and system for displaying video streams, including receiving video data from a plurality of video stream by a frame controller in communication with a television display including a first picture and a second picture, and also receiving a television program summary list. The television program summary list includes television program data corresponding to the received video streams, and displaying the television program summary list in the second picture, and allowing the selection of a program from the television program summary list by a consumer, and displaying the selected video stream in the first picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: TP Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Chi Fai Ho, Shin Cheung Simon Chiu
  • Patent number: 9027057
    Abstract: A system and method for creating and managing custom media channels within an Interactive Digital Program Guide (IDPG) of a device having a set-top box function associated with a cable or satellite television network. In general, a user interacts with the set-top box function to define a custom media channel. The custom media channel may be defined by a channel name and user preferences. Once the custom media channel is defined, an Internet search is performed based on the user preferences in order to identify media presentations for the custom media channel. Thereafter, when a user selects the custom media channel via the IDPG, the media presentations are played in a substantially continuous stream in either a predetermined or random sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Qurio Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9024894
    Abstract: As discussed herein according to one configuration, a remote controller device includes a touch-sensing surface, touch processing logic, and a communication interface. The touch-sensing surface includes an array of sensors to detect a gesture inputted by a subscriber indicating how to control settings of a content management device. The touch processing logic processes the detected gesture and converts the detected gesture into control information. The communication interface of the remote controller device transmits the control information over a communication link to control settings of the content management device. Gesture-based remote control as discussed herein provides more advanced control compared to conventional button-type remote control techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Robert Todd Smith
  • Patent number: 9015760
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Corl
  • Patent number: 9015756
    Abstract: Electronic program guides in which program listings may be graphically presented and in which sponsors and celebrities of those programs may be identified are provided. The electronic programs guides may be passive television program guides, interactive television program guides, and/or on-line television program guides. Television show text information, logos and/or trademarks, celebrity images, affiliation indicators, and advertisements may be present in the program listings to enhance the electronic program guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventor: M. Scott Reichardt
  • Patent number: 9015739
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring audience information of programs are described. Systems and methods for providing audience information to users of interactive television applications are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: ROVI Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Berezowski, Michael D. Ellis
  • Patent number: 9015755
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically changing channels. A user selection of a channel and a time associated with media content is received. The current time is determined. A display is powered on in response to determining the display is off. A display is automatically changed to the channel in response to the current time matching the selected time. The media content received through the channel is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Shekhar Gupta, Curtis Tucker, Robert Morrill
  • Patent number: 9015223
    Abstract: A method and a device for data processing. The method includes the following steps: (i) a triggering information is provided to several clients via an electronic guide; and (ii) based on the triggering information, each of the several clients determines, in particular via filtering parameters, whether or not to react to the triggering information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks Oy
    Inventors: Ilkka Oksanen, Uwe Rauschenbach
  • Publication number: 20150106847
    Abstract: A content providing apparatus, system, and method for recommending content. The method includes: receiving user information from a display apparatus; determining whether a terminal apparatus of a user is registered, based on the received user information; when the terminal apparatus is determined to be registered, determining whether recommended content for the user exists, based on pattern information about content usage of the user and content information; and when the recommended content for the user is determined to exist, transmitting a notification message for the recommended content to the terminal apparatus. Therefore, utilization of a notification service for recommended content is further improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young-seok HAN, Won-seok AHN, Hyung-keuk LEE, Jae-hyeok CHOI
  • Patent number: 9009760
    Abstract: A system may send a request for video content to a server device; obtain, in response to the request, control information, associated with the video content, where the control information may include one or more digital versatile disc (DVD) features that correspond to one or more portions of the video content; and present the control information, for display, via a user interface, where presenting the control information for display may enable a user, of the video client device, to interact with the control information as though the video content was being played by a DVD player. The system may also receive selection of a DVD feature, of the one or more DVD features; and obtain, from the server device, a portion of the video content, of the one or more portions of the video content, that begins at a point that corresponds to the selected DVD feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Srirama Kalidindi, Sanjay Ahuja
  • Patent number: 9009757
    Abstract: A method acquires program guide information in an image signal receiver, and program guide method and apparatus using the same. In the program guide apparatus, information immediately required by a user is obtained first, and information of less preferential channels is obtained next, thus presenting a smooth interface to the user. The method of acquiring program guide information for channels includes acquiring the program guide information for each channel by scanning accessible channels while a received program is not displayed. The program guide apparatus includes a tuner tuning a channel, a program guide information detector, a memory, a key input, a microprocessor, and a character signal generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ju-ha Park
  • Patent number: 9009213
