Based On Genre, Theme, Or Category Patents (Class 725/45)
  • Publication number: 20150007234
    Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed for providing guidance for Internet-delivered media. In some embodiments, information on available media on the Internet is gathered. The information is associated with existing media guidance data. The associations enable a media guidance application to identify relevant online media and to display listings in a user-friendly way. A user interface for an online media guidance application is also provided. The user interface allows a user to narrow down the large amount of Internet-delivered media in a systematic way according to criteria that interests a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Kirsten Rasanen, Jay S. Bryant
  • Patent number: 8925012
    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: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Corl
  • Patent number: 8925011
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for processing broadcast content. According to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to reduce a cost for generating additional data and providing the additional data to a user by extracting a keyword from information about captions included in broadcast content, and generating additional information associated with the extracted keyword.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Joo Young Lee, Je Ho Nam
  • Patent number: 8925013
    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: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Corl
  • Publication number: 20140380371
    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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Mark T. Corl
  • Publication number: 20140380369
    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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: MARK T. CORL
  • Publication number: 20140380370
    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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: MARK T. CORL
  • Publication number: 20140380368
    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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: MARK T. CORL
  • Publication number: 20140380367
    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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: MARK T. CORL
  • Publication number: 20140380366
    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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Mark T. Corl
  • Publication number: 20140380365
    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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Mark T. Corl
  • Publication number: 20140380372
    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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: MARK T. CORL
  • Patent number: 8918813
    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: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Corl
  • Publication number: 20140373063
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to an enhanced program guide for programs that are broadcast according to a defined schedule. Program titles included in the guide can be ordered based on a relevance rank or score, potentially with no other parameter employed in determining a position of a program title within the guide. Presentation of the guide can be independent of a time axis or dimension and a channel axis or dimension. Titles can be displayed in a manner that is independent of a start time or running length of the associated program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Gregory Allan Funk, Przemek Drochomirecki, Grzegorz Glowaty, Jacek Jakub Surazski
  • Patent number: 8914825
    Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Personalized Media Communications LLC
    Inventors: John Christopher Harvey, James William Cuddihy
  • Publication number: 20140366065
    Abstract: According to one of the embodiments, provided is a method including receiving scene information items related to scenes included in contents of genres, displaying the scene information items at least partly sorted out, displaying the scene information items sorted out in a first sorting order when an operation is performed with respect to a first scene in a first content of a first genre in the scene information items, and displaying the scene information items sorted out in a second sorting order which is different from the first sorting order when an operation is performed with respect to a second scene in a second content of a second genre which is different from the first genre in the scene information items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hattori, Toyokazu Itakura
  • Publication number: 20140366064
    Abstract: A contextual navigational control for digital television is described. An apparatus, comprises a contextual navigation control interface (CNCI). The CNCI includes a first area that represents a plurality of cable television programs having a first level of relevance. A second area represents a first group of the plurality of programs having a second level of relevance. A third area represents a first subgroup of the first group having a third level of relevance. A fourth area represents a second subgroup of the first group having a fourth level of relevance. There may be additional areas representing additional sub-groups of relevance to the current viewing context.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: TVWorks, LLC.
