Patents Assigned to TVWorks, LLC
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Publication number: 20130298164Abstract: A user interface allows for blending of television program choices from which a viewer may select, the blending representing options for linear and non-linear programming presented together within a single hierarchy of a designated category. The blending may further include managed content relevant to the designated category, where desired. Such designated categories may include television programming categories and/or content categories. The options for linear and non-linear programming may be presented together within a single screen of the user interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: TVWORKS, LLCInventors: Samuel Moreau, Donald Ahrens, Georgia Gibbs, John Carney, David de Andrade
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Patent number: 8578411Abstract: Controlling the admission of interactive television iTV applications to an iTV application distribution system is accomplished through the use of iTV application profiles that enumerate sets of allowed functions and behaviors for the iTV applications within the distribution system. In general, the profiles comprise filters that enable various functions within the distribution system, and may be applied to the iTV applications according to any of a number of bases. The distribution system includes an interface or console adapted to permit a system operator to create the application profiles and establish rules for attaching the profiles to the iTV applications, and an application profile engine configured to automatically validate the iTV applications against the profiles according to those rules.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2003Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: TVWorks, LLCInventors: John Carney, David deAndrade
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Publication number: 20130291045Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: TVWORKS, LLCInventors: Brian Bulkowski, Carolyn Wales, Sam Hsu, James Helman, Joseph Decker, Brock Wagenaar, Mark Vickers
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Publication number: 20130283042Abstract: A unique TIO based trust information delivery scheme is disclosed that allows clients to verify received certificates and to control Java and Javascript access efficiently. This scheme fits into the certificate verification process in SSL to provide a secure connection between a client and a Web server. In particular, the scheme is well suited for incorporation into consumer devices that have a limited footprint, such as set-top boxes, cell phones, and handheld computers. Furthermore, the TIO update scheme disclosed herein allows clients to update certificates securely and dynamically.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: TVWORKS, LLCInventor: Sihai Xiao
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Publication number: 20130268338Abstract: The disclosure provides for electronic commerce using streaming media. (1) E-commerce opportunities are combined with incentives (e.g., random, pseudo-random, skill-based, or responsive to aggregate buying) for participation by recipients, enhancing the likelihood of responses from recipients and the value of distribution of the promotional information. (2) Techniques are applied to a server associated with e-commerce opportunities, to avoid unduly burdening that server. An applet may conduct the interactive process with the recipient and present results to the server, implement the incentives, conduct e-commerce transactions with the recipient, and select one or more recipients for an incentive reward. (3) The promotional material is associated with elements of the streaming media being presented, such as an actor or object.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: TVWORKS, LLCInventor: Larry Taymor
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Publication number: 20130227617Abstract: iTV content is created and deployed using a server component adapted to allow content developers to create applications according to an authoring specification that describes a framework for same; a transport component including an operator-deployed application management system configured to optimize and deliver the applications to one or more clients; and a client component adapted to render the applications through a television so as to permit user interaction therewith. The authoring specification provides for the presentation of content through one or more templates defined therein, allowing application definition and behavior to remain common across multiple client device types, middleware platforms, and/or iTV operating environments.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: TVWorks, LLCInventors: John Carney, David de Andrade, Sithampara Babu Niranjan, David Brandyberry, Leon Franzen, Lena Chane, Matt Marenghi, Prakash Hegde, Alex Chung, Viva Chu, Greg Thomson, Ruth Dawson
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Publication number: 20130198784Abstract: An iTV user interface includes a navigable menu area through which a user can select from among a variety of services and a content display area in which formatted data associated with a selected menu service are displayed to the user. The formatted data is displayed in a rotating or ticker fashion having both a passive mode, in which the formatted data is displayed in a sequence independent of any selection operations by a television viewer, and active mode, in which the formatted data is displayed in a sequence that depends on selection operations by the television viewer. Advertisements and/or promotions may be interspersed among the content items. The navigable menu area and the content display area may be displayed to the viewer at the same time as television programming is displayed on the television.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2013Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: TVWORKS, LLCInventor: TVWORKS, LLC
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Publication number: 20130191863Abstract: An interface for an interactive television application includes a graphical representation of a channel changing apparatus and is configured such that in response to a channel change request a channel change event limited to a channel change within a designated family of television channels is initiated. The graphical element may be labeled so as to indicate the presently viewed family of television channels. In various embodiment, the channel content may be scaled to fit within a window or may be full screen, in which latter case the interface may be overlaid on top of the full screen video. In one example, the graphical representation of the channel changing apparatus resembles a pair of channel up/down buttons.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: TVWORKS, LLCInventors: Samuel Moreau, Don Ahrens, Georgia Gibbs, John Carney, David de Andrade
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Publication number: 20130139201Abstract: An iTV user interface includes a navigable menu area through which a user can select from among a variety of services and a content display area in which formatted data associated with a selected menu service are displayed to the user. The formatted data is displayed in a rotating or ticker fashion having both a passive mode, in which the formatted data is displayed in a sequence independent of any selection operations by a television viewer, and active mode, in which the formatted data is displayed in a sequence that depends on selection operations by the television viewer. Advertisements and/or promotions may be interspersed among the content items. The navigable menu area and the content display area may be displayed to the viewer at the same time as television programming is displayed on the television.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2013Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: TVWORKS, LLCInventor: TVWORKS, LLC
