Patents Assigned to Starsight Telecast, Inc.
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Publication number: 20080271071Abstract: A system and method for displaying an electronic program schedule guide is provided. The system has areas for displaying program schedule information. In addition, the system also has areas that may be used for advertising programs, products or services. In another embodiment, the system has areas for dsplaying messages to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: STARSIGHT TELECAST INC.Inventors: Brian Lee Klosterman, Steven Schein
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Patent number: 7421724Abstract: A system and method for displaying an electronic program schedule guide is provided. The system has areas for displaying program schedule information. In addition, the system also has areas that may be used for advertising programs, products or services. In another embodiment, the system has areas for displaying messages to the user.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: StarSight Telecast Inc.Inventors: Brian Lee Klosterman, Steven Schein
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Publication number: 20080184312Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: Starsight Telecast, Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, Brian L. Klosterman, Kenneth A. Milnes
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Publication number: 20080134243Abstract: The present invention provides a tuning scheme for coordinating schedule information and programs received from multiple sources (26, 28, 30 and 34). In the preferred embodiment, an identifier associated with the program's channel (52) is used to identify a source device (26, 28, 30 or 34). When a user selects a program (60 or 62) listed in displayed schedule information (50), the system (10) reads the source identifier attached to the program's channel (52). The system (10) then carries out an automatic switching/tuning such that the required source device (26, 28, 30 or 34) is input to the destination device (22), and a tuner is then tuned to the selected program's channel (52).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: Starsight Telecast Inc.Inventor: Brian Lee Klosterman
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Publication number: 20080134242Abstract: The present invention provides a tuning scheme for coordinating schedule information and programs received from multiple sources (26, 28, 30 and 34). In the preferred embodiment, an identifier associated with the program's channel (52) is used to identify a source device (26, 28, 30 or 34). When a user selects a program (60 or 62) listed in displayed schedule information (50), the system (10) reads the source identifier attached to the program's channel (52). The system (10) then carries out an automatic switching/tuning such that the required source device (26, 28, 30 or 34) is input to the destination device (22), and a tuner is then tuned to the selected program's channel (52).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: Starsight Telecast Inc.Inventor: Brian Lee Klosterman
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Publication number: 20080134239Abstract: A multiple Interactive Program Guide (IPG) system provides different television programming and different IPGs to several different users respectively. A single set-top box is capable of providing programming and scheduling data to several different television sets. Each of the different IPGs share a common database. Therefore, a first IPG being viewed by a first user can display data added or modified via a second IPG by a second user of the system. Furthermore, the data added or modified by the second user can influence the viewing rights of the first user. Also, all the competing and conflicting requests for limited resources, such as VCR scheduled recordings, will be brought to the users' attention and will be displayed by the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: Starsight Telecast Inc.Inventors: James H. Knowles, Kenneth David Johnson, Gordon Chang
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Publication number: 20080098431Abstract: Screen (10) for a user interface of a television schedule system and process consists of an array (24) of irregular cells (26), which vary in length, corresponding to different television program lengths of one half hour to one-and-one half hours or more. The array is arranged as three columns (28) of one-half hour in duration, and twelve rows (30) of program listings. Some of the program listings overlap two or more of the columns (28) because of their length. Because of the widely varying length of the cells (26), if a conventional cursor used to select a cell location were to simply step from one cell to another, the result would be abrupt changes in the screen (10) as the cursor moved from a cell (26) of several hours length to an adjacent cell in the same row. An effective way of taming the motion is to assume that behind every array (24) is an underlying array of regular cells. By restricting cursor movements to the regular cells, abrupt screen changes will be avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: Starsight Telecast Inc.Inventors: Patrick Young, John Roop, Alan Ebright, Michael Faber, David Anderson
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Publication number: 20080077957Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: March 27, 2008Applicant: Starsight Telecast, Inc.Inventors: Steven Schein, David Warden, Molly King, Theresa Alba, Robert Russman
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Publication number: 20070162937Abstract: The present invention includes an interactive computer system which provides television schedule information and displays an action pop-up listing actions which can be scheduled. In the preferred embodiment, a memory stores a computer program, image data, and received data. This data includes the television schedule information. A processor uses the computer program to organize the television schedule information into a desired format, display an action pop-up for a chosen program, and schedule an action listed in the pop-up when selected by the user. Icons are listed in various displays indicating actions scheduled for associated programs.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2007Publication date: July 12, 2007Applicant: Starsight Telecast, Inc.Inventors: Marcia Casement, David Folker
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Publication number: 20070162934Abstract: Television schedule information transmission and utilization systems transmit TV schedule data and associated network control messages provided by computer as packets via the Video Blanking Interval (VBI) lines in the TV signal from various television program providers. This data is acquired by regional data processing systems and forwarded by the regional data processing systems to subscriber units and used to construct an internal database. This internal database can be accessed by the subscriber unit to display a TV schedule for the channels that are received by the user's TV.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2007Publication date: July 12, 2007Applicant: StarSight Telecast, Inc.Inventors: John Roop, Alan Ebright, Jeffrey Kochy, David Warden, Konstantine Sokolik, Giambattista Alegiani