    Inventors: Samuel Moreau, John Carney
  • Patent number: 8910211
    Abstract: Set top boxes (STBs) query a source of electronic program guide (EPG) data to request only the EPG data that it needs. Thus, instead of downloading the entire set of EPG data, the STBs query the source for only a limited amount of EPG data, such as data for the next 2-3 hours of programming. STBs can dynamically request additional EPG data if it needs to do so while a user is perusing the EPG, such as when the user requests additional EPG data that may not have been previously downloaded. Updates and corrections to pieces of EPG data can be efficiently made and sent to the STB, when that EPG data is needed, rather than being sent only during regularly scheduled times along with the entire set of EPG data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventor: Armando P. Stettner
  • Patent number: 8904441
    Abstract: An interactive television program guide application is provided that queries a user regarding the user's interest in television programs and suggests television programs to the user based on the user's responses. The interactive television program guide application identifies a television program that is potentially of interest to the user. The interactive television program guide application then queries the user regarding the user's interest using questions that are formulated based on attributes associated with the identified television program. Using the user's responses to the questions, the interactive television program guide application identifies and suggests one or more television programs to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Westberg
  • Patent number: 8904422
    Abstract: Subscription and channel management technology, in which a system allows a user to subscribe to a subset of the available channels on a content delivery network and personalize at least one channel. The system identifies a user identity of the user and stores, in a user database, channel subscription information for the user identity based on the subset of channels to which the user subscribed and the user personalization. The system identifies a downloader device associated with the user identity and controls the downloader device based on the channel subscription information stored in the user database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: PurpleComm Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Chang, William H. Sheu, Sherman Tuan
  • Patent number: 8904440
    Abstract: An apparatus for favorite program recommendations is provided. In the apparatus: a user interface module receives a channel indication signal indicating a TV channel; a tuner module receives a digital TV signal comprising current program information corresponding to the TV channel and program guide information; a processing unit analyzes at least one program keyword from the current program information to determine a current program type corresponding to a current program, and accumulates a favor weighting value of the current program type in a program weightings record which keeps a plurality of favor weighting values respectively corresponding to a plurality of program types. The processing unit also selects from the program guide information at least one recommended program according to at least one of the program types with the corresponding favor weighting value over a first predetermined threshold in the program weightings record, and generates a recommendation list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mitac International Corp.
    Inventor: Hsing-Ping Kuo
  • Patent number: 8904439
    Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which the program guide may provide the user with a selectable list of combination categories. Combination categories are composed of multiple simple categories such as sports, news, comedy, movies, children, etc. Program listings are supplied to the program guide. At least some of the program listings are associated with combination categories. A combination category build process may be used to assign combination categories to program listings. The user is able to use the selectable categories list to quickly identify programming of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward B. Knudson, Joel G. Hassell, Michael D. Ellis, William L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8902243
    Abstract: A projector includes: an image processing section adapted to perform image processing based on image information; a image projection section adapted to project an image based on an image signal output from the image processing section; a communication section adapted to connect to a network; and a control section adapted to transmit usage information including one of an image content of the image information and a projection environment for projecting the image to an information provision server via the communication section and the network, then receive operation setting information, which is prepared by the information provision server in accordance with the usage information, from the information provision server, and then adjust a projection operation, which is performed by the image processing section and the image projection section, based on the operation setting information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Tsukagoshi
  • Patent number: 8898701
    Abstract: An approach is provided for faceted browsing of video assets. A metadata file is parsed to categorize and rank attributes corresponding to a video asset, wherein the ranked attributes are based on a criterion. A set-top box provides attribute browsing to determine selection of the video asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Philbin, James E. Paschetto, Beau D. Morley, Christina L. Fyock, Xi Zhang
  • Patent number: 8898704
    Abstract: A display device according to the proposed embodiment includes a broadcasting signal receiving unit that receives a broadcasting signal; a broadcasting signal) separation unit that separates the broadcasting signal received through the broadcasting signal receiving unit into video, audio, and data signals; a controller that analyzes the data signal separated through the broadcasting signal separation unit to comprehend whether data broadcasting is serviced and the kind of the data broadcasting; and a memory that stores information on a channel on which the data broadcasting is serviced according to a control signal of the controller and information on the kind of the serviced data broadcasting, wherein the broadcasting receiving unit sequentially receives and outputs broadcasting signals of an entire channel according to the control signal of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyung-Il Lee, Jea-Hoon Choi