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Patent number: 8448208Abstract: A user interface allows for blending of television program choices from which a viewer may select, the blending representing options for linear and non-linear programming presented together within a single hierarchy of a designated category. The blending may further include managed content relevant to the designated category, where desired. Such designated categories may include television programming categories and/or content categories. The options for linear and non-linear programming may be presented together within a single screen of the user interface.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: TVWorks, LLCInventors: Samuel Moreau, Donald Ahrens, Georgia Gibbs, John Carney, David de Andrade
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Patent number: 8437373Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: TVWorks, LLCInventors: Brian Bulkowski, Carolyn Wales, Sam Hsu, James Helman, Joseph Decker, Brock Wagenaar, Mark Vickers
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Patent number: 8433898Abstract: A unique TIO based trust information delivery scheme is disclosed that allows clients to verify received certificates and to control Java and Javascript access efficiently. This scheme fits into the certificate verification process in SSL to provide a secure connection between a client and a Web server. In particular, the scheme is well suited for incorporation into consumer devices that have a limited footprint, such as set-top boxes, cell phones, and handheld computers. Furthermore, the TIO update scheme disclosed herein allows clients to update certificates securely and dynamically.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: TVWorks, LLCInventor: Sihai Xiao
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Patent number: 8434113Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for electronic commerce using streaming media, such as used in conjunction with a broadcast or internetworking environment. (1) E-commerce opportunities are combined with incentives for participation by recipients, enhancing the likelihood of responses from recipients and the value of distribution of the promotional information. Incentives can be random or pseudo-random, skill-based, or responsive to aggregate buying. (2) Techniques are applied to reduce load on an e-commerce server associated with the e-commerce opportunities, so that relatively large numbers of recipients can respond to e-commerce opportunities without unduly burdening that server. An applet conducts the interactive process with the recipient and presents results to the server.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1999Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: TVworks, LLCInventor: Larry Taymor
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Patent number: 8434101Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: TVWorks, LLCInventors: Brian Bulkowski, Carolyn Wales, Sam Hsu, James Helman, Joseph Decker, Brock Wagenaar, Mark Vickers
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Patent number: 8428090Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: TVWorks, LLCInventors: Brian Bulkowski, Carolyn Wales, Sam Hsu, James Helman, Joseph Decker, Brock Wagenaar, Mark Vickers
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Patent number: 8416952Abstract: An interface for an interactive television application includes a graphical representation of a channel changing apparatus and is configured such that in response to a channel change request a channel change event limited to a channel change within a designated family of television channels is initiated. The graphical element may be labeled so as to indicate the presently viewed family of television channels. In various embodiment, the channel content may be scaled to fit within a window or may be full screen, in which latter case the interface may be overlaid on top of the full screen video. In one example, the graphical representation of the channel changing apparatus resembles a pair of channel up/down buttons.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2004Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Tvworks, LLCInventors: Samuel Moreau, Don Ahrnes, Georgia Gibbs, John Carney, David de Andrade
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Patent number: 8413205Abstract: iTV content is created and deployed using a server component adapted to allow content developers to create applications according to an authoring specification that describes a framework for same; a transport component including an operator-deployed application management system configured to optimize and deliver the applications to one or more clients; and a client component adapted to render the applications through a television so as to permit user interaction therewith. The authoring specification provides for the presentation of content through one or more templates defined therein, allowing application definition and behavior to remain common across multiple client device types, middleware platforms, and/or iTV operating environments.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2003Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: TVWorks, LLCInventors: John Carney, David de Andrade, Sithampara Babu Niranjan, David Brandyberry, Leon Franzen, Lena Chane, Matt Marenghi, Prakash Hegde, Alex Chung, Viva Chu, Greg Thomson, Ruth Dawson
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Publication number: 20130031584Abstract: A user interface for interactive television services is represented as a visual overlay that provides a viewer with knowledge of a library of available content relating to a currently tuned to television channel and navigation options for selecting desired portions of the available content from the library, the available content being designated according to business rules specified by a provider of the interactive television services. The visual overlay may be displayed over full-screen or embedded television programming, which may be broadcast television programming or on-demand television programming.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: TVWORKS, LLCInventors: Lena Chane, Samuel Moreau, Darrell Haber, Matt Marenghi
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Patent number: 8365230Abstract: An iTV user interface includes a navigable menu area through which a user can select from among a variety of services and a content display area in which formatted data associated with a selected menu service are displayed to the user. The formatted data is displayed in a rotating or ticker fashion having both a passive mode, in which the formatted data is displayed in a sequence independent of any selection operations by a television viewer, and active mode, in which the formatted data is displayed in a sequence that depends on selection operations by the television viewer. Advertisements and/or promotions may be interspersed among the content items. The navigable menu area and the content display area may be displayed to the viewer at the same time as television programming is displayed on the television.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: TVWorks, LLCInventors: Lena D. Chane, Matt Marenghi, Ty Ahmad-Taylor, Alex Chung, Prakash Hegde, Samuel Moreau, Darrel Haber
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Publication number: 20130019260Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and system for interactive broadcast and web information browsing. In embodiments of the invention, web information is presented in conjunction with a broadcast television image, either at an edge of the image screen or overlaid with the image screen in an opaque, transparent or translucent image. The presented web information is fully interactive and can be interacted with by the user using all known features of interactive web presentation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: TVWORKS, LLCInventors: Steven Weinstein, James E. Palmer, Tyler M. Johnson, James R. Fulker, Geoffrey A. Katz, Mark A. Vickers, Chee Yu