Patents by Inventor Alan Waterman

Alan Waterman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20150281798
    Abstract: In an interactive network-based personal video recording system, a user interface is provided that allows viewers to search a database of program guide information according to program title, indexed program attributes such as actor and director, and key word. Viewer interaction is by way of a remote control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman
  • Publication number: 20150172749
    Abstract: A broadcast program recording overrun and underrun scheduling system provides a system for adjusting the start and end times of a broadcast program's recording schedule that has a start and end broadcast time. The viewer selects a particular broadcast program to record from the program guide using a remote input device. The system schedules the broadcast program to be recorded by inserting the program's information such as program identifier, start and end times, and storage duration into a recording schedule database. The system allows the viewer to adjust the scheduled start and/or end recording times for a broadcast program by specifying the time increment to add or subtract from the start and/or end recording times of a specific program or series of programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman
  • Patent number: 9060099
    Abstract: In an interactive network-based personal video recording system, a user interface is provided that allows viewers to search a database of program guide information according to program title, indexed program attributes such as actor and director, and key word. Viewer interaction is by way of a remote control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman
  • Patent number: 8965182
    Abstract: A broadcast program recording overrun and underrun scheduling system provides a system for adjusting the start and end times of a broadcast program's recording schedule that has a start and end broadcast time. The viewer selects a particular broadcast program to record from the program guide using a remote input device. The system schedules the broadcast program to be recorded by inserting the program's information such as program identifier, start and end times, and storage duration into a recording schedule database. The system allows the viewer to adjust the scheduled start and/or end recording times for a broadcast program by specifying the time increment to add or subtract from the start and/or end recording times of a specific program or series of programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman
  • Publication number: 20120254920
    Abstract: In an interactive network-based personal video recording system, a user interface is provided that allows viewers to search a database of program guide information according to program title, indexed program attributes such as actor and director, and key word. Viewer interaction is by way of a remote control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman
  • Patent number: 8181203
    Abstract: In an interactive network-based personal video recording system, a user interface is provided that allows viewers to search a database of program guide information according to program title, indexed program attributes such as actor and director, and key word. Viewer interaction is by way of a remote control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman
  • Publication number: 20110154407
    Abstract: A broadcast program recording overrun and underrun scheduling system provides a system for adjusting the start and end times of a broadcast program's recording schedule that has a start and end broadcast time. The viewer selects a particular broadcast program to record from the program guide using a remote input device. The system schedules the broadcast program to be recorded by inserting the program's information such as program identifier, start and end times, and storage duration into a recording schedule database. The system allows the viewer to adjust the scheduled start and/or end recording times for a broadcast program by specifying the time increment to add or subtract from the start and/or end recording times of a specific program or series of programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: TIVO INC.
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman
  • Patent number: 7882520
    Abstract: A broadcast program recording overrun and underrun scheduling system provides a system for adjusting the start and end times of a broadcast program's recording schedule that has a predetermined start and end broadcast time. An on screen program guide is displayed to the viewer via a monitor or television and lists the predetermined scheduled broadcast times and channels of a plurality of broadcast programs. The viewer selects a particular broadcast program to record from the program guide using a remote input device. The invention schedules the broadcast program to be recorded by inserting the program's information such as program identifier, start and end times, and storage duration into a recording schedule database. The invention allows the viewer to adjust the scheduled start and/or end recording times for a broadcast program by specifying the time increment to add or subtract from the start and/or end recording times of a specific program or series of programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman
  • Patent number: 7877768
    Abstract: A smart broadcast program recording padding and scheduling system provides a system for adjusting the start and end times of a broadcast program's recording schedule that has a predetermined start and end broadcast time and resolving any conflicts arising from conflicting scheduled program recordings. An on screen program guide is displayed to the viewer via a monitor or television that lists the predetermined scheduled broadcast times and channels of a plurality of broadcast programs. The viewer selects a particular broadcast program to record and the invention schedules the broadcast program to be recorded by inserting the program's information such as program identifier, start and end times, and storage duration into a recording schedule database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman, David E. Pope, Martin Hibdon