  • Patent number: 8893178
    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: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald E Bennington, George Backer, Shawn Green, Bill Cooper, David Spell, Rosetta Rogers, Bruce Davis, Michael Morris
  • Patent number: 8893177
    Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: {Personalized Media Communications, LLC
    Inventors: John Christopher Harvey, James William Ciddihy
  • Patent number: 8887201
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: an acquiring means for acquiring focused content information that is information relating to a predetermined content and includes at least any one of descriptions of the predetermined content having information displayed on a display means, a word related to the descriptions, a genre, a title, and cast of the predetermined content; a retrieving means for using content information about the other content that includes at least any one of descriptions of the other content different from the predetermined content, a genre, a title, and cast of the other content and the acquired focused content information to retrieve a content having a high degree of relation to focused content information in the other contents; and a specification information generating means for generating specification information that specifies the resulted content of retrieval based on the result of retrieval done by the retrieving means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Narahara, Nobuyuki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8887203
    Abstract: A multi-functional display device having a channel map and a method for controlling the same are disclosed herein. The multi-functional display device may include a display, an input interface, a network interface for communicating with at least one second multi-functional display device, and a controller for controlling a display of the channel map and content associated with a channel selected in the channel map. The channel map may include a first channel number associated with a broadcast channel and a channel name for the first channel, and a second channel number associated with a social network service (SNS) account for an individual or entity and an SNS channel name for the second channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Uniyoung Kim, Saehun Jang, Gangseub Lee, Hyungnam Lee, Mohan Krishna Ranganathan, Samavarthy Challagali, Raja Rathinavel
  • Patent number: 8878997
    Abstract: A visual display includes at least a first canvas configured to display a first session on the display and a second canvas configured to display a second session on the display. The first session includes first content received from a first content source and the second session includes second content having subject matter associated with the first content. The display includes a user agent configured to determine that the first content of the first session is associated with the second content of the second session and to pair the first and second canvases such that the first content and the second content are synchronized to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Clift, Brant Candelore, Kazumoto Kondo, Steven Richman, Fred Zustak
  • Patent number: 8875056
    Abstract: Provided is a display device including a display mode controller for controlling a transition to a whole screen display mode for displaying an image in an entire screen of a display section, a multiple content display mode for displaying, on the screen, multiple thumbnail images related to contents, or a panel display mode for displaying, on the screen, a panel on which information related to the contents is displayed, an arrangement determination section for arranging multiple thumbnail images displayed in the multiple content display mode by category to which the contents belong, an arrangement change section for changing an arrangement of multiple thumbnail images by a user, and a boundary line display section for displaying, between two thumbnail images, a boundary line indicating a difference of the category before the arrangement of the thumbnail images is changed by the user, and for not displaying the boundary line after changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Onogi, Koichi Tashiro, Naoya Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8875186
    Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus that provides recommended program information based on a viewing history of an audience. The apparatus includes an extractor to extract, based on a specific performer whom a viewing audience likes, a similar performer. The extractor extracts the similar performer using a relation between a plurality of performers. The extractor selects a node satisfying a first condition that a number of links between a first node corresponding to the specific performer and one or more second nodes corresponding to the similar performer is not more than a predetermined upper limit and a second condition that the number of links between the first node and second nodes is not more than a threshold from the second nodes. The apparatus also includes a selector to select a recommended program from a plurality of broadcast planned programs, and a creator to create the recommended program information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tomoko Murakami
  • Patent number: 8869206
    Abstract: A digital television and a channel editing method are provided wherein various channel information is edited efficiently. In the channel edit method of the digital TV, the channel information stored according to a user's request is displayed on a multi-window. If the user selects a channel based on the multi-window, the channel selected by the user is tuned by a tuner and displayed as a moving picture. The user can edit the corresponding channel referring to the multi-window. In another embodiment, the user can edit the set favorite channel(s) separately. The broadcast status of all channels can be recognized almost instantaneously by viewing the multi-window displaying all the broadcast programs of multiple channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Chul Bae, Ick Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8863185