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for distributing pre-rendering processing tasks includes: mapping data processing tasks in a real-time visualization to a visualization processing model, the real-time visualization involving data from a backend system to be rendered by a frontend system; receiving a processing cost model derived from processing-node information; determining, using the mapped data processing tasks and the models, an execution plan for the real-time visualization; and for each of the mapped data processing tasks, and according to the determined execution plan, assigning the backend system or the frontend system to perform the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventor: Uwe Jugel
  • Publication number: 20150100983
    Abstract: In a basic form, a television renders programs received from channel content providers through cable or satellite. A personal mobile device is coupled to the television as an ad hoc set-top box. The personal mobile device takes control of television system and provides a network search capability. Personal media items stored in a storage unit of the device can also be rendered by the television. The personal mobile device renders a user interface through the television. A first screen of a user interface includes a channel selector, a network search engine and a personal media user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Yang Pan
  • Publication number: 20150100984
    Abstract: A playback device for a multimedia file is provided. The playback device is applied to a player that switches a channel according to a control signal. The playback device for a multimedia file includes: a processing unit, configured to access one of a plurality of sets of playlist link information from a look-up table according to the control signal, and to obtain a playlist according to the selected playlist link information; a multimedia content identification unit, configured to access the multimedia file according to contents of the playlist; and an image processing unit, configured to process the multimedia file and to transmit the processed multimedia file to a display module for display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Hsiao-Shu Hsiung, Tsung-Hsun Tsai
  • Patent number: 9003451
    Abstract: An Internet television program guide system is provided that allows a user at a multimedia system to access information related to television programs over an Internet communications link. The user can view television program guide listings and related video stills and video clips. The user can perform database searches on the program guide listings (e.g., to search for a particular type of television program). The user can set a reminder message for a television program that is transmitted prior to the transmission time of the program. If desired, the user can select an option that directs the multimedia system to tune directly to a television channel for a selected program or to a related television program guide or movie guide service on a television channel. The user can order pay-per-view events using the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin E. Boyer, Timothy B. Demers, Donald W. Allison, Mark A. Regouby, Steven C. Williamson, Joanna L. Hensley, W. Benjamin Herrington, Paul N. Reddy
  • Patent number: 9003514
    Abstract: A system and method to troubleshoot a defect in at least one machine is provided. The system includes a portable device having a tracking system to detect when within a threshold proximity of a machine, and a controller to perform the steps of: authenticating the user to operate the portable device and communicating a first signal including the unique identifier of the portable device in response to detecting when within threshold proximity of the at least one machine. The system can further include an agent located at the machine to receive the first signal from the portable device, and in response to automatically verify authorization of the portable device to access the machine; and automatically trigger transmission of an operational data of the least one machine to the portable device over a secure channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Sridhar Nuthi
  • Patent number: 9003445
    Abstract: A system and methodology provide for automatic generation of thumbnail images of a video stream of images from a television channel. A still frame image of the video stream of the channel is captured. A plurality of content filters is applied to the still frame image to determine whether the image is suitable for display. Images can be filtered for offensive content, defective content, or advertising content. A filtered image that is appropriate for display is selected and stored. If the still frame image is inappropriate for display, a default thumbnail image is selected. The selected image is stored as a thumbnail image in association with EPG data for the television program. The thumbnail image and EPG data are sent for display to a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Simon M. Rowe
  • Patent number: 8997148
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Macrae, Thomas Edward Ward, III, Kenneth S. Hancock, Jonathan B. Orlick
  • Patent number: 8997153
    Abstract: Arrangements detailed may cause a television channel received via the tuner to be recorded for a period of time to create a channel-specific file. The channel-specific file may include multiple television programs. User input that requests playback of a first television program of the plurality of television programs from the channel-specific file may be received. A front-end adjustment time period for playback of the first television program may be determined. A start time from which playback commences in the channel-specific file may be at least partially based on the front-end adjustment time period and a scheduled start time of the television program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Mark Templeman
  • Patent number: 8997152
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Corl
  • Patent number: 8997151
    Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for electronic program guide (EPG) sorting and automatic realignment is provided. In example embodiments, a graphical user interface having an EPG including a plurality of rows of thumbnails representing programs is presented on a device of a user. Each row of thumbnails may be navigated independent of other rows. A navigational input is received via a touchscreen of the device. The navigational input indicates an action performed on the graphical user interface that triggers a realignment of programming information presented on the EPG. An updated EPG with the realignment of the programming information indicated by the navigational input is then provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: OpenTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Crx K. Chai, Alex Fishman, Matthew Huntington, Isaac Chellin, Kevin Lu
  • Patent number: 8990858
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes receiving a program guide data search request, associating a time block with the program guide data search request, identifying a set of program guide data associated with the time block, searching the set of program guide data associated with the time block to identify at least one matching media content instance based on the program guide data search request, and generating data representative of a search-based program guide view for display in a graphical user interface, the search-based program guide view exhibiting graphical data representative of the at least one matching media content instance. In certain embodiments, the method further comprises generating a virtual search channel associated with the program guide data search request and providing graphical data representative of the virtual search channel for display in the search-based program guide view. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Busse, Jimena Velarde