  • Publication number: 20100040345
    Abstract: A DVR user instructs the DVR to record a program. The DVR determines whether the program is of a particular type. If the program is of the particular type, then the DVR presents, to the DVR user, a user interface that enables the DVR user to alter the parameters of the time interval during which the DVR will record the program. After the user has modified the recording time parameters (e.g., start and end recording times) for the program using DVR-presented user interfaces, the DVR stores the modified recording time parameters on the DVR's hard disk drive. The DVR then automatically records the program, beginning and ending at the stored times as modified by the DVR user (rather than the EPG data-specified times).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman
  • Patent number: 7484234
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing control of a set-top box through IR blasting control by a system containing at least one computer is discussed. The system is coupled to a mass storage system. The system includes an IR control database that resides on the mass storage system. The IR control database contains at least one IR control entry and an IR control packet. The IR control packet is generated from a first IR control entry of the IR control database. The system controls a set-top box by serial transmission of the IR control packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Heaton, Alan Waterman, Jean Kao
  • Publication number: 20070240187
    Abstract: In an interactive network-based personal video recording system, a user interface is provided that allows viewers to search a database of program guide information according to program title, indexed program attributes such as actor and director, and key word. Viewer interaction is by way of a remote control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman
  • Patent number: 7228556
    Abstract: In an interactive network-based personal video recording system, a user interface is provided that allows viewers to search a database of program guide information according to program title, indexed program attributes such as actor and director, and key workd. Viewer interaction is by way of a remote control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman
  • Publication number: 20040013409
    Abstract: A smart broadcast program recording padding and scheduling system provides a system for adjusting the start and end times of a broadcast program's recording schedule that has a predetermined start and end broadcast time and resolving any conflicts arising from conflicting scheduled program recordings. An on screen program guide is displayed to the viewer via a monitor or television that lists the predetermined scheduled broadcast times and channels of a plurality of broadcast programs. The viewer selects a particular broadcast program to record and the invention schedules the broadcast program to be recorded by inserting the program's information such as program identifier, start and end times, and storage duration into a recording schedule database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman, David E. Pope, Martin Hibdon
  • Publication number: 20030014753
    Abstract: In an interactive network-based personal video recording system, a user interface is provided that allows viewers to search a database of program guide information according to program title, indexed program attributes such as actor and director, and key workd. Viewer interaction is by way of a remote control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman
  • Publication number: 20020191954
    Abstract: A broadcast program recording overrun and underrun scheduling system provides a system for adjusting the start and end times of a broadcast program's recording schedule that has a predetermined start and end broadcast time. An on screen program guide is displayed to the viewer via a monitor or television and lists the predetermined scheduled broadcast times and channels of a plurality of broadcast programs. The viewer selects a particular broadcast program to record from the program guide using a remote input device. The invention schedules the broadcast program to be recorded by inserting the program's information such as program identifier, start and end times, and storage duration into a recording schedule database. The invention allows the viewer to adjust the scheduled start and/or end recording times for a broadcast program by specifying the time increment to add or substract from the start and/or end recording times of a specific program or series of programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman
  • Patent number: RE45774
    Abstract: A smart broadcast program recording padding and scheduling system provides a system for adjusting the start and end times of a broadcast program's recording schedule that has a predetermined start and end broadcast time and resolving any conflicts arising from conflicting scheduled program recordings. An on screen program guide is displayed to the viewer via a monitor or television that lists the predetermined scheduled broadcast times and channels of a plurality of broadcast programs. The viewer selects a particular broadcast program to record and the invention schedules the broadcast program to be recorded by inserting the program's information such as program identifier, start and end times, and storage duration into a recording schedule database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Beach, Alan Waterman, David E. Pope, Martin Hibdon