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Patent number: 7212249Abstract: The present invention includes an interactive computer system which provides television schedule information and displays an action pop-up listing actions which can be scheduled. In the preferred embodiment, a memory stores a computer program, image data, and received data. This data includes the television schedule information. A processor uses the computer program to organize the television schedule information into a desired format, display an action pop-up for a chosen program, and schedule an action listed in the pop-up when selected by the user. Icons are listed in various displays indicating actions scheduled for associated programs.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.Inventors: Marcia A Casement, David Folker
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Publication number: 20070094684Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2006Publication date: April 26, 2007Applicant: Starsight Telecast, Inc.Inventors: Steven Schein, David Warden, Molly King, Theresa Alba, Robert Russman
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Patent number: 7209640Abstract: Screen (10) for a user interface of a television schedule system and process consists of an array (24) of irregular cells (26), which vary in length, corresponding to different television program lengths of one half hour to one-and-one half hours or more. The array is arranged as three columns (28) of one-half hour in duration, and twelve rows (30) of program listings. Some of the program listings overlap two or more of the columns (28) because of their length. Because of the widely varying length of the cells (26), if a conventional cursor used to select a cell location were to simply step from one cell to another, the result would be abrupt changes in the screen (10) as the cursor moved from a cell (26) of several hours length to an adjacent cell in the same row. An effective way of taming the motion is to assume that behind every array (24) is an underlying array of regular cells. By restricting cursor movements to the regular cells, abrupt screen changes will be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2004Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: StarSight Telecast, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Young, John H Roop, Alan R Ebright, Michael W Faber, David Anderson
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Patent number: 7210159Abstract: Television schedule information transmission and utilization systems transmit TV schedule data and associated network control messages provided by computer as packets via the Video Blanking Interval (VBI) lines in the TV signal from various television program providers. This data is acquired by regional data processing systems and forwarded by the regional data processing systems to subscriber units and used to construct an internal database. This internal database can be accessed by the subscriber unit to display a TV schedule for the channels that are received by the user's TV.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.Inventors: John H. Roop, Alan R. Ebright, Jeffrey J. Kochy, David P. Warden, Konstantine Sokolik, Giambattista A. Alegiani
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Patent number: 7187847Abstract: Screen (10) for a user interface of a television schedule system and process consists of an array (24) of irregular cells (26), which vary in length, corresponding to different television program lengths of one half hour to one-and-one half hours or more. The array is arranged as three columns (28) of one-half hour in duration, and twelve rows (30) of program listings. Some of the program listings overlap two or more of the columns (28) because of their length. Because of the widely varying length of the cells (26), if a conventional cursor used to select a cell location were to simply step from one cell to another, the result would be abrupt changes in the screen (10) as the cursor moved from a cell (26) of several hours length to an adjacent cell in the same row. An effective way of taming the motion is to assume that behind every array (24) is an underlying array of regular cells. By restricting cursor movements to the regular cells, abrupt screen changes will be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2005Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: StarSight Telecast, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Young, John H Roop, Alan R Ebright, Michael W Faber, David Anderson
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Patent number: 7162729Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2006Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.Inventors: Steven M Schein, David P Warden, Molly K King, Theresa A Alba, Robert E Russman
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Patent number: 7151886Abstract: Screen (10) for a user interface of a television schedule system and process consists of an array (24) of irregular cells (26), which vary in length, corresponding to different television program lengths of one half hour to one-and-one half hours or more. The array is arranged as three columns (28) of one-half hour in duration, and twelve rows (30) of program listings. Some of the program listings overlap two or more of the columns (28) because of their length. Because of the widely varying length of the cells (26), if a conventional cursor used to select a cell location were to simply step from one cell to another, the result would be abrupt changes in the screen (10) as the cursor moved from a cell (26) of several hours length to an adjacent cell in the same row. An effective way of taming the motion is to assume that behind every array (24) is an underlying array of regular cells. By restricting cursor movements to the regular cells, abrupt screen changes will be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: StarSight Telecast Inc.Inventors: Patrick Young, John H Roop, Alan R Ebright, Michael W Faber, David Anderson
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Patent number: 7137135Abstract: A television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. An input device allows the viewer to move a pointer over different interactive areas of the guide and the function performed when the area is activated is displayed in a contextual help window. Various control glyphs provide for recursive interaction with the guide. Additionally, a video window is interactive and provides tuning functions.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2002Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.Inventors: Steven Michael Schein, Jim Leftwich, David M. Folker, Keith Hunwick
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Patent number: 7062777Abstract: An on-screen menu method and system for controlling the functions of integrated electronic devices and a television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day and an interconnected series of menus to control the features of the integrated electronic devices. An input device allows the viewer to move a pointer over different interactive areas of the guide and the function performed when the area is activated is displayed in a contextual help window. Various control glyphs provide for recursive interaction with the guide.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2002Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.Inventors: Theresa A. Alba, Marcia A. Casement, William De Stein, David Folker, Keith W. Hunwick, Kenneth D. Johnson
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Patent number: 7047549Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Schein, David P. Warden, Molly K. King, Theresa A. Alba, Robert E. Russman