  • Patent number: 8988495
    Abstract: A method for controlling an image display apparatus includes determining a type of a video signal included in an input signal, determining whether three-dimensional (3D) format information is included in the input signal, if the video signal is a 3D video signal, requesting 3D format information about the video signal to a server that stores 3D format information, if the input signal does not include the 3D format information about the video signal, and processing, upon receipt of 3D format information from the server in response to the 3D format information request, the video signal according to the 3D format information and displaying a 3D image based on the processed video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG Eletronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeongsim Kim
  • Patent number: 8989499
    Abstract: Detecting the start of a credit roll within video program may allow for the automatic extension of video recordings among other functions. The start of the credit roll may be detected by determining the number of text blocks within a sequence of frames and identifying a point in the sequence of frames where a difference between the number of text blocks in frames occurring before the point and the number of text blocks in frames occurring after the point is greatest and exceeds a specified threshold. Text blocks may be identified within each frame by partitioning the frame into one or more segments and recording the segments having a pixel of a sufficiently high contrast. Contiguous segments may be merged or combined into single blocks, which may then be filtered to remove noise and false positives. Additional content may be inserted into the credit roll frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Oliver Jojic, David F. Houghton
  • Patent number: 8990856
    Abstract: According to this invention, a user may capture a media link on any PC and perform this capture function at any physical location, then save the media link in a playlist, and subsequently play the media located at the media link on a TV server. The TV server may be controlled from a local device—typically a PC or a handheld remote control. Playlists may be maintained on a Web playlist function. Software on a local controller device can then select a media link from a Web playlist through the Internet, and the Web playlist function can then pass that link to a local TV server, thus avoiding the need for the controller device and the TV server to communicate through a LAN. Additionally, a playlist may include targeted advertisements shown physically adjacent to related playlist items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph A. Zott, Samuel W. Beal, Robert Osann, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8990855
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a personalized video mosaic from multiple of video sources in a cable television services system. A head end receives a subscriber selection of video sources from multiple video sources broadcast in the television services system and generates a personalized video mosaic from those sources. The head end then transmits the personalized video mosaic to the subscriber for simultaneous viewing of the selected video sources on a broadcast channel in the cable television services system. The set-top box executes an application program enabling the subscriber to individually select the video sources which make up the personalized video mosaic and transmits the selections to the head end. The set-top box enables the display of the personalized video mosaic on the broadcast channel in the cable television services network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Calzone
  • Patent number: 8988498
    Abstract: A method for controlling operations of an image display apparatus and shutter glasses are disclosed. The method for controlling an operation of the image display apparatus includes transmitting a signal including information about channels available as a pairing channel to a remote controller in response to key code information of the remote controller received from the remote controller, receiving from the remote controller a signal including information about a channel selected by the remote controller from among the channels available as a pairing channel, establishing the channel selected by the remote controller as a pairing channel of the remote controller, and establishing the pairing channel of the remote controller as a pairing channel of shutter glasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sanghyun Kim, Hagryang Kim
  • Patent number: 8990854
    Abstract: A system and method in a television for providing user-selection of objects in a television program, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, Nambirajan Seshadri
  • Patent number: 8990860
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor; a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Corl
  • Patent number: 8984559
    Abstract: A personalized auto-generated electronic programming guide for content delivery platforms is presented. A method to create a personalized auto-generated electronic programming guide (EPG) for content delivery platforms is also provided. The method can include obtaining, by a computing device, user preferences for content to be scheduled for a user, the user preferences including a type of content and a preferred time to view the type of content. The method can also include identifying one or more content items of a content hosting service that satisfy the user preferences and scheduling the identified one or more content items according to the user preferences. The method can also include presenting information about the scheduled one or more content items in a personalized EPG and providing the personalized EPG for display to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Devesh Kothari
  • Patent number: 8984560
    Abstract: An apparatus for receiving a broadcast in processing a viewing-reserved broadcast program and method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes displaying a first broadcast program (102), checking whether a second broadcast program set for a viewing reservation exists (104) while the first broadcast program is displayed, if the viewing-reserved second broadcast program exists, displaying the second broadcast program instead of the first broadcast program at a timing point of setting the viewing reservation, and while the second broadcast program is displayed, storing the first broadcast program (106) having a progress overlapped with that of the second broadcast program. Accordingly, the present invention is able to avoid missing important contents of the previously displayed broadcast program according to the display switching attributed to the overlapped viewing reservation. And, it is also unnecessary to switch the channels to view the previously displayed broadcast program again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Eun Hae Choi