    Abstract: A system may include a media content processing subsystem configured to provide media content to a display device. The system may further include an adjunct computing device in communication with the media content processing subsystem and configured to receive interactive program guide data, receive social information associated with an account on a social network, and display the interactive program guide data augmented with the social information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Willis David Stinson, III, Omar Abdallah Abou-Khamis, Robin Chu-Hsin Chang
  • Patent number: 8863191
    Abstract: A multifunctional display device displays a first area containing a program received through a channel, a second area containing card objects, and a third area containing additional information of a downloadable applications selected in association with one of the card objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kwangsoo Choi, Jongseok Kim
  • Patent number: 8863190
    Abstract: Techniques to deliver targeted advertisements and multimedia contents to viewers. Various types of advertisements are encoded and transmitted. The advertisements may be targeted for different coverage areas (e.g., national and local levels) and may further include various categories (e.g., kids, sports, business, and so on). At the terminal, one or more advertisements may be selected for display based on various selection schemes. The particular advertisement to be selected for display at a terminal may be based on the terminal's assigned profile or user interaction at the terminal. The profile may be assigned based on the last program viewed at the terminal, a particular filter icon selected at the terminal, the observed television viewing habits of the viewer at the terminal, and so on. The techniques may also be advantageously used for delivery of other multimedia contents and for other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Gordon, Sadik Bayrakeri, Edward A. Ludvig, John P. Comito
  • Patent number: 8863187
    Abstract: Provided is a method and system for displaying video from a plurality of video streams on a display. It includes an input interface for receiving video data from a plurality of video streams and transferring the video data to a frame controller in communication with a television display. The frame controller causes the video data from each of the plurality of different video streams to be displayed in a separate frame on the television display, and each frame occupying an area of the television display separate from an area occupied by any other frame. A system for displaying video from a plurality of video stream using the correct aspect ratio and resolution is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: TP Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Chi Fai Ho, Shin Cheung Simon Chiu
  • Publication number: 20140304740
    Abstract: A method for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG), an electronic device, and a computer readable medium are provided. After a guide enable signal is received, a program database is searched according to a current channel to obtain a current category corresponding to the current channel. The program database includes a plurality of categories, each category includes a plurality of channels, and each channel includes a plurality of programs. A program menu corresponding to the current channel is displayed according to a dependence relationship between the current category, the current channel, and the programs of the current channel in the program database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Li-Hsuan Chen, Ching-Yuan Chuang
  • Patent number: 8856833
    Abstract: The present invention allows users to interact with people, who have interacted with other people, and obtain media files and recommendations from those having common interests, thereby creating interactive media communities and spawning electronic social networks based on media and other types of electronic entertainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason William Conness, Mark Frederick Dawson
  • Patent number: 8856836
    Abstract: A device and a method for providing information of image data stored in a digital image display apparatus and a recording medium recorded with a program for realizing the same are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the device for providing information of image data stored in the digital image display apparatus can include a channel list generating unit, which searches for a broadcast channel received through the digital image display apparatus and generates channel list data, and a link unit, which links image data and information data, respectively, included in broadcast data, stored in the digital image display apparatus according to a broadcast selecting signal and a broadcast data storing signal, with the channel list data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Humax Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Kwan Ha
  • Publication number: 20140298385
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a theme-based media program discovery system 1) concurrently maintaining data representative of a first active media program curation heuristic that specifies a first set of curation parameters associated with a media program theme and a second active media program curation heuristic that specifies a second set of curation parameters associated with the media program theme, 2) curating, based on the first active media program curation heuristic, a first set of one or more media programs related to the media program theme, and 3) curating, based on the second active media program curation heuristic, a second set of one or more media programs related to the media program theme. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Verizon and Redbox Digital Entertainment Services, LLC
    Inventor: Verizon and Redbox Digital Entertainment Services, LLC
  • Patent number: 8850482
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Internet Protocol Television system having a controller to create a template defining a format of presentation of an webpage or HTML page using an iTV or IPTV application system, receive a request for the page from a subscriber of the iTV or IPTV system. The system can access application system subscriber data for the subscriber and a presentation of the page is dynamically adapted according to the application system subscriber data. In one alternative at, the page can be dynamically adapted by changing in content or by changing a look and feel of an HTML page or webpage. In another alternative, the webpage or HTML page can be dynamically adapted by modifying graphic user interface elements based on the application system subscriber data. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Mary McCarthy, Bryan P. Davis, Robert Coldwell
  • Patent number: 8843960
    Abstract: An interactive television program guide system with digital storage is provided. The program guide gives users the ability to store information associated with recorded programs in a directory in the digital storage device thereby providing easy access to program information. The program guide may also provide a global media library for indicating the programs stored on removable storage media used with the program guide. The guide may also allow the user to manage and maintain a user media library to do the same. Non-time-sensitive data associated with recorded programs may be stored in a way that allows the user to interact with the data on playback as if the program were being originally aired. The program guide also allows the user to define “super-programs” for playback of a sequence of stored programs or program segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel G. Hassell, Edward B. Knudson, L. Joe Hedges, Michael D. Ellis, David M. Berezowski
  • Patent number: 8843966
    Abstract: A system and method is presented of personalizing the organization of a product set, automating the organizing and displaying of content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Yevgeny Seldin, Asher Sterkin
  • Patent number: 8839297
    Abstract: Methods and systems for navigating multimedia content are disclosed. A first plurality of selectable icons is displayed. A selection of a particular selectable icon of the first plurality of selectable icons is received. The particular selectable icon represents multimedia content associated with a particular user. In response to receiving the selection of the particular selectable icon, a display of a second plurality of selectable icons is initiated. At least one of the second plurality of selectable icons represents a particular multimedia program that is associated with the particular user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: William A. Brown, Virginia Seid Ng
  • Publication number: 20140259072
    Abstract: Method for providing an electronic program guide includes the following steps. First electronic program list data is grouped according to at least two condition factors not related to program broadcasting time to generate at least a first set of two-dimensional program list data. A display unit of a multimedia reproduction system is controlled to display the at least the first set of two-dimensional program list data on a screen thereof, wherein the screen displays a plurality of image blocks on a first plane, the image blocks on the first plane individually represent at least a portion of programs corresponding to the first set of two-dimensional program list data and are arranged according to first and second coordinate axes corresponding to first and second condition factors. When the system receives a selection indication, a program represented by one image block corresponding to the selection indication is played on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Ching-Yuan Chuang, Li-Hsuan Chen, Hung-Yang Hsu
  • Publication number: 20140259071
    Abstract: Method for virtual channel management, in an embodiment, for use in an electronic device includes the following steps. At least one command indicating virtual channel management is detected. Management of virtual channel data is performed according to the at least one command and updated virtual channel data is then generated. Virtual channel data synchronization is performed by transmitting the updated virtual channel data to a network-based multimedia reproduction system wirelessly so that the network-based multimedia reproduction system provides virtual channel operation mode according to the updated virtual channel data. The management of virtual channel data includes at least one of virtual channel addition, virtual channel deletion, and virtual channel amendment. The updated virtual channel data includes attribute data of a virtual channel, and the attribute data includes at least one link for video and audio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Ching-Chih Chang, Hui-Liang Chang
  • Patent number: 8832742
    Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed for providing guidance for Internet-delivered media. In some embodiments, information on available media on the Internet is gathered. The information is associated with existing media guidance data. The associations enable a media guidance application to identify relevant online media and to display listings in a user-friendly way. A user interface for an online media guidance application is also provided. The user interface allows a user to narrow down the large amount of Internet-delivered media in a systematic way according to criteria that interests a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: United Video Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirsten Rasanen, Jay S. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20140250464
    Abstract: Suggestions for content are based on either designation by or a habit of a user. Favored genres of content are determined at different times of day. Should content be requested at a particular time of day for which no favored genre of content is determined, then one of the known favored genres of content is suggested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Edward Michael Silver, Linda Ann Roberts
  • Patent number: 8826341
    Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver controlled by a screen remote controller and a space remote controller and controlling method, the method including according to an embodiment displaying a screen remote controller, partitioning a portion of a whole screen of the broadcast receiver into at least two control regions, displaying a pointer to enable a first pointing signal outputted from the space remote controller to indicate one control region of the screen remote controller, receiving a second pointing signal from the space remote controller, and executing a function corresponding to the one control region indicated by the pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Dae Young Jung